Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760:reg:24:p29
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024C00760
Segment Type: reg
Provision Reference: reg 24 (pt 29/36)
Character Range: 385353–389794

the Basin, and wider industry depend on use of Basin water resources.
    38. People of the more than 40 Indigenous nations across the Basin use the water resources for cultural, social, environmental, spiritual and economic purposes. They see themselves as an integral part of the river system and are reliant on the river for their physical and spiritual well‑being. Because of their holistic understanding and connection, and practices of lore and customary law, Indigenous people have a deep responsibility for the health of rivers. Indigenous bodies hold an estimated 81 water licences in the Basin, with a total allocation of 8,237 ML (Arthur 2010).
    39. An estimated 430,000 people use Basin water resources for more than 5 million recreational fishing trips a year, with a most likely direct expenditure estimate of $1.35 billion (DPI 2011). Recreation and tourism use of Basin water resources is generally non‑consumptive, but depends on a degree of ecological health. Ramsar‑listed wetlands are significant tourist destinations.
    40. The National Water Initiative recognises the environment as a legitimate user of water and the need to ensure that water‑dependent ecosystems, such as rivers, lakes, floodplains, wetlands and estuaries are considered in management decisions (NWC 2011a).
Social and economic circumstances of Basin communities dependent on the Basin water resources
    41. Population density in the Basin is highest in the east and south‑east, becoming increasingly sparse on a south‑east to north‑west gradient. More than three quarters (78%) of the population lives in one of the more than 400 urban centres, towns and rural localities spread across the Basin. The remainder live rurally (ABS 2009).
    42. In 2006 there were 921,300 people employed in the Basin, with more than 21% of the jobs in Canberra. Of those residents considered to be part of the labour force, 5.0% were at the time classified as unemployed, compared to 5.2% unemployment nationally (ABS 2006).
Table 2: Industry of employment (2006)
Industry                                                                                         MDB excluding Canberra (%)  Canberra only (%)           Australia (%)
Agriculture, forestry and fishing                                                                13.3                        0.3                         3.2
Mining                                                                                           1.0                         0.0                         1.2
Manufacturing and trade (retail and wholesale)                                                   25.9                        13.0                        26.9
Utilities (electricity, gas, water, waste services, telecommunication and information services)  2.3                         2.9                         3.0
Construction and housing                                                                         8.2                         6.9                         9.7
Arts, recreation and tourism                                                                     7.2                         7.8                         7.9
Transportation                                                                                   4.5                         2.4                         4.8
Professional and administrative                                                                  15.1                        45.1                        20.8
Education, health and social services                                                            18.8                        18.1                        18.7
Other                                                                                            3.7                         3.5                         3.8
Total employed persons                                                                           745,500                     175,800                     9,104,200
                                                                                                 [3.6% of total population]  [0.9% of total population]  [44.6% of total population]
Total population (2006 census)                                                                   20,402,459

Source:  ABS 2006

    43. Excluding Canberra, almost half (47%) of the Basin's income earners in 2006 earned less than $400 per week gross, slightly more than the national proportion of 45%. For higher