Irrigation System Upgrades 0 4,745 ha 1,266 ha 0 158 ha plus 189 ha improved irrigation management BSMS Element 7 - Targeting reforestation and vegetation management Table ES - 2 summarises the reforestation and vegetation management activities completed in the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin in 2014/15. ES - Victorian Murray-Darling Basin dryland salinity management activities completed in 2014/15 Salinity Management Activity North East Goulburn Broken North Central Wimmera Mallee TOTAL Recharge Management Native Vegetation Protected 397 ha 694 ha 0 0 47,311 ha 48,402 ha High Density Tree Est. 0 549 ha 0 0 0 549 ha Low Density Tree Est. 0 0 0 64 ha 245 ha 309 ha Perennial Pasture Establishment and Lucerne 0 0 0 0 0 0 Improved Cropping Practices 0 0 0 0 58,299 ha 58,299 ha Discharge Management Native Vegetation Re-establishment 15 ha 0 0 0 0 15 ha Salt Tolerant Pastures Establishment 0 0 0 122 ha 81 ha 203 ha Engineering Works (e.g. groundwater pumping) 0 0 0 0 0 0 BSMS Element 8 - Constructing salt interception works During 2014/15, Victoria continued to operate existing salt interception schemes (SIS) using agreed operating rules. Refurbishment of Mildura-Merbein SIS was completed in 2014/15 and operation commenced. Table ES-3 shows the amount of salt intercepted in 2014/15. Table ES - Tonnes of salt intercepted by Salt Interception Schemes in Victoria in 2014/15 Scheme Salt Intercepted (tonnes) Pyramid Creek 28,964 Barr Drainage Diversion 21,051 Mildura Merbein 64,016 Total 114,031
Table End-of-valley targets for Victoria (SKM, 2005) Region Valley Baseline Conditions (1 Jan End-of-Valley Targets (as percentage of Baseline) End-of-Valley Targets (as absolute value over the Benchmark Period, 1975-2000) Valley Reporting Site AWRC Site Number Salinity (EC µS/cm) Salt Load (t/yr) Salinity (EC µS/cm) Salt Load (t/yr) Salinity (EC µS/cm) Salt Load (t/yr) Median (50%ile) Peak (80%ile) Mean Median (50%ile) Peak (80%ile) Mean Median (50%ile) Peak (80%ile) Mean North East* Ovens 72 100 54,000 100% 100% 101% 72 100 54,540 Ovens River @ Peechelba-East 403241 Kiewa 47 55 19,000 100% 100% 100% 47 55 19,000 Kiewa River @ Bandiana 402205 Goulburn Broken Goulburn 99 150 166,000 100% - - 99 - - Goulburn River @ Goulburn Weir 405259 Broken 104 130 15,000 136% - - 141 - - Broken @ Casey's Weir 404217 North Central Avoca 2,060 5,290 37,000 102% - - 2,096 - - Avoca River @ Quambatook 408203 Loddon 750 1,090 88,000 95% - - 711 - - Loddon River @ Laanecoorie 407203 Campaspe 530 670 54,000 78% - - 412 - - Campaspe River @ Campaspe Weir 406218 Wimmera* Wimmera 1,380 1,720 31,000 100% 100% 100% 1,380 1,720 31,000 Wimmera @ Horsham Weir 415200 Victorian Mallee Vic Mallee Zone 380 470 1,300,000 - - - - - River Murray@ Lock 6 426200 *Interim targets only. **Equilivant Electrical Conductivity
bank to have the capacity to finance extension of forestry outside of traditional forestry areas. The partner Governments will further consider the financing of native vegetation management, rehabilitation and land stewardship, and the commercialisation of short rotation tree crops, particularly for the wheat belt. During the 2014/15 reporting year, the North East, Goulburn Broken, Wimmera and Mallee CMAs within the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin undertook reforestation and revegetation works for dryland salinity management in their regions. Based on State funding alone, approximately 860 ha of revegetation was established within the Basin catchments during 2014/15. North East 211 is a summary of reforestation and revegetation management works undertaken in the North East CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year, and target works for the 2015/16 reporting year. Table Reforestation and revegetation for dryland salinity management in the North East CMA region Salinity Management Activity 2014/15 Implementation 2015/16 Target Recharge Management Native Vegetation Protected (by physical and/or covenants) 397 ha 385 ha High Density Tree Establishment N/A N/A Low Density Tree Establishment N/A N/A Perennial Pasture Establishment N/A N/A Lucerne Establishment N/A N/A Improved Cropping Practices N/A N/A Improved Grazing Regime 15,185 ha 2,000 ha Discharge Management Native Vegetation Re-establishment 15 ha 15 ha Salt Tolerant Pastures Establishment N/A N/A N/A – Activity not undertaken Reforestation and revegetation for dryland salinity management in the Goulburn Broken CMA region Salinity Management Activity 2014/15 Implementation 2015/16 Target Recharge Management Native Vegetation Protected (by physical and/or covenants) 694 ha 565 ha High Density Tree Establishment 549 ha 778 ha Low Density Tree Establishment N/A N/A Perennial Pasture Establishment N/A N/A Lucerne Establishment N/A N/A Improved Cropping Practices N/A N/A
Discharge Management Native Vegetation Re-establishment N/A N/A Salt Tolerant Pastures Establishment N/A N/A Engineering Works (e.g. groundwater pumping) N/A N/A N/A – Activity not undertaken Goulburn Broken 212 is a summary of reforestation and revegetation management works undertaken in the Goulburn Broken CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year, and target works for the 2015/16 reporting year. North Central There were no reforestation or revegetation activities completed in 2014/15 specifically contributing to salinity management in the North Central CMA region as there is no longer a dryland salinity management plan for the region. Priority asset project works are undertaken as an integrated approach to restore or enhance a given asset. Wimmera Table 213 is a summary of reforestation and revegetation management works undertaken in the Wimmera CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year, and target works for 2015/16. Table Reforestation and revegetation for dryland salinity management in the Wimmera CMA region Salinity Management Activity 2014/15 Implementation 2015/16 Target Recharge Management Native Vegetation Protected (by physical works and/or covenants) N/A N/A High Density Tree Establishment N/A N/A Low Density Tree Establishment Grampians to Pyrenees Biolink project revegetated 34 ha Project Hindmarsh planted 12,000 trees, shrubs and groundcover on 20 ha of private property north of Lake Hindmarsh. 160 people helped plant 6,000 trees, shrubs and groundcover on 10 ha of private property of the Yarriambiack Creek during the Yarrilinks community planting weekend. Approximately 8 ha of revegetation, including 12,000 plants as part of Project Hindmarsh and 6000 plants as part of Yarrilinks Community Planting Weekend Perennial Pasture Establishment N/A N/A Lucerne Establishment N/A N/A Improved Cropping Practices N/A N/A
Recommendation 9 - BigMod model review In the review of BigMod: The MDBA provide advice on the way that cumulative actions are configured in BigMod. Particular consideration should be given to: The chronological of entries and alignment with the current BSMS operational protocols (MDBC, 2005) Detail how reviews in register entries are implemented in the model. that the BSMS Operational Protocols (March 2005) are not clear on how to include reviews of salinity actions in the register, the model review should consider the sensitivity to the following interpretations of how to implement the register review changes: Initial entry updated for the change (Chronological order not changed) Change included at the time of the review (Chronological maintained for the change) Revised salinity included at the time of the review (Chronological changed to review date). Given the likelihood of changes to operational practices of SISs in the future, the model review should provide advice on the adequacy of BigMod to be used for operational decisions, in particular the adequacy of the results from the model to inform the operation of salinity interception schemes The BigMod Review should be made transparent to the IAG-Salinity auditors. Victoria supports Recommendation 9 in principle. Victoria supports the intent that MDBA be requested to provide a detailed overview of the matters raised in Recommendation 9 (a) to (d). BSMAP is an appropriate forum to confirm the scope of the work required to resolve and clarify the sequencing issue. The outcome of the review should be made available to the jurisdictions, as well as the IAG. Recommendation 10 - BSMS Baseline In the development of BSMS 2030, consideration is given as to whether there is a need to set a new baseline date at the commencement of BSMS 2030, and potentially at the commencement of any future BSMS stages. Victoria agrees in principle that the need to set a new baseline date is a matter for consideration in the development of BSMS 2030. However, Victoria would be unlikely to support any modification to the baseline date and conditions, outside of a comprehensive and integrated review of the appropriateness of the benchmark period, the baseline, the use of models and defining risk and uncertainty, as set out in Victoria’s response to Recommendation 3.
Confidence rating for Register A entries Table 1 Confidence Rating Approach for Victoria’s Register A entries (see Table D for explanatory notes) Model Assessment Register Salinity Credits debits* Method Type &/or Name Model Status Length & Quality of Data Record Confidence in Last Comment Rating Rating Impact Goulburn Broken CMA Surface Drainage 8.9 -0.6 Modelling Simplified Physical Process “SIR Salt Disposal Audit Model” Approved Good High in 2006/07, relates to 2003/04 Reasonable certainty in magnitude of estimate, and likely to be conservative. An interim review was undertaken in 2011 and the five-year review is now due for submission in 2016. Low Low Sub-surface Drainage 2.00 Modelling Approved Good High Low Low Sub Total 8.9 1.4 * As recorded on BSMS Register as at 25/09/2014 Model Assessment
Register Entry Salinity Credits debits* Assessment Method Type &/or Name Model Status Length & Quality of Data Record Confidence in Last Comment Rating Rating Impact North Central CMA Tragowel Plains Drainage 0.2 Modelling Multiple Linear Analysis Approved Good for flow and salinity, Poor re spatial distribution of changed irrigation water use High 2013 High Low Woorinen Irrigation District Excision 0.8 Modelling using 25 year Kerang Lakes Model, and River Murray Model Kerang Lakes REALM Model Approved Good (to Excellent) High 2010 The Kerang REALM model is being updated to include new operating conditions. The updated model will be used in the next 5-year review. High Low Kerang Lakes/Swan Hill SMP (Lake Charm Flushing) 1.6 Modelling 25 year Kerang Lakes Model, and River Murray Model Kerang REALM Model Approved Excellent High 2010 Refer to Woorinen comments High Low Campaspe West SMP (Subsurface Drainage & Groundwater Disposal) 0.3 Monitoring and inputs into MDBA River Murray Model N/A Approved (MDBA Murray Model) Excellent High (to Medium) 2010 High Low Sub 10.1 2.9 * As recorded on BSMS Register as at 25/09/2014 Model Assessment
Register Entry Salinity Credits debits* Method Type &/or Name Model Status Length & Quality of Data Record Confidence in Last Comment Rating Rating Impact Mallee CMA Psyche Bend Lagoon 0.6 - Modelling Constant average salt load Approved Good Medium 2011 Medium Low Sunraysia Drains Drying Up 0 - Modelling Modelling – Monthly Time Step Approved Good Medium 2010 Medium Low Lamberts Swamp 0 - Modelling Modelling – Monthly Time Step Approved Good High 2010 High Low Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impact 0 - Modelling model - Eastern Mallee Model version 2.3 (EM2.3) Approved Good Medium N/A New to register in 2010 Medium Low Mallee Drainage Bore Decommissioning 0 0 Modelling Tol Tol and Bumbang & Boundary Bend – Modelling Approved Poor Low 2013 The absence of sufficient monitored drain flow data in the last 5-year review resulted in a change to the status of the entry to “provisional” and “low confidence”. The provisional status will Low Low
remain until monitoring has been reinstated. Nangiloc-Colignan SMP - Drainage 1.7 0.4 Modelling of historic records and statistical modelling Approved Excellent High 2013 High Low Nyah to Australian border SMP – irrigation development 15.9 15.3 Modelling HIZ/LIZ method by analytical model Approved Excellent data updated to 2013 High 2013 The last 5-year review compared the approved analytical model against a numerical model which indicated that the salinity impact recorded on the register is over conservative. Mallee CMA will consider developing a new model for assessing irrigation development in the region which will more accurately estimate impacts and result in a reduced debit. Medium Medium Model Assessment Register Entry Salinity Credits debits* Method Type &/or Name Model Status Length & Quality of Data Record in Last Comment Rating Rating Impact
Lindsay Island – operations13 2.0 0 In N/A N/A State allocation against the changed river operations at Lindsay Island of 2EC are to be preserved until further modelling is undertaken. N/A N/A Sub Total 2 15.7 Total 39.24 20.1 * As recorded on BSMS Register as at 25/09/2014 Table D Explanatory notes for Confidence rating for Register A entries Column Name Options Comment Assessment Method Modelling Monitoring Refers to the method used to make the most recent assessment of impacts. Modelling Assessment - The four columns this heading are provided to allow a description of the modelling process. An N/A should be placed in these columns where monitoring is used to assess the impact of the entry. Type &/or Name Examples only: GAM/Multi-variable regression Refers to the type or classification of model and if appropriate the common name by which the model is recognised Model Status Approved Pending Not Approved Refers to whether the model has been considered by the BSMS IWG and received approval as being fit for purpose, or is going through this process. Length & Quality of Data Record Excellent Good Poor None Refers to availability, quality and length of record of flow and salinity data for model calibration and testing. Excellent: 20 yrs. of both data sets; Good: 5 to 15 years of both data sets; Poor: Limited records of one/both data sets available; None: No data available. Confidence in Assumptions High High: In general the impact of assumptions are known to be conservative