The decision-making process Summary of the proposed amendment and other recommendations 320 GL proposal is based on the consideration of economic, social and environmental outcomes, provided there are commitments from the Australian, Queensland and New South Wales governments to implement a range of specific toolkit measures, including a targeted water recovery strategy. Economic The Authority has listened to people and conducted ground-breaking research. As a result their proposed amendment is based on a better understanding of how 21 northern Basin communities respond to water recovery and its effects in the context of other changes. For many irrigation communities no further water needs to be recovered which gives them the confidence to adapt and plan for the future. For any future recovery the Authority’s preference is for infrastructure and strategic buyback. Some communities will feel further effects, especially in the Condamine-Balonne. The Authority recommends governments consider support for communities to help them adjust, especially Dirranbandi and Warren. Social This proposed amendment means different things for different communities. The Authority the message that taking water is not the only solution. This is why the proposed amendment – based on community input – includes ‘toolkit’ measures in addition to water recovery to help achieve river health with less water. Only changing recovery targets will not make it any easier for people to deal with some of the longer term changes impacting rural communities. The Authority has identified a number of practical measures for governments to consider which address the serious concerns of Aboriginal communities and recognise their enduring responsibilities with water. Environmental Almost any practical volume of recovery will not return the northern Basin to full health. The environmental outcomes possible from the reduction in the water recovery target will be slightly reduced compared with the Basin Plan. The Authority is confident that through implementation of the ‘toolkit’ any reduction in outcomes would be minimised. For the scenarios considered, increasing recovery beyond 320 GL did not deliver a marked improvement in environmental outcomes for many catchments. All water managers need to be smarter with how they use water. The new information from this review will guide future water recovery strategy, in terms of what is recovered, where, and how. To achieve a sustainable balance between water for businesses, communities and the environment, the Basin Plan sets limits on the average amount of water that can be taken from northern Basin rivers. This
Overall, the effects of water recovery in this catchment have been quite small, however Namoi communities have observed water recovery at a time of considerable change. Changes to the mining industry have affected Narrabri, and changes to population and employment have had an impact on Wee Waa. Wee Waa is an important community in this catchment, and will benefit from a reduction in the overall recovery target. The Authority was conscious of the impact of water recovery when setting the local recovery target of 20 GL. Effects on businesses and communities Narrabri, Gunnedah, and Boggabri: These towns have all faced changes in population and employment consistent with other regional communities. As the agricultural sector in these towns has declined, consistent with regional trends, the social and economic condition has been boosted by mining activity. Their position upstream means these towns have experienced very little water recovery. Wee Waa: The Wee Waa economy is dependent on irrigation, particularly cotton, and dryland agriculture. Most of the water available for irrigation in the Namoi is used in this community. Waa Waa's specialisation in cotton and a less diverse local economy affects its capacity to adapt to changes in water availability. Half of the water recovered to date has been via infrastructure development, providing benefits for landholders and indirectly to the community. Narrabri Effects on the environment The environmental outcomes in the Namoi under the proposed recovery target are similar to those likely under the current Basin Plan. The proposed water recovery target: ensures the native vegetation in areas near the river is healthy and sustained supports breeding opportunities for a range of native fish, frogs, turtles, and other invertebrates ensures river environments stay connected; and transport of sediment, nutrients and carbon continues, which is an essential ecosystem service. Under both the proposed water recovery target and current Basin Plan there is likely to be an improvement to overall river health. Further environmental improvements are also possible by negotiating temporary arrangements to buy or sell water with other entitlement holders. Contribution to the whole Flows from the Namoi contribute to downstream outcomes along the system and for the Barwon‒Darling, particularly in wetter years. Regulated flow releases in the Namoi provide opportunities to extend flows in the Barwon‒Darling. MACQUARIE
Authority considers submissions and prepares summary of any changes Authority comments from Ministerial Council Minister considers and adopts amendment Amendment tabled in parliament. Appendix A – Northern Basin Review publications Topic area Title Summary Overarching documents Northern Basin Review report Covers the fundamentals of the Review, the proposed recommendations and how the decision was reached. It contains highlights from the social, economic and environmental analysis and will canvass some of the issues that have arisen throughout the review. Overarching documents Triple-bottom-line framework This document describes the triple-bottom-line framework used by the Authority to assess different recovery targets for the northern Basin. The document covers the steps in the process, the indicators used to assess alternatives and the information used by the Authority in the decision- making process. Northern Advisory Committee advice NBAC advice report Synthesises the Northern Basin Advisory Committee’s advice and recommendations for implementing the Basin Plan in the north. Consultation report Consultation report Describes the engagement that has been undertaken during the Northern Basin Review, key issues raised and the MDBA’s response to the issues. Hydrological modelling Hydrologic Modelling for the Northern Basin Review Describes the model, data and assumptions underpinning the hydrological modelling and the results of the analysis. Hydrological modelling Review of the Hydrological Modelling Frameworks used to inform Potential Plan Amendments This report documents an independent review of the hydrologic modelling approach conducted by Drew Bewsher covering the methodology and robustness of the modelling approach. Environmental science Fish and flows in the northern Basin: responses of fish to changes in flows in the northern Basin This report provides a better understanding of the required to ensure that fish can move along river systems and have improved conditions for breeding and access to habitat, all of which will assist in increasing population size and condition. Environmental science Waterhole refuge mapping and persistence analysis in the Lower Balonne and Barwon–Darling rivers The project provides a better understanding of the location and persistence of waterholes in the Balonne River Floodplain and Barwon–Darling as part of the Northern Basin Review.
Social and economic research Economic modelling report (KPMG) This report covers the methodology adopted for the social and economic modelling. Social and economic research Land use modelling documentation This documentation provides an explanation of the land use models and the different formulae applied with accompanying spreadsheets. Social and economic research Our our life an aboriginal study in the northern This research report outlines the development of the survey tool and presents the survey findings on the importance of environmental water to Aboriginal Nations in the north of the Basin. Social and economic research Lower Balonne Floodplain Grazing report This report examines the impact of various levels of water recovery on floodplain grazing using a simulation model. Social and economic research Social and economic condition reports These provide statistics and other information on the population, employment, agricultural production and water availability for each community. They also contain local people’s perspectives about their towns and the trends overtime. Social and economic research Independent reviewer’s report A report prepared by the University of New England on the Social and Economic work conducted for the Northern Basin Review. Appendix B – The recommended package of toolkit measures accompanying the 320 GL proposed amendment Toolkit measure Benefits A Protection of environmental flows This measure will strengthen the efficient and effective delivery of environmental flows across the northern Basin; enhancing low flows and fresh flows, particularly in the unregulated river systems of the and Barwon–Darling. B Undertake targeted recovery of water. A key aim is to improve environmental watering into Narran Lakes, Lower Balonne and Culgoa floodplains and the River. There is also potential for improved social and economic outcomes by recovering water upstream of the Beardmore Dam. C A of event based mechanisms including: temporary trade by event, options over pumping (enduring agreements) and store and release. This measure aims to benefit the Narran Lakes, some areas of the Lower Balonne, the Border Rivers and Namoi regions. Limited benefits are also expected to occur in the Barwon–Darling.