Riparian works led by Wimmera Catchment Management Authority Five yearly assessment of Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy in 2017 Focus on open and transparent water markets and use of trade rules to manage constraints South west Victoria Moorabool River – priority waterway for long-term investment Budj Bim Landscape – priority waterway for long-term investment Integrated catchment project – new information technology Deliver additional 1 gigalitre in environmental flows for Barwon River Aboriginal Water Program – Gunditj Mirring and Barenji Gadjin cultural flows project Geelong-Melbourne Pipeline providing additional water security for Geelong $540,000 Federal Government funding – Agriculture and Job Growth feasibility study $100,000 Federal Government funding – Dilwyn Aquifer Infrastructure feasibility study Continued salinity management Emergency water supply points for dryland farmers Green priority spaces for community health and wellbeing using stormwater and recycled water Better designed suburbs and new developments to support liveable communities ‘Target Your Water Use’ program for regional Victoria Regional integrated water management forums $1 million partnership between catchment management authorities and recreational anglers Regional floodplain management strategies led by Glenelg Hopkins and Corangamite Catchment Management Authorities Regional flood mapping – Heywood, Fitzroy River, Darlot Creek, Deans Creek and Barongarook Creek Regional flood mitigation projects – North Warrnambool Riparian works led by Glenelg Hopkins and Corangamite Catchment Management Authorities Commence long-term water resource assessment for southern Victoria in 2018 Northern Victoria Campaspe, Strathbogie and King River – priority waterways for long-term investment Aboriginal Water Program – three projects underway: Barapa Barapa Water for Country (ongoing), Dja Dja Wurrung Bendigo Creek capacity building, Dhudhuroa and Waywurru Aboriginal Waterways Assessment Aboriginal Water Program – scoping six Aboriginal Waterway Assessments Goulburn-Murray Water Connections Project
Protecting the Yarra River Stronger links between waterway and catchment management and the state planning system will help protect waterways. One example is the recent change to the State Planning Policy Framework, which sets clear objectives for preventing overshadowing, limiting building height, increasing setbacks, and riparian and canopy vegetation protection in the Yarra River corridor. These new standards will be applied through new and revised Design and Development, and Significant Landscape Overlays in the local planning schemes between Richmond and Warrandyte. These new planning controls will support more consistent decision-making across local government boundaries and will protect the Yarra River’s character and environmental values from inappropriate development. The Yarra River is a key focus of the government. The Yarra River Protection Ministerial Advisory Committee was established in December 2015 to provide independent advice to government about improving governance arrangements for protecting the river. 3.1 Protecting our waterways and their catchments Under the Water Act 1989, Victoria has a water entitlement framework that limits how much water we can take for human use. It also requires licences for any works on waterways. Where applicable, planning controls are used to define the way land may be used or developed. Within a planning scheme, overlays can be used to show land that has particular values, such as significant environmental features. The Environment Protection Act 1970 protects water quality for both surface and groundwater. Our regional waterway strategies and regional catchment strategies identify environmental, social, cultural and economic values in partnership with communities to achieve common objectives. Regional catchment strategies guide strategic land use planning to protect and improve catchment values. Protecting our waterways through the planning system In urban areas, integrated water management plans will find holistic ways to protect environmental values of waterways. In urban and regional areas, we need to better align planning to achieve common objectives. There are opportunities to use planning tools, such as Environmental Significance Overlays, to protect areas with riparian vegetation and other native plants and animals that support land and water habitat and quality (see Chapter 5: Resilient and liveable cities and towns). Action 3.1 – Improve planning arrangements for urban waterways The government will protect the Yarra River corridor by responding to the Yarra River Protection Ministerial Advisory Committee recommendations. The government will consider applying the agreed recommendations to other major urban waterways.
Urban water corporations will continue to track the status of water supplies and demands as well as their projections for the year ahead. This information is released each year on 1 December in an annual water resource outlook. The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning will prepare a state-wide outlook drawing on the water corporation outlooks. The newly developed water grid oversight role will inform the urban water strategies and state-wide outlook (see Chapter 9: Realising the potential of the grid and markets). These will provide valuable information on supply and demand, and guide integrated water management. Action 5.2 – Better urban water planning to address key challenges Urban water corporations will develop urban water strategies that include: climate and population projections that are comparable across water corporations drought preparedness planning looking at all drinking and non-drinking water sources and the appropriate use of each source to protect human health. Continued role for water efficiency The community and industry have an essential role in urban water and our culture of water efficiency. This was demonstrated during the Millennium Drought. The contribution made by communities and businesses in reducing water use during this time has been widely attributed as the reason Melbourne did not run out of water. This included the Target 155 program, a voluntary water efficiency program to encourage Melbourne households to limit their water use to 155 litres per person per day. As part of the next stage of water efficiency initiatives, the government and the water sector will develop materials to help communities better understand the urban water cycle, the importance of water in the urban environment, and challenges we face. Action 5.3 – Reinvigorate water efficiency programs for Melbourne and regional Victoria We will help communities better understand urban water challenges and what they can do to achieve results by: rolling out the next generation of the Target 155 program for Melbourne, and developing the ‘Target Your Water Use’ program for regional Victoria, to help people understand the importance of water and manage their water use making sure water corporations continue to work actively with industries that use a lot of water to find ways to improve water efficiency building on the Schools Water Efficiency Program by increasing the number of schools in the program and expanding it to other areas, such as government buildings promoting the water corporations’ ‘Choose Tap’ campaign (or similar), which provides readily available drinking water that supports public health and reduces waste.
assessments can improve our understanding of the potential impact of climate change on water resources in these systems. Action 9.7 – Develop trading rules in other water systems The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning will: continue to refine trading rules and explore opportunities to further develop markets in western Victoria review state-wide unregulated surface water trading rules to improve trading opportunities develop policy to facilitate trade in groundwater systems and investigate the potential for trade where groundwater and surface water is connected. Specific actions will be guided by the relevant recommendations from the review completed as part of Action 9.3. Figure 9.5 – Level of current market development against the elements of effective water markets Caps Entitlements Participants Compliance Information Understand water resources and systems to establish caps Clearly define entitlements and associated reliability Define market operation and trading rules to apply to all participants Ensure effective compliance including monitoring, metering and accounting Publicly share reliable and timely information Northern regulated surface water High High High High Medium Southern regulated surface water excluding new south central market High High High High Medium Western regulated surface water Medium Medium Medium Medium Low Unregulated surface water Medium Medium Medium Medium Low Groundwater Low Medium Medium Low Low
Action 2.3 Lead climate change adaptation across Victoria’s water system Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, local government End 2020 Chapter 3 Waterway and catchment health Action Responsibility Delivery partners Timeframe Action 3.1 Improving arrangements for urban waterways Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning To be confirmed – Will reflect government response to the Yarra River Protection Ministerial Advisory Committee Mid 2017 Action 3.2 Protect water quality through the State Environment Protection Policy Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, Environment Protection Authority, local government, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians Mid 2018 Action 3.3 Invest in integrated catchment management Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, catchment management authorities Water corporations, local government, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, communities 2016-2019 Action 3.4 Provide long-term investment to improve waterway health Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, catchment management authorities Water corporations, local government, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, communities 2016-2019 Action 3.5 Improve environmental water management in a changing climate Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, local government, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, communities, Victorian Environmental Water Holder 2016-2019 Action 3.6 Better monitor and report on the benefits of environmental watering Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Victorian Environmental Water Holder Water corporations, catchment management authorities, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, recreational users 2016-2019 Action 3.7 Ensure clear and transparent charging arrangements Water corporations Victorian Environmental Water Holder, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Essential Services Commission 2017
Action 3.8 Support community partnerships and citizen science Catchment management authorities Landcare groups, angling groups, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, communities 2016-2019 Action 3.9 Improve knowledge and information about waterways and catchments Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, catchment management authorities Researchers 2016-2019 Chapter 4 Water for agriculture Action Responsibility Delivery partners Timeframe Action 4.1 Supporting regional development and change Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities Ongoing Action 4.2 Invest in rural water infrastructure Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, local government, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Ongoing Action 4.3 Help irrigation districts adapt Rural water corporations Catchment management authorities, local government, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Ongoing Action 4.4 Reduce barriers to change and support communities in irrigation districts Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Rural water corporations catchment management authorities, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources 2016 - 2020 Action 4.5 Improve water delivery efficiency in irrigation districts Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Rural water corporations, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, catchment management authorities 2016-2020
Action 4.6 Manage salinity, waterlogging and water quality Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources 2016-2020 Action: 4.7 Manage irrigation developments Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources 2016-2020 Action 4.8 Improve salinity management in the Mallee Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Lower Murray Water and Mallee Catchment Management Authority 2016-2020 Action 4.9 Improve management of emergency water supply Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, local government By December 2017 Action 4.10 Develop a rural drainage strategy Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Catchment management authorities, local government Draft early 2017 Final strategy late 2017 Action 4.11 Balance water recovery for the Murray-Darling Basin Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations and catchment management authorities Until completion Chapter 5 Resilient and liveable cities and towns Action Responsibility Delivery partners Timeframe Action 5.1 Use diverse water sources to protect public spaces Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, water corporations, local government, public open space managers Victorian Building Authority, VicWater, Environment Protection Authority, Department of Health and Human Services End 2017 Ongoing Action 5.2 Better urban water planning to address key challenges Urban and regional water corporations Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Department of Health and Human Services March 2017
Action 5.3 Reinvigorate water efficiency programs for Melbourne and regional Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, urban water corporations Department of Education and Training, schools, local government, community organisations Ongoing Action 5.4 Make the most of our investment in wastewater Urban water corporations, Melbourne Water Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, local government September 2018 (Sewerage strategy) Ongoing (waste to resource opportunities) Action 5.5 Improve stormwater management for greener environments and healthier waterways Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, Environment Protection Authority, local government, development industry March 2017 Action 5.6 Work across government for healthy and resilient urban landscapes Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Catchment management authorities, local government, Victorian Planning Authority, government departments such as the new Suburban Development portfolio, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians Ongoing (proposed amendments and best mix of tools) Action 5.7 Represent community values and local opportunities in planning Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, water corporations Catchment management authorities, local government, Victorian Planning Authority, government departments, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, Municipal Association of Victoria, Vicwater, Clearwater Ongoing Action 5.8 Put integrated water management into practice Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, water corporations Water corporations, catchment management authorities, local government, Victorian Planning Authority, government departments, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, Municipal Association of Victoria, Vicwater, Clearwater Ongoing
Chapter 6 Recognising and managing for Aboriginal values Action Responsibility Delivery partners Timeframe Action 6.1 Recognise Aboriginal values and objectives of water Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, co-design with the Aboriginal Water Reference Group Traditional Owners, water corporations, catchment management authorities, Victorian Environmental Water Holder 2016-2020 Action 6.2 Include Aboriginal values and traditional ecological knowledge in water planning Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, oversight role for the Aboriginal Water Reference Group Traditional Owners, water corporations, catchment management authorities and Victorian Environmental Water Holder 2016-2020 Action 6.3 Support Aboriginal access to water for economic development Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Traditional Owners, water corporations 2016-2020 Action 6.4 Build capacity to increase Aboriginal participation in water management Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, co-design with the Aboriginal Water Reference Group Traditional Owners, water corporations, catchment management authorities, Victorian Environmental Water Holder 2016-2020 Chapter 7 Recognising recreational values Action Responsibility Delivery partners Timeframe Action 7.1 Include recreational values in water and waterway planning Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, Victorian Environmental Water Holder 2017 and Ongoing Action 7.2 Help communities understand how to achieve their recreational objectives Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, land managers 2017 and Ongoing Action 7.3 Support recreation at water storages through infrastructure and better information Water corporations Local government, Regional Development Victoria, Fisheries, VRFish, Tourism Victoria, tourism boards, peak recreational bodies, community groups and clubs 2017 and Ongoing
Chapter 8 Water entitlements and planning Action Responsibility Delivery partners Timeframe Action 8.1 Ensure a strong, responsive water entitlement system Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Rural water corporations, Melbourne Water, Victorian Environmental Water Holder, Traditional Owners, communities Mid 2016-2021 Action 8.2 Provide greater flexibility and choice for Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Southern Rural Water, Water, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water, Melbourne Water, Victorian Water Registrar End 2017 Action 8.3 Investigate increased flexibility for taking water under winter-fill licences Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Southern Rural Water, Water, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water, Melbourne Water Mid 2017 Action 8.4 Better record and report on emerging significant uses of water Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Southern Rural Water, Water, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water, Melbourne Water Ongoing Reasonable domestic and stock limits. End 2017 Action 8.5 Ensure a modern compliance regime that works Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, Department of Premier and Cabinet Ongoing Action 8.6 Commence the long-term water resource assessment process Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, Victorian Environmental Water Holder Complete 2028 Action 8.7 Commence sustainable water strategy reviews Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, Victorian Environmental Water Holder, Traditional Owners Ongoing Action 8.8 Align the sustainable water strategy and water resource assessment processes Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Department of Premier and Cabinet (Office of Parliamentary Counsel) End 2017 Action 8.9 Improve rural water supply planning Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Southern Rural Water, Water, Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water, Melbourne Water, Department of Premier and Cabinet (Office of Parliamentary Counsel) Ongoing
Chapter 10 Jobs, economy and innovation Action Responsibility Delivery partners Timeframe Action 10.1 Improve engagement with customers and the broader community Water corporations Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians, local government, Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources, Victorian Business and industry, communities Ongoing Action 10.2 Consult business on future needs and provide information to support investment Water corporations Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, community, Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians Ongoing Action 10.3 Promote innovation in the water sector Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, water corporations Water corporations, catchment management authorities, Cooperative Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities, communities Ongoing Action 10.4 Build capacity and capability in the water sector Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, water corporations, catchment management authorities Traditional Owners Ongoing Action 10.5 Provide third party access to existing infrastructure Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, Essential Services Commission Framework designed and agreed by end 2018 Action 10.6 Drive strong governance and performance Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, Essential Services Commission, catchment management authorities, Victorian Environmental Water Holder Pilot statements of expectations to water corporations– November 2016 Ongoing Action 10.7 Promote gender equity in the water sector Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Water corporations, catchment management authorities, Victorian Environmental Water Holder Ongoing
Domestic and stock Water used in households and for pets, other animals, fire prevention, and for irrigating a kitchen garden. Drought Support Fund A $10 million cross-government initiative to provide support to farmers. Ecosystem A dynamic complex of plant, animal, fungal and microorganism communities and the associated non-living environment interacting as an ecological unit. Environmental water Water to support environmental values and ecological processes. Environmental water holder A body established to hold and manage environmental entitlements. Environmental water reserve The share of water resources set aside to maintain the environmental values of a water system. Fit-for-purpose Water of a quality that is appropriate for its intended use. Floodplain Low-lying land adjacent to a river or stream with unique ecosystems dependent on inundation from flood events. Freshes Small and short peaks in flows; a ‘flush’ of water through a waterway, which occurs generally in the summer and spring months. Gigalitre (GL) One billion (1,000,000,000) litres. Green and blue infrastructure Green infrastructure refers to key vegetation features such as street trees, parklands, grassed sports fields and vegetated walls. Blue infrastructure refers to key waterways, wetlands, recreational lakes, stormwater retarding basins, or other water body features. Green-blue infrastructure brings these assets together through integrated approaches to deliver community benefits. Groundwater All subsurface water, generally occupying the pores and crevices of rock and soil. High-reliability water share Legally recognised, secure entitlement to a defined share of water. Water shares are classed by their reliability, which is defined by how often full seasonal allocations are expected to be available. Allocations are made to high-reliability water shares before low-reliability shares. Hydrology The scientific study of water and its movement, distribution and quality. Inflows Water flowing into a storage or waterway. In-kind contributions Non-monetary contributions in the form of goods or services. Instream The component of a river within the river channel, including pools, riffles, woody debris, the river bank and benches along the bank. Integrated catchment management The coordinated management of land, water and biodiversity resources based on catchment areas. It incorporates environmental, social, cultural and economic considerations. This approach seeks to ensure the long-term viability of natural resource systems and human needs across current and future generations.
Traditional ecological knowledge For thousands of years Aboriginal people survived in the Australian landscape relying on their intricate knowledge of the land and its plants and animals. Aboriginal people have important knowledge of ecological processes and land and water management practices. Traditional Owners People who, through membership of a descent group or clan, are responsible for caring for Country. Aboriginal people with knowledge about traditions, observances, customs or beliefs associated with a particular area. A Traditional Owner is authorised to speak for Country and its heritage. Unbundle or unbundling Separation of traditional entitlements previously called water rights or take and use licences in declared water systems into a water share, delivery share or a water-use licence. Unregulated systems River systems with no large dams or weirs to regulate flow. Urban water cycle The cycle of water through urban environments. Distinguished from the natural urban water cycle by the transfer of water through built infrastructure and the high runoff rates generated by impervious surfaces. Urban water strategies All urban water corporations in Victoria are required to develop these strategies, which detail how water supplies and water demands will be balanced over the long-term. These are the next iteration of Water Supply Demand Strategies first prepared in 2007. Victorian Desalination Project The formal name of the Wonthaggi desalination plant and associated infrastructure – made up of the plant, underground pipeline and dedicated power supply. Victorian Environmental Water Holder An independent statutory body responsible for holding and managing Victoria’s environmental water entitlements. Wastewater Water that has had its quality affected by human influence, deriving from industrial, domestic, agricultural or commercial activities. Water corporations Government owned organisations who provide a range of water services to customers within their service areas including water supply, sewage and trade waste disposal and treatment, water delivery for irrigation and domestic and stock purposes, drainage, and salinity mitigation services. Some water corporations have a regulatory function for the diversion of water from waterways and the extraction of groundwater. Formerly known as water authorities. Water entitlement A right to receive water allocations, depending on resource availability. An unbundled water entitlement is a water share. A bundled water entitlement may be one of several types; most commonly take and use licences, water allowances, and supply by agreements. Water infrastructure Facilities, services and installations needed for the functioning of a water system. Water market Market in which the trade of permanent and temporary water is allowed under certain conditions.