Table 1 Outcome ‘healthy and resilient rivers, wetlands and floodplains’ – example questions, indicators and data sources Evaluation questions Example indicators Data sources To what extent have the Basin Plan objectives, targets and outcomes for water-dependent ecosystems been achieved? How has the Basin Plan contributed to the protection and restoration of ecosystem functions? How has the Basin Plan contributed to the protection and restoration of ecosystems? How has the Basin Plan contributed to improved resilience of water-dependent ecosystems in the Murray–Darling to climate change and other risks and threats? How did the ecosystems respond to environmental watering? In what way has the EWP improved flow regimes across the Basin? In what ways has the condition of environmental assets improved? Have the specific flow & connectivity targets set in the BP been met? Vegetation Red gum inundation Vegetation age classes (to see that germination and growth are occurring) Vegetation diversity (to assess no. of species) Flood inundation model scenarios ‘with-’ and ‘without-Basin Plan’ Red gum location from MDB vegetation type map 2013 Birds Water bird nesting opportunities Water bird age classes Flood inundation model scenarios ‘with-’ and ‘without-Basin Plan’ MDB aerial waterbird survey Other surveys especially those at assets as part of state reporting of the achievement of environmental outcomes at an asset scale Fish Spawning Distribution Age classes Gauge network flows that meet spawning requirements ‘With’ and ‘without-Basin Plan’ hydrology models A Basin wide fish monitoring program Other surveys especially at as part of state reporting of the achievement of environmental outcomes Connectivity (lateral) Floodplain area inundated Flood inundation model scenarios ‘with-’ and ‘without-Basin Plan’ Bankfull flows - a measure of how often / for how long rivers are full Hydrology models ‘with-’ and Plan’ Connectivity (longitudinal) Periods when flows stop or are low Hydrology models ‘with-’ and ‘without-Basin Plan’ Murray Mouth opening regime Hydrology models ‘with-’ and ‘without-Basin Plan’ Connectivity (vertical) Compliance with groundwater provisions in WRPs Compliance with resource plans Water quality Salinity levels MDBA monitoring of salinity targets and salt Diversity Vegetation diversity surveys as part of state reporting
Table 2 Outcome ‘Better decisions made at the right level’ – example questions, indicators and data sources Evaluation questions Theme Example indicators Data sources To what extent have the planned activities and outputs the Environmental Watering Plan, the Water Quality and Salinity Management Plan and the Groundwater Planning programs been achieved? How has the Basin Plan contributed to environmental watering in the Murray–Darling being coordinated between managers of planned environmental water, owners and managers of environmental assets, and holders of held environmental water? How has the Basin Plan contributed to protection/restoration of ecosystems? To what extent were the actions required by the Basin Plan (relating to the protection and restoration of water-dependent ecosystems) suited to meeting the objectives of the Basin Plan? Have the water trading rules contributed to efficient water markets? Environmental water planning Purpose of environmental use Alignment with annual environmental watering priorities How Basin states and others coordinated, consulted and cooperated for environmental watering and planning Basin states CEWH MDBA (reporting under Schedule 12, matters 12 & 14) Water Quality and Salinity Management Plan How decisions on river flow and environmental watering had regard to the water quality objectives in the Basin Plan Measures implemented from water quality plans (part of water resource plans) Basin states CEWH MDBA (reporting under Schedule 12, matters 12 & 14) Involving the community How has engagement with the local community informed environmental water and water resource planning? How has engagement with the local community informed implementation of the Basin Plan? Basin states MDBA CEWH (reporting under Schedule 12, matters 6 & 10) Water resource plans resource plans in place in accordance with the agreed timetable for accreditation Accredited water resource plans provide for critical human water needs Accreditation for each WRP Basin states MDBA (reporting under Schedule 12, matters 17, 18, 20, 21, Statements of Assurance) Water trading Transaction time Patterns of water trading Basin states Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Reporting under the Basin Plan water trading rules
Table 3 Outcome 'Productive and resilient industries, confident communities’ – example questions, indicators and data sources Evaluation questions Theme Example indicators Data sources What are the major factors enabling/constraining the capacity of industries/communities to respond? What have been the social and economic benefits (including ecosystem service benefits) associated with improved environmental outcomes? What have been the social and economic benefits and costs to water-dependent industries, from the implementation of the Basin Plan? What have been the social and economic benefits and costs to Basin communities and the nation more broadly, from the implementation of the Basin Plan? Were there any unexpected or unintended social or economic consequences arising from the Basin Plan? To what extent have infrastructure investments and buybacks assisted communities & industry to transition to the SDLs? Has the Basin Plan provided greater certainty for industries and communities? What are the major factors that have enabled or constrained the capacity of industries and communities to respond to the Basin Plan and to achieve intended Basin Plan outcomes? How have the different components of the Basin Plan interacted as a package to help water-dependent industries and communities to adapt to reduced water for consumption? Water trading Patterns of water trading Number of trading restrictions notified to MDBA Availability of information to water market Transaction time Basin states Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Reporting under the Basin Plan water trading rules Irrigated agriculture Area irrigated and output by crop type Stocking rates and output Patterns of water trading Water used for irrigated agriculture Measures of productivity Rate of return per unit of water used Irrigation operators Local councils registries State agencies Consultants Industry groups Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) MDBA Benefits from improved environmental outcomes Economic and social importance Commissioned studies Surveys