What is the Basin Plan trying to achieve? Our conceptual model of the Murray–Darling Basin water reform contextualised within the wider Basin social, economic and natural systems is shown above. Overall the Basin Plan aims to achieve a ‘healthy, working Basin’. Under that, the desired outcomes can be described under three key themes: healthy and resilient rivers, wetlands and floodplains (environmental) productive and resilient industries, and confident communities (social and economic) better decisions made at the right level (governance). Things we expect to see if the reform is working well would include: for the community: greater certainty over the security of water supplies for the long-term; more water-efficient production; water that is fit-for-purpose; minimised transaction costs of water trade and economic activity for the environment: improved floodplain health; increased waterbird numbers; sustainable native fish populations; the Murray mouth open more often and maintenance of good water quality in the Coorong and Lower Lakes for governance: what we learn as we put the Basin Plan to work leading to better management; risks to the Basin’s water resources minimised; local solutions being put in place and confidence in a sustainable future. Shown in Figure 2 are the key mechanisms through which these outcomes are expected to be achieved: Figure 2 Mechanisms to achieve Basin Plan outcomes
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) 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 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 ‘without-Basin Plan’ Connectivity (longitudinal) Periods when 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 water resource plans Water quality Salinity levels MDBA monitoring of salinity targets and salt loads Diversity Vegetation diversity Asset 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 under 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 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 water use Alignment with annual environmental watering priorities How states and others coordinated, consulted and cooperated for environmental watering and planning Basin states CEWH MDBA (reporting under Schedule 12, matters 12 & 14) 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) 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 Water 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