Land water management plan by Mallee Catchment Management Authority

Land and Water Management Plan

Version Control Version

Prepared

Author

February 2010

June 2010

Sue McConnell & Shelly Rozario (DPI)

Reviewed by Project Steering Committee

Peter Middleton

Glen Sutherland & Lauren

(Mallee CMA)

Murphy (Mallee CMA) Peter Middleton (Mallee

August 2010

Mal Brown (Scarlet

CMA)

Consulting Australisia)

Jenny Collins (Mallee CMA) Mallee CMA Board

March 2011

May-July 2011

July 2011

Peter Middleton (Mallee CMA) Peter Middleton (Mallee CMA) Peter Middleton (Mallee CMA)

DSE Stakeholders Project Steering Committee

Peter Middleton

Jenny Collins (Mallee CMA)

(Mallee CMA)

Mallee CMA Board

Distribution of copies Version

Quantity

Issued to

Project Steering Committee Glen Sutherland, Peter Middleton & Lauren Murphy (Mallee CMA) Mal Brown (Scarlet Consulting Australisia) Peter Middleton (Mallee CMA) Jenny Collins (Mallee CMA) Mallee CMA Board

DSE

Agencies and Industry via Peak Bodies

Project Steering Committee

Mallee CMA Board

Acknowledgments It is not possible to list everyone who has contributed to this draft Land and Water Management Plan (LWMP), however we would sincerely like to thank them all for their contribution. Special thanks to the Project Steering Committee and the Project Team consisting of: •

Tony Martin – Mallee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Board

•

Glen Sutherland - Mallee CMA

•

Bryony Grice (MacGregor) – Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne

•

Louissa Rogers – Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne

•

Peter Shadwick - Department of Sustainability and Environment, Mildura

•

Owen Russell/Peter Ebner – Lower Murray Water

•

Ian Matheson – First Mildura Irrigation Trust (until amalgamation with LMW)

•

John Martin/Nigel Binney – Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water

•

Owen Lloyd – Mallee CMA Mallee Irrigation and Environment Implementation Committee (MIEIC)

•

Stuart Putland – Department of Primary Industries

•

Sue McConnell - Department of Primary Industries

Thanks also to the Stakeholder Consultation Group (participants are listed in Appendix 5) for their contributions at meetings and workshops, as well their comments on components of the plan and the draft plan as a whole.

Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary 1 2. Introduction 7 3. Future Direction 9 3.1. Vision 9 3.2. Objectives 9 4. Background 11 4.1. Overview of region 11

4.2.

Major policy and infrastructure changes impacting on

irrigation in the Mallee 28

4.3.

History of Salinity and Water Quality Management Plans

in the Victorian Mallee 30

4.4.

Murrayville Groundwater Management Plan

4.5. Regional Strategies 32 5. Key drivers 35 5.1. Current climatic conditions 35

5.2.

Achievements of previous Salinity Management Plans

5.3.

Policies, legislation and strategies

6. Plan Development 43 6.1. Methods and community consultation 43 7.

Setting priorities for actions and resource allocation

7.1.

Response to regional, state and national water

polices/strategies /legislation 45 7.2. Asset-threat risk assessment 47 8. Recommended actions and targets 57 8.1. Management Actions 57 8.2. Targets 66 9.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reviewing

9.1. Monitoring 81 9.2. Evaluation 89 9.3. Plan Review and Renewal 90

10. Implementation of plan 91 10.1. Management of the plan 91 10.2. Roles of key stakeholders 91 10.3. Plan implementation costs 93 10.4. Cost sharing arrangements 97 11. Triple bottom line assessment 99 11.1. Costs 99

11.2.

Triple Bottom Line assessment summary

100

12.

Additional assumptions and knowledge gaps

103

12.1. Assumptions for Targets 103 12.2. Knowledge Gaps 104 13. Future Challenges and Opportunities 107 13.1. Murray-Darling Basin Plan 107 13.2. Changing Climatic Conditions 108 13.3. Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy 108 14. References 109 15. Appendices 129

Figures in this document Figure 1. Area covered by the Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP.

Figure 2. Map of the Mallee CMA region.

Figure 3. Mallee country. 15 Figure 4. Schematic diagram of hydrology in the Murrayville region (MCMA website). 16 Figure 5. Schematic illustration of the irrigated area adjacent to the river

displaying the important hydrogeological units; the Parilla Sands

aquifer, the Blanchetown Clay layer and the Woorinen Formation.

Figure 6. Schematic illustration of the important hydrogeological layers in

an area where irrigation causes higher salinity impact (for

example, in the eastern section of the First Mildura Irrigation

District). 17 Figure 7. Schematic illustration: a cross section running from low salinity

impact zones in the west to high salinity impact zones near the

river. 18 Figure 8. Schematic illustration of an irrigated area adjacent to the river

but sitting on top of the ancestral floodplain.

Figure 9. Salinity Impact Zones in the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region.

Figure 10. Irrigation areas within the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region.

Figure 11. Changes in irrigation in the Mallee from 1999 to 2009.

Figure 12. Permanent water trade from Nyah to South Australian Border from 1993/94 to 2006/07. 24 Figure 13. Oranges. 27 Figure 14. Land and Water Management in the Mallee over 20 years.

Figure 15. Irrigation type in the Mallee CMA.

Figure 16. Tile drainage volumes emanating from Mallee region irrigation districts. 37 Figure 17. Estimated Salt Load in collected drainage from irrigation areas

to the River Murray and floodplain.

Figure 18. Cover of Northern Regional Sustainable Water Strategy

Figure 19. Process of community consultation in the development of the LWMP. 44 Figure 20. Setting priorities for management actions.

Figure 21. Assets within the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region.

Figure 22. Threats and threatening process to Victorian Mallee Irrigation

Region natural resource assets from irrigated horticulture

Figure 23. Summary of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; processes within the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region. 52 Figure 24. Aerial of Pschye Lagoon.

Figure 25. Whole Farm Planning workshop.

Figure 26. Irrigated vines. 97

Tables in this document Table 1. Roles of key stakeholders.

Table 2. Salinity Impact Zones. 20 Table 3. Crop types - Mallee irrigated areas.

Table 4. Pumped districts and private diverters in the Mallee - Summary.

Table 5. Irrigation methods in the Victorian Mallee Irrigation region.

Table 6. Lower Murray Water (Sunraysia Rural Water Authority and FMIT)

and Murrayville WSPA entitlements and water use 2008-09.

Table 7. Major policy and infrastructure changes impacting on irrigation

in the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region (Psi-Delta 2005; SKM

2001a). 28 Table 8. Asset categories. 47 Table 9. Threat risk rating. 55 Table 10. Recommended actions and targets for Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP. 58 Table 11. Management actions for Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP. 67 Table 12. Management actions for Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP. 72 Table 13. Monitoring of Resource Condition Targets and Long-Term Goals.

Table 14. Monitoring of Intermediate targets.

Table 15. Monitoring of Management Action Targets.

Table 16. LWMP Key MERI evaluation questions and possible methods and data sources. 89 Table 17. Roles of key stakeholders.

Table 18. Plan implementation costs.

Table 19. Flow of direct costs.

Table 20. Cost Sharing. 99 Table 21. Total costs of plan implementation.

100

Table 22. Net Present Value and Benefit Cost Ratio.

100

Table 23. Social Assessment. 101 Table 24. Assumptions Underpinning the Targets.

103

Abbreviations in this document AEM

Aerial Electro Magnetic

AUL

Annual Use Limit

BMP

Best Management Practice

BSMS

Basin Salinity Management Strategy

DPI

Department of Primary Industries

DSE

Department of Sustainability and Environment

Electrical Conductivity

EVC

Ecological Vegetation Classes

GIS

Geographic Information System

GWMW

Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water

Hectare

Ha/yr

Hectares per year

HIZ

High River Salinity Impact Zone

iEMAP

Irrigation Environmental Management Action Planning

IRES

Irrigation Recording and Evaluation System

ISC

Index of Stream Condition

Intermediate Target

LCC

Land Conservation Council

LIZ

Low River Salinity Impact Zone

LMW

Lower Murray Water

LWMP

Land and Water Management Plan

MAT

Management Action Target

MBI

Market Based Instruments

MCMA

Mallee Catchment Management Authority

MDBA

Murray-Darling Basin Authority

MDBC

Murray-Darling Basin Commission (now MDBA)

Megalitre

NID

New Irrigation Development

NRE

Natural Resources and Environment (Department of)

NRM

Natural Resource Management

NRSWS

Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy

N2SAB

Nyah to South Australian Border

PLM

Public Land Manager

RCS

Regional Catchment Strategy

RCT

Resource Condition Target

SDE

Salt Disposal Entitlements

SDL

Sustainable Diversion Limit

SIS

Salt Interception Scheme

SMP

Salinity Management Plan

VMSWQMP

Victorian Mallee Salinity and Water Quality Management Plan (Draft)

WCI

Wetland Condition Index

WFP

Whole Farm Planning

WUE

Water Use Efficiency

WUL

Water Use Licence

Glossary of Terms Accountable Actions – An Accountable Action is one where an activity (either on its own or cumulatively) is estimated to have an effect on daily average salinity at Morgan greater than 0.1 EC in the next 100 years (a Significant Effect). Accountable Actions are typically salt interception schemes, changes to river operation and water management including changes to water use efficiency, and new irrigation developments in the Mallee Region. Annual Use Limit (AUL) – the maximum volume of water that, in any 12-month period, may be applied to the land specified in a water-use licence. Aquifer – Porous (sand or gravel) layer within the Earth’s crust capable of containing groundwater. Aquitard – Clay layer in between groundwater aquifers. Aquitards help to confine aquifers and retard the movement of groundwater between one aquifer and another. Delivery share – the right to have water delivered by a water corporation and a share of the available flow in a delivery system: a share in terms of unit volume per unit of time of the total amount of water that can be drawn from a water system at a certain point. EC – Electrical conductivity is the measure of total concentration of dissolved salts in water. When salts dissolve in water, they give off electrically charged ions that conduct electricity. The more ions in the water, the greater the electrical conductivity it has. Because there are almost no ions in distilled water, it has almost no electrical conductivity. Hard water contains more salts, and therefore more ions, and has high electrical conductivity. Measuring electrical conductivity provides a fast and convenient way to measure salinity levels. Sea water has a salinity of about 50,000 EC units. EC at Morgan – Changes in River Murray salinity are expressed as changes in average annual salinity (EC) at Morgan South Australia. Hydrogeology – The study of groundwater systems. Irrigation application efficiency – the proportion of total irrigation and rainfall that is consumed by the crop through evapotranspiration. The remaining proportion is lost to collected drainage or groundwater recharge.

Management Action Target (MAT) – Short term targets relating directly to a specific management action, defining quantity or quality of works or measures to be completed. Market Based Instrument (MBI) – A method of giving a positive reward for proactive involvement in natural resource management. They are another ‘string to the bow’ adding to the more traditional forms of encouragement and assistance in NRM, such as incentives and grants. Ramsar – The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty adopted on 2 February 1971 in the Iranian city of Ramsar, on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea. Though nowadays the name of the Convention is usually written “Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar, Iran, 1971)”, it has come to be known popularly as the “Ramsar Convention”; (Source: www.ramsar.org). Resource Condition Target (RCT) – 20-30 year targets specifically related to the impact from irrigation on the condition of natural resource management assets within the Mallee CMA region. Salinity Credits and Debits - Are units of salinity accountability and are defined as increases or decreases in average salinity costs since the baseline date. Salt Disposal Entitlements – Entitlements to increase River Murray salinity at Morgan. These are only earned at the state level in return for investments that reduce river salinity by at least the same amount if not more (this term is being phased out and replaced with Salinity Credits and Debits). Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) – Limit on the quantity of surface water and groundwater that may be taken from the Murray Darling Basin water resources as a whole. Victorian Water Register - A public register of all water-related entitlements in Victoria. It records entitlements with integrity, enables proper water accounting, keeps track of the water market and produces crucial information for managing the state’s water resources. The register is shared between an independent Victorian Water Registrar, the Office of Water in the Department of Sustainability and Environment, and rural water corporations.

Water share â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a legally recognised, secure share of the water available to be taken from a defined water system; a water share is specified as a maximum volume of seasonal allocation that may be made against that share. Water Use Efficiency (WUE) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; maximising the use of available water resources by applying water efficiently at a time and volume that meets the needs of the crops and ensures the long term sustainability of production levels (DSE & DPI 2004). Water Use Licence (WUL) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the right to use water on a specific piece of land, or wateruse registration: an authorisation to use water for purposes other than irrigation.

Executive Summary

The Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan (LWMP) builds on, brings together and carries forward, the community-driven, and government endorsed, salinity management plans of the early 1990s. Those plans, the Sunraysia, Nangiloc-Colignan and Nyah to SA Border salinity management plans, made a profound difference to the sustainability of irrigation in the Victorian Mallee.

A history of achievement The Sunraysia salinity management plan led more than 2500 irrigators to complete an irrigation-training course run by the DPI. Around half of them did so to qualify for financial incentives to upgrade their irrigation technology, but almost as many attended simply because the course provided concrete, practical insights into how little water could be stored in the rootzones of many Mallee soils. Improvements to irrigation management over the next 20 years reduced river salinity at Morgan by more than 5 EC. Some remarkably simple changes to drainage management further reduced river salinity by more than 5 EC. Since the inception of the Sunraysia Salinity Management Plan, considerable progress has been made in replacing, the less efficient older irrigation systems such as flood/ furrows and overhead systems with modern highly efficient pressurised systems (see page 23, Table 3). These conversions were driven by a desire to increase water use efficiency; motivation to make the change came from many sources including the irrigation-training course, two-part tariffs, water trade, low allocations during the drought and financial incentives. The Nangiloc-Colignan salinity management plan resolved nearly three decadeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s worth of community unrest about irrigation expansion, waterlogging, drainage disposal, wetland degradation and increased river salinity. The $5.5 million Nangiloc-Colignan Coordinated Group Drainage Scheme bolstered productivity on more than 6 000 hectares of prime horticultural land while also reducing the threats to significant wetlands. In doing all this, the plan returned harmony and cohesion to what had become a divided community. The Nyah to SA Border salinity management plan focused more on prevention than cure. In advance of the introduction of water entitlement trade, it developed light-handed regulations, and market-based incentives, that led developers to favour those blocks of land where irrigation posed the least threat to biodiversity or river salinity. It then required

them to plan their crop and irrigation layouts to match the capability of that land – as assessed using the soil surveying techniques that were also a feature of the irrigationtraining course. The irrigation development guidelines that came out of the Nyah to SA Border plan, have been an outstanding success. The total irrigated area in the Mallee has doubled since entitlement trade began in 1994. More than half that extra land is in the lowest salinity impact zones, and each new property must provide scope to manage its own drainage disposal. In practice, the requirements to match farm layouts with land capability, coupled with modern irrigation scheduling techniques, mean that most trade-driven developments have not yet needed drainage works. The massive changes in land use brought about by water trade in the Mallee have so far been remarkably free of the widespread waterlogging, salinisation and drainage problems associated with irrigation developments everywhere in Australia up until the 1990s. The absence of widespread problems provides empirical evidence that the irrigation development guidelines have been a success.

The challenges ahead Much has been achieved, but there is still much to do. Effort must also be put into maintaining the achievements so far. The major challenges for the future are to: •

protect natural-resource assets, including remnant stands of native vegetation, waterways and wetlands, from the off-site affects of irrigation;

•

prevent land and water salinisation being caused anew as irrigation continues to move to new parts of the landscape;

•

further improve water use efficiency on historic irrigation farms;

•

rehabilitate land and water previously salinised as a result of historic irrigation and drainage practices; and

•

address community concerns about the third-party effects of irrigation

A plan for action This LWMP embraces a suite of actions designed to meet the challenges ahead. Each component of the plan was developed in consultation with irrigators, environmental managers, water resource mangers and agricultural scientists. Working together they identified the assets in need of protection and prioritised the threats to those assets. They then set targets for the management actions designed to address the priority threats.

The actions to be implemented under this plan are summarised below. The summaries include cross-references to those parts of the plan where the individual actions are described in more detail. The whole farm planning and risk management components of the plan aim to provide farmers with up-to-date information about land and water management. The idea is to provide information about water use efficiency, native vegetation protection and pest control in ways that help irrigators to integrate information and to adopt best practices. The overall aim is for individuals to address these issues in ways that help to benefit the region as a whole. These components of the plan will be implemented by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) (see page 59, Table 10). Irrigation Development Guidelines (IDGs) will continue to ensure that new irrigation developments observe best management practices and have minimal off-site impacts. The Victorian Mallee Irrigation Development Guidelines is a companion document to the draft LWMP; it is being implemented in partnership with the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Water Corporations and DPI (see page 61, Table 10). Incentives to encourage the adoption of best management practices aim to complete the work begun in the early 1990s within the older irrigated areas of the Mallee. There remains are around 8 000 hectares yet to be upgraded and incentives will continue to be implemented in partnership with the DPI (see page 62, Table 10). Procedures to comply with the Basin Salinity Management Strategy (BSMS) aim to ensure that the Mallee continues to support Victoria in meeting its obligations under Schedule B to Schedule 1 of the Water Act 2007. The Mallee Salt Procedures Manual is a companion document to the draft LWMP (see page 62, Table 10). The target audience for the manual comprises the Mallee CMA and regional Water Corporations with the primary purpose being to detail statutory obligations relating to salinity management thereby improving the capacity of effecting organisations to meet the obligations. The manual outlines how Water Corporations (LMW and G-MW) will continue to require the holders of new water-use licences, and those whose licences have been varied to allow an increase in their annual use limit, to make payments towards the costs of offsetting their impacts on river salinity. It also outlines how the CMA will continue to organise five-yearly reviews of the existing BSMS Accountable Actions while also continuously looking for opportunities to further reduce river salinity.

Management plans for wetlands directly affected by irrigation aim to improve the condition of those wetlands that, as a legacy of history, are used to store or convey either irrigation water or drainage water or suffer from other irrigation related impacts. Irrigators making use of those wetlands will be encouraged to work collaboratively with water authorities (LMW, G-MW, GWMW), natural resource managers (MCMA, DSE) and primary industry representatives (DPI) to develop management plans (see page 63, Table 10). The plans will help increase irrigatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; awareness of wetlands, their ecological functions and the native plants and animals they support. Importantly, they will also help to guard against sudden changes to the health of these wetlands in response to changes in irrigation or drainage management. This component of the plan will be integrated with the current statewide refinements to the Index of Wetland Condition and the Index of Stream Condition. Market-based instruments (MBIs) to improve the management of native vegetation will be used, in priority areas, to provide incentives for vegetation management to the holders of water-use licences that date back to 1 July 2007. MBIs encompass various approaches to providing economic incentives. The options include credits, rebates, co-payments or auction-style systems such as the BushTender program. The challenge in implementing the LWMP is to investigate and identify target areas for investment, secure funding from appropriate investors and choose the MBI most likely to achieve the best possible results (see page 63, Table 10). Community awareness programs aim to improve community understanding of the value of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significant natural assets. Increased awareness will ultimately strengthen the communityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s willingness to be involved in implementing on-ground actions to help protect and improve those assets. The long-term benefits will be regional improvements in the condition of wetlands, waterways and the habitat for native plants and animals. Understanding will be imparted through seminars, workshops, field days and tours conducted by the DPI (see page 64, Table 10). actions to help protect and improve those assets. The long-term benefits will be regional improvements in the condition of wetlands, waterways and the habitat for native plants and animals. Understanding will be imparted through seminars, workshops, field days and tours conducted by the DPI (see page 64, Table 10).

Roles and responsibilities The roles of key stakeholders are described in Table 1. Table 1. Roles of key stakeholders. Key stakeholder

Role of key stakeholder In accordance with the Catchment and Land Protections Act 1994 Statement of

Mallee CMA

Obligations, the responsibilities of the Mallee CMA includes: • The development and coordination of the implementation of Mallee Land and Water Management Plans (Salinity Management Plans); • The monitoring and reporting on the progress of the implementation Land and Water Management Plans; • Advice to the Department and Minister on the development of regional salinity targets and associated works programs under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement; • Reporting on the allocation and uptake of Salt Disposal Entitlements (now termed salinity credits). The CMAs primary role is to coordinate the activities carried out by DPI and LMW/ GMW along with input from the regions community to meet State and Federal statutory obligations. The CMA is a conduit providing regional management advice to the Department of Sustainability and Environment and the Minister for Water. Additionally the Mallee CMA will provide an administrative role being responsible for arranging investment to implement the plan, project management services to guide the completion of management actions and the coordination of plan reviews. It will also provide a representative on the LWMP Committee of Management.

DPI

DPI will play a key role in the implementation of the plan. Subject to the availability of funding, DPI will be the principal delivering agent for those management actions that have an on-farm and/or irrigator focus where the bulk of LWMP investment will occur. DPI’s role is to provide the primary interface with Mallee irrigators for plan implementation – using its established linkages, wide networks and existing research capabilities. DPI will also provide a representative on the LWMP Committee of Management and input into the development of annual investment proposals that facilitate the implementation of the plan.

Lower Murray Water (LMW)

Lower Murray Water is a key member of a partnership of agencies whose role is to implement the plan. Specifically LMW’s role includes: • Membership of the North West Monitoring partnership that provides monitoring data to feed into the LWMP Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting arrangements; • The collection of salinity and environmental levies from irrigators within the Mallee CMA region on behalf of the plan. Additional roles and responsibilities for LMW include those as articulated in the companion documents of the LWMP; the Mallee Salt Procedures Manual and the Mallee Irrigation Development Guidelines. LMW will also provide a representative on the LWMP Committee of Management. 5

Goulburn Murray Water

There is a small section of the Mallee CMA irrigated region located around Nyah

(GMW)

whose irrigators are serviced by GMW. Roles and responsibilities for GMW are generally in respect to those irrigators within this area and include those roles as articulated in the companion documents of the LWMP; the Mallee Salt Procedures Manual and the Mallee Irrigation Development Guidelines.

Grampians Wimmera

GWMW services irrigators within the Murrayville region who source groundwater

Mallee Water (GWMW)

from the Murray Group aquifer. Roles and responsibilities for GWMW are generally in respect to those irrigators within this area and include those roles as articulated in the companion documents of the LWMP; the Mallee Salt Procedures Manual and the Mallee Irrigation Development Guidelines.

DSE

DSE provides investment in the implementation of the LWMP. Investment is not mandatory and is subject to compliance with DSE program objectives, outcomes and priorities.

Mallee irrigation community

Mallee irrigators are the primary target audience for plan implementation and a representative of Mallee irrigators will sit on the LWMP Committee of Management. The primary role for this group centres on investing in the implementation of management actions, providing time and resources.

Federal Government

The Federal Government has an investment role in the LWMP but subject to any investment being in accordance with its program objectives, outcomes and priorities.

The benefits and costs The actions proposed in this LWMP have been costed at $8 million, over five years. They are highly cost-effective, yielding a benefit cost ratio of 1.4:1 (using a 4 per cent discount rate). The LWMP is intended to guide where the Mallee CMA will direct investment in the region, as and when appropriate funding becomes available. Potential sources of funding include individual irrigators, the irrigation community, industry groups, the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), and the Commonwealth Government. Irrigatorsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; contributions to cost sharing will take several different forms. Individual irrigators participating in any of the LWMP programs will make both capital and inkind contributions to the completion of on-ground works; they will also devote time to attending whole farm planning workshops, training-courses, and the integration of environmental goals into their day-to-day farm management. (see page 99, Table 20). Irrigation developers will continue to make payments towards the costs of offsetting their impacts on river salinity. These funds will be available in the Mallee for investment in salinity management and mitigation activities. The Murray-Darling Basin Salinity Management Strategy is the primary accountability mechanism for these payments.

2. Introduction This Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan (LWMP) is a regional document developed to guide public investment in the implementation of natural resource management (NRM) works and measures. This plan provides the longer-term strategic direction for the development of the Mallee CMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Regional Sustainability Program.

Figure 1. Area covered by the Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP.

The LWMP covers all irrigated areas and all areas impacted by irrigation in the Mallee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) region. It includes areas where new irrigation developments are likely, and areas where water supply is sourced from the Murrayville Groundwater Supply Protection Area (MGSPA) and the Wimmera Mallee Pipeline. It should be noted that the LWMP does not address the management of the Murrayville aquifer itself. Figure 1 (previous page) represents the area covered by the plan. A 25 km buffer has been drawn from the River Murray to encompass all irrigated areas along the river (on the Victorian side), with a similar buffer around the Murrayville irrigated area. The LWMP has been renewed in line with Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) requirements for the development of Land and Water Management Plans (DSE 2008a). It aligns with, but is not bound by, the Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy 2003-2008 (MCMA 2003) and provides a coordinated approach to natural resource management. The renewed LWMP has been developed in consultation with the community through stakeholder activities as well as technical expert reviews. The renewed plan recognises the achievements of and builds on actions from Salinity Management Plans developed in the 1990s and the draft Victorian Mallee Salinity and Water Quality Management Plan (VMSWQMP; MCMA 2006a). It also incorporates requirements from the Victorian Water Act 1989 (VicGov 1989); the Ministerial Determinations (VicGov 2007a â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2007h) associated with the unbundling of water rights on 1 July 2007; along with new technical information arising from the Mallee CMA Regional Sustainability Program over the past 10 years.

Formerly known as the Water Resources Program

Future Direction

3.1. Vision To minimise the impact on the natural assets of the Victorian Mallee that arise from consumptive water use, while optimising the functionality of irrigation communities within the limits of the water resource (MCMA 2008a).

3.2. Objectives This plan aims to deal with water and land related issues for the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region by working towards achieving the relevant national, state and regional goals. The major objectives include: •

Responding effectively to the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy (DSE 2009a) by increasing community and organisational awareness and involvement in regional planning and by taking actions to deal with low and variable water availability;

•

Continue actions to maintain improvements in the river salinity and rising groundwater in the basin by meeting the obligations under the Federal and State Water Acts and Basin Salinity Management Strategy (MDBC 2001);

•

Alignment with the objectives of the Regional Catchment Strategy (MCMA 2003), and contributing to the achievement of resource condition targets;

•

Responding to changes implemented under the unbundling of water entitlements in 2007 by developing regional implementation policies in line with the Ministerial Determinations on water use;

•

Continued coordination and monitoring of new irrigation developments through the implementation of New Irrigation Development Guidelines (MCMA 2010);

•

Continual improvements in water use efficiency for irrigated horticulture in the region through increased community awareness; testing and adopting effective technology; and providing incentives which encourage increased efficiencies and minimise the impact on the land and water resources;

•

Improve community awareness of natural and cultural assets, their values and the threats posed by irrigation;

•

Ensure the plan is adaptive and remains relevant through a process of continuous improvement by a regular cycle of monitoring, reviewing and reporting.

Figure 2. Map of the Mallee CMA region.

4. Background 4.1.

Overview of region

4.1.1.

Area and people

The Mallee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) region covers approximately 3.9 million hectares, almost one-fifth of Victoria (Figure 2). The total population for the region is approximately 94 736 people (ABS 2008, Mallee Statistical Division), with the major urban centre being Mildura. This plan covers 988 000 hectares - approximately 25% of the Mallee CMA region. Smaller towns in the irrigated region covered by this plan include Red Cliffs, Merbein, Irymple, Murrayville, Lindsay Point, Lake Cullulleraine, Nangiloc, Colignan, Wemen, Robinvale, Boundary Bend and Nyah. The plan spans two local government areas – Mildura Rural City Council and Swan Hill Rural City Council. The major horticultural industries in the irrigated region are grapes, citrus, almonds and vegetable crops with the region producing the bulk of Australia’s production of dried vine fruits, table grapes and almonds. All irrigation relies on water sourced from the River Murray or the Murrayville groundwater system. 4.1.2. Aboriginal history Aboriginal people of eight language groups occupy the Victorian Mallee. Of the total regional population, 3% (2,807) are Indigenous (ABS 2008 - Mallee Statistical Division). The groups are Latji Latji, Nyeri Nyeri /Wergaia, Ngintait, Tati Tati, Wotobaluk, Wadi Wadi, Yupagalk, Dadi Dadi, WadiWadi (Weki Weki), Wamba Wamba, and JariJari. The Victorian Mallee is home to some of the state’s most significant cultural landscapes, with more than 4,000 Aboriginal places in the Mallee registered on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register maintained by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria. The location of these Aboriginal places is strongly influenced by the flooding regime and water availability. The boundary between non-alluvial areas and alluvial areas is particularly important with respect to Aboriginal cultural heritage values (amended by Smith 2010). Aboriginal cultural heritage is protected under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 (Victorian), Aboriginal Heritage Regulations 2007 (Victorian) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 (Federal). The Mallee CMA actively engages and consults with Aboriginal communities in the Mallee. It works with Indigenous stakeholders to ensure places with Aboriginal cultural heritage significance are protected and enhanced (MCMA 2003). 11

The LWMP encompasses areas of the Victorian Mallee landscape that contain sites of cultural importance. These sites often lie in close proximity to irrigated land and are therefore potentially vulnerable to threats posed by irrigation development and farming practices. 4.1.3. Non-Aboriginal history European settlement of the Mallee began in the 1840s. Farming land was primarily used for grazing, but by the late 1800s and early 1900s, annual dryland cropping of grains approached 300 000ha. The first irrigation infrastructure was established by the Chaffey Brothers’ Mildura Irrigation Company in 1887. In 1910 irrigation expanded with dairy farms emerging in the region. Irrigation expansion also occurred after both the First and Second World Wars through soldier settlement schemes. All early irrigation was based upon irrigation districts that employed communal pumping. In the 1950s the widespread availability of electricity and the development in pumping technology brought a change in irrigation development, with individual businesses starting to pump their own water from the River Murray. The move towards private pumping from the river as opposed to the pumped irrigation districts continues to this day. Irrigation expansion in the Victorian Mallee continues to the present day. It is notable that this expansion only occurred as a result of the introduction of the trading of permanent water entitlements in 1994 as the cap on diversions introduced by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission in 1997 meant that there was no net increase in Victorian water entitlements. 4.1.4. Hydrogeololgical context The region’s significant productive irrigated land is interwoven among world-class environmental assets, including two of the six icon sites defined in The Living Murray initiative, being Hattah Lakes and Lindsay Wallpolla Islands. The Living Murray is Australia’s most significant river restoration program. It aims to achieve a healthy working River Murray system for the benefit of all Australians. This includes returning water to the river’s environment. The Living Murray program was established in 2002 in response to evidence showing the declining health of the River Murray system. It is a partnership of the Australian, NSW, Victorian, South Australian and ACT governments. The Hattah Lakes and Lindsay Wallpolla Island are also listed under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international significance. The floodplains and associated River Murray environs also support significant River Red Gum and Black Box communities and a cultural landscape with heritage sites that date back tens of thousands of years. 12

At a local scale, human activity has had the greatest potential effect on the levels and consequent movement of saline and fresh groundwater (hydrogeological processes), typically through river regulation, consumptive use, past land clearing and the application of inappropriate and/or excessive irrigation. Any movement of groundwater has the potential to have significant impacts on productive land, environmental and cultural assets alike. The Victorian Mallee is located within a relatively large basin (the Murray Basin) with the underlying geological formation derived mainly from previous inundation by an ancient and vast area of fresh water (Lake Bungunnia) and earlier origins as an artefact of cyclic ocean levels, over the past six million years. Migrating dune systems and sedimentary deposits from wind and water erosion are also important features. Much of the region remains only 40 to 60m above current sea level. Salt has been a significant natural part of the Mallee landscape for hundreds of thousands of years. Salt exists beneath the landscape within dynamic coarse sandy clay aquifers. At a geological scale, only an extremely `paper thinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; layer of regolith separates the surface landscape from a vast store of saline groundwater. This saline groundwater can come to the surface in low-lying areas creating saline discharge areas or salt lakes. These discharge areas operate in response to hydrogeological processes driven by recharge and discharge events. The entire Victorian Mallee ecosystem exists in an extremely fine fresh water/salt water balance with changes to hydrogeological processes (movement of groundwater) playing the most important role affecting this balance. The following is a brief description of the important sedimentary layers that determine hydrogeological processes commencing with the oldest and deepest progressing to the shallowest. The Renmark Group Aquifer The Renmark Group is the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s deepest aquifer with groundwater quality varying in salinity. In the east, near Piangil, the depth to the Renmark Group is approximately 80 metres (m), to the west, near the South Australian border it is close to 400m. In the Mallee, the groundwater in this aquifer system is sometimes used for stock and domestic purposes. Access is constrained by depth, associated cost, and the availability of reticulated river water. Locally the groundwater is quite fresh, with a total dissolved solid (TDS) level of less than 1000 milligrams per litre (mg/L). This is in direct contrast to the TDS of this aquifer in other parts of the Murray Basin, where the groundwater is very saline. Groundwater levels have generally declined in the Renmark Group since 1990.

The Murray Group Aquifer This aquifer is the most exploited regional aquifer for groundwater use and is comprised of the Murray Group Limestone aquifer and Quaternary Limestone aquifer. The Murray Group consists of middle tertiary marine limestone. These fossilised limestone formations were deposited by a marine incursion between 30 and 15 million years ago. The aquifer extends in a broad band west of the River Murray in South Australia to near the Victorian township of Ouyen. The aquifer is partially unconfined in nature however it does not receive any significant recharge from rainfall. In the Mallee region, the Murray Group is the only natural source of readily available, reasonable quality groundwater, which is utilised for irrigation as well as stock and domestic purposes, particularly in the Murrayville region. This resource is shared with similar uses over the border in South Australia. This aquifer comprises Management Province 3 of the Victorian South Australian Border Review Committee and is subject to the Victorian South Australian Groundwater Agreement. Bookpurnong Beds Aquitard The marine transgression sediments of the Murray Group are in turn overlain by sediments from a further marine transgression. The second package consists of another basal clay unit, the Bookpurnong Beds Aquitard. This protects the Murray Group aquifer from overlying saline aquifers. The Parilla Sands Aquifer The Parilla Sands Aquifer is comprised of semi-consolidated fine to medium grade sands, which were deposited during the last marine incursion approximately one to five million years ago. The sand sheet has the typical form of a series of beach ridges trending northwesterly across the region, with intervening low areas or swales between the ridges. The Parilla Sands have an average thickness of about 60m, but can range up to 120m in thickness. This aquifer is recharged as a result of downward leakage from rainfall or irrigation through drainage. Groundwater salinities range from 30 000 to 200 000 EC. This aquifer is the major source of salt entering the River Murray. Blanchetown Clay Aquitard The Parilla Sands Aquifer is capped in places by Blanchetown Clay. This widely-distributed layer of clay, with some sandy to silty clay occurrences, was deposited in a freshwater lake that covered much of the western Murray Geological Basin (Lake Bungunnia). The clay lies within an undulating topography on top of the Parilla Sands filling the corridors between the stranded beach ridges, as well as increased thicknesses in areas of tectonic subsidence, and as such varies from a maximum of about 50m in thickness to only a few metres or absent. Typically, the clay is on average 20m thick. 14

Woorinen Formation Blanchetown Clay ceased to be deposited as Lake Bungunnia dried about 500 000 years ago. The general drying of the climate at that time resulted in a combination of aeolian and evaporitic landforms. East-west linear sand dunes of the Woorinen Formation can be found widespread across the Mallee. These dunes comprise soils that are typically red brown in colour and are where most irrigated horticultural crops are grown. The Channel Sands Aquifer This aquifer is the uppermost aquifer in the Mallee region. It is an alluvial sequence of channel sands and clays deposited by the River Murray and is limited in extent to the river trench. The saline Parilla Sands is in places hydraulically connected with the Channel Sands. Additionally the levels in the River Murray may control the groundwater levels in the Channel Sands aquifer. The Coonambidgal Formation The Coonambidgal Formation overlays the Channel Sands as it is deposited during river flooding events. This layer is generally more fine grained than the Channel Sands Aquifer. It is comprised of silts and clays and is about 5m thick on average, but can range up to 10m thick in places. The upper surface of the Coonambidgal Formation corresponds with the current floodplain surface. The Coonambidgal Formation occurs extensively across the floodplain but can be absent in isolated areas.

Figure 3. Mallee country. 15

Figure 4. Schematic diagram of hydrology in the Murrayville region (MCMA website).

Water Source - Groundwater (Murrayville) Water sourced from the Murray Group Aquifer is utilised for irrigation as well as stock and domestic purposes and is a particularly important resource for local landowners in the Murrayville region (Sutherland 2009). Water quality in the aquifer within the Murrayville Groundwater Supply Protection Area (MGSPA) has the potential to deteriorate should there be leakage of saline groundwater from the overlying Parilla Sands Aquifer. It is therefore important to monitor water quality and levels in the aquifer to ensure the resource is managed sustainably. Figure 4 shows the hydrogeological regime beneath the Murrayville irrigated area, encompassing the Murrayville groundwater aquifer. Water Source - River Murray Figures 5, 6, 7 and 8 are schematic representations of the hydrogeology units associated with the irrigated areas adjacent to the River Murray. These conceptualisations provide an explanation of why irrigation in some areas causes a higher salt impact on the River Murray than others. In Figure 5 the saline Parilla Sands Aquifer is disconnected from the Channel Sands Aquifer and the river by the presence of the Blanchetown Clay Aquitard. The presence of this clay layer underneath the river limits the groundwater flow from the saline Parilla Sands Aquifer to the Channel Sands Aquifer and hence the river. Figure 6 represents the higher salinity impact areas that lie close to the river. The Blanchetown Clay layer is absent allowing a direct connection with the saline Parilla Sands Aquifer and the Channel Sands Aquifer (and the river), permitting saline groundwater flows to enter the river.

Figure 5. Schematic illustration of the irrigated area adjacent to the river displaying the important hydrogeological units; the Parilla Sands aquifer, the Blanchetown Clay layer and the Woorinen Formation.

Figure 6. Schematic illustration of the important hydrogeological layers in an area where irrigation causes higher salinity impact (for example, in the eastern section of the First Mildura Irrigation District). 17

Figure 7 provides an illustration of both the higher salinity impact areas and the low salinity impact areas. East of the fault line the Blanchetown Clay layer is thinner and is absent under the river allowing a direct connection with the saline Parilla Sands Aquifer and the Channel Sands Aquifer (and the river). Groundwater accessions (water draining past the root zone) from irrigation increase pressures resulting in salty water being forced from the Parilla Sands into the Channel Sands and hence the river. West of the fault line the Blanchetown Clay layer is much thicker and with irrigation on the Woorinen Formation lying lower in the landscape, any increase in groundwater pressures due to irrigation has minimal salinity impact on the river. In the Nangiloc/Colignan area, irrigation is occurring on the Woorinen Formation which is laid directly over the river trench (see Figure 8). This situation causes salinity impact but not as great as the high impact areas as the groundwater flow entering the river arises from the Channel Sands Aquifer and not the saline Parilla Sands Aquifer.

Figure 7. Schematic illustration of a cross section running from low salinity impact zones in the west to high salinity impact zones in the near the river (for example, around the township of Red Cliffs). The position and thickness of the Blanchetown Clay Aquitard has a large bearing upon the salt impact from irrigation.

Salinity Impact Zones The Victorian Mallee is a semi-arid region where average annual evaporation is around seven times higher than average annual rainfall. Sustainable irrigation in these conditions depends on salts being leached beyond the rootzone by applying some water in excess of the cropâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s direct water requirements. This extra water infiltrates to the groundwater and has the potential to cause environmental impact. 18

Not to scale Figure 8. Schematic illustration of an irrigated area adjacent to the river but sitting on top of the ancestral floodplain (for example, in the Nangiloc/Colignan area). There is salinity impact resulting from irrigation in these areas but since the groundwater flow entering the river arises from the Channel Sands Aquifer, the impact is lower than if the groundwater flow entering the river arises from the saline Parilla Sands Aquifer.

With the Mallee being underlain by the Parilla Sand Aquifer that contains groundwater as salty as seawater, and because this aquifer is connected to the River Murray, freshwater entering the aquifer from above has the potential to force salty groundwater sideways out of the aquifer and into the river. Hence the need to manage the salinity impacts of irrigation. Since 1993, the river salinity impacts of all new irrigation developments have been managed through a system of salinity impact zones (Cummins 2009). Put simply, there are rules and a set of fees and charges associated with each salinity impact zone aimed at encouraging irrigation development in areas that, when developed, result in low salinity impact. The development of the Nyah to the South Australian Border Salinity Management Plan (SMP_N2SAB 1992a, 1992b, 1993) was supported by an extensive assessment of the hydrogeology of the region (Thorne et al, 1990). This understanding then allowed for the identification of salinity impact zones in the landscape. The zones reflected the relationship between salinity impacts in the River Murray and the volume of irrigation water applied (SKM 2001a). 19

Initially, two salinity impact zones (high and low) were identified in 1993; however this categorisation was later revised to accommodate the rapid rise of irrigation development and the further predicted development in the region. The revision of these salinity impact zones, effected in 2002 and still current, resulted in five ‘high’ impact zones (HIZ) and seven ‘low’ impact zones (LIZ) being defined (Figure 9). The river salinity impact of irrigation development within each zone can be calculated using the ‘Hoxley Coefficient’, which gives the EC impact at Morgan per 1 000 ML of applied water for each zone. For the purposes of administering charges for irrigation developments, one HIZ and four LIZ (LIZ B1-4) exist, denominated by the preface B. These zones are a condensing of the salinity impact zones as described above and used by the Victorian Government in accounting for salinity impacts under the BSMS; these zones being HIZA 1-5 and LIZA 1-7 and are differentiated by the letter A (Figure 11). New developers are levied fees commensurate with the level of salinity impact of the proposed development, with the sums raised devoted to works that mitigate salinity impacts (eg. the construction of salt interception works). These fees and charges are complemented by a set of rules governing water application within the HIZ. New irrigation development can only occur within the HIZ if it is accompanied by a corresponding decrease somewhere else within the HIZ (i.e. there is a cap on the amount of irrigation water that can be applied within the HIZ). These trading rules were a core component of the Nyah to the South Australian Border Salinity Management Plan. Continuous improvement and testing of the salinity impact zones is effected through mechanisms such as five-yearly reviews and development of groundwater models, incorporating data from monitoring groundwater bores and improved knowledge (Fyfe 2008). Table 2. Salinity Impact Zones. Original Salinity Impact Zone (used Zones

LIZ

HIZ

EC impact at Morgan per 1,000ML of

Salinity Impact Zone

for salinity accounting)

additional water applied (Hoxley coefficient)

(used for the levy setting)

LIZA 1

0.00

LIZA 2

0.02

LIZA 3

0.05

LIZA 4

0.07

LIZA 5

0.10

LIZA 6

0.15

LIZA 7

0.20

HIZB 1

0.30

HIZB 2

0.35

HIZB 3

0.40

HIZB 4

0.45

HIZB 5

0.50 20

LIZB 1 LIZB 2 LIZB 3 LIZB 4

HIZ

Figure 9. Salinity Impact Zones in the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region.

4.1.5. Changes to irrigation in the Mallee The Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region comprises five pumped districts (Merbein, Mildura, Red Cliffs, Robinvale and Nyah) which source water from the River Murray and are supplied by Water Corporations; private diverters between Nyah and Lindsay Point, which source water from the River Murray or tributaries; and the Murrayville Groundwater Supply Protection Area, which sources water from the Murrayville groundwater aquifer (Figure 10). Between 1997 and 2009, the total area of irrigated crops in the Mallee CMA has increased by 75% (Table 3).

Figure 10. Irrigation areas within the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region.

Table 3. Crop types - Mallee irrigated areas. Changes in cropping area (ha) from 1997 - 2009 Crop type

1997

2003

2006

2009

Change in

Crop type % 2009

area (ha) 1997 - 2009

*Murray River plantings Grapevine Permanent planting

Citrus

21210

25325

25690

21720

31%

+510

3970

3825

3945

3655

-315

Fruit tree

985

1650

2205

4980

+3995

Nut tree

2115

4335

9200

19905

28%

+17790

615

675

710

565

-50

Other Seasonal

Field crop

3715

5020

4015

860

-5855

planting

Vegetable

4080

6080

6050

4755

+675

Vacant SP

360

1855

3505

7195

10%

+6835

Vacant

Vacant PP Total hectares

20%

135

875

1880

6680

10%

+6545

40185

49640

57200

70315

100%

+30130

**Murrayville Groundwater plantings Permanemt planting Seasonal planting

Olives Potatoes Total hectares

0 180 180

100

12%

+100

608

728.6

88%

+548.6

708

828.6

100%

+648.6

(Source: *SunRISE 21, 2010); Mallee Irrigated Horticulture 1997 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2009; page 9, **GWMWater, unpublished data 2010). Other = miscellaneous, nurseries or woodlands; Vacant PP = previously a permanent planting; Vacant SP = previously a seasonal planting. Hectares for seasonal plantings should be treated with caution because of the limitations of the data reliability (page 4 of the report).

Figure 11 shows the new irrigation developments from 1999-2009, compared with irrigation developments prior to 1999.

Prior to 1999 1999 - 2009

Figure 11. Changes in irrigation in the Mallee from 1999 to 2009.

Holdings owned or managed by private diverters comprise a large proportion of the irrigated areas in the Victorian Mallee. Irrigators in these areas pump water directly from the river to irrigate or to store in dams on their properties for irrigation as required. The area irrigated by private diverters increased by 128% between 1997 and 2009 (Table 4), with the main crops being nut trees (almonds), grapevines and fruit trees (olives). This change is spatially represented in Figure 11. Grapevines were the dominant crop type until 2006, but by 2009 nut crops had become the main crop for these areas. While there has been a substantial increase in irrigated cropping areas in the region as a whole, the cropping area in the pumped irrigation district has decreased since 1997. The average property size in the pumped irrigation districts is 9.9 ha (Table 4), and these properties are largely planted to grapes for both drying and wine. The reduction in cropping area from 1997-2006 is mainly attributed to the encroachment of urban areas within the pumped districts. However, the reduction since 2006 is mainly due to the low market value of produce, high input costs and the low availability of water.

Table 4. Pumped districts and private diverters in the Mallee - Summary. Average

No. of properties 1997 area

2009 area

(ha)

property size 2009

1997

New area

(cropped

2009

area - ha) *Murray River plantings Robinvale

2320

2420

Pumped

Red Cliffs

4450

districts

Mildura

6480

Merbein

169

133

18.2

+120

4530

514

465

9.7

+175

6080

839

735

8.3

+210

3130

3080

329

314

9.8

+25

16380

16110

1823

1647

9.9

+530

Nyah

5815

9235

249

252

36.6

+3445

Total hectares Boundary bend

5380

19275

118

108

178.5

+1035

Private

Wemen

2285

10540

277.4

+8465

diverters

Coligan

7105

10660

143

155

68.8

+3605

Mildura

1415

1730

103

16.8

+365

Lock 10 to SA

1805

2765

153.6

+1110

23805

54205

2457

2275

79.7

31025

+648

Total hectares

**Murrayville Groundwater supply Groundwater

Murrayville

180

828.6

Total hectares 180 828.6 (Source: SunRISE 21, 2010); Mallee Irrigated Horticulture 1997 – 2009; page 13.**GWMWater, unpublished data 2010). (Please note that data for the Nyah pumped irrigation district has been included in the Nyah River reach section for private diverters as the individual data was not available.

+648

Table 5. Irrigation methods in the Victorian Mallee Irrigation region. Changes in cropping area (ha) from 1997 - 2009 Irrigation method

1997

2003 4645

Drip

2006

12775

2009

Method % 2009

Change 1997 - 2009

21270

37350

53%

+32705

Low level

5970

9635

9790

8855

12%

+2885

Overhead

11665

11640

10605

5845

-5820

1880

3878

3988

2393

+1413

15710

9690

6870

1925

-13785

485

2730

5385

13875

19%

+13380

40185

50348

57908

71143

100%

30958

Other pressurised Furrow / flood Vacant Total hectares

(Source: SunRISE 21, 2010; Mallee Irrigated Horticulture 1997 – 2009; page 11 plus Murrayville figures). Note: ‘Other pressurised’ includes pivot and micro sprinkler.

With the increase in cropping area across the region, there have come significant changes in irrigation methods. Since 1997 the area of furrow/flood irrigation has reduced by 87% and overhead irrigation has reduced by almost 50% (Table 5). Conversion of furrow and overhead irrigation systems to drip and low level systems was driven by a desire to increase water use efficiency. Motivation was provided from a number of sources including irrigation training courses, the introduction of tariff reform under the Sunraysia SMP, lower water availability and the provision of incentives to encourage the adoption of planning and on-farm infrastructure. New plantings of winegrapes, nut and fruit trees, particularly in the period between 2006 and 2009, were developed under drip irrigation, which is reflected in the high proportion of the areas under drip irrigation in the Mallee (Table 5). More than 120 000 ML of water has been traded into the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region during the past 15 years (Figure 12), with the majority of this water being used for new irrigation developments. Water use data is shown in Table 6 with a comparison between the 1998/99 and 2008/09 seasons.

Figure 12. Permanent water trade from Nyah to South Australian Border from 1993/94 to 2006/07.

Table 6. Mallee entitlements and water use 2008-09. Total water alloted to districts / water

Total irrigation water used (ML)

share (ML) Irrigation districts Red Cliffs

1998-99

2007-08

2008-09

44736

44868

42635

2009-10 41190.3

1998-99 2007-08 40314

2008-09

2009-10 2010-11

23544

25715

25082

13631

Robinvale

17634

21437

21220.6

22966

17995

14986

18877

16384

14861

Merbein

32568

31640

30323.8

28116.8

28372

14578

15375

15142

8471

85055

77700

64085

72983.9

54307

29194

30296 30425.5

19957

N/A

4182

4112

2226

327788 322707.8 274315.7

157626

216172

270590.2

272113

195384

*2903

N/A

6485

N/A

First Mildura Irrigation Trust (FMIT) 1998-99 First Mildura Irrigation District (FMID) 2008-09 Nyah Nyah to South Australian border

176916

(Private diversion) Murrayville (*2001-02 season)

*4502

N/A

9633.8

N/A

(Source: SRWA/FMIT/LMW annual reports, GWMW unpublished data 2010, and Victorian Water Register.)

Figure 13. Oranges.

4.2. Major policy and infrastructure changes impacting on irrigation in the Mallee Since the 1980s there have been many major policy and infrastructure changes, both locally and state-wide that have impacted on the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region. Table 6 summarises these external influences. Table 7. Major policy and infrastructure changes impacting on irrigation in the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region (Psi-Delta 2005; SKM 2001a). Year

District/Area

External influence Direct pipeline connections installed with mechanical in-line flow

1980s

Merbein

meters; ultrasonic and magflow meters to replace pendulum water wheel metering.

1983

Sunraysia

Measurement of drainage flows commences.

1988

Red Cliffs

Computer assisted irrigation planning system introduced.

1989

All Mallee irrigated areas

1991

Nangiloc Colignan

1992-2004

Mildura

Post 1992

Sunraysia

Victorian Water Act 1989 passed, detailing private entitlements to water from rivers, streams and groundwater systems. Nangiloc Colignan Salinity Management Plan implemented. Scheme implemented to charge for excess volumes of water used above allocations. Increase in tariffs to reflect ‘user pays’ principle and to cap the volume of water extracted from the river. This has resulted in water trading between irrigators. Water tariff/levy introduced to charge irrigators for excess water

Sunraysia

used above their allocation. One result was increased water trading between irrigators.

1993

Pumped districts

Sunraysia Salinity Management Plan (SMP) implemented.

Nyah to SA Border

Nyah to South Australian Border SMP implemented. The Federally-funded Sustainable Irrigation Management, Policy,

Sunraysia

Education and Training (SIMPET) project commenced, researching aspects of irrigation management practices. To be incorporated into the implementation strategy for Sunraysia SMP. Sunraysia Rural Water implemented a new water ordering system.

Red Cliffs

Four days notice required for pumping water. Pre-arranged start and stop times for accessing water.

1994 Red Cliffs, Merbein &

Two-part tariff introduced with a fee charged for both water delivery

Robinvale

and Water Right (even if not used).

Sunraysia 1995

“Farm$mart Program” introduced to provide Property Management Plan (PMP) business management workshops in Victoria. Pipeline scheme completed using System Control and Data

Red Cliffs (west)

Acquisition (SCADA) technology with most of the western channel being piped. Completed in 1998.

Year 1995 cont.

District/Area Murrayville Sunraysia Sunraysia

1997

First irrigated horticultural development utilising the Murrayville groundwater. Community drainage scheme requires contribution from landowners. Kickstart Sunraysia Rural Partnership Program commenced (concluded in 2001).

All Mallee irrigated areas

A cap was placed on water diversions in the Murray-Darling Basin

sourcing water from the

as a first step in achieving sustainable management of the basin’s

River Murray or tributaries

rivers.

Red Cliffs Murrayville 1998

External influence

Diversion pipeline installed to divert irrigation drainage from Basin 12 directly to the River, thus reducing flows to Psyche Bend Lagoon. Murrayville Groundwater Supply Protection Area declared.

All Mallee irrigated areas sourcing water from the

MDBC commences trials of interstate water trading in the Mallee.

River Murray or tributaries 1999

Murrayville

Murrayville Groundwater Consultative Committee appointed.

Murrayville

Murrayville Area Groundwater Management Plan implemented.

All Mallee irrigated areas 2001

sourcing water from the River Murray or tributaries Sunraysia Sunraysia

2003

MDBC Basin Salinity Management Strategy implemented which will run until 2015. Water for Growth “Growing the Mallee” funding granted (major incentive round). Amendment to the Water Act (constitution of Water Authorities). Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy implemented.

All Mallee irrigated areas

The Victorian Mallee Salinity and Water Quality Management Plan drafted. Victorian Water reform introduced under the Victorian Government’s

2004

All Mallee irrigated areas

White Paper “Our Water Our future”. Intergovernmental agreement on water reform, “the National Water Initiative”.

2005

All Mallee irrigated areas

Amendments to the Victorian Water Act 1989 to enable the

sourcing water from the

unbundling of water entitlements, the creation of a new lower

River Murray or tributaries

reliability water share and an Environmental Water Reserve. Unbundling of water rights 1 July 2007 into Water Share, Delivery

2007

All Mallee irrigated areas

Share and Water Use Licence. Release of ministerial determinations

sourcing water from the

associated with the unbundling.

River Murray or tributaries

Mid-term review of MDBC Basin Salinity Management Strategy 2001-2015.

All Mallee irrigated areas 2009

sourcing water from the

Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy released.

River Murray or tributaries

4.3. History of Salinity and Water Quality Management Plans in the Victorian Mallee In 1987, the Victorian Government initiated a ‘whole-of-government’ effort to manage salt in Victoria. That strategy, ‘Salt Action: Joint Action’ (VicGov 1988), resulted in the development of five Salinity Management Plans, which were implemented in the Victorian Mallee throughout the 1990s. These plans were: 1. Mallee Dryland Salinity Management Plan (SMP_Dryland 1992); 2. Nyah Irrigation District Renewal and Salinity Management Plan (SMP_Nyah 1993) (not endorsed or implemented); 3. Sunraysia Salinity Management Plan (SMP_Sunraysia 1991 and 1992); 4. Nangiloc-Colignan Salinity Management Plan (SMP_NC 1991a and 1991b); 5. Nyah to South Australian Border Salinity Management Plan (SMP_N2SAB 1992a, 1999b and 1993). These ‘first generation’ plans were successful in bringing the region’s farmers and natural resource management agencies together on salt and water issues with the latter three important in relation to irrigation. The Sunraysia SMP was centred on the pumped irrigation districts of Merbein, Red Cliffs, Mildura and Robinvale and primarily focused on addressing the impacts on existing irrigation through a program of encouraging the adoption of irrigation best management practices. The Nyah to South Australian Border SMP was primarily concerned with the management of water trade and irrigation development by private diverters in an effort to control the salinity impact caused by the action of root zone drainage recharging saline groundwater systems, and displacing groundwater-borne salt to the river. It is a specific line item on the MDBA Salinity Register which accounts for the salinity impact of new irrigation development within the Mallee. The Nyah to South Australian Border SMP covered all private diverters within the Mallee. The Nangiloc-Colignan SMP centred upon the private diverter areas between Karadoc and Colignan and included the construction of drains that discharged drainage water into inland evaporation basins or the River Murray. As the drainage water increases River Murray salinity, it is an accountable action under the MDBA BSMS and it appears on the BSMS register as a salinity debit. A decade later, these plans were reviewed and the process began to develop the Victorian Mallee Salinity and Water Quality Management Plan (VMSWQMP) to replace them. The draft VMSWQMP (MCMA 2006a) provided a framework to manage land, water and biodiversity in the Mallee CMA region. It integrated responses to the risks and impacts

of irrigation and dryland salinity, as well as to non-salinity water quality issues stated in the Victorian Nutrient Management Strategy (DCNR 1995) and the Victorian River Health Strategy (DNRE 2002). The process for developing the draft VMSWQMP commenced in 1998/9, following the ‘simultaneous review’ of four of the region’s five Salinity Management Plans. This ‘second generation’ plan was developed through an extensive process of community engagement and consultation. It was developed in multiple iterations over a period of several years and in 2003 was submitted for review by the Victorian Government, but was never officially endorsed. Despite this, the VMSWQMP has been recognised by the Victorian and Australian governments as forming a key part of the Mallee region’s natural resource management planning framework and has been supported through funding initiatives. A review of the draft VMSWQMP was carried out in 2007 (Clifton and Hayes 2007) and recommendations were put forward for consideration in a future (or ‘third generation’) plan. The recommendations are listed in Appendix 1. The links to and contributions of previous plans and reviews; the Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) 2003-2008 (MCMA 2003); and other regional plans and strategies in the renewal of the current LWMP are shown in Figure 14.

4.4.

Murrayville Groundwater Management Plan

In 1998 the Victorian Minister for Water declared the Murrayville Water Supply Protection Area (WSPA) under the Water Act 1989. The Water Minister appointed a Consultative Committee on 18 August 1999. This committee was to develop a Groundwater Management Plan (GMP) for the WSPA to manage the resource. The Water Minister approved the GMP on 17 July 2001. The GMP addresses a range of key topics related to sustainable management of the groundwater resource. The objective of the GMP is to ensure that the Tertiary Limestone Aquifer within the Murrayville WSPA is protected; the aquifer is used sustainably, and does not cause negative effects to current users, who are dependent on the good quality groundwater supply. The implementation of the GMP is reported in Annual Reports produced by Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water Corporation (GWMW) (MGSPACC 2001). The Mallee CMA is an active member of the Murrayville WSPA Groundwater Implementation Committee, and works in collaboration with GWMW to administer the New Irrigation Development guidelines (MCMA 2010) applying to any irrigation developments utilising water from the aquifer (Sutherland 2009). The activities in this LWMP apply equally to both the irrigators in the Murrayville WSPA and those along the Murray River; however this LWMP does not address the management of the aquifer itself, as this is managed under the GMP. 31

4.5.

Regional Strategies

This LWMP delivers on the outcomes and targets set out in the Mallee RCS. It links closely with and considers the regional issues, assets and goals outlined in the following documents (refer Figure 14): •

Mallee River Health Strategy (MCMA 2005);

•

Mallee Wetland Strategy (MCMA 2006b);

•

Biodiversity Action Plans (Gowan et al. 2003a – 2003d);

•

Mallee Native Vegetation Plan (MCMA 2008b);

•

Mallee Area Review Final Recommendations (LCC 1989).

Some of the actions identified in this plan have also been identified in some of these other plans. They will therefore be referenced in this plan and implemented under the appropriate plan.

Critical Review of the Victorian Mallee Salinity and Water Quality Management Plan 2007 Renewal

Links to

Mallee River Health Strategy

Mallee Wetland Strategy

Biodiversity Action Plans

Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy

Mallee Native Vegetation Plan

Mallee Area Review Final Recommendations

Delivers on

Land and Water Management Plan for the Mallee Irrigated Region

3rd Generation 2008â&#x20AC;Ś.in progress

Other strategies and plans that direct natural resource management in the Mallee

Simultaneous Review 1999

Victorian Mallee Salinity and Water Quality Management Plan (VMSWQMP)

Five -year Review of NC, Sunraysia & N2B SMPs 2008

2nd Generation 2005...2009

Figure 14. Land and Water Management in the Mallee over 20 years.

Murrayville Area Groundwater Management plan

Nyah Irrigation District Salinity Management Plan

Mallee Dryland Salinity Management Plan

Nangiloc Colignan Salinity Management Plan

Nyah to SA Border Salinity Management Plan

Sunraysia Salinity Management Plan

1st Generation 1990's

Land and Water Management in the Mallee over 20 years

Land and water management in the Mallee

Key drivers

5.1.

Current climatic conditions

Significant changes are currently taking place in the region due to prolonged drought and low water availability, including a reshaping of the irrigation industries. Regional strategies based on scenario planning have been developed with community input (DPI 2008; Resilient Agribusiness for Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Future project). The scenarios used are consistent with the climate scenarios documented in the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy (DSE 2009a). Changing climate is also driving the adoption of irrigation practice adaptations including the use of covers and netting to protect crops from rain and heat and the installation of dedicated cooling systems that lower plantation temperatures. This renewed LWMP has taken current climatic conditions and strategies developed from recent regional scenario planning into consideration, proposing actions to address some of these issues and provide information and other support to bridge the gaps between policies and on-ground situations.

5.2.

Achievements of previous Salinity Management Plans

Actions implemented after development of the first generation SMPs have significantly reduced drainage and contributions to the groundwater in the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region, as well as reducing contributions to River Murray salinity. This plan focuses on maintaining these gains and continuing to focus on water use efficiency and the impact of irrigation on natural resources. Early SMPs also informed the development of current strategies and legislations in regard to land and water use in the Mallee. Actions proposed by the previous SMPs and the draft VMSWQMP are listed in Appendix 8, together with achievements against the actions and their current status. Some of the achievements from previous plans are as follows: 5.2.1. Irrigation efficiency Previous SMPs have sought to manage the impacts of historic irrigation through improvements in water use efficiency by encouraging the adoption of on-farm infrastructure and the provision of training and skills development. Irrigators on historical developments have been able to access financial incentives for irrigation drainage management planning and to up grade on-farm infrastructure.

This has translated into significant changes in on-farm irrigation infrastructure occurring in the Mallee over the past decade, with widespread conversions from furrow irrigation to pressurised systems (Figure 15). However it must be acknowledged that many growers upgraded irrigation systems without the aid of incentives, with the prevailing economic conditions being an important driver. Since 1993 more than 2 500 irrigators have participated in irrigation management training run by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI). Of these irrigators, more than 50% were required to attend the training as a result of receiving incentives for on-farm irrigation management improvements. The combination of on-farm adoption of pressurised irrigation systems; participation in irrigation management courses; adoption of irrigation scheduling; and changes to water ordering and tariffs has significantly improved on-farm water use efficiency, which in turn has led to significant reductions in volumes of tile drainage water flowing to the River Murray and floodplains (SKM 2003) (Figure 16). While drought has impacted significantly on the region during the past few years, there has been a continuing trend in reductions in both drainage volumes and salt loads over the period during which on-farm irrigation efficiency has improved.

Figure 15. Irrigation type in the Mallee CMA. (Source: SunRISE 21, 2010). 36

Figure 16. Tile drainage volumes emanating from Mallee region irrigation districts. Source: Mallee CMA; Water Resources Unit (2009).

5.2.2. Groundwater mounds and salinity Groundwater monitoring data shows a recession of groundwater mounds under the irrigated areas of the Victorian Mallee during the 2000s. This is due to a combined effect of increasing water use efficiency, recent droughts and low water allocations forcing growers to retire land temporarily from irrigation. Recent years of low water allocations may also have forced land owners to increase water-use efficiency on-farm. Investigation of groundwater processes and trends (e.g. Airborne Electromagnetic (AEM) survey), in-stream transient electromagnetic (NanoTEM) survey and investigation of floodplain salinity has greatly increased the available knowledge of groundwater processes and helped to inform decision making, such as refining salinity zoning. This modelling information has also helped focus investment in managing groundwater and river salinity on a region and basin-wide basis (Telfer et al 2006a and 2006b). Some of the major achievements in reducing groundwater mounds and addressing salinity issues in the region have been gained through programs such as the diversion of drainage water reaching the river (from drains, floodplains or wetlands), including the diversion works done at Psyche Bend Lagoon and Lambertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Swamp. The reduction in drainage flows to the River Murray have also resulted in a reduction of salinity outflows to the river (refer Figure 17). 37

Figure 17. Estimated Salt Load in collected drainage from irrigation areas to the River Murray and floodplain. (Source: Mallee CMA; Water Resources Unit, 2009).

5.2.3. Drainage schemes and salt interception schemes In the past the Mallee region has planned for and implemented drainage re-use and significant drainage diversion schemes. These have included the Nangiloc-Colignan Coordinated Group Drainage Scheme, the decommissioning of the Bumbang, Tol Tol and Boundary Bend drainage bores and drainage water re-use schemes at Boundary Bend. A significant achievement of the Dryland SMP was the decommissioning and sealing of failed bores in the Murrayville area, which had been causing salt contamination through leakage of saline aquifers to the Murrayville groundwater aquifer. A total of 287 bores were decommissioned between 1993/94 and 2002/03 (GWMW 2005). Salt interception schemes capture saline groundwater using deep bores situated between the river and irrigation areas and pump it to evaporation basins away from the river. The Mildura-Merbein Salt Interception Scheme was the first such scheme constructed in the Sunraysia region and takes in all of the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s irrigation from the Merbein Common upstream to Karadoc (and Mallee Cliffs). Salt interception schemes can be used to offset the salinity impacts associated with New irrigation development. 5.2.4. New irrigation development guidelines The Nyah to South Australian Border SMP (1993) (N2SAB SMP) recognised the implications of water trade and sought to manage the potential short and long-term

salinity and environmental impacts associated with new irrigation development. The N2SAB SMP introduced a system of salinity impact zones with an associated set of rules, fees and charges commensurate with the level of impact. The aim was to encourage new irrigation developments to areas which, when developed, resulted in a relatively low salinity impact to the River Murray. For example new irrigation development was prohibited within the highest salinity impact zone but encouraged in the lowest salinity impact zone where the salinity levies were set at the lowest end of the scale. The 1993 N2SAB SMP gave rise to detailed new irrigation development guidelines that required all new developments be implemented at best management practice level. Requirements under best practices included completion of an environmental checklist, suitable irrigation methods and drainage to suit soil and crop types, leaving appropriate buffers between native vegetation and plantings, fencing native vegetation for protection where appropriate and installing pipes and pumps with minimal impact on the natural environment. Additionally since 1993, developers of new irrigation properties have been supported through the development process by a case management approach, incorporating all approval agencies (e.g. DSE, DPI, LMW). The second generation SMP continued with this approach although the salinity zones were refined on the basis of increased knowledge of the underlying process at play. A major achievement attributable to these past plans is the management of the environmental impacts, particularly salinity contributions to the river arising from new irrigation developments. The amount of land converted from dryland to irrigation during the past 15 years has been substantial, with an additional 30 000ha going under irrigation from 1997 to 2009, amounting to a 75% increase in the irrigated area. Yet the salinity impacts have been successfully managed as evidenced by the salinity levels in the River Murray remaining within target ranges. 5.2.5. Impact on the river salinity, salinity credit and protection of environment assets The drainage diversions, irrigation efficiencies and New Irrigation Development (NID) guidelines have contributed to Victoria’s salinity credit claims in the Mallee CMA region, as recorded in the Basin Salinity Management Strategy’s (BSMS) Salinity Register A. The credits offset actions that increase River Murray salinity. Credit items attributable to the Mallee region appearing on the register are: •

Psyche Bend Drainage Diversion;

•

Sunraysia Drying Up the Drains;

•

Lambert’s Swamp Drainage Redirection;

•

Mallee Drainage Bore Decommissioning. 39

The actions that create salinity credits also reduce negative salinity impacts on other significant environmental assets and protect horticultural industries in the region. The gains in total salinity benefit for the region are documented each year in Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Annual Report for the Murray-Darling BSMS (DSE 2009b).

5.3.

Policies, legislation and strategies

Government policies, legislation and strategies (state, basin and national) direct Mallee CMA activities that deal with salinity and other water related issues. This plan considers and integrates actions to guide the Mallee CMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s investments and activities toward meeting goals set by these pieces of legislation, strategies and policies, where appropriate. 5.3.1. Basin salinity management strategy (BSMS) The Commonwealth Water Act 2007 governs salinity management in the Murray Darling Basin (MBD). The MDB Agreement of which Victoria is a signature is included in this act as Schedule 1 and incorporates the Basin Salinity Management Strategy 2001-2015 (BSMS) (MDBC 2001) as Schedule B. The BSMS and associated BSMS Operational Protocols detail the arrangements, agreed to by all contracting government signatories to the MDB Agreement for managing salinity. Under the BSMS, accounting for impacts on the river of any action that changes River Murray salinity (Accountable Actions) are recorded on the BSMS Salinity Registers. The BSMS Salinity Registers generate a consistent currency through which basin-wide tradeoffs and Accountable Actions can be managed transparently (MDBC 2001). The Registers track the effect of these activities on salinity levels at Morgan, and as salinity benefits and costs along the River Murray. The BSMS was reviewed in 2007 with a key finding of the Mid-Term Review being that the BSMS was sufficiently robust to deal with the challenges identified under three main aspects of policy; operational; and science and technical understanding. The review recommended it was essential that the ongoing implementation of the BSMS was maintained to build on the solid progress to date (MDBC 2007). 5.3.2. National Water Initiative The National Water Initiative (NWI) is an intergovernmental agreement on water reform. Through it, governments across Australia have agreed on actions to achieve a more cohesive national approach to the way Australia manages, measures, plans for, prices,

and trades water. It represents a shared commitment by governments to increase the efficiency of Australia’s water use, leading to greater certainty for investment and productivity, for rural and urban communities, and for the environment. A key component of the NWI was a direction for States to “unbundle” water from land. Additionally under the NWI, participating governments are required to: •

prepare water plans with provision for the environment;

•

deal with over-allocated or stressed water systems;

•

introduce registers of water rights and standards for water accounting;

•

expand the trade in water;

•

improve pricing for water storage and delivery;

•

meet and manage urban water demands.

The overall objective of the National Water Initiative is to achieve a nationally compatible market, regulatory and planning based system of managing surface and groundwater resources for rural and urban use that optimises economic, social and environmental outcomes. 5.3.3. Victorian Water Reform Legislative reforms that enabled Victoria to meet its NWI commintments and obligations include: •

Northern and Western (draft) Region Sustainable Water Strategies;

•

Amendments to the Victorian Water Act 1989 which established the Victorian Water Register;

•

Reform including unbundling of water entitlements in July 2007;

•

The Ministerial Water Use Objectives and related Ministerial, Determinations and Policies and Standard Use Conditions for Take And Use Licences;

•

Policies for Managing Water Use Licences in Salinity Impact Zone; and

•

Creation of an Environmental Water Reserve (VicGov 1989).

On 1 July 2007, water entitlements in Victoria were unbundled. Unbundling allows water users to trade their water separately from their land, and divides water rights into three component parts: a water share; a delivery share; and a water-use licence (WUL). A WUL allows for the irrigation of a specific parcel of land. Every WUL stipulates the annual use limit (AUL) relevant to that licence. This AUL governs the maximum amount of water that can be applied to the land covered by the licence in any year. At unbundling, AUL was adopted as the accounting unit for the salinity impacts of irrigation development, a role previously fulfilled by water entitlements.

To enable the unbundling of water entitlements, a set of Ministerial Determinations was developed and signed off by the Minister of Water in June 2007. These Ministerial Determinations set the policies that apply to the unbundled water entitlements (VicGov 2007a â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2007h). Regions can recommend changes to these legislative requirements via the Mallee CMA and/or water authorities (depending on which legislative requirements are being considered). The processes to follow when recommending these changes are documented in Appendices 2 and 3. All water-related entitlements in Victoria are recorded on a public register; the Victorian Water Register. It has been designed and built to record water entitlements with integrity and provide crucial information for managing Victoriaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water resources. 5.3.4. Northern region sustainable water strategy (NRSWS) In 2009 DSE released the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy (DSE 2009a). This strategy identified important actions to assist the region to adapt to changing conditions, with the prospect of lower and less reliable rainfall continuing in a climate change future.

Figure 18. Cover of Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy.

Plan Development

6.1.

Methods and community consultation

A project steering committee was formed at the inception of the renewal of the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP (Appendix 4). The committeeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary responsibility was to oversee the project and its timely delivery at a desired standard to the Mallee CMA (DSE 2008a). This committee set out the scope of the LWMP, resource requirements, and the consultation process. A stakeholder consultation group was formed to add knowledge and provide judgement on issues at LWMP development workshops. Members of the stakeholder consultation group included representatives from relevant organisations and local horticultural industries (Appendix 5). Figure 19 provides an outline of the consultation process involved in developing the draft LWMP. The process for the development of the plan was aligned, at a broad level, with the asset-based approach outlined in the LWMP guidelines (DSE 2008a), as well as incorporating relevant regional, state and national policy, strategy and legislative documents. Detailed methods are documented in Appendix 6 and workshop agendas are documented in Appendix 7. Following completion of the draft plan, it was distributed to the project steering committee and stakeholder consultation group for further comment. The plan was then submitted to DSE for rapid appraisal. Following rapid appraisal by DSE, the draft plan was distributed for comment at agency and peak body level prior to final approval by the Mallee CMA Board.

Figure 19. Process of community consultation in the development of the LWMP.

Setting priorities for actions and resource allocation

This plan sets out priorities for actions and resource allocation in two parts. Part A actions and priorities were determined from the regional, state and national policies, strategies and legislation which impact on the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region (Figure 20). Part B actions and priorities were determined following an asset-threat risk assessment (Table 7).

7.1. Response to regional, state and national water polices/strategies/ legislation With respect to irrigation, many regional, state and national policies, strategies and legislation have requirements that influence on-ground actions and investment by the Mallee CMA and DSE. This plan includes actions that address obligations and/or issues outlined in the following documents: •

Basin Salinity Management Strategy (MDBC 2001)

•

Victorian Water Act (VicGov 1989) and Ministerial Determinations (VicGov 2007a-2007h)

•

Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy (DSE 2009a).

The relevance of these documents to the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region is shown in Figure 18. As many of these requirements are obligatory to the Mallee CMA, or address the issues of greatest concern to the region, the actions associated with these documents have been rated as highest priority. These actions are documented in Part A of the management action section.

Figure 20. Setting priorities for management actions.

7.2.

Asset-threat risk assessment

7.2.1.

Asset descriptions

All natural resource assets within the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region have been documented spatially (refer Figure 21). These assets have been categorised into primary, secondary and specific assets (Table 8). Specific assets under these primary categories, their values, services provided by the assets and the threats to the assets identified in the plan are listed in Appendices 10 to 20. 7.2.2. Threats Details of the threatening processes and causes of threats related to irrigation are included in Appendix 12. Figure 22 illustrates the potential threats to assets caused by irrigation. Figure 23 provides a summary of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; processes within the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region. Background information gathered during the process of identifying and prioritising assets, threats and services is presented in Appendices 10-20.

Table 8. Asset categories. Primary Asset

Water

Land

Secondary Asset

Specific Asset

Waterways

Specific rivers and creeks

Wetlands

Specific wetlands

Groundwater

Murrayville groundwater Specific parks, reserves, state forest, private vegetation

Native flora and fauna

Specific irrigated crops

Indigenous heritage Cultural heritage

Non indigenous heritage Significant landscape and geological features Rail, roads, irrigation infrastructure, electricity and gas

Infrastructure

lines Horticultural industries

Community Atmosphere

General communities NA

Figure 21. Assets within the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region.

Figure 22. Threats and threatening process to Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region natural resource assets from irrigated horticulture (Note: Legend is on following page).

Figure 22 - Legend Threats and threatening processes to natural resource assets 1. High/variable cost of water due to variable water allocations. Prolonged effects of droughts and changes in climate have led to a more variable rainfall. This affects water inflows to catchment dams, so less water and variable amounts of water are available for irrigation. 2. Changes in flow regimes. Murray River flows are highly regulated primarily to meet the demands of irrigated agriculture along the river. This changes the natural flow of water to wetlands and floodplains and disrupts the breeding cycles of plants and animals that depend on these systems. 3. Destruction of native fauna to protect agricultural crops. Some species of native fauna are pests to irrigation crops (e.g. parrots and kangaroos). 4. Reduced biodiversity (loss of connectivity and fragmentation). Irrigation development planning that does not allow for the future potential enhancement of native flora and fauna can lead to loss of connectivity and fragmentation of important corridor habitats. 5. Damage from animal activity. Fertile agricultural land (source of food and water) may encourage pest animals to thrive. 6. Competition for water and nutrients (pest plants). Fertile agricultural land (source of food and water) may encourage pest plants to thrive. Transport or exchange of pest plants can occur through farming activities. 7. Degradation of native vegetation. Farming activities close to or encroaching on adjacent native vegetation may impact on that vegetation. 8. Rising groundwater and the movement of saline groundwater. Deep drainage under irrigation properties enhances recharge to the aquifer creating a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;groundwater moundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. Groundwater (containing dissolved salts) flows from irrigation areas either towards the floodplains and river or inland, driven by the difference in groundwater head. Groundwater evapotranspiration on the floodplain leads to watertable drawdown and accumulation of salt on the floodplain. 9. Native fauna not adapting to changing land use. Significant changes in farming systems from pasture or dryland cropping to irrigated perennial horticulture may disrupt the feeding patterns of specific native fauna.

10. Acidification of wetlands. Inundation of wetlands over long periods from storage or drainage water for irrigation combined with high salinity levels may lead to the formation of sulphidic sediments. When the sediments are subjected to wet and dry conditions they can produce chemicals that are toxic to plants and animals in the wetlands. 11. Physical destruction of cultural heritage. Disturbances from agricultural practices or developments can lead to the destruction of cultural heritage. 12. Toxic levels of chemicals. Runoff and drainage water contain nutrients and agrochemicals from irrigated properties which may be toxic to the aquatic environment. Chemical spray drift from properties can also impact on waterways and native vegetation. 13. Wind erosion. Lack of ground cover causes loss of topsoil during storm events. These impacts have increased with the prolonged drought conditions. 14. Bank erosion and sedimentation. Irrigation pump sites can result in a decrease in bank stability for poorly located pumps. Accessing pump sites for maintenance can also cause disturbance to natural systems. 15. Competition for water and nutrients (the interface between native vegetation and agricultural crops). Insufficient buffer distance between an irrigated crop and native vegetation can lead to competition for water and nutrients between the irrigated crop and the native vegetation. 16. Waterlogging. Poor matching of irrigation crop requirements to soil types and poor drainage can lead to waterlogging of soils and impacting on adjacent native vegetation and wetlands. 17. Soil compaction. Farm machinery may cause soil compaction inhibiting native plant regeneration in adjacent native vegetation. 18. Soil erosion (water). Runoff from properties carrying sediments can add to the sediment input into the river/wetlands. 19. Noise pollution. Use of farm machinery and equipment on irrigated crops too close to native vegetation may disrupt the foraging and breeding behaviours of some native animals. 20. Greenhouse gases. Use of farm machinery, fertiliser application and burning of prunings may contribute to air pollution and the release of greenhouse gases.

Dryland zone

Irrigation zone

Figure 23. Summary of the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; processes within the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region.

Floodplian zone

River Murray

Summary of processes 1. Inflows of water, salt, sediment and nutrient to the Mallee region via the River Murray are influenced by conditions and activities upstream. 2. River levels vary spatially and temporally, controlled by both incoming flows to and regulation of flow (weirs/locks) within the region. 3. Overbank flow (flooding) is driven by river height. 4. Water is pumped from the River Murray for irrigation. 5. Irrigation rates are affected by a range of factors: crop type, on-farm irrigation infrastructure, irrigation management practices, profitability and water availability. 6. Deep drainage occurs under agriculture and urban irrigation, enhancing recharge to the aquifer and creating a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;groundwater moundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. 7. Groundwater (and dissolved salt) flows from the irrigation zone towards the floodplain and River Murray, driven by difference in ground head. 8. Groundwater (and dissolved salt) flows from the irrigation zone inland (i.e. away from the floodplain), driven by difference in ground head. 9. Groundwater evapotranspiration on the floodplain leads to watertable drawdown and transport of salt to the root zone. 10. Salt accumulation in floodplain soils and lack of water leads to increased mortality of floodplain vegetation. 11. Managed watering of floodplain forest occurs over small areas to improve vegetation health. 12. During/following overbank flow events river water infiltrates floodplain soils, leaches accumulated salts and recharges groundwater. 13. When floodplain groundwater levels exceed river levels, saline groundwater flows from the floodplain zone into the River Murray. 14. When river levels exceed groundwater levels, the river recharges the aquifer (and can prevent transport of saline groundwater from the floodplain). 15. Salt interception schemes prevent saline groundwater flowing into the River Murray. 16. The water quality of the river varies spatially and temporally, influenced by inflows from local and upstream sources. 17. Permanent inundation of anabranches and the floodplain occurs upstream of locks/weirs, providing a source of water for riparian vegetation but also leading to enhanced recharge and elevated groundwater levels in the floodplain. 18. Most surface runoff in the region is due to urban development with minor contributions from irrigation.

19. Tile and other drainage is discharged to the floodplain basins/wetlands and direct to the River Murray. 20. Tile and other drainage is discharged to inland evaporation basins. 21. Intercepted saline groundwater is pumped to inland evaporation basins. 22. Precipitation can produce run-off and affect irrigation rates. 23. Evapotranspiration by irrigated crops can lead to salt accumulation in the root zone. 24. Groundwater salinity is spatially variable, influenced by geology and historic and current recharge and discharge processes. 25. Historical land clearing and replacement of native vegetation with dryland agriculture has increased deep drainage outside the floodplains and irrigation areas, and led to increased groundwater flow towards the floodplain and river. 26. Some formerly irrigated land in peri-urban areas is abandoned. 27. The volume and quality of stream flow leaving the region is influenced by upstream conditions within and outside the Victorian Mallee region.

Figure 24. Aerial of Pschye Lagoon.

7.2.3.

Risk assessment

The stakeholder consultation group participated in a risk assessment workshop providing a risk rating (low to very high) to the threats from irrigation on the combined group of assets. The workshop participants were divided into four groups. Each group rated the risk of each threat occurring in terms of consequence (impact from irrigation on all assets and value of services of assets) and likelihood (frequency/duration and intensity of occurrence). The combined results are represented in Table 9. The matrix used to determine the categories of threats is presented in Appendix 6. Actions were then determined for each of the potential threats. These actions are documented in Section 8 Part B: Management Actions). Table 9. Threat risk rating. Overall scall Very high High to very high

Threat High/variable cost of water caused by low water availability (REMOVED*). Changes in flow regimes. Destruction of native fauna to protect agricultural crops. Reduced biodiversity (loss of connectivity and fragmentation). Damage from animal activity. Competition for water and nutrients (pest plants).

High

Degradation of native vegetation. Rising groundwater and movement of saline groundwater. Native fauna not adapting to changed land use. Acidification of wetlands. Physical destruction of cultural heritage sites.

High to medium

Toxic levels of chemicals. Wind erosion. Bank erosion and sedimentation. Competition for water and nutrients (native vegetation/agricultural crops).

Medium

Waterlogging. Medium to low

Soil compaction. Soil erosion. Noise pollution.

Low

Greenhouse gases.

*Following consultation with DSE this threat was removed from the asset-threat risk assessment as it was deemed to be outside the commonly accepted natural resource management assets. Actions associated with this issue are proposed in Part A and have maintained a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;very highâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; priority.

Recommended actions and targets

8.1.

Management Actions

Table 11 outlines the management actions, developed by using the methods described in Section 7 and detailed in Appendix 6. More detailed descriptions of these management actions are documented in Table 10. The actions are grouped depending on the nature of the underlying work.

Figure 25. Whole Farm Planning workshop.

Actions

Very High Priority

demonstrate clear accountability and responsiveness to policy,

legislative requirements.

equip them with the appropriate information on ways to optimise the cost of water to sustain their businesses and better manage risks associated with a variable water supply. The ultimate aim is to maintain a balance between a viable horticultural market (by maintaining critical mass of irrigated industries) and the environmental health of the region.

Ministerial Determinations. Based upon this information regional policy will be developed

that will include:

• Determining the nature and values of caps within the higher salinity impact zones

• Determining rules governing the transfer of AUL between and within zones

• Process for and the undertaking of a review of salinity impact levies

• Trigger points for determining when the VMIDG apply

implementing all the water use efficiency elements of the LWMP.

• Development of Regional Water Stewardship Goals. These goals will form the basis of

training events.

to irrigators in the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region via pamphlets, website postings and

on water trade from the persepective of Mallee irrigators. This information will be distributed

• Compilation of water trading rules and the development of fact sheets providing information

implications of Ministerial Determinations and regional implementation policies.

• Development of an awareness package aimed at irrigators, including information on the

1989 following the unbundling of water rights in 2007:

inter-governmental obligations.

• Delivery against Victoria’s relevant national, state and

• Reduce the adverse environmental impacts of irrigation; and

environmental benefits or irrigation water use;

water scarce future to maximise productive, social and

• Guide irrigation rationalisation and consolidation in a

variable water future;

• Increase the capacity of the irrigation sector to respond to a

Irrigation Program and specifically the following objectives:

These actions link to the strategic direction of DSE’s Sustainable

availability and conditions of water use. These activities will also

representatives to discuss and determine regional interpretations and implications of

This will ensure that the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region can meet its obligations under the Water Act

will ensure irrigators are more aware of changes in water

modernisation process and forums involving high level agency and community

strategy and/or legislative requirements. Communication activities

These actions will improve the Mallee CMA’s ability to

coordinated regional response and implementation of state and federal policy, strategy and/or

• The development of institutional arrangements that link the LWMP to the irrigation

Benefits

Benefits / Comments

This plan firmly supports major planning activities between agencies to ensure a strong,

Management Action Numbers: 1A, 2A, 5A, 8A, 8B (Table 10: Part A)

WATER REFORM POLICY AND PLANNING

Priority

Table 10. Recommended actions and targets for Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP.

Priority

Actions

By coordinating the management of the different assets that are the focus of the LWMP, all assets, their uses and status, will be

land, vegetation significance) with irrigation development overlays to be used for defining priority

areas and planning actions within the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region.

Very high priority

benefits accrue and where it is cost effective to do so.

• Water purchasing options;

protection of native vegetation, and pest plant and animal control) be delivered effectively through training programs and the WFP modules.

• Skills;

• Cropping area.

technology possible, which will contribute to regional sustainability.

WFP, irrigated properties adopt the best and most effective methods and

Environmental Management Action Planning (iEMAP) concept. Through

forms, with WFP an extension and modification on the current Irrigation

as required. Some of these training modules already exist in different

topics and used as training packages and/or components of WFP packages

Information and training modules will be developed based on issues/

and water management issues (such as water use or application efficiency,

regional level;

• Crops (or farming systems);

It is recommended that the best and most up-to-date information about land

implementation through various incentive programs where public

• Identification of the best place to irrigate (within districts or outside districts) at a

upon plan implementation. Public contributions will occur to assist

• Technologies (Water Use Efficiency [WUE]);

while farmers are expected to bare the bulk of the cost share

planning at farm level, including through the use of:

• Management of risks associated with reduced water allocations through WFP and scenario

the plans will incur a 75:25 public to private cost share arrangement

financial contributions of the landholders themselves. Development of

• A water use efficiency module delivered to prepare irrigators in developing water

management plans;

where the greatest contribution comes from the physical effort and

(WFP) modules and risk management arrangements:

This LWMP proposes the development and implementation of the following whole farm planning Farm planning provides significant public benefit upon implementation

Management Action Numbers: 2D, 3A (Table 10; Part A), 9C, 10B, 11B, 12A, 14A, 15A, 17B, 18A, 19A, 22A (Table 10; Part B)

and/or expansion of cropping areas under irrigation or drainage.

management of wetlands, revegetation for connectivity purposes

guide the accurate positioning of dams for water storage, the

wetlands in relation to agricultural land in the region would help

being able to see all the relevant significant vegetation and

improvements or as changes are made on-ground. For example,

to use. These maps will need to be maintained and updated as

readily available as map layers (GIS) for land and water managers

Benefits

Benefits / Comments

Integrate biodiversity overlays (i.e. Ecological Vegetation Class, Public Land Management, private

WHOLE FARM PLANNING AND RISK MANAGEMENT

High Priority

Management Action Numbers: 1A, 2A, 5A, 8A, 8B (Table 10: Part A)

WATER REFORM POLICY AND PLANNING continued

Priority

Actions

Medium priority

High priority

Low priority

incorporating good farming practices and use of appropriate farming machinery.

• An awareness program on the potential impact from farm machinery on native vegetation

• Best practice cover crop management for drip irrigation.

where drainage to the river has indicated higher levels of nutrients than other areas);

resource management assets (particularly targeting irrigators in the Nangiloc/Colignan area

and fertiliser management based on chemicals that pose the greatest threats to natural

• A chemical and fertiliser use module delivered to promote best practice for chemical use

distribution and values, and how it can be managed and protected;

• A cultural heritage module to improve the community’s knowledge of cultural heritage, its

• An irrigation application efficiency module aimed at delivering salinity gains.

plants;

targeting irrigators whose properties are adjacent to land that may harbour pest animals or

• A module centering on best management practices for pest plant and animal control

and knowledge to manage these areas;

connectivity (corridors) to native vegetation. This will assist irrigators to improve their skills

biodiversity, targeting irrigators whose properties border native vegetation or who can give

• A native vegetation module delivered to promote values of native vegetation and associated

management options, targeting irrigators whose properties border native vegetation;

• A native pest animal module delivered to inform irrigators of appropriate native pest animal

plans;

• A module focusing on waterway/wetland significance and the role of wetland management

Benefits / Comments

in the context of the whole farm business.

them to be competitive and integrate improvements in water use

businesses to cope with changing circumstances. This will enable

Risk management planning will assist irrigators to restructure their

scale.

• Other modules address the impacts from irrigation on a broad

storage of irrigation or drainage water;

wetlands potentially impacted by irrigation and used for either

• The waterway/wetland module aims to assist in managing

property;

the impacts on native vegetation within 100m of the irrigated

• The native vegetation management module aims to reduce

Murray;

are targeted to minimise the impacts of irrigation on the River

• The irrigation application efficiency and chemical use modules

Each module is designed to address specific issues:

irrigation.

• Protection and management of wetlands impacted by

around private land;

• Protection and improvement of native vegetation within and

and river salinity;

• Minimising the impact of irrigation on the rising groundwater

production;

• Optimising the water requirements for horticultural

resources;

• Increasing community awareness of the value of natural

Benefits

Management Action Numbers: 2D, 3A (Table 10; Part A), 9C, 10B, 11B, 12A, 14A, 15A, 17B, 18A, 19A, 22A (Table 10; Part B)

WHOLE FARM PLANNING AND RISK MANAGEMENT continued

Priority

Very high priority

guidelines.

and efficient manner. The group will also provide advice and input into periodic reviews of the

processes to ensure irrigation development applications are processed in a timely, cost effective

agency co-operation and deal with complex planning issues. This group will hone the approvals

Development Committee, comprising agency personnel that will provide a forum to further inter-

addition, the implementation of the guidelines will be supported by a Victorian Mallee Irrigation

an orderly progression for each proposed development through the current processes. In

and will help minimise compliance costs and maximise environmental benefits by facilitating

implementation of the guidelines. This position will act as a first point of contact for developers,

employment of a case manager for new irrigation development in the region to oversee the

To coordinate the new irrigation development approval process, this plan endorses the

to deal with emerging issues.

These guidelines will be reviewed every three years to ensure these remain relevant and are able

impacts including the protection of high conservation value assets

â&#x20AC;˘ An information package for new developers.

both within and bordering irrigation properties).

Water Act 1989 (VicGov 2007a- 2007h) are managed (e.g. off-site

negligible salinity impact on the River Murray, and that all aspects

Victorian Mallee Regional Irrigation Development Guidelines. These guidelines contain:

of the Ministerial Determinations associated with the Victorian

that expansion only occurs in areas that will have very small to

responsibilities and processes for implementing these requirements are documented in the

â&#x20AC;˘ Operational procedures for the different agencies;

Mallee Regional Irrigation Development Guidelines ensures

Act 1989, document the requirements for new developers. Within the Mallee region, the

â&#x20AC;˘ A statement of obligations of the different agencies;

Coordination of new irrigation developments under the Victorian

Guidelines (MCMA 2010). The Ministerial Determinations, which enable parts of the Water

Benefits / Comments

Benefits

Actions

This plan supports the implementation of the Victorian Regional New Irrigation Development

Management Action Numbers: 7A, 7B (Table 10; Part A)

NEW IRRIGATION DEVELOPEMENT

Priority

Actions

Very high priority

Current Mallee salinity ‘accountable’ actions are recorded on the Basin Salinity Management Strategy Salinity Register A and B. To facilitate the Mallee in meeting its compliance responsibilities, monitoring and reporting processes and procedures are to be documented in the Mallee Salt Procedures Manual - an adjunct to the LWMP.

The Victorian Government is obligated under the Commonwealth Water Act (GOA 2007), Schedule B, to monitor and report annually on ‘accountable’ salinity actions, as specified in the Basin Salinity Management Strategy (MDBC 2001). The Victorian Government has delegated this responsibility to the regions through the respective Catchment Management Authorities. In order to fulfil this responsibility, the plan proposes to continue to provide high level technical support and input into the Victorian Salt Disposal Working Group, the Independent Audit Group, the Sunraysia Salt Interception Optimisation Steering Committee, the Victorian Mallee Salinity Accountability Advisory Committee and the Sustainable Irrigation Program.

Management Action Numbers: 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D (Table 10; Part A)

SALINITY

The LWMP comprises a water use efficiency program that will: • Develop regional water stewardship goals which are a set of principles that describes how irrigators can carefully and responsibly manage land and water in the Mallee. This will guide the coordination and evaluation of the implementation of related water use efficiency activities by detailing what the regions collective irrigation practice should achieve; • Provide irrigators with financial incentives to improve on-farm water use efficiency. Eligible irrigators will be required to have a current water management plan developed from whole farm planning; • Promote best practice in water use efficiency via case studies focussing on irrigators identified in the irrigation benchmarking program who have demonstrated efficient water use; • Showcase latest technologies via demonstration sites and field days on irrigator properties where these technologies are being successfully implemented; • Conduct bi-annual planning forums focusing on further research to improve water use efficiency. Regional agencies with irrigation expertise will be involved in the forum. • Assesses the irrigation performance of individual growers within select irrigation industries (table grapes, wine grapes, dried grapes, almonds, citrus and olives) of the Victorian Mallee through irrigation benchmarking. This will be a continuation and expansion of previous successful studies, the first of which commenced in 2002. These studies have covered five industries - dried vine fruits, table grapes, citrus, open hydroponics, almonds and centre pivot potatoes. They document the level of irrigation performance that a range of growers are achieving, with a view to identifying and encouraging the adoption of practices that improve irrigation efficiency. Additionally the information is valuable in informing the program evaluation, planning and policy development.

Management Action Numbers: 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G (Table 10; Part A)

WATER USE EFFICIENCY

Benefits Victoria will be able to ensure current river salinity contributions remain within the state’s salinity credit limit. These actions specifically address the salinity impact of irrigation on the River Murray.

Irrigation benchmarking enables irrigators to review and improve their own irrigation practices. Peer review and comparison of irrigation performances effectively accelerates the capability of benchmarking participants to improve. Learnings are also conveyed to the wider irrigation community through other related projects and training.

Benefits The benefits of actions to improve irrigators’ water use efficiency will include a reduction in water usage per tonne of horticultural production, aiding irrigators to cope with lower water allocations. Public benefits accrue from reducing accessions to the mound under the pumped irrigation districts, thereby reducing salinity impacts to the River Murray and floodplains. Importantly, these actions are aimed at maintaining the region’s salinity management gains obtained over the past 20 years.

Benefits / Comments

Priority

Actions

High priority

Market Based Instruments (MBIs) could be used to work with existing Water Use Licence holders (pre 1 July 2007) in priority areas to provide incentives to manage native vegetation. MBIs are natural resource management tools where various types of economic variables are used as incentives (e.g. financial incentives) as credits or rebates for upgrading irrigation systems or for protection of native vegetation, such as in the BushTender program. The challenge is to investigate and identify target areas for investment, secure funding from various appropriate investors and the use of available funding to achieve the best results possible.

Many wetlands are used for irrigation supply storage and drainage. It is necessary that irrigators, water authorities (LMW), natural resource managers (MCMA, DSE) and primary industry representatives (DPI) collaboratively develop management plans to improve the condition of these wetlands. It is timely to take these actions while the ‘Index of Wetland Condition’ and the ‘Index of Stream Condition’ are being refined.

Management Action Numbers: 9A, 9B, 11C (Table 9; Part B) Prioritised management actions addressing wetland and native vegetation management include: The development of: • A register of wetlands impacted by irrigation within the Victorian Mallee detailing the nature and extent of the impact. The wetlands will be prioritised based upon value, condition, irrigation impact and the potential of management actions to address the issues; • Wetland management plans for the prioritised wetlands, specifying appropriate irrigation supply and/or drainage options for these wetlands. A review of the plans will be carried out every five years; • An incentives program to encourage the management of native vegetation adjacent to or within irrigation properties.

Management Action Numbers: 9A, 9B, 11C (Table 11; Part B)

WETLAND AND NATIVE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT

The wetland management plans address the impacts of irrigation on wetlands used for storage or drainage of irrigation water. The actions related to native vegetation will aim to reduce the potential impacts from irrigation on native vegetation within 100m of the irrigated property, especially high value native vegetation, such as the Hattah-Kulkyne National Park or significant roadside corridors linking parks and reserves to the River Murray.

The direct benefits of MBIs include protection and improvement of land and water resources, as well as associated flora and fauna. In addition, MBIs are likely to improve community awareness of the importance of natural resource management.

Benefits The successful development and implementation of wetland management plans will increase irrigators’ awareness of wetlands, their functions, diversity of flora and fauna and improvement of the conditions of the wetlands in the region.

Benefits / Comments

Priority

to be involved in implementing actions on-ground. The long-term benefit is improved condition and better protection of wetlands,

(e.g. Hattah Lakes, Lindsay Island);

One education/awareness day per year targeting the irrigation community on biodiversity

Very high priority

•

situation or condition in order to develop recommendations for management and/or improvement. Some of the actions in this plan are investigations (such as research or surveys). Investigations conducted prior to action being taken usually result in subsequent actions that are more likely to result in better informed investment of resources - in this case, possible improvement in the protection of all assets.

particular, review the current four to seven days on-farm storage requirements for private

diverters (dam sizes);

Investigate the implications of adapting to variable water allocations within the irrigation

community and use the findings to review the LWMP, council planning and regional

development processes;

Investigate the implications of changes to infrastructure through the modernisation plans on

of, damage caused by native animals to horticultural crops, prior to any action being taken, would be a more effective investment

Survey of irrigators to understand the implications of modernisation in terms of achieving

the goals of the LWMP (e.g. WUE goals or biodiversity goals etc).

problem.

short-term solutions without background understanding of the

than simply investing in control measures, which may provide only

For example, an initial investigation into the reasons for, and extent

used for irrigation supply, which could have implications for biodiversity);

achieving the goals of the LWMP (e.g. modernisation may mean a wetland will no longer be

Investigations aim to achieve a better understanding of a

account recent improvements to river supply mechanisms and mid-river storages. In

Benefits

Investigate the feasibility of reducing future on-farm storage requirements, taking into

The plan proposes the following investigation and research activities:

Management Action Numbers: 10A, 13A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 17A, 18A, 20A, 21A, 23A (Table 11; Part B)

Management Action Numbers: 2H, 4A, 5B, 5C (Table 10; Part A)

waterways and native flora and fauna of the region.

awareness will ultimately strengthen the community’s willingness

An annual wetland tour for irrigators highlighting the role and significance of wetlands

and cultural heritage significance.

protecting significant natural assets in the region. The increased

wetland importance;

Collation of information on good farming practices with an associated fact sheet produced.

•

community understanding of the values and importance of

One education/awareness day per year targeting the irrigation community focusing on

Effective communication programs are likely to improve

•

Community awareness actions include:

Benefits / Comments

Benefits

Actions

Management Action Numbers: 9C, 11B, 22A (Table 9; Part B)

INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH

Low priority

High priority

Management Action Numbers: 9C, 11B, 22A (Table 11; Part B)

COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMS

Priority

Actions

High priority

Low priority

Medium priority

horticulture, including quantifying the crop damage.

behaviour, breeding pattern and the nature of their interaction with irrigated

Conduct research for native fauna species (where needed) to understand their

crop development, and making this information available on GIS maps;

Determining population level, distribution, foraging areas, timing for animal activity and

Develop management options for adjacent native vegetation and cropping, to be considered

Develop a carbon calculator/accounting system for regional irrigated horticulture in the

•

region to help understand the impact/benefit on greenhouse gases.

Investigate the potential noise impacts from irrigated properties on native fauna

•

buffer).

distance where it is unlikely that native plants will compete against the crops (appropriate

application of deep ripping/plastic barrier; appropriate drainage; location of crops at a

during planning or new irrigation development stage. These options could include the

Review cover crop options to suit drip irrigation in years of low water allocation

•

possible mitigation actions if appropriate.

Assess the current impact of irrigation drainage to salt levels on the floodplains and analyse

Hattah Kulkyne National Park;

Conduct an economic analysis of salinity mitigation actions around

produce an evaluation report;

Irrigation Recording and Evaluation System (IRES) on approximately ten properties and

Investigate the feasibility of on-farm real time monitoring of application efficiency. Trial the

specific areas of research;

from dryland to irrigation (scale, extent, what species). Use the scoping study to determine

Conduct a scoping study to determine the impact on native fauna of changing land use

•

coordinated approach for Regent Parrot and Kangaroo management would include:

coordinated approach to managing a particular species at a landscape level. For example, a

Identify priority native fauna species considered pests to irrigation farming and develop a

•

Management Action Numbers: 10A, 13A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 17A, 18A, 20A, 21A, 23A (Table 11; Part B)

Management Action Numbers: 2H, 4A, 5B, 5C (Table 10; Part A)

INVESTIGATION AND RESEARCH continued

Benefits / Comments

8.2. Targets Management action targets (MATs), intermediate targets (IT) and resource condition targets (RCTs) (or long-term goals) aligning to each proposed action in the plan have been determined (see Table 11 and Table 12). MATs are short-term targets relating directly to a specific management action, defining quantity or quality of works or measures to be completed. Achievement of these MATs will contribute toward the achievement of the intermediate targets (ITs). ITs are five-year targets that will assist in achieving the short term plan objectives and are linked to the resource condition targets/long term goals. RCTs are 20-30 year targets specifically related to the impact from irrigation on the condition of natural resource assets within the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region. These RCTs are consistent with the RCTs documented in the Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy (MCMA 2003). The long-term goals are 20-30 year goals specific to the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region and are consistent with Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy (NRSWS) (DSE 2009a) and DSEâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Sustainable Irrigation Landscapes program objectives (DSE 2009d).

water market in support of the

by 2013. 17 field days [2012 (2), 2013 (5), 2014

demonstration sites (modified

action).

module developed by 2010. 60 irrigators per year undertake

preparing water management plans

(modified action).

2012.

12 irrigator training events held to

management plan.

planning and develop a water

water use efficiency whole farm

One water use efficiency WFP

2D. Develop WFP module on

demonstration farm.

(5), 2015 (5)] held featuring each

Five demonstration farms organised

2C. Establish latest technology

on WUE (modified action).

Nine case studies on WUE by 2014.

developed by 2011.

Stewardship Goals (new action).

efficiency (WUE)

2B. Develop case studies focusing

Regional Water Stewardship Goals

2A. Develop Regional Water

Maximise water use

Annual update of information.

irrigation requirements 90 out of 100 years. 3. Maintain current river salinity contributions within Victorian salinity credit limit.

3. No increase in irrigation induced drainage rates from 2006 levels (1ML/ha of total drainage). 5. 70% of actions identified in water or in-progress.

Mallee CMA region.

wetlands impacted by irrigation in

Condition Index (WCI) across

management plans either completed 4. Net improvement in Wetland

their available water to meet their

(ML/tonne) by 2015.

2. Mallee irrigators able to manage

years. of water used per unit of production

2. 5% reduction in average amount

irrigation requirements 90 out of 100

their available water to meet their

2. Mallee irrigators able to manage

competitive cost of water.

of the dynamics and use of the

trading rules and water policy.

to Mallee irrigators (new action). irrigators by 2011.

the information made freely available with the information disseminated to quickly informed of changes to

1. 80% of irrigation community

water market

Water trading rules documented

1. Maintain effective understanding

20-30 years

5 years

(MATs) Northern Region Sunstainable Water Strategy (DSE 2009a)

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

1A. Compile water trading rules with

Action and Status

Improved utilisation of the

Issue

Table 12. Management actions for Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP.

Part A: Management Actions in response to regional, state, national water strategies /policies /legislation

incentives.

almonds, wine grapes, dried grapes, table grapes and olives (minimum

efficiency assessment (irrigation

benchmarking) (continuing action).

farm storage volume by 2014.

Investigation report on regional implications of variable water allocations completed by 2012.

within the irrigation community.

Update LWMP if required. (modified

action).

Regional irrigation crop report

adapting to variable water allocations produced tri-annually.

(ML/tonne) by 2015.

4A. Investigate the implications of

of water used per unit of production

management plans.

variable water allocations

their available water to meet their

2. 5% reduction in average amount

60 irrigators per year develop risk

Regional implications of

2. Mallee irrigators able to manage

or in-progress.

2012.

water allocations (modified action).

1. Maintain effective understanding

farm planning module developed by

management to manage variable

years.

irrigation requirements 90 out of 100

competitive cost of water.

the water market in support of

management plans either completed of the dynamics and use of

One farm risk management whole

3A.Develop WFP module on risk

allocations

5. 70% of actions identified in risk

(1ML/ha of total drainage).

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

Adapting to variable water

action).

recommended by report (new

Guidelines and LWMP if

Update New Irrigation Development

farm storage requirements.

drainage rates from 2006 levels

3. No increase in irrigation induced

Report on feasibility of reducing on-

requirements.

Revise the policy/standard for on-

developed.

technology and/or knowledge

6. New water use efficiency

2H. Investigate on-farm storage

in the years 2012 and 2014.

planning forum. Update LWMP if

required (modified action).

WUE research planning forums held

2G. Hold bi-annual WUE research

100 irrigators).

Annual report on benchmarking of

2F. Undertake irrigation application

action).

to improve on-farm WUE (modified

5 years

(MATs)

efficiency (WUE) cont.

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets 60 irrigators per year take up WUE

Action and Status

2E. Implement financial incentives

Issue

Maximise water use

Salinity accountability

pre-stage 2 and pre-stage 3 when the go ahead for stages 2 & 3 is announced.

terms of achieving the goals of the

LWMP.

Update LWMP if required. (new

developed by 2011. Support the implementation of the BSMS and optimisation of salt interception through high level

Procedures Manual (new action).

6D. Support the implementation

of the BSMS and salt interception

(continuing action).

annum.

regional and 9 state meetings per

technical input and attendance of 10

Mallee Salt Procedures Manual

to be completed by 2013.

• Nangiloc/Colignan SMP (LWMP)

(LWMP);

• Nyah to SA border SMP

6C. Develop a Mallee Salt

(BSMS) registers (continuing action).

Salinity Management Strategy

accountable actions on the Basin

6B. Conduct five-yearly reviews of Five-yearly reviews of:

(1ML/ha of total drainage).

(continuing action).

drainage rates from 2006 levels

3. No increase in irrigation induced

Basin Salinity Management Strategy

Annual report against actions.

listed in Register A and Register B of

6A. Maintain accountable actions

Basin Salinity Management Strategy (MDBC 2001)

Mildura, Red Cliffs and Robinvale for

implications of modernisation in

action).

Survey 50 irrigators from Merbein,

5C. Survey irrigators to understand

credit limit.

contributions within Victorian salinity

3. Maintain current river salinity

credit limit.

contributions within Victorian salinity

(1ML/ha of total drainage).

the goals of the LWMP (new action).

2012.

3. Maintain current river salinity

years.

irrigation requirements 90 out of 100

drainage rates from 2006 levels

Report on implications of

5B. Investigate the implications of

(ML/tonne) by 2015.

their available water to meet their

2. Mallee irrigators able to manage

modernisation process on achieving

in total, four per year).

modernisation process (new action).

of water used per unit of production

2. 5% reduction in average amount

3. No increase in irrigation induced

LWMP to modernisation process (20

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

changes to infrastructure through the infrastructure changes completed by

Quarterly planning forums linking

5 years

(MATs)

arrangements that link LWMP to the

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

5A. Develop institutional

Action and Status

pipes) – for pumped districts

Issue

Modernisation (pumps and

5 years

(MATs)

completing:

(VMIDG) (continuing action).

required (modified action).

years or as needed and update as

7B. Review VMIDG every three

complies with the VMIDG by

VMIDG reviewed every three years.

required).

• Native vegetation plan (as

required);

• Cultural heritage plan (as

Management Plan;

• Irrigation Drainage

• Environmental checklist;

Every new irrigation development

Irrigation Development Guidelines guidelines.

7. 100% compliance with NID

New Irrigation Development (MCMA 2010)

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

7A. Implement the Victorian Mallee

Action and Status

Development Guidelines

Issue

Victorian Mallee Irrigation

cultural heritage.

indigenous and non-indigenous

11. Protection of all identified

floodplain).

condition of waterways (includes

to a net improvement in riparian

7. All irrigation practices contribute

irrigation.

of native vegetation which borders

6. Net improvement in condition

activities.

of native fauna as result of irrigation

5. No decline in population viability

Mallee CMA region .

wetlands impacted by irrigation in

4. Net improvement in WCI across

credit limit.

contributions within Victorian salinity

3. Maintain current river salinity

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

5 years

(MATs)

of Ministerial Determinations completed 2011.

activities promoting irrigator

awareness of regional policy

contributions within Victorian salinity

(1ML/ha of total drainage).

credit limit.

3. Maintain current river salinity

competitive cost of water.

the water market in support of

of the dynamics and use of

1. Maintain effective understanding

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

drainage rates from 2006 levels

3. No increase in irrigation induced

and water policy.

informed of changes to trading rules

1. 80% irrigation community

Please note that some management actions are new while others continue on from previous plans, either unchanged or in a modified form.

Determinations (new action).

in relation to the Ministerial

Awareness package on implications

8B. Implement communication

implementation of the VMIDG.

• trigger points for the

review);

impact levies (& undertake a

• process for reviewing salinity

between and within zones;

• rules governing transfer of AUL

salinity impact zones;

• nature & level of caps within

documenting:

Licences

Determinations held by 2011

policy development (new action).

government policy relating Policy completed by 2011

on implications of Ministerial

to unbundling and Water Use

Three planning forums/workshops

of Ministerial Determinations and

Ministerial Determinations (VicGov 2007a – 2007h)

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

8A. Determine regional implications

Action and Status

and Victorian state

Issue

Ministerial Determinations

according to Wetland Management Plans. 5. 70% of actions identified in WFP either completed or

Document wetland management plans in years 2012 (1 plan), 2013 (2), 2014 (3) & 2015 (4).

(continuing action).

plans for all wetlands every 5 years. One education/awareness day conducted per year for the irrigation community on wetland importance . Annual wetland tour for irrigators, e.g. Hattah Lakes, Lindsay Island.

9B. Review wetland management plans (new action). 9C. Implement community awareness program on waterways/wetlands (new action). Develop a WFP module on waterways/wetlands (new action).

module by 2015.

waterway/wetland WFP

60 irrigators undertake Mallee

developed by 2011.

wetland WFP module

One Mallee waterway/

Review wetland management in-progress.

from irrigation managed

impact study by 2011.

management plans

Cultural heritage

5 years

(MATs) 9. All supply and drainage

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

Flora and fauna

Action and Status Undertake wetland irrigation

Waterways and wetlands

Changes in flow regime.

Threat 9A. Develop wetland

Issue

Table 11. Management actions for Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP.

Part B: Management Actions in response to regional asset/threat risk assessment

by irrigation.

heritage potentially impacted

non-indigenous cultural

indigenous and

11. Protection of all identified

which borders irrigation.

condition of native vegetation

6. Net improvement in

region.

by irrigation in Mallee CMA

across wetlands impacted

4. Net improvement in WCI

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

Issue

Waterways and wetlands

Flora and fauna

Fauna

overlays with irrigation development overlays

fragmentation).

Develop a native vegetation management WFP module by 2011.

Develop a WFP module on native vegetation management.

module by 2015.

the native vegetation WFP

native vegetation undertake

whose properties border

60 irrigators/managers

significance.

(modified action).

in-progress.

in WFP either completed or

5. 70% of actions identified

actively managed.

borders irrigation crops is

community on biodiversity

vegetation management

10. 20% of privately owned

in progress

in WFP either completed or

5. 70% of actions identified

native vegetation which

One education/awareness

integrated by 2012.

development overlays

Biodiversity and irrigation

WFP module by 2015.

native pest fauna control

vegetation undertake the

properties border native

60 irrigators/managers whose

awareness program on native day per year for the irrigation

11B. Implement community

(modified action)

11A. Integrate biodiversity

options for native species

fauna (new action).

(loss of connectivity and

appropriate pest management in progress.

on controlling native pest

Reduced biodiversity

in WFP either completed or

One WFP module on

10B. Develop WFP module

developed by 2014.

5. 70% of actions identified

2012.

options for native fauna

based on research report.

species (new action).

fauna control completed by

Research study on native pest Targets to be determined

pest animal management

5 years

(MATs)

10A. Investigate integrated

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

protect agricultural crops.

Action and Status

Destruction of native fauna to

Threat

which borders irrigation.

condition of native vegetation

6. Net improvement in

result of irrigation activities.

viability of native fauna as

5. No decline in population

result of irrigation activities.

viability of native fauna as

5. No decline in population

result of irrigation activities.

viability of native fauna as

5. No decline in population

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

Pest animal control WFP module developed by 2011 60 irrigators with properties

control (modified action).

Waterways and wetlands

pest plant and animal WFP

Infrastructure

(new action).

soils

Mallee Invasive Plant and Animal strategy (IPA) DRAFT.

management

IPA (DRAFT).

recommend weed species for research (modified action).

Target set and managed by

14C. Investigate and

(continuing action).

Target set and managed by

approach to pest plant

region.

by 2015. 14B. Coordinate sub-regional

by irrigation in Mallee CMA

plant and animal WFP module

which borders irrigation.

condition of native vegetation

across wetlands impacted

(MWAP).

Mallee Weed Action Plan

4. Net improvement in WCI

(modified action).

Agricultural lands and

6. Net improvement in

result of irrigation activities.

viability of native fauna as

5. No decline in population

which borders irrigation.

pest plants undertake pest

60 irrigators with properties

on pest plant management

nutrients (pest plants).

Waterways and wetlands

Target set and managed by

report.

based on scoping study

Targets to be determined

Plan.

condition of native vegetation

6. Net improvement in

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

adjacent to areas that harbour

module developed by 2011.

14A. Develop a WFP module

Competition for water and Pest plant management WFP

native fauna by 2014.

study on changing land use

changed land use. Update LWMP if required.

changing land use effects on

13A. Complete a scoping

Native fauna not adapting to Scoping study report on

regional pest animal plan.

exotic pest animal control (continuing action).

Target set and managed by

12B. Coordinate sub-regional

Flora and fauna

Fauna

exotic pest animals undertake

soils module by 2015.

adjacent to areas that harbour

Agricultural lands and

Regional Pest Animal Action

Target set and managed by

5 years

(MATs)

on â&#x20AC;&#x201C;exotic pest animal

Damage from animal activity.

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

12A Develop a WFP module

Action and Status

Threat

Cultural heritage

Issue

Flora and fauna

significance. Develop a native vegetation management WFP module by 2011.

(modified action) . Develop a WFP module on native vegetation management.

Community

6. Net improvement in condition of native vegetation which borders irrigation areas.

of application efficiency across all remaining areas of irrigation.

efficiency WFP module. Trial iRES on ten irrigation properties and evaluate the trial by 2013. Economic report on salinity mitigation around Hattah Kulkyne NP by 2012.

Develop a WFP module on irrigation application efficiency. 15B. Install on-farm real time monitoring of application efficiency (new action). 15C Investigate salinity mitigation actions around Hattah National Park

Agricultural land and

soils

Cultural heritage

Investigation report on current drainage to floodplains by 2014.

15D. Investigate floodplain drainage management options (new action).

(new action).

region.

undertake irrigation application optimum range of 80%-95% 12. Maintain current levels

60 irrigators per year

efficiency (modified action).

Flora and Fauna

based on report.

Targets to be determined

based on report.

Targets to be determined

efficiency by 2015.

application efficiencies in the

maintained (at current levels).

groundwater resource

9. Quality of Murrayville

by irrigation in Mallee CMA

across wetlands impacted

4. Net improvement in WCI

Victorian salinity credit limit.

salinity contributions within

module developed by 2011.

end of LIZ operate with

efficiency whole farm planning within in HIZ and higher

3. Maintain current river

irrigation application

11. 300 irrigators situated

awareness program on

saline groundwater.

Waterways and wetlands

One irrigation application

Land and Biodiversity Group

Murrayville Groundwater

15A. Implement community

Rising and movement of

the aid of incentives.

(new action).

Infrastructure

vegetation management with Target set and managed by

adopt measures for native

irrigation.

by 2015.

native vegetation

potentially impacted by

whole farm planning module

MBIs to enhance and protect

indigenous cultural heritage

undertake native vegetation

60 irrigators per year

indigenous and non-

border native vegetation

11C. Facilitate adoption of

11. Protection of all identified

region.

by irrigation in Mallee CMA

across wetlands impacted

4. Net improvement in WCI

which borders irrigation.

condition of native vegetation

6. Net improvement in

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

60 irrigators whose properties

in-progress.

in WFP either completed or

5. 70% of actions identified

actively managed.

borders irrigation crops is

community on biodiversity

vegetation management

Cultural heritage

10. 20% of privately owned native vegetation which

One education/awareness

awareness program on native day per year for the irrigation

5 years

(MATs)

11B. Implement community

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

vegetation.

Action and Status

Degradation of native

Threat

Waterways and wetlands

Issue

Flora and fauna

Community

(continuing action).

existing pump sites

developed by 2011.

(new action).

16A. Upgrade and improve

management WFP module

waterways/wetlands

sedimentation.

One Mallee waterway/wetland

Develop a WFP module on

Bank erosion and

importance.

(new action).

Cultural heritage

community on wetland

waterways/wetlands

Waterways and wetlands

day per year for the irrigation

awareness program on

River Health Strategy.

Target set and managed by

wetlands by 2015.

whose operation impacts on

delivered to 60 irrigators

management WFP module

Mallee waterway/wetland

One education/awareness

9C. Implement community

(new action).

plans every five years.

in whole farm planning either

(3) & 2015 (4) . management plans

5. 70% of actions identified

2012 (1 plan), 2013 (2), 2014 Review wetland management

Wetland Management Plans.

management plans in years

Community

9B. Review wetland

managed according to

Document wetland

(continuing action).

Cultural heritage

River Health Strategy.

Target set and managed by

completed or in-progress.

drainage from irrigation

9. All water supply and

5 years

(MATs) study completed by 2011.

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets Irrigation impact wetland

Action and Status

management plans

Acidification of wetlands.

Threat 9A. Develop wetland

Issue

Waterways and wetlands

Air

irrigation.

potentially impacted by

indigenous cultural heritage

indigenous and non-

11. Protection of all identified

(includes floodplain).

condition of waterways

improvement in riparian

contribute to a net

7. All irrigation practices

region.

by irrigation in Mallee CMA

across wetlands impacted

4. Net improvement in WCI

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

groundwater resource maintained (at current levels).

Nangiloc/Colignan area undertake the chemical and

Air

Community

Report on cover crop options which suit drip irrigation in low water allocation years

on cover crop options (modified action).

Agricultural lands and One best practice cover crop management for drip irrigation whole farm planning module

Infrastructure

Air

Community

farm plan.

(modified action).

Document agreed and

Community

Noise pollution.

developed by 2014.

adjacent native vegetation.

agricultural crops).

Flora and fauna

vegetation and cropping

options for irrigation and

nutrients (native vegetation/

Report on the potential noise impacts from irrigated properties on native fauna developed by 2013.

operations upon native fauna (new action) .

actively managed.

(new action). noise impacts from irrigation

borders irrigation crops is

21A. Investigate the potential

native vegetation which

including in the WUL

10. 20% of privately owned

completed or in-progress

in whole farm planning either

5. 70% of actions identified

cultural heritage values.

pumping districts aware of

WFP participants outside

14. All incentive, NID and

between irrigation crops.

13. 50% ground cover

consistent conditions for

options for adjacent native

20A. Develop management

Competition for water and

soils

cultural heritage. Report on management

development of each whole

cultural heritage Develop a WFP module on

awareness session during the

awareness program on

cultural heritage sites.

Run cultural heritage

19A. Implement community

Physical destruction of

Agricultural lands and

Cultural heritage

developed by 2014.

soils

Flora and fauna

18A. Develop a WFP module

module by 2015.

Waterways and wetlands

Wind erosion.

9. Quality of Murrayville

20 irrigators within the

Murrayville groundwater

fertiliser management WFP

River Murray reduced by 5%.

2011.

(modified action).

soils

completed or in-progress.

WFP module developed by

and fertiliser management

Agricultural lands and

be determined.

10. Soil health targets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; yet to

by irrigation.

heritage potentially impacted

non-indigenous cultural

indigenous and

11. Protection of all identified

be determined.

10. Soil health targets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; yet to

agrochemical loads to the

contributions to nutrient and

8. Mallee regional

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

use and fertiliser management in whole farm planning either

5 years

(MATs) One best practice for chemical 5. 70% of actions identified

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

on best practice chemical

Action and Status 17. Develop a WFP module

Toxic levels of chemicals.

Threat

Waterways and wetlands

Issue

Flora and fauna

2006 levels (1ML/ha of total

undertake the water use efficiency WFP module and develop a water management plan.

(modified action). Develop a WFP module on water use efficiency .

Agricultural land and

soils

Cultural heritage

completed by 2013.

Develop a WFP module

Report on cover crop options which suit drip irrigation in

on cover crop options (modified action).

Waterways and wetlands

10. Soil health targets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; yet to be determined. 11. Protection of all identified indigenous and non-indigenous cultural

One best practice cover crop management for drip irrigation whole farm planning module developed by 2013.

soils

Infrastructure

by irrigation.

heritage potentially impacted

which borders irrigation. developed by 2014.

condition of native vegetation

6. Net improvement in

low water allocation years

between irrigation crops.

be determined.

10. Soil health targets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; yet to

which borders irrigation.

condition of native vegetation

6. Net improvement in

(includes floodplain).

condition of waterways

net improvement in riparian

practices contribute to a

7. Modified irrigation

be determined.

10. Soil health targets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; yet to

which borders irrigation.

condition of native vegetation

6. Net improvement in

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

Agricultural lands and

Flora and fauna

18A. Develop a WFP module

(appropriate farm machinery). 13. 50% ground cover

Fact sheet on the issue

(modified action).

Cultural heritage

Soil erosion (from water).

actively managed.

on good farming practices

borders irrigation crops is

by 2011.

native vegetation which

10. 20% of privately owned

farm machinery)

farm machinery whole farm

River Health Strategy.

Target set and managed by

guidelines.

7. 100% compliance with NID

drainage).

3. No increase in irrigation

by 2015.

unit of production (ML/tonne)

farming practices (appropriate planning module developed

One good farming practice for

(continuing action).

Flora and fauna

awareness program on good

River Health Strategy.

existing pump sites

soils

22A. Implement community

Target set and managed by

Agricultural lands and

16A. Upgrade and improve

Soil compaction.

induced drainage rates from

60 irrigators per year

use efficiency

Flora and fauna

amount of water used per

2. 5% reduction in average

module developed by 2011

5 years

(MATs) One water use efficiency WFP

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

awareness program on water

Action and Status 2D. Implement community

Waterlogging.

Threat

Waterways and wetlands

Issue

Infrastructure

Issue

Greenhouse gases.

Threat

system by 2013.

(new action).

irrigated horticulture

Report on carbon accounting

5 years

(MATs)

accounting system for

Intermediate Target (IT)

Management Action Targets

23A. Develop a carbon

Action and Status

Please note that some management actions are new while others continue on from previous plans. either unchanged or in a modified.

Community

Air

20-30 years

Long Term Targets (RCTs)

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reviewing

9.1. Monitoring Proposed LWMP monitoring activities are presented in Tables 13 and 14. These measure the impact of interventions or actions towards meeting the long-term goals, resource condition targets (Table 13) and intermediate targets (Table 14) spread across all assets and programs recommended in the LWMP. For details on how monitoring is currently done within the Mallee CMA and the potential links between the LWMPâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s target monitoring, refer to Appendix 9. Monitoring management action targets (Table 15) is relatively straight forward centring on an annual check of outputs. Opportunities to improve monitoring processes within the broader monitoring programs will also be considered. For example, monitoring the condition of native vegetation in the irrigation region should be carried out by experts in conjunction with the Mallee CMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s relevant program. This would involve sharing data (as a GIS layer) that could also be fed into the state-wide database, contributing towards validating modelled databases held by DSE. This would be similar to the monitoring or surveys that are done by the Mallee CMA, in collaboration with DSE, for threatened species and wetland and river health conditions.

Table 8)

of competitive cost of water ($/ML) (RCT 1, 2

dynamics and use of the water market in support

1. Maintain effective understanding of the

Long-Term Goals and Resource Condition Targets

and appropriate methodology is used for collecting and storing

outflows to river.

within Victorian salinity credit limit

WUE programs, WFP and Water Stewardship Goals etc.

example, bore monitoring results to indicate any impact of

report on existing and potential accountable actions. For

and sufficient bores to run groundwater models in order to

6. Collection of groundwater monitoring data bores to run models. Ensure groundwater monitoring framework includes relevant

flows to the river.

of data on quality, including salinity and quantity of drainage

Same as monitoring no. 4. Continuation of current monitoring programs. Ensure standards

4. Business benchmarking.

Same as monitoring no. 3.

3. Monitor changes in AUL through the Victorian water register . 5. Monitoring of quantity and salinity of selected drainage

Same as monitoring no. 2.

Same as monitoring no. 1.

2. Tri-annual irrigated crop report including regional water use figures and details of land under irrigation.

1. Irrigation benchmarking of a cross section of irrigators for wine grapes, dried fruit, table grapes, citrus and almonds (includes cost of water).

identify areas for improvement.

Compare within and between horticultural industries and

Corporations and the Victorian Water Register.

Collect regional water trade figures from the relevant Water

hectares of irrigated land in production.

reports including regional water use figures and annual trend in

Collect horticultural data and build on previous irrigated crop

Has the water use (ML/tonne) been reduced?

Goals?

What percentage of irrigators has adopted Water Stewardship

about trading rules?

Do irrigators have easily accessible, up-to-date information

Ensure that monitoring answers the following questions:

3. Maintain current river salinity contributions

requirements 90 out of 100 years

their available water to meet their irrigation

2. Victorian Mallee irrigators able to manage

4. Business benchmarking.

3. Monitor changes in AUL through the Victorian water register .

2. Tri-annual irrigated crop report including regional water use figures and details of land under irrigation.

Continuation and modification of current program (e.g. irrigation

1. Irrigation benchmarking of a cross section of irrigators for wine grapes, dried fruit, table grapes, citrus and almonds (includes cost of water). benchmarking project).

Description / Comment

Method

Table 14. Monitoring of Resource Condition Targets and Long-Term Goals.

maintained (at current levels)

9. Quality of Murrayville groundwater resource

(includes floodplain)

improvement in riparian condition of waterways

7. All irrigation practices contribute to a net

12. Water quality monitoring of Murrayville groundwater.

Targets monitored under River Health Strategy.

of Hattah Kulkyne NP is included as part of groundwater

the Murrayville GWPA.

Work collaboratively with GWMW to monitor water quality in

vegetation.

understanding of the impact of irrigation on the native

is adequate for appropriate analyses to enhance the

monitoring framework and monitoring at these locations

Ensure monitoring of groundwater bores north and south

Kulkyne NP.

salinity.

are used to measure other agricultural impacts, e.g. grazing,

irrigation using standard and comparable methodologies that

native vegetation condition on the floodplain areas impacted by

Monitoring soil salinity (and total salt load) in the floodplain and

have adopted WFP.

Include in the survey data, such as whether adjacent irrigators

EVC, threatened spp monitoring) for management purposes

11. Monitoring of groundwater bores north and south of Hattah

10. Monitoring of floodplain health and salinity storage in the soil.

and generate a GIS layer to be used as complementary to the other layers and resources (e.g. wetlands, and groundwater,

native vegetation surrounding irrigation, including floodplains,

Survey and document (using ground truthing and GIS) the

use or interventions.

(includes floodplain impacted by irrigation)

9. Survey of native vegetation which borders irrigation region.

To be determined from research report.

Monitor specific variables that show the changes in wetland

state database of wetland condition.

vegetation which borders irrigation region

6. Net improvement in condition of native

fauna as result of irrigation activities

5. No decline in population viability of native

compatibility of the data with the condition of other wetlands in

irrigation.

irrigation in Mallee CMA region

8. Monitor specific interventions and wetland condition.

as impacted by irrigation by relevant experts, to ensure

nationally important wetlands, including wetlands impacted by

Condition (IWC) across wetlands impacted by

the region and the state. Also it will enhance the regional and

Collect IWC data for the wetlands that have been identified

Description / Comment

7. Record IWC approximately every four years for Ramsar and

Method

4. Net improvement in Index of Wetland

Long-Term Goals and Resource Condition Targets

Same as monitoring no. 1 above. Same as monitoring no. 1 above.

1. Irrigation benchmarking of cross section of irrigators for wine grapes, dried fruit, table grapes, citrus, almonds. 1. Irrigation benchmarking of cross section of irrigators for wine grapes, dried fruit, table grapes, citrus, almonds.

2. 5% reduction in average amount of water used

per unit of production (ML/tonne) by 2015

3. No increase in irrigation induced drainage rates

from 2006 levels (1ML/ha of total drainage)

applications.

that are impacted by the irrigation.

practices and their impact on the wetlands.

measure the investment made in improvement in irrigation

impacts on the wetlands are captured clearly. This will help to

or criteria to be included in the existing plans, so the irrigation

Use expert knowledge and discussion for developing the plans

other criteria set in the individual wetland management plan

Plans

18. Irrigation and drainage flows/targets match what is in the plan.

Monitor the quantity and quality of drainage and supply, and

tri-annually.

responsible agencies and that quality assurance measures are in place for the assessment of new irrigation development

Review the Mallee New Irrigation Development Guidelines

collected for monitoring no. 9.

17.Ensure compliance measures are in place by relevant

16. Research findings listed and analysed from a regional context.

Link this data to monitoring of native vegetation data (GIS data)

the effectiveness of WFP.

revegetation, irrigation upgrades, pest control etc to monitor

Survey and record of on ground work such as fencing,

managed according to Wetland Management

9. All water supply and drainage from irrigation

7. 100% compliance with NID guidelines

technology and/or knowledge exchanged

6. Identification of new water use efficiency

completed or in-progress

plans, risk management plans, WFP either

WFP for actions implemented against plans.

5. 70% of actions identified in water management 15. Biennial case management survey of properties undergone

the community (target is 80%) is aware of any changes to

water trading rules that effect Mallee irrigators.

water trading rules to adjust for their irrigation requirements.

Carry out a survey of irrigators in the region to check how well

14. Survey irrigators within one month of the release of new

Description/Comment

of changes to trading rules

Method

1. 80% of irrigation community quickly informed

Intermediate Targets

Table 13. Monitoring of Intermediate targets.

to audit.

impacted by irrigation

All resource managers agree and identify the places that are impacted by irrigation and decide how to select random places

13. Five-year audit of random sample of reported places.

11. Protection of all identified indigenous and

Description / Comment

non-indigenous cultural heritage potentially

Yet to be determined.

Method

10. Soil health targets â&#x20AC;&#x201C; yet to be determined

Long-Term Goals and Resource Condition Targets

Investigate the possibilities of including % ground cover in the horticultural region as part of updated satellite imaging and/or

management plans. 1. Irrigation benchmarking of cross section of irrigators for wine grapes, dried fruit, table grapes, citrus, almonds. 1. Irrigation benchmarking of cross section of irrigators for wine grapes, dried fruit, table grapes, citrus, almonds. 19. Survey of irrigated horticultural properties (ground-truthing or satellite).

11. 80% of irrigators in HIZ and higher end of LIZ

reaching 85% efficiency

12. Maintain application efficiency across all

areas of irrigation

13. 50% ground cover between irrigation crops

and understanding of the importance of indigenous cultural

values.

participants aware of cultural heritage values heritage.

Conduct a survey of participants to gauge the knowledge

20. Survey of participants for awareness of cultural heritage

14. All incentive, NID and whole farm planning

by on ground survey.

Same as monitoring no. 1 above.

WFP for actions implemented against native vegetation

managed

Same as monitoring for no. 15 above.

Description/Comment

which borders irrigation crops is actively

Method 15. Biennial case management survey of properties undergone

Intermediate Targets

10. 20% of privately owned native vegetation

Water Reform Policy and Planning

Management

Whole Farm Planning and Risk

Management Action Targets

• Delivery of WFP: 60 irrigators per year undertake WFP.

• Good farming practice for farm machinery by 2011;

• Best practice cover crop management for drip irrigation by 2013;

• Best practice for chemical use and fertiliser management by 2011;

• Irrigation application efficiency by 2011;

• Pest plant management module developed by 2011;

• Pest animal control module developed by 2011;

• Native vegetation management by 2011;

• Appropriate pest management options for native species by 2014;

• Waterway/wetland by 2011;

Report.

actions identified. Mapping to be documented in the Crop

• Risk management with respect to managing variable water allocations by

2011;

GIS mapping of properties involved in the WFP and their

Annual check on outputs.

Monitoring

• Water use efficiency by 2010;

Whole farm planning modules developed for:

Biodiversity and irrigation development overlays integrated by 2013.

held by 2012;

Three planning forums/workshops on implications of ministerial determinations

Quarterly planning forums linking LWMP to modernisation process;

2013;

Awareness package on implications of ministerial determinations completed

irrigators by 2012;

Water trading rules documented with the information disseminated to

Regional Water Stewardship Goals developed by 2012;

Trigger points for the implementation of the VMIDGs;

• Process for reviewing salinity impact levies (& undertake a review);

zones;

• Rules governing the transfer of AUL within and between salinity impact

• Determine the nature and level of caps within salinity impact zones;

Policy completed by 2012 documenting:

Table 15. Monitoring of Management Action Targets.

Salinity Management

Water Use Efficiency (WUE) Activities

New Irrigation Development

to review the outcomes of LWMP. Bringing all DSE, LMW, DPI information relating to NID in one.

• Irrigation Drainage Management Plan;

• Cultural Heritage Plan (as required);

Community awareness programs

• Document ten management plans [2012 (1 plan), 2013 (2), 2014 (3)

2012.

• Information bulletin/fact sheet on good farming practices completed by

biodiversity significance and cultural heritage significance;

• One education/awareness day per year for the irrigation community on

• Annual wetland tour for irrigators (e.g. Hattah Kulkyne NP, Lindsay Island);

wetland importance;

• One education/awareness day per year for irrigated community on

• 60 irrigators per year up take native vegetation management incentives.

• Plans for all wetlands reviewed every five years;

and 2015 (4)];

• Irrigation impact wetland study completed by 2012;

Management

• Support the implementation of the BSMS and Sunraysia salt interception.

• Five year reviews of accountable actions;

• Annual report against actions;

• Development of Victorian Mallee Salt Procedures Manual by 2011;

demonstration farm.

• 17 field days [2012 (2),2013 (5), 2014 (5) & 2015 (5)] held featuring each

• Five demonstration farms organised by 2013;

• Nine WUE case studies by 2014;

• Annual benchmarking of irrigation application efficiency;

and water management plan development;

• Delivery of irrigation related training, WUE, irrigation application efficiency

• 60 irrigators per year take up WUE incentives ;

• WUE research planning forums held in the years 2012 and 2014;

• Review of VMIDG every three years.

Annual check on outputs.

biodiversity requirements) for monitoring and spatial analysis

• Native Vegetation Plan (as required);

GIS mapping of all required actions in NID (WUL and

• Environmental checklist;

Monitoring

Every new irrigation development to complete:

Management Action Targets

Wetland and Native Vegetation

Investigations

• Report on carbon accounting system by 2014.

fauna developed by 2013;

• Report on the potential noise impacts from irrigated properties on native

cropping developed by 2014;

• Report on management options for adjacent native vegetation and

allocation years developed by 2014;

• Report on cover crop options which suit drip irrigation in low water

• Investigation report on current drainage to floodplains by 2014;

• Economic report on salinity mitigation around Hattah Kulkyne NP by 2013;

by 2013;

• Trial new technology on irrigation properties with an associated evaluation

2014;

• Scoping study report on changing land use effects on native fauna by

• Research report on native pest fauna control by 2013;

Robinvale for pre-stage 2 and pre-stage 3;

• Survey at least 50 irrigators from Merbein, Mildura, Red Cliffs and

• Report on implications of infrastructure changes completed by 2013;

completed by 2013;

• Investigation report on regional implications of variable water allocations

• Regional irrigation crop report produced tri-annually;

• Report on feasibility of reducing on-farm storage volume by 2014 ;

Management Action Targets Annual check on outputs.

Monitoring

Effectiveness

Impact

Appropriateness

Legacy

Efficiency

Investor strategy/investment policy. Technical experts review of actions. Internal annual review of plan.

the intended beneficiaries?

To what extent is the plan compliant with recognised

best practice processes in the field (e.g. the type,

plan. Internal annual review of plan. Five-year independent review of plan.

contributed to changing natural asset condition and

management practices and institutions?

What, if any, unanticipated positive or negative

plan. Five-year independent review of plan.

outputs been achieved? Why or why not?

Are current activities the best way to maximise

Internal annual review of plan. Five-year independent review of plan.

value out of available resources?

How could resources be used more productively and

Five-year independent review of plan.

the plan ceases?

How and by whom should the legacy be managed?

Internal annual review of plan.

Will the planâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impacts continue over time and after

acceptable and sustainable cost?

implementation, and thereby maximise impact, at an

What could be done differently to improve

efficiently?

Auditing.

To what extent has the plan attained the highest

sustainable?

attain, its objectives efficiently and in a way that is

To what extent is the plan attaining, or expected to

more effective?

impact or are there other strategies that might be

Monitoring of activities through annual review of

To what extent have the planned activities and

indirectly produced by the plan interventions?

To what extent were the changes directly or

changes or other outcomes have resulted?

Monitoring condition of assets as per monitoring

In what ways, and to what extent, has the plan

activities)?

level and context of investment and associated

Actions captured from stakeholder workshops.

Method or data sources

To what extent is the plan aligned with the needs of

Evaluation question

Table 16. LWMP Key MERI evaluation questions and possible methods and data sources.

9.2. Evaluation

Five-year review report.

Annual review report.

Five-year review report.

Annual review report.

Financial reports.

Five- year review report.

Annual review report.

plans output reports.

Project milestone reports and amended

Five-year review report.

Annual review report.

Annual monitoring report.

Financial statements.

Project output reports.

Annual review report.

Report

9.3.

Plan Review and Renewal

It is important that this plan is flexible and adaptable so that it is useful and remains relevant to a region which is undergoing constant change. This is to be achieved through a process of monitoring, reviewing and reporting. 9.3.1. Annual review and report The plan is to be reviewed and reported on annually including: •

Interpretation of monitoring results

•

Progress against MATs

•

Recommendations on adjustments to plan

•

Recommendations on policy/legislative changes

•

Incorporation of any significant changes e.g. change in legislation or policy and identification of new actions to address these changes.

Changes and new actions identified as a result of the review are to be documented in an addendum to the plan annually. If changes, as a result of the review, are recommended to: AULs; the water use objectives; WUL standard conditions; policies for managing water use licences in salinity impact zones; or policies for managing works licences then the processes as outlined in Appendices 2 and 3 are to be followed. 9.3.2. Five-year independent review The current plan is to be independently reviewed every five years. This review is to include an evaluation of intermediate targets and progress towards RCTs and long-term goals. 9.3.3. Ten-year renewal The plan is then to be renewed every ten years.

10. Implementation of plan 10.1. Management of the plan A Committee of Management comprising representatives of the partner organisations will oversee the implementation of the LWMP. Terms of reference will be developed for this committee explaining the representation and role of the committee.

10.2. Roles of key stakeholders The roles of key stakeholders are described below in Table 17. Table 17. Roles of key stakeholders. Key stakeholder

Role of key stakeholder In accordance with the Catchment and Land Protections Act 1994 Statement of

Mallee CMA

DPI

Table 17 cont. Roles of key stakeholders. Lower Murray Water (LMW)

Lower Murray Water is a key member of a partnership of agencies whose role is to implement the plan. Specifically LMWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s role includes: â&#x20AC;˘ Membership of the North West Monitoring partnership that provides monitoring data to feed into the LWMP Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting arrangements; â&#x20AC;˘ The collection of salinity and environmental levies from irrigators within the Mallee CMA region on behalf of the plan. Additional roles and responsibilities for LMW include those as articulated in the companion documents of the LWMP; the Mallee Salt Procedures Manual and the Mallee Irrigation Development Guidelines. LMW will also provide a representative on the LWMP Committee of Management.

Goulburn Murray Water

There is a small section of the Mallee CMA irrigated region located around Nyah

(GMW)

Grampians Wimmera

GWMW services irrigators within the Murrayville region who source groundwater

Mallee Water (GWMW)

DSE

DSE provides investment in the implementation of the LWMP. Investment is not mandatory and is subject to compliance with DSE program objectives, outcomes and priorities.

Mallee irrigation community

Federal Government

The Federal Government has an investment role in the LWMP but subject to any investment being in accordance with its program objectives, outcomes and priorities.

a) nature and level of caps within salinity impact zones

And Planning

Salinity Management

Annual report against actions (MA 6A).

e) Psyche Bend Lagoon (2015/16).

d) Lambertâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Swamp (2015/16);

c) Drying the Drains (2015/16);

b) Nangiloc/Colignan SMP (2012/13);

a) Nyah to SA Border SMP (2012/13);

Five year reviews of accountable actions (MA 6B):

6C).

Mallee Salt Procedures Manual developed by 2011 (MA

Salt disposal and interception coordination (MA 6A).

integrated by 2012 (MA 11A).

Biodiversity and irrigation development overlays

ministerial determinations held by 2011 (MA 8A).

Three planning forums/workshops on implications of

(MA 5A).

modernisation process (20 in total, four per year)

Quarterly planning forums linking LWMP to

determinations completed 2011 (MA 8B).

Awareness package on implications of ministerial

disseminated to irrigators by 2011 (MA 1A).

Water trading rules documented with the information

(MA 2A).

Regional Water Stewardship Goals developed by 2011

zones.

b) rules governing transfer of AUL between and within

Policy completed by 2011 documenting (MA 8A):

Water Reform Policy

Action Number/s)

Management Action Targets (MA = Management

Table 18 Plan implementation costs.

20 000

70 000

80 000

3 000

45 000

10 000

45 000

40 000

47 000

2010/11

mind there are minimal amounts required to complete worthwhile work (Table 18).

10 000

80 000

20 000

2011/12

10 000

80 000

20 000

2012/13

10 000

80 000

20 000

2013/14

Cost/ $ year

10 000

80 000

20 000

2014/15

60 000

80 000

70 000

400 000

20 000

3 000

125 000

10 000

45 000

40 000

47 000

Total

Costs were assigned to management actions using the general principle whereby the level of investment is commensurate with the identified level of priority bearing in

10.3. Plan implementation costs

a) Environmental checklist;

Development

• Water use efficiency by 2010 (MA 2D);

Whole Farm Planning

12A, 14A, 15A, 17B, 19A).

whole farm planning (MD 2D, 3A, 9C, 10B, 11B,

• Delivery of WFP: 60 irrigators per year undertake

(MA 22A);

• Good farming practice for farm machinery by 2011

irrigation by 2013 (MA 18A);

• Best practice cover crop management for drip

management by 2011 (MA 17B);

• Best practice for chemical use and fertiliser

• Irrigation application efficiency by 2011 (MA 15A);

• Pest plant module developed by 2011 (MA 14A);

• Pest animal module developed by 2011 (MA 12A);

• Native vegetation management by 2011 (MA 11B;

species by 2014 (MA 10B);

• Appropriate pest management options for native

• Waterway/wetland by 2011 (MA 9C);

variable water allocations by 2011 (MA 3A);

• Risk management with respect to managing

Whole farm planning modules developed for:

Risk Management and

Review of NID guidelines every 3 year (MA 7B)

d) Native vegetation plan (as required).

c) Cultural heritage plan (as required);

b) Irrigation Drainage Management Plan;

Every new irrigation development completes (MA 7A):

Action Number/s)

Management Action Targets (MA = Management

New Irrigation

273 000

100 000

2010/11

273 000

75 000

2011/12

273 000

50 000

75 000

2012/13

273 000

75 000

2013/14

Cost/ $ year

273 000

75 000

2014/15

1 365 000

50 000

400 000

Total

community on wetland importance (MA 9C)

Awareness Programs

10A)

Research report on native pest control by 2012 (MA

3 (MA 5C)

Red Cliffs and Robinvale for pre-stage 2 and pre-stage

Survey at least 50 irrigators from Merbein, Mildura,

completed by 2012 (MA 5B)

Report on implications of infrastructure changes

water allocations completed by 2012 (MA 4A)

Investigation report on regional implications of variable

(MA 4A)

Crop report updated and analysed every three years

(MA 2H)

as result of development of mid river storages by 2014

Report on feasibility of reducing on-farm storage size

practices completed by 2013 (MA 22A)

Information bulletin/fact sheet on good farming

heritage significance (MA 11B)

community on biodiversity significance and cultural

One education/awareness day per year for irrigated

Hattah Kulkyne NP, Lindsay Island). (MA 9C)

Annual tour for irrigators to an important wetland (e.g.

One education/awareness day per year for irrigated

Community

featuring each demonstration farm (MA 2C)

As required

60 000

75 000

3 000

5 000

6 000

5 000

6 000

4 000

17 field days [2012 (2), 2013 (5), 2014 (5), 2015 (5)] held

Five farms for WUE demonstration by 2013 (MA 2C)

150 000

50 000

200 000

5 000

2011/12

10 000

150 000

80 000

200 000

2010/11

Nine case studies on WUE by 2014 (MA 2B)

(MA 2F)

Annual benchmarking of irrigation application efficiency

(MA 2D)

Delivery of other irrigation related training: 12 events

WUE research planning forum biannually (MA 2G)

60 irrigators per year take up WUE incentives (MA 2E)

(WUE) Activities

Action Number/s)

Management Action Targets (MA = Management

Water Use Efficiency

238 000

5 000

6 000

5 000

15 000

6 000

10 000

150 000

200 000

2012/13

52 000

5 000

6 000

5 000

15 000

10 000

150 000

200 000

5 000

2013/14

Cost/ $ year

5 000

6 000

5 000

15 000

10 000

150 000

200 000

2014/15

60 000

75 000

238 000

3 000

20 000

24 000

20 000

51 000

10 000

40 000

750 000

130 000

1 000 000

10 000

Total

native fauna by 2014 (MA 13A).

Trial IRES on approximately 10 properties, evaluate and

cont.

* It is envisaged that funding for this activity will not be sought through government investment

$1 844 413

50 000

20 000

30 000

200 000

100 000

800 413

30 000

100 000

2012/13

Business benchmarking*. $1 819 413

20 000

30 000

200 000

100 000

41 413

37 000

64 000

80 000

100 000

2011/12

41 000 $1 393 000

30 000

200 000

2010/11

$1 621 913

20 000

30 000

200 000

100 000

120 413

30 000

35 000

65 500

80 000

2013/14

Cost/ $ year

Survey of native vegetation management.

Midterm review.

Annual reviews.

Maintenance of models.

Drainage and Groundwater monitoring.

management incentives per year (MA 11C).

Potentially 60 irrigators up take native vegetation

(MA 9B).

Plans for all wetlands reviewed every five years

Totals

Document management plans in years 2012 (1 plan),

management

Monitoring

9A).

vegetation

2013 (2), 2014 (3) and 2015 (4) (MA 9A).

Undertake wetland irrigation impact study by 2012 (MA

Wetland & native

Report on carbon accounting system by 2014 (MA 23A)

21A).

properties on native fauna developed by 2013 (MA

Report on the potential noise impacts from irrigated

vegetation and cropping developed by 2014 (MA 20A).

Report on management options for adjacent native

18A).

in low water allocation years developed by 2014 (MA

Report on cover crop options which suit drip irrigation

by 2014 (MA 15D).

Investigation report on current drainage to floodplains

Kulkyne National Park by 2012 (MA 15C).

Economic report on salinity mitigation around Hattah

report by 2012 (MA 15B).

Scoping study report on changing land use effects on

Awareness Programs

Action Number/s)

Management Action Targets (MA = Management

Community

$1 394 413

55 000

30 000

200 000

100 000

160 413

2014/15

$8 073 152

50 000

41 000

55 000

60 000

150 000

1 000 000

400 000

402 652

37 000

30 000

35 000

65 500

64 000

80 000

280 000

Total

10.4. Cost sharing arrangements 10.4.1. Levies Previous Salinity Management Plans (SMP_N2SAB 1992a and SMP_Sunraysia 1991) endorsed levies for irrigators in the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region for different reasons. The levies support a suite of programs (i.e. capital, new irrigator operation and maintenance and incentives), and continue to form part of the community cost sharing for this plan. Current levies and any changes to levies are documented in the Mallee Salt Procedures Manual. 10.4.2. In-kind support In implementing the LWMP, irrigators are expected to contribute time and resources, especially in relation to developing WFP, including attendance at workshops and training events and implementing associated environmental management actions. Further details are provided in the following section.

Figure 26. Irrigated vines.

11. Triple bottom line assessment 11.1. Costs The financial costs of the plan were calculated by projecting the cost (both direct and shared) of delivering each management action. Table 19 provides a summary of the five year flow of cost in 2010 dollars. Table 19. Flow of direct costs. 2010/11

2011/12

$1 393 000

2012/13

$1 819 413

2013/14

$1 844 413

2014/15

$1 621 913

$1 394 413

There is also a significant cost sharing component (refer Table 20). The major cost sharing is the time donated in kind by irrigators to attend WFP workshops, and the extra time needed to integrate extra environmental management goals into the day-to-day management of irrigation enterprises. There is also a cost sharing contribution for the implementation of on-ground works sponsored by the WUE incentives. Table 20. Cost Sharing. Cost Sharing by the Irrigation community Attending modules (60 per year x3 days @ $400/day)

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

72 000

24 000

48 000

72 000

96 000

120 000

50 000

$146 000

$170 000

$194 000

$218 000

$242 000

Adjusting management (60 days per year x 1 day /year @ $400/ day) Contribution to incentives Total Cost Sharing

The addition of direct and shared costs equals the total cost of the plan implementation (Table 21).

Table 21. Total costs of plan implementation.

Total costs for plan implementation

2010/11

2011/12

2012/13

2013/14

2014/15

Total

$1 539 000

$1 989 413

$2 038 413

$1 839 913

$1 636 413

$9 043 152

11.2. Triple Bottom Line assessment summary Financial: The financial costs and benefits are projected over the 30-year life of the renewal. The cost for Year 5 of the plan has been used as an imputed cost for years 6 to 30. The financial benefits of the plan accrue through the following impacts: •

Water saving (5%) from increased efficiency for 60 growers per year (cumulative);

•

Labour savings from the plan’s contribution to adoption of new on-farm irrigation technology (Kelly 1997);

•

Positive salinity impacts at Morgan due to the plan’s contribution to the maintenance of on- farm irrigation efficiency (Aquaterra 2010);

•

Positive salinity benefits at Morgan due the enforcement of new irrigation development guidelines for 500ha/yr of new irrigation development.

The current value of the flow of financial benefits and costs attributable to the plan are provided in Table 22: Table 22. Net Present Value and Benefit Cost Ratio. Net Present Value at a 4%

Net Present Value at a 8%

Benefit Cost Ratio at a 4%

Benefit Cost Ratio at a 8%

discount rate

$11 372 489

$3 271 720

1.4 : 1

1.2 : 1

Environmental: The main environmental benefits of the plan will be the active management of the impact of irrigation on native ecosystems. The net benefit is expected to be the active management of: •

161ha of endangered EVCs;

•

1 365ha of vulnerable EVCs;

•

794ha of depleted EVCs.

The implementation of the plan will also result in the protection of all wetlands directly impacted by irrigation via wetland management plans.

100

Social: An assessment of the social impacts of the plan was also conducted. Local stakeholders assessed the impact of the plan on six important social themes. The ratings were positive from the majority of participants for all of the six themes (refer to Table 23). The modes (highlighted in Table 23) for most themes were positive, with one neutral. The net assessed impact was positive for all themes. The strongest positive impact was determined to be on the natural resource knowledge base. The mildest impact was on business confidence. Table 23. Social Assessment. Social theme

Frequency of qualitative score -5

-4

-3

-2

-1

n/a

Community wellbeing – population stability, community

health, community cohesion and

resilience in the face of change Natural resource knowledge base – understanding of issues and processes, and community participation in NRM Improved business confidence – reduced business risk and greater

preparedness to invest in the

region Change in the landscape – aesthetics

Confidence in the plan – likelihood of objectives being achieved Protection of significant cultural and historical sites

101

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12. Additional assumptions and knowledge gaps 12.1. Assumptions for Targets Table 24. Assumptions Underpinning the Targets. Target

Assumption

80% irrigation community quickly informed of changes to

This estimated target is based on the community’s

trading rules.

aspiration and not based on past evidence/data.

5% reduction in average amount of water used per unit of This target is based on baseline of current benchmarking production (ML/tonne) by 2015.

data (Ratna and Pollock 2009, 2010) with yearly variations taken out.

No increase in irrigation induced drainage rates from 2006

This target is in line with the objectives of ‘Setting

levels (1ML/ha of total drainage).

resource condition targets for the Mallee region’ (SKM 2005) and the findings of ‘Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impacts (RISI)’ report (Aquaterra 2009).

70% of actions identified in water management plans,

Achievements from dryland EMAP projects provide the

risk management plans, whole farm planning either

basis for this target (SunRISE 21 2010a).

completed or in-progress. 20% of privately owned native vegetation which borders

This target is based on previous studies which found

irrigation crops is actively managed.

that only 9% of irrigators whose properties border native vegetation have a high knowledge of the significance of the native vegetation and therefore actively manage this vegetation (McConnell et al 2007).

80 irrigators in HIZ and higher end of LIZ reaching 85%

This target is in line with irrigation benchmarking data

efficiency.

which shows a required leaching fraction of <15% (Ratna and Pollock 2009, 2010).

Maintain application efficiency across all areas of

It is assumed that current levels of efficiency stated in

irrigation.

Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impacts (RISI) claim will be maintained (Aquaterra 2009).

50% ground cover between irrigation crops.

This target is based on the report ‘Improving capacity to monitor wind and water erosion: A review’ (Leys et al 2008, p.47) which shows that 50% ground cover significantly reduces risk of soil erosion.

Mallee irrigators able to manage their available water to

This target is based on the assumption that irrigators can

meet their irrigation requirements 90 out of 100 years.

meet their irrigation requirements in years where water allocations are above 30%. According to data prepared for the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy (DSE 2009a) this will occur 90 out of 100 years for the Mallee region.

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An assumption behind the plan’s targets is that correcting or taking actions to rectify the irrigation impact may not necessarily make significant contribution toward the Resource Condition Targets (RCTs) as many other factors impact on conditions of resources/assets. The RCTs for this plan are aligned with the RCTs of the Mallee CMA RCS 2003-2008 (MCMA 2003), in particular the assets/resources that are impacted by irrigation. Assumptions taken by the Stakeholder Consultation Group, in completing their risk assessment (Workshop 2), are documented in Appendix 21.

12.2. Knowledge Gaps Currently there is no formal mechanism to measure or acknowledge the environmental achievements through on-ground actions of the NID guidelines. This potentially hinders participants to be encouraged by their successes and also acts as a barrier in identifying the areas that need improvement. For example, agreements for management of adjacent native vegetation and revegetation works. It is recommended in this plan that the Mallee CMA work with water corporations to measure the successes and challenges of actions driven by the NID process. Wetlands that are impacted by irrigation need to be identified, the impact documented with the information made available for irrigators and agencies that are involved with water supply and irrigation communities (e.g. DPI, LMW). Proposed actions to reduce impacts should also be documented for each wetland. This knowledge may be held by the experts; however clear and easily available information will help community education and involvement efforts made by all bodies in managing wetlands in the region. This plan recommends that management plans be developed for wetlands impacted by irrigation. Currently there is no process to measure or determine whether culturally significant places are maintained appropriately, although there are requirements and guidelines that recommend significant places for Aboriginals in this landscape should be protected. This LWMP recommends that an audit process be developed of culturally significant places. The status or current condition of natural resource assets within the Mallee was difficult to determine. Information on major assets, their locations and status is available on DSE’s ‘Mapshare’, many of the parks, reserves, wetlands and other areas of significance were identified through personal communication with the MCMA, Parks and DSE and DPI staff. The information about on-ground/intervention work and survey/monitoring data is often collected (e.g. areas of protected native vegetation on private properties, their

104

types, condition, fenced/unfenced status, revegetation work, pest control, groundwater level and flora/fauna monitoring data/reports). This data/resource could be linked or located centrally for efficient natural resource management. It is important that a record of current condition and previous work invested in a resource is easily available. This requires more data-sharing and use of standard methodologies for measurements/ studies etc. across various programs within and between organisations. It is recognised that restricted access to sensitive information will apply in some cases. This plan recommends the investigation of the development of a spatial database that the Mallee CMA can use for management and investment purposes. The impact of some of the potential threats from irrigation on natural resource assets is unknown. These threats have been identified by the plan as requiring further investigation, and actions have been documented in the plan to address these knowledge gaps (refer Table 10 Investigation and Research and Table 12).

105

106

13. Future Challenges and Opportunities The following proposed changes and documents will provide future challenges and opportunities that will form part of the LWMP review process:

13.1. Murray-Darling Basin Plan The Murray-Darling Basin Authority, as required by the Water Act 2007 (GOA 2007), is developing the first ever basin-wide plan to sustainably manage surface water, groundwater and environmental resources throughout Australia’s food and fibre bowl. A guide to the proposed (draft) Murray-Darling Basin Plan was released for public discussion mid-2010, with the final version will go to the Commonwealth Government in 2011-12. This plan will be a legally enforceable document that provides for the integrated management of all the Basin’s water resources. Some of the main functions of the Basin Plan will be to: •

set and enforce environmentally sustainable limits on the quantities of surface water and groundwater that may be taken from Basin water resources;

•

set Basin-wide environmental objectives, and water quality and salinity objectives

•

develop efficient water trading regimes across the Basin;

•

set requirements that must be met by state water resource plans;

•

improve water security for all users of Basin water resources.

Key elements of the Basin Plan include defining sustainable diversion limits (SDLs), an environmental watering plan, and a water quality and salinity management plan. SDLs will limit the quantity of surface water and groundwater that may be taken from the Basin’s water resources as a whole. There will also be SDLs to limit the quantity of surface water and groundwater that can be taken from individual water resource plan areas and particular parts of water resource plan areas within the basin. These areas will be defined in the Basin Plan and will draw upon current state water resource plan areas. There is currently a limit, called ‘the Cap’, on the amount of surface water that can be taken for consumptive use in the Basin. The current cap on surface-water diversions is set at a level based on historic use, not on sustainability. In addition, the existing cap does not limit the use of groundwater, and groundwater consumption has

107

grown significantly in the context of the introduction of the surface water cap. While groundwater is already managed in many areas, the Basin Plan provides an opportunity to manage all groundwater proactively, using consistent criteria and in conjunction with surface water, especially in areas where groundwater and surface water are highly connected. As the SDLs come into effect, they will replace the current cap and resolve its shortcomings. They will set limits on the taking of both groundwater and surface water from the Basin. The Basin Plan will impact on irrigation within the Mallee region. Appropriate actions to address issues identified in the plan will be incorporated into a future review of this LWMP when more information becomes available.

13.2. Changing Climatic Conditions In late 2010, the region experienced record rainfall quadrupling the average rainfall for the October to December period. The downpours continued into 2011, culminating on February 4th and 5th when 270mm of rain fell on parts of the irrigated area in one 24 hour period. This event, in combination with an already wetted landscape, resulted in wide spread surface water pooling to depths approaching two metres. At least 900 hectares was inundated with up to 6,000 hectares of irrigated land being impacted. These events were in stark contrast to the prevailing drought conditions which underpinned the renewed LWMP process. Response management actions and resultant issues will be captured in the annual review process of this plan.

13.3. Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy The Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) is the principal planning tool and strategic focus for natural resource management in the Victorian Mallee. It is an overarching strategic plan that provides a framework for all of the existing and developing Regional Action Plans to be implemented, including the LWMP. The Mallee RCS was developed for the period 2003-2008 and is due for renewal in 2011-12. This LWMP is therefore guided by this current strategy but not limited to it and any future RCS will be used to review this plan.

108

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15. Appendices Appendix 1:

Recommendations from the critical review of the draft VMSWQMP.

Appendix 2:

Mallee regional process for applying for changes to the AUL

Appendix 3:

Mallee regional process for applying for changes to WUL standard

conditions and Water Use Objectives

Appendix 4:

Project Steering Committee

Appendix 5:

Stakeholder Consultation Group

Appendix 6:

Methods for development of priority actions

Appendix 7:

Workshop dates and agendas

Appendix 8:

1st & 2nd generation salinity management plansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; management actions

Appendix 9:

Mallee CMAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s current monitoring programs and potential links with

LWMP monitoring for targets

Appendix 10: Assets values and services Appendix 11: Current threatened flora and fauna in the bioregions Appendix 12: Assets, threats, threatening processes, irrigation related causes of

threats and services

Appendix 13: Significant of waterways and wetlands in the irrigated region of the Mallee Appendix 14: Significance of river reaches in the Mallee Appendix 15: Significance of native vegetation, cultural heritage and agricultural land in

the irrigated region of the Mallee

Appendix 16: Asset, condition and the service provided by the assets in the Mallee CMA region Appendix 17: EVC Mallee CMA region 2007 Appendix 18: Impacts from irrigation Appendix 19: Selected threatened species in the irrigated Mallee region Appendix 20: Summary of asset values and potential impacts from irrigation powerpoint Appendix 21: Stakeholder assumptions for workshop 2

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