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Murray-Darling Basin Salinity Management Strategy

Victoria’s 2014/15 Annual Report

© The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water & Planning 2016

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ISSN 2204_907X

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Victoria’s 2014/15 Annual Report 2

ContentsStatement of Compliance 4

Executive Summary 12

Abbreviations 17

1 Introduction 19

2 The nine elements of the BSMS 21

2.1 Developing capacity 21 2.1.1 Victoria 21 2.1.2 North East 23 2.1.3 Goulburn Broken 24 2.1.4 North Central 26 2.1.5 Wimmera 27 2.1.6 Victorian Mallee 28 2.2 Identifying values and assets at risk 32 2.2.1 North East 32 2.2.2 Goulburn Broken 32 2.2.3 North Central 34 2.2.4 Wimmera 35 2.2.5 Victorian Mallee 36 2.3 Setting salinity targets 38 2.3.1 Victoria 38 2.4 Managing trade-offs 42 2.4.1 North East 42 2.4.2 Goulburn Broken 42 2.4.3 North Central 43 2.4.4 Wimmera 44 2.4.5 Victorian Mallee 44 2.5 Implementing plans 45 2.5.1 Victoria 45 2.5.2 North East 46 2.5.3 Goulburn Broken 47 2.5.4 North Central 48 2.5.5 Wimmera 49 2.5.6 Victorian Mallee 49


2.6 Redesigning farming systems 52 2.6.1 North East 52 2.6.2 Goulburn Broken 53 2.6.3 North Central 54 2.6.4 Wimmera 54 2.6.5 Victorian Mallee 55 2.7 Targeting reforestation and vegetation management 57 2.7.1 North East 57 2.7.2 Goulburn Broken 57 2.7.3 North Central 58 2.7.4 Wimmera 58 2.7.5 Victorian Mallee 59 2.8 Constructing salt interception works 60 2.8.1 Operations 60 2.8.2 Construction 61 2.9 Basin-wide accountability 61 2.9.1 Monitoring 61 2.9.2 Salinity registers 63 2.9.3 Five-year reviews 653 Valley report cards 67

3.1 Introduction 67 3.2 Recorded stream salinities in 2014/15 68 3.3 Flow and salinity plots 704 Response to Independent Audit Group Salinity 74

4.1 Response to the recommendations of the 2013/14 audit 745 References 84

Appendix A. Acknowledgements 87

Appendix B. Shepparton Irrigation Region calculation assumptions 88

B.1 Assumptions regarding the progressive total salinity debits 88 B.2 Assumptions regarding salinity debits by program component 88Appendix C. Salinity impact of new irrigation development in the Victorian Mallee 89

Appendix D. Confidence rating for Register A entries 90


Statement of Compliance

Victoria remains compliant with Schedule B to the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement (Schedule 1 to the Water Act 2007).

The Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) 2015 Salinity Register A (as at 31/08/2015) endorsed by the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council is the starting point of Victoria’s salinity accountability reporting for 2014/15. All accountable action changes during 2014/15 are contained in this report.

CreditsBased on the 2014 MDBA Register A (as at 25/09/2014) Victoria’s salinity credits equalled a salinity effect of -53.9 EC, and a salinity cost effect of $11.329 million/yr.

During the 2014/15 monitoring period there were minor increases in salinity credits for two register entries; Permanent Trade Accounting Adjustment – Vic. To SA, and Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impact Victoria Stage One. Both actions changed by -0.1EC, with a total increase in credits of - 0.2EC. These changes relate to re-running the MSM BigMod Model.

Salinity credits for Victoria, as at 30 June 2015, are therefore – 54.1 EC or a salinity cost effect of $11.365 million/yr (Table S-1).

DebitsBased on the 2014 MDBA Register A (as at 25/09/2014) Victoria’s salinity debits equalled a salinity effect of 20.1 EC, and a salinity cost effect of -$4.915 million/yr.

Salinity debits for Victoria, based on the endorsed 2015 MDBA Register A (31 August 2015) are 20.8 EC or a salinity cost effect of -$5.044 million/yr.

The increase of Victoria’s salinity debit by 0.7 EC is a result of new irrigation development in the Victorian Mallee, Nyah to the South Australian Border Salinity Management Plan (SMP) area.

Net BalanceVictoria’s net balance of salinity credits equalled -33.3 EC, or $6.321million/yr, which remain unutilised (Table S-1).

Table S- 1 Victoria’s Register A balance sheet summary

Balance at 25 September 2014

Change in 2014/15Reporting Period

Balance at31 August 2015

Salinity Effect (EC at Morgan)

Salinity Cost Effect ($/yr)





Credits -53.9 11,329,100 -0.2 36,000 -54.1 11,365,100

Debits 20.1 -4,915,304 0.7 -128,696 20.8 -5,044,000

Total -33.8 6,413,769 0.5 -92,696 -33.3 6,321,100


There are five Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs) located within the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin. For internal management purposes, Victoria allocated salinity credits to CMAs to implement Land and Water Management Plans. Salinity credits were not allocated to the Wimmera or North East CMAs as no accountable actions are in these regions.

The salinity credit allocations to Victorian CMAs with accountable actions on the MDBA Register A comprise:

• -8.9 EC allocated to the Goulburn Broken CMA for the Shepparton SMP;

• -10.1 EC allocated to the North Central CMA for Woorinen Irrigation District Excision, the Campaspe West SMP and the Kerang Lakes/Swan Hill SMP; and

• -20.2 EC allocated to the Mallee CMA for the Nangiloc-Colignan SMP and the Nyah to South Australian Border SMP.

Total allocated salinity credits against total salinity debits to date, for the Goulburn Broken, North Central, and Mallee CMAs are summarised in Table S-2.

Table S-2 shows that of the total credits Victoria has allocated to the CMAs (-39.2 EC), -18.6 EC credits are allocated but unutilised by the CMAs.

In total, Victoria has -33.3 EC salinity credits unutilised, of which -14.9 EC salinity credits are unallocated (Table S-3).

Table S- 2 Victorian Register A salinity credit allocation and salinity debits

CMA region


Government allocation of

salinity credits (EC)

Salinity debits by region in 2014 MDBA

Register1 (EC)

Salinity debits over 2014/15

reporting period

(EC)

Salinity debits by region in 2015 MDBA

Register2 (EC)

Allocated salinity credit

balance (EC)

Goulburn Broken -8.9 1.4 0 1.4 -7.5

North Central -10.1 2.9 0 2.9 -7.2

Mallee -20.2 15.6 0.73 16.3 -3.9

Total -39.2 19.9 0.7 20.6 -18.6

Table S- 3 Summary of Register A salinity credits for Victoria as at 31 August 2015

Physical EC

Total Available (From Table S-1) -54.1

Total Allocation (From Table S-2) -39.2

Unallocated salinity credits -14.9

Table S-4 and Table S-5 show the breakdown of Victoria’s salinity credits and debits by MDBA Register A line entries, based on actions in 2014/15.

1 Based on MDBA Register A as at 25/09/20142 Based on MDBA Register A as at 31/08/20153 Reflects increase in irrigation development for Nyah to SA Border Salinity Management Plan


Table S- 4 Victoria’s Credit Balance Sheet based on MDBA Salinity Register (as at 31/08/2015)

Register A Entry Physical Impact (EC)


Joint Works and Measures

Salinity and Drainage Strategy

Woolpunda Salt Interception Scheme (SIS) -8.9 729,000

Improved Buronga and Mildura/Merbein SIS -0.6 140,000

New Operating Rules for Barr Creek Pumps -0.9 225,000

Waikerie SIS -2.4 198,000

Changed MDBC River Operations 1988 to 2000 -0.3 150,000

Mallee Cliffs SIS -2.1 512,000

Waikerie SIS Phase 2A -1.5 113,000

Changed MDBC River Operations 2000 to 2002 -0.3 -139,000

Sub-Total Basin Salinity Management Strategy -17.0 1,928,000

Basin Salinity Management Strategy

Changed MDBC River Operations after 2002 0.0 21,000

Pyramid Creek SIS -0.8 230,000

Bookpurnong Joint SIS -1.8 209,000

Improved Buronga SIS -0.1 21,000

Loxton SIS -1.8 206,000

Waikerie Lock 2 SIS -1.7 114,000

Upper Darling SIS -0.8 241,000

Murthro SIS -2.8 533,000

Sub-Total Basin Salinity Management Strategy -9.8 1,575,000




Shared Schemes

Permanent Trade Accounting Adjustment - NSW to Victoria -0.04 100

Barmah-Millewa Forest Operating Rules -1.0 188,000

Sub-Total Shared Schemes -1.0 188,100

Victorian Measures

Barr Creek Catchment Strategy -7.7 1,963,000

Psyche Bend -2.1 237,000

Permanent Trade Accounting Adjustment - Victoria to SA -0.8 184,000

Sunraysia Drains Drying up -2.2 637,000

Lamberts Swamp -3.0 625,000

Church's Cut Decommissioning -0.3 97,000

Mallee Drainage Bore Decommissioninga -0.3 57,000

Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impact Victoria (Stage1) -5.5 1,278,000

Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impact Victoria (Stage2) -4.7 1,053,000

Victorian S&DS Commitment Adjustment 0.0 1,600,000

Sub-Total Victorian Measures -26.3 7,674,000

TOTAL CREDITS b -54.1 11,365,100a provisional salinity credit and cost effect. Further details are provided in Section 2.9.3b TOTAL does not include provisional salinity credits and cost effect


Table S- 5 Victoria’s Debit Balance Sheet based on MDBA Salinity Register (as at 31/08/2015)



Joint Works and Measures

Salinity and Drainage Strategy

Changed Operation of Menindee and Lower Darling 0.2 -146,000

Basin Salinity Management Strategy

None 0 0

Sub-Total Joint Works and Measures 0.2 -146,000

Shared Schemes

None 0 0

Sub-Total Shared Schemes 0 0

Victorian Measures

Tragowel Plains Drains at 2002 level 0.2 -22,000

Shepparton SMP 1.4 -382,000

Nangiloc-Colignan SMP 0.4 -102,000

Nyah to SA Border SMP - Irrigation Development 15.9 -3,715,000

Kerang Lakes/Swan Hill SMP 1.6 -375,000

Campaspe West SMP 0.3 -77,000

Woorinen Irrigation District Excision 0.8 -225,000

Sub-Total Victorian Measures 20.6 -4,898,000

TOTAL DEBITS 20.8 -5,044,000

Valley report cardsAnnual salinity and salt loads in 2014/15 at EOVT sites were compared to the salinity targets. This information is provided for reference only. Actual compliance and progress in achieving EOVTs is assessed using daily flow and salinity models of the relevant valleys over the 25 year benchmark period from 1975 to 2000. Therefore the salinity and salt loads estimates of any one year do not indicate whether an EOVT has been achieved.

The median salinity in the Ovens, Kiewa, Goulburn, and Wimmera (see Table S-6) was below the EOVT median target values during the 2014/15 reporting year. Median salinities in the Broken, Campaspe and Loddon Rivers for 2014/15 exceeded those of the respective values for end-of-valley targets. The implications of these exceedances for River Murray salinities were minor because the tributary flows were diluted by the much higher flows of the River Murray.

The data for some of these rivers was incomplete due to conditions outside of the instrumentation threshold, interference to monitoring infrastructure and faulty instrumentation. Periods of limited data were predominately of short duration and were infilled using interpolation techniques. However, at the Avoca EOVT reporting site there were extended periods with little or no flow. It is not possible to monitor salinity levels during these cease to flow periods, and it can be concluded that the total salt load from the Avoca River to the River Murray was low given the low flows.

Salt loads for Kiewa, Ovens and Wimmera rivers (t/yr) were below the median target for 2014/15. All other Victorian EOVT sites do not have salt load targets.


Table S- 6 Assessment against end-of-valley targets in the 2014/15 reporting period

Region Valley Reporting site AWRC Site Number

End-of-Valley Targets(as absolute value over the Benchmark Period,

1975-2000)

2014/15 monitoring results

Salinity (EC µS/cm)

Salt Load (t/yr)


Salt Load4 (t/yr)

Median (50 %ile)

Peak (80%ile)

Mean Median (50%ile)

Peak (80%ile)

Total

North East

Ovens Ovens River @ Peechelba-East 403241 72 100 54,540 54^ 73^ 39,200^

Kiewa Kiewa River @ Bandiana 402205 47 55 19,000 40 48 15,300^

Goulburn Broken

Goulburn Goulburn River @ Goulburn Weir 405259 99 - - 61^ 100^ 30,400^#

Broken Broken Creek @ Casey’s Weir 404217 141 - - 126## 141## 10,400#

North Central

Avoca Avoca River @ Quambatook 408203 2,096 - - No data^ No data^ No data^

Loddon Loddon River @Laanecoorie 407203 711 - - 675^ 799^ 22,700^

Campaspe Campaspe River @ Campaspe Weir 406218 412 - - 490^** 511^ 19,100^#

Wimmera Wimmera Wimmera River @ Horsham Weir 415200 1,380 1,720 31,000 1,042^ 1,449^ 13,100^

Mallee Vic Mallee Zone River Murray @ Lock 6 426200 +15EEC5 - -

Guide to table:^ Missing data due to instrument damage or

conditions outside of instrumentation threshold – where feasible data is interpolated using available data for salt load calculation;

# Salt load calculated using flow and salinity (EC) from downstream gauging station;

## Salinity data from downstream gauging station;** Salinity slightly above median target; ^^ The target relates to Victoria’s contribution to river

salinity throughout the entire Mallee zone. This contribution is assessed using the EM2 model, rather than modelled surface water salinity.


Table S- 6 Assessment against end-of-valley targets in the 2014/15 reporting period


End-of-Valley Targets(as absolute value over the Benchmark Period,

1975-2000)

2014/15 monitoring results


Salt Load (t/yr)


Salt Load4 (t/yr)

Median (50 %ile)

Peak (80%ile)


Peak (80%ile)

Total

North East

Ovens Ovens River @ Peechelba-East 403241 72 100 54,540 54^ 73^ 39,200^

Kiewa Kiewa River @ Bandiana 402205 47 55 19,000 40 48 15,300^

Goulburn Broken

Goulburn Goulburn River @ Goulburn Weir 405259 99 - - 61^ 100^ 30,400^#

Broken Broken Creek @ Casey’s Weir 404217 141 - - 126## 141## 10,400#

North Central

Avoca Avoca River @ Quambatook 408203 2,096 - - No data^ No data^ No data^

Loddon Loddon River @Laanecoorie 407203 711 - - 675^ 799^ 22,700^

Campaspe Campaspe River @ Campaspe Weir 406218 412 - - 490^** 511^ 19,100^#

Wimmera Wimmera Wimmera River @ Horsham Weir 415200 1,380 1,720 31,000 1,042^ 1,449^ 13,100^

Mallee Vic Mallee Zone River Murray @ Lock 6 426200 +15EEC5 - -

4 Where flow and/or EC data is missing, salt load calculations for EOVTs has required interpolation of available data. 5 Equivalent electrical conductivity – refer to Basin Salinity Management Strategy Operation Protocols Version 2.0 Murray-Darling Basin

Commission. Figure 4, pg. 100.


Executive Summary

Basin Salinity Management 2030In 2014, the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council supported the development of an updated salinity management program, ‘Basin Salinity Management 2030’. This followed a key recommendation of the General Review of Salinity Management 2014 recognising the need to continue a joint approach to salinity management at the conclusion of the Basin Salinity Management Strategy in 2015.

Work on Basin Salinity Management 2030 started in 2014/15 and policy and technical input to the development of the new strategy was an important focus for Victoria. DELWP participated as a member of the inter-jurisdiction committee for the new strategy, and collaborated with regional partners through the Victorian Salt Disposal Working Group to provide a consolidated State perspective.

BSMS Element 1 - Developing capacityVictoria manages its Basin Salinity Management Strategy (BSMS) obligation to keep the total number of salinity credits in excess or equal to the total number of salinity debits (Clause 16:1(a), Schedule B) through allocating salinity credits to Victorian Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs). It is the responsibility of the CMAs to ensure that the salinity debits in their regions do not exceed their salinity credit allocations. The CMAs can influence State decisions on the allocation of salinity credits, and Victoria’s compliance with the BSMS, through membership on the two groups established to advise the State – the Victorian Salt Disposal Working Group and the Victorian Salt Disposal Advisory Group. This approach means that the CMAs are active partners in the implementation of activities to support the BSMS in Victoria.

At the regional level, the CMAs manage BSMS responsibilities through Boards of Directors and Implementation Committees, consistent with their Land and Water Management Plans (LWMPs). There is a strong theme of community involvement and consultation in the implementation of LWMPs. CMAs also actively communicate and educate their communities about salinity issues through engagement activities, such as regional workshops, field trials and information sessions.

During the 2014/15 reporting period, CMAs did a number of research and investigation projects to enhance State and regional capacity to manage salinity in the Murray-Darling Basin.

The Shepparton Irrigation Region Salt and Water Balance Project (SIRSWBP) continued development of the Salinity Risk Management System (SRMS) during 2014/15. The web-based SRMS aims to ensure that salinity and sub-surface drainage threats are understood and appropriately managed and will assist decisions about the location, operation and timing of sub-surface drainage measures for irrigation. The SRMS is scheduled to ‘go live’ in 2016.

The SIRSWBP also continued to implement a number of other initiatives, including replacing the SIR groundwater statutory management plan by a simpler, more adaptable local management plan to reduce the costs associated with groundwater licences. This will encourage farmers to keep their groundwater licences and retain the ability to pump and manage their own salinity risk from shallow groundwater levels

In the North Central region, analysis of the Lower Loddon and Campaspe catchment water tables and ground water trends was undertaken and water tables maps were updated to provide an indication of areas most at risk of land salinisation in 2014/15.

In the Mallee, salinity investigations and research included:

• A situational analysis of the current issues affecting irrigation within the High Impact Zone (HIZ) of the Nyah to the South Australian Border Salinity Management Plan (SMP). This analysis included an assessment of the volume of irrigation water (and Annual Use Limit) which has been traded out from the HIZ since 1994. A preliminary calculation was undertaken to determine the salinity credits associated with water trade out of the HIZ using an analytical approach. The potential to pursue a salinity credit claim will be re-assessed following the water trade model refinement project scheduled for 2015/16.

• A groundwater monitoring review was undertaken to address data requirements for calibration of five of the numerical Water Trade models which underpin the Nyah to the South Australian Border SMP. Outcomes of the review included installation of 15 new data loggers for key indicator sites supporting models, expansion of the groundwater monitoring program to include additional sites and increased monitoring frequency for a number of bores identified to have greater temporal variability.


• An investigation of the groundwater and irrigation drainage water monitoring data to assess the outcomes of the SMPs implemented since the early 1990s. Results suggest that SMPs in the Mallee have been successful in minimising the impacts of irrigation and drainage. Groundwater heads have declined in regional aquifer mounds beneath most of the irrigation districts and there has been a clear reduction in drain flow and salt loads. However, there are still significant in-river salinity and ecological risks as the groundwater levels remain elevated above river levels at a number of locations.

• A study to compare continuous multi-parameter chemistry profiling and hydrasleeve groundwater sampling methodologies against the standard pump and purge method. The results provided confidence in the salinity data obtained using any of the three methods and have implications for improving the cost efficiency of groundwater monitoring programs.

• A project to determine a better conversion factor (between EC and TDS) for application in salt load estimates in the Mallee. The results will be used to inform the next round of five-year reviews for a number of Mallee accountable actions.

• A review of irrigation cooling systems, in particular risks from the use of these systems for table grapes, which identified that the adoption of cooling systems results in a moderate to significant risk of increased groundwater infiltration.

BSMS Element 2 - Identifying values and assets at riskThe summary of values and assets at risk in the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin remained largely unchanged from previous annual reports. Water table trends were variable across the area.

Across the Mallee region most groundwater levels remained similar to 2013/14 levels. About 2 % of bores showed increased levels of more than 0.5 m compared to the previous year.

Since the higher than average rainfall and flooding during 2010-2012, shallow groundwater levels have generally remained elevated in the SIR compared to the low levels experienced during the drought. Groundwater levels in 2014 in the SIR were slightly higher than compared to 2013. This was attributed to average rainfall across the SIR during 2014, a significant proportion of which fell during periods of lower evapotranspiration. Groundwater levels in the North Central region stabilised or reduced marginally over the last year.

BSMS Element 3 - Setting salinity targetsVictoria’s salinity targets were unchanged from the previous BSMS Annual Report.

BSMS Element 4 - Managing trade-offsVictoria strives to balance options to achieve salinity targets with other catchment health targets and social and economic needs as part of the process to implement Regional Catchment Strategies, and the subordinate LWMPs. A number of tools have been developed to assist the CMAs to do this, including regulating high and low salinity impact zones and developing investment frameworks.

During 2014/15, programs typically include projects at an on-farm scale, which are completed in partnership with landowners along with educational workshops.

Goulburn Broken CMA continued work on the SIRSWBP which when completed, will provide tools that assist balanced decision-making for future mitigation of salinity.

The North Central and Goulburn Broken CMAs worked with the Goulburn-Murray Water Connections Project to identify and develop options to address salinity impacts resulting from irrigation modernisation across northern Victoria through a multi-agency working group (Salinity Technical Advisory Committee).

BSMS Element 5 - Implementing plansCMAs continued to implement their Land and Water Management Plans (LWMP) and Regional Catchment Strategies (RCS) in 2014/15. The RCS provide an overarching framework for natural resource management and actions to combat land degradation. The RCSs were updated in 2012/13 following extensive community and stakeholder consultation.

Victoria also continued to implement salinity management actions identified in the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy (DSE, 2009).

During 2014/15, the CMAs finalised Regional Waterway Strategies (RWS) in consultation with regional agencies, local communities and stakeholders. The RWS provide a single planning document for river, estuary and wetland management in each region and a high-level work program to guide investment over an eight-year period to improve water regimes and water quality.

A review of the Shepparton Irrigation Region LWMP was completed led by Goulburn Broken CMA and a new LWMP is under development.


BSMS Element 6 - Redesigning farming systemsVictorian CMAs continued to provide financial support to landholders to develop whole farm plans, implement drainage reuse systems, conduct soil salinity surveys and undertake other activities to improve farming practices (see Table ES - 1).

The success of the Farm Water Program of the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District was formally recognised in 2014/15, when the program was awarded both the Victorian and National Australian

Water Association – Program innovation awards. The program contributes to salinity outcomes through encouraging practices that improve on farm water use efficiency and generate water savings, increasing the water available for the environment.

The Farm Water Program uses a partnership approach to deliver benefits to farmers through a consortium comprising Goulburn Broken CMA (program leader), North Central CMA, North East CMA, GMW, Murray Dairy, Dairy Australia, Northern Victorian Irrigators, DELWP and DEDJTR.

Table ES - 1 Activities undertaken in 2014/15 to improve farming practices in the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin

Salinity Management Activity

Area (ha)

North East

Goulburn Broken

North Central Wimmera Mallee

Whole Farm Plans

Irrigation: 467 ha

Irrigation: 6,715 ha

Irrigation: 6,051 ha 0 Dryland: 67,103 ha

Irrigation: 140 ha

Land forming 0 4,220 ha 630 ha 0 0

Reuse Systems 0 344 ha 603 ha 0 0

Soil Salinity Surveys 0 0 2,043 ha 0 0

Irrigation System Upgrades 0 4,745 ha 1,266 ha 0

158 ha plus 189 ha improved irrigation

management


BSMS Element 7 - Targeting reforestation and vegetation managementTable ES - 2 summarises the reforestation and vegetation management activities completed in the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin in 2014/15.

Table ES - 2 Victorian Murray-Darling Basin dryland salinity management activities completed in 2014/15


North East

Goulburn Broken

North Central

Wimmera Mallee TOTAL

Recharge Management

Native Vegetation Protected

397 ha 694 ha 0 0 47,311 ha 48,402 ha

High Density Tree Est.

0 549 ha 0 0 0 549 ha

Low Density Tree Est.

0 0 0 64 ha 245 ha 309 ha

Perennial Pasture Establishment and Lucerne

0 0 0 0 0 0

Improved Cropping Practices

0 0 0 0 58,299 ha 58,299 ha

Discharge Management

Native Vegetation Re-establishment

15 ha 0 0 0 0 15 ha

Salt Tolerant Pastures Establishment

0 0 0 122 ha 81 ha 203 ha

Engineering Works (e.g. groundwater pumping)

0 0 0 0 0 0

BSMS Element 8 - Constructing salt interception worksDuring 2014/15, Victoria continued to operate existing salt interception schemes (SIS) using agreed operating rules. Refurbishment of Mildura-Merbein SIS was completed in 2014/15 and operation commenced. Table ES-3 shows the amount of salt intercepted in 2014/15.

Table ES - 3 Tonnes of salt intercepted by Salt Interception Schemes in Victoria in 2014/15

Scheme Salt Intercepted (tonnes)

Pyramid Creek 28,964

Barr Creek Drainage Diversion

21,051

Mildura Merbein 64,016

Total 114,031


BSMS Element 9 - Basin-wide accountabilityDuring the 2014/15 reporting year, Victoria progressed a number of rolling five-year reviews of State accountable actions.

• North Central CMA and Goulburn Broken CMA undertook initial scoping for the next five-year reviews of the Shepparton SMP and Barr Creek Catchment Strategies. Regional workshops were conducted to consider how the five-year reviews would deal with irrigation modernisation works being implemented in the area and the outcomes of previous reviews.

• Mallee CMA commenced the review of the Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impact (RISI) Stage 1 accountable action. This review is being undertaken in conjunction with NSW.

In 2014/15, Victoria also progressed work on potential new actions:

• North Central CMA submitted the stage 2 of the Kerang Lakes REALM model update to the MDBA for peer review. When completed the updated model will be used to simulate the operation of the Victorian Mid-Murray Storage (VMMS) and estimate salinity within the Torrumbarry system and in the River Murray.

• The preliminary assessment of the salinity impact of the Goulburn-Murray Water Connections Project - Stage 1 and 2 carried out in 2010/11, was updated in 2014/15 by GMW to reflect the current level of implementation of the project.

• Victoria completed preliminary salinity impact assessments for nine business cases for Sustainable Diversion Limit offset projects. These were: Gunbower, Benwell Guttrum, Belsar-Yungera, Burra Creek, Hattah-Mallee, Lindsay Island, Nyah, Vinfera and Wallpolla Island. The North Central and Mallee CMAs prepared the business cases on behalf of Victoria. The preliminary salinity impact assessments were subject to a rigorous peer review and more detailed assessments will be undertaken for projects that moved into detailed design phase.

In 2015/16 Victoria will progress work to assess the following salinity impacts:

• the five- year review of the RISI Stage 1 accountable action will be submitted to the MDBA for independent peer review

• Mallee CMA will commence five-year reviews of Psyche Bend Lagoon and Drying of the Drains accountable actions and Mallee Legacy of History Irrigation and Dryland delayed salinity impacts

• Mallee CMA will complete work to assess the salinity impacts of Environmental Water Management Plans for 10 sites where salinity concerns have been identified. These assessments will guide the refinement of watering strategies to control salinity impacts while achieving broader environmental objectives

• Goulburn Broken CMA will complete the Shepparton SMP accountable action five-year review for submission to the MDBA for independent peer review

• North Central CMA will commence work to assess the VMMS, Kerang Lakes/Swan Hill SMP and Woorinen Irrigation District Incision accountable actions, following completion of the Kerang Lakes REALM model update

• GMW will coordinate a five-year review of the Pyramid Creek Joint Work and Measure on behalf of the MDBA. This will also include the five-year review of Church’s Cut Decommissioning accountable action.


Abbreviations

AUL Annual Use Limit

AWA Australian Water Association

BCCS Barr Creek Catchment Strategy

BOM Bureau of Meteorology

BSMAP Basin Salinity Management Advisory Panel

BSMS Basin Salinity Management Strategy

CMA Catchment Management Authority

DEDJTR Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources

DELWP Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning

DEPI Department of Environment and Primary Industries (now DELWP and DEDJTR)

DPI Department of Primary Industries (now DEDJTR)

DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment (now DELWP)

EC Electrical Conductivity (µS/cm)

EEC Equivalent Electrical Conductivity

EMAP Environmental Management Action Planning (Mallee)

EOVT End-of-valley target

EVC Ecological Vegetation Class

EWMP Environmental Watering Management Plans

GIS Geographic Information System

GL Gigalitre

GMW Goulburn-Murray Water

ha Hectare

HIA Horticulture Innovation Australia

HIZ High Salinity Impact Zone

HPILF Healthy Productive Irrigated Landscape Framework

IAG Independent Audit Group

IDMP Irrigation Drainage Management Plan

INFFER Investment Framework For Environmental Resources

km Kilometre

L1, L2, L3, L4 LIZ 1 (lowest impact) to 4 (highest impact)

LCC Land Conservation Council

LIZ Low Salinity Impact Zone

LMW Lower Murray Water

LWAC Land and Water Advisory Committee (Mallee)

LWMP Land and Water Management Plan

MDBA Murray-Darling Basin Authority (established Dec 2008)


Abbreviations

MDBC (Former) Murray-Darling Basin Commission

MDBMC Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council

ML Megalitre

MSM-BIGMOD MSM– BIGMOD, the daily flow and salinity model for the River Murray

MWS Mallee Waterway Strategy

NRMC Natural Resource Management Committee

NRSWS Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy

PCF Policy Choice Framework (North Central)

RCS Regional Catchment Strategy

REALM Resource Allocation Model

RISI Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impact

SAAC Salinity Accountability Advisory Committee (Victorian Mallee)

SBIEG Small Block Irrigator Exit Grant

SDL Sustainable Diversion Limit

SEED Schools Environmental Education Directory

SIPAG Sustainable Irrigation Program Advisory Group

SIR Shepparton Irrigation Region

SIRCIS Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Strategy

SIRPPIC Shepparton Irrigation Region People and Planning Integration Committee

SIRSWBP Shepparton Irrigation Region Salt and Water Balance Project

SIS Salt Interception Scheme

SIZ Salinity Impact Zone

SMP Salinity Management Plan

SRMS Salinity Risk Management System

STAC Salt Technical Advisory Committee

SWMS Surface Water Management System

TAC Technical Advisory Committee (Mallee)

TDS Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)

TFN Trust for Nature

VFMP Victorian Farm Modernisation Project

VMIDG Victorian Mallee Region Irrigation Development Guidelines

VMIS Victorian Water Measurement Information System

VMMS Victorian Mid-Murray Storage

VSDWG Victorian Salt Disposal Working Group

VSHS Victorian Soil Health Strategy

WUE Water Use Efficiency

WUL Water Use Licence


1 IntroductionVictoria’s 2014/15 Annual Report documents Victoria’s accountability and compliance under the Murray-Darling Basin Salinity Management Strategy (BSMS) 2001-2015 (MDBMC, 2001).

Schedule B to the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement (Schedule 1 to the Water Act 2007) maps out the method for implementation of the BSMS. The Annual Report structure has followed the standardised Table of Contents for BSMS annual reporting, endorsed by the BSMS Register Task Force on 19 August 2008.

Chapter 2 describes Victoria’s implementation of the strategy over the 2014/15 financial year in accordance with the nine intervention themes of the BSMS. Information is presented for each Catchment Management Authority (CMA) region within the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin:

• North East;

• Goulburn Broken;

• North Central;

• Wimmera; and

• Victorian Mallee.

Figure 1-1 displays the location of the CMA regions within the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin.

Chapter 3 provides salinity and flow information for the 2014/15 reporting year, for each Victorian valley for which an end-of-valley target (EOVT) has been adopted. Chapter 4 provides a summary of Victoria’s response to the comments of the Independent Audit Group for Salinity made in 2014/15.

The report was compiled by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) with input from the Victorian Salt Disposal Working Group (VSDWG)6. The CMAs, Goulburn-Murray Water (GMW), and the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) worked in partnership to provide the information. The names and organisations of information providers are in Appendix A.

Throughout the report, all River Murray salinity effects, salinity credits, and salinity debits are reported in units of average electrical conductivity (EC, µS/cm) of flow in the River Murray at Morgan, South Australia. Salinity cost effects are reported in units of dollar cost per year.

Figure 1-1 Victorian CMA regions within the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin

6 Consistent with the VSDWG Terms of Reference


Basin Salinity Management 2030Victoria participated as a member of an inter-jurisdiction steering committee developing a new salinity strategy to replace the BSMS which concludes in 2015. The need to continue a joint approach to salinity management through a whole of Basin strategy was a key recommendation of the General Review of Salinity Management. This review was completed during 2014/15 and was supported by the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council (MDBMC).

Provision of policy and technical input to the development of the new strategy was an important focus for Victoria in 2014/15 and there was extensive collaboration between DEWLP and

regional partners through the VSDWG to provide a consolidated State perspective. Key policy areas which are being in developed include:

• establish a coordinated approach to meeting the salinity obligations under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement with those introduced by the Basin Plan;

• management of the future Salt Interception Scheme (SIS) program;

• incorporation of environmental water within the salinity framework; and,

• revision of accountability and governance arrangements to reflect a contemporary understanding of the salinity risk and the maturity of the salinity management program.


2 The nine elements of the BSMSVictoria implemented the BSMS over the 2014/15 financial year in accordance with the nine elements of the strategy:

• developing capacity;

• identifying values and assets at risk;

• setting salinity targets;

• managing trade-offs;

• implementing plans;

• redesigning farming systems;

• targeting reforestation and vegetation management;

• constructing salt interception works; and

• basin-wide accountability.

2.1 Developing capacityDescriptions of the nine elements of the BSMS are taken from the MDBMC report (MDBMC, 2001, p. iii):

The [former] Commission and partner Governments will administer a comprehensive ‘knowledge generation’ program to support Basin and within valley planning and implementation.

The partner Governments will assist catchment communities to implement national, Basin and State initiatives by improving access to and use of the knowledge and decision tools generated by investigations and salinity research and development. This process will be supported by further capacity building for catchment planning, including communication and education.

During the 2014/15 reporting year Victoria carried out numerous tasks to develop State and regional capacity for managing salinity in the Murray-Darling Basin. Additionally, Victoria contributed to reviews of MSM-BIGMOD and the Woolpunda and Pike-Murtho Groundwater models. MSM-BIGMOD is the key model for the salinity register entries. Woolpunda and Pike-Murtho Groundwater models are used to assess the salinity impacts of a number of jointly owned SIS schemes as well South Australian accountable actions.

2.1.1 VictoriaIn Victoria, the CMAs are provided with regional waterway, floodplain, drainage and environmental water reserve management powers under the Victorian Water Act 1989. Although DELWP coordinates the State’s implementation of the BSMS, the CMAs are often the bodies that initiate accountable actions as part of the implementation of their Land and Water Management Plans (LWMPs). For example, surface and subsurface drainage activities are initiated at a regional level.

Victoria manages its BSMS obligation to keep the total of salinity credits in excess of, or equal to, the total of any salinity debits to it in Register A (Clause 16(1) (a) Schedule B) by allocating salinity credits to the CMAs. It is the responsibility of the CMAs to ensure that the salinity debits in their region do not exceed their salinity credit allocation.

The CMAs can influence State decisions on the allocation of salinity credits, and Victoria’s compliance with the BSMS, through membership on the two groups established to advise the State – the VSDWG and the Victorian Salt Disposal Advisory Group.

Victorian Salt Disposal Working Group The VSDWG advises the DELWP Deputy Secretary Water and Catchments Group on the management of Victoria’s salt credits and provides advice on Victoria’s compliance with the BSMS (DSE, 2011a).

Victorian Salt Disposal Advisory Group The Victorian Salt Disposal Advisory Group includes the Chairs and Chief Executive Officers of the Mallee, North Central, and Goulburn Broken CMAs. It is chaired by the DELWP Executive Director Rural Water Programs, with executive support provided by the Convenor of the Victorian Salt Disposal Advisory Group. The purpose of the Victorian Salt Disposal Advisory Group is to advise the Victorian Minister for Water on the generation, allocation, and management of Victoria’s salinity credits and to ensure the cooperative and coordinated state-wide management of the salinity credits (DSE, 2011b).

CMAs are active partners in the implementation of activities to support the BSMS in Victoria. The CMAs provide a valuable contribution each year during the meeting with the Independent Audit Group (IAG) for Salinity. The Auditors have commended on Victoria’s partnership approach on many occasions.


Dryland salinityIn 2014/15, DEDJTR’s Land Health Program continued to provide extension services, training and advice to landholders to manage dryland salinity on private agricultural land across Victoria. Extension services were targeted at dryland farms where agricultural productivity is threatened by and/or affected by dryland salinity and improving the use and management of private land to reduce dryland salinity threats to high value natural assets including the River Murray and tributaries.

Training and advice on dryland salinity management occurs as a systems approach to land management and is delivered as an integral component of existing extension services such as farm planning, soil management and rehabilitation of degraded land. Farm plans were developed with 315 farmers across Victoria covering 322,000 hectares of dryland agricultural land. Soil health, erosion management, land use extension services and advice was provided to a further 248 farmers and 22 service providers covering 21,038 hectares. In Northern Victoria, successful salinity groundwater trend workshops updated landholders on local salinity management options based on the data collected by regional bore monitoring programs.

Specific areas of dryland salinity research and development activities undertaken or overseen by the DEDJTR in 2014/15 to support the BSMS included:

• on-going collation, storage and analysis of the dryland salinity bore network information

• provision of dryland salinity bore information to Victorian Water Measurement Information System (VMIS), Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), Landcare, local government, and landholders on request

• research and extension staff from DEDJTR undertook a series of salinity workshops with landholders across Northern Victoria to explain salinity and groundwater behaviour in their area and discussed the most relevant management options for their specific location and needs

• commencement of a review of dryland bores in the DEDJTR dryland database (5,545 bores are currently listed State-wide). This will help prioritise management and maintenance decisions of individual bores within the network

• quarterly salinity newsletters sent to State, regional agency staff (DELWP, DEDJTR, CMAs and Water Authorities) and Landcare/community groups, highlighting and explaining the salinity issues Victoria is facing. Examples of material covered in the newsletters include:

– plain english explanation of the hydrological processes and terms so agency and community people can have a better understanding of the salinity information provided by experts

– relative recharge rates from selected areas across Victoria

– case studies and snapshots of local salinity and groundwater behaviours and impacts from across the state

– explanation of Salinity Provinces and associated web page (see below)

– seeking input to our review of bore management (see below)

• launching of the “Salinity Provinces” web page (DEDJTR, 2015), which has information on areas of a high priority for salinity within Victoria, along with a State-wide summary and regional summaries for the ten CMAs – see Figure 2-1. It is expected that these webpages will be refined over time as feedback is received

• ongoing development with collaborators (University of Melbourne, Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), DELWP and Northern Territory Power and Water) of hydrogeological concept models including comprehensive descriptions of hydrogeology for all groundwater basins in Victoria and trialling the application geostatistical water table mapping tools and time series models. These mapping techniques can be done within an automated package that allows more efficient and accurate time-series State-wide water table maps to be produced

The above information has helped DEDJTR, DELWP and the CMAs gain an improved understanding of dryland salinity within Victoria and continue to update priority projects and actions where required.


Figure 2-1 Outline of the Salinity Province Webpages

2.1.2 North East

Governance arrangementsThe North East CMA and its Board are responsible for developing and implementing the North East Regional Catchment Strategy 2013, which provides an overarching framework to guide natural resource management actions for the region. Service Level Agreements between the CMA and DELWP allow the CMA Board to manage arrangements associated with salinity management.

Communication activitiesCommunity Education: Salinity education in schools throughout North East Victoria is delivered through the Schools Environment Education Directory project. The strategic direction is guided by a Committee of Management, consisting of the North East CMA, NevRwaste and North East Water.

Three Schools Environment Education Directory days were run during 2014/15, reaching approximately 600 school children. Professional development programs were also offered to schools to assist them to understand how the Schools Environment Education Directory (SEED) can help them integrate environmental sustainability into their curriculum. Teachers, students and environment staff had access to the SEED website to allow easy access to a range of education resources, including salinity education. DELWP staff provided specific advice on the salinity education modules for the curriculum.

Community Engagement and Consultation: The Sustainable Agriculture program has conducted a number of sustainable agriculture workshops in 2014/15 for land managers to improve their knowledge and skills in natural resource management. Workshops focused on practices that aim to improve groundcover, soil structure and overall soil health, which in turn has benefits to salinity management in the region.

Three improved grazing workshops in dryland areas were conducted through the Carbon and Biodiversity Project by DEDJTR. Groundwater salinity testing was also provided, along with groundwater hydrograph updates for the Whorouly, Murmungee and Everton Upper areas.

Waterwatch in the North East continued to increase community awareness and understanding of water quality issues including salinity by providing education and training. More than 90 trained adult volunteers monitored salinity levels and other water quality parameters at over 80 sites across the North East region. Waterwatch held 23 events for volunteers and students in the North East to learn how to use monitoring equipment and measure water quality.

Within irrigated areas activities included installation of soil moisture monitoring probes, irrigation planning, better irrigation system installation, and checking of irrigation system performance against industry benchmarks. Individual irrigators where engaged in 35 activities covering 1,174 ha. The publication “IrriGate” focuses on irrigation management issues in the North East and the Goulburn Broken catchments, and is circulated twice a year by direct mail to more than 1,000 landholders.


2.1.3 Goulburn Broken

Governance arrangementsThe Goulburn Broken CMA Board is advised by a number of advisory groups established under the provisions of section 122C of the Victorian Water Act 1989 and section 19J of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.

The Land and Biodiversity Implementation Forum, the Landcare Networks and the Sustainable Irrigation Program Advisory Group (SIPAG) play a vital role in effective land and water management in the Goulburn Broken Catchment by engaging stakeholders within their communities and providing conduits to the Goulburn Broken CMA and its Board of Directors.

During 2014/15, a significant review of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Strategy was undertaken. The finalisation of the review resulted in a framework for a clear, renewed and reinvigorated land and water management plan driven by a strong and diverse community. The Shepparton Irrigation Region People and Planning Integration Committee (SIRPPIC) was formed as an outcome of the review. Members include GMW, Moira Shire Council, DEDJTR, Murray Dairy, Goulburn Valley Environment Group, Goulburn Broken CMA, and 12 local community representatives. Strong community membership has given the group a wider regional and industry spread.

SIRPPIC will continue to utilise a number of working groups to further engage people with relevant skills and networks in the catchment’s community to develop a new Shepparton Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan. These working groups are made up of SIRPPIC members, additional community members with an interest in the particular program, and agency staff with relevant skills and responsibilities. These working groups currently cover Surface Water Management, Farm and Environment, and Groundwater and Salt Management. The groups will be reviewed to better align with SIRPPIC and be supported by a strong technical process involving agency staff.

The various community engagement groups provide a community perspective into the annual integrated natural resource management programs within their areas of interest. Their role includes feedback and advice to the organisation on the delivery and priorities of the programs. They also provide

oversight of the delivery of projects by the Goulburn Broken CMA and partner organisations notably DELWP, GMW, Landcare Groups, other community groups, natural resource based industries, and local government.

Communication activitiesCommunity engagement and consultation was a priority activity of the Goulburn Broken CMA. The Sustainable Irrigation Program Advisory Group’s (SIPAG) Stakeholder Engagement Plan demonstrated to stakeholders and partners how it was connecting with the entire major political, economic, market, competitive and social influences which could impact on the successful implementation of the Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS).

During the 2014/15 period, the key communication activity was engagement for the proposed revision of the LWMP to align with the current RCS. The engagement process included broad representation from community, industry, local government, and environmental groups. The process will lead to a high level plan to reflect the region’s needs new challenges, opportunities and responses. Regional connection and broader community support had been crucial to the development process and will continue in the next phase.

Broader communication activities related to the benefits flowing on from the on farm irrigation efficiency program delivered by Goulburn Broken CMA (the Farm Water Program). The activities highlighted the renewed need for managing salinity as a threat in the SIR, the knowledge that improved irrigation efficiency was not enough to manage salinity, and that an integrated response and new communication tools were required.

In the Shepparton Irrigation Region (SIR), water table maps were still seen as being highly successful to raise community awareness and communicate the need for action against high water tables. The total area monitored for water table depth covered 560,000 ha and used data from over 1,400 community observation bores. The water table map for August 2014 (see Figure 2-2) showed the areas where water tables were near the natural surface and were a potential salinity risk.

Groundwater levels in 2014 in the SIR were slightly higher compared to 2013. This was attributed to average rainfall across the SIR during 2014, a significant proportion of which fell during periods of lower evapotranspiration.


Figure 2-2 Shepparton Irrigation Region August 2014 water table map

The following graph was developed to demonstrate the groundwater level response resulting from the drought and the post-drought conditions (see Figure 2-3).

Annual reports were completed for the Groundwater and Salt Management Program, implementation of the Irrigation Drainage Memorandum of Understanding, Drain Phosphorus and Nitrogen Loads, and the SIR Groundwater Management Plan.

Figure 2-3 Communication graph demonstrating regional water table response to climate and catchment management actions


Research and investigationsThe key objective of the Shepparton Irrigation Region Salt and Water Balance Project (SIRSWBP) is to recommend policies and strategies and provide a management framework and tools to assist the mitigation of salinity by managing shallow groundwater in the SIR. The framework was designed to accommodate the combined impacts of unpredictable climate, land use change and reduced recharge resulting from the transfer of water entitlements and the modernisation of farm and regional irrigation infrastructure.

The SIRSWBP continued development during 2014/15 of the Salinity Risk Management System (SRMS). The web-based SRMS aims to ensure that sub-surface drainage and salinity threats are understood and appropriately managed and will assist decisions about the location, operation and timing of sub-surface drainage measures for irrigation. The SRMS is schedule to ‘go live’ in 2016.

The SMRS will enable generation of user friendly “real time” groundwater hydrograph and regional scale maps (to be updated at one or two year intervals) along with a catchment management information linkage hub and salinity/ groundwater information portal at Basin, River Murray or regional scales. This will lead to better planning through action prioritisation, salinity threat mitigation advice to farmers.

The SIRSWBP also continued to implement a number of other initiatives, including:

• a “low intensity” management approach for SIR shallow groundwater. The initiative involved revocation of the SIR groundwater statutory management plan by the Victorian Minister for Water in October 2013. In its place a simpler, more adaptable and less costly local management plan was developed during 2014/15. The local management plan aims to reduce the costs associated with groundwater licences and provide incentive to farmers to keep their groundwater licences and retain the ability to pump and manage their own salinity risk from shallow groundwater levels

• continued refinement of adaptive management for public groundwater pumps

• rationalisation of groundwater level and extraction monitoring

• social research into market segmentation of groundwater users in Northern Victoria and Southern NSW.

The GMW Connections Project’s Salt Technical Advisory Committee (STAC) met numerous times during 2014/15 to ensure that the ‘Realignment of Public Groundwater Pump Disposals from the Automated Channel System to Drains’ considered all salinity issues and minimised any potential salinity impacts in the River Murray at Morgan.

2.1.4 North Central

Governance ArrangementsThe North Central CMA Board oversees the development and implementation of the North Central Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS). The RCS sets the direction for managing natural resource assets within the region. The role of the board is to consider the views of the community, scientific input, government policy and management in delivering the RCS. The board makes decisions and recommendations in the best interest of the region as a whole. The Board has been delegated responsibilities for the management of salinity register credits and debits in the North Central region.

The North Central CMA Board is supported by the Natural Resource Management Committee (NRMC), a sub-committee to the board, whose membership consists of community members from north central Victoria. The fundamental role of the committee is to provide a community and local perspective to the work of the North Central CMA in the regional community. To deliver on this role, the committee operates by providing strategic direction to the development of CMA programs; operational advice to CMA staff to ensure effective delivery of projects and programs; and leadership through the various community advisory groups operated by the CMA.

NRMC members participate in the technical committee that oversees the development and implementation of salinity management actions for both irrigated and dryland areas of the north central region. CMA and partner agency staff provide institutional capacity, operational delivery and community engagement support relevant for the management of salinity register accountabilities.

Communication activities The North Central CMA was involved in strengthening the capacity of people in the North Central CMA region to manage salinity through:

• the North Central CMA Board and NRMC engaging regularly in salinity management issues. These committees form a key role in signing off on BSMS obligations on behalf of the regional community


• active organisational management participation in the agency based VSDWG and independent audit of Victoria’s BSMS annual reports

• informing the irrigation community via both the Torrumbarry and Loddon Valley Water Services Committees of Goulburn-Murray Water Regional Water Authority. Each committee has been kept informed of updates and reviews of relevant Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) salinity register accountable actions

• irrigated and dryland salinity facts and figures were provided through the North Central Waterwatch and River Detectives programs to regional primary schools and community groups. The information helped people to understand why salinity was an issue, the threats posed to natural resource assets and the actions being undertaken to mitigate the impacts of salinity

• provision of technical input to the development of regional sustainable diversion limit offset projects, environmental watering planning and seasonal proposals to improve the technical understanding by the community and agency representatives

• informing soils based community groups on predominantly dryland salinity issues and mitigation options through the development of local area soils action groups and field days

• providing technical input as a partner in the Farm Water Project and GMW Connections Project’s STAC. These focused on best practice farm irrigation, including irrigation impact reduction on the environment specifically through water use efficiency, reducing off site impacts of irrigation water, and reducing groundwater accessions.

Research and Investigations In 2014/15 the North Central CMA undertook the following research and investigation projects:

• The monitoring and analysis of the Lower Loddon and Campaspe catchment water tables to understand ground water trends. The trends were remapped in 2014/15 to provide an indication of areas most at risk of land salinisation.

• Stage 2 of the Kerang Lakes REALM (Resource Allocation Model) upgrade was progressed with the update submitted to MDBA for independent peer review. The REALM model upgrade simulated the operation of the Victorian Mid Murray Storage (VMMS) and assessed the salinity impacts within the Torrumbarry Irrigation Area and River Murray using the updated Kerang Lakes REALM Model (KLM 2011) with additional model modifications

made to represent current operation (Kerang Lakes REALM Model 2013).

• The initial investigations into the salinity impacts of two projects under the Murray-Darling Basin Sustainable Diversion Limit (SDL) offset program began in 2013/14 for the upper Gunbower Forest and the Benwell and Guttrum Forests. The projects involve proposed construction and operation of infrastructure for environment watering. Further geological and groundwater investigations and the development of a methodology to assess the potential salinity impacts of these projects were completed during 2014/15 as part of the development of business cases for the projects.

• The North Central CMA worked closely with the GMW Connections team and a multi-agency working group to help identify options to achieve economic, social and environmental outcomes to address salinity impacts resulting from irrigation modernisation across Northern Victoria. The disposal of surface and groundwater back into modernised irrigation channels was recognised as an on-going and significant issue for Goulburn Broken CMA.

2.1.5 Wimmera

Governance arrangementsWimmera CMA is governed by a Minister appointed skill-based Board consisting of eight community members (The Wimmera CMA Board). The Wimmera CMA Board sets the organisation’s strategic direction and ensures that the Wimmera CMA meets its statutory and financial responsibilities under the Victorian Water Act 1989 and Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 and that its activities reflect community values and expectations.

The Board has delegated responsibility for some functions to the Board sub committees which meet on an as-needs basis, depending on the delegated responsibility. The Committees include: Audit, Risk and Finance Committee, Business and Planning Committee, and the Performance and Remuneration Committee.

The Board is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring the Wimmera RCS 2013-2019, and for endorsing strategies for its implementation. The Board has five advisory committees to provide advice on strategies to implement the RCS. These advisory committees are set around five asset classes including:


• soils

• rivers and streams

• wetlands

• native vegetation

• threatened plants and animals.

Annual independent internal and external audits ensure there are robust control processes in place providing investors with assurance that funds are properly and effectively allocated towards agreed outcomes. Investors conduct their own audits from time to time.

Communication activitiesA focus on multiple benefit outcomes within our planning approaches allowed Wimmera CMA to target salinity outcomes within broader investment outcomes. However, during 2014/15 no projects were specifically funded and designed to strengthen capacity to manage salinity in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Wimmera CMA’s programs were targeted towards the protection and management of priority natural assets. The condition of each asset has been identified together with threats to the condition of each asset, including salinity and documented in the revised RCS in consultation with community groups, partners and the broader community.

Community engagement and education was delivered through regional delivery of the National Landcare Programme, and the state government-funded Regional Landcare Coordination project.

The National Landcare Programme Sustainable Agriculture project engaged and informed landholders about practices that can reduce salinity with the view to building their understanding and capacity to deal with salinity at a local level. The Sustainable Agriculture project worked with 21 landholders to provide management plans to manage soil erosion risks in saline prone areas and established about 122 ha of saltbush. The Sustainable Agriculture project also conducted a series of workshops and trials designed to inform landholders about practices to maintain productivity while dealing with erosion in salinity prone areas. 270 people participated in three field days and workshops designed to improve capacity to manage natural resource challenges in the region including salinity.

The Perennial Pasture Systems group was again supported to coordinate and strengthen farmer networks in the upper Wimmera region, which impacts salinity along the length of the Wimmera

River. This support helped the group increase its membership and property coverage in 2014/15 by 110 enterprises and 114,000 ha.

Three part-time Regional Landcare Facilitators based with local communities in the Wimmera region worked to build capacity among farmers in the region to manage key land health issues including salinity.

Research and Investigations Salinity investigations were carried out through monitoring water quality in the Wimmera River, assessing the success of environmental flows and management actions designed to improve the health of the Wimmera River. Wimmera CMA has contributed to reporting on salinity in Wimmera groundwater systems through participation in the West Wimmera Groundwater Committee.

Wimmera CMA continues to be an active partner of the Northern Water Monitoring Partnership managed by the DELWP. Hydrological data and salinity data derived from the partnership is an important source of information for within-valley and end-of-valley targets.

2.1.6 Victorian Mallee

Governance arrangementsThe Mallee CMA has established the Salinity Accountability Advisory Committee (SAAC - formerly the Mallee Salt Disposal Entitlement Finance Committee) as a formal subcommittee of the Mallee CMA’s Board of Directors. The prime responsibility of the SAAC is to provide advice to the Board on all salinity management obligations under Schedule B of the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement at the regional level. The SAAC oversees the management and maintenance of the Mallee Regional Salinity Register and administration of the salinity offsetting charges, which are collected to offset salinity impacts of irrigation development under the Nyah to South Australian Border Salinity Management Plan (SMP) (Mallee CMA, 1993). The Committee also advises the Board, through the Executive Officer, on matters relating to the region’s BSMS reporting functions.

Communication activitiesCommunity engagement and consultation about salinity issues within the region is primarily conducted through the Mallee CMA Land and Water Advisory Committee (LWAC). Technical supports to the Mallee CMA’s programs are provided by various Technical Advisory Committees (TACs). Project specific groups provide further consultation and advice on salinity issues and are formed as needed to address specific issues.


In 2014/15 LWAC and TAC conducted numerous presentations and tours on salinity related issues including:

• tour of Murrayville Water Supply Protection area and groundwater management for irrigation and stock and domestic use (LWAC)

• tour of Psyche Bend Lagoon and inspection of the river regulator to control the discharge of saline water to the River Murray under formal agreements and close communication with key stakeholders (LWAC)

• presentation on the ‘Victorian Mallee ‘Cap and Trade’ approach to manage salinity impacts from irrigation development’ as presented in June 2014 as part of the third International Salinity Forum, Riverside California (LWAC)

• presentation on the groundwater extraction and quality observations and progress made by GMW, the committee and DELWP towards developing the new Murrayville Groundwater Management Area Local Management Plan to ensure compliance with the MDB Plan by 2017 (TAC)

• presentation on the Seasonal Annual Use Limit Adjustment process (TAC).

Environmental Watering Management PlansCommunity and stakeholder engagement has been a key requirement in developing Environmental Watering Management Plans (EWMPs) especially where salinity has been identified as a significant feature of the water system. Community

engagement has occurred through existing community group meetings e.g. Bird Observers Club and ‘Friends-of’ groups, as well as irrigator shed meetings and one-on-one visits.

Seasonal Annual Use Limit AdjustmentsA 15% increase in Annual Use Limits (AUL) was announced by the Minister for Water in May 2015 for Lower Murray Water (LMW) irrigators. The formal request made by LMW followed the seasonal adjustment process in-line with the Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP and included a two party peer review of the annual climate data to provide evidence of ‘exceptionally high seasonal evapotranspiration’. The process was overseen by a Review Panel and endorsement obtained by Mallee CMA and DELWP following community endorsement by a “water user group” with seven irrigators representing the private diversion areas from Boundary Bend, Carina, Mildura and Lindsay Point. The Review Panel noted the strength of the existing seasonal adjustment process with a focus on continuous improvement. Further discussion is required around the option of implementing and administering a sub-regional adjustment to address climate variability across the region.

During the first half of the 2014/15 irrigation season, irrigation areas in the Mallee experienced exceptionally high evapotranspiration rates arising from high temperatures (Figure 2-4), with rainfall deficiencies (Figure 2-5) being average or below throughout the region. This resulted in a higher than normal water usage observed by water corporations on irrigation properties.

Figure 2-4 Victorian Temperature Deficiencies (1 August 2014 to 31 January 2015)


Figure 2-5 Victorian Rainfall Deficiencies (1 August 2014to 31 January 2015)

Stakeholder survey in review of the Mallee Region New Irrigation Development Guidelines A stakeholder survey was completed by RMCG as part of the Victorian Mallee Region Irrigation Development Guidelines (VMIDG) triennial review process. The report describes stakeholder insights on how to improve the implementation of the VMIDG as well as identifying key areas needing to be updated to reflect regional policy and regulatory changes. These changes were incorporated into a revised draft VMIDG where applicable. Further discussion within the New Irrigation Development group is required to improve the effectiveness of the process and guide irrigation developments across the Mallee region. Once finalised and endorsed by each of the Water Authorities that operate within the Mallee region the guidelines will be made publically available on the Mallee CMA Website.

Mallee Irrigation Development Guidelines – Landholder Information KitsTo supplement the VMIDG, information kits have been compiled for irrigation developers that are thinking about undertaking an irrigation development activity within the Mallee region. These kits provide a road-map for irrigation developers describing the overall process, information requirements and who to talk to for further assistance. There are two information kits; the Works Infrastructure Approval Kit, and Water-Use Licence/Irrigation and Drainage Management Plan (IDMP) Approval Kit. Each kit contains a

number of associated fact sheets, check lists, application forms and guidelines. A test pilot of these kits will be undertaken with new applicants to assist in determining if there are any information gaps and enable continual improvement of the information availability within the kits.

Water Use Efficiency in Irrigated Horticulture Research Forum A joint research forum was presented by DEDJTR, Mallee CMA and Horticulture Innovations Australia (HIA) on 17 and 18 June 2015. Topics discussed over the two day forum include: technical advances in irrigation equipment, recent observations in water use for various crops grown across the Sunraysia region, use of recycled water and water management planning, updates on future research developments, the National Water Use Strategy, and industry perspectives. The workshop was well received with over 30 participants attending from government organisations, industry, irrigation suppliers and research bodies.

Community EducationThe Farm Based Environmental Management Action Planning (EMAP) program continues to be a targeted forum that provides private land managers with information on both salinity processes and mitigation strategies, in conjunction with other NRM management issues. In 2014/15, the EMAP program engaged 30 participants, representing 82,985 ha of land. Participants identified 95 ha of salinity


control actions for implementation within their environmental plans. Since commencing in 2005, the EMAP program has engaged some 644 farm entities, covering 1.25 million ha of land.

Waterwatch community education activities included school demonstrations using the Mallee CMA Waterwatch trailer and a diorama (three-dimensional representation) of the land uses and regional salt processes. Displays at the Mildura Show (October), Lake Cullulleraine Music Festival (April), Catch a Carp Day (March), and Hattah Hope Project promoted Mallee CMA water use efficiency, salinity in the landscape, and River Murray health and water quality programs.

Research and investigationsIn 2014/15, Mallee CMA invested in a number of salinity investigations and research, including:

Policy Enhancement – High Impact Zone: In an attempt to improve policy mechanisms within the High Salinity Impact Zones (HIZ) and assist future industry adjustment; the Mallee CMA commissioned a situational analysis of the current issues affecting irrigation pertaining to the HIZ, as well as the more broad irrigation industry. Using this information, options that might improve the flexibility of current water use policy were investigated to determine their feasibility. The policy options identified will require further exploration and refinement prior to their implementation.

A first step in this process involved the validation of the volume of irrigation water (and AUL) which has been traded out from the Mallee HIZ since 1994. A preliminary calculation was undertaken to determine the salinity credits associated with this volume of water trade out of the HIZ using an analytical approach. On completion it was determined that a higher level of sophistication was required to be adopted to accurately determine the salinity benefit associated with water trade out due to the numerous areas of complexity such as lag effects, salt interception schemes and water use as a percentage of AULs. A salinity credit claim will not be pursued at this point in time but may be revisited in the future depending on the outcome of model refinement projects scheduled for 2015/16.

Groundwater Monitoring Strategy to Support Numerical Models: In 2014/15, a review was undertaken of the groundwater monitoring data requirements to calibrate five of the numerical Water Trade models. The objective of the review was to establish priorities for including additional observation bores in the Mallee CMA monitoring program and recommending appropriate

monitoring frequencies for water level and salinity parameters to support the models. Fifteen new data loggers were installed in key indicator sites that support the Water Trade models.

The review recommended the inclusion of 28 bores (additional to the current 511 bores) that are monitored annually under the Mallee CMA groundwater monitoring program; and, three new sites to be drilled in the Robinvale to Piambie areas to address spatial gaps. The monitoring frequency will also increase to biannual and quarterly for a number of bores identified to have greater temporal variability.

Targeted Investigation of Groundwater and Surface Water: An investigation was undertaken of the groundwater and irrigation drainage water monitoring data collected within the region over the last 20 years to provide supporting evidence to assess the outcomes of the SMPs implemented since the early 1990s. Results suggest that the implementation of the SMPs in the Victorian Mallee have been successful in minimising the impacts of irrigation and drainage within the region. Groundwater heads have declined in regional aquifer mounds beneath most of the irrigation districts and there has been a clear reduction in drain flow and salt loads post-implementation of SMPs. However, there are still significant in-river salinity and ecological risks as the groundwater levels remain elevated above River level at a number of locations.

Comparison of Groundwater Salinity Sampling Methodologies: The Mallee CMA commissioned a targeted investigation to compare three groundwater sampling methods in parallel with the annual groundwater monitoring program namely continuous multi-parameter chemistry profiling and hydrasleeves, against the standard pump and purge method. The results show a very high correlation coefficient from all three methods, and provides confidence in the salinity data obtained using any of the three methods. By establishing the relationship between each of the methodologies, the study provides confidence that the accuracy and consistency of the data is not necessarily compromised when employing different sampling methods as long as the same sampling depth is maintained.

Electrical Conductivity (EC)/Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Conversion Factor Determination: In 2014/15, a project was initiated to determine a suitable conversion factor (between EC and TDS) for application in salt load determinations for targeting surface water drainage basins and irrigation drainage outfall sites. This project


was recommended from the review of previous accountable actions such as Drying of the Drains, Lambert Swamp and Psyche Bend Lagoon, and the results will be used to inform the next round of five year review of these items. The final report is due in August 2015.

2.2 Identifying values and assets at risk

The partner Governments will work with catchment communities to identify important values and assets throughout the Basin at risk of salinity, and the nature and timeframe of risk. This Strategy emphasises the triple-bottom line approach, requiring a balance between economic, environmental and social values. It necessarily recognises that living with salinity is the only choice in some situations.

The following sections identify values and assets at risk of salinity in the five CMA regions of the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin.

2.2.1 North EastThe North East CMA region covers an area of 19,800 km2 (1.98 million ha), or approximately nine per cent of the area of Victoria. The major catchments within the North East region are the Ovens, Kiewa and Upper Murray catchments. Landforms vary across the region from the Victorian Alps in the Great Dividing Range, to the Riverine Plains in the lower catchments.

Approximately 55 per cent of the North East region consists of public land including National Parks, State Forests, wilderness areas, nature reserves, plantations and plantation forests (on long term lease for softwood production), crown land and Alpine resorts. The remaining land is largely privately owned, much of which is cleared of native vegetation and used for farmland.

Land ResourcesThe main cause of dryland salinity in the region is believed to be the clearing and loss of deep-rooted native vegetation since European settlement. This has led to increased groundwater recharge, which has the potential to lead to shallow water tables and land salinisation.

There is a large area of land in low parts of the landscape threatened by rising water tables and potential salinity. The North East Regional Catchment Strategy (NECMA, 2013) acknowledges soil health problems, including dryland salinity,

which have been exacerbated in areas by land clearing and inappropriate land use and management practices. Several management plans have been implemented in an attempt to mitigate the problem, particularly in high recharge areas.

Water QualityAny gradual rise in water tables mobilises salt to the land surface and eventually to the river system. Without intervention, the salinity of rivers, streams and water bodies in the North East and downstream catchments will increase, with associated social, economic and environmental impacts. Whilst the salinity concentration of water in the North East is very low, it is estimated that over 180,000 tonnes of salt is exported annually from the region (North East Salinity Strategy, 1997).

Other water quality issues in the North East include nutrient enrichment, sedimentation, eutrophication and turbidity of surface water and groundwater. In general, water is of a very high quality in the forested areas of the North East. There is a trend for water quality to deteriorate in the lower catchments in response to changing land use. Groundwater extraction for stock and domestic use continues to be an important source of water across the region.

BiodiversityThis asset is generally defined as flora, fauna and terrestrial ecosystems. Defining the impact that salinity has on each species of flora and fauna within the catchments is not possible. It is possible, however, to consider the impacts that rising groundwater, saline water and discharge areas have on the structure and composition of at-risk vegetation within the catchment. Vegetation management activities for salinity control have been focused on high groundwater recharge areas, also providing biodiversity improvements.

2.2.2 Goulburn BrokenThe Goulburn Broken region covers about 2.4 million ha (or about 11 per cent of Victoria), has a population of over 200,000 people and supports major agricultural, food processing, forestry and tourism industries. The region covers two per cent of the Murray-Darling Basin and generates 11 per cent of the Basin’s water resources.

Land resources – Goulburn DrylandWithin the Goulburn Broken CMA there are two distinct dryland regions; the Upper Goulburn region, comprising approximately 10,500 km2 (1.05 million ha) and the Mid Goulburn and Broken region, comprising approximately 8,500 km2 (0.85 million ha).


The Upper Goulburn region is the source of 80 per cent of the total salt load for the entire Goulburn Broken catchment.

Dryland salinity in the Goulburn Broken is highly localised. It occurs mainly throughout the interface between the plains and the uplands, from Warrenbayne through to Seymour, in localised areas of the southwest Goulburn region south of Seymour, and along sections of the Goulburn River valley.

The nature of the topography and soils makes these at risk areas, prone to water logging. However, the anticipated rise in water tables (MDBMC, 1999) have not been realised to date (DPI, 2012).

Land Resources –SIRThe SIR is a highly productive irrigation area located in the northern Victorian riverine plains and covers approximately 5,000 km2 (500,000 ha), of which approximately 3,000 km2 (300,000 ha) is irrigated. Due to high water tables, salinisation is a major threat to the region.

Rising water tables and the associated salinity risk were the focus of the Shepparton Land and Water Salinity Management Plan developed in the late 1980s. An assessment of water table levels in the SIR has been conducted in August each year since 1982. Water table levels have varied from year to year depending on seasonal conditions. A rapidly rising trend was observed until 1995 when 47 per cent of the study area had water table levels within two metres of the surface. By 1995, the predicted water table levels for the year 2000 in the land and water SMP had been surpassed and modelling had predicted that without active management, 65 per cent of the SIR would have a high water table by 2020.

The previous drought coupled with Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Strategy (SIRCIS) salinity works led to a reduction in water tables across the irrigation region. Higher than average rainfall from 2010 to 2012 resulted in a general rise in shallow groundwater levels and subsequently an increase in salinity risk (refer to Figure 2-3). The effective communication of the rate of return is critical to manage the risk. Continual management and monitoring of water tables is required as there is still potential for severe widespread salinisation, resulting in significant loss to economic assets and irreversible degradation of most major wetlands in the area.

Biodiversity – Goulburn Broken DrylandThe major threat posed by groundwater discharge is stream water quality and the aquatic and riparian biodiversity. There is little information on the link between changing salinity regimes and the biotic health of streams. It may be that the salinity of waterways and wetlands is a second-order threat behind the reduction in fresh water flows. Most of the remnant vegetation communities across the riverine plains are severely depleted. Remnant vegetation on the lower-lying parts of the landscape (on the floodplains, in wetlands, and along waterways) is particularly at risk from potentially rising water tables, as groundwater levels bounce back from lower levels experienced during the recent dry phase.

Revegetation efforts in the Goulburn Broken dryland area will continue to focus on areas that combine the likelihood of reasonable salinity outcomes with biodiversity outcomes. Therefore most of the revegetation efforts will be focussed along the plains-upland interface and higher in the catchment.

Increasingly, large-scale revegetation is being completed to enhance biodiversity values across this region.

Biodiversity – SIRThe magnitude and potential extent of the salinity problem in the SIR has the potential to have major impacts on the biodiversity of the areas which are most at risk in the catchment. Unmanaged, the threat could potentially lead to a reduction in the complexity, diversity and functions of ecosystems. Many of the types of remnant vegetation across the riverine plains are severely depleted. Remnant vegetation on the lower-lying parts of the landscape (on the floodplains, in wetlands, and along waterways) is especially at risk from high water tables, which will affect stream condition and further accelerate the degradation of aquatic habitats. Further loss of vegetation and biodiversity in the plains zone will degrade the capacity of the natural ecosystem to support essential landscape functions.

Planning controls are in place through local government and regional agencies to protect or alternatively replace any tree or remnant vegetation impacted by development.


Water qualityThe waterways at greatest risk are those on the riverine plains, those flowing through the plains-upland interface along the foot of the Strathbogie Ranges, and those in the south-west Goulburn area. These are the areas where the risk of dryland salinity is highest. Many of the streams in this zone already suffer from seasonally high salinities. It is not known whether streams become more saline as base flows become more dominant, or whether base flows cease to be a significant component of an increasingly intermittent stream flow. Further investigation is required to understand the impacts shifts in timing of flows have on aquatic ecosystems and stream condition.

The region covers part of two major groundwater basins – the Murray Basin and the Highlands Basin. Groundwater is an important resource for many towns and water users within the region and is a major contributor to the base flow of streams within the catchment. In the SIR more than 800 bores are currently licensed to pump approximately 210,000 ML of shallow groundwater per year.

Community infrastructureThe SIR is recognised as an important food producing area in the Murray-Darling Basin. The main primary industries are horticulture, dairying, cropping, viticulture and grazing (sheep and beef). Agricultural industries are becoming more efficient and more intensive. Production levels have been increasing significantly, and are expected to continue.

The SIR supports a large fruit and vegetable food processing industry adding in other commodities such as milk, wine grapes and meats. Of that total, the SIR produces approximately $5.9 billion across all sectors of its economy. The dryland area of the Goulburn Broken catchment contributes approximately $1.9 billion (ABS, 2010). The catchment’s combined total production is the most significant contribution of any non-metropolitan catchment in Victoria, and the capital investment in food processing assets is growing. The success of GMW’s Connections Project is critical to the future of the SIR where the irrigated footprint is expected to reduce over the next few years while water saved will return to both irrigators and the environment.

Rapid development and rural living dominate land use change trends in the southern areas of the Goulburn Broken dryland. This places land use demands on areas potentially at risk from salinisation, accelerates problems of effluent and waste disposal, and increases demands for

improved water security. Rural development poses opportunities and risks for biodiversity.

2.2.3 North CentralThe North Central CMA region covers almost 3 million ha including the Campaspe, Loddon, Avoca and Avon Richardson river catchments. The region has been transformed significantly since European settlement; its native vegetation cover has been highly modified and the type and distribution of the region’s wetlands has changed considerably.

The North Central CMA region is dominated by agricultural landscapes which sustain the region’s economic and social prosperity. Salinity continues to pose a significant threat to regional biodiversity, water resources, economic and social assets.

Land ResourcesThe North Central CMA region supports a diverse range of agricultural enterprises including cropping, mixed farming, dairying and horticulture. Historically, significant areas of the North Central CMA region have been affected by salinity. For example, almost 32,000 ha had been mapped as affected by dryland salinity and during the 1990s over 80 per cent of the Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region had groundwater levels within two metres of the surface.

Protracted drought from the mid-1990s until 2010 saw the loss of water table seasonality and a general condition of groundwater recession. By the end of the drought, groundwater in the land subject to salinity across most of the northern plains had fallen to depths of 3.5 metres or more.

The drought ended in 2010/2011 with some of the biggest rainfall and flooding events on record. In most instances water tables sprang back to within half a metre of the land surface. The rapid response, however, was limited to the water table aquifer. Deeper regional aquifers did not recover in the same way. Some of the head lost in the drought recession was reinstated, but it was not sufficient to return to pre-drought pressures.

Drought conditions returned in the spring of 2012 and prevailed through the summer and autumn months of 2013. Water tables fell sharply and reached depths of two metres or more. The winter of 2013 brought wetter conditions and some shallow groundwater tables increased in height. The winter of 2014 however, was drier and water tables either stabilised or reduced marginally. Dry conditions again prevailed through summer of 2014/15 and into autumn 2015. Irrigation water allocations have been reasonably high over the past


three seasons and usage by irrigators has matched allocation; it is anticipated that there could be local groundwater lenses underneath intensively irrigated areas as a result.

BiodiversityPrior to European settlement, the North Central CMA region contained a diverse range of native flora and fauna, and hydrological and salt balances were maintained entirely by native vegetation and processes. The loss of native vegetation, its replacement by agriculture and urban development, and the introduction of irrigation are largely responsible for the salinity problems within the region.

The remaining remnant vegetation covers less than 20 per cent of the region’s landmass and is under threat from habitat fragmentation, declining water quality, salinity, urban and agricultural development, and increases in pest plants and animals.

Almost 40,000 ha of high conservation value native vegetation and habitat for almost 200 species of threatened native flora and fauna are threatened by shallow water tables (less than two metres) and salinity. The most threatened ecosystems are highly fragmented and located lower in the landscape (i.e. mid and lower catchment areas). Wetlands, riparian zones, floodplains and aquatic communities are considered to be most at risk.

Wetlands and WaterwaysThe condition of waterways and wetlands in the region remains poor to moderate. Factors limiting continued improvement in condition include altered hydrology (via extraction and regulation), which results in poor physical form and degraded in stream habitat. Nutrients and salinity continue to be the major water quality issues.

The region has a diverse and highly significant range of wetlands supporting many rare and threatened flora and fauna species. Wetlands within the North Central CMA region are listed under the Ramsar Convention as wetlands of international importance, wetlands of national importance and wetlands listed on the Register of National Estates. Wetlands by their nature sit low in the landscape and continue to be at risk from salinity.

Community InfrastructureRural townships and transport networks within the region are all potentially at threat from shallow water tables and dryland salinity. Based on the Victorian component of the National Dryland Salinity Assessment, the length of road traversing

shallow water tables could increase from around 860 km at present to over 1,240 km in 2020, and 2,800 km in 2050. These changes would be expected to significantly increase the costs of road maintenance.

2.2.4 WimmeraThe Wimmera CMA region, located in western Victoria, encompasses an area of 2.4 million ha and includes Horsham Rural City Council and Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack and the Northern Grampians Shire Councils. It also includes areas of Ararat, Pyrenees and Buloke Shire Councils. Eighty percent of land in the Wimmera CMA region is used for agriculture.

Dryland livestock and cropping are the main agricultural activities in the Wimmera region. Wheat, canola, legumes and pulses are the main crops, and sheep are raised for both wool and meat production. A vibrant viticulture industry has been established in the upper Wimmera. There is significant irrigation in the West Wimmera supplied by groundwater (Murray Group Limestone Aquifer), supporting small seed (white clover), Lucerne and vegetable production. In addition, there are two small irrigated areas near Horsham and Murtoa that support mixed farming (mainly sheep and dairy cattle, although they have been without or did not use their allocations in recent years). The irrigators that have previously been supplied through the channel system recently agreed to sell their allocations to the Australian Government under its buyback program.

The Wimmera region is not connected by surface water processes to the River Murray, however it is included as part of the Murray-Darling Basin and the BSMS due to its groundwater connection. The Wimmera region is an important recharge area for the Parilla Sands aquifer which ultimately discharges to the River Murray. However, the ability of recharge management (or other salinity management activities) in the Wimmera to impact on the salinity levels in the River Murray is considered insignificant in terms of generally accepted timeframes for salinity control. Nevertheless the salinisation of land and water resources is an issue in part of the Wimmera region itself.


Values at riskThe revised Wimmera RCS identified the following assets as the being the most at risk from salinity:

• wetlands and streams including the terminal lakes of the Wimmera River Basin (Lake Hindmarsh and Lake Albacutya)

• agricultural soils

• native vegetation.

Land ResourcesPast land use practices in the area have resulted in environmental issues such as erosion, soil structure decline and salinity. Almost 25,000 ha or just over one per cent of the Wimmera region is visibly effected to some degree by salinity. This includes almost 6,000 ha of severely impacted land. The current cost of lost agricultural production is estimated to be $2.3 million per annum on the basis of gross margins forgone (WCMA, 2005).

BiodiversityOver 80 per cent of the region has been cleared for agriculture and the distribution of native vegetation in the region has subsequently declined to 16 per cent of the area it covered prior to European occupation. It is estimated that nine per cent of the regions’ threatened flora species and 11 per cent of its threatened fauna species are in areas with shallow water tables (NLWRA, 2008).

Water QualityPrevious studies indicated that the quality of surface water in Wimmera’s rivers and streams is generally rated as fair to poor (WCMA, 2005). The very dry conditions experienced by the Wimmera in 2014/15 were reflected by measured in-river salinity. Mean EC levels at the Wimmera River at Jeparit (just upstream of Lake Hindmarsh) at the lower end of the system were 1,835 EC for the year 14/15, reaching a peak of 2,650 EC during the 12 months. Examples of the magnitude of reported salinity effects in the region include:

• 17,000 tonnes of salt pass Horsham in the Wimmera River each year. A further 14,000 tonnes of salt enter the river between Horsham and Lochiel, and another 17,000 tonnes are estimated to enter the river between Lochiel and Lake Hindmarsh.

• 110,000 tonnes of salt is generated or imported into the Wimmera River system each year. Many wetlands in the Douglas Depression were naturally saline at pre-European settlement, but there are now many in the Edenhope area that have

become more saline as a result of changed land management practices since European settlement. An example of an affected wetland is Brickies Swamp, south of Edenhope (WCMA, 2005).

• Salinity in waterways throughout the catchment varies substantially. Very low salinity occurs in many headwater streams but in lower reaches of the Wimmera River salinity is high although variable depending upon the flow regime. There are various upper catchment tributaries within modified landscapes that also exhibit very high salinity. These include Heiffer Station and Concongella Creek.

Community InfrastructureNational Land and Water Resources Audit data indicates that almost 650 km of roads in the region are currently within areas with water tables at less than two metres. In particular, local ground water flow systems in low relief but deeply weathered granite are thought to be contributing to early signs of urban salinity around the township of Stawell (NLWRA, 2008).

2.2.5 Victorian MalleeThe Victorian Mallee region has a semi-arid climate, where annual potential evaporation can be as much as seven times higher than the average annual rainfall of 292 mm (Mildura Airport 76031). The region is recognised nationally and internationally for the diversity and uniqueness of its natural, cultural and productive landscapes. Of the 3.99 million ha in the Mallee CMA region, 38% is public land and 62% is private land under agricultural production (Mallee CMA 2013a). There are currently 2,415 rural land holdings involving both the dryland and irrigation industries.

Dryland farming in the region covers some 2.4 million ha and includes the cropping of a wide variety of cereals, pulse and oilseed crops. Irrigation in the Mallee extends adjacent to the River Murray corridor from Nyah to the South Australian Border; encompassing Private Diverters and the Pumped Irrigation Districts of Mildura, Merbein, Red Cliffs, Robinvale and Nyah. A groundwater irrigation district centred on the town of Murrayville also exists. The major irrigated sectors are almonds, wine grapes, table grapes, citrus, olives, dried fruit and vegetables.

Mallee irrigated horticulture occupies less than two per cent of the Victorian Mallee, but in 2012/13, the irrigation areas in the Mallee generated 88% of Victoria’s gross value of irrigated agricultural production for grapes and 39% for fruit (ABS 2014).


The Mallee currently has approximately 72,450 ha (SunRISE 21, 2012) of irrigable land with water sourced from the River Murray, the majority of which is permanent horticultural plantings. Of this area, approximately 17,570 ha (SunRISE 21, 2012) are included in the established pumped irrigation districts of Merbein, Mildura, Red Cliffs, Robinvale and Nyah. Private diverters along the River Murray corridor from Nyah to the South Australian border comprise the balance of 54,880 ha.

By 2010, the combined effects of variable climatic conditions, reduced water allocations, poor economic returns and, Australian Government water purchasing (e.g. Small Block Irrigator Exit Grant (SBIEG), have resulted in a decrease in the total area being irrigated across the pumped irrigation districts of Robinvale, Red Cliffs, Mildura and Merbein by 32% or 5,180 ha (Sunrise 21 2012). In 2013/14, the total area dried-off from irrigation in the pumped districts was 4,518 ha indicating that these dried-off areas are slowly being returned to production due to the higher water allocations, reduced water costs and an improvement in economic returns (Mallee CMA 2014). With the cessation of the SBIEG moratorium period in 2014/15 it is expected that more properties will return to production in the next few years.

Land ResourcesSalt is a natural part of the landscape with approximately 40,000 to 88,000 ha of land being salinised through regional groundwater discharge processes prior to European settlement. Recent investigations have identified that 3.8 per cent (142,206 ha) of the region currently has saline (surface) soils and that 39 per cent (55,928 ha) of these saline surfaces were induced by land use change (DPI, 2009).

The water balance in the Mallee landscape is very sensitive to any subtle changes. There are large areas in the Mallee region where the water table is generally shallow and less than 10 metres below natural surface with 2.5% (97,437 ha) being within five metres of the soil surface in 2010, decreasing from 4.8% in 2007 (SKM 2010a). Forecasted trends, under an average climate scenario, show a further decrease to 1.9% (76,748 ha) of the total area where the water table is within five metres of the soil surface by 2050 (SKM 2010a).

The water table is also very flat with a fall in head of less than 80 m from Wycheproof to Renmark, a distance of approximately 350 kilometres. Therefore, only minor increases in groundwater recharge can have large effects on the regional water balance and result in increased saline discharge at multiple

locations throughout the Mallee. These include low-lying dryland farming areas around Ouyen, Manangatang and Underbool. While post-clearing recharge rates are reported to be 45 times greater than pre-clearing, the magnitude of this change in recharge rate translates to only minor changes in groundwater depths and measured in millimetres and centimetres. Low rainfall and recharge rates in the Mallee mean that the high salinities are not flushed from the landscape and are maintained within the regional water table aquifer, the Parilla Sands (Mallee CMA 2013b).

BiodiversityThe Mallee consists of diverse land systems and vegetation types. While the temporal and spatial impacts of salinisation are not fully understood, it is unlikely that the impacts will be evenly distributed throughout the region.

In 2005 estimates predicted that 3,855 ha (8.5 per cent) of endangered Mallee Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs), 47,234 ha (14 per cent) of vulnerable Mallee EVCs and 55,190 ha (17 per cent) of depleted EVCs will be subject to groundwater levels within 0 to 5 metres of the soil surface by 2050 (REM, 2005).

A vegetation condition and species composition survey was undertaken in 2011/12 using existing monitoring sites previously established under the Land Conservation Council (LCC six sites assessed between 1985 to 1986) and the Mallee mandatory monitoring program (3MP – six sites assessed between 1995 and 2007). The survey showed that the removal of grazing – a key recommendation of the Land Conservation Council Review (LCC, 1989) into the use of Public Land in the Mallee – has been a major influence on improving vegetation condition at four sites. Large cumulative rainfall totals in the period leading up to the 2011 survey was also attributed to an improvement in vegetation condition at most LCC sites. The decline in vegetation condition observed at six sites was attributed to increased soil salinity associated with localised groundwater level rise. Increased soil acidity at four sites was shown to have the greatest influence on vegetation change (Ogyris, 2012).

The areas expected to be most at threat have a low topographic elevation in the Mallee landscape. The water table has been identified as being closely connected to the surface level in several broad areas (SKM, 2008). These areas are:

• the Tyrrell Basin

• land surrounding Ouyen

• Lake Agnes


• the immediate surrounds of the Pink Lakes

• the Raak Plains and Hattah Kulkyne National Park

• Morkalla

• the general floodplain of the River Murray.

There are many sites of very high conservation value within these areas. For example, there are more than 13 wetlands of national or international significance in the Mallee, which are considered to be threatened by salinisation.

Water QualityRiver levels observed in the River Murray as measured at Euston (streamflow gauge number 414203C) were lower than previous years in summer, and higher than previous years in winter. Summer flows reached a maximum of 13,071 ML/day (November 2014) and autumn and winter flows reached a maximum of 24,311 ML/day (August 2014). The minimum flow rate at Euston was 8,373 ML/day observed in September 2014 (WMIS, 2015). No black water events, fish mortality or blue-green algae outbreaks were recorded during this period (MDBA, 2013). The average annual salinity concentration for River Murray at Euston for 2014 was 110 EC (WMIS, 2015).

The total annual rainfall recorded from 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 was 265 mm (compared to 302 mm in 2013/14), was below the mean annual rainfall of 291 mm as recorded at Mildura airport (rainfall gauge 076031, BOM 2005).

Subsurface drains servicing irrigation areas produced flow volumes comparable to those observed since the breaking of the millennium drought in 2011 (data accessed July 2015). The exception being subsurface drains servicing the Robinvale Irrigation District (surface water sites - 414716 and 414717) which recorded a decrease in flow volumes (average monthly total), approximately half that experienced in 2013. Nangiloc-Colignan drainage catchment (surface water site 414724) showed peaks in daily flow rates during autumn (high rainfall recorded) and in spring (low rainfall recorded) with the total flow volume in 2014 higher (~15ML average monthly total) than in 2013. Causal factors for the peak experienced in spring require further investigation as this is not directly attributable to a high rainfall event.

Groundwater levels have remained consistent, with 56% of bores varying by less than ±0.1m for bores surveyed in both 2014 and 2015. 47% of bores raised in water level, with 2% of those increasing by more than 0.5m. Groundwater salinity levels in 2015 were

within ±10% of 2014 levels for 75% of bores where data was available for both years. For the majority of these (55%) the change was an increase in salinity concentration. Of the bores sampled in both 2014 and 2015 eight percent showed a change in salinity greater than ±30% (AWE 2015).

Community InfrastructureThe regional townships of Ouyen, Manangatang, Underbool and the City of Mildura are all potentially at threat from the effects of salinisation. The costs associated with this potential threat have not been quantified. However, in essence, the capital cost would involve the construction and maintenance of infrastructure to a specified, safe level/standard.

2.3 Setting salinity targets

The Council will adopt end-of-valley targets to protect values and assets while providing for targets to be revised, as new information becomes available.

The partner Governments will empower catchment management organisations to advise on end-of-valley targets and determine within-valley targets and monitoring arrangements, under salinity and catchment management plans.

2.3.1 Victoria

Summary of end-of-valley targetsThe former Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) endorsed Victoria’s EOVTs (Table 2-1) on 30 August 2005. EOVTs for the Wimmera and North East regions were not directly assessed at that time. Interim targets for these regions will be re-assessed as part of on-going salinity management planning.

Activities carried out in the 2014/15 reporting yearThe findings of the Phase 1 and 2 reports from the MDBA-led review of EOVTs (SKM, 2013a; SKM, 2013b) were further considered in the General Review of Salinity Management completed in 2014. Victoria participated in the Review as a member of the inter jurisdictional steering committee.

The Review report noted that the inclusion of state EOVTs within the BSMS was largely a response to projections made in the 1990’s of increasing threat from dryland salinity. Improved knowledge since this period indicates that future salt loads emerging from dryland catchments (for most valleys) do not pose a significant threat to the shared water resources. The Review “raises questions as to


whether some of the state end-of-valley targets provide a practical and effective contribution to the accountability framework” and clarification of the future role of state EOVTs has been a key matter in the development of the new salinity management strategy (BSM 2030) during 2014/15.

The role of EOVTs will also need to be considered in the context of Basin Plan policy and the development of regional water resource plans, and the need to mitigate the effects of salinity on local assets.


Table 2-1 End-of-valley targets for Victoria (SKM, 2005)

Region Valley

Baseline Conditions (1 Jan 2000)

End-of-Valley Targets (as percentage of Baseline)

End-of-Valley Targets

(as absolute value over the Benchmark Period, 1975-2000)

Valley Reporting Site

AWRC Site

NumberSalinity

(EC µS/cm)Salt Load

(t/yr)Salinity


(t/yr)Salinity


(t/yr)

Median (50%ile)

Peak (80%ile)


Peak (80%ile)


Peak (80%ile)

Mean

North East* Ovens 72 100 54,000 100% 100% 101% 72 100 54,540 Ovens River @ Peechelba-East

403241

Kiewa 47 55 19,000 100% 100% 100% 47 55 19,000 Kiewa River @ Bandiana

402205

Goulburn Broken Goulburn 99 150 166,000 100% - - 99 - - Goulburn River @ Goulburn Weir

405259

Broken 104 130 15,000 136% - - 141 - - Broken Creek @ Casey’s Weir

404217

North Central Avoca 2,060 5,290 37,000 102% - - 2,096 - - Avoca River @ Quambatook

408203

Loddon 750 1,090 88,000 95% - - 711 - - Loddon River @ Laanecoorie

407203

Campaspe 530 670 54,000 78% - - 412 - - Campaspe River @ Campaspe Weir

406218

Wimmera* Wimmera 1,380 1,720 31,000 100% 100% 100% 1,380 1,720 31,000 Wimmera River @ Horsham Weir

415200

Victorian Mallee

Vic Mallee Zone 380 470 1,300,000 - - - +15EEC** - - River Murray@ Lock 6

426200

* Interim targets only. ** Equilivant Electrical Conductivity


Table 2-1 End-of-valley targets for Victoria (SKM, 2005)

Region Valley

Baseline Conditions (1 Jan 2000)

End-of-Valley Targets (as percentage of Baseline)

End-of-Valley Targets

(as absolute value over the Benchmark Period, 1975-2000)

Valley Reporting Site

AWRC Site

NumberSalinity


(t/yr)Salinity


(t/yr)Salinity


(t/yr)

Median (50%ile)

Peak (80%ile)


Peak (80%ile)


Peak (80%ile)

Mean

North East* Ovens 72 100 54,000 100% 100% 101% 72 100 54,540 Ovens River @ Peechelba-East

403241

Kiewa 47 55 19,000 100% 100% 100% 47 55 19,000 Kiewa River @ Bandiana

402205

Goulburn Broken Goulburn 99 150 166,000 100% - - 99 - - Goulburn River @ Goulburn Weir

405259

Broken 104 130 15,000 136% - - 141 - - Broken Creek @ Casey’s Weir

404217

North Central Avoca 2,060 5,290 37,000 102% - - 2,096 - - Avoca River @ Quambatook

408203

Loddon 750 1,090 88,000 95% - - 711 - - Loddon River @ Laanecoorie

407203

Campaspe 530 670 54,000 78% - - 412 - - Campaspe River @ Campaspe Weir

406218

Wimmera* Wimmera 1,380 1,720 31,000 100% 100% 100% 1,380 1,720 31,000 Wimmera River @ Horsham Weir

415200

Victorian Mallee

Vic Mallee Zone 380 470 1,300,000 - - - +15EEC** - - River Murray@ Lock 6

426200


2.4 Managing trade-offs

The States will analyse and review the best mix of land management, engineering, river flow, and living with salt options to achieve salinity targets while meeting other catchment health targets and social and economic needs.

The States will assist communities to understand and agree the options with affected groups, industries and people through best practice planning processes.

Victoria balances options to achieve salinity targets with other catchment health targets and social and economic needs as part of the process to develop RCS and the subordinate LWMPs.

2.4.1 North EastThe Carbon and Biodiversity Project, funded by the Australian Government, is a partnership between North East CMA, Trust for Nature (TFN) and DEDJTR. The project provided financial incentives during 2014/15 for landholders to protect and enhance bush land, or to rehabilitate their properties with strategic vegetation works. Additional benefits to biodiversity included better control of salinity issues and improved water quality, amongst others.

The Sustainable Agriculture program run by North East CMA aims to increase the knowledge and skills of landholders to make changes to management practices using demonstration sites, forums, field days and other extension activities. This program contributes to a number of ‘6 year Management Measures’ within the North East RCS, 2013. Project activities encourage and enable the adoption of best management practices by landholders to ensure their agricultural and land use practices are sustainable, whilst assisting in the creation of a resilient agricultural sector in North East Victoria through the improved management of soils and groundcover.

Vegetation management activities for salinity control have focused on high recharge areas in priority groundwater flow systems as identified by salinity mapping, groundwater flow system mapping completed in 2005, and 2Csalt modelling by DEPI (Department of Environment and Primary Industries) Rutherglen in 2006. Whole farm planning and integrated extension activities funded through the DEPI “Land Health Program” have been used to complement activities and maximise outcomes achieved with landholders through this project.

The Sustainable Agriculture program has conducted 20 sustainable agriculture workshops for dryland farming in 2014/15, comprising of 328 land managers who attended these workshops. These workshops managed trade-offs by focusing on management strategies that aimed to maintain and improve groundcover, soil structure and soil health for more than 2,100 ha of farm land.

The North East Sustainable Irrigation Action Plan (2009) also managed trade-offs associated with irrigation and negative off site impacts such as salinity. The focus of this work has been to encourage better irrigation practice through system upgrades and better water use efficiency. Activities included installation of soil moisture monitoring probes, irrigation planning and better irrigation system installation and checking of irrigation system performance against industry benchmarks.

2.4.2 Goulburn BrokenSalinity management priorities in the region are based on defining high and low impact zones where the likelihood of effective salt mitigation is assessed against the impact on surface water yields. Areas generating high surface freshwater flows (high impact zones) are quarantined from salinity control works with the exception of localised salinity outbreaks. Areas generating high salt loads in low impact zones are the highest priority for remediation works. Interventions are assessed on the surface and sub-surface hydrologic characteristics of the target area.

The major focus for mitigation works is the protection of high value assets, particularly streams and wetlands as well as some particular threats to built infrastructure.

In the SIR, the Surface Water Management Program has been prioritised by a multi-criteria analysis using the following factors: social (20 per cent), economic (55 per cent) and environmental (25 per cent).

Subsurface drainage program works are confined to areas with high water tables, and public sub-surface works are limited to areas with demonstrated production losses due to salinity and high water tables. A process based on rolling five-year average water table depth prioritises the implementation program for groundwater investigations. Public works are considered only where privately owned works are not viable. Landholder support is required, and groups of landholders get priority for private site investigations before individuals. Current priority areas are still Muckatah, Deakin or Harston, Mosquito, Campaspe and Murray Valley Catchments. The public pump expansion program is considered a


low priority relative to the private pumps program, however due to lack of sufficient funding; both programs have consequently been suspended.

The SIR Salt and Water Balance Project (refer to Section 2.1.3) once completed will recommend policies and strategies, and provide tools that will assist in the future mitigation of salinity. This will be achieved by managing shallow groundwater in the SIR with an understanding of the impacts from a variable climate and reduced recharge from the transfer of water entitlements and the modernisation of farm and irrigation infrastructure.

2.4.3 North CentralThe North Central CMA undertook the process of redeveloping the North Central RCS in 2012. Balancing options to achieve salinity targets with other catchment health targets and social and economic needs through the RCS required the application of decision making tools including Investment Framework for Environmental Resources (INFFER) and the Policy Choice Framework (PCF) to assist in managing trade-offs.

Investment Framework for Environmental Resources (INFFER)The North Central CMA utilised the INFFER in the development of the Regional Catchment Strategy and related projects. The North Central CMA utilises INFFER to assist in making investment decisions for the region’s high value environmental assets. INFFER builds on the previous work undertaken through the development of the Salinity Investment Framework 3.

There are 43 high priority environmental assets in the North Central region. For each asset an assessment is undertaken to understand the threats and risks posed to the ecological health of the asset, including an evaluation of the salinity risk. If the salinity risk is deemed high, then a separate salinity investigation is undertaken, or built upon if the environmental asset has been part of a previous irrigation or dryland salinity management plan.

Policy Choice Framework (PCF)The Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan has incorporated the PCF into natural resource management prioritisation. The PCF is intended to assist decision makers in the field of natural resource policy to choose between policy instruments when the focus of the policy is on changing the behaviour of agricultural landholders. PCF, combined with INFFER, offers a variety of approaches to aid in different stages of natural resource management across the plan

region with the aim of improving the transparency and robustness of investment decision-making. The PCF and INFFER have been integrated into the Plan’s Healthy Productive Irrigated Landscape Framework (HPILF) to enable a process for combining information from the region’s overarching NRM strategies (e.g. Regional Condition Targets) with known reality (e.g. GIS maps) to guide how regional assets are protected and responding to new and emerging challenges.

North Central CMA continue to see the benefits of employing INFFER as a decision making tool when considering investment in high value assets that are subject to local influences. However, the management of catchment-based dryland salinity issues influencing stream salt loads requires a more considered approach that involves further investment in knowledge development in-sync with community-based programs that focus on achieving sustainable agriculture outcomes.

Improving the management of trade-offsDespite moving to an asset-based approach, North Central CMA recognises that ongoing management towards reducing the overall threat of salinity is still required. The focus in the North Central region is to work with the community to develop low-cost, profitable interventions for the broader landscape. By focusing on the solutions, it is likely that broader farming system changes will occur and ensure that salinity management interventions remain sustainable into the future.

On-going monitoring and evaluation will continue to be undertaken to fully understand the likely benefits of changes in farming practices on groundwater levels, salt movement and end-of-valley export as projects are implemented.

The draft North Central Victoria Regional Sustainable Agriculture Strategy was developed by 30 June 2015. The strategy identifies salinity as an on-going threat to both irrigated and dryland farming, particularly in terms of soil health decline and options to ameliorate with on-farm intervention. The role of the strategy has been to identify these issues and through collaborative partnerships, joint projects will either be developed or continue to be implemented as is relevant.

Stage 2 of the Kerang Lakes REALM Model upgrade was progressed through 2014/15. The model upgrade simulated the operation of the VMMS and estimated salinity within the Torrumbarry system and in the River Murray. The two accountable actions on the BSMS registers that are relevant to the Torrumbarry Irrigation Area and use the Kerang Lakes REALM Model include:


• Kerang Lakes/Swan Hill SMP

• Woorinen Irrigation District Excision.

Stage 1 of the Kerang Lakes REALM Model upgrade demonstrated that the model updates made in 2011 (Kerang Lakes REALM Model 2011) were suitable to assess the salinity impact of BSMS actions. The report shows how model simulation outputs for Lake Charm Flushing (as part of the Kerang Lakes/Swan Hill SMP) and WIDE have changed as a result of improvements to the Kerang Lakes Model, concluding the model was fit-for-purpose to assess salinity impacts within the Torrumbarry System.

The upgraded Kerang Lakes REALM Model is currently being peer reviewed in anticipation of accreditation by the MDBA.

2.4.4 WimmeraThe priority groundwater flow systems for recharge control that are identified by the Wimmera Salinity Action Plan (2005) are all located in the Upper Wimmera River catchment area. This is the area where much of the river’s flow is derived from.

The major initiative to implement revegetation in these groundwater flow systems is the Grampians to Pyrenees Biolink Project, run in conjunction with Project Platypus and other regional partners. This focuses on enhancing the connectivity, resilience, management and condition of remnant vegetation in the upper Wimmera Catchment. In 2014/15, 34ha of revegetation was completed as part of this project.

In 2011/12 Wimmera CMA undertook a study that investigated the impacts of land-use change on surface water flows and ecology in the upper Wimmera River catchment. Hydrologic modelling from the study indicates that large scale revegetation may adversely affect flow regime and aquatic processes. The results from the project continue to be integrated with other studies and information to help identify optimal revegetation locations that will balance the needs of salinity mitigation, surface water hydrology and biodiversity.

Elsewhere in the Wimmera catchment, salt affected land and paddocks that continually make no financial returns have been planted with saltbush. Saltbush establishes groundcover and protects these areas from erosion.

The revised RCS prioritises management measures to be implemented to address threats to natural assets, including the threat of salinity. The Wimmera CMA vision which underpins the RCS is for “a healthy Wimmera Catchment where a resilient landscape supports a sustainable and profitable

community”. This vision is driven by a triple bottom line approach, where the aim is to improve the environment while providing the greatest social and economic benefits.

An ongoing Rural Landholder Survey conducted by Charles Sturt University in consultation with the Wimmera CMA is aimed at understanding the important social and economic factors influencing landholder decision making in the Wimmera region. This includes assessment of whether dryland salinity is affecting long-term productive capacity of landholders. This information, along with the asset strategies, helps guide the implementation of the Regional Catchment Strategy. Comparison of the 2011 survey results with previous 2002 and 2007 survey information identify trends in important influences on landholder decisions over time. The next iteration of the survey is scheduled for 2016.

2.4.5 Victorian MalleeThe Mallee CMA has a three pronged approach to managing salinity, achieving salinity objectives and other catchment health targets, social needs, and economic needs by:

1) Addressing the impacts of historical irrigation through a suite of projects that encourage efficient water use practices and improved technologies on farm. This is achieved through a combination of training and incentives directed towards matching water use with soil type and crop requirements thereby restricting the amount of drainage to the underlying aquifer. The region has developed a salinity impact assessment tool based on a model that predicts the reduction of salt pushed into the river resulting from on-farm water use efficiency (WUE) activities. This allows a prioritisation process to be applied to incentive applicants. In effect, those with the greatest salinity gains are given the highest priority. This is important as demand over the past five years has consistently exceeded available incentives.

2) Actively collaborating with MDBA and NSW in the planning, investigation and implementation of salt interception schemes adjacent to the River Murray to benefit the broader Mallee region. Locally, a “no borders approach” is adopted for salinity management.

3) Guiding new irrigation developments away from areas of high salinity impact and ensuring best practice in design and operation of irrigation systems where development occurs. This is implemented through the Mallee Region Irrigation Development Guidelines.


In 1993, just prior to the introduction of trade in water entitlements, the Victorian Government, in partnership with the community, initiated a zoning system designed to minimise the river salinity impact of future irrigation developments in the Mallee. The Salinity Impact Zoning (SIZ) system was a key part of the community-developed Nyah to the South Australian Border SMP. For the past twenty years, the potential for any new irrigation developments to push extra salt into the river has been managed through a system of SIZ.

The system implemented under the Nyah to South Australian Border SMP initially consisted of two zones, a ‘High Impact Zone’ (HIZ) and a ‘Low Impact Zone’ (LIZ). These zones were based on a comprehensive hydrogeological assessment and the idea was to guide new irrigation developments to areas of least impact to the River by a system of salinity levies. The levy was set at a level that covered the estimated cost of offsetting the additional impact on the river salinity of the new development.

In 2002, to improve the accuracy of the system and further drive development to areas of least impact, the zones were revised and the LIZ was divided into seven sub-Low Impact Zones (LIZ 1-7) which better reflected the scale of salinity impacts based on best knowledge at the time. New development was not permitted to occur in the HIZ unless water could be purchased for that use from within the HIZ.

Recent work undertaken by the Mallee CMA has demonstrated that the zoning approach has been very effective, with a substantial portion of AUL being issued in the two lowest impact zones since unbundling (Figure 2-6). Salinity offsetting charges are collected from irrigation developers to invest in works and measures to generate new salinity credits and/or support operations and maintenance of existing salinity credit and debit items as recorded in the Mallee Region Salinity Register.

Figure 2-6 Sum of annual use limits (ML) issued within each salinity impact zone in the Victorian Mallee

2.5 Implementing plans

This Strategy acknowledges gains made by existing plans, but requires that actions in existing and new plans, or the plans themselves, will need to be assessed and reported against the end-of- valley and Basin targets and recorded on Salinity Registers.

The partner Governments will continue and enhance support for Land and Water Management Plans in irrigation regions.

The partner Governments will enhance support for development and implementation of Integrated Catchment Management Policy-compliant salinity and catchment management plans in dryland regions.

2.5.1 VictoriaIn 2014/15, Victoria has continued to implement actions for the management of salinity in the Murray-Darling Basin from the Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy (NRSWS) (DSE, 2009). The Strategy identified threats to water availability and quality over the next 50 years, including


climate, population growth and land use change. It forecast that sufficient water would not be available to meet all the requirements of the environment and consumptive users, and that trade-offs would be needed now and in the future.

Specifically the following action was progressed from the NRSWS during 2014/15:

• Action 6.3: Salinity Accounting and Reporting – this action relates to establishing processes to estimate salinity impacts of water use in irrigation through water-use licences and associated AUL. This action also relates to the development of procedures to account for salinity impacts of environmental water and modernisation projects.

The Manual for Victoria’s Salinity Accountability in the Murray-Darling Basin (DSE, 2011c) documents procedures for large-scale water projects to account for salinity impacts under the BSMS. Under the framework established in the Manual, a preliminary assessment of the salinity impact of the Goulburn-Murray Water Connections Project - Stage 1 and 2 was carried out in 2010/11. This assessment was updated in 2014/15 by GMW to reflect the current level of implementation of the project.

The approach applied a similar methodology to that used for the Connections Project business cases. A more detailed assessment of the project’s salinity impacts will be undertaken in conjunction with five-year reviews of existing State accountable actions. While Victoria will continue to work toward providing a comprehensive assessment of the salinity impacts of the Connections Project, the States and Commonwealth are yet to resolve accountability for salinity impacts associated with the Basin Plan.

CMAs continued implementation of their RCS. These were last revised in 2012/13 and cover the period 2013-19. The RCS are the primary integrated planning framework for land, water and biodiversity management in each of the ten management regions of Victoria. They provide the overarching strategic framework for action, under which a range of sub-strategies and action plans for each region to address land degradation and manage land and water resources.

In addition to these activities at a state level, the five CMAs within the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin all continued to carry out salinity management activities in 2014/15 as part of the planned implementation of their RCSs, LWMPs and SMPs.

2.5.2 North East

Land and water management planThe North East Sustainable Irrigation Action Plan – Land and Water Management Plan (2009) highlights the threats irrigation poses to other assets, defines the seriousness of these threats, and suggests management actions to address the threats. Salinity has been defined as one of these threats.

The North East Salinity Action Plan (2007) guides the actions in relation to salinity management using an asset-threat based approach. The degree to which individual assets are threatened varies accordingly to their location in the landscape. The asset classes of land, biodiversity and inland waters are of particular concern. The potential impact on built infrastructure has also been identified as an emerging threat. The vision of the plan is ‘To manage salinity in the North East Region for the benefit of the environment, local communities and downstream users.’

Government allocation of salinity creditsNo salinity credits have been allocated to the North East region.

Accountable Actions undertaken in 2014/15There were no accountable actions undertaken in the North East region.

Progressive total of works implementedNot applicable.

2.5.3 Goulburn Broken

Land and water management planThe salinity management plans within the Goulburn and Broken catchments include the Shepparton Irrigation Region Catchment Implementation Strategy (SIRCIS) (formerly the SIR Land and Water SMP) and the Goulburn Broken Dryland Landscape Strategy (formerly the Goulburn Dryland Salinity Management Plan). Both original plans were developed to manage the salinity of land and water resources in the region and were endorsed by the Victorian Government in June 1990.

The SIR Land and Water SMP has been superseded by the SIRCIS and is currently being reviewed in line with the Goulburn Broken Regional Catchment Strategy Resilience approach under the auspice of the Agricultural Floodplains Social Ecological System. The Goulburn Dryland SMP has been superseded by the Goulburn Broken Dryland Landscape Strategy.


The SIRCIS was developed by the regional community in partnership with the Victorian Government and agencies to tackle rising water tables, and is part of the wider Goulburn Broken RCS. The programs of the SIRCIS target the mitigation of salinity and waterlogging, and include re-use of pumped groundwater, surface-water management, farm planning, surface drainage re-use, biodiversity protection and enhancement, and community education.

The SIRCIS Drainage Program review was initiated in 2014/15. This review will assess approaches to tackle surface water management problems such as efficient irrigation, surface drainage and appropriate sub-surface drainage or shallow groundwater pumping. The review will consider both surface and sub-surface drainage, review relevant and related strategies, priorities, documents and practices as well as consulting with key stakeholders. The review will continue into 2015/16 as a priority area of work, with particular reference to the state-wide review of irrigation drainage before renewing the strategic directions for drainage management into the future.

Government allocation of salinity creditsThe Victorian Government allocation of salinity credits to the SIRCIS is 8.9 EC.

Accountable Actions undertaken in 2014/15No accountable actions were undertaken in 2014/15. A summary of each of the Goulburn Broken programs is provided below. .

Groundwater and Salinity Management Program:• Groundwater investigations – No investigations

were undertaken.

• Shallow groundwater pumps – One new private pump was completed.

Surface Water Management Program: • Primary surface water management systems –

No drains were constructed or commissioned.

• Community surface water management schemes - No drains were constructed.

Significant progress continues to be made in reducing drain outfalls through the implementation of drain management plans and improved farm water management.

Over the period from July 2014 to June 2015, there was no change in salinity debits at Morgan, based on estimated salinity impacts from accountable actions in the region.

Progressive total of works implementedEstimates of progressive total salinity debits in the Goulburn Broken CMA region, as a result of drainage works implemented in the SIR, are listed below in Table 2-2. The table includes allowances for works implemented prior to July 1991, for which no clear records are available.

The progressive uptake of salinity debits in the SIR is 1.4 EC, as shown in Table 2-2. This estimate was calculated using ready reckoners based on the assessment of previous review data (SKM, 2006), and not the current salinity impact found in the MDBA BSMS Register A. Further explanation is provided in Appendix B.1.

Due to the limited development of the drainage network and pump infrastructure, as outlined above, the Goulburn Broken CMA did not incur any additional salinity debits in 2014/15 (see Table 2-2).

Table 2-2 Progressive total of salinity debits in the SIR to June 2015

Accountable Action components of the Shepparton Salinity Management Plan

Salinity debits (EC)

Up to 2013/14 Incurred in 2014/15

Total to 2014/15

Surface Water Management Systems -0.6 0.0 -0.6

Public Groundwater Pumps 1.8 0.0 1.8

Horticultural Sub-surface Drainage 0.2 0.0 0.2

Total 1.4 0.0 1.4


There were no opportunities to operate the public salinity control pumps during the 2014 winter-spring period due to insufficient flows in the River Murray.

2.5.4 North Central

Land and water management planThe Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region LWMP (NCCMA, 2011) builds on the Loddon Murray LWMP, which combined the five regional salinity management plans (developed during the late 1980s and early 1990s) and regional development strategy, Loddon Murray 2000 Plus.

Building on the success of the previous salinity management plans, the scope of land and water management across the Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region was broadened to address the new challenges and issues facing the regional community. The focus of the plan is to improve the management of land, water and biodiversity across the Loddon Campaspe irrigation region. The plan seeks to build the capacity of the region’s individuals and communities to meet many of the natural resource management challenges they will face during the next decade.

The LWMP continues to deal with reducing the impact of salinity on the natural assets of the region and identifies salinity management as a priority. The priority projects of surface water management, sustainable agriculture and salt management all contribute to minimising the impact of salinity. This includes the delivery of cost-share incentives for whole farm plans, saline soil rehabilitation, soil salinity surveys and irrigation tail water re-use systems.

The Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region LWMP was updated and endorsed as a regional investment prospectus in October 2011 to accommodate the contemporary natural resource issues, such as climate change and water reform.

The North Central CMA no longer has a formal regional Dryland SMP that specifically addresses the pervasive threat of salinity. Instead, dryland salinity

is managed at a local level specific to the immediate protection of discrete environmental assets, including protection of priority environmental assets; and through localised soil health plans being developed and implemented by community groups under the ‘Farming for Sustainable Soils’ project of the North Central CMA. There are some interventions undertaken that address salinity issues through Landcare grants but generally these are secondary outcomes of the farm works or group activities. Knowledge sharing is provided through the North Central CMA Waterwatch program about salinity and 28 sites were monitored through the program detailing salinity levels for surface water.

Government allocation of salinity creditsThe Victorian Government allocation of salinity credits to the North Central CMA region is 10.1 EC.

This includes a preliminary estimate of 6.5 EC for debits incurred through the GMW Connections Project and VMMS. The preliminary estimate will be substantiated once salinity accountability for recovery, transfer and use of water recovery projects is resolved through consultation with the Commonwealth and the Basin states.

The allocation of salt credits to the North Central CMA did not change in 2014/15.

Accountable Actions undertaken in 2014/15No accountable actions were carried out in the 2014/15 reporting year.

The status of North Central CMA region’s accountable actions for 2014/15 (see Table 2-3) is based on the MDBA Register as signed off in 31 August 2015.

Construction of the Benwell Surface Water Management System (SWMS), designed to provide 4,840 ha of surface water management in the Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region, remains partially complete. Full completion will be subject to future funding. Benwell SWMS may become an accountable action once commissioned.


Table 2-3 North Central Accountable Actions in the MDBA Register A

MDBA Register A (Accountable Actions)

Salinity Debits (EC)

Balance as at 25 September

2014

Incurred in 2014/15

Balance as at 31 August

2015

Tragowel Plains Drains at 2002 Level 0.2 0.0 0.2

Kerang Lakes/Swan Hill SMP 1.6 0.0 1.6

Campaspe West SMP 0.3 0.0 0.3

Woorinen Irrigation District Excision 0.8 0.0 0.8

TOTAL 2.9 0.0 2.9

2.5.5 Wimmera

Land and water management planWimmera CMA does not have a LMWP related to irrigation. Salinity management has been directed by the Wimmera Regional Salinity Action Plan (WCMA, 2005).

In 2015, the Wimmera Waterway Strategy 2014-22 received Ministerial approval and is currently being implemented. At a minimum it will maintain, and where possible improve, waterway condition and build on a number of existing strategies and plans. It provides the wider community with a targeted, long term action plan outlining what can be done across the region to secure waterway values for future generations. The document strategically aligns with the Wimmera Regional Catchment Strategy 2013-2019 and provides the actions required to maintain and improve rivers, streams and wetlands as natural assets. This strategy also fulfils the Wimmera CMA’s obligations under the Victorian Waterway Management Strategy in terms of developing a new waterway strategy for the region and is a legislated requirement under the Victorian Water Act 1989. In developing the actions, community input, local knowledge and scientific information were used to identify the values, threats and the most effective actions required to maintain and improve priority waterways.

Government allocation of salinity creditsNo salinity credits have been allocated to the Wimmera region.

Accountable Actions undertaken in 2013/14There were no accountable actions undertaken in the Wimmera region.

Progressive total of works implementedNot applicable.

2.5.6 Victorian Mallee

Land and water management plansThe Mallee RCS 2012-18 received Ministerial endorsement in February 2013. The Mallee RCS sets the priorities for the future management of the land, water and biodiversity in the Mallee and informs the development and implementation of detailed plans to address specific natural resource management issues, such as salinity.

Irrigation: Salinity management in the irrigation areas of the Victorian Mallee has been guided since the early 1990s by the following three community-driven plans:

• Nangiloc-Colignan Salinity Management Plan (1991)

• Sunraysia Salinity Management Plan (1992)

• Nyah to the South Australian Border Salinity Management Plan (1993).

The Mallee CMA has renewed and merged the three plans into the Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region LWMP, which was endorsed by the Victorian Minister for Water in 2012.

The renewed plan builds upon the successes of previous plans with no major changes to direction of salinity management within the region. Associated with the renewed Plan are two important companion documents:

• Mallee Salt Procedures Manual (SKM, 2011) – This manual complements the Manual for Victoria’s Salinity Accountability in the Murray-Darling Basin (DSE 2010), providing details on regional salinity management for irrigation areas in the Mallee and describes regional implementation of the BSMS


• Victorian Mallee Irrigation Development Guidelines – The guidelines were renewed in 2010/11 and endorsed by water corporations to better reflect the Ministerial Determinations released in 2007. They include a risk assessment approach which determines when the guidelines are required for redevelopment scenarios. This document is currently being reviewed, including the incorporation of feedback provided by stakeholders involved in the irrigation development process. Alongside this document, information packages have been designed for landholders describing the development approvals process for both Water-Use Licence/Irrigation and Drainage Management Plans and Water Infrastructure development.

Dryland: The Victorian Soil Health Strategy (VSHS) was endorsed by the Victorian Government July 2012 (DSE 2012) and provides a state-wide framework for the effective management of soils on public and private land for environmental value. Under this framework a regional soil health plan will be developed addressing Mallee specific risks to soil health. One priority identified in the strategy pertaining to the Mallee region includes salt affected soils that decrease agriculture productivity and leak salt into downstream waterways.

The Mallee Waterway Strategy (MWS) 2014-22 was endorsed by the Minister for Water and published in October 2014 after consultation with regional agencies, local communities and stakeholders. The strategy identified priority waterways in the Mallee including the River Murray and floodplain wetlands, southern Mallee creeks, and fresh and saline dispersed inland wetlands. Comprehensive work plans have been developed for each waterway to improve water regimes and water quality together with riparian and aquatic habitat. Groundwater monitoring will provide important information in demonstrating a positive response of these work plans on waterway health.

Government allocation of salinity creditsThe Victorian Government allocation of salinity credits to the Victorian Mallee remains the same as 2013/14 at 20.22EC.

Accountable Actions undertaken in 2014/15The 2014/15 estimation of salinity impact from new irrigation development against the Nyah to the South Australian border was 0.11 EC (Table 2-4). Calculations were undertaken using the methodology described in Salinity Impact of Irrigation Development in the Victorian Mallee – 2014/15 (Mallee CMA 2015).

Calculations were undertaken using the methodology described in Appendix C.

Table 2-4 Salinity impact of accountable change in AUL in 2014/15 in the Low Impact Zone of the Mallee CMA region

Salinity Impact Zone (SIZ)

EC impact

per 1,000

ML

Change in AUL

(ML)

Salinity Impact

at Morgan

(EC)

2014/15 2014/15

LI 1 - L 1 0.00 2,099 0.000

LI 2 - L 1 0.02 3,366 0.067

LI 3 - L 2 0.05 0 0.000

LI 4 - L 3 0.07 137 0.010

LI 5 - L 3 0.10 0 0.000

LI 6 - L 4 0.15 9 0.001

LI 7 - L 4 0.20 160 0.032

Total Change in AUL

5,771 0.110

Progressive total of works implementedBased on the MDBA BSMS Register A (updated 25/09/2014), the progressive total of salinity debits since 1993 in the Mallee is 14.2 EC (Table 2-5). The salinity impact for Nyah to SA Border SMP – Irrigation Development, should be increased in the order of 1.43 to account for irrigation development in 2013/14 and 0.11 EC to account for irrigation development in 2014/15, giving a total balance of salinity credit uptake for the Mallee region of 15.74 EC.

Aligning MSM-BigMod and the Nyah to SA Border salinity accounting arrangementsThe evolution of the MSM-BigMod model over time has resulted in misalignment between the MDBA model and the regional estimates calculated using the accredited and agreed model (SKM 2001). In the case of Nyah to the SA Border, it is estimated that this difference could be as high as 30% (SKM 2010c). Salt load calculations using numerically modelled conversion factors estimate the 2014/15 adjustment for Nyah to the SA Border Irrigation Development to be 0.11 EC.


While the regional Mallee salinity estimates have been calculated using the agreed and accredited model (SKM 2001) as presented in Table 2-5,

the salinity impact assessment based on MDBA updated ready reckoners calculates a slightly higher progressive total salinity impact estimate (15.9 EC).

Table 2-5 Mallee summary of salinity credit uptake to 30-June-2015 with changes based on the accredited model4

Physical salinity (EC at Morgan)

Balance on BSMS Register as at 9

September 2013

Change in 2013/14

Change in 2014/15

Balance assessed at 31

August 2015

Nangiloc-Colignan SMP 0.4 0.0 0 0.4

Nyah to SA Border SMP 13.8 1.43 0.11 15.3

Mallee Total 14.2 1.43 0.11 15.7

4 Discrepancies between these estimates and the MDBA salinity register are a result of misalignment between MSM-BigMod which is used for MDBA biannual register calculations and the accredited and agreed model (SKM, 2001) which is used in regional calculations.


2.6 Redesigning farming systems

The partner Governments will coordinate and enhance research and development into new farming and forestry systems that deliver improved control of groundwater recharge in the high rainfall grazing, winter rainfall cropping, and summer rainfall cropping zones.

Over and above current programs, the [former] Commission will enhance research and development into new industries based on salinised resources, such as broad acre salt land agronomy, saline aquaculture, and salt harvesting.

During the 2014/15 reporting year, the five CMAs within the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin all undertook works to improve farming practices in their regions.

2.6.1 North EastTable 2-6 presents a summary of the farm works carried out in the North East CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year. Note all of the works in Table 2-6 were funded through the North East Regional Catchment Investment Plan and not specifically funded by salinity programs.

Table 2-6 Summary of farm works undertaken during the 2014/15 reporting year in the North East CMA region

Item Works carried out – Dryland Works carried out – Irrigation

Whole Farm Plans N/A 17 Whole Farm Plans (467 ha and 357 ML in water savings)

Landforming N/A N/A

Reuse Systems N/A N/A

Soil Salinity Surveys N/A N/A

Irrigation system upgrades

N/A This occurs as part of implementing whole farm plans

Education activities • 20 sustainable agriculture workshops, which attracted 328 land managers relating to over 2100 ha

• 8 farming entities conducted field trials over 160 ha

• 3 SEED days, educating 600 students

• 21 Waterwatch field days

• 3 improved grazing regime workshops for 45 landholders, with total of 3,785 ha under management

• Two newsletters sent out per annum.

Other Achievements • 218 bores monitored• 59 stream sites monitored

• 6 irrigation performance checks (118 ha, 47 ML in water savings)

• 9 soil monitoring installations and irrigation scheduling tools - 325 ha, 130 ML saved.

• 3 new Irrigation Development Referral requests.

N/A – Activity not undertaken


2.6.2 Goulburn Broken Table 2-7 presents a summary of the farm works undertaken in the Goulburn Broken CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year.

The Farm Water Program consortium is led by Goulburn Broken CMA on behalf of the region’s irrigators to achieve farm water savings through improved farm water use efficiency. The consortium also includes North Central CMA, North East CMA, GMW, Murray Dairy, Dairy Australia, Northern Victorian Irrigators, DELWP and DEDJTR.

Following the completing of Rounds 1 and 2 in the preceding years, Round 3 of the Farm Water Program (Tranche 1 of the Victorian Farm Modernisation Project (VFMP)) began with $30 million for 136 projects. These projects will generate over 15 GL of water savings with 9 GL transferred to the Commonwealth government for environmental watering. This complements Rounds 1 and 2 achievements where 14,000 ha of farm works were completed saving 18 GL of water. Round 4 of the Farm Water Program (Tranche 2 of the VFMP) projects will be rolled out in 2015-16 and applications for $50 million have been called for.

The Farm Water Program continued to provide economic and environmental gains for the Catchment while maximising the Australian and State Government’s investment in irrigation modernisation. This was formally recognised when the Farm Water Program won the Australian Water Association (AWA) -Victorian Program Innovation Award on 4 December 2014. The Goulburn Broken CMA consortium then went on to win the Australian Water Awards Innovation Program for the Farm Water Program in front of over 950 delegates in Adelaide on 13 May 2015. This project reinforces the partnership approach between the Authority and GMW Connections and demonstrates the need for good planning, such as the importance of Whole Farm Plans, to underpin sound long-term decision making. It is also demonstrates the interconnected nature of the social-ecological systems and in this instance the intrinsic relationship between economic development, agricultural productivity and environmental benefits.

Table 2-7 Summary of farm works undertaken during the 2014/15 reporting year in the Goulburn Broken CMA region


Whole Farm Plans NA Whole farm plans on 71 properties covering 6,715 ha were completed, including 22 ‘revised or modernised’ plans, bringing the total number of whole farm plans under this incentive to 4,296 covering 311,184 ha or 68 per cent of the area covered by a water use licence within the SIR.

Landforming N/A An estimated area of 4,220 ha has been landformed during 2014/15.

Reuse Systems N/A 9 reuse systems were installed, draining 344 ha.

Soil Salinity Surveys N/A N/A


N/A 4,745 ha of irrigation systems were improved through the Sustainable Irrigation Program; this included areas laser graded, placed under pressurised irrigation, serviced by reuse systems and/or served by automatic irrigation systems.

Education activities N/A N/A



2.6.3 North CentralLand use in the North Central region is changing rapidly due to highly variable climatic conditions (that have been much more prevalent since the mid-1990s), water reform including irrigation modernisation, and pressures induced by social change including peri urban development.

Regional soils continue to be threatened by salinity but susceptibility is increasing due to wind erosion and reduced soil carbon. The altered climate presents enormous challenges for farmers as they struggle to identify and adopt new farming practices to manage the risks associated with climate variability and maintaining agricultural productivity.

The North Central CMA is currently undertaking projects that work with regional communities to build knowledge on improved farming practices based on experiences, lessons learnt and success stories. With this knowledge, the North Central Victoria Regional Sustainable Agriculture Strategy has been developed to enhance regional farming viability, protect the natural resource base and strengthen sustainable agriculture through a regionally coordinated approach over the next 15 years. The pervasive threat of salinity has been integrated into the strategic responses of the Strategy.

Three projects: Farming for Sustainable Soils; Healthy Productive Irrigated Landscapes; and Reporting and Accounting for Salinity are taking an integrated approach of working with farmers, service providers and agriculture industries to understand the necessary changes to farming systems to achieve a sustainable agriculture future. As each project is considering best practice land and water use, the results from each project will be utilised, as appropriate, to enhance farming systems across the catchment.

Table 2-8 presents a summary of the farm works undertaken in the North Central CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year which are deliverables of funded projects. It must be noted that works undertaken through private investment or projects that are not managed and reported through the North CMA; DELWP or DEDJTR cannot be included in this report. It is estimated that there are more privately funded works than funded activities.

2.6.4 WimmeraTable 2-9 presents a summary of the farm works undertaken in the Wimmera CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year.

Table 2-8 Summary of farm works undertaken during 2014/15 reporting year in the North Central CMA region

Item Works carried out – Irrigation

Whole Farm Plans • 37 property management plans (designs) covering 6,050.8 ha completed

Land forming • 630.1 ha

Reuse Systems • 12 irrigation tail water reuse systems were installed servicing 603.2 ha• Approximately 900 ML of water saved

Soil Salinity Surveys • 13 properties undertook salinity investigations covering 2,042.8 ha


• 22 properties, covering 1,266.4 ha, undertook irrigation modernisation upgrades through the Farm Water Program, including pipe and riser irrigation systems; gravity surface irrigation; and automated irrigation.

Education activities • 4 community groups involving about 55 individuals supported• Increased social capacity of 30 regional agency representatives• 22 irrigators were managed and completed under the Farm Water Program

Round 4 Victorian Farm Modernisation Project

Other Achievements • 5 New Irrigation Guideline referrals received, 3 were completed covering an area of 1,155 ha and 2 are in progress

• 367 groundwater bores were monitored to continue the understanding of water table trends.


Table 2-9 Summary of farm works undertaken during the 2014/15 reporting year in the Wimmera CMA region

Item Works carried out – Dryland

Whole Farm Plans N/A

Landforming N/A

Reuse Systems N/A

Soil Salinity Surveys N/A


N/A

Education activities • A total of 270 landholders attended soils management training and awareness events, involving discussion related to salinity.

• Perennial Pasture Systems group support educated 110 enterprises covering 114,000ha in the Upper Wimmera catchment.

Other Achievements N/A


2.6.5 Victorian MalleeResearch and development to improve farming systems in the Mallee CMA includes:

• Irrigation Incentives: Irrigation incentives were offered in 2014/15 and continue to encourage growers to improve water use efficiency. Demand for irrigation incentives exceeded the available funds with irrigators returning dried-off areas into production from 5,158 ha in 2011/12 to 4,518 ha in 2012/13 (Mallee CMA 2014). The irrigation incentives program targeting ‘historical irrigation’ resulted in the development and implementation of irrigation drainage management plans covering 140 ha, irrigation system checks on 607 ha, system upgrades on 158 ha and 189 ha of improved irrigation management through the installation of modern scheduling equipment. In total, 619.71 ML of water savings were made, the most of which were due to system upgrades completed in the HIZ and LIZ LI7.

• Cooling Systems: DEDJTR, on behalf of the Mallee CMA, completed a review of irrigation cooling systems including a survey of table grape irrigators who use them, an investigation into the potential water distribution from the different type of cooling sprays and the resultant risk of groundwater infiltration, and a risk assessment of potential natural resource management risks from the use of cooling systems in table grapes (DEDJTR 2014).

– The project identified a range of irrigation systems employed to create a cooler microclimate within table grape canopies to

maintain crop quality. The ‘triggers for use’ also varied considerably amongst irrigators.

– The investigation identified that the adoption of cooling systems results in a moderate to significant risk in increased groundwater infiltration additional to the widely adopted assumption of 10% recharge in irrigation areas. A lack of knowledge regarding the cooling requirements of the various table grape varieties and the effectiveness of the various cooling systems presently being used was identified to be the main cause of the risk in using cooling systems.

• Dryland Research and Demonstration Trials: On-ground research and demonstration trials were established in 2014/15 to identify and promote dryland farming systems and management practices which deliver improved control of groundwater recharge. Trial sites have been established in the region to investigate:

– Growth and forage potential of perennial shrubs in alternative grazing systems (DEDTJR);

– Benefits of incorporating break crops into no-till cropping systems (Mallee Sustainable Farming); and,

– Weed management strategies for sustained no-till cropping systems (Dodgshum and Medlin).

Table 2-10 presents a summary of farm works undertaken during the 2014/15 reporting year in the Mallee CMA region.


Table 2-10 Summary of farm works undertaken during 2014/15 reporting year in the Mallee CMA region


Whole Farm Plans • 30 participants in the EMAP program (managing 67,103 ha) developed Environmental Plans and associated Action plans for their properties.

• Case management and training support was provided to 68 ‘EMAP graduates’ (managing 211,136 ha) to facilitate the implementation of priority actions/works identified in Environmental Plans.

• Irrigation drainage management plans were developed for 9 properties totalling 140 ha

• Water use efficiency farm plans were developed in 2013/14 encompassing 6,089 ha across the region. These plans were delivered in 2014/15.

Landforming N/A N/A

Reuse Systems N/A N/A

Soil Salinity Surveys N/A • Completed as part of developing the irrigation drainage management plans


N/A • With the aid of irrigation incentives, 14 properties have upgraded irrigation systems totally 158 ha (528.29 ML of water savings made), while 22 properties improved irrigation management through the installation of modern scheduling equipment covering 189 ha (91.42 ML of water savings made).

Education activities • Workshops, field walks and case management support delivered to facilitate the development of skills / knowledge required for implementation of alternative land use options.

• Provision of grants to community groups, together with technical support, to implement salinity control works.

• Three irrigation training courses targeting Mallee irrigators were held involving 45 participants and one field day (240 community members engaged)

• On-site education of irrigators occurs through the case management of incentives to achieve the maximum benefit from the program.

• One shed meeting was held at Lindsay Point, with 6 out of the 9 irrigators attending from within that district.

• A presentation was given to participants of the 7th International Table Grapes Conference tour in November 2014 regarding irrigation management within the region.

Other Achievements • 22 Landcare groups reviewed and renewed landscape scale Environmental Plans and associated Action Plans for the identification of threat mitigation works.

A Water Use Efficiency forum was held for government, industry and research partners (over 30 participants attending with 25 of these presenting) showcasing advancements in horticulture research and technologies; and, future research opportunities.



2.7 Targeting reforestation and vegetation management

The partner Governments recognise the necessity for landscape change specifically targeted at salinity control. In order to facilitate such targeted change, where changed farming systems are not adequate, the [former] Commission will further develop the concept of a vegetation bank to have the capacity to finance extension of forestry outside of traditional forestry areas.

The partner Governments will further consider the financing of native vegetation management, rehabilitation and land stewardship, and the commercialisation of short rotation tree crops, particularly for the wheat belt.

During the 2014/15 reporting year, the North East, Goulburn Broken, Wimmera and Mallee CMAs within the Victorian Murray-Darling Basin undertook reforestation and revegetation works for dryland salinity management in their regions. Based on State funding alone, approximately 860 ha of revegetation was established within the Basin catchments during 2014/15.

2.7.1 North EastTable 2-11 is a summary of reforestation and revegetation management works undertaken in the North East CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year, and target works for the 2015/16 reporting year.

Table 2-11 Reforestation and revegetation for dryland salinity management in the North East CMA region

Salinity Management Activity 2014/15 Implementation 2015/16 Target

Recharge Management

Native Vegetation Protected (by physical works and/or covenants)

397 ha 385 ha

High Density Tree Establishment N/A N/A

Low Density Tree Establishment N/A N/A

Perennial Pasture Establishment N/A N/A

Lucerne Establishment N/A N/A

Improved Cropping Practices N/A N/A

Improved Grazing Regime 15,185 ha 2,000 ha


Native Vegetation Re-establishment 15 ha 15 ha

Salt Tolerant Pastures Establishment N/A N/A



Table 2-12 Reforestation and revegetation for dryland salinity management in the Goulburn Broken CMA region


Recharge Management


694 ha 565 ha

High Density Tree Establishment 549 ha 778 ha

Low Density Tree Establishment N/A N/A





Native Vegetation Re-establishment N/A N/A

Salt Tolerant Pastures Establishment N/A N/A


N/A N/A


2.7.2 Goulburn Broken Table 2-12 is a summary of reforestation and revegetation management works undertaken in the Goulburn Broken CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year, and target works for the 2015/16 reporting year.

2.7.3 North CentralThere were no reforestation or revegetation activities completed in 2014/15 specifically contributing to salinity management in the North Central CMA region as there is no longer a dryland salinity management plan for the region. Priority asset project works are undertaken as an integrated approach to restore or enhance a given asset.

2.7.4 WimmeraTable 2-13 is a summary of reforestation and revegetation management works undertaken in the Wimmera CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year, and target works for 2015/16.


Table 2-13 Reforestation and revegetation for dryland salinity management in the Wimmera CMA region


2014/15 Implementation 2015/16 Target

Recharge Management


N/A N/A

High Density Tree Establishment

N/A N/A

Low Density Tree Establishment

• Grampians to Pyrenees Biolink project revegetated 34 ha

• Project Hindmarsh planted 12,000 trees, shrubs and groundcover on 20 ha of private property north of Lake Hindmarsh.

• 160 people helped plant 6,000 trees, shrubs and groundcover on 10 ha of private property west of the Yarriambiack Creek during the Yarrilinks community planting weekend.

• Approximately 8 ha of revegetation, including 12,000 plants as part of Project Hindmarsh and 6000 plants as part of Yarrilinks Community Planting Weekend

Perennial Pasture Establishment

N/A N/A




Native Vegetation Re-establishment

N/A N/A

Salt Tolerant Pastures Establishment

• 122 ha of saltbush established by 21 landowners

• Approximately 100 ha of saltbush


N/A N/A


2.7.5 Victorian MalleeThe 2014-15 dryland farming season started with exceptionally high sub-soil moistures levels due to considerable rainfall events during sowing, however temperatures up to five degrees above average along with low summer rainfall in some locations led to extremely diverse cropping results. For many, harvest during late 2014 was difficult, while for others it provided an average, or better than average yielding year with excellent prices. Limited rainfall during early 2015 has once again resulted in

minimal soil moisture levels, particularly within the southern and central Mallee zones, with crop types once again trending towards cereals over canola and legumes. Sporadic rain events over autumn and winter have left crops in a spread of growths stages across the Mallee (Sonogan, 2015).

Table 2-14 is a summary of reforestation and revegetation management works undertaken in the Mallee CMA region during the 2014/15 reporting year, and target works for the 2015/16 reporting year.


Table 2-14 Reforestation and revegetation for dryland salinity management in the Mallee CMA region


Recharge Management

Native Vegetation Protected (by physical works and/or covenants)*

47,311 ha 43,800 ha

High Density Tree Establishment N/A N/A

Low Density Tree Establishment 245 ha 100 ha



Improved Cropping Practices 58,299 ha 56,896 ha


Native Vegetation Re-establishment N/A N/A

Salt Tolerant Pastures Establishment 80.91 ha 147 ha


N/A N/A

N/A – Activity not undertaken*Native vegetation protection including areas where pest plant (weeds) and pest animal (rabbit control) activities were undertaken. Also includes sand dune reclamation to reduce soil drift into neighbouring native vegetation with high biodiversity value and fencing to exclude stock.

2.8 Constructing salt interception works

The [former] Commission will construct and operate new joint (partner Government funded) salt interception works to protect Basin-wide assets and values, including the shared water resources of the Murray and Darling Rivers. This will provide protection beyond the benefits from simply meeting end-of-valley targets, based upon agreed cost sharing and benefit allocation principles. The benefits will continue to include salt disposal entitlements to offset the impacts of future actions that aggravate salinity.

Victoria continues to support the BSMS Strategy through the operation, investigation and construction aspects of salt interception programs.

2.8.1 OperationsA summary of Victoria’s salt interception works is provided below and in Table 2-15.

Barr Creek Drainage Diversion Scheme:The Barr Creek Drainage Diversion Scheme has been effective in reducing base salt loads in the River Murray by diverting drainage flows and intercepted saline groundwater from the Barr Creek catchment to the Tutchewop Disposal Basins. The 2014/15 period has seen the scheme operate according to the agreed rules, diverting 5,629 ML of drainage water containing approximately 21,051 tonnes of salt to the disposal basins.

Mildura-Merbein Salt Interception Scheme:The original Mildura-Merbein SIS was built in the 1970s and 1980s to intercept groundwater discharge to the River Murray caused by local groundwater mounds that developed as a result of irrigation practices and associated drainage water management practices. This scheme was officially decommissioned in 2012.

Mildura-Merbein SIS has now been refurbished and commenced operation in 2014/15. 1,021ML of groundwater with a corresponding salt load of 64,016 tonnes was intercepted in 2014/15.

Pyramid Creek Groundwater Interception Scheme:The Pyramid Creek Groundwater Interception Scheme intercepts saline groundwater that would have otherwise discharged to the Pyramid Creek.


Previously this salt caused significant negative impacts upon the North Central Region’s agricultural production, the environmental attributes of the Ramsar listed Kerang Lakes, and downstream River Murray water users.

1,159 ML of groundwater with a corresponding salt load of 28,964 tonnes was intercepted in 2014/15. These flows were diverted to constructed drainage basins from which salt is harvested by a private operator.

Table 2-15 Summary of Victorian Salt Interception Schemes

Salt Interception Scheme Volume Pumped (ML)

Salt Load Diverted (Tonnes)

Average Salinity (EC) µS/cm

Pyramid Creek 1,159 28,964 41,769

Barr Creek 5,629 21,051 6,656

Mildura-Merbein 1,021 64,016 80,733

2.8.2 ConstructionNo construction activities in 2014/15.

2.9 Basin-wide accountability

The partner Governments will demonstrate accountability by reporting to the [former] Commission and Council through State end-of-valley Report Cards and [the former] Commission Salinity Registers that record the salinity effects of actions, including salt interception schemes and salinity and catchment management plans.

The Council will receive audits every five years for each valley and [the former] Commission Register entry, assessing impacts on river salinity and progress towards targets, with the provision to require further action as necessary.

2.9.1 MonitoringThe groundwater bore monitoring network established by DELWP in the mid-1980s continues to be an important source of long-term groundwater data for the region and is used to inform policy and program development. For example, DELWP integrates the data into landholder extension packages delivered across the catchment.

All regions continue to invest in groundwater and surface water monitoring. However, adjustments to monitoring programs have been made across the State, to reflect the reduced funding (cessation of the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality) and changing management arrangements (the new role of the BOM). North Central and Goulburn Broken CMAs have completed a strategic review and rationalised their monitoring networks.

The outcomes of the review will input into Victoria’s development of a monitoring program to support the implementation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

In 2014/15, Victoria invested approximately $2.5 million through DELWP on programs within the Murray-Darling Basin dryland areas to monitor, model and analyse groundwater and salinity trends, undertake research and investigations into dryland salinity, provide extension and training to landholders, and support on-ground works. This funding went to state and regional agencies, universities, Landcare groups and landholders.

North EastThe groundwater bore monitoring network established by the then Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in the mid 1980’s continues to be an important source of long term groundwater data for the region. The data is integrated into landholder extension packages delivered across the catchment and also to inform policy and program development. There are 18 bores monitored monthly and 200 bores are monitored quarterly.

In addition, surface water monitoring is undertaken at 59 stream sites. The data is used to gain a regional perspective of the regions surface water salinity and is used to target areas for on-ground works.

Goulburn BrokenRegional surface water and groundwater monitoring across the region continued. Within the SIR 17 surface drainage sites and around 1,600 shallow groundwater bores are monitored. Water monitoring within the Goulburn Broken region is adaptive and is managed in response to climatic conditions and changing needs. Systems have been developed to utilise the monitoring information collected to adaptively manage mitigation


activities. For example the operation of the Public Salinity Control groundwater pumps, which are a component of the Shepparton SMP Register A entry. The monitoring is also being used to assess the salinity impacts from modernising the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District.

North CentralRegional surface water and groundwater monitoring across the region continued. In the Loddon-Campaspe Irrigation Region of northern Victoria, data was collected from 367 groundwater bores and 26 surface water monitoring sites across the region. The data obtained from these sites feed into the BSMS modelling process.

WimmeraWimmera CMA conducts regular water quality monitoring at 22 long-term monitoring locations through the catchment. Further hydrologic data and continuous electrical conductivity data is derived though the Authorities participation in the Northern Monitoring Partnership. Wimmera CMA also conducts groundwater monitoring throughout the catchment and analyses groundwater level trends annually.

The cumulative impacts of the various threats facing the Wimmera River are most keenly felt as the river winds its way to its terminal lakes, Hindmarsh and Albacutya. Water quality is typically very poor, whether due to erosion and salinity issues upstream or from saline groundwater intrusions into the river channel itself. Stream flows are crucial in terms of diluting the salt and nutrients in the water as well as providing sufficient volumes to fill the terminal lakes. Monitoring of streamflow and salinity data through the Wimmera catchment provides ongoing information to better understand the nature of potential impacts.

Complementing Wimmera CMA monitoring, Jeparit Waterwatch has been in existence for well over a decade and the long record of water quality monitoring tells an important story that supplements the formal monitoring program. Poor water quality readings were measured during the drought, when salinity levels were talked about in terms of multiples of seawater salinity. These high salinity levels are too high to support a diverse fish population, with only a few species of very hardy macro invertebrates able to persist. More recently, improved salinity levels have been observed as a result of wetter conditions and increased environmental water releases. Despite this, water quality will continue to be an issue, and ongoing monitoring is an important management tool.

Victorian MalleeThe Mallee continues to monitor the salinity of groundwater and depths below ground surface together with irrigation drainage water salinity and drain flows through established monitoring programs that inform the Mallee CMA program objectives, including BSMS obligations.

A total of 514 groundwater bores are monitored annually under the Mallee CMA program, including 35 sites with groundwater level data loggers. Fifteen additional data loggers were installed in groundwater bores at the end of 2014/15 following a review of the groundwater monitoring data requirements to calibrate five of the six numerical Water Trade models. The loggers will collect continuous groundwater water level and salinity data, and have been installed in a selection of key indicator bores that illustrate the hydraulic connection between the shallow aquifers and the river.

Continuous monitoring of flow and salinity at 21 irrigation drainage monitoring sites was delivered under the State Regional Water Monitoring Partnership to ensure on-going high quality data collection to inform future BSMS five year reviews.

Groundwater Bore Improvement ProgramThe groundwater monitoring network is made up of bores that have been historically drilled under various investigative projects with multiple objectives spanning back to the early 1970s. These bores provide access to underlying aquifers often with salinity levels greater than sea water. No regular maintenance program has been employed to ensure the integrity of the groundwater bore or headwork structures.

An intensive investigation of the groundwater bore network current condition and data gaps was undertaken by the Mallee CMA in 2014/15. This investigation identified a number of bores requiring further investigation and maintenance activities that need to be undertaken to improve the confidence in the field data collected at these sites.

Annual land management survey of Mallee drylandThe Annual Land Management Survey of the Mallee is currently under review and was not undertaken by DEDJTR during 2014-15. Anecdotal information suggests that land management practices remain consistent with last financial year which followed similar seasonal conditions.


Environmental watering of Psyche Bend Lagoon and Woorlong WetlandsCommonwealth and State government funding delivered environmental water which has filled Psyche Bend Lagoon and produced regulated discharge of saline water to the river during the period July - October 2014, and again in May – June 2015. The objectives of the three year watering project were to improve the health of the floodplain areas near Woorlong Wetland and Psyche Bend Lagoon through:

• Refreshing lagoon waters;

• Improving vegetation health of surrounding Black Box community; and,

• Improving water quality and opportunity for Murray Hardyhead relocation

The 2014 flushing event exported up to 2,628 tonnes of salt from Psyche Bend Lagoon (CDM Smith 2015) during the period July - October 2014. The estimation of salt discharge for the second year of the three year environmental watering project is yet to be calculated.

This site will provide a test-case of the accountability framework for salinity impacts where by an existing accountable action under BSMS for Psyche Bend Lagoon will need to be unpacked from the salinity impacts associated from the two levels of environmental water holder. This action is scheduled for a five year review in 2015 and will use the monitoring information collected during the five discharge events since 2010 to re-evaluate the salinity impact estimates.

Environmental Water Management Plans (EWMP)EWMPs have been developed for 30 locations along the River Murray in the Mallee region. EWMPs identify important water dependent species and set ecological objectives for their protection and enhancement in the short to medium term. The plans design a suitable watering regime that would meet ecological objectives of the site. A potential side effect of environmental watering practices is the mobilisation of salt to the River Murray and ultimately an increase in River salinity. As such preliminary salinity impact assessments are being undertaken for ten sites in the Mallee where a salinity concern has been identified. These preliminary assessments quantify the impacts and guide the refinement of watering strategies so as to achieve environmental objectives while minimising salinity impacts. The assessments are due for completion in 2015.

2.9.2 Salinity registersDuring 2014/15 Victoria developed business cases for nine SDL offset projects, these were: Gunbower, Benwell Guttrum, Belsar-Yungera, Burra Creek, Hattah-Mallee, Lindsay Island, Nyah, Vinfera and Wallpolla Island.

The North Central and Mallee CMAs prepared the business cases on behalf of Victoria which included preliminary salinity impact assessments. These assessments were subject to a rigorous peer review through a panel of technical experts established and overseen by DELWP.

Consistent with the Manual for Victoria’s Salinity Accountability in the Murray-Darling Basin, the VSDWG reviewed and provided endorsement of the methodology used for the salinity impact assessments.

The SDL offset projects will be subject to further investigations if the business cases are approved including comprehensive salinity impact assessments.

North CentralStage 2 of the Kerang Lakes REALM Model upgrade project was completed to update the Model to simulate the operation of the VMMS and estimate salinity within the Torrumbarry system and in the River Murray. An updated version of the upgraded Kerang Lakes REALM Model was submitted to the MDBA for independent peer review of its suitability for use in assessing the VMMS and Kerang Lakes/ Swan Hill SMP and Woorinen Irrigation District Excision accountable actions.

Two preliminary salinity impacts assessments were completed for inclusion in the business cases for two projects under the Murray-Darling Basin SDL offset program. These are the upper Gunbower Forest and the Benwell and Guttrum Forests projects. The salinity impacts assessments considered the potential for the proposed environmental watering infrastructure and operating regimes to increase salt loads to the River. The assessments found that neither project will have a significant effect (i.e. impacts are less than 0.1 EC to the River Murray at Morgan). If the business cases are approved, works are estimated to take four years to complete and will be subject to the completion of further investigations (including refinement of the salinity impacts assessments) and approvals and community and stakeholder engagement.


Goulburn BrokenIn 2014/15, the Goulburn Broken CMA continued to work closely with the North Central CMA and the Goulburn-Murray Water Connections Project as part of the multi-agency working group, STAC. The working group addresses and works through salinity issues associated with irrigation modernisation in northern Victoria, such as the impacts of disposal of surface and groundwater back into modernised irrigation channels, which is an ongoing and significant issue for the Goulburn Broken region.

Matters addressed by STAC in 2014/15 included:

• revision of preliminary salinity assessments for the Goulburn-Murray Water Connections Project - Stage 1 and Stage 2 to incorporate the current level of implementation of the project. More detailed assessments of the project’s salinity impacts will be undertaken in conjunction with five-year reviews of existing State accountable actions, including the next five-year review of the Shepparton SMP, due in 2016. Victoria will continue to work toward providing a comprehensive assessment of the salinity impacts of the Connections Project, and working with the States and Commonwealth on resolving how to account for salinity impacts associated with the Basin Plan

• ensuring the ‘Realignment of Public Groundwater Pump Disposals from the Automated Channel System to Drains’ considered all salinity issues and minimised any potential salinity impacts in the River Murray.

Victorian MalleeThe Mallee CMA together with LMW and DELWP improved the accounting methodology for salinity reporting and progressed investigations into potential future accountable actions as follows:

• The Victorian Mallee Salt Procedures Manual was under review in 2014/15 with the final report due late 2015. Changes include: update of content with recent research/projects undertaken; more detail regarding the accountable action including outcomes from the 5-year reviews; the inclusion of the Mallee Salinity Workshop (2012) papers; and, the Mallee CMA Operation, Maintenance and Monitoring Plans to support Basin Salinity Management Strategy accountable actions (2012).

• AUL application reports are now automatically generated from the Victorian Water Register. The methodology to identify accountable increases and decreases in Water Use Licence (WUL)-AUL and generate salinity impact estimations

for 2014/15 was reviewed and documented (with efficiencies in data collation and analysis identified); and, incorporated into the Victorian Mallee Salt Procedures Manual.

• The Mallee regional salt register has been updated with revised salinity impact calculations and associated documentation to June 2015.

• Further refinement of the salinity impact estimates will be achieved through implementation of the monitoring programs designed to collect additional data that will address areas of uncertainty and conservatism. The application of the more sophisticated Basin Plan modelling tool is also expected to alter the quantum of salinity impact compared to the preliminary results using analytical methods.

• Preliminary salinity impact assessments were independently peer reviewed and included in the Supply Measure Business Cases for seven sites in the Mallee region where supply measures have been proposed by Victoria to offset water recovery under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

Supply Measure Business Cases were developed for the following seven sites in the Mallee:

• Lindsay Island Floodplain Management Project

• Wallpolla Island Floodplain Management Project

• Hattah North Floodplain Management Project

• Belsar-Yungera Floodplain Management Project

• Burra Creek Floodplain Management Project

• Nyah Floodplain Management Project

• Vinifera Floodplain Management Project.

The preliminary salinity assessments considered the potential for the nominated watering regimes to increase the salt loads moving to the River Murray, thereby increasing downstream salinity and salt loads as measured at Morgan in South Australia.

While salinity impact estimates were calculated, they are considered to be preliminary in that they were designed to provide an upper bound of salinity impact by assessing scenarios of greatest duration, extent and frequency of inundation. The salinity impact estimates are likely to be less than those described in the Business Cases once mitigation strategies for environmental watering are refined, and River dilution flows are fully explored and adopted to reduce the magnitude of the salinity impact.

Further refinement of the salinity impact estimates will be achieved through implementation of the


monitoring programs designed to collect additional data that will address areas of uncertainty and conservatism. The application of the more sophisticated Basin Plan modelling tool is also expected to alter the quantum of salinity impact compared to the preliminary results using analytical methods.

2.9.3 Five-year reviewsTable 2-16 is a summary of the status of rolling five-year reviews of Victorian State Accountable actions as stated on the BSMS Register A as at 25 September 2014. This table also includes a summary of review activities undertaken in the 2014/15 and/or due to be undertaken in the 2015/16 reporting period.

Table 2-16 Status of BSMS Register A rolling five-year reviews of Victorian State Accountable Actions in 2014/15

Victorian State works and measures Last Review

Review Due

Status

Barr Creek Catchment Strategy 2013 2018 Review not due until 2018.

Tragowel Plains Drains at 2002 level 2013 2018 Review not due until 2018.

Shepparton SMP 2008 2016 Victoria requested to delay the review until 2016. Review commenced in 2014/2015.

Nangiloc-Colignan SMP 2013 2018 Review not due until 2018.

Nyah to SA Border SMP - Irrigation Development

2013 2018 Review not due until 2018.

Kerang Lakes/Swan Hill SMP 2010 2015 This five-year review is scheduled to commence in 2015/16 and will be considered alongside the assessment of the new Victorian Mid-Murray Storages Register A entry.

Campaspe West SMP 2010 2015 Review is scheduled to commence in 2016.

Psyche Bend 2011 2016 Review is scheduled to commence in 2016.

Permanent Trade Accounting Adjustment - Victoria to SA

2005 N/A One off adjustment. Five-year review not required.

Woorinen Irrigation District Excision 2010 2015 This five-year review is scheduled to commence in 2015/16 and will be considered alongside the assessment of the new Victorian Mid-Murray Storages Register A entry.

Mallee Drainage Bore Decommissioning 2013 2018 Review not due until 2018.

Sunraysia Drains Drying up 2011 2016 Review is scheduled to commence in 2016.

Lamberts Swamp 2011 2016 Review is scheduled to commence in 2016.

Church’s Cut Decommissioning 2010 2015 Review is scheduled to commence in 2015/2016 and will be undertaken in conjunction with the Pyramid Creek SIS Review.

RISI - Stage 1 Vic 2010 2015 Review commenced in 2014/15.


North EastThe next 5 year review will be undertaken in 2016, assessing the years between 2011 and 2015.

Goulburn BrokenIn 2011/12 Victoria applied to the MDBA to extend the next Register A five-year review of the SIR LWMP, due in 2013, until 2016 based on the following reasons:

• unresolved tail water accounting – Victoria and NSW are due to begin work on the Irrigation Salinity Accountability Framework, which will address inconsistencies in tail water accounting between the States

• large scale footprint change in catchment conditions due to modernisation – accredited models will need to be revised to capture irrigation system reconfiguration however, supply system modernisation will not be complete until 2018

• the Shepparton SMP is recorded on Register A as a low risk entry.

The Goulburn Broken CMA is now preparing to undertake the modelling for the Five-Year Review of the SIR LWMP, for submission to the MDBA in 2015/16.

North CentralPreliminary actions have been undertaken for the Barr Creek Catchment Strategy (BCCS) five-year review, as an accountable action under Schedule B to the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement (Schedule B). Barr Creek is recorded on the Murray-Darling Basin Salinity Registers as a 7.7 EC credit (MDBA 2014). The next five year review for the BCCS is due in 2018.

A workshop was held in May 2015 as a midpoint or preliminary review point. The objective of the workshop was to develop a clear path forward for the approach to the five year review to be undertaken, based upon the available data set, a contemporary understanding of the previous assessment of salinity impacts undertaken through multivariate analysis approach, and the collective wisdom of experienced practitioners who have been involved in the BCCS over many decades.

A consensus position from attendees at the workshop was that the scope of the upcoming five year review should be constrained to the actions directly arising from the BCCS. In parallel, a comprehensive monitoring program should be in place to ensure that the necessary data is

available to inform a broader assessment of the salinity impact of the full suite of land and water management actions.

As part of the 5-year review assessment and description should be more comprehensive documentation of the conceptual framework of salt movement and discharge in the catchment under current conditions. This will include an expansion of the description of the changes in catchment management and operation that were outlined in workshop papers. Founding the five year review on a strong evidence base was recommended.

Victorian MalleeIn 2014/15, a BSMS Five Year Rolling Review of Register A item Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impacts: Stage 1 was initiated. The five year review is being undertaken in partnership with NSW and is overseen by a steering committee consisting of all agencies with a stake in the Eastern Mallee Model 2.3 suite, including the MDBA. The Mallee CMA is providing project management support and is due for completion late 2015. This review will strengthen the confidence in the EM model by collating available data (new/updated data and existing data); and, extending the model datasets to 2014 (for calibration purposes). The period of the Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impact (RISI) Stage 1 Accountable Action will remain for the time period 1988 to 2007.

In 2015/16 the following five year reviews are scheduled to be undertaken pertaining to the Mallee:

• Legacy of History (Irrigation and Dryland)

• Psyche Bend Lagoon

• Drying Up of the Drains

• Lamberts Swamp.

Register B Five-Year ReviewsVictoria is up-to-date with Register B five-year reviews. Five-year reviews of the Victoria Mallee Legacy of History—Dryland and Victoria Mallee Legacy of History—Irrigation entries are scheduled to commence in 2015/2016.


3 Valley report cardsThis chapter provides salinity and flow information for the 2014/15 reporting year, for each Victorian valley for which an EOVT has been adopted.

3.1 IntroductionThe BSMS annual reporting requirements are outlined in Schedule B to the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement and also the BSMS Operational Protocols Version 2.0 (MDBC, 2005). Each year a Valley Report must be prepared for each valley for which an EOVT has been adopted. Table 3-1 compares Annual Valley Report card content and content provided in this annual report.

Table 3-1 Annual Valley Report card content (as per the Operational Protocols, MDBC, 2005, p. 47 and the content provided in this annual report)

Annual Valley Report card content Content provided in this Annual Report

End-of-valley salinity assessed salt load and flow regimes under baseline conditions and modelled over the benchmark period.

End-of-valley salinity assessed salt load and flow regimes under baseline conditions are reported in Table 2-1 (in Section 2.3 – Setting salinity targets).

A description of expected delayed salinity impacts on salinity, salt loads and flow and the EOVT site for the years 2015, 2050 and 2100, assuming that the land and water management regime as at 1-Jan-2000 continues indefinitely into the future.

See Section 2.3 for information on the status of EOVT review. See Section 2.9.3 for status of delayed salinity impacts five-year review.

The agreed EOVT for salinity and salt load. The agreed EOVT for salinity and salt load are also reported in Table 2-1 (in Section 2.3 – Setting salinity targets).

A report on the progress achieved in the implementation of the Program of Actions designed to meet the adopted EOVT.

Not available. See Section 2.3.

Details of any reviews that have taken place during the year.

The last review of Victoria’s EOVT was conducted in 2011. Victoria’s EOVT are due for review, however Victoria does not intend to commence this process until the new salinity strategy (BSM2030) and the parallel process to review and update Schedule B has been completed.

The need to reconsider the future role of state EOVTs was raised in the General Review of Salinity Management 2014 (Section 2.3.1). This matter is being addressed as part of the development of BSM2030. The role of EOVTs will need to be considered in the context of Basin Plan policy, the development of regional water resource plans, and the need to mitigate the effects of salinity on local assets.


3.2 Recorded stream salinities in 2014/15Annual salinity and salt loads in 2014/15 at EOVT sites were compared to the salinity targets. This information is provided for reference purpose only. Actual compliance and progress in achieving EOVTs is assessed using daily flow and salinity models of the relevant valleys over the twenty five year benchmark period from 1975 to 2000. Therefore the salinity and salt loads estimates for any one year do not indicate whether an EOVT has been achieved.

The results (presented in Table 3-2 and Figure 3-1 to Figure 3-8) indicate that the median salinity in the Ovens, Kiewa, Goulburn and Wimmera were below the end-of-valley median target during the 2014/15 reporting year. Median salinities in the Broken, Campaspe and Loddon Rivers for 2014/15 exceeded those of the respective values for EOVT. The implications of these exceedances for River Murray salinities were minor because the tributary flows were diluted by the much higher flows of the River Murray.

Table 3-2 Comparison of annual salinity and salt loads to end-of-valley targets in the 2014/15 reporting period


End-of-Valley Targets(as absolute value assessed over

the Benchmark Period, 1975-2000)

2014/15 monitoring results Comparison of monitoring results to End-of-Valley

Target value


Salt Load (t/yr)


Salt Load (t/yr)


Salt Load7 (t/yr)

Median (50%ile)

Peak (80%ile)


Peak (80%ile)

Total Median (50%ile)

Peak (80%ile)

Total

North East

Ovens Ovens River @ Peechelba-East

403241 72 100 54,000 59 75 28,000 Compliant Compliant Compliant

Kiewa Kiewa River @ Bandiana


Goulburn Broken Goulburn Goulburn River @ Goulburn Weir

405259 99 - - 58 99 35,300# Compliant - -

Broken Broken Creek @ Casey’s Weir

404217 141 - - 146##* 161## 7,800# Non-Compliant

- -

North Central

Avoca Avoca River @ Quambatook

408203 2,096 - - No data^ No data^ 0^ N/A N/A N/A

Loddon Loddon River @ Laanecoorie

407203 711 - - 738^* 811^ 21,000^ Non-Compliant

- -

Campaspe Campaspe River @ Campaspe Weir

406218 412 - - 555^* 598^ 23,900^# Non-Compliant

- -

Wimmera Wimmera Wimmera River @ Horsham Weir

415200 1,380 1,720 31,000 877^ 969^ 6,900^ Compliant Compliant Compliant

Mallee Vic Mallee Zone River Murray @ Lock 6

426200 +15EEC8 - - ^^

Guide to table:^ Missing data due to instrument damage or

conditions outside of instrumentation threshold- where feasible, data is interpolated using available data for salt load calculations;

# Salt load calculated using flow and salinity (EC) from downstream gauging station;

## Salinity data from downstream gauging station; * Salinity exceeded target, but should not be deemed

a threat to the River Murray, ^^ The target relates to Victoria’s contribution to river

salinity throughout the entire Mallee zone. This contribution is assessed using the EM2 model, rather than modelled surface water salinity.


Table 3-2 Comparison of annual salinity and salt loads to end-of-valley targets in the 2014/15 reporting period


End-of-Valley Targets(as absolute value assessed over

the Benchmark Period, 1975-2000)

2014/15 monitoring results Comparison of monitoring results to End-of-Valley

Target value


Salt Load (t/yr)


Salt Load (t/yr)


Salt Load7 (t/yr)

Median (50%ile)

Peak (80%ile)


Peak (80%ile)

Total Median (50%ile)

Peak (80%ile)

Total

North East

Ovens Ovens River @ Peechelba-East


Kiewa Kiewa River @ Bandiana


Goulburn Broken Goulburn Goulburn River @ Goulburn Weir

405259 99 - - 58 99 35,300# Compliant - -

Broken Broken Creek @ Casey’s Weir

404217 141 - - 146##* 161## 7,800# Non-Compliant

- -

North Central

Avoca Avoca River @ Quambatook

408203 2,096 - - No data^ No data^ 0^ N/A N/A N/A

Loddon Loddon River @ Laanecoorie

407203 711 - - 738^* 811^ 21,000^ Non-Compliant

- -

Campaspe Campaspe River @ Campaspe Weir

406218 412 - - 555^* 598^ 23,900^# Non-Compliant

- -

Wimmera Wimmera Wimmera River @ Horsham Weir

415200 1,380 1,720 31,000 877^ 969^ 6,900^ Compliant Compliant Compliant

Mallee Vic Mallee Zone River Murray @ Lock 6

426200 +15EEC8 - - ^^

The streamflow and salinity data for some of these rivers was incomplete due to conditions outside of the instrumentation threshold, interference to monitoring infrastructure and faulty instrumentation. These periods of limited data were predominately of short duration and were infilled using interpolation techniques. However, at the Avoca EOVT reporting site there were extended periods with little or no flow. It is not possible to monitor salinity levels during these cease to flow periods, and it can be concluded that the total salt load from the Avoca River to the River Murray was low given the low flows.

Salt loads for Kiewa, Ovens and Wimmera rivers (t/yr) were below the median target for 2014/15.

Median salinity levels in the Kiewa, Goulburn and Wimmera have declined compared to 2013/14 observations. The salt loads for the Ovens, Kiewa, Broken, Loddon and Wimmera declined compared to 2013/14, reflecting the combined influence of salinity and flow conditions on this metric.

7 Where flow and/or EC data is missing, salt load calculations for EOVTs has required interpolation of available data.8 Equivalent Electrical Conductivity – refer to Basin Salinity Management Strategy Operational Protocols Version 2.0, Murray-Darling Basin

Commission, Figure 4, pg. 100.


3.3 Flow and salinity plots

Figure 3-1 Available flow and salinity record for Kiewa River @ Bandiana, 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

Figure 3-2 Available flow and salinity record for Ovens River @ Peechelba-East, 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015


Figure 3-3 Available flow and salinity record for Broken Creek @ Casey’s Weir9, 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

Figure 3-4 Available flow and salinity record for Goulburn River @ Goulburn Weir10, 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

9 Broken Creek EOVT site (404217) does not measure EC; EC data was sourced from a downstream gauge (404224).10 Goulburn River EOVT site (405259) does not measure daily flow. Annual flow data was sourced from a downstream gauge (405200).


Figure 3-5 Available flow and salinity record for Avoca River @ Quambatook11, 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

Figure 3-6 Available flow and salinity record for Campaspe River @ Campaspe Weir12, 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

11 Avoca River EOVT site (408203) had zero flow in 2014/1512 Campaspe River EOVT site (406218) does not measure daily flow. Flow data was sourced from a downstream gauge (406202).


Figure 3-7 Available flow and salinity record for Loddon River @ Laanecoorie, 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015

Figure 3-8 Available flow and salinity record for Wimmera River @ Horsham Weir, 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015


4 Response to Independent Audit Group Salinity

4.1 Response to the recommendations of the 2013/14 auditVictoria’s responses to the Independent Audit Group (IAG) 2013/4 are documented in Table 4-1.

Table 4-1 Victoria’s response to the IAG 2013/14 recommendations

IAG Recommendation Victoria’s Response

IN ORDER PRESENTED IN REPORT

Recommendation 1: CommunicationIn the final year of the BSMS, in the lead-up to the endorsement by the Ministerial Council of the new BSMS 2030, jurisdictions and the MDBA should:• develop a succinct summary of the success of

the BSMS covering both environmental benefits and the economic benefits including the level of regional development which was made possible by the BSMS; and

• hold a forum where the MDBA, jurisdictions and their delivery partners can showcase key achievements of their BSMS implementation programs.

Victoria supports this recommendation. The BSMS, its predecessor the Salinity and Drainage Strategy and the collaborative inter-jurisdiction approach to their implementation, have made a substantial contribution to protecting the shared resources of the Basin, and provide a valuable model for natural resource management.Victoria notes that the IAG has highlighted the attendance of Victoria’s CMA at the 3rd International Salinity Conference held in California, presenting on the long-term benefits and successes of salinity management at a regional level. Victoria is prepared to participate in a wider exposure of its achievements if requested by the Authority.



Recommendation 2: General Approach to BSMS 2030In the development of BSMS 2030, the following key points should be considered:a) The benefits provided by the BSMS should be

built upon and not lost.b) The BSMS 2030 should be built around the Basin

salinity target at Morgan as a target for the shared water resources with the EoVTs acting as watch points for tributary inflows and incorpo-rated into Water Resource Plans (WRPs).

c) A risk-based, cost-effective and adaptive ap-proach should be undertaken in reviewing BSMS elements including:i. SIS operationsii. continuous improvement arrangements for

modelling, data and knowledge generationiii. audit and reporting.

d) The salinity registers are the agreed ‘point of truth’ providing a clear statement of the agreed impacts of measures and actions taken by jurisdictions that will either mitigate salinity or increase it and its likely future effects. They should be retained in Schedule B as a key element in the BSMS 2030 and include all relevant and material actions

e) In designing reporting, review and auditing arrangements, consideration should be given to ensuring these are cost-effective but frequent enough to require knowledgeable and ongoing capability within jurisdictions and the MDBA, providing the basis for ‘institutional memory’ given the long term cyclical nature of salinity

f) Uncertainty in our knowledge of the salinity and management processes should be recognised and where cost-effective, knowledge should be improved.

Victoria supports the intent of this recommendation and the continuation of effective elements of the current BSMS. Victoria is of the view that the approach to developing the future salinity strategy and its elements are matters to be addressed by the BSM2030 Steering Committee.Victoria supports a role for EoVT in future salinity management (Recommendation 2 (b)), but it should be highlighted that current understanding indicates the risk to shared re-sources from many tributaries are low. Also, some EOVTs may not form effective watch points for tributary inputs as salinities and salt loads measured at these sites do not necessarily have a significant impact on salt loads observed at Morgan and other monitoring sites relevant to assessing shared im-pacts.Victoria notes that, Schedule B and the associated Operational Protocols now provide for a risk-based, cost-effective and adaptive approach to salinity management (Recommendation 2 (c)) and would support the concept being given higher focus within BSM2030. Changes to Schedule B and the Protocols may be warranted to give effect to this approach and to add support to the principle that efforts and programs of actions to combat salinity are directed toward addressing significant risks.Victoria notes that Recommendation 2 (a) to (f) covers many aspects that are now contained, and in some cases are mandated actions, within Schedule B.



Recommendation 3: BSMS 2030 Operational Protocolsa) Following the development of BSMS 2030, the

BSMS Operational Protocols are revised to ensure they give effect to the new policy framework. In this revision, particular attention should be given to the appropriateness of the benchmark period, the baseline, the use of models and defining risk and uncertainty.

Victoria supports this recommendation in principle, noting that Recommendation 8 addresses the benchmark period, Recommendation 9 addresses modelling and Recommendation 10 addresses baseline conditions in more detail. Victoria cautions that, as these elements are linked within the overall modelling and management framework, then separate reviews of individual components would be unwieldy and may lead to inconsistent outcomes.Victoria would not oppose a review of the appropriateness of the benchmark period, the baseline, the use of models and defining risk and uncertainty, as part of BSM2030, provided that the review was undertaken in a coordinated manner, having regard to the new suite of targets in the Basin Plan and the recovery of environmental water under the Basin Plan, and undertaken in the context of the transition to the Source Modelling platform. The suitable timing for alteration of the benchmark period and baseline and the alignment of this alteration with the transition to the Source Modelling platform should be a matter for consideration in the development of BSM2030.Victoria notes that the benchmark period, the baseline, the use of models and defining risk and uncertainty are matters set out in Schedule B, and hence the assessment of these items is a matter for Schedule B rather than the Protocols.



Recommendation 4 – Environmental Water a) separate register entries on Register A for all Basin

Plan water recovery projects which are likely to have a salinity impact as per the normal processes under the BSMS

b) a provisional entry on Register A for the delivery of environmental water recovered to date under the Basin Plan. Further work would then be undertaken over the next five year period to finalise the register entry including updating the final volume as required

c) a process for adding separate register entries for any additional significant environmental works that are built as a result of the operation of the adjustment mechanism

d) that BSMS 2030 includes the policy framework for the ownership and accounting of salinity debits and credits associated with environmental water recovery, delivery and works operation.

Victoria supports the need to recognise the salinity impacts of environmental water actions on the Salinity Registers. The net impact of environmental water on salinity will be positive however in the absence of accountability arrangements, the level of this benefit is uncertain thus risking poorly informed policy and budget decisions on the joint salinity program. Victoria is of the view that the policy framework for accountability and of environmental water including the items raised in Recommendation 4 (a) to (d), is a matter to be addressed by the BSMS 2030 Steering Committee.Victoria feels that the wording of Recommendation 4 (a) warrants further discussion. Within Victoria, water has been recovered from irrigation areas through the water market, delivery infrastructure upgrades, on-farm efficiency improvements and closure of some irrigation schemes. The impact on salinity of these recovery actions is the same irrespective of the fate of the water, either for environmental or commercial uses. The jurisdictions working collectively under the guidance of BSMS 2001-2015 have developed approaches to irrigation reform based on catchment boundaries, local land and water imperatives, and catchment community approaches. Victoria is of the strong belief that the present process, that allows for the grouping of actions of a similar nature on Register A, is working well and can be equally applied to water recovered for environmental use.

Recommendation 5 – Salt Interception SchemesIn the development of BSMS 2030, consideration is given to taking a risk-based, responsive approach to the manage-ment of SISs that aims to reduce the operational costs of the management of SISs whilst still providing confidence in meeting the Morgan target over the long-term. This should take into account:• the efficiency of schemes and the consequences

of closing systems down for periods of time;• the costs of running the scheme versus its

effectiveness in reducing salinity impacts;• the costs and timeliness of restarting systems

versus the potential impacts over time of not operating the system; and the practicality of running SIS in a responsive way.

As per Recommendation 2, Victoria supports a risk-based cost-effective approach to SIS management, and notes this approach is currently enabled by Schedule B and the Protocols. Victoria is of the view that the role of the BSMS 2030 Steering Committee is to considered strategic issues for SIS management and that the dot points listed in Recommendation 5 are largely technical and operational matters which can be addressed under current arrangements. These matters would be more appropriately addressed by River Murray Water than BSMS 2030.Victoria suggests that the second sentence and associated dot points in Recommendation 5, should be amended to read ‘The following (the four dot points) should be brought to the attention of River Murray Water, for evaluation and action where appropriate’.



Recommendation 6 - Redefining EoVTs for BSMS 2030The EoVTs provide useful reference points for salinity management and understanding and:a) EoVTs should continue into the future but should

be revised for BSMS 2030 in light of a better understanding of salinity within valleys and where appropriate should be linked to requirements of local assets, which is consistent with a risk based approach

b) The EoVTs should be included, in some form, in water resource plans

c) The protection of local catchment assets should be considered in WRPs. Assets located in high salinity impact sub-catchments should be identified and included as part of the reporting process, noting that additional salinity monitoring sites may need to be included to support this reporting

d) The effectiveness of EoVTs should be reviewed on a 5 yearly basis and where required adjusted.

Victoria supports the intent of this recommendation but is of the view that the BSMS 2030 Committee is the appropriate forum for providing strategic direction about the role of the EoVTs in future salinity management.Victoria’s view is that EoVTs and associated monitoring sites are integral to salinity management in the Basin. Monitoring of salinity and salt loads at EoVT sites has provided essential information in understanding salinity processes and in informing decisions to focus investment away from upper catchments to areas of higher need, such as irrigation expansion in the Mallee.As a first step, the Review pursuant to Clause 9(1) of Schedule B (SKM 2014, Phase 1 Report), should be progressed by Basin Salinity Management Advisory Panel (BSMAP) under existing arrangements. This process should be completed before the process of further review or redefining of the EoVTs is commenced.Victoria is of the view that in any transition to revised EoVTs, there needs to be clear evidence these represent an improvement compared to existing EoVTs. Formulation of refined targets should incorporate assessment of contemporary monitoring information, updated computer modelling and consultation with catchment management organisations. Sound justification should be provided for adjustment to either EoVT levels or sites. The EoVT sites provide the only long-term data against which climate change, cyclical and long-term salinity impacts originating in the tributaries and in some cases the impact of environmental watering actions, is able to be evaluated.



Recommendation 7 - Implementing a risk-based approach to Register entriesa) To support a risk based salinity assessment,

register entries should include a qualitative uncertainty assessment

b) Recognising the uncertainty in register entries, new register entries including their supporting models should be reviewed in 5 years

c) Review of established debit and credit register entries (post initial 5 year review) including their supporting models should be reviewed on the following basis:i. For high risk entries (i.e. entries with high

impact (1 EC or more) and high uncertainty) where there is a change in salinity processes or there is new data - retain the 5 year review

ii. For high risk entries (i.e. entries with high impact (1 EC or more) and high uncertainty) where there is no change in salinity processes or no new data - move to a 7 year review

iii. For all other entries (i.e. low risk entries with small impact (<1 EC) or high risk entries with low uncertainty) – require internal reporting and consider the need for reviews as part of a major program review of BSMS 2030.

d) Consolidation of small stable register entries

Victoria supports Recommendation 7 in principle, but is of the view that the detail of a more risk-based approach to the register entries is an issue to be considered and addressed by the BSMS 2030 Steering Committee. Victoria would support a proposal for an assessment of the feasibility and benefits of a qualitative uncertainty assessment, noting that:a. Register entries are now accompanied by

a subjective assessment of the level of confidence.

b. The present judgement-based assessment could be improved through the provision of more comprehensive guidance by the MDBA.

c. The concept of effort being commensurate with risk should be applied.

Recommendation 7 (b) to (d) are levels of detail that should form part of an assessment of the concept of a qualitative uncertainty assessment and other matters relevant to Recommendation 7 (a).

Recommendation 8 - Benchmark periodThe BSMS benchmark period should be reviewed prior to the commencement of BSMS 2030 and a decision made by BOC as whether the benefits of changing the benchmark period outweigh the costs.

Victoria supports Recommendation 9 in principle.Victoria supports the intent that MDBA be requested to provide a detailed overview of the matters raised in Recommendation 9 (a) to (d). BSMAP is an appropriate forum to confirm the scope of the work required to resolve and clarify the sequencing issue. The outcome of the review should be made available to the jurisdictions, as well as the IAG.



Recommendation 9 - BigMod model reviewIn the review of BigMod:(a)The MDBA provide advice on the way that

cumulative actions are configured in BigMod. Particular consideration should be given to:i. The chronological order of entries and

alignment with the current BSMS operational protocols (MDBC, 2005)

ii. Detail how reviews in register entries are implemented in the model.

(b)Given that the BSMS Operational Protocols (March 2005) are not clear on how to include reviews of salinity actions in the register, the model review should consider the sensitivity to the following interpretations of how to implement the register review changes:i. Initial entry updated for the change

(Chronological order not changed)ii. Change included at the time of the review

(Chronological order maintained for the change)

iii. Revised salinity included at the time of the review (Chronological order changed to review date).

(c) Given the likelihood of changes to operational practices of SISs in the future, the model review should provide advice on the adequacy of Big-Mod to be used for operational decisions, in particular the adequacy of the results from the model to inform the operation of salinity interception schemes

(d)The BigMod Review should be made transparent to the IAG-Salinity auditors.

Victoria supports Recommendation 9 in principle.Victoria supports the intent that MDBA be requested to provide a detailed overview of the matters raised in Recommendation 9 (a) to (d). BSMAP is an appropriate forum to confirm the scope of the work required to resolve and clarify the sequencing issue. The outcome of the review should be made available to the jurisdictions, as well as the IAG.

Recommendation 10 - BSMS Baseline In the development of BSMS 2030, consideration is given as to whether there is a need to set a new baseline date at the commencement of BSMS 2030, and potentially at the commencement of any future BSMS stages.

Victoria agrees in principle that the need to set a new baseline date is a matter for consideration in the development of BSMS 2030. However, Victoria would be unlikely to support any modification to the baseline date and conditions, outside of a comprehensive and integrated review of the appropriateness of the benchmark period, the baseline, the use of models and defining risk and uncertainty, as set out in Victoria’s response to Recommendation 3.



Recommendation 11 - Coordinated development of models to support BSMS 2030BSMS 2030 provides some overall direction on the development of the next generation of models for salinity management to facilitate a consistent approach to model development and their underlying conceptual basis.

Victoria supports the need for BSMS 2030 to provide direction on the development of the next generation of models. In undertaking this task the BSMS 2030 steering committee should consider the following matters:a. The transition from MSM BigMod to the

Source Platform may be complex and have impacts for existing and future Register values. Until then, MSM BigMod is the only model accredited as fit-for-purpose for use in adjusting Register entries, and it may be some time before Source is accredited for the purpose of Register adjustments.

b. Whilst MSM BigMod is now being used to evaluate the new suite of targets in the Basin Plan, the model is being used outside the configuration for which it is accredited. Whilst this might not have a material impact, the IAG should address this aspect with the Authority and have its response noted.

c. The confidence in estimates against the new suite of targets in the Basin Plan is likely to be lower than the confidence around predictions of the Schedule B targets, especially in situations where its use is outside the calibration of the model, such as at Burtundy and the Milang where data is less comprehensive than for example at Morgan.

The level of confidence in the prediction of salinity impacts associated with environmental watering should be formally addressed.

Recommendation 12 - Monitoring In the development of BSMS 2030, consideration is given to requiring jurisdictions to identify monitoring stations that are critical in providing data for:• BSMS 2030 reporting• Modelling reviewsImproving understanding of salinity processes in high priority areas of the Basin and that these stations are provided with policy status to ensure they are maintained as jurisdictions review their monitoring networks in the future.

Victoria supports the intent of this recommendation and its further consideration by the BSMS 2030 Steering Committee. Victoria emphasises that monitoring and model development are large items of expenditure and that there is potential for gains in efficiency and effectiveness to be achieved through strategically linking the two items.



Recommendation 13 – Audit and Reporting ProcessesIn the development of BSMS 2030, consideration is given to:• Maintaining annual reporting on the registers

through to the Ministerial Council• Moving, in principle, to a biennial Inde-pendent

Audit process (noting there may be utility in some annual audits over the early transition period)

• Changing the format of the audit process to provide a shared jurisdiction session for continuous improvement processes

• Holding a jurisdictional workshop biennially to share information, issues and best practice

Stream-lining reporting between the BSMS 2030 and the Basin Plan

Victoria supports the intent of this recommendation and agrees that BSMS 2030 is the appropriate forum for reviewing auditing and reporting processes. At this stage Victoria is of the view that:a. the impetus to implement the strategy may be

compromised by a change to biennial audits and that focusing the scope of the audit to core matters for compliance would be a better approach to reducing administration burden

b. changes to a system of shared jurisdictional workshops may not aid the audit process, or reduce costs. Such workshops, if needed, are more aligned to the role of the BSMAP

c. the important role for BSMS 2030 is to stream-line reporting between Schedule B and Basin Plan salinity obligations, rather than stream-lining reporting between the BSMS 2030 and the Basin Plan as a whole the roles and responsibilities of the Authority and IAG need to be more clearly defined. For example, the prime focus for the IAG Salinity is to carry out an annual audit of actions taken under Schedule B and the Salinity Registers, whereas it is the role of the Authority to report on progress under Schedule B and the Basin Salinity Management Strategy.

Recommendation 14 – 2015 BSMS Audit a) the Terms of Reference for the final audit in 2015

should ensure that it is aimed only at closing off the BSMS and is not as detailed as previous audits; and

b) consideration be given to linking it to a forum where the MDBA, jurisdictions and their delivery partners can showcase key achievements of their BSMS implementation programs.

Victoria notes that audits occur under Schedule B. As Schedule B will continue in its present form until such time as it is modified, the IAG 2015 Audit should not be considered as a final Audit. While supporting a less detailed approach to the audit for 2015, Victoria is of the view that 2015 Audit should be conducted consistent with the requirements of Schedule B.Victoria would support the IAG 2015 Audit being undertaken in the context of the 15 years of the BSMS 2001-2015.Victoria supports Recommendation 14 (b) and would participate in showcasing key achievements of their BSMS implementation programs.



Recommendation 15 – Maintaining Institutional Memory, Capacity and CapabilityThe IAG-Salinity recommends that in the development of the BSMS 2030, consideration is given to embedding processes and incentives that will ensure that capacity and capability in salinity management is maintained within the MDBA and the jurisdictions.

Victoria supports this recommendation in principle and the need for BSMS 2030 to consider mechanisms to maintain institutional memory, capacity and capability. The strategy should also be cognisant of the need to support regional and community capacity and capability to maintain current controls and respond effectively to periods of higher salinity risk.Victoria suggests that the establishment of a comprehensive library of documents central to the processes outlined under BSMS 2001-2015 and the associated Schedule B by MDBA would assist in achieving the intent of this recommendation. The library would consist of hard copy and digital copies of technical reports, meeting minutes, audit reports etc.The forum recommended in Recommendation 14 is relevant to this recommendation.

Recommendation 16 - CSG Salinity Impactsa) in BSMS 2030, potential is provided to ensure that

the impacts of CSG development on salinity within the Basin are broadly monitored and if and where necessary, are able to be managed within the new framework for salinity management

b) with respect to CSG water in Queensland• In the next review of their Beneficial Use policy,

Queensland should address a policy gap that omits salinity from consideration in approvals of new irrigation development.

• Queensland should adequately monitor potential salinity hazards arising through irrigation associated with CSG which will require a better combined monitoring database.

The potential cumulative impacts of irrigation associated with CSG in Queensland needs to be assessed to determine if it is a threat to the Basin salinity program

Victoria supports Recommendation 16 (a) and notes that 16 (b) is largely a matter for the Authority to address with Queensland.


5 ReferencesABS (2010), 4610.0.55.008 - Gross Value of Irrigated Agricultural Production, 2009-2010.

ABS (2011), 75030DO002_200910. Value of Agricultural Commodities Produced, Australia, 2009–10.

ABS (2012), 4610.0.55.008 - Gross Value of Irrigated Agricultural Production, 2010-11.

ABS (2013), 4610.0.55.008 - Gross Value of Irrigated Agricultural Production, 2011-12.

ABS (2014), 4610.0.55.008 – Gross Value of Irrigated Agricultural Production – 2012-13. (http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/DetailsPage/4610.0.55.0082012-13?OpenDocument, Accessed: 03/08/2015).

AWE (2013), Mallee Groundwater Monitoring 2013. Final report to Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Mildura.

AWE (2015) Mallee CMA Groundwater Monitoring Program 2015 Report. Australian Water Environments, Adelaide.

BOM (2013), http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/. Website accessed 15/08/2013.

BOM (2015) http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=139&p_display_type=dataFile&p_startYear=&p_c=&p_stn_num=076031 Website accessed 03/08/2015.

CDM Smith (2015), Mallee Catchment Management Authority: Review of Discharge Operations at Psyche Bend Lagoon, July – August 2014. CDM Smith, Fortitude Valley, QLD.

DEDJTR (2014), Table Grape Cooling Systems and Associated Natural Resource Management Risks. DEDJTR, Mildura

DEDJTR (2015), Victoria’s Salinity Provinces (http://vro.depi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/lwm_salinity-provinces)

DPI (2009), AVS Mapping the Mallee Saline Land Stage 3, Classifying Mapped Salinity 2009. Victorian Government, Department of Primary Industries.

DPI (2012), Goulburn Broken Catchment Legacy of History Salt Impacts, 2011 Register B- Five-year Review, Victorian Government, Department of Primary Industries, Melbourne.

DSE (2009), Northern Region Sustainable Water Strategy. Victorian Government, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.

DSE (2011a), Victorian Salt Disposal Working Group Terms of Reference. April 2011

DSE (2011b), Victorian Salt Disposal Advisory Group Terms of Reference. April 2011

DSE (2011c), Manual for Victoria’s Salinity Accountability in the Murray-Darling Basin. Victorian Government, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne.

DSE (2012), Soil Health Strategy. Protecting Soil Health for Environmental Values on Public and Private Land. Victorian Government, Department of Sustainability and Environment, pp 33.

LCC (1987), Report on the Mallee Area Review. Land Conservation Council, pp 465.

Mallee CMA (1993), Nyah to the South Australian Border Salinity Management Plan. Mallee Catchment Management Authority.

Mallee CMA (2011), Victorian Mallee Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan. Mallee CMA, Mildura.

Mallee CMA (2013a). Mallee Regional Catchment Strategy 2013-19. Mallee CMA, Mildura.

Mallee CMA (2013b). Mallee Salinity Workshop May 30, 2012: Chapter 4 – Dryland salinity drivers and processes. Prepared by Jon Fawcett, Sinclair Knight Merz for Mallee CMA, 2012.

Mallee CMA (2014), Mallee Irrigation Status report 2013-14. Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Mildura pp32.

Mallee CMA (2015), Salinity impact of irrigation development in the Victorian Mallee – 2014-15. Mallee Catchment Management Authority. Pp 43.

MDBA (2013), http://riverdata.mdba.gov.au/sitereports/414203c/mdba_414203c_site_report.html Website accessed 16/08/2013.

MDBC (2005), Basin Salinity Management Strategy Operational Protocols Version 2.0. Murray-Darling

Basin Commission.

MDBMC (1999), The Salinity Audit of the Murray-Darling Basin: A 100 year Perspective, Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council.

MDBMC (2001), Basin Salinity Management Strategy 2001-2015, Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council.

http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs%40.nsf/DetailsPage/4610.0.55.0082012-13%3FOpenDocument%2C%20Accessed:%2003/08/2015



http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/

http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/

http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av%3Fp_nccObsCode%3D139%26p_display_type%3DdataFile%26p_startYear%3D%26p_c%3D%26p_stn_num%3D076031%20Website%20accessed%2003/08/2015





NCCMA (2011), Loddon Campaspe Irrigation Region Land and Water Management Plan. North Central Catchment Management Authority, Bendigo.

NECMA (1997), North East Salinity Strategy. North East Catchment Management Authority.

NECMA (2007), North East Salinity Action Plan. North East Catchment Management Authority.

NECMA (2009), North East Sustainable Irrigation Action Plan. North East Catchment Management Authority.

NECMA (2013), North East Regional Catchment Strategy. North East Catchment Management Authority.

NLWRA (2008), National Land and Water Resources Audit. Australian Government (http://www.nlwra.gov.au).

Ogyris (2012), Trends in native vegetation condition: an assessment of two long term Mallee environmental datasets. Unpublished report, Mallee Catchment Management Authority. August 2012.

REM (2005), Identification of key environmental assets of groundwater threats, Mallee CMA region, Final, Resource and Environmental Management. Mallee Catchment Management Authority.

SKM (2001), Mallee Region Salt Impact of Water Trade. A Proposed Method for Accounting for the EC Impacts of Water Trade in the Victorian Mallee. Final report by Sinclair Knight Merz for Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

SKM (2005), End of Valley Salinity Targets for Victoria. Sinclair Knight Merz for the Department of Sustainability and Environment.

SKM (2006), Shepparton Irrigation Region Salinity Audit. Audit Report. Final, Sinclair Knight Merz for Goulburn-Murray Water (SKM Job No. WT01910.104).

SKM (2008), Reforecast Groundwater Trends in the Mallee Region for 2030 and 2050. Final report to the Mallee Catchment Management Authority, July 2008.

SKM (2010a), Dryland Salinity Contribution to the Murray. Refinement of the reforecast groundwater trends in the Mallee region for 2030 and 2050. Final report to the Mallee Catchment Management Authority, December 2010.

SKM (2010c), Update of Mallee CMA Region SDE Register: Revised Salinity Impact of New Irrigation Development in 2007/08 and 2008/09, Sinclair Knight Merz for Mallee Catchment Management Authority (SKM ref: VW04778).

SKM (2011), Victorian Mallee Salt Procedures Manual. Final report for Mallee Catchment Management Authority, May 2011.

SKM (2013a), Review of Murray-Darling Basin End-of-Valley Targets, Phase 1 report, Final report to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, October 2013.

SKM (2013b), Review of Murray-Darling Basin End-of-Valley Targets, Phase 2 report, Final report to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, October 2013.

Sonogan, R (2015), The Mallee Farmer, Issue 08 Autumn 2015. Mallee Seasonal Outlook.

SunRISE 21 (2012), Irrigated Horticulture Crop Report.

Final report to the Mallee Catchment Management Authority, July 2012.

WCMA (2005), Wimmera Regional Salinity Action Plan 2005-2010. Wimmera Catchment Management Authority, Horsham, Victoria.

WMIS (2015), Water Measurement Information System (http://data.water.vic.gov.au/monitoring.htm, Accessed: 05/08/2015)

http://www.nlwra.gov.au

http://www.nlwra.gov.au


Appendix A. Acknowledgements

Table 5-1 Key information providers to Victoria’s BSMS Annual Report 2014/15

Region Contact name and organisation

Goulburn Broken Carl Walters Goulburn Broken CMA, TaturaJames Burkitt Goulburn-Murray Water, Tatura

North Central Tim Shanahan and Joel Spry North Central CMA, Huntly

Wimmera Joel Boyd Wimmera CMA, Horsham

Mallee Deidre Jaensch Mallee CMA, Mildura

North East Natalie Dando North East CMA, Wodonga

Salt Interception Works Paul Saunders Goulburn-Murray Water, Kerang

Land Health Dugal Wallace, Anja George and Greg Turner Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources

Sustainable Irrigation Maggie Xipolitos and Susan Ryan Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning


Appendix B. Shepparton Irrigation Region calculation assumptions

B.1 Assumptions regarding the progressive total salinity debitsThe following are comments that should be noted regarding the current MDBA BSMS Register A entry for the Shepparton Salinity Management Plan (SMP) line item:

• The current Register A entry (MDBA Salinity Register as at 25/9/2014) of 1.4 EC impact represents the level of implementation at 30 June 2008. It does not include impacts of works installed since then.

• Winter disposal from private groundwater pumps was ceased in 2007 and was endorsed by BSMAP for removal as a component of the Shepparton SMP action in 2011. This reduced the register entry to 1.4 EC based on 2007/08 levels of development. Given that the scenarios used for the 2007/08 levels of development assessment did not allow for a breakdown of the individual activities/components of the SSMP, a proportioning approach was used, as the assumptions used were not changed since the previous five-year review.

• Estimates for the progressive total salinity debits in the Goulburn Broken CMA region presented in this Annual Report were obtained using the ready reckoners determined during the previous SKM (2006) assessment of review data. This assessment indicated that there is a net credit impact due to the installation of primary and community surface drains.

• The impacts estimated for this Annual Report include the works installed since 30 June 2008.

B.2 Assumptions regarding salinity debits by program component

Surface-Water Management Schemes – Primary and CommunityThe SKM (2009) data indicates that the surface water management program has an impact of -0.58 EC as at June 2009. This was previously recorded as 0.51 EC prior to the SKM (2006) review. As such, it is now a credit and not a debit. Subsequently salinity credits are allocated to completed works based on an estimated impact of 0.00084 EC per kilometre of primary or community drain constructed. Note that

a primary drain only appears on the asset register when ownership is transferred from the CMA to GMW.

Public Groundwater pumpsThe SKM (2009) data estimated the cost of the public groundwater pumps to be 1.83 EC as at June 2009. The salinity debits created by public groundwater pumps is calculated assuming that 75 per cent of the groundwater pumped ‘in season’ is re used, and all ‘out of season’ pumping (if river flow flows are sufficient for disposal to occur) reaches the River Murray.

The salinity debit of the public pump program has been estimated using:

• The actual flow rate and groundwater salinity for each pump;

• The estimated proportion of pumped groundwater that reaches the river; and

• An impact relationship of 1 EC at Morgan for every 5,260 tonnes per year of salt disposed to the river.

Private Horticulture Protection WorksThe SKM (2009) data estimated the cost of the private horticultural protection works to be 0.17 EC as at June 2004. Salt credits are allocated to low yielding private groundwater pumps and tile drainage systems that have been installed for the protection of horticultural crops. Owners pump to the regional drainage system to lower water tables that would otherwise threaten crops. A disposal salt load for each system is calculated based on the estimated volume that needs to be pumped during a wet season and the groundwater salinity. All of the groundwater pumped is assumed to reach the River Murray, and credit uptake is estimated using an impact relationship of 1 EC at Morgan for every 5,700 tonnes per year of salt disposed to the river.

NOTE: The cost of the Shepparton program is conservatively estimated at $240,000/EC.


Appendix C. Salinity impact of new irrigation development in the Victorian Mallee Appendix C can be found at




Appendix D. Confidence rating for Register A entries

Table D 1 Confidence Rating Approach for Victoria’s Register A entries (see Table D for explanatory notes)

Model Assessment

Register Entry Allocated Salinity Credits

Salinity debits*

Assessment Method

Type &/or Name

Model Status Length & Quality of Data Record

Confidence in Assumptions

Last Reviewed

Comment Confidence Rating

Confidence Rating Impact

Goulburn Broken CMA

Surface Drainage 8.9 -0.6 Modelling Simplified Physical Process Model“SIR Salt Disposal Audit Model”

Approved Good High Completed in 2006/07, relates to 2003/04

Reasonable certainty in magnitude of estimate, and likely to be conservative.An interim review was undertaken in 2011 and the five-year review is now due for submission in 2016.

Low Low

Sub-surface Drainage 2.00 Modelling Approved Good High Low Low

Sub Total 8.9 1.4

* As recorded on BSMS Register as at 25/09/2014


Model Assessment


Salinity debits*

Assessment Method

Type &/or Name



Last Reviewed



Goulburn Broken CMA

Surface Drainage 8.9 -0.6 Modelling Simplified Physical Process Model“SIR Salt Disposal Audit Model”

Approved Good High Completed in 2006/07, relates to 2003/04

Reasonable certainty in magnitude of estimate, and likely to be conservative.An interim review was undertaken in 2011 and the five-year review is now due for submission in 2016.

Low Low

Sub-surface Drainage 2.00 Modelling Approved Good High Low Low

Sub Total 8.9 1.4

* As recorded on BSMS Register as at 25/09/2014


Model Assessment


Salinity debits*

Assessment Method

Type &/or Name



Last Reviewed



North Central CMA

Tragowel Plains Drainage 0.2 Modelling Multiple Linear Analysis

Approved Good for flow and salinity, Poor re spatial distribution of changed irrigation water use

High 2013 High Low

Woorinen Irrigation District Excision

0.8 Modelling using 25 year Kerang Lakes Model, and River Murray Model

Kerang Lakes REALM Model (1975-2000)

Approved Good (to Excellent)

High 2010 The Kerang Lakes REALM model is being updated to include new operating conditions. The updated model will be used in the next 5-year review.

High Low

Kerang Lakes/Swan Hill SMP (Lake Charm Flushing)



Approved Excellent High 2010 Refer to Woorinen comments

High Low

Campaspe West SMP (Subsurface Drainage & Groundwater Disposal)

0.3 Monitoring and inputs into MDBA River Murray Model

N/A Approved (MDBA Murray River Model)

Excellent High (to Medium)

2010 High Low

Sub Total 10.1 2.9


Model Assessment


Salinity debits*

Assessment Method

Type &/or Name



Last Reviewed



North Central CMA

Tragowel Plains Drainage 0.2 Modelling Multiple Linear Analysis

Approved Good for flow and salinity, Poor re spatial distribution of changed irrigation water use

High 2013 High Low

Woorinen Irrigation District Excision



Approved Good (to Excellent)

High 2010 The Kerang Lakes REALM model is being updated to include new operating conditions. The updated model will be used in the next 5-year review.

High Low

Kerang Lakes/Swan Hill SMP (Lake Charm Flushing)



Approved Excellent High 2010 Refer to Woorinen comments

High Low

Campaspe West SMP (Subsurface Drainage & Groundwater Disposal)

0.3 Monitoring and inputs into MDBA River Murray Model

N/A Approved (MDBA Murray River Model)

Excellent High (to Medium)

2010 High Low

Sub Total 10.1 2.9


Model Assessment


Salinity debits*

Assessment Method

Type &/or Name



Last Reviewed



Mallee CMA

Psyche Bend Lagoon 0.6 - Modelling Constant average salt load

Approved Good Medium 2011 Medium Low

Sunraysia Drains Drying Up 0 - Modelling Hydrogeological Modelling – Monthly Time Step


Lamberts Swamp 0 - Modelling Hydrogeological Modelling – Monthly Time Step

Approved Good High 2010 High Low

Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impact

0 - Modelling MODFLOW model - Eastern Mallee Model version 2.3 (EM2.3)

Approved Good Medium N/A New entry to register in 2010 Medium Low

Mallee Drainage Bore Decommissioning

0 0 Modelling Tol Tol and Bumbang MODFLOW & Boundary Bend – Hydrogeological Modelling

Approved Poor Low 2013 The absence of sufficient monitored drain flow data in the last 5-year review resulted in a change to the status of the entry to “provisional” and “low confidence”. The provisional status will remain until monitoring has been reinstated.

Low Low

Nangiloc-Colignan SMP – Drainage

1.7 0.4 Modelling Observation of historic records and statistical modelling

Approved Excellent High 2013 High Low

Nyah to South Australian border SMP – irrigation development

15.9 15.3 Modelling HIZ/LIZ method underpinned by analytical groundwater model

Approved Excellentdata updated to 2013

High 2013 The last 5-year review compared the approved analytical model against a numerical model which indicated that the salinity impact recorded on the register is over conservative. Mallee CMA will consider developing a new model for assessing irrigation development in the region which will more accurately estimate impacts and result in a reduced debit.

Medium Medium


Model Assessment


Salinity debits*

Assessment Method

Type &/or Name



Last Reviewed



Mallee CMA

Psyche Bend Lagoon 0.6 - Modelling Constant average salt load


Sunraysia Drains Drying Up 0 - Modelling Hydrogeological Modelling – Monthly Time Step


Lamberts Swamp 0 - Modelling Hydrogeological Modelling – Monthly Time Step

Approved Good High 2010 High Low

Reduced Irrigation Salinity Impact

0 - Modelling MODFLOW model - Eastern Mallee Model version 2.3 (EM2.3)

Approved Good Medium N/A New entry to register in 2010 Medium Low

Mallee Drainage Bore Decommissioning

0 0 Modelling Tol Tol and Bumbang MODFLOW & Boundary Bend – Hydrogeological Modelling

Approved Poor Low 2013 The absence of sufficient monitored drain flow data in the last 5-year review resulted in a change to the status of the entry to “provisional” and “low confidence”. The provisional status will remain until monitoring has been reinstated.

Low Low

Nangiloc-Colignan SMP – Drainage

1.7 0.4 Modelling Observation of historic records and statistical modelling

Approved Excellent High 2013 High Low

Nyah to South Australian border SMP – irrigation development

15.9 15.3 Modelling HIZ/LIZ method underpinned by analytical groundwater model

Approved Excellentdata updated to 2013

High 2013 The last 5-year review compared the approved analytical model against a numerical model which indicated that the salinity impact recorded on the register is over conservative. Mallee CMA will consider developing a new model for assessing irrigation development in the region which will more accurately estimate impacts and result in a reduced debit.

Medium Medium


Model Assessment


Salinity debits*

Assessment Method

Type &/or Name



Last Reviewed



Lindsay Island – river operations13

2.0 0 In development N/A N/A State allocation against the changed river operations at Lindsay Island of 2EC are to be preserved until further modelling is undertaken.

N/A N/A

Sub Total 2 15.7

Total 39.24 20.1

13 Not yet an accountable action on the BSMS Register


Model Assessment


Salinity debits*

Assessment Method

Type &/or Name



Last Reviewed



Lindsay Island – river operations13

2.0 0 In development N/A N/A State allocation against the changed river operations at Lindsay Island of 2EC are to be preserved until further modelling is undertaken.

N/A N/A

Sub Total 2 15.7

Total 39.24 20.1


Table D 2 Explanatory notes for Confidence rating for Register A entries

Column Name Options Comment

Assessment Method ModellingMonitoring

Refers to the method used to make the most recent assessment of impacts.

Modelling Assessment - The four columns under this heading are provided to allow a description of the modelling process. An N/A should be placed in these columns where monitoring is used to assess the impact of the entry.

Type &/or Name Examples only:GAM/Multi-variable regression

Refers to the type or classification of model and if appropriate the common name by which the model is recognised

Model Status ApprovedPendingNot Approved

Refers to whether the model has been considered by the BSMS IWG and received approval as being fit for purpose, or is going through this process.

Length & Quality of Data Record

Excellent GoodPoorNone

Refers to availability, quality and length of record of flow and salinity data for model calibration and testing.Excellent: 20 yrs. of both data sets; Good: 5 to 15 years of both data sets; Poor: Limited records of one/both data sets available; None: No data available.


HighMediumLow

High: In general the impact of assumptions are known to be conservativeMedium: There is some uncertainty about the impact of assumptionsLow: The impact of assumptions is largely unknown

Last Reviewed - Date of last review

Comment - Add any additional/explanatory information that significantly impacts on overall confidence rating

Confidence Rating HighMediumLow

High: The magnitude of the entry is known with a high degree of certaintyMedium: Some uncertainty exists with respect to the magnitude of the entryLow: The magnitude of the entry is uncertain

Impact of confidence rating

HighMediumLow

High: Uncertainty associated with the entry is likely to impact on Victoria’s available EC creditsMedium: Uncertainty associated with the entry may impact on Victoria’s available EC creditsLow: Uncertainty associated with the entry is unlikely to impact negatively on Victoria’s available EC credits

www.delwp.vic.gov.au

http://www.delwp.vic.gov.au

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