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WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE NSW BORDER RIVERS REGULATED RIVER WATER SOURCE 2009 - APPENDIX 2

WATER SHARING PLAN FOR THE NSW BORDER RIVERS REGULATED RIVER WATER SOURCE 2009 - APPENDIX 2

Appendix 2

Performance indicators for the Water Sharing Plan for the NSW Border Rivers Regulated River Water Source
Performance indicator Related objective As measured by: Commentary
(a) Change in ecological condition of the water source and dependent ecosystems. clause 10 (a) clause 10 (c) • Monitoring of ecological response to changed flow regimes, by IMEF (each water source will have specific hypotheses from the set developed under IMEF).• Other relevant studies as may be undertaken in specific water sources. • IMEF tests a number of hypotheses to indicate how elements of river ecology respond to different aspects of the flow regime (including EFRs, irrigation flows, and floods and wetland connectivity).
(b) Change in low flow regime clause 10 (a) clause 10 (c) • Number of days per water year where flow is below natural 95 th and 80 th percentiles.• Average and maximum number of days per water year of continuous periods of flow which is below natural 95 th and 80 th percentiles.• Measurement at end of system and specified key sampling sites. • Government's River Flow Objectives (RFOs) 1 and 6.• Analysis would need to incorporate reference to seasonal indicators.• Long term modelling will reflect the influence of climate on flows.• Appropriate data relating to flow distribution, such as summer/winter cropping balance, agronomical practices, on farm storage development, management and operation of environmental releases etc.• Baseline audit should be the modelled WSP scenario (rather than natural flows).
(c) Change in moderate to high flow regime clause 10 (a) clause 10 (c) • Number of days per water year where flow is above natural 30 th 15 th and 5 th percentiles.• Average and maximum number of days per water year of continuous periods of flow which is above natural 30 th, 15 th and 5 th percentiles.• Measurement at end of system and other key sampling sites in this water source. • RFO 3
(d) Change in water quality clause 10 (d) • Assessment and statistical analysis of key water quality parameters, and relationship to flow. • The rules of this Plan will contribute to a long term change in water quality by affecting flow regimes and flow management to address issues such as algal management.• There are many non-water sharing plan related factors that affect water quality (eg land-based activities and thermal pollution).
(e) Extent to which basic landholder rights requirements have been met clause 10 (f) • Basic rights allowances made according to plan provisions/implementation program requirements.• Flows adequate to meet basic rights requirements (taking into consideration allowances for delivery). • Basic rights usage figures in water sharing plans are estimated volumes (not actual use).• Basic rights represents a very small proportion of water extraction in regulated systems.
(f) Extent to which local water utility and major utility requirements (where major utilities are involved in urban water provision) have been met. clause 10 (b) • Percentage of years that reserves were adequate to satisfy urban water requirements.
(g) Change in economic benefits derived from water extraction and use clause 10 (e) • Change in regional gross margins versus annual total extractions based on year 1 benchmarks (as represented in IQQM).• Movement of water to higher value crops as measured by increases in area and/or water extracted by these enterprises versus lower value uses.• Change in unit price of water transferred.• Annual total volume of access licence transferred (ML) in each water year. • There are many factors affecting economic status of a region, for example commodity prices, other sources of water (eg groundwater).• The PI is intended to isolate as much as possible the effects of water availability and price on the gross margin returns at a regional level.• Assessment undertaken as part of plan performance monitoring will make assumptions to attempt to identify the impact of provisions of this Plan.
(h) Extent of recognition of spiritual, social and customary values of water to Aboriginal people. clause 10 (h) • Assessment of amount and type of information collected to identify the range of values of water to Aboriginal people.• A study shall be prepared by 2011 that realistically engages with the local Aboriginal communities to determine what values they place on the Border Rivers environment and the river features that are of significance to them. • The collection of information on the values associated with water is considered the first step in addressing the objects of the Act. It would be expected that at the end of 5 years there should be relevant information collected for each water source, as a minimum requirement.
(i) Extent to which native title rights have been met. clause 11 (h) • Native title rights allowances made according to plan provisions/implementation program requirements.