THE relaxation of Murray-Darling Basin constraints is key to maintaining the sustainability of Riverland environmental health, according to a senior water management figure.
The Murray–Darling Basin Authority recently released its Constraints Relaxation Implementation Roadmap, aimed to assist Basin states to identify, develop, and implement measures to relax constraints to the delivery of water for the environment.
Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder (CEWH) Simon Banks said the roadmap would encourage co-operation between Basin states.
“I welcome the Murray–Darling Basin Authority’s Constraints Relaxation Implementation Roadmap released today,” Mr Banks said.
“This is a significant step towards governments progressing what is needed to achieve the best outcomes with water for the environment.
“Relaxing constraints in the Basin is vitally important to achieve sustained improvement in the health of the Basin’s floodplains and wetlands.
“This Roadmap means all relevant stakeholders can work towards removing some of the obstacles to get water for the environment to where it’s needed. We are seeking progress not perfection, and the release of this Roadmap gives direction and momentum to this important piece of the complex but critical work needed to implement the Basin Plan.”
Mr Banks said “while we have achieved incredible results from Commonwealth environmental water to date, delivery challenges and constraints still significantly limit the ability to connect rivers and floodplains in several valleys. These include… the Mid, and Lower–Murray.
“In some cases, even delivering elevated in-channel environmental flows are restricted,” he said.
“This is because constraints, including physical structures like bridges and roads, but also river rules, limit how much water can be delivered in-channel. This further reduces the extent to which we can improve the health of floodplains.
“As a result of constraints, the frequency and duration of environmental water requirements for many wetlands and floodplains are not met.
“The lack of connection between rivers and their floodplains also reduces food for, and limits the movement of, aquatic species, and increases the risk of hypoxic events that can be harmful to the environment. Progress can be made by taking early steps, which will enhance our results for water for the environment.”
Mr Banks said rule changes to enable held environmental water protected in the northern Basin to pass through Menindee Lakes to the southern Basin would support improved connectivity to maximise the results we can get from the Commonwealth’s environmental water.