ObjectivesandoutcomesforriveroperationsintheRiverMurraySystem
28April2016
Murray–DarlingBasinAuthority
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Objectives and outcomes for river operations in the River Murray System
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Title:ObjectivesandoutcomesforRiverOperationsintheRiverMurraySystem.
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Objectives and outcomes for river operations in the River Murray System
Contents
1.Preliminary
2.Commencement
3.Interpretation
4.General Objectives and Outcomes
5.Specific Objectives and Outcomes
6.Achieving Objectives and Outcomes
7.Referring instances of possible non-compliance to others
8.Referring conflicts between objectives to others
9.Emergencies
10.Annual Operating Plan
11.Determining the volume of State water entitlements
12.Reports
13.Matters to be referred for advice, information or determination
14.Matters to be referred to the Committee
15.Other matters to be referred to the Committee
16.Matters which need not be referred to the Committee if the Authority seeks the advice
of the Water Liaison Working Group
17.Matters which the authority need not refer
18.Providing relevant information
19.Review and revision
AppendixA:SpecificObjectivesandOutcomes...... 24
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Objectives and outcomes for river operations in the River Murray System
1.Preliminary
(1)Paragraph26(1)(c)andsub-clause31(1)oftheAgreementrespectively:
(a)empowertheCommitteetomakehighleveldecisionsinrelationtoriveroperationsandtosetobjectivesandoutcomestobeachievedbytheAuthorityinrelationtoriveroperations;and
(b)requiretheCommitteetoapproveadocumentwhichspecifiesthoseobjectivesandoutcomeseachyear,unlesstheCommitteedeterminesotherwise.
(2)Thisdocument:
(a)specifiescertaingeneralobjectivesandoutcomestobeachievedbytheAuthorityinclause4;and
(b)providesfortheCommitteeprogressivelytospecifyinAppendicesSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesrelatingtomatterssuchasthosespecifiedinclause5.
(3)Figure 1andFigure 2attheendofthisdocument,respectivelysetoutindiagrammaticformtherelationshipbetweenthisdocumentand:
(a)otherdocumentsofparticularsignificance;and
(b)othersupportingdocuments.
2.Commencement
(1)Subjecttosub-clause2(2),thisdocumenttakeseffectonthedayitisapprovedbytheCommittee.
(2)TheSpecificObjectivesandOutcomessetoutinanAppendixtothisdocumenttakeeffectonthedaythattheCommitteeapprovesthatAppendix,orsuchlaterdatespecifiedbytheCommittee.
3.Interpretation
(1)Definitions
Thefollowingdefinitionsapplyinthisdocumentunlessthecontextrequiresotherwise:
ActmeanstheWaterAct2007(Cth).
AgreementmeanstheMurray–DarlingBasinAgreement,Schedule1oftheAct.
AnnualOperatingPlanmeanstheAnnualOperatingPlanadoptedbytheAuthorityundersub-clause10(1)(a)foraparticularwateryear.
AuthoritymeanstheMurray–DarlingBasinAuthority.
BasinPlanhasthemeaningsetoutinsub-section4(1)oftheAct.
CommitteemeanstheBasinOfficialsCommittee.
emergencymeansanemergencythattheMinisterialCouncilhasagreedexists,forthepurposesofsub-clause29(3)oftheAgreement.
EmergencyActionPlanmeanstheEmergencyActionPlanreferredtoinsub-clause10(3).
generalobjectivemeansanobjectivesetoutin clause4.
generaloutcomemeansanoutcomesetoutinclause4.
LivingMurrayBusinessPlanmeansthebusinessplanagreedpursuanttoclause13oftheLivingMurrayIntergovernmentalAgreement.
LivingMurrayAnnualWateringPlanmeansthedocumentofthatnamedevelopedbytherelevantcommittee.
LivingMurrayIconSiteEnvironmentalWaterManagementPlanmeansalocalwateringplaninrespectofasignificantecologicalsite,referredtoinclause117oftheLivingMurrayBusinessPlan.
LivingMurrayIntergovernmentalAgreementmeanstheIntergovernmentalAgreementonAddressingWaterOverallocationandAchievingEnvironmentalObjectivesintheMurray–DarlingBasinof25June2004.
priorpracticemeanstheresolutions,practicesandproceduresoftheMinisterialCouncil,theRiverMurrayCommission,theMurray–DarlingBasinCommission,theCommitteeandoftheAuthorityunderwhichriveroperationswerecarriedoutundertheAgreementanditspredecessors,beforethecommencementofthisdocument.
Relevantcommitteemeansanyrelevantadvisorycommitteeincludingarelevantsection203CommitteeoranyotherrelevantcommitteeapprovedbyMinisterialCouncil.
ReviewGroupmeanstheIndependentRiverOperationsReviewGroupreferredtoinsub-clause12(3).
RiverMurrayOperationsCommitteemeanstheadvisorycommitteeofthatnameestablishedbyMinisterialCouncilundersub-clause15(1)oftheAgreement.
RiverMurraySystemhasthemeaningsetoutinsub-section86A(3)oftheAct.
RMOassetshasthemeaningsetoutinclause2oftheAgreement.
SnowySchemehasthemeaningsetoutinsub-clause2(32)ofScheduleFtotheAgreement.
SouthernBasinStatemeanseachofNewSouthWales,VictoriaandSouthAustralia.
SouthernConnectedBasinEnvironmentalWateringCommitteemeanstheadvisorycommitteeofthatnameestablishedbyMinisterialcouncilundersub-clause15(1)oftheAgreement,tosupporttheoperationalcoordinationofenvironmentalwaterdeliveryinthesouthern-connectedBasin.
specificobjectivemeansanobjectiveapprovedbytheCommitteeandspecifiedinanAppendix,pursuanttosub-clause6(3).
specificoutcomemeansanoutcomeapprovedbytheCommitteeandspecifiedinanAppendix,pursuanttosub-clause6(3).
StatewaterentitlementmeanstheentitlementofaStatetowater,determinedinaccordancewithPartXIIoftheAgreement.
WaterLiaisonWorkingGroupmeanstheadvisorycommitteeofthatnameestablishedbytheAuthorityundersubsection203(1)oftheAct.
waterorderhasthemeaningsetoutinsub-clause122(2)oftheAgreement.
waterresourceassessmentmeansawaterresourceassessmentreferredtoinsub-clause11(1).
wateryearmeansthetwelvemonthsfrom1Junetothefollowing31May.
(2)RulesforInterpretingthisdocument
Headingsareforconvenienceonly,anddonotaffectinterpretation.Thefollowingrulesalsoapplyininterpretingthisdocument,exceptwherethecontextmakesitclearthataruleisnotintendedtoapply.
(a)Thisdocumentmustbereadinconjunctionwithclauses30to35oftheAgreement.
(b)WordsandphrasesdefinedintheActthatarenototherwisedefinedinsub-clause3(1)havethesamemeaninginthisdocument.
(c)Areferenceto:
(i)legislation(includingsubordinatelegislation)istothatlegislationasamended,re-enactedorreplaced,andincludesanysubordinatelegislationissuedunderit;
(ii)adocumentoragreement,oraprovisionofadocumentoragreement,istothatdocument,agreementorprovisionasamended,supplemented,replacedornovated;
(iii)aclause,sub-clause,paragraph,sub-paragraphorAppendixisareferencetoaclause,sub-clause,paragraph,sub-paragraphorAppendixofthisdocument;and
(iv)anything(includingaright,obligationorconcept)includeseachpartofit.
(d)Asingularwordincludestheplural,andviceversa.
(e)Ifawordisdefined,anotherpartofspeechhasacorrespondingmeaning.
(f)Ifanexampleisgivenofanything(includingaright,obligationorconcept),suchasbysayingitincludessomethingelse,theexampledoesnotlimitthescopeofthething.
(g)AnAppendixtothisdocumentispartofthisdocument.
4.GeneralObjectivesandOutcomes
(1)Subjecttosub-clause30(1)oftheAgreementandclause6,theAuthoritymustachievetheobjectivesandoutcomesrequiredbythefollowingsub-clauses4(2)to(6),whenperformingitsriveroperationfunctions,butisnotrequiredtodosoinanyparticularorderofpriority.
(2)Waterstorageanddeliveryandaccounting
(a)Objectives
(i)TooperatetheRiverMurraySystemefficientlyandeffectivelyinordertodeliverStatewaterentitlements.
(ii)TomaximisethewateravailabletotheSouthernBasinStates,afterprovidingforoperatingcommitmentsintheRiverMurraySystem.
(b)Outcomes
(i)Theconservationofwaterandminimisationoflosses.
(ii)Theaccurateandtimelypreparation,delivery,reviewand,wherenecessary,amendmentofwateraccountsandwaterresourceassessments,inaccordancewiththisdocument.
(iii)ThedeliverytotheSouthernBasinStatesoftheirauthorisedwaterorders(includingwatertradedunderScheduleDoftheAgreement),unlessphysicalconstraintsoftheRiverMurraySystempreventthisfromoccurring.
(3)RMOassets
(a)Objectives
ToensurethatRMOassetsallowtheAuthoritytomanageanddeliverwaterthatisfitforthepurposeforwhichitistobeused,efficiently,effectivelyandsafely.
(b)Outcomes
(i)Theeffectivemanagement,maintenance,repair,renewalandreplacement,andtheprotectionofthesecurity,ofRMOassets.
(ii)TheeffectivemanagementandmitigationofanyemergencyoccurringatRMOassets.
(iii)ConductriveroperationsinwaysthatprotectthestructuralandoperationalintegrityofRMOassets.
(iv)Themanagementoffloodsinorderto:
- firstly,protectthesecurityofrelevantRMOassets;then
- secondly,tomaximisetheavailablewater,calculatedinaccordancewithclause102oftheAgreement,attheendoftherelevantfloodingepisode;andthen
- thirdly,subjecttotheforegoingitems,limitflooddamagetodownstreamcommunitiesandincreasebenefitstotheenvironmentandpublicamenity,forexample,byprolongingwetlandinundationorbysupportingrecreationalactivities.
(v)UseexistingandnewRMOassetstodeliverenvironmentalwatermoreeffectivelyandtoachieveenvironmentalobjectivesforwaterdependentecosystems.
(4)Peopleandcommunities
(a)Objectives
(i)TocontributetothesafetyofcommunitiesalongtheRiverMurray.
(ii)Tocontributeto,andhaveregardfortheeconomic,social,environmentalandculturalactivitiesandvaluesofpeopleusingtheRiverMurraySystem.
(iii)Theprovisionofwatertomeetcriticalhumanwaterneeds.
(b)Outcomes
(i)Productiverelationshipswithrivermanagers,usersandotherstakeholderswithaninterestinriveroperationsaremaintained
(ii)Consistentlywithsub-paragraph4(3)(b)(iv),damagetodownstreamcommunitiesislimited,whenmanagingflooding.
(iii)Eventsthatmayadverselyaffectthequalityofwateravailableforurban,irrigation,industrial,environmental,recreationalorstockanddomesticusearemitigated.
(iv)TherequirementsofmajorpubliceventsusingpartsoftheRiverMurraySystemareproperlyconsidered.
(v)NavigationalandrecreationalusesoftheRiverMurraySystemareproperlyconsidered.
(vi)Appropriateregardisgiventoculturalheritagematters.
(5)Environment
(a)Objectives
Tocontributetotheprotectionand,wherepossible,restorationofpriorityenvironmentalassetsandecosystemfunctionswithintheRiverMurraySystem.
(b)Outcomes
(i)Riveroperationsaremanagedinwayswhichimproveenvironmentalattributesandsupportecosystemfunctionsandprocesses.
(ii)Environmentalwateringactivitiesarefacilitatedhavingregardtothe environmental watering plans of the Commonwealth, The Living Murray, and Southern Basin States.
(iii)Theknowledge,documentaryandpracticebasesforeffectiveenvironmentalwateringareallimproved,togetherwithcollaborationbetweenrelevantstakeholdersrelatingtothesematters.
(iv)TheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupandanyotherrelevantcommitteereceivetimelyinformationaboutanysignificantactualorpredictedchangetotheRiverMurraySystem’swaterresources,inaccordancewithsub-clause15(5).
(v)Theriskofsignificantadverseenvironmentaleventsisreducedand,wheresuchaneventisunavoidable,itsimpactismitigated.
(vi)Riveroperationsaremanagedandoperationalpracticesreviewed,andifnecessaryaltered,toensurethatriverscanbemanagedtoachievemultipleobjectives.
(6)CommunicationandInformationmanagement
(a)Objectives
ToensurethattheAuthority,inoperatingtheRiverMurraySystem:
(i)usesthebestavailabledata,toolsandsystems;
(ii)keepsallstakeholderswithaninterestintheAuthority'sriveroperationswellinformedofitsplansandactivities;
(iii)actstransparently;and
(iv)isaccountableforitsactionsinaccordancewiththeAgreement.
(b)Outcomes
(i)TheMinisterialCouncil,theCommittee,theRiverMurrayOperationsCommittee,theWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,otherrelevantcommittees,otherstakeholderswithaninterestintheAuthority'sriveroperationsandthepublicareeachprovidedwithappropriate,timelyandaccurateinformationabouttheAuthority'sriveroperations.
(ii)AppropriateandeffectivemeansareusedtocommunicatewithstakeholdersandtorefermatterstotheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupandCommittee,inaccordancewiththisdocument.
(iii)AnyrecommendationsoftheCommitteeinrelationtotheestablishment,termsofreference,operationsorrecommendationsoftheReviewGroupareimplemented.
(iv)HydrometricstationsformingpartofRMOassets,asrequiredbyclause45oftheAgreement,aremanagedaccordingtobestpracticemethodstocollect,transfer,storeandassurethequalityofalldata,inaccordancewithanyrelevantagreementwithaSouthernBasinState,andsupportforecastingoffutureconditionsintheRiverMurraySystem.
5.SpecificObjectivesandOutcomes
(1)TheCommitteewill,duringthecurrentwateryearandthereafter,progressivelyspecifycertainSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesfortheAuthority'sriveroperationsinrelationtoanyorallof:
(a)adesignatedreachoftheRiverMurraySystem;
(b)adesignatedriveroperationactivity;
(c)anyRMOasset,
andmaydeterminetherelativeprioritywhichtheAuthoritymustgivetoachievinganyspecificobjectiveoroutcome.
(2)TheCommitteewillspecifyanymatterreferredtoinsub-clause5(1)inanAppendix.
(3)Subjecttoclause30(1)oftheAgreementandclause6,theAuthoritymustachievetheSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesspecifiedpursuanttothisclausewhenperformingitsriveroperationsfunctions.
(4)Withoutlimitingsub-clause5(1)or5(2),theCommitteemayprogressivelyspecifySpecificObjectivesandOutcomesfor:
(a)thefollowingreachesoftheRiverMurraySystem:
(i)UpperMurraytoHumeDam;
(ii)MittaMittaRiver,includingDartmouthDam;
(iii)HumeDamtoYarrawongaWeir,includingLakeMulwala;
(iv)YarrawongaWeirtoTorrumbarryWeir;
(v)TorrumbarryWeirtoEustonWeir;
(vi)TheEdwardsandWakoolRiverSystems;
(vii)EustonWeirtoWentworthWeir;
(viii)WentworthWeirtotheSouthAustralianborder,includingLakeVictoria;
(ix)SouthAustralianbordertoWellington;
(x)WellingtontotheMurrayMouth,includingLakesAlexandrinaandAlbert,thebarragesandtheCoorong;and
(xi)LowerDarling,includingMenindeeLakesandtheinteractionbetweentheLowerDarlingandtheGreatDarlingAnabranch
(b)thefollowingriveroperationactivities:
(i)managingtheinteractionbetweentheRiverMurraySystemandtheSnowyScheme;
(ii)carryingoutwaterresourceassessments;
(iii)preparingandmaintainingwateraccounts;
(iv)makingadjustmentsfortransfersofwaterentitlementsandallocationsunderScheduleDoftheAgreement;
(v)communications;and
(vi)operationoftheRiverMurraySystem.
(5)Subjecttoclause5(7),duringanyperiodbeforeSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesarespecifiedundersub-clause5(1)foranyreachoftheRiverMurraySystem,anyriveroperationactivity,oranyRMOasset,butnotthereafter,theAuthoritymustconductitsriveroperationsconsistentlywith:
(a)eachgeneralobjectiveandoutcome;and
(b)priorpractice,
inrelationtothatreachoftheRiverMurraySystem,riveroperationactivityorRMOasset.
(6)IftheAuthorityhasanydoubtaboutthenatureofpriorpracticeinrelationtoanyreachoftheRiverMurraySystem,riveroperationactivityorRMOasset,itmustseektheadviceoftheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup.
(7)Ifthereisaconflictbetween:
(a)ageneralobjective,generaloutcome,previouslyspecifiedobjectiveorpreviouslyspecifiedoutcome(eachanexistingrequirement);
AND
(b)priorpractice,
inrelationtoanyreachoftheRiverMurraySystem,riveroperationorRMOasset,theexistingrequirementmustbeobserved.
6.AchievingObjectivesandOutcomes
Eachgeneralorspecificobjectiveandoutcomespecifiedunderclause4or5includesaprovisionthatitmaybeachieved:
(1)onlybyactingatalltimesinaccordancewiththeAgreementandthisdocument;and
(2)withoutlimitingparagraph6(1),bydoingonlywhatisreasonablypracticableinallthecircumstances,aftertakingintoconsideration:
(a)whetherornoteachoftheSouthernBasinStateshasprovidedtheAuthoritywithtimelyandaccuratehydrometricandotherdatarequiredbytheAuthoritytoperformitsriveroperationseffectively;
(b)thehighvariabilityanduncertaintyoftheRiverMurraySystemrelatingto:
(i)weatherconditionsandassociatedfactors(suchasprecipitationandevaporationrates);
(ii)inflowstorivers;
(iii)useofwaterpursuanttowaterallocationsandbyotherusers;
(iv)carry-overofwaterallocationsbetweenwateryears;
(v)theinteractionof,andmovementofwaterbetween,groundwaterandsurfacewatersources;
(vi)thequalityofwater;
(vii)thedifficultyofaccuratelypredictinganyofthemattersreferredtoinparagraph6(b)(ii);
(viii)thetimethatwatertakestotravelandotherphysicalconstraintsoftheRiverMurraySystem;
(ix)rainfallandstreamflowforecastsbytheBureauofMeteorologyfortheRiverMurraySystem;and
(x)thesocialand/oreconomicconsequencesofparticularactivities.
(c)limitstotheaccuracyofhydrologicalmodels(suchasmodelsforwateraccountingandwaterresourceassessment)andofrainfallandstreamflowforecasts;
(d)uncertaintyaboutchangestothegeomorphologyofriverchannelsnearflowgaugingstations;
(e)theneedtoimplementparticularriveroperationsactivitiessuchasmaintainingorrefurbishingRMOassets;
(f)theoccurrenceofanyunforeseenevent;and
(g)uncertaintyabouttheenvironmentalconsequencesofparticularactivities(forexample,becauseofuncertaintyaboutecosystem,naturalbiologicalorbiophysicalprocesses).
7.Referringinstancesofpossiblenon-compliancetoothers
(1)If,afterconsideringthemattersreferredtoinsub-paragraphs6(b)-(g),theAuthorityconcludesthatitmaybeunabletoachieveanygeneralorspecificobjectiveoroutcomespecifiedunderclause4or5inaccordancewithclause6without:
(a)failingtoactinaccordancewiththeAgreementorthisdocument;or
(b)affectinganyStatewaterentitlement,theAuthoritymustreferthemattertotheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupforadvice.
(2)IftheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupsoadvises,theAuthoritymustreferthemattertotheCommitteeafterfirstseekingtheadviceoftheRiverMurrayOperationsCommittee.
(3)IfamatterisreferredtotheCommitteeundersub-clause7(2),theCommitteemayapprovetheAuthorityundertakingriveroperationsotherthaninaccordancewiththisdocument.
8.Referringconflictsbetweenobjectivestoothers
(1)IftheAuthorityconsidersthatitmaybeunabletoachieveoneormoreofthegeneralorspecificobjectivesoroutcomesspecifiedunderclause4or5,inwholeorinpart,becauseofaconflictbetweeneitherorbothofobjectivesandoutcomes,theAuthoritymustreferthemattertotheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupforadvice.
(2)IftheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupsoadvises,theAuthoritymustreferthemattertotheCommitteeafterfirstseekingtheadviceoftheRiverMurrayOperationsCommittee.
(3)IfamatterisreferredtotheCommitteeundersub-clause8(2),theCommitteemayapprovetheAuthoritygivingprioritytooneormoreconflictingobjectiveoroutcome,despiteanyotherrequirementof,ormadeunder,thisdocument.
(4)TheCommitteemayonlygiveapprovalundersub-clause8(3)afterconsideringallrelevantprevailingcircumstances(includingwhethergivingprioritytooneormoreconflictingobjectivemayhaveamaterialeffectonanyStatewaterentitlement).
(5)Sub-clause(1)doesnotprecludetheAuthorityfromseekingadvicefromanyotherrelevantcommittee.
9.Emergencies
(1)Inplanningandconductingriveroperations,theAuthoritymusthaveregardtothepossibilitythattheoccurrenceofanemergencymayrequiretheAuthorityimmediatelytorespondtothatemergency.
(2)IftheMinisterialCouncilagreesthatanemergencyexistspursuanttosub-clause29(3)oftheAgreement,paragraph29(3)(b)oftheAgreementauthorisestheMinisterialCounciltodecidethattheAuthorityshouldcarryoutriveroperationsotherwisethaninaccordancewiththisdocument.
(3)TheAuthoritymust:
(a)haveandmaintainanEmergencyActionPlan;and
(b)provideacopyoftheEmergencyActionPlan,asamendedfromtimetotime,totheCommittee.
(4)Exceptasprovidedinsub-clause9(2),inanemergencytheAuthoritymustconductitsriveroperationsinaccordancewiththeEmergencyActionPlan,aftertakingintoconsiderationanyrequestsmadetotheAuthoritybyanypersonauthorisedtoactunderanyemergencyordisasterplanadoptedbyaSouthernBasinState.
(5)Subjecttotherequirementsofsection86FoftheActandanydecisionoftheMinisterialCouncilundersub-clause29(3)oftheAgreement,ifduringanemergency:
(a)theAuthorityundertakesanyriveroperation,orfunctionrelatingtoriveroperations,thatisinconsistentwith,ornotprovidedforin,anyobjectivesoroutcomesspecifiedunderclauses4or5orintheAnnualOperatingPlanforthatwateryear;and
(b)theproposaltoundertakethatriveroperationorfunctionhasnotpreviouslybeenreferredtotheCommittee,
theAuthoritymustgiveawrittenreporttotheCommitteerelatingtoitsperformanceofthatriveroperationorfunctionassoonaspracticableandnolaterthanfiveworkingdaysaftertheriveroperationorfunctionwasperformed.
10.AnnualOperatingPlan
(1)PreparationandAdoption
(a)Onorbefore31 Julyineachwateryear,theAuthoritywillprepareandadoptanAnnualOperatingPlanfortheRiverMurraySystemforthe following twelve months.
(b)AnAnnualOperatingPlanwill:
(i)beconsistentwitheverydocumentreferredtoinFigure 1;
(ii)haveregardto the environmental watering plans of the Commonwealth, The Living Murray and Southern Basin States;
(iii)bepreparedbytheAuthorityafterconsideringadvicefromtheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupandanyotherrelevantcommitteesabouttheappropriatecontentofthedraftAnnualOperatingPlan;and
(iv)include:
(A)theanticipatedhydrologicalcircumstancesintheRiverMurraySystematthestartoftherelevantwateryear;
(B)hydrologicalassumptionsmadebytheAuthorityfortherelevantwateryear;
(C)theAuthority'sestimateofthevolumeofwateravailabletomeetthewaterentitlementofeachSouthernBasinStateatthestartoftherelevantwateryear(includinganyreservesofwaternotusedinthepreviouswateryear);
(D)theAuthority'sestimateofthevolumeofwaterrequiredtomeetotherparticularpurposesdesignatedbytheAgreement(suchasminimumreserves)duringtherelevantwateryear;
(E)theAuthority'sestimateofthevolumeofwateravailabletomeetthepurposesreferredtoinsub-sub-paragraph10(b)(iv)(d);
(F)anyrisktothequalityorquantityofwateravailabletomeetcriticalhumanwaterneeds;
(G)RiveroperationsplannedbytheAuthoritytobeundertakenduringtherelevantwateryear(includingriveroperationsforenvironmentalpurposes)underseveralpossiblescenariosofwateravailability;and
(H)anyproposalbytheAuthoritywhichhaspreviouslybeenapprovedbytheCommittee,toaffectthewaterentitlementofanyStatebydepartingtemporarilyfromtheusualwateraccountingproceduresappliedbytheAuthority,duringtherelevantwateryear.
(c)TheAuthoritywillgiveacopyofanyAnnualOperatingPlanadoptedunderparagraph10(1)(a)totheRiverMurrayOperationsCommitteeandtheCommittee.
(d)TheAuthoritywillcarryoutitsfunctionsunderPartsXII(DistributionofWaters)andXIV(EffectofSnowyScheme)oftheAgreementinaccordancewiththeAnnualOperatingPlanadoptedfortherelevantwateryear,unlessthisdocument,theAgreementortheActrequirestheAuthoritytodootherwise.
(2)Monitoringprogress
(a)Onceineverythreemonths,oratsuchothertimesrequestedbytheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,theAuthorityagreestoprepareasummaryofdatarelatingtotheimplementationoftheAnnualOperatingPlan.
(b)Asummaryofdatapreparedunderparagraph10(2)(a)willsetoutdatatoindicate:
(i)howriveroperationshavebeenconductedbytheAuthorityintheprecedingmonthsofthewateryear;and
(ii)howriveroperationsmightbeconductedduringtheremainderofthatwateryear,havingregardtobotharangeofpossibleoutlooksandtheAnnualOperatingPlan.
(c)TheAuthoritywillgiveacopyofeachsummaryofdatapreparedunderparagraph10(2)(a)totherepresentativeofeachSouthernBasinStateontheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,intimeforthatsummarytobeconsideredatthefirstmeetingoftheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupafterthesummaryhasbeenprepared.
(d)IftheAuthorityconsidersthatasummaryofdataindicatesthattheremayneedtobeasignificantchangetotheriveroperationsenvisagedbytheAnnualOperatingPlan(becauseof,forexample,thepossibilityofgreaterflowsintheRiverMurraySystemthanwerepreviouslyanticipated,ortheneedtoundertakeemergencyworkonanRMOasset),theAuthoritywillreviewtheAnnualOperatingPlaninaccordancewithsub-clause10(3).
(3)Reviewandamendment
(a)TheAuthority,inconsultationwiththeWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,willreviewtheAnnualOperatingPlan:
(i)inOctoberofeveryyear;
(ii)atsuchothertimesasmayberecommendedbytheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup;
(iii)wheneverrequiredpursuanttoparagraph10(2)(d);and
(iv)atanyothertimethattheAuthoritythinksappropriate.
(b)Areviewconductedunderparagraph10(3)(a)will:
(i)setoutinformationrelevanttoeachpossiblescenarioofwateravailabilityconsideredintheAnnualOperatingPlan;
(ii)setoutinformationaboutriveroperationsconductedbytheAuthorityduringtheprecedingmonthsoftherelevantwateryear;and
(iii)indicatewhethertheAuthoritystillexpectstoundertaketheplannedriveroperationssetoutintheAnnualOperatingPlanduringtheremainderoftherelevantwateryearand,ifnot,whatchangestotheplannedriveroperationsareproposedbytheAuthority.
(c)TheAuthoritymay,fromtimetotime,amendanAnnualOperatingPlan,whetherornotithaspreviouslyconductedareviewpursuanttoparagraph10(3)(a),afterseekingadvicefrom:
(i)theWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup, and if it so recommends, the River Murray Operations Committee;and subsequently
(ii)iftheRiverMurrayOperationsCommitteesorecommends,advice will be sought from theCommittee.
(d)TheAuthoritywillgiveacopyofanyamendedAnnualOperatingPlantotheRiverMurrayOperationsCommitteeandtheCommittee.
11.DeterminingthevolumeofStatewaterentitlements
(1)Forthepurposesofdetermining,fromtimetotime,thevolumeofeachStatewaterentitlementinthecourseofanywateryeartheAuthorityhasagreedtomakewaterresourceassessmentsinaccordancewiththisclausemonthly,oratsuchotherintervalsastheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupmayrecommend.
(2)TheAuthoritywillmakeeachwaterresourceassessmentunderseveralpossiblescenariosofwateravailability.
(3)IftheCommitteesorequires,theAuthoritywillprepareforecastsofeachStatewaterentitlementfortheensuingwateryear,bypreparingwaterresourceassessmentsinaccordancewiththisclause.
(4)AtsuchintervalsastheCommitteemayrequire,theAuthoritywillreviewand,ifitconsidersittobeappropriate,amendanyhydrologicalassumptionstobemadeforanywaterresourceassessment,afterseekingtheadviceoftheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup.
(5)Awaterresourcesassessmentwill:
(a)takeintoaccountanyadvicegivenbytheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupundersub-clause11(4);
(b)beconsistentwithanyrelevantspecificobjectivesoroutcomesspecifiedunderclause5or,intheabsenceofrelevantspecificobjectivesoroutcomes,beconsistentwithpriorpractice;
(c)determinetheforecastvolumeofwaterattheendofthecurrentwateryearof:
(i)eachStatewaterentitlement;
(ii)thewateravailabletomeetcriticalhumanwaterneedsunderclauses102Aand102BoftheAgreement;
(iii)anyadvanceofwaterforcriticalhumanwaterneedswhichtheCommitteemayneedtodetermineunderclause102CoftheAgreement;
(iv)anyrepayableadvanceofwatermadetoaStateinaprecedingwateryear,thatisincludedinaStatewaterentitlement;
(v)thecurrentconveyancereservedeterminedbytheAuthorityunderclause102DoftheAgreement;
(vi)thecurrentminimumreservedeterminedbytheAuthorityunderclause103oftheAgreement;and
(vii)waterwhichmustbeusedforadesignatedpurposeduringtherelevantwateryear,asaresultofadecisionmadebytheMinisterialCouncil,theCommitteeortheAuthority,inaccordancewiththeAgreement.
(d)statethewatersharingtierthatappliesinthecurrentwateraccountingperiod.
(6)TheAuthoritywillprovideeachState'srepresentativeontheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupwitheachwaterresourceassessmentpreparedbytheAuthorityeither:
(a)monthly;or
(b)atanymorefrequentintervalsapprovedbytheCommittee.
(7)TheAuthoritywillpromptlyprovideeachRiverMurrayOperationsCommitteememberandeachCommitteememberrepresentingaSouthernBasinStatewithasummaryofeachwaterresourceassessmentreferredtoinsub-clause11(6)atthesameintervalsrequiredbythatparagraph.
12.Reports
(1)WaterAccounts
(a)TheAuthorityhasagreedtopreparemonthlywateraccountsforeachSouthernBasinState,asataspecifieddateintheprecedingmonth,inaccordancewiththisclause.
(b)Wateraccountswill:
(i)beconsistentwithanyrelevantSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesspecifiedunderclause5or,intheabsenceofrelevantSpecificObjectivesandOutcomes,beconsistentwithpriorpractice;
(ii)setoutthevolumeofwatertobeallocatedtoNewSouthWalesandVictoria,respectively,pursuanttoclauses106and107oftheAgreement;
(iii)setoutthevolumeofanyflowstowhichNewSouthWalesandVictoriaarerespectivelyentitledunderclause108oftheAgreement;
(iv)setoutthevolumeofwaterbeingheldineachmajorstorageforeachSouthernBasinState;
(v)setout,foreachSouthernBasinState,thevolumeofwaterthenintransitintheRiverMurraySystem;
(vi)setoutthevolumeofwaterdeemedtobeusedrespectivelybyNewSouthWalesandVictoria,pursuanttoclause109oftheAgreement;
(vii)duringanyperiodofspecialaccounting,setoutanyimbalancecalculatedunderclause126oftheAgreement,asadjustedbytheAuthorityunderclause127oftheAgreement,whereappropriate;
(viii)beconsistentwithpart4ofScheduleGAccountingforSouthAustralia’sStorageRightstotheAgreement;and
(ix)beconsistentwithpart4ofScheduleHWaterSharingDuringTiers2and3totheAgreement.
(c)AtintervalsagreedbetweentheAuthorityandeachSouthernBasinState,theAuthoritywillprovidethatState'srepresentativeontheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupwiththewateraccountspreparedforthatStatesincewateraccountswerelastprovidedtothatrepresentative.
(2)AnnualRiverOperationsreport
(a)By31Julyineachyear(orsuchlaterdatedeterminedbytheCommittee)theAuthorityhasagreedtoprepareandgivetotheRiverMurrayOperationsCommitteeandtheCommitteeanAnnualRiverOperationsReportonriveroperationsundertakenbytheAuthorityduringtheprecedingwateryear,inaccordancewiththisclause.
(b)AnAnnualRiverOperationsReportwill:
(i)summarisetheriveroperationscarriedoutbytheAuthority;
(ii)indicatethedegreetowhichanygeneralorSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesspecifiedunderclauses4or5wereachievedbytheAuthority;
(iii)indicateanydeparturesfromthegeneralandSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesreferredtoinsub-paragraph12(2)(b)(ii)thatwereapprovedbytheCommitteeandundertakenbytheAuthority;
(iv)reportontheoperationofSouthAustralia’sstoragerights,pursuanttoclause29ofScheduleGtotheAgreement;
(v)setouteachmatterwhichtheAuthorityreferredtotheCommitteetodetermineunderclause33oftheAgreementandthenatureofthatdetermination;and
(vi)setoutanyothersignificantresolutionsmade,oractionstakenbyeitherorboththeCommitteeor/andtheAuthorityinrelationtoriveroperations(includinganyalterationsmadetoriveroperationsthatweremadeinordertocomplywithrequirementsoftheAct,theAgreementoranyotherlegislationapplyingtotheAuthority).
(3)AnnualreviewofRiverOperations
(a)Pursuanttosub-section203(1)oftheAct,theAuthorityhasdeterminedtoappointanIndependentRiverOperationsReviewGrouptoassistitinperformingitsfunctionsunderthisdocument,withtheconstitutionandfunctionsandfollowingtheproceduressetoutinthisdocument.
(b)Subjecttoparagraph12(3)(e),theAuthoritywillappointuptofourmembersoftheReviewGroupfromalistofatleastfour,andnomorethanseven,personsnominatedbytheCommittee,eachofwhomhassignificantexpertisein,orsignificantexperiencerelatingto,riveroperations and one member of the Review Group from a list of at least two and no more than three persons nominated by the Committee each of whom has significant expertise in, or significant expertise relating to, environmental water delivery.
(c)Subjecttoparagraph12(3)(d),section204oftheActappliestomembersoftheReviewGroup.
(d)IftheCommitteerecommendsthattheAuthorityterminatetheappointmentofamemberoftheReviewGroup,theAuthoritywillconsiderthatrecommendationwhendecidingwhethertoterminatetheappointmentundersection204(5)oftheAct.
(e)IftheAuthorityterminatestheappointmentofoneormoremembersnominatedbytheCommitteeunderparagraph12(3)(b),theAuthoritywillappointoneormorereplacementmembers,asrequired,fromalistofatleasttwicethenumberofpersonsrequiredtobeappointed,nominatedbytheCommittee,eachofwhomhassignificantexpertisein,orsignificantexperiencerelatingto,riveroperations.
(f)EachyeartheReviewGroupmustreviewtheAuthority'scompliancewiththeprovisionsofthisdocumentduringtheprecedingwateryear,havingregardto:
(i)generalandSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesapplyingtothatwateryear;
(ii)intheabsenceofanyrelevantSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesforareachoftheRiverMurraySystem,RMOassetorriveroperationsactivity,thepriorpracticefortherelevantreach,RMOassetoractivity;
(iii)theprovisionsofclause6;and
(iv)anyotherrelevantmatter.
(g)Forthepurposeofconductingatimelyreview,theAuthoritywillgivetheReviewGroupcopiesofthewateraccountsandAnnualRiverOperationsReportforthepreviouswateryear,by1Augustinanyyear.
(h)TheReviewGroupmustgivetheAuthorityaReviewReport,settingouttheresultsofthereviewconductedunderparagraph12(3)(f)by30Septemberinanyyear.
(i)AfterreceivingaReviewReport,theAuthoritywillgiveittotheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupforthepurposeofmakingcommentsonanyrelevantmatteroffactorinterpretationsetoutinthatreport.
(j)AfterreceivinganycommentsfromtheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,theAuthoritywillsubmit ittothefirstmeetingoftheRiverMurrayOperationsCommitteeheldafter1Novemberinanyrelevantyear.
(k)TheAuthoritywillsubsequentlysubmittothenextmeetingoftheCommittee:
(i)theReviewReport;
(ii)anycommentsmadebytheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupontheReviewReport;
(iii)anyadvicemadebytheRiverMurrayOperationsCommitteeontheReviewReport;
(iv)anyadvicetheAuthoritymaywishtogivetheCommitteeinrelationtomatterssetoutintheReviewReport;and
(v)anyactionswhichtheAuthorityproposestotakeinthelightofmatterssetoutintheReviewReport.
13.Matterstobereferredforadvice,informationordetermination
(1)Pursuanttosub-clauses31(1),33(3)and30(3)respectively,oftheAgreement:
(a)theAuthoritymustrefertotheCommitteefordetermination,afterfirstseekingtheadviceoftheRiverMurrayOperationsCommittee:
(i)anymatterrelatingtocarryingonriveroperationswhichthisdocumentrequiresittorefer;and
(ii)anydecisionthattheAuthorityproposestomakeinrelationtoriveroperationsthathasthepotentialtohaveamaterialeffectonaStatewaterentitlement;and
(b)theAuthoritymustactinaccordancewithanydeterminationmadebytheCommitteerelatingtothatmatterordecision.
(2)Pursuanttosub-clause33(3)and26(1)(c)oftheAgreement,clauses14,15and16respectivelysetoutmattersrelatingtoriveroperationswhichtheAuthority:
(a)mustrefertotheCommittee;
(b)needonlybereferredtotheCommitteeiftheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupsoadvisestheAuthority;and
(c)neednotbereferredtotheCommitteeiftheAuthorityfirstseekstheadviceoftheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,beforedeterminingthematter.
(3)Forthesakeofclarity,clause17setsoutmattersrelatingtoriveroperationswhichtheAuthoritymaydeterminewithoutreferringthemattertoeithertheCommitteeortheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup.
14.MatterstobereferredtotheCommittee
(1)InadditiontothemattersthatmustbereferredtotheCommitteepursuanttoclauses7and8,theAuthoritymustrefereachofthefollowingmatterstotheCommitteefordetermination,afterfirstseekingtheadviceoftheRiverMurrayOperationsCommittee,inthecircumstancessetoutbelow.
(a)InsufficientChannelCapacity
Anypreviousdirectiongivenorproceduredeterminedundersub-clause98(1)orclause66oftheAgreement,respectively,iftheAuthorityconsidersthatifthedirectionorprocedureisimplementedintheprevailingcircumstances,itisreasonablylikelytoresultineither:
(i)insufficientwaterbeingprovidedtomeetalldownstreamordersforwater;or
(ii)downstreamchannelcapacitybeingexceededifalldownstreamordersforwateraremet.
(b)ReductioninWaterAllocationswithinaState
AnyproposalbytheAuthoritytoadjustthevolumeofwateravailabletomeetaStatewaterentitlement,iftheAuthorityconsidersthatsuchanadjustmentislikelytorequireaSouthernBasinStatetoreducethevolumeofallocationsithaspreviouslyannouncedasbeingavailabletowaterentitlementholdersinthatwateryear.
(c)Matterreferredtoinparagraph33(1)(b)oftheAgreement
Pursuanttoparagraph33(1)(b)oftheAgreement,anymatterwhichtwoormoremembersoftheCommitteehaverequiredtobereferredtotheCommitteeinthecircumstancessetoutinthatparagraph.
15.OthermatterstobereferredtotheCommittee
(1)Inadditiontothemattersreferredtoinclauses7and8,theAuthoritymustrefertotheCommitteefordetermination,afterfirstseekingtheadviceoftheRiverMurrayOperationsCommittee,anymatterrelatingtoriveroperationsthat:
(a)isnotdealtwithin,orisinconsistentwith,aspecificobjective,aspecificoutcomeorwithanyotherprovisionofthisdocument;or
(b)twoormoremembersoftheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,whorepresentSouthernBasinStates,considermayhavethepotentialtohaveamaterialeffectonanyStatewaterentitlementbecauseadeterminationrelatingtothatmattermayrequireaSouthernBasinStatetoreducethevolumeofallocationsithaspreviouslyannouncedasbeingavailabletowaterentitlementholdersinthatwateryear.
(2)Withoutlimitingsub-clause15(1),iftheAuthorityconsidersthatanyofthefollowingeventsisreasonablylikelytooccur,itmustnotifytheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupofthatfact,assoonaspracticable.
(a)Specialaccounting
TheAuthoritydeclaresorterminatesaperiodofspecialaccountingpursuanttoclauses123or129oftheAgreement.
(b)Directionaboutavalleyaccount
TheAuthoritygives,amendsorcancelsadirectionaboutwaterstandingtothecreditofavalleyaccountpursuanttosub-clause11(4)ofScheduleDoftheAgreement.
(c)Unregulatedflows
(i)TheflowoftheRiverMurrayattheconfluenceofFrenchman'sCreekislikelytoexceed,foraperiodofatleastoneweek,thesumof:
(A)thequantitieswhichSouthAustraliaisentitledtoreceiveunderclauses88or90oftheAgreement;
(B)thevolumeofwatertobeusedforenvironmentalpurposesthenbeingdeliveredtoSouthAustralia;
(C)thevolumeofanyotherwaterwhichisthenrequiredtobedeliveredtoSouthAustraliaundertheAgreement(forpurposessuchasdilutionflows,satisfyingwatertradingcommitmentsorsupplyingpreviouslydeferredentitlements);
(D)anyquantitieswhich,intheopinionoftheAuthority,shouldandcanbeimpoundedinLakeVictoria;and
(E)anyquantitiesorderedforusebyNewSouthWalesandVictoria.
(ii)AnyotherunregulatedflowislikelytooccuratsuchlocationandofsuchmagnitudeanddurationastheCommitteemaydeterminefromtimetotime,andnotifytotheAuthority.
(d)VariationofmonthlyquantitiesforSouthAustralia
TheAuthorityvariesanymonthlyquantitywhichSouthAustraliaisotherwiseentitledtoreceive,pursuanttoclause90oftheAgreement.
(e)ChangeintheAuthority'sabilitytodirectreleasesfromMenindeeLakesStorage
AnychangeintheAuthority'sabilitytodirectreleasesfromMenindeeLakesStorage,throughtheoperationofclause99oftheAgreement.
(f)Internalspill
Aninternalspill,withinthemeaningofclause116oftheAgreement,occursinDartmouthReservoir,HumeReservoir,LakeVictoriaortheMenindeeLakesStorage.
(3)WhetherornottheAuthorityhasnotifiedtheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupundersub-clause15(2),itmustnotifytheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupassoonaspracticableafteraneventreferredtointhatsub-clauseoccurs.
(4)IftwoormoremembersoftheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupeachofwhomrepresentsaSouthernBasinStatesoadvisetheAuthority,theAuthoritymustinformtheRiverMurrayOperationsCommitteeandtheCommitteeaboutanymatternotifiedtotheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupundersub-clause15(2)or15(3),assoonaspracticableafterreceivingthatadvice.
(5)TheAuthoritymustalsonotifytheChairoftheSouthernConnectedBasinEnvironmentalWateringCommittee:
(a)ofanymatterreferredtoinparagraph15(2)(c),atthesametimeasitnotifiestheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup;and
(b)assoonaspracticable,ifitconsidersthat,asaresultofitsriveroperations,anopportunityislikelytoarisetomeetoneormoreoftheenvironmentalwateringoutcomessetoutinthe environmental watering plans of the Commonwealth, The Living Murray and the Southern Basin States.
16.MatterswhichneednotbereferredtotheCommitteeiftheAuthorityseekstheadviceoftheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup
(1)Despiteanyotherprovisionofthisdocument(includinganygeneralorspecificobjectiveoroutcome)iftheAuthorityproposestoexerciseafunctionrelatingtoriveroperationswhichtheAuthorityconsidersthataSouthernBasinStatemightregardasbeingofparticularsignificance,theAuthoritymust:
(a)notifytheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupoftheproposalatleasttwoweeksbeforetheAuthorityproposestoexercisethatfunction,whereverpossible;and
(b)consideranyrelevantadvicegivenbytheWaterLiaisonWorkingGrouprelatingtothatproposal,beforetheAuthoritydecidestoexercisethefunction.
(2)Withoutlimitingsub-clause16(1),theAuthoritymustnotify,andconsideranyrelevantadvicefrom,theWaterLiaisonWorkingGroupbeforeitdecidestoamendorcancelanydirectionmadeunderparagraph11(4)(a)ofScheduleDtotheAgreement,whichrelatestowaterstandingtothecreditofavalleyaccount,wherethatdirectionisnotinaccordancewiththeAnnualOperatingPlanforthatwateryear.
17.Matterswhichtheauthorityneednotrefer
Forthesakeofclarity,theCommitteedoesnotrequiretheAuthoritytorefertoeithertheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,theRiverMurrayOperationsCommittee,ortheCommitteeanymatterrelatingtotheAuthorityperformingitsriveroperationsfunctionsunderclause29oftheAgreement,exceptanymatterthatitisrequiredtorefer:
(1)underparagraph33(1)(a)or(b)orsub-clause33(3)oftheAgreement;or
(2)underclauses7,8,10,15or16oranyotherprovisionofthisdocument.
18.Providingrelevantinformation
(1)WhenreferringamattertotheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,RiverMurrayOperationsCommitteeortheCommittee:
(a)pursuanttoparagraph33(1)(a)or(b)orsub-clause33(3)oftheAgreement;or
(b)underclauses7,8,Error! Reference source not found.,15or16,oranyotherprovisionofthisdocument,theAuthoritymustgivetheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,RiverMurrayOperationsCommittee,ortheCommittee,asthecaserequires:
(i)allinformationavailabletotheAuthoritythatisrelevanttothematterreferred;
(ii)anyfurtherinformationwhichtheWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup,theRiverMurrayOperationsCommittee,ortheCommitteemayrequest;
(iii)informationabouthowthematterreferredisrelatedtoanygeneralorspecificobjectiveoroutcomespecifiedunderclauses4or5;
(iv)acopyofanyadvicereceivedbytheAuthorityaboutthematterfromanyrelevantcommittee;and
(v)inthecaseofamatterreferredtotheCommittee,aclearstatementofthetermsofanydeterminationsoughtbytheAuthorityfromtheCommittee.
(2)IftheAuthorityisrequiredtoestimatetheeffectofaproposeddecisionoractiononaStatewaterentitlementforthepurposeofprovidinginformationundersub-clause18(1),theAuthoritymustestimateandcompare:
(a)thevolumeofwaterthatwouldbeanticipatedtobeavailabletomeetthatStatewaterentitlementiftheproposeddecisionoractionisnotmadeortaken;with
(b)thevolumeofwaterthatwouldbeanticipatedtobeavailabletomeetthatStatewaterentitlementiftheproposeddecisionoractionismadeortaken.
(3)Inestimatinganeffectundersub-clause18(2),theAuthoritymusteitheruse:
(a)thewateraccountingandassessmentmodelsotherwiseusedforthepurposesoftheAgreement;or
(b)someothermethod(suchasusingdailyoperationalspreadsheets)thattheAuthorityconsiderstobesuitableinthecircumstances.
19.Reviewandrevision
(1)Subjecttosub-clauses19(2)and19(3),theCommitteewillreviewtheoperationofthisdocumenteachyear.
(2)IftwoormoremembersoftheCommitteesorequest,andtheCommitteeconsidersitappropriatetodoso,theCommitteewillreviewtheoperationofthisdocumentatanyothertime.
(3)TheCommitteewillreviewtheoperationofthisdocumentassoonaspracticableafter:
(a)theAuthoritypublishesaproposedBasinPlan,oranyproposedamendmenttoaBasinPlan;
(b)theMinisterialCouncilamendstheAgreementinarelevantway;or
(c)theRiverMurrayOperationsCommitteerecommendsthatanyspecificobjectiveorspecificoutcomereferredtoinclause5shouldbeadopted,amendedorrepealed.
(4)WhenevertheCommitteereviewsthisdocument,itwill:
(a)consultwiththeRiverMurrayOperationsCommittee;and
(b)haveregardtothemostrecentReviewReportpreparedbytheReviewGroup.
(5)IftheCommitteedecidesthatanyamendmentisrequiredtothisdocumentasaresultofareviewconductedunderthisclause,itwill,assoonaspracticable:
(a)maketherequiredamendment;and
(b)approvetheamendeddocumentpursuanttosub-clause31(1)oftheAgreement.
Figure1:Relationshipsbetweenthisdocumentandotherdocumentsofparticularsignificance
Note:Inthisfigure,areferencetoaclauseistoaclauseoftheAgreement.
Figure2:Relationshipsbetweenthisdocumentandothersupportingdocuments
Inthisfigure,unlessstatedotherwise,areferencetoaclauseistoaclauseinthisdocument.
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Objectives and outcomes for river operations in the River Murray System
AppendixA:SpecificObjectivesandOutcomes
ApprovedonbytheBasinOfficialsCommittee
Effectivefrom29April2016
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Objectives and outcomes for river operations in the River Murray System
AppendixA:SpecificObjectivesandOutcomes
TableofContents
Introduction
1.Dartmouth Dam
1.1.Maximum planned regulated release
1.2.Airspace management and flood operations
1.3.Maximum rate of rise and fall in River level during planned regulated releases
1.4.Minimum planned regulated releases
1.5.Practices to be replaced by this document
2.Hume Dam and Reservoir
2.1.Maximum planned regulated releases
2.2.Maximum rate of fall in River level during planned regulated releases
2.3.Minimum planned regulated releases
2.4.Airspace management and flood operations
2.5.Practices to be replaced by this document
3.Yarrawonga Weir
3.1.Maximum planned regulated flow
3.2.Flood Operations at Yarrawonga Weir
3.3.Management of Lake Mulwala during the irrigation season
3.4.Supporting social and recreational use of Lake Mulwala
3.5.Minimum planned regulated release from Yarrawonga Weir
3.6.Practices to be replaced by this document
4.BarmahMillewa Forest
4.1.BarmahMillewa Forest Environmental Water Allocation accounting provisions
4.2.Forest Regulator Operation
4.3.Practices to be replaced by this document
4.4.Practices to be revoked by this document
5.Edward-Wakool System
5.1.Use of the Wakool System
5.2.Edward River Offtake Operation
5.3.Gulpa Creek Offtake Operation
5.4.Werai Forest Regulators Operation
5.5.Authority water orders downstream of Stevens Weir
5.6.Practices to be replaced by this document
6.Torrumbarry Weir
6.1.Practices to be revoked by this document
7.Swan Hill
7.1.Minimum water level at Swan Hill
7.2.Practices to be replaced by this document
8.Weir and Lock No. 10 – Wentworth Weir
8.1.Minimum River Murray contribution to flow over Weir and Lock 10 –
Wentworth Weir
8.2.Practices to be replaced by this document
9.Lake Victoria
9.1.Lake Victoria Operating Strategy
9.2.Inlet and outlet flow rates
9.3.Full Supply Level of Lake Victoria
9.4.Maximum rate of rise of Lake level
9.5.Improving water quality using Lake Victoria
9.6.Practices to be replaced by this document
9.7.Practices to continue despite this document
10.Menindee Lakes Storage (when the Authority has the ability to direct releases)
10.1.Maximum planned regulated release downstream of Menindee Lakes Storage
10.2.Maximum rate of rise and fall in flow rates downstream of
Menindee Lakes Storage
10.3.Minimum planned regulated releases from Menindee Lakes
10.4.Distribution of water stored within Menindee Lakes Storage
10.5.Practices to be replaced by this document
10.6.Practices to be revoked by this document
11.Lower Lakes Barrages
11.1.Operation of the Lower Lakes Barrages
12.System Operation
12.1.Harmony Operation of Dartmouth and Hume Reservoirs
12.2.Harmony Operation of the Menindee Lakes Storage and Lake Victoria
12.3.Additional Dilution Flows to South Australia
12.4.Bulk transfer from Dartmouth Reservoir to Hume Reservoir
12.5.Bulk transfers from Hume Reservoir to Lake Victoria
12.6.Management of rain rejection events
12.7.Planning for, and communication of potential unregulated flow advice
12.8.Variability in river flow patterns and levels
12.9.Use of bypasses of the Barmah Choke
12.10.Lindsay River Allowance
12.11.Dealing with shortfalls in meeting water demands
12.12.Adjustment of flows to South Australia in response to rating table changes
12.13.Determining the minimum inflow prediction
12.14.Practices to be replaced by this document
12.15.Practices to be revoked by this document
13.Water Accounts
13.1.Maintenance of the Water Accounts, including the Water Accounting Model,
model code and associated data
14.Water Resource Assessment
14.1.Maintenance of the Water Resource Assessment model, including the model
code and associated data
14.2.Minimising the impacts of one State leaving a period of special accounting
15.Tier 2 and 3 Water Sharing Arrangements
15.1.Advances of water to support critical human water needs or the conveyance
reserve
15.2.Remedial actions
15.3.Priorities for water allocation in periods of Tier 2 and 3 water sharing arrangements
15.4.Setting aside the conveyance reserve
Attachment A to Specific Objectives and Outcomes
Planned environmental water
Bulk Entitlement (River Murray – Goulburn Murray Water - Flora & Fauna) Conversion
Order 1999 - Consolidated as at 23 June 2011
SpecificObjectivesandOutcomes
Introduction
- TheObjectivesandOutcomesforRiverOperationsintheRiverMurraySystemdocument(ObjectivesandOutcomesdocument)allowsfortheCommitteetomakeSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesfortheoperationoftheRiverMurraySystem(clause5oftheObjectivesandOutcomesdocument).Thisappendixgiveseffecttothisrequirement.
- EachgeneralandspecificobjectiveandoutcomemustbeachievedinaccordancewiththerequirementsoftheObjectivesandOutcomesdocument.
- UnlessotherwiseagreedbytheCommittee,theinitialversionoftheSpecificObjectivesandOutcomeshasbeenpreparedinaccordancewith;
(i)thedecisionsoftheMinisterialCouncil,formerRiverMurrayCommission(RMC),theformerMurray-DarlingBasinCommission(MDBC)andtheCommitteepriortotheadoptionoftheSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesdocument;and
(ii)establishedpracticesinrelationtoriveroperationsthatappliedpriortothecommencementofthisdocumentthathadnotbeenformallyapprovedbyanauthorisingbody.
- TheSpecificObjectivesandOutcomesareconsistentwiththerulesoftheformerdecisionmakingbodies,buthavebeenupdatedtoreflectcontemporarypractice.Theywillberevisedandamendedonanasneedsbasistoensure:
(i)theyreflectcontemporarypracticesandincorporatedecisionsmadebytheCommitteeunderclause26oftheAgreementandadviceprovidedunderclause201oftheWaterAct2007afterAugust2012;
(ii)consistencywiththerequirementsandassumptionsoftheBasinPlan,suchasthoserelatingtosystemdelivery,andoperationalandpolicyconstraints.
- TheMurray-DarlingBasinAuthority(theAuthority)willdevelopproceduresunderclauses66and98oftheAgreementthatprovidemoredetailonhowtheseSpecificObjectivesandOutcomeswillbeimplemented.TheAuthoritywillprogressivelydevelopproceduresinconsultationwiththepartiestotheAgreementtosupporteachSpecificObjectiveandOutcome.
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Objectives and outcomes for river operations in the River Murray System
- DartmouthDam
Version / DateApproved / Revisedby / Summaryofrevisions
1 / 14/02/2013 / ReviewoftheAgreementTaskforce / RiveroperatingrulesagreedbytheBasinOfficialsCommitteeatmeeting11(AgendaItem9.1)updatedtoensuretheyreflectcontemporarypracticeandareincorporatedintothecurrentgovernanceframework.
2 / 29/04/2014 / BasinOfficialsCommittee / SO&O1.4amendedtoensuretheminimumreleaseisalways200ML/d,butallowingittoincreasedependingonstoragelevelsandwaterquality.
1.1.Maximumplannedregulatedrelease
(a)Purpose
ToestablishamaximumplannedregulatedreleasedownstreamofDartmouthDamthatbalancesdeliveringentitlementsandwaterorderstotheSouthernBasinStates,(O&Osub-clause4(2))withlimitingdamagetodownstreamcommunities(O&Osub-clause4(4)).
(b)SpecificObjective
PlannedregulatedreleasesfromtheDartmouthPondageWeir(Banimboola)todeliverStatewaterentitlementsandtransferstoLakeHumewillbemanagedtolimitdamagetolandholdersbetweenDartmouthDamandHumeReservoir.
(c)SpecificOutcome
Inmakingregulatedreleases,theAuthoritywillnotplantoexceedthemaximumregulatedflowbetweenDartmouthDamandHumeReservoir,unlessforthepurposesoffloodoperations.
(d)Interpretation
TheCommitteeadvisesthatthemaximumregulatedflowbetweenDartmouthDamandHumeReservoirshouldcontinuetobedeterminedby3.4mlocalgaugeheightontheTallandoongauge,whichisequivalenttoanominalflowof10000ML/day.
1.2.Airspacemanagementandfloodoperations
(a)Purpose
ToestablishanairspacemanagementandfloodoperationstrategyforDartmouthDamthatisconsistentwithO&Osub-clause4(3).
(b)SpecificObjectives
(i)FloodmanagementatDartmouthDamisconsistentwiththegeneralobjectiveforfloodmanagement4(3)(b)(iii).
(ii)AirspacemanagementatDartmouthDam,whethertargetoradditional,forthepurposeoflimitingdamagetodownstreamcommunities,shouldhaveminimalrisktosecurityofsupplyinbothHumeandDartmouthReservoirswithoutcompromisingtheintegrityofeitherDam.
(iii)DuringfloodoperationsatDartmouthDam,theAuthoritywillliaisewithrelevantagenciesinordertocoordinatethemanagementofthefloodingevent.
(c)SpecificOutcome
(i)AirspacemanagementatDartmouthDamwillbebasedonaveryhighprobabilitythatDartmouthwillbeeffectivelyfullpriortodemanddownstreamofHumeReservoirexceedinginflowstoHume.
(ii)AirspacemanagementatDartmouthDamwillnotresultinlessthanthetargetairspaceatHumeReservoir.
(iii)AirspacemanagementatDartmouthDamwillcontributetothemitigationoffloodingconditionsdownstreamofbothDartmouthandHumeDams.
(iv)CommunicationinregardstothemanagementofthefloodingeventbetweentheAuthorityandrelevantparties,includingweatherforecastingandemergencyagenciesandrelevantStateConstructingAuthorities,willremainaccurateandtimelyandkeepallrelevantpartieswellinformed.
(d)Interpretation
TheCommitteeadvisesthatpostfloodoperations,basedontransitioningtoworst-caseplanningwaterresourceassessment,DartmouthDamshouldbeeffectivelyfull(99%ofthetotalcapacityatFSL)whendownstreamdemandsexceedinflows.
1.3.MaximumrateofriseandfallinRiverlevelduringplannedregulatedreleases
(a)Purpose
ToestablishamaximumrateofriseandfallinriverlevelheightsforplannedregulatedreleasesfromDartmouthPondageWeir(Banimboola)thatbalances:
- theconservationofwaterandminimisationoflosses(O&Osub-clause4(2));
- thecontributiontothesafetyofcommunities(O&Osub-clause4(4));and
- thecontributiontotheprotectionandwherepossible,restorationofpriorityenvironmentalassetsandecosystemfunctions(O&Osub-clause4(5))intheDartmouthDamtoHumeReservoirreach.
(b)SpecificObjective
PlannedregulatedreleasesfromDartmouthPondageWeir(Banimboola)willbemanagedsothatratesofriseandfallofriverlevelheightsinthedownstreamreachtoHumeReservoirdonotcontributetobankinstability,andtoprovidetimeforadequatewarningtoMittaMittaRivercommunitiesofsignificantchangesinriverlevelbetweentheDartmouthPondageWeirandHumeReservoir.
(c)SpecificOutcome
Inmakingregulatedreleases,theAuthoritywillnotplantoexceedthemaximumratesofriseandfallinriverlevelbelowtheDartmouthPondageWeir(Banimboola).
(d)Interpretation
Excludingfloodoperations,theCommitteeadvisesthattheAuthorityshouldcontinuetoimplementthefollowingmaximumtargetratesofriseandfallofplannedregulatedreleasesfromtheDartmouthPondageWeirwhenflowsarewithinthemaximumplannedregulatedrelease(section1.1);
MaximumrateoffallatColemansgauge[1](localgaugeheight)of:
(i)20mm/hourwhenwaterlevelatColemansgaugeisgreaterthan1.75mandtheBanimboolaPowerStationisoperatingnormally;
(ii)60mm/hour,butnotmorethan720mminany24hoursatallothertimes
MaximumrateofriseatColemansgauge(localgaugeheight)of:
(i)150mm/hourwhilethedepthatColemansgaugeislessthan1.25m;
(ii)100mm/hourwhilethedepthatColemansgaugeisbetween1.25mand1.75m;
(iii)50mm/hourfordepthsatColemansgaugegreaterthan1.75m.
1.4.Minimumplannedregulatedreleases
(a)Purpose
ToestablishaminimumplannedregulatedreleasefromtheDartmouthPondageWeir(Banimboola)thatbalancestheconservationofwaterandminimisationoflosses(O&Osub-clause4(2))withcontributingtotheprotectionand,wherepossible,restorationofpriorityenvironmentalassetsandecosystemfunctions(O&Osub-clause4(5)).
(b)SpecificObjective
MinimumplannedregulatedreleasesfromtheDartmouthPondageWeir(Banimboola)toprovideforriparian,amenityandin-streamneeds,willbemanagedtoconservewaterintheDartmouthReservoirwhilstsupportingenvironmentalassetsandecosystemfunctionsbetweenDartmouthandHumeReservoirs.
(c)SpecificOutcome
Inmakingregulatedreleases,theAuthoritywillnotplantofallbelowminimumflowratetargetsatColemansgauge.
(d)Interpretation
TheCommitteeadvisesthatthefollowingminimumplannedflowratestargetedatColemansgaugeshouldcontinuetobe:
Table2:MinimumplannedflowratestargetedatColemansgauge
Dartmouthvolume / MinimumplannedflowratesAtalltimes / 200ML/day
60%DartmouthVolume<-70% / Averageof200-300ML/daytomanagewaterqualityandecosystemfunction.
70%DartmouthVolume<-80% / Averageof200-400ML/daytomanagewaterqualityandecosystemfunction.
DartmouthVolume80% / Averageof200-500ML/daytomanagewaterqualityandecosystemfunction.
TheAuthorityDelegateshallapprovereleasingatflowratesabove200ML/d.Actinginaccordancewithclause16(1)theAuthoritywillnotifyandconsideradvicefromtheWLWG(atleasttwoweekspriortoexercisingthefunction)ifitconsidersthataSouthernBasinStatemightregardtheriveroperationasbeingofparticularsignificance.
TheCommitteeadvisestheAuthoritytoconsidervariabilityinriverflowpatternsandlevelswhenmakingminimumplannedregulatedreleasesfromDartmouthDam,consistentwithSpecificObjectiveandOutcome12.8
Theaverageflowwillbecalculatedovertheperiodoftimethestoragevolumeisateachstoragerange.
1.5.Practicestobereplacedbythisdocument
(a)Regulatedreleaseof10000ML/dfromDartmouthDam-AssumedbytheMurray-DarlingBasinCommissionon1June1999,Meeting51,AgendaItem7,butincontextthiswasnotexplicitapproval(Practice8).
(b)DartmouthDampre-releaseoperation–WithintheoperationaldiscretionoftheAuthority(Practice38).
(c)DartmouthDamfloodoperation-WithintheoperationaldiscretionoftheAuthority(Practice37).
(d)MaximumrateofriseandfallofriverleveldownstreamofDartmouthDam-ApprovedbytheMurray-DarlingBasinCommissionon18-19May1993,Meeting25,AgendaItem17,(Practice16).
(e)MinimumreleasesfromDartmouthDam-approvedbytheMurray-DarlingBasinCommissionon18-19May1993,Meeting25,AgendaItem17(Practice10).
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Objectives and outcomes for river operations in the River Murray System
- HumeDamandReservoir
Table3:HumeDamsectionversioncontrolinformation
Version / DateApproved / Revisedby / Summaryofrevisions1 / 14/02/2013 / ReviewoftheAgreementTaskforce / RiveroperatingrulesagreedbytheBasinOfficialsCommitteeatmeeting11(AgendaItem9.1)updatedtoensuretheyreflectcontemporarypracticeandareincorporatedintothecurrentgovernanceframework.
2 / 11/12/2014 / MDBAinconsultationwithWaterLiaisonWorkingGroup / TemporaryamendmentmadetotheSpecificObjectiveandOutcome2.2-MaximumrateoffallinRiverLevelforthe2014-15and2015-16wateryearstoreflecttheagreedrevisedratesoffallatBasinOfficialsCommitteemeeting30.ApprovedatBasinOfficialCommitteemeeting30(agendaitem15)on11/12/2014
2.1.Maximumplannedregulatedreleases
(a)Purpose
ToestablishamaximumplannedregulatedreleasedownstreamofHumeDamthatbalancesdeliveringentitlementsandwaterorderstotheSouthernBasinStates (O&Osub-clause4(2))withlimitingdamagetodownstreamcommunities(O&Osub-clause4(4)).
(b)SpecificObjective
PlannedregulatedreleasesfromHumeDamtodeliverStatewaterentitlementsandtransferstoLakeVictoriawillbemanagedtolimitdamagetolandholdersbetweenHumeDamandYarrawongaWeir.
(c)SpecificOutcome
Inmakingregulatedreleases,theAuthoritywillnotplantoexceedthemaximumregulatedflowbetweenHumeReservoirandYarrawongaWeir,unlessforthepurposesoffloodoperations.
(d)Interpretation
TheCommitteeadvisesthatthemaximumregulatedflowbetweenHumeDamandYarrawongaWeirshouldcontinuetobeaflowof25000ML/day(currently3.83mlocalgaugeheight)attheDoctor’sPointgauge[2].
2.2.MaximumrateoffallinRiverlevelduringplannedregulatedreleases
(a)Purpose
ToestablishamaximumrateoffallinriverlevelforplannedregulatedreleasesfromHumeDamthatbalancestheconservationofwaterandminimisationoflosses(O&Osub-clause4(2))withcontributingtotheprotectionand,wherepossible,restorationofpriorityenvironmentalassetsandecosystemfunctions(O&Osub-clause4(5))intheHumeDamtoYarrawongareach.
(b)SpecificObjective
ChangesinriverleveldownstreamofHumeDamwillbemanagedtolimitthepotentialforplannedregulatedreleasestocontributetobankinstabilitybetweenHumeDamandYarrawongaWeir.
(c)SpecificOutcome
Inmakingregulatedreleases,theAuthoritywillnotplantoexceedthemaximumratesoffallinriverlevelbelowHumeDam.
(d)Interpretation
Excludingfloodoperations,whenflowsarebetween12,000ML/dayandthemaximumplannedregulatedrelease(section2.1)theCommitteeadvisesthattheAuthorityshouldtarget:
(i)anaveragerateoffallof0.15mperdayovernomorethansixdaysatDoctor’sPoint,withamaximumrateoffallonanygivendayofnomorethan0.225m;and
(ii)anaveragerateoffallof0.20mperdayovernomorethansixdaysatHeywoods,withamaximumrateoffallonanygivendayofnomorethan0.225m.
Whenflowsarebelow12,000ML/dtheAuthorityshouldmakereleasesfromHumeDamtoatargetmaximumrateoffallinriverlevelbelowHumeDamof0.2m/day(8inches)atHeywood’sgaugeand0.15m/day(6inches)attheDoctor’sPointgauge.
2.3.Minimumplannedregulatedreleases
(a)Purpose
ToestablishaminimumplannedregulatedreleasefromHumeReservoirthatbalancestheconservationofwaterandminimisationoflosses(O&Osub-clause4(2))withcontributingtotheprotectionand,wherepossible,restorationofpriorityenvironmentalassetsandecosystemfunctions(O&Osub-clause4(5)).
(b)SpecificObjective
MinimumplannedregulatedreleasesfromHumeDamtoprovideforriparian,amenityandin-streamneeds,willbemanagedtoconservewaterintheHumeReservoirwhilstsupportingenvironmentalassetsandecosystemfunctionsbetweenHumeReservoirandYarrawongaWeir.
(c)SpecificOutcome
Inmakingregulatedreleases,theAuthoritywillnotplantofallbelowminimumflowratetargetsdownstreamofHumeDam.
(d)Interpretation
TheCommitteeadvisesthattheminimumregulatedflowtargetsdownstreamofHumeDamshouldcontinuetobe600ML/dayatHeywoodsBridgegauge[3]andanaverageflowof1200ML/dayattheDoctor’sPointgauge.
2.4.Airspacemanagementandfloodoperations
(a)Purpose
ToestablishanairspacemanagementandfloodoperationstrategyforHumeReservoirthatisconsistentwithO&Osub-clause4(3).
(b)SpecificObjective
(i)FloodmanagementatHumeReservoirisconsistentwiththegeneraloutcome forfloodmanagement4(3)(b)(iv).
(ii)AirspacemanagementatHumeReservoir,whethertargetoradditional,forthepurposeoflimitingdamagetodownstreamcommunities,shouldhaveminimalrisktosecurityofsupplyinHumeReservoirwithoutcompromisingtheintegrityoftheDam.
(iii)DuringfloodoperationsatHumeReservoir,theAuthoritywillliaisewithrelevantagenciesinordertocoordinatethemanagementofthefloodingevent.
(c)SpecificOutcome
(i)AirspacemanagementatHumeReservoirwillbebasedonaveryhighprobabilitythatthestoragewillbeeffectivelyfullpriortodemanddownstreamofHumeReservoirexceedinginflowstoHume.
(ii)AirspacemanagementatHumeReservoirwillcontributetothemitigationoffloodingconditionsdownstreamoftheDam.
(iii)CommunicationinregardstothemanagementofthefloodingeventbetweentheAuthorityandrelevantparties,includingweatherforecastingandemergencyagencies,relevantStateConstructingAuthoritiesandtheRiverMurrayActionGroup,willremainaccurateandtimelyandkeepallrelevantpartieswellinformed.
(d)Interpretation
TheCommitteeadvisesthatpostfloodoperations,basedontransitioningtoworst-caseplanningwaterresourceassessment,HumeReservoirshouldbeeffectivelyfull(99%ofthetotalcapacityatFSL)whendownstreamdemandsexceedinflows.
TheCommitteeadvisesthatthetargetairspaceforthepurposeoffloodmitigationatHumeReservoirshouldbewithintherangeof30GL-386GLwhichisequivalenttobetween0.15m-2.0mbelowFullSupplyLevel.
2.5.Practicestobereplacedbythisdocument
(a)Regulatedreleaseof25000ML/dfromHumeReservoir-Murray-DarlingBasinCommission,1June1999,Meeting51,AgendaItem7(Practice9).
(b)ThemaximumratesoffallofriverlevelatHeywoods(8”/day)andDoctorsPoint(6”/day)-RiverMurrayCommission,18September1957,Meeting183(Practice17).
(c)Minimumreleaseof1223ML/dfromHumeReservoir,RiverMurrayCommission,5May1958(Practice11).
(d)HumeReservoirpre-releaseoperation,discussedbutnotexplicitlyagreedtobytheMurrayDarlingBasinCommissioninNovember1995(Practice35).
(e)HumeDamfloodoperation,withintheoperationaldiscretionoftheAuthority(Practice39).
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Objectives and outcomes for river operations in the River Murray System
- YarrawongaWeir
Table4:YarrawongaWeirsectionversioncontrolinformation
Version / DateApproved / Revisedby / Summaryofrevisions1 / 14/02/2013 / ReviewoftheAgreementTaskforce / RiveroperatingrulesagreedbytheBasinOfficialsCommitteeatmeeting11(AgendaItem9.1)updatedtoensuretheyreflectcontemporarypracticeandareincorporatedintothecurrentgovernanceframework.
2 / 10/12/2015 / River Murray Operations Committee / At meeting 37, BOC agreed to specify new SO&O 3.1a and amend SO&O 3.1 to become 3.1b. Minor amendments made to 3.1b for consistency with new SO&O 3.1a.
3.1.Maximumplannedregulatedflow
3.1.a Maximum planned regulated flow downstream of Yarrawonga Weir when inundation of the Barmah-Millewa Forest is desirable
(a)Purpose
To establish a maximum planned regulated flow downstream of Yarrawonga Weir when inundation of the Barmah-Millewa Forest is desirable, that balances operating the River Murray System efficiently and effectively in order to deliver State water entitlements (O&Osub-clause 4(2)), with contributing to the economic, social, environmental and cultural activities and values of people using the River (O&O sub-clause 4(4)) and contributing to the protection and restoration of priority environmental assets and ecosystem functions (O&Osub-clause 4(5)).
(b)SpecificObjective
Maximum planned regulated releases from Yarrawonga Weir when inundation of the Barmah-Millewa Forest is desirable, seek to limit impacts to downstream communities.
(c)SpecificOutcome
In making planned regulated releases, the Authority will not plan to exceed the maximum planned regulated flow downstream of Yarrawonga Weir when inundation of the Barmah-Millewa Forest is desirable.
(d)Interpretation
The Committee advises that the maximum planned regulated flow downstream of Yarrawonga Weir when inundation of the Barmah-Millewa Forest is desirable,is up to 3.3m at the Tocumwal Gauge, subject to:
- consultation with potentially affected landholders in relation to planned regulated flows above 3.0 m at the Tocumwal Gauge;
- adequate notice prior to commencement of those flows; and
- the implementation of agreed measures and actions to limit impacts.
- Further, from 1 October to 31 May planned regulated flows downstream of Yarrawonga Weir greater than 3.0 m at the Tocumwal Gauge will only occur if BOC is notified and no BOC member opposes the action.
Note that the water levels of 3.3m and 3.0m at the Tocumwal Gauge referred to above, are equivalent to flow rates of about 18000ML/dayand about 15,000ML/day downstream of Yarrawonga Weir, respectively.