A Framework for Identifying High Conservation Value Aquatic Ecosystems Chris Schweizer © Andrew Tatnell

Overview Paragraph 25 x of the National Water Initiative: parties have agreed their water access entitlements and planning frameworks will ‘identify and acknowledge surface and groundwater systems of high conservation value and manage these systems to protect and enhance those values’.

Aquatic Ecosystems Task Group Established under NRM Ministerial Council Members from all jurisdictions Provide a nationally coordinated approach to policy development for relevant cross- jurisdictional issues within the aquatic ecosystems context. Oversee development of a national policy framework for identification, classification and management of HCVAE

Principles and Purposes Complement and build on existing jurisdictional initiatives. Nationally consistent approach to the identification, classification and management of HCVAE Enable identification of assets of local, regional and national importance, but differentiate Guide planning, investment and management decisions Improve cross-jurisdictional coordination

Draft criteria for HCVAE Representativeness Diversity Distinctiveness Strategic habitat Evolutionary history Naturalness International recognition (eg Ramsar)

Regionalisation AWRC Drainage Divisions

Classification Developing classification system –Proposed hierarchical system based on nine high level classes marine, estuarine, coastal, riverine, palustrine, lacustrine, nivean, subterranean and artificial water bodies –Supported by several sub-classes that can be translated through to current jurisdictional systems –Next step to undertake worked examples

Testing the Framework AETG has trialled criteria in several areas –River reaches (Vic) –Estuaries (NSW) –Moundsprings (WA) –Northern MDB In partnership with Northern Murray-Darling Basin Program to identify important ecological assets and refugia within northern Murray-Darling Basin Consistent approach to identification of HCVAE for MDB Plan and Australian Government investments

Murray-Darling Basin Plan Water Act 2007 requires development of Basin Plan to provide for the integrated management of Basin water resources Plan must Promote wise use of all the Basin water resources –Promote the conservation of Ramsar wetlands in MDB –Take account of ecological character descriptions (ECD) of Ramsar wetlands and all other key environmental sites within the MDB [s.21(3) (a) – (c) refers]

Ecological Character Descriptions (ECDs) – Key elements Description of components, processes & services/benefits Conceptual models Limits of acceptable change Threats Knowledge gaps Changes in ecological character

Caring for Our Country Aligned to HCVAE process to assist jurisdictions in management beyond water management Coastal Environments and Critical Aquatic Habitats targets –Sustain environmental values of Ramsar sites and (non- Ramsar) priority coastal and inland HCVAE including, as a priority, sites in the MDB –Potential for large-scale project to maintain aquatic habitats in the northern MDB

Questions ?