On 14 April 2009 NVIRP received a determination from the Commonwealth Minister for Planning that the project did not require an Environmental Effects Statement under the Environment Effect Act 1978, subject to six conditions.
Listed below is an outline of each condition and relevant links are provided at the end of this page.
Condition One: Environmental Management Framework
NVIRP was required to prepare a Construction-Environmental Management Framework prior to commencing any capital works involving either the removal of native vegetation or direct construction impacts on wetlands or natural waterways.
The framework needed to incorporate a statement of commitment or performance requirements; strategies for assessing potential impacts on flora and fauna and a framework for managing impacts and accountabilities including strategies and plans.
NVIRP developed a framework which was approved by the Victorian Minister for Planning on 29 May 2009, in consultation with the Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Subsequent improvements have been made to the framework and have been approved in accordance with Condition One.
Condition Two: Expert Review Panel
An Expert Review Panel was to be formed to provide advice on hydrological and related ecological changes due to the implementation of NVIRP, with the membership and terms of reference to be endorsed by the Commonwealth Minister for Environment and Climate Change.
A panel was formed and meets regularly to review and provide advice to the Victorian Minister for Water and Secretary of the DSE on reports prepared by NVIRP. The following experts were selected to be on the panel after endorsement by the Minister for Environment and Climate Change:
- Dr Terry Hillman, Ecologist with extensive knowledge of the Murray Darling Basin, rivers and floodplains and
- Dr Jane Roberts, Vegetation ecologist for floodplains, rivers and wetlands.
To allow NVIRP to comply with the Minister for Planning's response the ERP:
- Provides written advice on the environmental framework for water management
- Reviews and provides written advice on NVIRP's assessment reports on the ecological consequences of hydrological changes arising from implementation of NVIRP for the Murray River, the Goulburn River and the Barmah Forest Ramsar Site and
- Provides advice on individual Environmental Watering Plans (EWPs) for ‘at risk' waterways and wetlands.
Condition Three: Environmental Framework for Water Management
NVIRP was required to prepare a framework for the protection of aquatic and riparian ecological values through the management of water allocations and flows within the modified GMID system.
In response to this request, NVIRP developed a Water Change Management Framework to describe protection and management measures. The framework outlines processes and methodologies for assessing potential ecological risks to wetlands, waterways and groundwater or seepage dependent ecosystems caused by hydrological changes associated with NVIRP.
The framework applies to how NVIRP:
- develops operational requirements for managing the ecological consequences of hydrological changes arising from the implementation of NVIRP
- establishes future operational requirements to achieve agreed environmental performance requirements, including transfer of responsibility to appropriate organisations and
- describes how the ecological consequences of hydrological changes arising from the implementation of NVIRP will be monitored, reported and adjusted through an adaptive management approach.
The final Water Change Management Framework was approved by the State Minister for Water on 27 July 2010 following consultation with the Minister for Environment and Climate Change and written advice from the Expert Review Panel. The framework was also approved by the Department for Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts.
All members of NVIRP, its employees and contractors must comply with the requirements of this framework.
Condition Four: Ecological Assessment Report
An ecological assessment report needs to be prepared to describe the ecological consequences of hydrological changes arising from NVIRP for the Murray River, Goulburn River and Barmah Forest Ramsar Site.
The report needs to be submitted to the Secretary of the DSE before December 2010 or as directed by the Victorian Minister for Planning. The report is currently being prepared and will be submitted by the required date.
Condition Five: Environmental Watering Plans
Environmental Watering Plans need to be prepared for at risk waterways and wetlands prior to modified irrigation infrastructure being operated near these sites. The plans need to be approved by the Victorian Minister for Water following advice from the Expert Review Panel. Plans affecting matters of national environmental significance also require Commonwealth approval.
Environmental watering plans help determine the environment's dependence on irrigation outfall water and mitigate potential impacts associated with NVIRP. They support the achievement of no net environmental loss through cooperation between land, water and catchment managers. Each plan:
- identifies environmental values of the wetland
- identifies water required to protect the environmental values
- defines the environmental watering regime and water sources
- identifies infrastructure requirements
- provides draft protocols for ongoing water supply and
- identifies management responsibilities.
The plans also enable a greater focus to be placed on maintaining significant wetlands through targeted watering.
Environmental watering plans have been prepared for the following high environmental value assets. Please click on the asset name to view the relevant plan:
Prioritised waterways | | |
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Prioritised wetlands | | |
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These plans have been submitted to the Victorian Minister for Water and Commonwealth Minister for Environment Protection for approval. Further plans may be developed as required for the implementation of future works. NVIRP also acknowledges the tremendous effort of the North Central and Goulburn Broken catchment management authorities in preparing environmental watering plans.
Condition Six: Publically Available Information
Final advice from the Expert Review Panel on the Environmental Framework for Water Management, Ecological Assessment Report and environmental watering plans needed to be made publically available. This information is available on our website.