Coverage of surface water planning

C

Victoria and Queensland generally well covered by final management plans. Significant number of plans in progress in New South Wales. Large areas for the rest of the country are only covered by statewide policy. Eight per cent of areas identified as not having a plan but requiring one.

Coverage of groundwater planning

C

Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland have a number of areas covered by final management plans. All of Tasmania and large parts of Northern Territory are only covered by statewide Policy. Twelve per cent of areas identified as not having a plan but requiring one, including several areas in Victoria.

Integrated management of surface and groundwater

D

Generally poor level of integration of surface water and groundwater management across Australia . Usually managed as separate systems. Some initial activity to integrate groundwater and surface water management in South Australia and ACT.

Surface water sustainable yields assessed

C

All of Queensland and large outback areas of South Australia have not reported their sustainable yields. Good coverage in Victoria, Northern Territory and Western Australia. New work commenced by National Water Commission to develop best practice methods for the calculating and reporting sustainable yield.

Groundwater sustainable yields assessed

C

Majority of Queensland, large parts of Northern Territory, South Australia and Victoria have not reported their sustainable yields. Good coverage in New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia.

Information on overallocation of water resources

D

Progress in Snowy River and Murray-Darling Basin, however some discrepancy in these areas between understanding of overallocation at basin vs surface water management area scale. Significant reduction in overallocated areas in last 6 years, but not clear if due to management actions or changes in definitions of sustainable yield.

High conservation value wetlands identified

B

More than 3500 wetlands identified under Ramsar, Commonwealth and state or territory legislation. Large numbers of wetlands protected by state legislation in Western Australia and New South Wales.

High conservation value rivers identified

D

Only a handful of rivers of high conservation value are protected across Australia - in Victoria (with 43) and New South Wales (with five). Significant progress to develop River Health Assessments has been made in recent years in Victoria, Tasmania and Murray-Darling Basin. Activity underway in Queensland.

Environmental water provisions identified

C

Good progress in most states, some way to go in Western Australia and Northern Territory. Good progress in Murray-Darling Basin including plans to provide adequate flows to six icon ecological assets.

A

Very good complete coverage, no gaps or limitations

B

Good near complete coverage, minor gaps or limitations only

C

Adequate reasonable coverage, some gaps or limitations

D

Poor patchy coverage, significant gaps or limitations

E

Inadequate - no coverage, very serious gaps or limitations