A Framework for Identifying High Conservation Value Aquatic

Ecosystems

Harry Abrahams

© 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 CouncilMembers from all jurisdictionsProvide 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

Definition “Aquatic ecosystems”, are those that depend on flows, or periodic or sustained inundation/waterlogging for their ecological integrity (e.g. wetlands, rivers, karst and other groundwater dependent ecosystems, saltmarshes and estuaries) but do not generally include marine waters.

PrinciplesThe HCVAE framework should complement and build on existing jurisdictional initiatives.

The objective of the framework is ‘to provide a nationally consistent approach for the identification, classification and management of HCVAE.’

Allow identification of Nationally Significant HCVAE’s

Purposes

Not intended as a regulatory mechanism

Identify aquatic ecosystems of high conservation value and differentiate between HCVAEs of national and regional importance

Improve knowledge of HCVAEs, information sharing and cross-jurisdictional coordination

Guide planning, investment and management decisions

Assist in meeting national and international obligations for protection of aquatic ecosystems

Regionalisation Australian Drainage Divisions system (together with IMCRA for marine ecosystems) adopted as the ‘best fit’ national regionalisation approach for aquatic ecosystems in Australia to apply to HCVAE and Ramsar, and

IBRA to be used to prioritise the identification and protection of HCVAEs under the National Reserve System

Draft criteria for national significance

RepresentativenessDiversityDistinctiveness‘Strategic’ habitatEvolutionary historyNaturalnessInternational recognition (eg Ramsar) automatically recognised

Australian Government Investment

To assist jurisdictions in management beyond water management Australian Government has aligned investment programs to HCVAE process– Caring for Our Country– Northern Australia Water Futures Assessment– Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative 3

List of nationally significant HCVAEs to guide Australian Government investments Links to National Reserve SystemLinks to Murray-Darling Basin Planning

Next StepsInitial focus on identification and classificationTrialling criteriaGovernance framework and listing processClassification systemIdentify public consultation process for framework

Thank You