Snowy River Increased Flows: Safety Management …...Snowy River Increased Flows: Safety Management Plan Winter and spring 2015 high flow releases into the Snowy River below Jindabyne

Snowy River Increased Flows: Safety Management Plan

Winter and spring 2015 high flow releases into the Snowy River below Jindabyne

July 2015

Published by the NSW Department of Primary Industries, Water

Safety Management Plan – Winter and Spring 2015 high flow releases into the Snowy River below Jindabyne

First published July 2015

More information

Simon Williams, Environmental Water Manager, DPI Water.

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

© State of New South Wales through the Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development, 2015. You may copy, distribute and otherwise freely deal with this publication for any purpose, provided that you attribute the NSW Department of Primary Industries as the owner.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this publication is based on knowledge and understanding at the time of writing (July 2015). However, because of advances in knowledge, users are reminded of the need to ensure that information upon which they rely is up to date and to check currency of the information with the appropriate officer of the Department of Primary Industries or the user’s independent adviser.

Safety Management Plan - Winter and spring 2015 high flow releases into the Snowy River below Jindabyne

Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 2

Objectives of this safety plan ....................................................................................................... 2

Policy and legislation ................................................................................................................... 3

Stakeholders ............................................................................................................................... 4

2014 spring ‘high flow’ environmental releases ........................................................................... 4

Travel times ................................................................................................................................ 7

Risk management ....................................................................................................................... 9

Identifying, analysing and controlling risks ................................................................................ 10

Enquiries and emergency contacts ........................................................................................... 14

Future strategies ....................................................................................................................... 14

i DPI Water, July 2015


Introduction The NSW Department of Primary Industries Water (DPI Water), formerly the Office of Water, is responsible for determining water releases into the Snowy River below Jindabyne Dam. These environmental water allocations are collectively called the Snowy River Increased Flows (SRIFs). DPI Water has been working with the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments, Snowy Hydro Limited and the community to implement a program of environmental water releases intended to improve the health of the Snowy River below Jindabyne Dam.

The lack of high flow events in the Snowy River since 1967 has caused a contraction of the river channel and a build-up of sediment in the riverbed. Sediment is delivered to the Snowy River via many of the smaller tributaries in local storm events. This sediment deposition occurs as a result of a reduction in local velocity as the tributary flows enter the larger channel of the Snowy River and the tributary sediment load is deposited in the main stem.

The build-up of sediment in the Snowy riverbed has been recognised as one of the key limitations for the recovery of the health of the river, as it reduces the quality of the river habitat and/or smothers plants and animals directly. To address the impacts of river regulation, environmental water releases occur every day of the year, but greater magnitude events are planned for the spring period so as to better reflect the hydrology of the mixed rainfall/snowmelt rivers of the Snowy Mountains and to encourage scour and lateral deposition of the sediment.

This year, the New South Wales, Victorian and Commonwealth Governments have committed approximately 147,884 megalitres (ML) for the 2015-16 water year, and 39,524 and 67,336 ML of water during winter and spring periods to mimic the characteristics of the Snowy River’s hydrology and the snowmelt flood that occurred every year prior to the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. Addressing this issue of re-introducing an annual flood is seen as the first order environmental objective in the early stages of the long term watering strategy.

The flushing flow release is a large release of water from Jindabyne Dam that is intended to mimic the characteristics of the annual spring flood and to ‘flush’ sediment from the Snowy River bed. The movement of fine sediment starts to occur when flows exceed 1,000 ML/day. It is anticipated that flow rates of 10,000 ML/day will move sediment particles of size up to 256mm. Movement of particles of this size will assist in reducing the sediment armouring (i.e. particles locked together) of the river bed. However, sediment armouring has greatly reduced since 2011-2014 high flows have been implemented.

To make these releases, Snowy Hydro Limited constructed outlet works at Jindabyne Dam, including new low level valve outlets and an expanded spillway arrangement. These works were commissioned in January 2006. In addition, Snowy Hydro Limited is required by the Snowy Water Licence to adjust its operation of the Snowy Scheme to build up the water level in Lake Jindabyne prior to each flow release so that releases can be made through the enhanced spillway. This allows the peak release rates to be achieved for the flushing flows.

This means that, prior to the flushing flow releases, and during the releases, the volume of water held in Jindabyne Dam storage will be high because the peak flow rate that is being targeted requires water to be released through the gated spillway outlet at the top of the dam. In turn, any high inflows to Jindabyne Dam during this period are more likely to result in unplanned flows over the spillway and into the Snowy River than would otherwise be the case.

Objectives of this safety plan In making these larger flood releases from Jindabyne Dam, a management plan is required to address the potential safety concerns. This document highlights potential safety issues associated with large scale releases.

Clause 15.7 of Schedule 3 of the Snowy Water Licence requires the development of a safety management plan that addresses the legal obligations (if any) of both the Ministerial Corporation

2 DPI Water, July 2015


and Snowy Hydro Limited with respect to public safety, damage to third party property, and workplace health and safety in connection with the release of ‘flushing flows’.

Flushing flows are defined in clause 15.3 of the licence to be a daily release targeted by Snowy Hydro Limited from Jindabyne Dam that exceeds 5,000 ML/day. This is the flow rate above which spillway releases are required. The DPI Water’s Safety Management Plan was first developed in October 2011 to meet that requirement. This revised plan is based on the previous spring plans between 2011 and 2014 and incorporates information gained from these previous events.

The plan attempts to identify and address anticipated risks to the public, third party property, and DPI Water and Snowy Hydro employees from the flushing flows. The objectives of the plan are to ensure that these risks are appropriately minimised by:

• establishing and maintaining productive relationships with stakeholders that hold an interest in public safety along the Snowy River;

• complying with any statutory requirements;

• promoting public awareness of potential risks from the variable river heights in the Snowy River from below Jindabyne Dam to the Dalgety Uplands;

• promoting public awareness of potential risks from the collection of river debris; and

• providing opportunities for the public to view the flushing flow while avoiding risks to personal safety and property.

Policy and legislation The release of the Snowy River Increased Flows (SRIFs), and in particular the flushing flow, is governed by the following key acts and agreements:

Snowy Water Inquiry Outcomes Implementation Deed 2002 (SWIOID) Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Act 1997



Stakeholders DPI Water has consulted widely with the local community to identify all stakeholders likely to be affected by the releases, or who may be able to assist in ensuring the safety of staff, the public and property during the releases. DPI Water recognises that effective management of the risks that could arise from the releases requires the support and coordination of many stakeholders, including:

• Landholders along the Snowy River • Local businesses within the Snowy region • Members of the general public • Recreational fishing groups • Community interest groups • Recreational campers and tourists • Snowy River Shire Council • NSW State Emergency Service • Local Land Services • National Parks and Wildlife Service • Livestock, Health and Pest Authority • NSW Roads and Maritime Services • Snowy Hydro Limited.

It is of great importance to DPI Water to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders who have an interest in ensuring the spring flushing flow event occurs safely.

2015 winter and spring ‘high flow’ environmental releases The 2015 winter and spring environmental water releases differ from the previous 2010-13 winter/spring releases, as they are based on a different inflow sequence (i.e. 2007-08) to the previous year, in an attempt to vary daily flows between years. The spring releases will better reflect the hydrological cues of a Snowy montane river, and provide more water for the remainder of the year. However, a central tenet of the release strategy is to ensure events are large enough to scour the bed of the Snowy River in order to improve the habitat and resulting in secondary ecological responses to the improved habitat condition.

The 2015-16 daily flow release strategy (Figure 2) has a number of key components and they are briefly described below.



Figure 1. Five spring high flow events will occur during winter and spring 2015. The main spring “flushing flow” will occur via the spillway (A) of Jindabyne Dam and the other four secondary events will be released from the cone valves (B). The date for the main flushing flow will vary depending on climatic conditions.

Note: The cone valves (B) have the capacity to allow highly variable daily release patterns up to 5,000 ML/day.

Like 2013-14 and 2014-15, the ‘flow scaling’ approach for 2015-16 delivers an enhanced seasonal signal in the monthly flow pattern (Figure 3) that is typical of a mixed snowmelt rainfall river system characteristic of the Snowy Mountains, including:

• Substantially increased flow variability between days, i.e. the river discharge is not maintained at the one level for a week at a time. The river water level will vary more than in previous years.

• Sustained higher flow rates over winter and spring months, with

o six consecutive months in excess of 10,000 ML per month

o two months where total discharge is greater than 20,000 ML per month.

• An annual flood (flushing flow) with a primary 8 hour peak of 93.87 m3/s (the equivalent of 8,110 ML/day if released for 24 hours), and a total daily volume of 5,335 ML. This will require delivery via the Jindabyne Dam spillway.

• Four additional smaller flood pulse releases (1, 2, 3 and 5), with an hourly release strategy to specifically increase the peak flow rate up to the maximum capacity of cone valves over an eight hour period. These four events will have peak flow rates sustained over eight hour durations ranging from 1,949 to 3,464 ML/day (22.56 – 40.09 m3/s).

• Complex multi peak hydrographs that are typical of the Snowy Mountain rivers.

• Low flow periods in late summer, with a minimum release rate of 71 ML/day that are punctuated by frequent small flow pulses reflective of natural summertime rain storms.



- 0

1000

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01/05 20/06 09/08 28/09 17/11 06/01 25/02 15/04

Disc

harg

e (M

L/d)

Mean Daily Discharge (ML)

Peak Discharge (ML)

Interim Trial Targets (ML)

Jindabyne SRIF 2015-16

147,884 GL SRIFbased on '2007-08 (orginal)

2

4

3

5

Winter/spring peaks

1 12 Aug 3,4642 31 Aug 1,9493 9 Sep 3,2174 28 Oct 8,1105 4 Nov 2,973

Release from Mowamba Weirduring May 2015.

1

Djuran (Running water)

Waawii (Water Spririt)

Billa Bidgee Kaap (Big Water season)

Wai – Garl (River Black Fish)

Bundrea Nooruun Bundbararn (Waterhole Big Lizard)

Figure 2. Snowy River below Jindabyne mean daily discharge pattern for 2015-16 (blue), with one primary (4) and four secondary (1,2,3,5) hourly flow peaks (red dotted lines).

Key water release dates:

• Wednesday 12 August – equivalent peak flow 3,464 ML/d for 8 hours

• Monday 31 August – equivalent peak flow 1,949 ML/d for 8 hours

• Wednesday 9 September – equivalent peak flow 3,217 ML/d for 8 hours

• Wednesday 28 October – equivalent peak flow 8,110 ML/d for 8 hours

• Wednesday 4 November – equivalent peak flow 2,973 ML/d for 8 hours

Note: The high flow events (i.e. red dots) are expressed as an equivalent flow rate. For example, the ‘Flushing Flow’ on 28 October will average 8,110 ML/day (93.87 m3/s) for 8 hours with a total volume release for the day of 5,335 ML.

Note: The peak flow rate will occur for 8 hours so as to (i) mimic the flashy hydrology of the Snowy and to (ii) promote habitat improvement. These will occur from 8am to 4pm.

Note: The release date for the flushing flow peak event could change as it is weather dependent.

The peak flow rate is smaller than the 2011 to 2014 events, and flow will remain within the historical bed and banks of the river. The flushing flow will be released from Jindabyne Dam and will primarily affect the river reach between Jindabyne Gorge and the junction with the Delegate River. These reaches are in a rain shadow, so natural flow events from rainfall are uncommon. As the flushing flows travel down the Snowy River, the peak flow will naturally attenuate (reduce) and, subject to any further tributary inflows along the Snowy River, the increase in river levels for the flushing flow releases will occur more slowly and to a lesser extent.

As the Snowy River joins with its various tributaries further downstream, the effect of the releases is more likely to be within the bounds of flows that occur under normal conditions from time to time.

This release will improve the habitat condition of the Snowy River through widespread mobilisation of riverbed sediments and scouring of accumulated sand, silt, mud and algae. Regular high flow events will be released on an ongoing basis to rejuvenate and improve riverbed condition and to meet other ecological objectives over the longer term.



Travel times Travel times can vary significantly from one flow event to another and are influenced by rainfall patterns, existing catchment conditions, depth of flow, and storage effects. If the ground is already wet, travel times often reduce since less water is lost to the channel bed. Travel times also reduce as flow increases in the natural channel due to the declining influence of within-channel vegetation and obstructions. In the event of floods, large volumes of water stored outside the main channel have a dampening effect on peak flows and slow the travel time. However, the planned environmental releases are not of this magnitude.

The most accurate estimates are often based on similar historical events. The 2015 release is expected to have slightly slower travel times to the 2011-2014 (Figure 4) events. The approximate travel time of the release between key locations along the Snowy River is shown in Table 2.

Flow at Dalgety is expected to increase approximately four to six hours after leaving Jindabyne Dam and a total of 15 to 20 hours before it reaches Burnt Hut Crossing. These two reaches above Burnt Hut Crossing will be the most responsive to water level fluctuations from flow released at Lake Jindabyne.

Figure 3. The Snowy River catchment and the location of hydrometric stations in NSW, that are used to estimate water travel times of the 2014 flushing flow.

Burnt

Willi



Table 1. Estimated travel times of environmental water released down the Snowy River

Reach Distance (km) Travel time (hrs)

Lake Jindabyne to Dalgety 25 4-6

Lake Jindabyne to Burnt Hut 80 15-20

Lake Jindabyne to Willis (NSW-Vic border)

171 36-40

Figure 4. Hourly discharge (ML/day) between the first and last environmental flow (4th Sep – 11th Nov 2013). Discharge is shown for the Snowy River directly below the dam and the Mowamba River.



Risk management Risk management is a key component of this plan and plays a significant role in the way DPI Water effectively manages public safety. DPI Water’s approach to risk management involves ensuring that it meets its statutory obligations, including work health and safety requirements, and appropriate risk identification and mitigation. To satisfy these requirements DPI Water has prepared and will implement, with Snowy Hydro Limited, a suite of policies and procedures.

Before Release To assist in this process and the coordination of communication activities a Snowy River Working Group, led by DPI Water was first established in 2011. The group consists of representatives from key local organisations (refer to Appendix 1 for more details). Meetings have been held in the lead-up to previous releases and the group has provided guidance on the identification, analysis, control and monitoring of potential risks.

The assessment of potential risks is summarised in the table below. A range of risks have been identified. The significance of the potential consequences has also been assessed for each associated risk as well as the probability of that risk being realised. Strategies to reduce or remove the risk are provided in the final column. The group will not be convened prior to the release this year because the identified risks and mitigation options are already well established for an event of this size. Key stakeholders will be directly contacted as the need arises.

One of the main strategies to address many of these risks is effective and timely communication with stakeholders. DPI Water has developed and commenced implementing a communications strategy (Appendix 1). This strategy outlines the key activities and responsibilities for action for the upcoming winter-spring 2015 environmental releases to ensure that target groups are well prepared and appropriate wider publicity is provided.

During Release DPI Water is the lead agency for managing the flushing flow releases and as such will provide focussed operational oversight during this spring period. In the days leading up to the flushing flow releases DPI Water will closely monitor weather forecasts and flows in the Snowy River and the tributaries downstream of Jindabyne Dam.

During the event, constant monitoring of information will occur through liaison with the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and Snowy Hydro Limited (SHL), particularly if forecasts indicate that future rain is likely. Approximate river flows can be forecast by the BOM up to several days in advance. If natural flows combined with Jindabyne Dam releases are likely to cause inconvenience to downstream communities, DPI Water can direct Snowy Hydro Limited to modify or cease releases from the dam.

Advice from Snowy Hydro Limited will be sought on at least a daily basis regarding storage levels and inflows to Jindabyne Dam. In addition to a flood mitigation directive from DPI Water, Snowy Hydro Limited will cease releases if:

a) directed to by the NSW Police or the SES

b) there is a watercraft or person in the plunge pool or

c) a watercraft or person has entered the area of Lake Jindabyne between the buoy line and the spillway.



Identifying, analysing and controlling risks Risks are public safety, damage to third party property, and occupational health and safety that arise in connection with the flushing flows.

Category Location Associated risk Consequences Probability Strategies to reduce or remove risk

Rapid rise in water level on five occasions during spring.

Snowy River below Jindabyne Dam.

The community being “caught out” by the higher degree of flow variability over winter and spring.

Serious – potential damage to owner’s assets and injuries to individuals accessing the river during the event.

High Regular but targeted communication to community over winter and spring.

Management of releases up to and during peak flow period.

Snowy River below Jindabyne Dam.

Increases in tributary inflows downstream of Jindabyne Dam combining with releases to cause flooding.

Potentially Serious – depending on magnitude of increases in downstream tributary inflows.

Moderate to High

Regular monitoring of flows and close liaison between DPI Water, the BoM and Snowy Hydro Limited. SHL will cease releases if requested to do so by DPI Water, the SES or the Police.

The BoM to undertake forecast modeling. Releases will be cut back if required to minimise the risk of targeted flows being exceeded.

Campsites and picnic areas

Various, including:

- The Barry Way; - Scotchies Yard; - Willis; - Halfway Flat; - Pinch River; - Running Waters.

Risks to holiday makers/travelers, campers and the general public utilising these areas.

Serious – potential damage to owner’s assets (camping gear, vehicles etc) and injuries to individuals accessing the sites during the event.

High Information materials, such as FAQs sheets and factsheets will be made publically available via the web, and emailed directly to downstream landholders and via the working group.

Property access (River Crossings x 8)

Various (Refer appendix 2).

Various river crossings will be inundated and will be inoperable during the event.

Low – loss of vehicular access. Moderate Information materials, such as FAQs sheets and factsheets will be made publically available via the web, and emailed directly to downstream landholders and via the working group.

Property owners were previously identified and contacted individually. Each owner now




emailed to prepare for potential risks.

Bridge Buckley’s Crossing, Dalgety

Bridge subject to gathering of debris, such as tree branches/logs.

Minor - As the bridge existed prior to the construction of Jindabyne Dam and there have subsequently been larger flows during this time, it is expected that the bridge will cope with the flow.

Low The Dalgety Bridge is a combination of steel and timber and is inspected every two years by the NSW Roads and Maritime Services.

Capital works are currently being undertaken on the bridge. DPI Water will contact the RMS to seek advice.

Buildings x 13 Various

Various infrastructure located within 50 metres of the inundation zone has the potential to be inundated.

Minor- Potential damage to property, stock and equipment. Although the infrastructure is close to the river, most are located on the high bank and are unlikely to be inundated.

Only a few small sheds were inundated during the 2011 event.

Low to Moderate Building owners have been previously identified and contacted individually. Each owner would already be aware of risks. Land owners will receive notification via email and be advised to prepare for potential risks.

Regular monitoring of the flows to ensure that operational limits are not exceeded.

In the longer-term develop strategies for the removal of sheds from within the river channel.

Pumps x 15 Various – including Snowy River Shire Council

Pumps to be inundated by flows. Possibility of pump components being washed away.

Moderate – The pumps themselves should be able to withstand the flow; however, the associated pipes, brackets etc may be at risk of damage.

Moderate Pump owners have been previously identified and contacted individually. Each owner will receive notification via email and be advised to prepare for potential risks by either securing pumps or removing associated motors, pipes, etc.

Dam Wall Jindabyne Dam Wall Someone going over spillway or Serious – potential risk to Low The area around the dam wall will




someone going into plunge pool persons be fenced off by Snowy Hydro.

Buoy line around spillway in the storage; SHL will cease releases if a person or watercraft enters the plunge pool or if a person or watercraft enters the area of Lake Jindabyne between the buoy line and the spillway.

Injury to Snowy Hydro Limited employees in making the releases

Minor to Serious – potential risk to persons

Low Snowy Hydro Limited is required to have occupational health and safety procedures in place for its employees and worksites and is required to comply with them.

Various sites below Jindabyne Dam Wall

Injury to DPI Water Staff monitoring releases.

Minor to Serious – potential risk to persons

Low DPI Water is required to have occupational health and safety procedures in place for its staff and worksites and is required to comply with them.

Landholders All properties located along the Snowy River.

Risks to landholders property, equipment and own self well-being.

Minor - Potential damage to property, stock and equipment if located within 50 metres of the expected inundation zone.

Low Provision of timely notification of intended flow release and updates of any significant flow revision to landholders.

Quarry x 1 Dalgety South – Hickey’s Crossing

Sections of the quarry are likely to be inundated. This quarry was inundated during the 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 events.

Low Low Owner previously advised to prepare for potential risks by removing equipment and materials.

May need to consider works to limit flooding of quarry.

Public Roads Kosciuszko Road at Jindabyne Dam Wall

Risk of accidents if care is not taken.

Serious – potential risks to persons and vehicles.

Low Snowy Hydro has developed a Lake and Dam Site Safety Plan that addresses OH&S issues within the immediate area of Lake Jindabyne.

The area around the dam wall will




be fenced off by Snowy Hydro.

Snowy River Holiday Park

1 Hamilton Street, Dalgety Potential risk of inundation to property and equipment.

Moderate – potential damage to equipment if not secured or removed as advised.

Low – Caravan park is located on the high banks and is unlikely to be inundated.

Information materials, such as FAQs sheets and factsheets will be made publically available via the web, and emailed directly to the manager and via the working group.

Snowy River Shire Council and current Manager previously contacted and advised to prepare for potential risks by removing equipment.

Sporting Field Campbell Street, Dalgety Potential risk of inundation to sporting field.

Low – Playing field is located on the high banks and is unlikely to be inundated.

Information materials, such as FAQs sheets and factsheets will be made publically available via the web, and emailed directly to downstream landholders and via the working group.

Utility (Industrial site) Dalgety North – Dalgety Road

Potential risk of inundation to the industrial building.

Moderate – potential damage to equipment if not secured or removed as advised.

Low Information materials, such as FAQs sheets and factsheets will be made publically available via the web, and emailed directly to downstream landholders and via the working group.



Enquiries and emergency contacts

Contact Telephone Number

Enquiries (DPI Water)

1800 353 104

Police / Ambulance 000

Snowy River Shire Council Roads and Council Property Damage Water Emergencies

02 6451 1195 0428 637 307 0418 672 523 or 0408 484 853

State Emergency Service 132 500

RMS Transport Management Centre Incident Reporting Line 131 700

Future strategies It is anticipated that a higher spring flow rate and the associated flushing flow event will continue to occur on an annual basis. DPI Water is committed to improving all aspects of its risk management for the flows. This continuous improvement involves identifying and adapting current strategies, detecting gaps within those strategies and determining the right objectives. DPI Water achieves this through tracking and monitoring progress, liaising with all stakeholders, regular reviews and measuring the effectiveness of the strategy in achieving intended outcomes through the use of performance indicators.

For these flushing flows, this means:

• continually providing new information by measuring short-term responses to the spring flushing flow event

• reviewing the longer-term effects of the releases

• initiating a feedback process where DPI Water continues to learn and grow as a leader in water management of the Snowy River

• the three partner governments are on track to continue delivering flushing flow events on an annual basis.



Appendix 1: Communication Strategy - Snowy ‘high flow’ environmental releases 2015-16

Communication Strategy Snowy environmental releases 2015-16 Introduction A series of five high flow releases to the Snowy River from Jindabyne Dam are proposed during winter and spring 2015. The planned total release volume will be 42,808 megalitres over five separate events from 12th August to 4th November 2015, with a peak ‘flushing flow’ release equivalent to 8,110 ML/day for 8 hours on Wednesday 28th October 2015, weather permitting.

In the lead up to releases, DPI Water has established a working group to assist in the coordination of a Public Safety Management Plan. This group includes: DPI Water, Snowy Hydro Limited, Victorian Department of Sustainability and the Environment, Victorian Environmental Water Holder, South East Local Land Services, East Gippsland CMA, NSW Roads and Maritime Services, NSW Police, Victoria Police, State Emergency Services of NSW and Victoria, and NSW National Parks and Wildlife.

Background The NSW, Victorian and Commonwealth Governments have committed $425 million to recover 212,000 megalitres of water in the Murray-Darling Basin that could be returned to the Snowy River below Jindabyne. These are known as Snowy River Increased Flows (SRIF).

DPI Water is responsible for regulating water release arrangements for the Snowy River below Jindabyne and has been working with the Victorian and Commonwealth governments, and Snowy Hydro Limited to improve the river condition.

In 2013, a new flow regime that better mimics the hydrology of a Snowy Montane Rivers was implemented on a one-year trial. This revised flow regime included larger volumes during winter/spring and a series of five flood events was executed from September to November 2013, rather than a single flushing event.

This ‘hydro scaling’ method of water releases was also adopted in 2014-15, and will again be utilised in 2015-16, with five high-flow event occurring between 12th August to 4th November 2015.

Safety management regarding the 2015-16 releases will focus on:

(i) the higher degree of daily flow variability as the flow rates will reflect the flashy nature of a Snowy Montane rivers; and

(ii) the annual flushing flow. The public may not be familiar with the responsive nature of the natural hydrology in the Snowy River below Jindabyne.



Target audience • DPI Water employees • Snowy Hydro Limited • Snowy Shire Council • NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service • NSW Roads and Maritime Services • Livestock, Health and Pest Authorities • State Emergency Service • Landholders along the Snowy River • Local businesses within the Snowy region • State/Regional/Local media organisations • Recreational fishing industry • Commonwealth, NSW and Victorian Government agencies • Recreational campers and tourists • Community interest groups • Members of the general public

Objectives The broad aim of this strategy is to outline the key activities to be undertaken during the winter and spring 2015 environmental releases and to identify agency responsibilities and actions to be undertaken within a reasonable timeline.

The strategy will:

• identify and define the best approach to engage key target groups to better prepare for the spring releases, including the annual flushing flow on 28 October 2015; and

• ensure appropriate publicity without compromising engagement with relevant target groups.

Scope There is strong community interest in rehabilitating these rivers, as well as widespread agreement across all stakeholders that the delivery of additional flows is greatly needed.

This plan includes a range of actions adopted from the outcomes of the previous communication strategies prepared for the spring releases, between 2010 and 2014 and the April 2012 flood mitigation releases. It will be a ‘working document’ that details the actions necessary to ensure the safe release of environmental water into the Snowy River.

The scope of this plan will cover procedures for the following:

• Communication between DPI Water and its stakeholders • Communication with the general public • Management of community consultation (e.g. , Chamber of Commerce) • Community relations and media protocols • Communication activities in the lead up to and during the event(s)

DPI Water leads the Snowy River Working Group, which is an inter-agency forum to discuss management of environmental releases each year. The Group includes those agencies listed with responsibilities in this strategy (see Table A1), and other agencies with an interest in the releases. The corresponding action list is in Table A2.



Key messages • The 2015-16 annual allocation will provide:

o 147,884 megalitres of environmental water released to the Snowy River

o 42,808 megalitres released over five separate events from 12 August to 4th November 2015

o A pronounced winter spring flow signal with 39,524 and 78,365 megalitres released over winter and spring respectively.

o High degree of daily flow variability.

• The flows downstream will remain within the main river channel, however landholders are advised to ensure that stock and pumps are moved to higher ground if necessary.

• River levels will be more variable, with water levels changing on a daily basis. Residents need to be aware of this increased variability.

• Results from previous studies show that most of the physical work in the scouring of sediments in the Snowy River channel downstream of Jindabyne Dam occurred within a day of the higher flows commencing.

• The move to a ‘hydro scaling’ release pattern draws on these results and is expected to make better use of the available water by regular flow disturbance to help re-establish the natural channel and remove the build-up of silt and sediment over many years.

• The additional flow variability has greatly aided in the establishment of riparian and aquatic vegetation.

• This release pattern, which was successfully trialled over the 2013-14 and 2014-15 water years, is designed to better mimic the natural flow characteristics of Snowy Montane rivers.

To optimise the outcomes of the available water, the instantaneous flow rate will be at its maximum for a period of 8 hours. For example, on 12th August 2015 the volume released will be 2,607 megalitres, however higher flow rates will operate during the day, for example in the 8 hours between about 8am and 4pm they will average the equivalent of 3,464 ML/d for 8 hours.

Four of the releases will occur from Jindabyne Dam to the Snowy River through the cone values, while the release on 28th October will also have water passing over the spillway. The event planned for 28th October could vary as the ability to deliver water via the spillway is weather dependent.



Table A1. Agency responsibilities

Agency Responsibility

DPI Water

Project Manager: Lead implementation of the Safety Plan.

Project management: media engagement / event opportunities / contentious issues / enquiries.

Provide technical information to the team as required.

Approve relevant communication material and media releases / responses.

Snowy Hydro Limited (SHL) Provide technical information to the team as required.

Provide advice and feedback on all communication materials.

Snowy River Shire Council Provide technical information to the team as required.


NSW Roads and Maritime Services Provide technical information to the team as required.


National Parks and Wildlife Service Provide technical information to the team as required.


State Emergency Service (SES) Provide technical information to the team as required.


NSW Police – Jindabyne and Cooma Provide technical information to the team as required.


Victorian Police Provide technical information to the team as required.


Livestock Health and Pest Authorities (LHPA)

Provide technical information to the team as required.




Table A2. Direct actions

Action item Responsibility Comment

Provide FAQ’s and factsheets

DPI Water These will be made publically available via the web, emailed directly to downstream landholders and via the working group

Provide updates on the landholder contact list to DPI Water

All Ongoing

Contact Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce to ascertain if they wish to have a brief on this event

DPI Water Email Jindabyne Chamber of Commerce details of flushing flows.

Chamber advised that they don’t require a briefing as its peak season. They prefer emails.

Advise Local Police and SES of the planned flows and seek comment on any issues they perceive

DPI Water No issues advised.

Contact landholders along the Snowy River and key stakeholders advising of the timing and magnitude of the flows

DPI Water DPI Water Customer Programs commenced direct contact with downstream landholders and key stakeholders during August 2105.

Prepare technical poster (similar to those created for 2010 event) to be displayed in Jindabyne Visitors Information Centre, SES office and the township of Dalgety.

DPI Water DPI Water to prepare poster in PDF format and distribute to working group members and appropriate stakeholders – further copies will be emailed to external contacts as required

Issue a total of six separate media releases including 5 rising river alerts 3-5 days prior to the respective flow release to inform the affected communities.

Media outlets to be targeted : Snowy Shire Council – e-news Shire Wire Snowy Magazine Jindabyne Summit Sun Cooma-Monaro Express Monaro Post XL FM Snow FM ABC Radio South East

DPI Water Media release providing overview of the water release flows issued August 2015 - and then ‘Rising River alerts’ media releases to be issued on the following dates:

(A) 3rd August 2015 (B) 24th Augusts 2015 (C) 4th September 2015 (D) 19th October 2015 (E) 30th October 2015

Advise Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water of planned flows and seek interest regarding involvement of the Minister.

DPI Water Minister’s Office advised of the timing of the flows.

Advise Victorian and Commonwealth governments of the planned flows – timing and magnitude and seek interest regarding involvement.

DPI Water Victorian Government advised of the timing of the flows- July 2015.

Commonwealth Government advised of the



Action item Responsibility Comment timing of the flows - July 2015

Provide DPI Water Customer Programs with all up-to-date information to answer requests received through the 1800 number.

DPI Water Customer Programs provided with all relevant information – July 2015

Release the ‘Public Safety Management Plan’ – to be placed on DPI Water website and sent to members of the inter-agency working group.

DPI Water Updated ‘Public Safety Management Plan’ provided to interagency working group members – by July 2015

Updated ‘Public Safety Management Plan’ uploaded to DPI Water website – July 2015

Update DPI Water website to ensure it contains the latest information on the environmental releases – home page ‘news’ and Snowy River page.

DPI Water Home page ‘news’ was updated in August 2015 to coincide with the issuing of the first ‘Rising River Alert’ media release – 3 August 2015

Evaluation The following qualitative data will be used to indicate if this strategy has successfully achieved its objectives. Qualitative data, such as stakeholder surveys, is a more effective indicator of success, but is resource intensive and therefore not practical in this instance.

Objective Key indicators of success

Identify and define the best approach to engage key target groups to better prepare for the additional flows.

Feedback from staff handling the ‘rising river alerts’ through DPI Water’s 1800 number.

Number of enquiries received over the period of releases.

Ensure appropriate publicity without compromising engagement with target groups.

Informal liaison with stakeholders.


Documents

Snowy River Increased Flows: Safety Management …...Snowy River Increased Flows: Safety Management Plan Winter and spring 2015 high flow releases into the Snowy River below Jindabyne