The balance between consumption and the environment
Drought and climate change are having a significantly greater impact on rivers than on consumptive users.
Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate the changes in consumptive use and the rivers’ share of available water as inflows decline, and shows the dramatic decline in the river’s share. See Figures 2, 3 and 4
The NRSWS clearly states that this disproportionate impact is a consequence of the water allocation framework. (17) This is because most of the EWR is made up of ‘above cap’ water that cannot be regulated, and passing flows that are conditions of consumptive bulk entitlements. These elements are highly vulnerable to climate change. Only 6 per cent of the EWR is actually held as specific environmental entitlements against which an allocation can be made and which have the capacity to be managed. A significant rebalancing between consumptive and environmental use is required to have any chance of improving the health of our rivers.
In the long-term, tackling the drivers of climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions are the most important way of safeguarding river health and preserving floodplain ecosystems.
In the short-term, adequate water recovery targets that maintain connectivity and resilience in river systems are essential. It is absolutely crucial that environmental water purchase and changes to the irrigation system be driven by the needs of the river systems. Their long-term decline will continue to undermine the prosperity of the very communities that benefit from their water.
References
(17) NRSWS p 24
