Matters to be considered for environmental management rules

In force

(1)

In deciding the environmental management rules to be included in the resource operations plan, the chief executive is to consider—

(a)

the streamflows required to maintain the following—

(i)

the longitudinal connectivity of low flow habitats throughout river systems in the plan area;

(ii)

the wetted habitats at riffles and other streambed features;

(iii)

the natural seasonality of flows;

(iv)

the replenishment of refuge pools that enable movement of instream biota;

(v)

the lateral connectivity between rivers in the plan area and their adjacent riverine environments including floodplains;

(vi)

the connectivity, through the flow of water, between a watercourse, lake or spring and groundwater to replenish aquifers;

(vii)

the first post-winter flow event at nodes downstream of supplemented water infrastructure; and

(b)

the distance of a water bore from a watercourse, lake, spring or area of ecological value; and

(c)

the groundwater levels required to maintain the following—

(i)

habitats needed by aquatic biota in hyporheic zones;

(ii)

relevant groundwater-dependent ecosystems;

(iii)

the connectivity through the flow of water between an aquifer and an adjacent watercourse, lake or spring to replenish instream pools and enable movement of instream aquatic biota;

(iv)

the natural seasonality of low flows; and

(d)

the impact the taking of, or interfering with, water may have on the following—

(i)

instream water levels;

(ii)

water quality;

(iii)

baseflow;

(iv)

groundwater levels;

(v)

the natural movement of sediment;

(vi)

the bed and banks of a watercourse or lake;

(vii)

riparian vegetation;

(viii)

habitats for native plants and animals;

(ix)

the contribution from aquifers to the flow of water in watercourses;

(x)

the inundation of habitats;

(xi)

the movement of fish and other aquatic animals;

(xii)

the ecological values of waterholes, lakes, springs, relevant groundwater-dependent ecosystems or hyporheic zones;

(xiii)

the recreation and aesthetic values of the plan area;

(xiv)

cultural values including, for example, cultural values of traditional owners of an area.

(2)

Subsection (1) does not limit the matters the chief executive may consider.

(3)

In this section—

hyporheic zone means the zone where an exchange between surface water and groundwater happens.

water bore means a subartesian bore.

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27 Matters to be considered for environmental management rules