Condamine–Balonne, Border catchments that have not Rivers and Namoi catchments. met many of the outcomes. 390 GL A fully Represents the implemented This scenario is the primary — implemented Basin Basin Plan as currently legislated. comparison scenario for the Plan Northern Basin Review. 415 GL water Represents a similar water To understand what — recovery more than recovery approach to the fully additional environmental Basin Plan implemented Basin Plan, but with outcomes be possible a 25 GL increase to the volume of with more water recovery. water recovered. Table 3: Step 2 in the development of recovery scenarios and a brief description of each Scenario name Scenario description Why? 320 GL B default Represents a 320 GL recovery To test the performance of — water recovery less volume that is based primarily on different recovery strategies than Basin Plan (pro achieving an equitable recovery (i.e. looking at how rata) strategy. outcomes are influenced by where and how much water is recovered for each catchment) 350 GL targeted Represents Plan recovery To understand if outcomes — recovery strategy, but includes a highly can be improved if water targeted recovery strategy in the recovery is targeted for Condamine–Balonne. In particular particular areas, volumes targeting in-channel water and entitlement types. recovery in the Narran River over overland flow licenses. 390 GL B current Represents the Basin Plan 390 To determine the level to — operations GL scenario described above, but which environmental with an altered strategy for outcomes in the managing/delivering Darling are dependent on environmental flows to the the assumed management Barwon–Darling. Under this strategy for environmental option, there is no coordination of water. The management catchment flows instead, the strategy in this scenario is — catchments worked individually to largely consistent with deliver low flows downstream to current knowledge and maintain connectivity with the operating practices, and Barwon–Darling, as per the therefore assumes there will Barwon–Darling Water Sharing be minimal future advances Plan rules. in operating capacity. Table 4: Step 3 in development of recovery scenarios and a brief description of each Scenario name Scenario description Why? 320 GL C refined Another variation of a 320 GL To test if the Basin Plan — scenario. This option was (390 GL) scenario
Condamine–Balonne, Border Rivers and Namoi catchments. catchments that have not met many of the outcomes. 390 GL A — fully implemented Basin Plan Represents the implemented Basin Plan as currently legislated. This scenario is the primary comparison scenario for the Northern Basin Review. 415 GL — water recovery more than Basin Plan Represents a similar water recovery approach to the fully implemented Basin Plan, but with a 25 GL increase to the volume of water recovered. To understand what additional environmental outcomes be possible with more water recovery. Table 3: Step 2 in the development of recovery scenarios and a brief description of each Scenario name Scenario description Why? 320 GL B — default water recovery less than Basin Plan (pro rata) Represents a 320 GL recovery volume that is based primarily on achieving an equitable recovery strategy. To test the performance of different recovery strategies (i.e. looking at how outcomes are influenced by where and how much water is recovered for each catchment) 350 GL — targeted recovery Represents Plan recovery strategy, but includes a highly targeted recovery strategy in the Condamine–Balonne. In particular targeting in-channel water recovery in the Narran River over overland flow licenses. To understand if outcomes can be improved if water recovery is targeted for particular areas, volumes and entitlement types. 390 GL B — current operations Represents the Basin Plan 390 GL scenario described above, but with an altered strategy for managing/delivering environmental flows to the Barwon–Darling. Under this option, there is no coordination of catchment flows — instead, the catchments worked individually to deliver low flows downstream to maintain connectivity with the Barwon–Darling, as per the Barwon–Darling Water Sharing Plan rules. To determine the level to which environmental outcomes in the are dependent on the assumed management strategy for environmental water. The management strategy in this scenario is largely consistent with current knowledge and operating practices, and therefore assumes there will be minimal future advances in operating capacity. Table 4: Step 3 in development of recovery scenarios and a brief description of each Scenario name Scenario description Why? 320 GL C — refined Another variation of a 320 GL scenario. This option was To test if the Basin Plan (390 GL) scenario Darling
NBR-environmental-outcomes-Oct-16_2.docx