objectives is assessed through annual reports from the contracting governments and MDBA. The reports include valley reports for the catchments where an EoVT has been adopted. The Independent Audit Group for Salinity (IAG–Salinity) conducts an independent annual audit of the reports and register entries, and of the performance of the contracting governments and MDBA. A key driver of the BSMS is the principle of increases in salinity in the MDB by a ‘capping’ system of salt credits and debits managed by the participating governments through two major mechanisms. One is joint investment in salt interception schemes (SISs) and associated infrastructure; the other is investment in target setting and monitoring systems at the sites in concert with plans and actions to improve land management practices across the Basin. Victoria has set sub–targets for irrigation areas and upland systems so that it can monitor their effect on the EoVTs. The nine elements of the BSMS are: Developing capacity to implement the strategy Identifying values and assets at risk Setting salinity targets Managing trade–offs with the available within–valley options Implementing salinity and catchment management plans Redesigning farming systems Targeting reforestation and vegetation management Constructing salt interception works Ensuring Basin–wide accountability, monitoring, evaluating and reporting. The BSMS commenced in 2001–02 and is scheduled for completion by 2015. Terms of reference The terms of reference of the IAG–Salinity of the BSMS are in Appendix 1 of this report. A summary of Schedule B, including its provisions concerning the audit of the BSMS, are in Appendix 2. The development of the annual audit and reporting process has been a significant achievement for the BSMS. As set down in the Audit Plan, priority areas for review in this audit included the following: Registers: those Schedule B accountabilities required to be reported to MDBA and to the Ministerial Council, particularly the assessment of whether the BSMS auditors’ salinity registers are a fair and accurate record of the salinity impacts of actions. Reviews: those rolling five–year reviews of register entries that are due to be completed and assessed; however, where the reviews have not been completed within the timeframes set down in Schedule B, some comment should be provided on: the potential for improved estimates, given the available data and the development of analytical tools since the last assessment the relative risks in terms of likelihood and consequence, compared with other salinity assessments that have been, or should be, undertaken by the contracting governments.
objectives is assessed through annual reports from the contracting governments and MDBA. The reports include valley reports for the catchments where an EoVT has been adopted. The Independent Audit Group for Salinity (IAG–Salinity) conducts an independent annual audit of the reports and register entries, and of the performance of the contracting governments and MDBA. A key driver of the BSMS is the principle of ‘capping’ increases in salinity in the MDB by a system of salt credits and debits managed by the participating governments through two major mechanisms. One is joint investment in salt interception schemes (SISs) and associated infrastructure; the other is investment in target setting and monitoring systems at the sites in concert with plans and actions to improve land management practices across the Basin. Victoria has set sub–targets for irrigation areas and upland systems so that it can monitor their effect on the EoVTs. The nine elements of the BSMS are: Developing capacity to implement the strategy Identifying values and assets at risk Setting salinity targets Managing trade–offs with the available within–valley options Implementing salinity and catchment management plans Redesigning farming systems Targeting reforestation and vegetation management Constructing salt interception works Ensuring Basin–wide accountability, monitoring, evaluating and reporting. The BSMS commenced in 2001–02 and is scheduled for completion by 2015. Terms of reference The terms of reference of the IAG–Salinity of the BSMS are in Appendix 1 of this report. A summary of Schedule B, including its provisions concerning the audit of the BSMS, are in Appendix 2. The development of the annual audit and reporting process has been a significant achievement for the BSMS. As set down in the Audit Plan, priority areas for review in this audit included the following: Registers: those Schedule B accountabilities required to be reported to MDBA and to the Ministerial Council, particularly the auditors’ assessment of whether the BSMS salinity registers are a fair and accurate record of the salinity impacts of actions. Reviews: those rolling five–year reviews of register entries that are due to be completed and assessed; however, where the reviews have not been completed within the timeframes set down in Schedule B, some comment should be provided on: the potential for improved estimates, given the available data and the development of analytical tools since the last assessment the relative risks in terms of likelihood and consequence, compared with other salinity assessments that have been, or should be, undertaken by the contracting governments.
IAG-Salinity-report-2013-14_0.docx