Address: Main Office: John Gorton Building

Outcome 3, program 3.1

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

KPIs	PBS Target	Results
In 2010–11 the program will:
Conduct and support internationally recognised scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean as measured by the number of published scientific papers and the number of international institutions collaborating in the Australian Antarctic program.	200 150	257 scientific papers published. 244 institutions from 27 countries participated.
Play a key role in maintaining the Antarctic Treaty System and enhancing Australia’s influence in it. Participation in its various forums as measured by the extent to which Australia’s objectives are achieved and the number of senior positions held by Australia (e.g. Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson).	100%	In 2010–11 Australia was active in the Antarctic Treaty System participating in the meetings and making several key contributions including playing a lead role in developing a representative system of marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean.
Demonstrate Australia’s commitment to protecting the Antarctic and the Southern Ocean environment by ensuring that its Antarctic program complies with all Australian Antarctic environmental protection legislation. The program’s target is 100% compliance.	100%	95% Compliance is audited in terms of logistical support made available. 16 incidents were assessed against the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 for compliance and enforcement action, of which seven warning letters were sent. None of the incidents warranted a full investigation. The AAD conducted two audits to check compliance with permit and/or environment authorisation.
KPIs	PBS Target	Results
Deliver effective shipping and air services as measured by the combined number of expeditioners and the volume of cargo transported during the year.	350 expeditioners 10 000 cubic metres of cargo	Seven voyages were undertaken including one in direct support of the Macquarie Island Pest Eradication Program and a dedicated marine science cruise. The Australian Antarctic Airlink also operated, but flights were limited due to weather conditions. Warm weather prevented necessary runway preparation so only two flights to Wilkins were completed. A further five flights were conducted via the US McMurdo Station with the assistance of the US Antarctic program. Nine flights were undertaken on behalf of the US program in return for that support. 34 science projects sent field personnel to Antarctica, five projects went to Macquarie Island and nine marine science projects were undertaken. In its fourth season the Antarctic Air Link transported 19 scientists to Antarctica to undertake research at Australia’s Casey Station. In total 105 scientists used Australia’s logistics system in 2010–11.
KPIs	PBS Target	Results
Operate permanent stations as a demonstration of Australia’s continued presence and commitment. The level of utilisation (measured by the number of expeditioners and occupied bed nights) is an indicator of the program’s performance in maintaining Australia’s presence.	40 000	The four permanent research stations were operated, maintained and developed.
Number of scientific papers produced in the previous calendar year.	200	257
Number of international institutions collaborating in the Australian Antarctic program.	150	244
Senior positions held on Antarctic Treaty related organisations [#].	2	2
Australian Antarctic program compliance with Antarctic environmental protection legislation [%]	100	95% Compliance is audited in terms of logistical support made available. Sixteen incidents were assessed against the Antarctic Treaty (Environment Protection) Act 1980 for compliance and enforcement action, of which seven warning letters were sent. None of the incidents warranted a full investigation. The AAD conducted two audits to check compliance with permit and/or environment authorisation.
Number of expeditioners transported to Australia’s Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic stations [Round trips].	350	386. An increase in expeditioners was due to large construction programs at Davis (living quarters), Willkins (infrastructure) and Casey (east wing extension).
KPIs	PBS Target	Results
Volume of cargo transported to Australia’s Antarctic and the sub-Antarctic stations [cubic metres].	10 000	12 200. The increase from the target was due to a large amount of cargo delivered to Mawson having then to be returned to Australia due to heavy ice conditions.
Number of occupied bed nights.	40 000	48 000. The increase in bed nights is a result of the increase in expeditioners to fulfil the construction program.

Resources

The following resources relate to information referred to in Outcome 3, Antarctica.

Australian Antarctic Division www.antarctica.gov.au

Antarctic Data Centre www.data.aad.gov.au

Australian Marine Mammal Centre www.marinemammals.gov.au

Classroom Antarctica www.classroom.antarctica.gov.au

Heard and McDonald Islands www.heardisland.aq

Home of the Blizzard www.mawsonshuts.aq

Southern Ocean Marine Research http://blogs.abc.net.au/news/breaking-the-ice

Antarctic night sky. (Chris Wilson, Australian Antarctic Division)

Outcome 4: Sustainable water

‘Supporting the natural environment and the communities that depend on it.’

At a glance

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  More than 160 gigalitres of water was delivered along the Murrumbidgee River, including nearly 110 gigalitres of Commonwealth environmental water— for the benefit of hundreds of wetlands and lagoon ecosystems along the main stem of the river. The volume of water delivered was the largest to date and equated to some 80 000 Olympic-size swimming pools.
  
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  After 43 years, environmental flows began again in the iconic Snowy River after the finalisation of a deal between the department and the NSW and Victorian governments in November 2010.
  
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  387 gigalitres of environmental water was delivered at multiple sites throughout the Basin in 2010–11, compared to 154 gigalitres in 2009–10 and 13 gigalitres in 2008–09.
  
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  1 118 gigalitres of water entitlements have been secured through the Water for the Future initiative.
  
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  16 790 water-using product models are registered under the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards scheme, helping consumers make smart choices about water efficient products.
  

Outcome 4: Sustainable Water

Outcome 4

Adaptation to climate change, wise water use, secure water supplies and improved health of rivers, waterways and freshwater ecosystems by supporting research, and reforming the management and use of water resources

The department’s objectives in water reform are largely delivered through the Australian Government’s Water for the Future initiative. The Water for the Future initiative is a program to secure long-term water supplies for the nation and to better balance the water needs of communities, farmers and the environment. The initiative includes a range of urban and rural policies and programs including significant funding for water purchasing, modernisation of irrigation, desalination, recycling and stormwater capture. A major focus is on the Murray–Darling Basin, where programs aim to equip farmers and communities to plan for a future with less water, improve irrigation productivity and improve the health of rivers and wetlands.

The Water Group is comprised of the Water Efficiency Division, the Water Governance Division and the Water Reform Division

Main responsibilities for this outcome

Continuing the national program of water reform, including implementing the National Water initiative to achieve better planning and establish efficient and effective national water markets, and helping the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to deliver the Basin Plan by implementing programs that support reform in the Basin. Investing in infrastructure with state and territory governments, industry and communities across Australia, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin, to improve the sustainability of rural water use. Acquiring water to ‘bridge the gap’ between the sustainable diversion limits to be included in the Basin Plan and existing diversions of water. Helping secure water supplies for towns and cities, and assisting households and businesses to use water more efficiently. Assisting states, territories and landowners to improve their management of rivers and wetlands, particularly sites of international and national importance. Using the Commonwealth environmental water holdings to restore and protect the health of rivers and wetlands in the Murray-Darling Basin. Implementing other water-related measures as required by the government, such as further development of the National Water Quality Management Strategy and management of the Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (WELS) Scheme.

Objectives

The objectives of water reform programs, largely delivered through the government’s Water for the Future initiative, were to:

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  help communities and industries, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin, become more resilient and sustainable and better positioned to adapt to future water availability
  
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  help make irrigation significantly more efficient, and allow water savings to be shared between irrigators and the environment
  
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  implement reforms that deliver more efficient use of water resources
  
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  develop an effective and transparent water market
  
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  help urban communities and businesses use water resources more efficiently and better secure their water supply
  
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  improve the health of rivers, wetlands and freshwater ecosystems
  
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  implement the government’s ‘bridging the gap’ commitment for the Murray-Darling Basin by recovering water for environmental use through water purchase and infrastructure initiatives
  
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  support key bilateral country partners in improving their water management.
  

Strategies

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  The National Water initiative has been Australia’s enduring blueprint for national water reform since 2004. It aims to achieve a nationally compatible system for managing surface and groundwater resources.
  
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  The Water Act 2007 provides the legislative framework for implementing many elements of the National Water Initiative, including arrangements for the Basin Plan to be proposed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. National reforms were supported by the 2008 Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform, signed by the Basin states, the Australian Capital Territory and the Australian Government. The reforms were also supported by bilateral water management partnership agreements between the Australian Government and each Basin state.
  
• 
  Water for the Future is the government’s long-term national initiative to better balance the water needs of communities, industries and the environment. The initiative contains a variety of rural and urban policies and programs, and includes significant funding for increasing the efficiency of water use in irrigation, purchasing water entitlements and increasing water security for cities and towns through desalination, recycling and stormwater capture.
  

Murray-Darling Basin and other rural areas

Murray-Darling Basin

In 2010–11, the department assisted irrigators across Australia transition to lower diversion limits under the Basin Plan by:

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  Delivering water infrastructure and investments in rural water use, management and efficiency, through the $5.8 billion Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program.
  
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  Purchasing water entitlements for the environment to improve the health of the Murray-Darling Basin’s rivers and wetlands through the $3.1 billion Restoring the Balance in the Murray-Darling Basin Program. Purchases are strategically guided by the best information on unmet environmental water needs. This program continued in 2010–11, with a shift towards running smaller, more frequent tenders. It has continued to attract considerable interest from entitlement holders. At 30 June 2011 the program had secured the purchase of 1 052 gigalitres of water entitlements.
  

A stakeholder engagement strategy was adopted, targeted primarily at regional irrigators, local and state governments, national resource management bodies and peak agricultural and conservation organisations. The strategy has given the department the opportunity to draw on stakeholder knowledge and build capacity to participate in, adapt to and implement planning processes and programs.

Community information sessions were held in the Murray-Darling Basin. Feedback from the sessions indicates that the community has improved awareness and understanding of Water for the Future, and that the sessions gave community members the opportunity to put their views to the department. The sessions have also given senior officials a better understanding of industry and community concerns.

The department supported the extensive consultation process conducted by the Murray-Darling Basin following the release of the guide to the Basin Plan, including this meeting conducted in Renmark, South Australia.

To raise public awareness of the Water for the Future initiative and encourage residents of the Murray-Darling Basin to have their say on shaping the future of the Basin, the department ran an advertising campaign between October and December 2010. The department also participated in stakeholder engagement activities conducted by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority associated with the Guide to the Proposed Basin Plan. 

Great Artesian Basin

National Partnership Agreements are being implemented for the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative in New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

Urban areas

The department continued to deliver existing programs in urban areas—in particular, Water Smart Australia—which aimed to increase uptake of smart technologies and practices in water use, and advance the National Water Initiative.

Through the National Water Security Plan for Cities and Towns program, funding of more than $250 million over five years is being provided to over 70 projects, mainly in cities and towns with fewer than 50 000 people. The project aims to upgrade older pipes and water systems, install new infrastructure, save water and reduce water loss. The plan also includes projects under the COAG Strategy on Water and Wastewater Services in remote (including Indigenous) communities to:

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  provide sustainable, secure and safe water supplies and wastewater services
  
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  give a level of service that meets the regulatory standards that would apply to any other community of similar size and location
  
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  encourage responsible use of water and, where appropriate, water conservation.
  

The Productivity Commission is holding a public inquiry into the case for microeconomic reform in Australia’s urban water sector. The inquiry will help COAG meet its commitment to progress urban water reform by identifying opportunities for efficiency gains in the structural, institutional, regulatory and other arrangements that govern the sector.

Under the National Urban Water and Desalination Plan, $100 million was announced to expand the stormwater harvesting program. This funding builds on the $200 million that the government has already committed through two grants rounds in 2010–11 to over 30 stormwater projects.

Healthy rivers and wetlands

A range of ecological benefits resulted from improved river flows throughout 2010–11 after many years of drought. The increased volume of Commonwealth environmental water was managed and used to promote healthy rivers and wetlands.

Water entitlement holdings are managed by the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder using a science-based approach, and with cooperative arrangements with states, site managers and others in the local community.

In 2010–11, Commonwealth environmental water use was better integrated with the environmental water arrangements of state jurisdictions and local level advisory bodies, including environmental water advisory groups. The Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder continued to work closely with delivery partners to achieve the best outcomes from environmental water use.

Commonwealth environmental water use strategies have been developed for the majority of catchments across the Basin. Information in the strategy documents provide a basis for consultation on water use options at a local level. The material will be adapted as proposals are received and developed.

The department also led the development of national policies to implement the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance; waterfowl habitat; focusing on improved river health and aquatic ecosystems, and a national framework for High Ecological Value Aquatic Ecosystems.

Murray River between Mannum and Nildottie, South Australia. (John Baker)

Results

National program of water resource management

In 2010–11, Australian, state and territory governments strengthened their commitment to improve the management and use of Australia’s water resources, and most have agreed to the National Framework for Compliance and Enforcement Systems for Water Resource Management.

Progress was made toward developing a transparent and effective national water market, through:

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  Water Charge (Infrastructure) Rules and Water Charge (Planning and Management Information) Rules coming into effect subject to various transitional periods
  
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  Water Charge (Termination Fees) Rules being amended to allow irrigation infrastructure operators to include GST within termination fees
  
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  adding reports on present trade volume and price data for allocations and entitlements to the National Water Market System website to support an effective national water market and help water users to make business decisions more efficiently.
  

A key environmental indicator for the health of the Murray-Darling Basin is for the Murray Mouth to be open to export salt. (Richard Brown, Lower Murray Infrastructure [DWLBC])

Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program

Investments under the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program include funds provided to state governments to carry out agreed priority projects. There are also initiatives delivered directly from the Australian Government to industry organisations, councils, irrigators and irrigation water providers. Notable elements of the program include:

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  Strengthening Basin Communities Water Savings Initiatives
  
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  Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program in New South Wales
  
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  On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program
  
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  Private Irrigation Infrastructure Program for South Australia
  
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  Supporting More Efficient Irrigation in Tasmania.
  

At 30 June 2011, water buyback and infrastructure programs had recovered 1 118 gigalitres in water entitlements that will yield an average of 796 gigalitres of water for the environment. Funding commitments from the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program are predominantly for State Priority Projects agreed in the Intergovernmental Agreement on Murray-Darling Basin Reform of July 2008. All State Priority Projects business cases submitted were assessed by a thorough due diligence process, consistent with the process agreed in the Murray-Darling Basin Intergovernmental Agreement.

Projects under the first round of the $300 million On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Program helped irrigation communities in the Lachlan and southern-connected system of the Murray-Darling Basin to improve the efficiency and productivity of on-farm irrigation water use and management. Six delivery partners under round one are responsible for 345 individual on-farm projects, which have provided 25 gigalitres of savings to the Commonwealth to date.

The government is investing in pivot irrigators under its programs to modernise irrigation infrastructure. (Arthur Mostead)

All 12 funding agreements have been signed under round one of the Strengthening Basin Communities Water Savings Initiatives, with on-ground works under way. The minister also announced $35 million in funding to 24 local government authorities to improve water security through local water saving projects under round two. In total $79 million in planning and infrastructure grants to 99 projects involving over 100 local government authorities has now been offered under this program.

Further highlights for the Sustainable Rural Water Use and Infrastructure Program 2010–11 including State Priority Projects are as follows:

South Australia

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  A project schedule was signed for Lower Lakes early works for $21.04 million, and further funding of up to $118.49 million was announced for the Coorong, Lower Lakes and Murray Mouth project.
  
• 
  A project schedule was signed for the removal of the Narrung Bund for $1.93 million.
  
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  Project schedules were signed for both the Riverine Recovery Early Works and full Riverine Recovery project, with total government funding for Riverine Recovery of up to $89 million.
  
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  All five projects approved to date under Private Irrigation Infrastructure Program for South Australia, totalling $3.4 million are under way, with one project completed.
  

Queensland

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  A project schedule was signed for phase one of the Queensland On-Farm Water Use Efficiency Project Schedule for up to $36 million.
  
• 
  Funding of $28 million was approved for successful applicants under round one of the Queensland Rural Water Use Efficiency project, which will return 7.95 gigalitres of water to the Commonwealth Environmental Water Holder.
  
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  Funding was approved for round two of the Queensland Healthy Head Waters Water Use Efficiency Project (a further $20 million).
  
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  The project schedule for a Coal Seam Gas Water Feasibility Study was signed for $3.88 million.
  

Victoria

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  Northern Victoria Irrigation Renewal Project stage two was announced on 6 November 2010 for $952.8 million, with contract negotiations currently under way.
  

New South Wales

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  All contracts with successful applicants under round one of the Private Irrigation Infrastructure Operators Program have been signed. Round two of the program was launched in February 2011.
  
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  Groundbreaking technical studies for the Menindee Lakes Project, including new Darling River floodplain groundwater resources mapping and hydrological modelling of options for improved Menindee Lakes management, were substantially completed.
  
• 
  The Gwydir and Border Rivers On-farm Irrigation Efficiency Pilot Project, returning 1.27 gigalitres of water to the Commonwealth for environmental use, was completed.
  
• 
  The Orange City Pipeline Project for $47 million, with a $20 million government contribution was announced, and the Implementation Plan signed and first milestone achieved.
  
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  The 12th Irrigation Modernisation Plan in New South Wales (for the Goodnight Irrigation Trust) started. Following contract signing, detailed planning and implementation work for a major upgrade to the Lithgow to Clarence Colliery water transfer pipeline worth $4 million began.
  

Tasmania

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  The Whitemore Irrigation Scheme was commissioned on 20 May 2011 under the $140 million Implementation Plan for Supporting More Efficient Irrigation in Tasmania.
  
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  Construction was completed to the pre-commissioning stage of another two projects of up to 12 new irrigation development projects. These were the Headquarters Road Dam and the Sassafras Wesley Vale Irrigation Scheme.
  
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  On 17 April 2011, following a strategic assessment under the EPBC Act, the minister endorsed the Water Access Program for the Midlands Water Scheme.
  

Western Australia

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  Construction of the Gascoyne Irrigation Pipeline project began.