2021
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About the document
During 2020-21, environmental water managers from Basin state and Commonwealth agencies collaborated to develop a five-year monitoring plan for the River Murray Channel.
The Plan focuses on monitoring River Murray system scale responses to coordinated water for environment delivery in the Southern Connected Murray-Darling Basin. It builds on existing monitoring programs to fill gaps and to evaluate ecological responses to flow at as system scale, to inform and improve the way water for the environment is managed.
Implementation of the Plan is expected to significantly improve monitoring coverage in the River Murray, focusing on productivity and fish indicators that will directly inform improved management and coordination of flows. Implementation is expected to focus on 2021-22 in the first instance, with commitments for future years not yet made. A key element of the Plan is an annual review of implementation, which will inform any refinements to the Plan over the five year period.
The Plan was developed by the monitoring sub-group of the Southern Connected Basin Environmental Watering Committee, including representatives from the New South Wales Department of Planning, Industry and Environment: Environment Energy and Science, Victorian Environmental Water Holder, South Australian Department of Environment and Water, Murray-Darling Basin Authority and Commonwealth Environmental Water Office, with support and guidance from a team of scientific experts.