A Framework for Identifying High Conservation Value Aquatic Ecosystems Harry Abrahams © Andrew Tatnell

Overview Paragraph 25 x of the National Water Initiative: parties have agreed their water access entitlements and planning frameworks will ‘identify and acknowledge surface and groundwater systems of high conservation value and manage these systems to protect and enhance those values’

Aquatic Ecosystems Task Group Established under NRM Ministerial Council Members from all jurisdictions Provide a nationally coordinated approach to policy development for relevant cross- jurisdictional issues within the aquatic ecosystems context. Oversee development of a national policy framework for identification, classification and management of HCVAE

Definition “Aquatic ecosystems”, are those that depend on flows, or periodic or sustained inundation/waterlogging for their ecological integrity (e.g. wetlands, rivers, karst and other groundwater dependent ecosystems, saltmarshes and estuaries) but do not generally include marine waters.

Principles The HCVAE framework should complement and build on existing jurisdictional initiatives. The objective of the framework is ‘to provide a nationally consistent approach for the identification, classification and management of HCVAE.’ Allow identification of Nationally Significant HCVAE’s

Purposes Not intended as a regulatory mechanism Identify aquatic ecosystems of high conservation value and differentiate between HCVAEs of national and regional importance Improve knowledge of HCVAEs, information sharing and cross-jurisdictional coordination Guide planning, investment and management decisions Assist in meeting national and international obligations for protection of aquatic ecosystems

Regionalisation Australian Drainage Divisions system (together with IMCRA for marine ecosystems) adopted as the ‘best fit’ national regionalisation approach for aquatic ecosystems in Australia to apply to HCVAE and Ramsar, and IBRA to be used to prioritise the identification and protection of HCVAEs under the National Reserve System

Draft criteria for national significance Representativeness Diversity Distinctiveness ‘Strategic’ habitat Evolutionary history Naturalness International recognition (eg Ramsar) automatically recognised

Australian Government Investment To assist jurisdictions in management beyond water management Australian Government has aligned investment programs to HCVAE process –Caring for Our Country –Northern Australia Water Futures Assessment –Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative 3 List of nationally significant HCVAEs to guide Australian Government investments Links to National Reserve System Links to Murray-Darling Basin Planning

Next Steps Initial focus on identification and classification Trialling criteria Governance framework and listing process Classification system Identify public consultation process for framework

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