Overview of Scientific Reference Panel Recommendations

In its Interim Report, the Scientific Reference Panel has shown that a significant allocation of water would be required to secure a healthy working River Murray system.

The report provides evidence that annual allocations of water at the lower end of the range assessed (350 GL) may provide local benefits for some parts of the river, but substantial whole of river benefits only start to appear at the 750 GL, and more generally for 1500 GL.

For the majority of zones, scores for habitat condition improve with increasing allocation of water in the range assessed (350 - 1500 GL). The 'cap', 'b' and 'c' operational scenarios (for each flow reference point) varied in their effect depending on which zone was being assessed.

Generally, zones in the upper and mid-Murray responded best to the 'b' operational scenarios while Zone E (Lock 11 to Lock 3) responded best to the 'cap' scenarios. Zone F (Lower Darling River and Anabranch) and G (Lock 3 to Wellington) responded best to the 'c' operational scenarios. This is broadly consistent with the operational rules of the scenarios.

The Interim Report suggests that environmental benefits likely to accrue from additional environmental flows within the range assessed could be further enhanced with improved structural and operational works and measures, including those currently being considered by the MDBC.

More information is available in the Interim Report of the Scientific Reference Panel, October 2003 [PDF 1.0 MB]