NSW Salinity Strategy

New South Wales Governmentquick guideTaking on the challenge NSW Salinity Strategy

The NSW Government is introducing the NSW SalinityStrategy to slow down the increase in salinity over the nextten years, and lay the foundations for salinity managementwell into the future.Salinity is the presence of salt in the land surface, in soil Salinity threatens:or rocks, or dissolved in our rivers and groundwater.Human intervention that has disturbed ecosystems or s Agricultural productionchanged the natural movement of water, has increased the The annual cost to agriculture from waterlogging andmovement of salt into our rivers and to the land surface. salinisation in the Murray Irrigation Area is around $3 million.The impacts of salinity are becoming more obvious:dead trees, salty rivers, bare white patches of earth and s Water qualitycrumbling roads. Yet what we can see is only half the Five towns, including Tamworth, draw their waterstory. If we continue our current activities, salinity will supply from the Namoi River. The river is expected tothreaten agricultural and industrial production, rural and have a salinity level of 1050EC in 20 years, well overurban communities and the environment. the 800EC upper limit for drinking water desirability.In March 2000, the NSW Government hosted a Salinity s Natural ecosystems and biodiversitySummit in Dubbo, bringing together land managers, The average salinity for the Macquarie River onscientists, conservationists and representatives of Aboriginal entering the Macquarie Marshes is expected to rise tocommunities and all levels of government to discuss the 2110EC by 2100. This is expected to lead to loss ofproblem of salinity and develop ways to tackle it together. species diversity.Taking on the challenge: The NSW Salinity Strategy is the NSW s Roads and highwaysGovernment’s response to the Summit’s recommendations. High water tables affect approximately 34%The Strategy marks an important milestone in the of State roads and 21% of national highways inGovernment’s long-term commitment to this complex issue. south western NSW.Communities and governments will be partners in making s Homes and other buildingsdecisions about how we will balance our environmental, In the Troy Creek area in Dubbo, salinity currently costssocial and economic objectives. This booklet explains the $80 per household per year. Costs in different parts ofkey elements of the NSW Salinity Strategy. the area vary from $4 per household per year to over $1000 per household per year.Facts about salinity in NSW Why has salinity increased?Between 120 000 and 174 000 hectares of land is affectedby dryland salinity in New South Wales. Increasing salinity is the result of our failure to manage natural resources in a sustainable way, due to:If we continue to use our land the way we do now, s inadequate knowledge about natural resources;by 2050 the area of affected land in the NSW part of the s weak signals about impacts, as the individuals andMurray-Darling Basin could increase to 2-4 million hectares. industries increasing salinity problems may not beCurrently, irrigation salinity is estimated to affect 320 000 the same as those experiencing the effects;hectares or 15% of irrigated land in NSW. In total 70-80% s the cumulative effect of many small, apparentlyof irrigated land is under threat of salinity. insignificant resource management decisions; and s past policies that encouraged over-clearing and What’s EC? Salt conducts electricity, so the most widely over-watering. used and convenient method of measuring the salinity in water is by electrical conductivity. The shorthand Salinity is a long-term problem that, once commenced, expression for this is the ‘electrical conductivity unit’ or is difficult and in some cases impossible, to reverse. ‘EC’. The higher the salinity, the higher the EC level. Business as usual is not enough.

To slow down the increase The Strategy heralds an integrated landscape in salinity, we need to: management approach that manages native vegetation, water and soils together. This is consistent with the s protect and manage our native vegetation; direction in which communities and the Government are moving in natural resource management. s use our land so less water goes into the watertable; Through eight key tools, the Government’s Strategy is harnessing the different but complementary skills of all s use water more effectively and efficiently; players, to deliver a single framework for salinity management in NSW. These tools are flexible enough to s use engineering solutions; find regional solutions and adapt to new scientific information over time. s make better use of land affected by salt; and The NSW Government will nurture market-based s focus our efforts on priority salinity hazard solutions, invest strategically in salinity activities in priority landscapes. areas and foster new business opportunities. It introduces a truly whole-of-government approach, improving systemsManaging salinity will require major adaptation of our to reduce duplication and improve advice.current patterns of land use. It will not be easy. However,with these actions, as well as significant investment of The NSW Government will also focus on creatingtime and money, it will be possible to make a difference. knowledge and building skills – with more investment inWe need to measure our performance against the triple research, a new user-friendly information system andbottom line of environmental, social and economic using community-initiated pilot projects to identify andoutcomes. demonstrate sustainable practices.Where to from here? The NSW Government’s Salinity Subcommittee of Cabinet will be accountable for monitoring and evaluating theOver 30,000 people across NSW, including approximately implementation of the Strategy.40 per cent of private land managers in areas severelyaffected by dryland salinity, are working together towards The NSW Government is injecting $52 millionmore sustainable natural resource management through of new expenditure into salinity managementthe Landcare movement in NSW. Private land managers actions over four years, starting immediately.and councils are spending money to manage salinity on Of this, $5 million every year of new fundstheir properties and in their landscapes, through will go to a new Environmental Servicesimproving water efficiency, replacing infrastructure and Investment Fund to finance strategic on-better management of vegetation. ground actions.The NSW Salinity Strategy builds on this work and lays the This is in addition to the NSW Government’sfoundations for salinity management well into the future. existing expenditure of more than $30 million in 1999/2000 on specific salinity-relatedThe Strategy is based on a shared responsibility – land programs. The Government will continue itsmanagers, businesses, industry, rural and urban commitment to existing activities, includingcommunities, Aboriginal communities and all levels of irrigation Land and Water Management Plansgovernment have a role to play in taking on the and extension services.challenge.Salinity is a national issue. The CommonwealthGovernment is also a key player and its support isrequired both technically, and for core funding for theenvironment.

Key Tools in the NSW Salinity Strategy1. Setting targets The NSW Government is creating a Salinity Business Development Program to encourage businesses toThe current rate of increase in salinity is unacceptable, but take advantage of these opportunities.what level of salt do we think is reasonable and where dowe need to focus action? 4. RegulationCommunities and the NSW Government working together While information, planning and voluntarywill develop end of valley salinity targets. The targets will activities are important tools in managing salinity,reflect the salinity levels we think are reasonable in each we also need smarter regulatory tools to ensurecatchment, that are achievable and balance the needs of the all players participate in our efforts to managecommunity, environment and economy. The Government salinity.has set interim targets which Catchment ManagementBoards will review on behalf of the community. We will discuss with stakeholders the best way of incorporating salinity impact assessment into theCatchment Management Boards will then recommend the native vegetation clearing application process.best combination of actions to achieve their end of valleysalinity targets. These will be known as management We will develop a model Local Environmental Plantargets. Communities can choose different combinations of to guide development consents so that urban salinityactions for different catchments. This combination of problems are not exacerbated.management actions will guide where and how we focusaction. 5. Government advice2. Market-based solutions and Land managers will get more consistent salinity advice strategic investment based on the best scientific knowledge, and reflecting catchment processes and sustainable farming systems.The Government recognises that a market-based approachsupported by the community, is one of the key sustainable, The NSW Government will improve the ability of all itslong-term solutions to salinity. front-line staff to provide salinity advice so land managers get consistent information.An Experts Group of leading financiers and economists hasbeen established to advise the Government on a range of Permanent specialist Salt Action Teams will also bemarket-based solutions. formed to help plan and prioritise actions to manage salinity on the ground. Salt Action Teams will be theThe Government will establish an Environmental Services link between salinity research and information, andInvestment Fund to encourage individual land managers, frontline staff.businesses and investors to undertake activities thatprovide salinity and other environmental benefits. 6. InformationThe Fund will attract investment from both public and Information underpins all sound salinityprivate sources. It will finance some of the actions management decisions. Land managers, councils,necessary to tackle salinity, based on the community’s businesses and Government all need quickpriorities set through Catchment Management Plans. access to useful information to effectively tackle salinity.A pilot Environmental Services Investment Team will helpland managers package up the best mix of financial The NSW Government is making a significantsources (including money from the Environmental Services investment in upgrading data and analytical toolsInvestment Fund, where appropriate) to pay for actions to and in ensuring that information is user-friendly andreduce salinity and provide other environmental services. easily accessible.3. Salinity-related business opportunities Local councils play an important role in working with communities to reduce salinity. The Government isSalinity also presents business opportunities, such as developing a Local Government Salinity Initiative todeveloping technologies that prevent salinity and using help councils consider landscape processes in theirsaline water and salt-affected land. local planning.

7. Scientific knowledge 8. Planning systemsScientific research has given us our current level of The Strategy emphasises consistent planning atsalinity knowledge and we know enough about catchment, landscape and property levels.salinity’s causes and effects to commence some actionnow. But we need to continue our research to ensure Planning will be undertaken throughour salinity management continues to be based on the Government/community partnerships, includingbest available scientific knowledge. Catchment Management Boards, Water Management Committees and Regional Vegetation Committees.The NSW Government, in collaboration with otherresearch bodies, such as the CSIRO, will invest in Catchment Management Plans will guide salinityresearch and development, initially focusing on management actions, particularly through the end ofimproving our scientific knowledge of: valley salinity targets and management targets.s the biophysical processes of salinity; Landcare groups and land managers will use relevant landscape plans to guide where they will take action ats the impact of salinity on natural ecosystems; a landscape and property scale.s land use systems that minimise recharge or allow use In future, environmental planning instruments, such as of salt-affected land and water; and Regional Environmental Plans and Local Environmental Plans, where relevant, will be consistent with the strategics the social and economic impacts of options objectives, targets and actions specified in Catchment for action. Management Plans. Natural resource management plans will take account of relevant outcomes and strategies in any Regional Environmental Plan.Example of management targetsNo net loss Introduce deep- Revegetate 30% Reduce pipe Mid catchment 20% of salt Area notin native rooted perennial of recharge leakage, and salinity target affected land rehabilitatedvegetation pastures on 20% areas watering of to protect the revegetated due to cost of pastures lawns and parks wetland to reduce area of salt affected land in the urban area by 10% 20% of salt affected land revegetated Introduce new Use water Introduce engineering End of valley salinity farming systems, more efficiently works to intercept ground target that will eg, crop types, to reduce water water before it enters the guide management developed through going into the river and wetland (saline actions research to 25% groundwater water stored in dam) of cropped area

What does the Strategy mean for you?If you are a land manager the If you want to seize businessStrategy will: opportunities the Strategy will:• Help you know if your property is in a landscape • Encourage businesses, individuals and Landcare that is vital to managing salinity. groups to develop salinity-related enterprises.• Set up easy ways for you to get advice on how you • Help firms develop and market their salinity-related could manage your property, if you are in one of research and technology internationally. these landscapes. • Educate businesses about opportunities arising from salinity.• Help you have more diverse sources of income by developing markets in environmental services. If you want good quality water the Strategy will:• Establish a Team to help you access finance.• Help your financial viability by researching better and • Slow down the increase in river salinity. • Use salinity targets that let you have a say in what level more diverse forests, crops, grasses and farming systems. of water salinity you are prepared to live with.• Take into account the social and economic impacts of any actions. If you want to help manage salinityIf you live in a town or city the • Get yourself or your community involved in developingStrategy will: salinity targets.• Improve the understanding of what is causing salinity • Get involved in Farming for the Future and develop a in your area. property management plan.• Ensure that town planning takes salinity and its • Join your local Landcare group. impacts into account. • Contact your local office of the Department of Land and• Reduce the impact of salinity when new development Water Conservation or NSW Agriculture for information is planned. and advice about salinity in your area. • Call the Department of State and Regional Development• Offer your council support, information and scientific to talk about business opportunities. knowledge to help it manage salinity.• Assist councils to develop building codes to protect homes and businesses.• Protect agricultural activities that provide your food and fibre.If you care about the environmentthe Strategy will:• Facilitate research to help us better understand the impacts of salinity on the environment.• Identify landscapes and places with high environmental and cultural value that are threatened by salinity.• Fund projects that protect these landscapes.• Ensure that the salinity impacts of clearing native vegetation are appropriately considered.

• Reduce the amount of water you use when watering Pilot projects your garden. In the Lachlan, Macquarie and CastlereaghWhat you can expect the catchments a pilot project proposed by theNSW Government to deliver community will develop ways to overcome social and economic barriers to land• Leadership. management change.• A long-term commitment.• Strategic investment in solutions. In the Namoi River catchment a pilot project• Decisions that balance the needs of the community, will examine if large-scale tree planting is an economically viable method of reducing salinity the environment and the economy. in low rainfall areas.• Decisions based on the best available scientific In the Liverpool Plains a pilot project proposed information. by the community will trial a range of market• Research into new salinity solutions and technologies. and investment mechanisms.• Stronger Government advice services.• Management of Government land to reduce salinity Another project will test the technical and commercial feasibility of using salt to make a impacts. range of products.• Accountability to the community in delivering this A pilot project will set up ‘model farm’ Strategy. demonstrations in the north and south of the State that trial and show economically viable land use mixes that minimise recharge. In the Wagga area a pilot project proposed by the community will examine joint solutions for salinity, biodiversity and water quality.

Summary of main contents DLWC Regional OfficesNSW Salinity Barwon RegionStrategy 155-157 Marius St PO Box 550 Tamworth NSW 2340Section 1: Executive Summary Ph (02) 6764 5900 Fax (02) 6764 5982 Central West RegionSection 2: All about salinity Cnr Anson & Kite Sts2.1 What is salinity? PO Box 53 Orange NSW 28002.2 Types of salinity Ph (02) 6360 8278 Fax (02) 6361 38392.3 The impacts of salinity Far West Region2.4 What we need to do to manage salinity 45 Wingewarra St2.5 Why has salinity increased? PO Box 1840 Dubbo NSW 28302.6 An evolving policy response Ph (02) 6883 3000 Fax (02) 6883 30992.7 Why isn’t this response enough? Hunter Region Suite 6, 464 King St Newcastle WestSection 3: Where to now? PO Box 2213 Dangar NSW 23023.1 Vision Ph (02) 4929 4346 Fax (02) 4929 63643.2 A shared responsibility Murray Region 8-20 Edwardes StSection 4: Actions PO Box 205 Deniliquin NSW 27104.1 Targets for our catchments Ph (03) 5881 9200 Fax (03) 5881 51024.2 Market-based solutions and strategic investment Murrumbidgee Region4.3 Salinity related business opportunities 43-45 Johnston St4.4 Regulation PO Box 10 Wagga Wagga NSW 26504.5 Government advice Ph (02) 6923 0400 Fax (02) 6923 05204.6 Information North Coast Region4.7 Scientific knowledge 76 Victoria St4.8 Planning Systems Locked Bag 10 Grafton NSW 2460 Ph (02) 6640 2000 Fax (02) 6640 2185Section 5: Accountability, reporting and evaluation Sydney/South Coast Region 84 Crown StFor further information PO Box 867 Wollongong East NSW 2520 Ph (02) 4226 8563 Fax (02) 4226 8500For more information on Taking on the Challenge: The NSW SalinityStrategy contact your local Department of Land and Water Published by the NSW Department of Land and Water ConservationConservation office. The Strategy is also on the NSW Government’s August 2000 HO/08/00web site: www.nsw.gov.auComprehensive information on salinity is available at theNSW Department of Land and Water Conservation’s website:www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au