Opinion / Letter to the Editor

Thomson River Environmental Flows

By Peter Harry
March 13, 2004

I have recently found references to the Thomson River on Adventure Pro's Paddle Australia noticeboard.

I thought this might be a good opportunity to update you on Environment Victoria's campaign to return water to the Thomson River and protect one of Victoria's ecologically and culturally significant rivers.

As the state's peak non-government environmental organisation, Environment Victoria has been at the forefront of campaigning for healthy rivers. We are now seeking to continue this momentum on two fronts; to extend Melbourne's water savings targets and to have water savings returned to the Thomson.

The Thomson River is threatened by a lack of environmental water. Melbourne has a significant impact on the Thomson River because up to 60% of water used in Melbourne comes from the Thomson Reservoir. The most recent of 11 scientific studies advise that environmental flows of around 47,000 megalitres are required for the river's restoration.

Environmental flows will deliver a number of significant environmental outcomes to the Thomson River and to the Gippsland Lakes at the end of the system, including: improved water quality and habitat for fish and bugs that live in the river; breeding signals to endangered native fish; and increased flows of clean, fresh water into the Gippsland Lakes.

The Thomson Macalister Environmental Flows Taskforce has endorsed these environmental objectives and the required volume of water as the best available science. Although the recently published recommendations offer medium-term hope for the Thomson River, they fall short of asking the Minister to adopt environmental flows that will ensure the river's health in the long term.

There are a variety of ways you can provide support, including:

Writing a letter to the Environment and Water Minister, The Hon. John Thwaites, copied to your local MP (We would also appreciate a copy of your correspondence)

Writing a letter to your daily / weekly, metropolitan, regional or local newspapers.

Over the past year, Melbourne generated water savings equivalent to what the Thomson River requires. However, this water has had no environmental benefit. None of Melbourne's water savings is currently allocated to restoring environmental flows in rivers.

The challenge is to fully explore and implement water saving measures that protect Melbourne's security of supply and the ecological health of the river's from which the city draws water.

As an integral part of the campaign, we are seeking:

Government recognition that the current water savings target of 15% by 2010 is inadequate and fails to include environmental flows to the Thomson River.

A commitment from the Government to extend the water savings target to 25% and to have that water returned to the environment within a 10-year time frame.

Government convening of an expert panel to explore and determine a package of practical solutions to deliver savings of 25% to incorporate Melbourne's environmental responsibilities.

Increasing the water savings target to 25% over ten years gives the Government a manageable timeframe to implement the recommendations of the expert panel. This timeline is in keeping with the Government's objectives of changing current patterns of consumption to protect our future. For its part, EV looks forward to working with others to develop a range of solutions which will enable the Government to address future water needs in Melbourne to deliver the required amount of water to the Thomson.

Your support is crucial to the success of this campaign and myself or Environment Victoria's Healthy Rivers campaigners would be pleased to discuss this issue ahead of your input.

With many thanks in anticipation of your support.

Peter Harry
Environment Victoria

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