Priorities Action Statement - Actions for installation and operation of instream structures and other mechanisms that alter natural flow regimes of rivers and streams (KTP)

Carcoar DamCarcoar Dam
© NSW DPI

Hay WeirHay Weir
© NSW DPI

Robinvale LockRobinvale Lock
© NSW DPI

Wentworth LockWentworth Lock
© NSW DPI

Threat Abatement Actions

Advice to consent and determining authorities

  • Provide relevant bodies (e.g. agencies and local councils etc.) with resource materials regarding the construction of instream structures to support planning, determination, impact assessment and concurrence decision making processes (High priority).

Collate and review existing information

  • Review existing literature and integrate research and investigation results to develop best practice guidelines for revegetation activities (High priority).
  • Develop and implement a targeted investigation program to determine the reasons, extent and rates of construction of instream structures and other mechanisms that alter natural flows across NSW (Medium priority).

Community and stakeholder liaison, awareness and education

  • Ensure best-practice management of instream structure construction by public authorities and the general public by carrying out an extensive, wide-ranging education program (High priority).
  • Develop and disseminate educational, technical and promotional materials regarding instream structures and other mechanisms that alter natural flows through media, NSW DPI website, community networks, extension officers, Local Land Services (LLSs) and local councils (Medium priority).

Habitat protection

  • Provide increased protection for highest priority areas known to support threatened species, populations or ecological communities (High priority).

Habitat rehabilitation

  • Construct fishways at major barriers to provide fish passage (High priority).
  • Manage instream structures to reduce their impact on biodiversity and habitats (e.g. open flood gates at certain times of the year) (High priority).

Research / monitoring

  • Monitor the response of aquatic ecological communities to instream structures and other mechanisms that alter natural flows (High priority).
  • Research impacts of altered flow regimes on biodiversity, water quality and quantity (High priority).

Survey / mapping

  • Survey and map structures altering water regimes important to threatened species and communities (Medium priority).