Queensland Consolidated Regulations

WATER PLAN (BARRON) 2002 - REG 14

14 Ecological outcomes

Each of the following is an ecological outcome for water in the plan area—

(a) maintenance of flows that support—

(i) the habitats of native plants and animals in watercourses, lakes and springs; and

(ii) riparian systems and their functions influencing the riverine ecosystems; and

(iii) native plants and animals associated with watercourses, lakes and springs and riparian zones; and

(iv) long term water quality suitable for riverine and estuarine ecosystems; and

(v) existing geomorphic features and processes; and

(vi) the continued capability of one part of a river system to be connected to another—

(A) throughout the watercourse network; and

(B) within riparian zones, floodplains, watercourses, lakes and springs; and

(vii) wet season flow to benefit native plants and animals in estuaries; and

(viii) the health and persistence of waterholes; and

(ix) ecosystem food chains, their balance and the movement of carbon energy;

(b) the management and allocation of groundwater in the plan area to maintain groundwater contributions to—

(i) the flow of water in watercourses, lakes and springs; and

(ii) groundwater dependent ecosystems;

(c) the management and allocation of water in the Barron River catchment area to provide a flow regime to maintain—

(i) delivery of freshwater, sediment, nutrients and organic matter to the river’s estuary; and

(ii) the brackish water habitat in the estuary;

(d) the management and allocation of water in Flaggy Creek to protect areas and species of significant conservation value associated with the creek.