11   Objectives

The objectives of this Plan are to:

(a)  provide opportunities for access to water in this water source for domestic and stock purposes while encouraging and supporting efficient, innovative water use, alternative water sources and drought management strategies,

(b)  ensure Aboriginal cultural needs are considered in flow management decisions for this water source, to enable maintenance and protection of values and places of importance under traditional laws, customs and practices,

(c)  protect the variability of natural flow conditions thereby maintaining and improving the overall health of this water source and related ecosystems, including threatened species,

(d)  preserve and maintain the functions of natural low flows in Coopers Creek and its tributaries, particularly during dry periods,

(e)  protect very low flows for fundamental ecosystem health and pools for drought refuge,

(f)  provide flows that facilitate passage of the Eastern Freshwater Cod,

(g)  recognise and seek to protect existing industry via trading rules and access rules that provide opportunities for continued access,

(h)  provide opportunities for access to water for irrigation and other commercial purposes in this water source,

(i)  enhance the health of the Wilsons River and the Richmond estuary by ensuring adequate downstream flow contributions from this water source, and

(j)  protect and improve water quality in this water source through the management of flows.

Note. This objective refers to maintaining water quality. Although there are no specific strategies directly related to this objective in this Plan, the environmental water provisions in this Plan make a positive contribution to maintaining water quality.