Environmental Land Management Allocation (ELMA)
The Environmental Land Management Allocations (ELMA) gives eligible landholders in the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area (LMRIA) access to water to help manage soil issues unique to the area. Applying the full allocation each year will result in maximum land management benefits.
Why ELMA is important in the LMRIA?
Land downstream of Lock 1 in the LMRIA is low-lying, often below the level of the River Murray, and is a natural discharge point for saline groundwater. The clay-based soils are prone to cracking when they dry out and are also at risk of developing acid sulfate soil issues.
Unlike many other soil types, LMRIA soils require active management to stay productive. This includes regular irrigation, land levelling and drainage.
Applying water to irrigated and non-irrigated land helps address salinity and acid sulphate soil issues. ELMA is important for maintaining the LMRIA as a productive irrigation area, while also contributing to water quality management which can benefit SA Water offtakes.
A volume of 22.2 gigalitres (GL) is set aside in the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement for ELMA.
The Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray Prescribed Watercourse (the WAP) includes ELMA in a separate class (Class 8) within the All Purpose Consumptive Pool, allowing up to 22.2 GL of water access entitlements to be granted to LMRIA landholders.
The WAP outlines ELMA application rates for irrigation areas to manage these soils and water quality challenges.
What are the issues in the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area?
The LMRIA is affected by highly saline groundwater due to its low-lying landscape and the construction of river infrastructure that maintains constant river levels. Before locks, barrages and levee banks were built, groundwater would naturally discharge to the River Murray at the lowest point in the landscape. Construction of levee banks that hold river level higher have resulted in the LMRIA becoming the lowest lying point, and saline ground water now discharges here.
While infrastructure works have secured access to water for agriculture in the region and enabled gravity-fed irrigation, it has also created the need to actively manage saline groundwater. Drainage channels and regular irrigation help keep the saline groundwater at a suitable depth below the surface.
During the Millenium drought, low river levels and reduced water allocations meant irrigation ceased on a significant number of properties in the area. As the water table level dropped, soils dried out, leading to severe cracking to depths up to 4 metres and the formation of subsurface sulfuric acid (see figure).
When river levels and irrigation practices returned post drought, the acid in the soil was at risk of being mobilised and entering the River Murray through drainage channels. This posed a risk to water quality, potentially affecting SA Water offtakes and causing other environmental impacts.
To keep the LMRIA productive, and to protect water quality in the River Murray, salinity and acid sulfate soil issues need to continue to be actively managed in the future.
What is in the Water Allocation Plan (WAP)?
The Water Allocation Plan for the River Murray Prescribed Watercourse (WAP) sets the rules for how ELMA can be used. Under the WAP, ELMA cannot be transferred and traded, which is consistent with the requirements of the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement. It is important that ELMA is applied in full each year to address land management issues, and for this reason, ELMA is not eligible for private carryover.
When land is sold, the ELMA license expires and reverts back to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water, then the new owner can apply for ELMA.
The WAP also includes high level objectives that highlight the importance of ELMA in protecting land and infrastructure within the LMRIA, including:
- Reducing soil salinisation caused by saline groundwater discharge
- Minimising oxidation of acid sulfate soils
- Reducing soil cracking and movement
Since 2022 ELMA has been distributed at optimised application rates (in ML/ha) to ensure all entitlement holders have equal ability to manage their land.
A ten-year transition period (i.e. two five-year terms) is currently in place for licensees who qualify to maintain their originating ELMA rate.
There are also similar allowances for family succession planning. If a qualifying license holder passes land to a family member (as defined in the WAP), the originating rate can be maintained for up to 10 years.
To provide greater security, ELMA licenses are granted for a 5-year term and then reviewed.
Why is applying ELMA important?
Acid sulfate soil and salinity are ongoing land management challenges in the LMRIA. ELMA helps keep the soil hydrated.
Without the application of ELMA or other irrigation, the risk of soil drying and cracking is high, thereby increasing the risk of salinity and acid sulfate soil problems returning. Using the full ELMA to keep the soil profile wet is essential for managing these issues and protecting water quality and the river environment.
For more information on the issues in the LMRIA, visit the EPA website – www.epa.sa.gov.au (search LMRIA)
How do I know if I need ELMA?
ELMA is available to landholders who own property in the LMRIA. The water is specifically provided to manage local soil and salinity issues in this region. If you own a property within the LMRIA, you’re encouraged to apply for ELMA. Details of how to apply are provided below.
How should ELMA be applied to land?
The best land management outcomes are achieved through careful irrigation management. Large, infrequent irrigations are most effective for managing salinity.
Maximum application rates are outlined in chapter 6.3.3 of the WAP, with volumes differing depending on property location.
For more information contact the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board’s Land and Water Management Team.
I own a property in the Lower Murray Reclaimed Irrigation Area, but I don’t irrigate. Do I need ELMA?
Yes. All land in the LMRIA, regardless of what it is used for, needs to maintain soil moisture levels to reduce the risk of salinity and acid sulphate soils. All property owners need to play a part in contributing to soil health and productivity in the LMRIA by applying ELMA.
What happens if I purchase a property with ELMA?
ELMA is attached to the land parcel and is returned to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water when the property is sold. The new owner of the land will need to hold a Class 8 water license, site use approval and water resource works approval. ELMA will be granted at optimised rates.
If ELMA is applied for during the 5 year term, then the Class 8 license may be issued for less than 5 years.
Application forms can be found at www.environment.sa.gov.au/licences-and-permits/water-licence-and-permit-forms
For more information, contact the DEW Berri Water Licensing team.
Can I make a private supply agreement?
Yes, adjoining landholders can negotiate a private supply agreement to assist with the application of ELMA, provided compliant metering arrangements are in place to accurately record water use.
For more information, contact the DEW Berri Water Licensing team.
Can ELMA be traded?
No, ELMA cannot be traded because it is allocated specifically to manage land management issues in the LMRIA. It is tied to the land parcels and must be applied evenly across the land. When a property is sold, ELMA reverts back to the Minister for Climate, Environment and Water and can be allocated to the new owner upon application.
Are trusts responsible for ELMA?
No, ELMA is granted to individual landholders and it is their responsibility to ensure ELMA is applied.
Is ELMA recorded first?
Yes, ELMA (Class 8) water is recorded as the first water used through the meter - before Class 3.
Do I need to report water use?
Yes, water meter readings must be provided to the Department for Environment and Water’s online water licensing system, mywater. Quarterly meter readings must still be taken during the first 14 calendar days of October, January, April and July and submitted to DEW by the end of the month, in accordance with the conditions of your water management instruments.
In addition, the landscape boards ELMA watering tool is available to Class 8 water licence holders to record and track their water use.
Reporting in the ELMA watering tool is optional, however, the information collected helps build the evidence needed to support long-term water availability in the LMRIA.
Have you used the ELMA watering tool?
We want your feedback, please help us replying to the short survey below.
Will I need to apply for ELMA at the end of every 5-year term?
Initially, all landholders with eligible land will need to apply for ELMA. After that, only those who have not previously applied will need to do so, unless advised otherwise. If new users qualify for ELMA at the commencement of the second 5-year term, and proportional reductions are required, your volume may change when your license is reissued.
When you receive your new licence, make sure to check the number of shares available to avoid possible overuse charges.
Can ELMA be enforced?
If neighbouring landholders don’t apply their ELMA water, it can affect others in the area. The plan explains how ELMA is shared amongst eligible landholders, but licensees cannot be forced to apply ELMA water to land. During the life of the plan, water entitlements will be reviewed based on ELMA usage. This information will help guide future reviews of the plan and any changes to how ELMA is distributed.
What is the difference between ELMA and water for the environment?
ELMA is specifically allocated to manage soil issues unique to the LMRIA and for the protection of infrastructure e.g. levee banks, laser levelled paddocks.
The primary purpose of water for the environment is protect and conserve biodiversity and it is used to maintain and rehabilitate aquatic or riparian ecosystems.
What happens if demand for ELMA exceeds the 22.2 GL cap?
If demand for ELMA exceeds the total volume available, then proportional reductions will be applied to all EMLA licensees to ensure the 22.2 GL cap is not exceeded.
After the transition period ends in 2031, there is no risk of proportional reductions, as there will be enough ELMA available at the optimised rates for all eligible land parcels.
Why don’t other areas have environmental land management allocations?
The LMRIA faces unique land management issues that are best addressed through the application of water.
ELMA is established under the Murray-Darling Basin Agreement, which recognises that a specific volume of water is required to manage these unique issues in the area.
Where to find reports about optimised ELMA rates?
Scientific reports are available on the landscape boards website, here.
