SYDNEY CATCHMENT AUTHORITY - WaterNSW … · Sydney Catchment Authority – Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16 Sydney Catchment Authority – Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16

December 2012

SYDNEY CATCHMENT AUTHORITY

Healthy Catchments StrategyActions in the catchment to reduce the risks to water quality

12–16

B Sydney Catchment Authority – Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16

Message from the Chief ExecutiveThe Sydney Catchment Authority is committed to ensuring reliable, quality water is available to meet the needs of the community – now and in the future.

Implementing actions in the catchment to reduce the risks to water quality is critical to the delivery of this objective. The Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16 builds on the achievements of the Healthy Catchments Strategy 2009–12 and the learnings we took from it.

The strategy outlines seven integrated catchment management initiatives and their goals to reduce the risks to water quality and to provide a reliable water supply to approximately 4.5 million people in the Sydney, Illawarra, Blue Mountains, Shoalhaven and Southern Highlands regions of New South Wales.

The SCA understands that collaborative partnerships with local councils, landholders, government agencies, industry and the community are important to ensure our catchments remain healthy for everyone’s benefit.

Accordingly, we sought input and feedback from these partners when developing the strategy.

We look forward to working with our partners and the community in delivering the Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16. We will report our progress in delivering the strategy each year.

Ross Young

Chief Executive

Published by the Sydney Catchment Authority, April 2013. © Sydney Catchment AuthorityThis publication may be freely reproduced and distributed for most purposes, however some restrictions apply.See the copyright information at www.sca.nsw.gov.au/copyright or phone (02) 4724 2200.

Sydney Catchment Authority – Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16

Blue Mountains Catchments

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Uppe

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Pipelines

Braidwood

Canberra

Shoa

lhav

en River

Goulburn

Nowra

Wollongong

Lithgow

Sydney

Wollondilly River

Bendeela PondageLake Yarrunga

Nattai River

Nepean River Woro

nora River

Haw

kesb

ury R

iverCoxs River

ProspectReservoir

WarragambaDam

WoronoraDam

TallowaDam

Fitzroy FallsReservoir

WoodfordDam

Greaves CreekDam

MedlowDam

CascadeDams

CordeauxDam

Broughtons Pass Weir

Pheasants Nest Weir

AvonDam

NepeanDam Cataract

Dam

Bowral

WingecarribeeReservoir

Katoomba

Kowmung R

iver

LakeBurragorang

Wingecarribee River

Sydney Catchment Authority Drinking water catchments

Pumping station

Canals and pipelines

Dam

Crookwell

Sydney Catchment Authority – Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16 1

Sydney’s drinking water catchments cover almost 16,000 square kilometres and provides drinking water to approximately 4.5 million people in Sydney, the Illawarra, Blue Mountains, Southern Highlands and the Shoalhaven – around 60 percent of the NSW population.

The five drinking water catchments – Warragamba, Shoalhaven, Upper Nepean, Woronora and Blue Mountains – drain into 11 major dams that store raw water. This water is released through a network of rivers, pipes and canals to our customers’ water filtration plants before being distributed to drinking water consumers.

Natural systems and human activities such as rivers, bushland, farms, dams, homes, industry, plants, animals and people co-exist in the drinking water catchments. The catchments are a dynamic and productive area with a population of around 120,000 people across 15 local government areas. They include regional centres such as Lithgow, Goulburn and Bowral, and cover 485,000 hectares of agricultural land.

Sydney’s drinkingwater catchments


Managing catchment water qualityReducing the risks to water quality in the catchment is one strategy to maintain the quality of water as it moves from the catchment to consumers’ taps, as recognised by the multi-barrier approach. The water storages, raw water delivery systems, water treatment and the distribution networks represent subsequent barriers to protect water quality.

The multi-barrier approach, as outlined in the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 (ADWG), describes a range of measures that collectively prevent or reduce contamination to drinking water from catchment source to tap – in order to reduce risks to public health. The approach recognises that while each individual barrier may not be able to completely remove or prevent contamination, they work together to provide greater assurance that the water will be safe to drink.

In 2010, the Sydney Catchment Authority and Sydney Water conducted a joint drinking water quality catchment-to-tap risk assessment, based on the multi-barrier approach. The catchment-to-tap risk assessment found that rainfall or storm events in the catchment can present a significant risk to water quality. Although the Sydney Catchment Authority and other catchment landowners and managers are unable to fully prevent the build up and transport of pollutants in these events, we implement a range of initiatives and programs in the catchment to reduce the water quality risks before, during and after rainfall and storm events.

The Healthy Catchments Strategy provides the framework for reducing the risks to water quality in the catchment. Details of other measures to maintain water quality from catchment to tap can be found in the Sydney Catchment Authority’s Water Quality Management Framework.

Sydney Catchment Authority – Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16Sydney Catchment Authority – Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16 3

The Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16Between 2012 and 2016, we will work with our partners to deliver these initiatives to reduce the risks to water quality.

Healthy catchments, quality water – always.

The SCA provides reliable water of agreed quality and quantity to customers to minimise risk to public health.

Identified risks Risk reducing initiatives Programs

1 Incomplete information and understanding

Maintaining a catchment science and evidence baseScience underpins SCA decisions about prioritising, designing and evaluating catchment management actions

1. Capturing key catchment information

2. Understanding catchment risks

3. Scientific evaluation of catchment actions

2 The community does not support our actions

Active communities Improve the community’s understanding and active participation in activities to reduce the risks to water quality and quantity in the catchment

1. Capacity building

2. School education

3. Community information

4. Community involvement

3 Our own lands are not managed appropriately

Setting the exampleSet the example by managing Special Areas and SCA lands to reduce the risks to water quality, ecological integrity and cultural heritage

1. Fire management

2. Unsealed roads

3. Pests and weeds

4. Soil erosion

5. Recreation areas

6. Cultural heritage

4Breaches to environmental protection and water protection laws

Ensuring legislation protects our catchmentsEnsuring legislation and enforcement reduces the incidence of behaviours in the catchment that pose a risk to water quality or threaten the Special Areas

1. Targeted inspection program

2. Special Area enforcement program

5Development and activities in the catchment are not sustainable

Maintaining sustainable catchmentsEnsure future development and activities in the catchment have a neutral or beneficial effect on water quality.

1. Development and activities

2. Land use planning

3. Mining

6High risk pollution sources are not managed to best practice standard

Targeting high risk pollutionRisks to water quality from activities related to rural lands and sewage and stormwater are reduced in wet and dry periods.

1. Rural landscape program

2. Priority pollutant program

7 Emerging catchment issues are not managed

Managing emerging catchment issuesSCA has a comprehensive understanding of and response to major emerging environmental, social, and economic issues in the catchment that could present water quality, water quantity and catchment health risks.

1. As required


Business and policy contextThere are a number of drivers that influence our initiatives and responsibilities under the Healthy Catchment Strategy 2012–16 (HCS16). The Sydney Catchment Authority’s Corporate Sustainability Strategy 2010–15 sets our strategic direction through six key focus areas. The HCS16 is a strategy under key focus area 5 – Reliable Water.

The policy context for the HCS16 is outlined in the Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998, the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 and in the Sydney Catchment Authority’s Water Quality Management Framework.

Strategy stakeholders We understand that collaborative partnerships with local councils, landholders, government agencies, industry and the community are important to ensure the catchment and drinking water quality remain healthy for everyone’s benefit. Accordingly, we sought input and feedback from these partners when developing the strategy.

We will work with local councils, Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs), the Department of Primary Industries, the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Office of Environment and Heritage, the Environment Protection Authority, the Department of Planning and Infrastructure and other stakeholders to deliver the strategy’s programs.

The success of our actions to reduce the risks to water quality in the catchment relies heavily on the goodwill, cooperation and contributions of the catchment community and many others who visit the catchment.

Figure 1 – Healthy Catchments Strategy drivers, package and other tools

• Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16 Outlines catchment goals to reduce risks to water quality in the catchments and the context

• Healthy Catchments strategy Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Plans Background, evidence review, evaluation data collection, monitoring and evaluation plans

• Healthy Catchments Programs Annual work programs outlining planned annual expenditure, activities and outcomes expressed as targets

• Annual Catchment Management Report Reporting on annual planned and actual expenditure, activities and outcomes (Reviewed by IPART)

HCS16 Documents

• Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998

• SCA Operating Licence

• SCA Corporate Sustainability Strategy 2010–15

• Drinking Water Quality Catchment-to-tap risk assessment 2010

• Australian Drinking Water Guidelines (NHMRC 2011)

• Catchment Audit 2010

• Water Quality Management Framework

• SCA Enterprise Risk Management Framework

• Social/ political, economic and environmental trends

• Climate Change Impact Assessment 2012

• Pollution Source Assessment Tool Results Report 2011

• Cyanobacteria Management Strategy 2012–15

• SCA Asset Management Strategy

• Metropolitan Water Plan 2010

• Special Areas Strategic Plan of Management

• SCA Science Strategic Plan 2010–15

• SCA Water Monitoring Program 2010–15

• Joint Management Agreement with NPWS

• Catchment Management Authorities MOU

• NSW Health MOU

• Office of Environment and Heritage & Environment Protection Authority MOU

• SEPP (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011

• Current Recommended Practices

• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997

• Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979

• Sydney Water Catchment Management Regulation 2008

• Land Management Database

• SCA Communications Strategy

Drivers Other Tools


Monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvementWe have established a monitoring, evaluation, reporting and improvement (MERI) framework for the HCS16, allowing us to report on and continually improve our programs throughout 2012–16 and beyond. The main components of the framework are shown in the diagram below.

The HCS16 has set indicators and targets for planned activities and outcomes under each program. It also describes which data will be collected to monitor progress and how the risk to water quality is being managed.

New science projects have been developed to improve program evaluation data and tools to measure the water quality outcomes of some of our programs. This is supported by the Sydney Catchment Authority’s Science Strategic Plan 2010–15 and Water Monitoring Program 2010–15.

The evaluation framework will be supported by the Sydney Catchment Authority’s Land Management Database (LMD), a GIS tool to record spatial information for all our programs in a central database. All information is linked to outputs, to support reporting against targets.

The LMD also contains project information from the Hawkesbury Nepean and Southern Rivers CMAs, providing a more complete picture of investment in catchment management.

Monitoring, evaluation and reporting plans are being developed for each program under the HCS16.

Program logic We have applied program logic to each of our HCS16 initiatives. The program logic outlines key inputs, activities, outputs, and intermediate and goal outcomes. We will also specify the activities and outcomes we have set for our programs through our annual Healthy Catchments Program. We will report on our progress in meeting these through the Annual Catchment Management Report.

Figure 2 – MERI Framework

Monitoring

Improvement Reporting

Evaluation

Continually measure and observe progress against planned program targets for activities,

outputs and outcomes.

Review the monitoring data, Science, and research to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of programs.

Carried out during and at the end of programs.

Compile reports about actual and planned expenditure, activities and outcomes of each program. Reports

available on a regular and timely basis to our stakeholders.

Make appropriate, positive changes to the HCS16 and annual Healthy Catchments Programs based on learnings from monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

RMI

E

6 Sydney Catchment Authority – Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16

1A science and evidence base for catchment actions increases our knowledge of natural processes and human activities that impact water quality. A better understanding of the mobilisation, transport and delivery of pollutants to streams will help us prioritise risks and our catchment actions.

We currently have a good understanding of catchment hydrology influences on water quality, pollutant levels, pollutant behaviours and pathways, and an excellent understanding of where in the catchments we should focus our efforts. Catchment management is the culmination of many actions contributing to catchment health and water quality changes. We use the best available science, data and expert knowledge to understand current pollution issues and to support prioritisation. We also identify future land uses and trends that could impact the catchments and water quality.

The SCA collects information from many sources which is essential in making immediate and long-term decisions in the catchment. By using information, collected from past and current actions and monitoring programs, we are able to better understand and prioritise risks to water quality.

Monitoring the effectiveness of catchment actions is complicated as isolating changes to water quality to one single action is difficult. The time lag between catchment actions and water quality changes can also be significant.

We are developing and verifying models to calculate the change in pollutant exports from grazing or other land uses, as a result of management interventions. These changes assist in evaluating the effectiveness of our initiatives. Pollution risk varies across the catchment. It depends on the size and extent of the pollution source, pollutant load, local management practices, rainfall, soils and slope.

We will continue to work with the water industry, government agencies, research partners and the community to develop and implement our catchment science and evidence base. We will work with the Bureau of Meteorology, NSW Office of Water, Catchment Management Authorities, Sydney Water, local councils, the Environment Protection Authority, the Office of Environment and Heritage and others to capture and share information about water quality and quantity data, on-ground natural resource management activities and other relevant information.

Implementing a catchment science and evidence base

About our goal

We will undertake a biannual SCA staff survey to determine if at least 80 percent of SCA staff involved in catchment actions are accessing catchment science information, models, and scientific analysis to inform their decisions.

Measuring progress towards our goal

7Sydney Catchment Authority – Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16Sydney Catchment Authority – Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16

GOAL OUTCOME

Implementing a catchment science and evidence base

Science underpins SCA decisions about prioritising water quality risks and designing and evaluating catchment actions with at least 80 percent of SCA catchment management decision makers accessing science information, models, and scientific analysis to inform decisions, as measured by a biannual staff survey

Risk assessment tools are used in the planning and delivery of catchment programs and evidence based information and method testing is used in the Pollution Source Assessment Tool (PSAT)

• Key catchment information is easily accessible and is shared between SCA and external stakeholders through our Annual Water Quality Monitoring Report and other publications

• New and existing risks to water quality and quanitity are identified and assessed each year using comprehensive assessment and modelling tools

• Modelling and evaluation trials within the drinking water catchments provide verified and peer reviewed data to support decision making and to validate and calibrate catchment models

• Key catchment information is captured through annual reporting, spatial databases and catchment water monitoring sites

• Our understanding of catchment risks is increased by updating the PSAT modules by 2016, completing a pilot surface water-groundwater investigation in mining impacted catchments, developing climate change models and completing trend analysis of data from catchment water monitoring sites every two years

• Scientific evaluation of catchment actions is conducted with four experimental trials for gully erosion, sewage treatment plants, on-site effluent management and grazing completed by 2016

• SCA staff and resources

• SCA Science Strategic Plan 2010–15

• SCA Water Monitoring Program 2010–15

• Pollution Source Assessment Tool

• Spatial and other scientific equipment

• Science and research literature

INTERMEDIATE OUTCOME

OUTPUTS

ACTIVITIES

INPUTS


2More than 120,000 people live and work in the catchment and see it as a resource, as well as a source of water. In addition, tens of thousands of people travel through and visit the catchment daily. Working with the community who own around 90 percent of land in the catchment, and encouraging their participation, helps to support the catchment and the SCA’s objectives. Many of our HCS16 initiatives rely on having active communities.

Increasing knowledge, skills and attitudes using education and training to build capacity can help promote positive behaviour in the catchment. Used along with other approaches such as economic incentives, policies and compliance provides a powerful set of motivators for behaviour change.

We provide information and tools for key stakeholders within the catchment as well as providing information for the 4.5 million water users in Greater Sydney, most of whom reside in areas beyond the catchment. This information program assists the community and stakeholders to increase their awareness of water-related issues and activities; improve their understanding of water and catchment management; assist participation in activities and decision making processes; and boost community capacity in the catchment.

We use a range of communication tools including the visitor centre at Warragamba Dam, the SCA website, publications and media articles, a community enquiry service and interpretative signage at our dams and recreation areas. We also deliver a school education program to approximately 120 primary and high schools from across the catchment and Sydney area.

Active communities help to support informed decision making, and build understanding about our activities. We will continue to work with partners, residents and landholders, community organisations, businesses, local councils, government and the broader community to support active communities.

Active communities

About our goal

We will survey participants involved in our engagement and capacity building activities. This will help us see if our activities have increased their:

• awareness of water quality and quantity issues

• knowledge of the risks to water quality in the catchment or

• skills to implement best management practices to reduce risks to water quality.



GOAL OUTCOME

GOAL OUTCOME

Active communities – Capacity building

Catchment partners understand water quality risks, actively participate in catchment management and commit to implement best management practices that reduce the risks to water quality in the catchment

Surveyed participants in SCA capacity building programs report increased skills and knowledge of water quality issues and best management practices to reduce water quality risks

Reported participation by targeted community, industry or local government audiences

Provide capacity building and training opportunities including to:

• graziers through the SCA and DPI Sustainable Grazing Program

• councils and consultants for land use planning and development assessment tools and guidelines

• councils, industry and landholders for sewage and stormwater programs

• the broader community through SCA community grants and incentives and the SCA Streamwatch water quality monitoring program


• Best management practices

• SCA corporate website and publications

Active communities – Engaging the community

The catchment and Greater Sydney community understand the issues and work of the SCA in managing and minimising risks to water quality and quantity

Surveyed participants are engaged and have an increased awareness of the risks to water quality and quantity

Surveyed partcipants report positive experiences and active participation with SCA programs

• Provide a best practice school education program

• Provide information to the community by:

• hosting at least 100,000 visitors each year at the Warragamba Dam Visitor Centre

• increasing contemporary interpretive signage at our dams and delivering exhibitions and catchment events each year

• redeveloping the SCA website and incorporating the online ‘Water for Life’ exhibition

• delivering a proactive media program

• Encourage community involvement by investigating a volunteer program at Warragamba Dam and delivering community engagement activities for SCA projects and policy development

• Engage with other stakeholders through relevant inter-government water communication groups for water education, the Local Government Reference Panel four times a year, and sponsorships


• Warragamba Dam Visitor Centre (including exhibition and teaching spaces)

• SCA corporate website and publications



OUTPUTS

OUTPUTS

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES

INPUTS

INPUTS


3

The Special Areas cover 365,000 hectares of the catchment. In accordance with the Special Areas Strategic Plan of Management (SASPoM), the SCA and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) manage 86 percent of these areas, with the remaining lands privately owned. Each agency uses its expert knowledge of ecology, cultural heritage and water quality to manage these lands under agreed joint management arrangements. The SCA and NPWS commit to protecting and managing these areas through the SASPoM.

The SCA and NPWS apply adaptive management to develop objectives for the management of Special Area lands, delivered through annual work plans. Each agency has delivered annual land management programs through previous SASPoMs, which have been important in reducing risks to water quality. The joint management of these lands is an ongoing priority.

In the Braidwood area, the SCA owns and manages over 22,000 hectares of the catchment. Together with the Special Areas, these lands account for about 25 percent of the catchment area and are a substantial risk to water quality if not properly managed.

We maintain a number of public recreation areas and facilities at our major dams and reservoirs and along the Shoalhaven River. Our recreational facilities attract more

than 500,000 visitors each year. We are also responsible for managing sites listed on the State Heritage Register and other heritage items including dams, associated infrastructure, weirs, homesteads, mining infrastructure and bridges, and we must care for indigenous sites and artefacts.

Lands are managed to promote water quality and quantity and to maintain ecological integrity. There is sufficient science suggesting that robust ecological systems contribute to improved water quality outcomes. Land management programs such as fire management, pest and weed control, and soil erosion and access controls contribute to these outcomes. Protecting these landscapes is very important to us.

We have many partners including the NPWS, the Rural Fire Service, Livestock Health and Pest Authority, the Department of Primary Industries, the Land and Property Management Authority, local councils and neighbouring landowners.

Setting the example

About our goal

We will assess the management of the Special Areas and the SCA’s other lands every three years using the “State of the Parks” assessment methodology developed by the NPWS for ecological and cultural values. Annual performance will be assessed through the delivery of the annual work plans by the SCA and NPWS.



GOAL OUTCOME

Setting the example

Management of Special Areas and SCA lands reduces the risks to water quality, ecological integrity and cultural heritage as assessed every three years using the ‘State of the Parks’ assessment methodology

Measures are in place to minimise impacts of fire, priority pests and weeds, unsealed roads and soil erosion on water quality, ecological integrity and cultural heritage values through the SCA’s land management programs

Catchment management goals are supported by the updated Special Areas Strategic Plan of Management (SASPoM) and other policies, plans and evaluation including:

• Conservation management plans developed for all SCA items listed on the State Heritage Register by 2016

• Fire management plans developed and maintained every five years for all SCA owned and managed lands

• Maintain a system of unsealed roads open for their intended uses

• Annual work plans are delivered

We will work with our partners to implement work programs to:

• Minimise risks and impacts to life and property from wildfires by undertaking prescribed hazard reduction activities over the four years, in accordance with approved fire management plans

• All unsealed roads in Special Areas inspected and if necessary, maintained within a three year cycle

• Continuously control priority pests and weeds, particularly aquatic weeds, willows, blackberry and pigs

• Progressively treat active erosion sites on our Braidwood and other lands

• Maintain recreational facilities for individuals and families that are safe, educational and appropriate to their setting

• Manage our heritage assets to meet legal requirements

Sufficient resources to undertake land management in the Special Areas and on SCA lands according to best management practice and statutory requirements

• SCA and National Parks and Wildlife Service staff and resources

• Land management equipment

• Special Areas Strategic Plan of Management

• Spatial data and systems

• Legislation


OUTPUTS

ACTIVITIES

INPUTS


4

The SCA is responsible under the Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998 for protecting catchment areas, water quality and the environment. Water pollution events in the catchment can present a considerable risk to drinking water quality. These events can occur due to illegal activity in contravention of the Protection of the Environment Enforcement Act 1997. We use our powers under this Act to reduce the risk of water pollution in the catchment.

In addition, the land around the water storages has been proclaimed Special Areas under the Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998 (SWCM Act). These areas protect the drinking water supply by acting as a buffer zone to help stop pollutants entering the storages. Public access to parts of the Special Areas is restricted under the Sydney Water Catchment Management Regulation 2008 to reduce water quality risks. To ensure our Regulation is effective, the SCA, NPWS authorised officers and NSW Police carry out regular, visible and appropriate enforcement activities including surveillance patrols and inspections. We believe that conducting these activities, together with education, can act as a general deterrent to illegal behaviour.

Legal entry to the Special Areas can also impact on catchment health and water quality if not carried out

sensitively. Under the SWCM Act, we manage and monitor regular requests for authorised access in the Special Areas by applying transparent processes and imposing conditions to minimise risks.

We know that a range of activities that occur in the outer catchment present a point source risk to water quality. We know that early detection and strategic responses to these issues allow the SCA to achieve better water quality outcomes for a geographic area or a particular industry sector. We also know that a highly visible compliance presence in the catchment can deter undesirable behaviour.

From time to time, unforeseen risks to water quality arise from changing conditions and we will seek amendment of the legislation we rely on to ensure it remains an effective tool.

We work with our partners including the NPWS, local councils, NSW Police and the community to ensure legislation protects our catchments.

Ensuring legislation protects our catchment

About our goal

We will measure the number and type of catchment compliance actions taken and describe the resulting reductions in water quality risks.



GOAL OUTCOME

Ensuring legislation protects the catchments

Legislation and enforcement reduces the incidence of behaviours in the catchment that pose a risk to water quality or threaten the Special Areas

Regulatory tools and activities, along with education, increase community, industry and government awareness of our regulatory powers and catchment issues and create a highly visible deterrence for illegal activities in the outer catchment and Special Areas. Catchment compliance actions involving the use of regulatory tools result in reduced risks to water quality in the Special and Controlled Areas, and outer catchment

Regulatory tools are used appropriately to reduce the risks of illegal and legal activities in the Special and Controlled Areas, and outer catchment including:

• penalty infringement notices

• warning letters

• prosecutions

• clean-up notice

• prevention notices

We implement a program of targeted inspections and Special Area enforcement responding to identified risks to water quality in the Special and Controlled Areas and outer catchment with:

• at least three joint compliance operations undertaken annually with our partners in the Special Areas

• 1,500 hours of Special Areas surveillance and 700 hours of targeted inspections of high risk sites completed each year


• Legislation



• Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997

• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979


OUTPUTS

ACTIVITIES

INPUTS


5Population in the catchment is growing at about three percent each year. New residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural developments and activities can potentially impact local waterways if not managed effectively.

We work with the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, local councils and others to influence relevant decisions in the catchment through advice on specific developments and activities and planning instruments (such as ‘Local Environment Plans’, ‘Regional Environment Plans’, ‘State Environmental Planning Polices’ or other instruments made under the Environmental Planning Assessment Act 1979), provision of planning tools (which includes those used to assist the planning process. For example, the SCA’s list of ‘Current Recommended Practices’ and the NorBE tool developed to assist councils in accessing development applications) and guidelines and endorsement of current recommended practices. These aim to ensure developments and activities have a neutral or beneficial effect on water quality.

Mining has been a long-term land use in the catchment. There are active mines in the Special Areas and close to water supply infrastructure works. We have developed six principles for managing the potential impacts of mining and coal seam gas to guide our decisions about these activities in the catchments.

Maintaining sustainable catchments

About our goal

We will:

• Assess whether selected high risk developments and activities in the catchment continue to satisfy NorBE, through our annual targeted inspection program

• Identify if new environmental planning instruments include provisions to reduce water quality risks

• Determine if our principles for managing mining and coal seam gas impacts have been considered in relevant mining decisions and proposals.



GOAL OUTCOME

GOAL OUTCOME

Maintaining sustainable catchments – development and planning

Future developments and activities in the catchment have a neutral or beneficial effect (NorBE) on water quality

• Those high risk developments and activities in the catchment assessed through the SCA’s targeted inspection program continue to have a neutral or beneficial effect on water quality

• New environmental planning instruments include provisions to reduce the risks to water quality

• Approvals for Part 4 developments and Part 5 activities include conditions which ensure a NorBE outcome

• Environmental assessments undertaken for ‘State Significant Development’ and ‘State Significant Infrastructure’ include an assessment of their neutral or beneficial effect on water quality

• All current recommended practices, performance standards, tools and guidelines and training developed or endorsed by the SCA are made available to catchment councils, determining authorities and consultants, where appropriate

• SCA provides written advice to catchment councils and determining authorities for all high risk developments and planning instruments


• Legislation and planning tools

Maintaining sustainable catchments – mining

Mining activities in the catchment are carried out in a manner that minimises the risks to water quality and quantity and ensures the integrity of SCA water supply infrastructure is not compromised

The SCA principles for managing mining and coal seam gas impacts are considered in all decisions about mining activities and proposals in the catchment

• We complete and report on the program to monitor, assess and manage the impacts of mining in the Special Areas

• Monitoring and review guidelines are developed and communicated to stakeholders for all mining related management plans, reporting and monitoring data

• We are involved in relevant mining discussions with representation at relevant interagency committee meetings and technical meetings with mining companies

• Include the SCA principles for mining and coal seam gas impacts in written advice and submissions about mining related decisions and proposals in the catchment


• Legislation and planning instruments



OUTPUTS

OUTPUTS

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES

INPUTS

INPUTS


6This goal will address diffuse and point sources of water pollution identified as priorities for additional action by the SCA’s Pollution Source Assessment Tool (PSAT).

The PSAT helps us to understand the relative risk of these sources, where they are located, and the priority pollutants they contribute to waterways. Sewage, urban stormwater and rural lands, including grazing and agriculture, are high risk pollution sources identified by PSAT.

Grazing is the largest land use by area in the catchment, covering 585,000 hectares (38 percent). Poor grazing practices can be a diffuse source of pollutants such as pathogens, nutrients and sediment. For example, uncontrolled stock access to streams can be a source of nutrients and pathogens. Similarly, over-application of fertiliser can cause nutrient run off to streams. Active gully erosion, streambank erosion and bed lowering can also contribute sediment and nutrients to waterways and water supply reservoirs and is a major issue on rural lands.

Sewage and stormwater, if not managed well, can be a significant point source of nutrients, pathogens and sediment. Pathogens from sewage can infect people. Population growth and associated development pressures reinforce the need to install new or upgrade existing sewage collection and treatment systems. Some of the sewage systems in the catchment are nearing the end of their design lives and will need significant maintenance or replacement to continue to operate effectively.

In many cases, the risks from rural lands and sewage and stormwater can be reduced by applying best management practices or suitable engineering. As we cannot directly measure changes in water quality as a result of changes in land management practices, applying best management practices ensure our programs are effective. We encourage and support the adoption of best practices to reduce water quality risks on a priority basis, by providing education, grants and incentives to partners who also make contributions to reduce risks.

We apply the Grazing Evolution Model (GEM) to assess and evaluate the success, or otherwise, of riparian projects under the Rural Lands Program.

We made substantial progress in this area through our last Healthy Catchments Strategy 2009–12. We realise that managing risks around these pollution sources requires ongoing maintenance, attention to new residents and remediation of past problems. We will continue to work closely with stakeholders such as the Catchment Management Authorities, Department of Primary Industries, local councils and landholders who have a mutual interest in addressing pollution sources. These stakeholders are a vital source of information to assist us in understanding high risk pollution sources and targeting our discretionary actions.

Targeting high risk pollution sources

About our goal

We will:

• assess whether participating landholders manage their land, waterways and infrastructure using best management practices to minimise risks to water quality

• assess continuous improvement in the management of sewage and stormwater systems towards regulatory and best management standards as measured by:

• evaluation against benchmark standards in 2013 and 2016

• reductions in pollutant discharges achieved through our new grants program



GOAL OUTCOMEGOAL OUTCOME

GOAL OUTCOME

Targeting high risk pollution sources – Rural Landscape Program

Risks to water quality from rural lands are reduced in wet and dry periods

All landholders participating in the rural lands program manage their land, waterways and infrastructure using best management practices to minimise risks to water quality including:

• Landholders receiving grants intend to maintain 80 percent or more ground cover over 10 year period

• Water quality risks are reduced to ‘low’ in the categories of ‘groundcover’ and ‘stock access’ two years after installation of riparian fencing as assessed by the GEM tool

The competitive grants program for rural landholders will result in:

• Riparian fencing installed to reduce water quality risks in the highest priority areas

• High risk gully, bank and bed erosion sites treated with 75 percent of SCA funds applied in the highest priority areas.

• Establish and deliver a grants program with the CMAs for at least 28 rural landholders a year, to encourage best management practices that reduce risks to water quality, with at least 75 percent of SCA funding applied to the highest priority areas

• Work and share information with industry partners including catchment management authorities and the Department of Primary Industries to implement training and other influencing activities about best practices and policies to reduce water quality risks

• SCA and partners’ staff and resources

• Plant and equipment

Targeting high risk pollution sources – Priority Pollutant Program

Risks to water quality from sewage and stormwater are reduced in wet and dry periods

Continuously improve management of sewage and stormwater systems towards regulatory and best management standards to reduce water quality risks, as measured by:

• Evaluation against benchmark standards in 2013 and 2016

• Reductions in pollutant discharges achieved through our new grants program

• Competitive and cost effective grants will result in new, upgraded or rectified systems with improved water treatment capability, reducing the level of nutrients and pathogens discharged

• Capacity building increases the knowledge and ability of key council staff and landholders to manage and maintain sewage and stormwater systems

• Deliver a grants program for catchment councils and landholders that requires effective practices to reduce risks to water quality from sewage and stormwater infrastructure

• Work and share information with industry partners including local councils and the NSW Office of Water to implement training and other influencing activities about best practices, policies and regulation to reduce water quality risks

• SCA and partners’ staff and resources

• Planning and priorities



OUTPUTS

OUTPUTS

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITIES

INPUTS

INPUTS


7

The drinking water catchment supports a rich variety of land uses and resources. There will be changing demands on these as a result of the community’s changing environmental, social and economic needs. These changes need to be managed to minimise short and long term risks to water quality and quantity.

We seek to influence decisions that may affect stored water, the water supply assets, the catchments or Special Areas. It is important that we retain the expertise for resource monitoring, advocacy for water issues and actions related to emerging issues.

We have established our role in influencing decisions about land use planning and development in the catchment (see initiative 5). We also have powers under the Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998 and its Regulation to regulate activities in the Special Areas (see initiative 4). We will use these roles in our response to emerging catchment issues.

Coal seam gas exploration and potential gas production in the catchment is an example of an emerging catchment issue that may impact on water quality and quantity, water supply infrastructure, human health and the ecological integrity of the Special Areas. In response to this issue, the SCA developed six principles for managing mining and coal seam gas impacts which we will use to inform our decisions and to advise regulators as to potential impacts.

Managing emerging catchment issues

About our goal

We will identify whether decisions about relevant emerging catchment issues apply current recommended practices, conditions and principles to reduce the risks to water quality and quantity.



GOAL OUTCOME

Managing emerging catchment issues

SCA has a comprehensive understanding of, and response to, major emerging environmental, social and economic issues in the catchment that could present water quality, water quantity and catchment health risks

• All relevant decisions about emerging catchment issues apply current recommended practices, conditions and principles to reduce the risks to water quality and quantity

• SCA position established, informed by an in-depth understanding of the risks of emerging catchment issues

SCA science and research programs established and implemented to identify, monitor and assess the water quality and quantity risks of emerging catchment issues

SCA participation in decision making about emerging catchment issues including:

• providing written advice and input for guidelines, agreements and decisions

• sharing information with government partners and other stakeholders

• active representation at relevant interagency committee meetings and forums

• participating in local and regional strategic land use planning


• Legislation and planning tools



• Protection of the Environment and Operations Act 1997

• State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011

• Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979


OUTPUTS

ACTIVITIES

INPUTS


List of Acronyms

ADWG Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011

CBD Central Business District

CMA Catchment Management Authority

DPI Department of Primary Industries

GEM Grazing Evaluation Model

GIS Geographical Information System

HCS16 Healthy Catchments Strategy 2012–16

IPART Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal

LMD Land Management Database

MERI Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement

MOU Memorandum of Understanding

NHMRC National Health and Medical Research Council

NorBE Neutral or Beneficial Effect on water quality

NPW Act National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974

NPWS National Parks and Wildlife Service

OEH Office of Environment and Heritage

PSAT Pollution Source Assessment Tool

SASPoM Special Areas Strategic Plan of Management

SCA Sydney Catchment Authority

SEPP State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011

SWCM Act Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998

UV Ultra Violet
