Integrated catchment management
| Integrated catchment management (ICM) is the coordinated planning, use and management of water, land, vegetation and other natural resources of a river or groundwater catchment. |
Integrated catchment management (ICM) has been adopted by the State Government as a way to look after natural resources in Western Australia. In other States ICM is also known as Total Catchment Management or Integrated Natural Resource Management.
ICM was adopted as policy by the Western Australian State Government in 1987. ICM is a cooperative approach to solving waterways problems. Individuals members of the community, landowners, industry people and the government work together to develop common objectives. Everyone is involved in planning and managing the land and water. State Government agencies and coordinating groups have been established to oversee and coordinate implementation of ICM throughout the State. This involves promoting cooperation between government agencies - which can sometimes work in isolation from each other - and ensuring that the community is involved in decision-making.
ICM is a systems approach. This means recognising that landforms, soils, water, vegetation and other natural resources in a catchment are interdependent; they are all linked together and are vital to each other. So management of one issue (such as replacing river bank vegetation) must be undertaken with consideration of the whole system (such as working out how animals move from trees along a river to those on higher ground, and what sort of trees to put in along the river to help their movement).
ICM develops partnerships. State and local government agencies work alongside farmers, industrialists, conservationists and the community to solve environmental problems and to sustainably manage natural resources. Instead of one group doing something by itself and not telling anyone else, everyone is kept informed so that all work together and don't waste time and resources.
ICM identifies stakeholders by recognising that everyone lives in the catchment and everyone has the right to, and is able to, participate in decision-making about the waterways and their catchment. Anyone who lives in a catchment area or who is involved in some way, is a stakeholder because any changes to the environment will ultimately affect them, too.
ICM provides a process for dealing with complex environmental issues relating to water, agricultural, forest and conservation resources. This process of information and discussion helps to keep everyone informed. For example, some areas of research about waterways life are very specialised but can have a big impact on the rest of the catchment, altering what we know abut how waterways work which in turn alters how we do things in a catchment. The process of meetings and sharing information helps to keep everyone aware of the complex issues of the waterways environment.
ICM results in a product: an ICM strategy or plan which is owned by the community for implementation by the community and government. This document outlines what is known about the catchment and how it works and sets out ways of looking after the catchment for the benefit of everyone.
ICM has come about because of the following:
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Successful ICM needs to have:
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Integrated catchment management groups are emerging throughout the State. These groups are sometimes interested in a number of catchments within a river basin (called `broad-scale ICM'); and sometimes only in issues facing one single catchment (called `small-scale ICM').
Catchment coordinating groups represent all the interested people and groups within the catchment. Usually this is a mixture of community members (sometimes representing community action groups), local government representatives (such as Councillors or Council employees) and State government agencies with an interest in natural resource management. Depending on the catchment this may include the Water and Rivers Commission, Agriculture WA, Department of Conservation and Land Management, Ministry for Planning, Department of Environmental Protection and the Water Corporation.
Catchment coordinating groups around the State differ from one another. They have different aims and approaches. Generally most groups go through a process which includes:
Doing things together outside in the catchment is very important to help keep everyone interested. Catchment tours, tree planting events and field days all contribute to a sucessful catchment group.
The best way to find out if catchment management has been successful is to look at the health of the waterways in the catchment. For example, if nutrients and sediments going into a river have been reduced, then catchment management has been successful.
In the rural catchments the farming community is working hard to re-plant rural land with native plants. They're also working hard on other ways to control salinity and prevent it getting worse. Land conservation district committees (LCDCs) have been formed under the Soil and Land Conservation Act 1982 (WA). Through the committees landowners and other people work together to solve the problems of land degradation in their areas.
The main role of the LCDCs is to help land users and agencies cooperate to put in place sustainable land management systems and to solve local and regional land degradation problems. To achieve this the committees carry out land conservation works (such as planting trees), develop demonstration sites (such as showing how farms can be planted with different trees and crops that don't encourage land degradation), and advise on appropriate land conservation techniques (such as different ways of tilling the soil). The LCDCs are made up of representatives from producer organisations (such the Western Australian Farmers Federation, and the Pastoralist and Graziers Association), the local government authority and local land users (local farmers, who make up most of the committee). Agriculture Western Australia (AgWA) usually supports the committees with technical advice. A large number of LCDCs have formed in the South-West and in many cases more than one exists within a local government area. The boundaries of the land conservation districts are worked out by the local community, usually from advice given by AgWA.
The LCDCs, together with AgWA, encourage establishing catchment groups which are community-based and made up of land users in a particular catchment. These groups develop and implement catchment plans and individual farm plans for their local area. Other organisations such as Men of the Trees and Alcoa are also involved with rehabilitation of the catchment and improved land management practices.
City people are also beginning to realise that catchment management isn't just something that happens on farms. The Bayswater Integrated Catchment Management project is the first time in Western Australia that an integrated approach has been used in an urban catchment.
The Bayswater Main Drain drains water into the Swan River from the largest inner-city urban catchment in the Perth metropolitan area. It collects industrial effluent, groundwater and surface run off from a 27 ha catchment that's used for urban residential, commercial and industrial purposes. The catchment includes the suburbs of Morley and Dianella where market gardens have been replaced by urban development.
The Swan River Trust and the Bayswater City Council have been monitoring sites in the catchment and the river to find out how much pollution comes from different land uses and soil type mixes within the catchment, and to work out possible effects on the river environment. The discolouration of water, possible heavy metal and pesticide contamination, and potential human health and environmental risks have caused a lot of public concern for the Swan River in this area.
This has led to the formation of the Bayswater Integrated Catchment Management Steering Committee which has representatives from State and local government as well as the local community. The aim of the committee is to develop a management plan for the catchment which will minimise pollution entering the drainage system and improve the local environment. The issues associated with the drain are complicated and diverse. Five task groups are tackling issues of nutrients, education and information, industry and pollution, drainage and wetlands and sewage. Each group prepares a report on its findings and activities. The committeee uses the reports to prepare an overall vision for integrated catchment management in the Bayswater Main Drain Catchment.
There have been a growing number of ICM groups forming in the Swan region, which covers the Perth metropolitan area. To coordinate the activities of these ICM groups the Swan Working Group (SWG) was formed in 1995. The SWG is strongly community-driven. Membership is comprised of both community and government representatives. The SWG plays a leading role in supporting and coordinating the activities of ICM groups. As new ICM groups have formed, representatives attend all SWG meetings so that each group knows what others are doing, groups don't do the same things and waste time and effort, and everyone works together to solve common problems in the catchment.
Currently no one agency or organisation has responsibility for implementing integrated catchment management in Western Australia. Four State natural resource management agencies have statutory responsibility. These are the Water and Rivers Commission, Department of Environmental Protection, Department of Conservation and Land Management and Agriculture WA. Other agencies also have an important role in ICM.
AgWA plays an important role in the management of rural catchments. The Department's operations include research and the conservation of land and water resources.
AgWA administers the Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945 (1988). The Act delegates powers to the Commissioner of Soil Conservation for preventing and lessening the harmful effects of land degradation and promoting soil conservation. Under the Act, AgWA provides support to LCDCs, who are also funded by bodies such as the National Soil Conservation Programme to carry out research and planning.
The Western Australian Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) was established under the Environmental Protection Act 1986. The DEP provides the technical and administrative support that allows the Environmental Protection Authority to work. The DEP has powers to control, prevent and lessen the effects of pollution; and issue licences, works approvals and notices.
The DEP is responsible for:
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is an advisory board and its main role is to provide independent advice to the Minister for the Environment on whether new development proposals are environmentally acceptable, and on environmental issues generally.
Under the Environmental Protection Act any development which may have a significant effect on the environment must be referred to the EPA for an environmental impact assessment. This process ensures that the environment is protected from the harmful effects of development and allows the State Government to make appropriate decisions based on sound environmental advice and public comment. A group, or individual, can also refer a development proposal for environmental assessment. The DEP can also make an assessment on its own initiative.
Changes made to the Environmental Protection Act, via the Planning Amendment Bill 1995, state that all new town and regional planning schemes and amendments must be referred to the EPA for assessment. The EPA then decides whether to assess the proposal formally or informally. If the EPA decides that the environmental issues do not need formal assessment then informal advice is provided. However, when significant environmental issues are raised the EPA will instruct the responsible agency to do an environmental review. This process has been developed to make sure that the environment is considered at the planning stage before development starts.
Environmental protection policies have been developed under the Environmental Protection Act. The policies are a set of guidelines for planning and land use in specific catchments, other areas where environmental problems have arisen, or where there is pressure on the natural environment from development.
The first draft of an environmental protection policy is done in consultation with the community. The policy is then reviewed and redrafted by the Crown Law Department before being referred to the Minister for the Environment, who carries out further consultation. The policy is then adopted and gazetted. At this stage the policy gains legal status, but like many forms of subsidiary legislation, has to be passed by both Houses of Parliament.
The DEP has developed an environmental protection policy for the Peel-Harvey Estuary and the Swan River. The Peel-Harvey environmental protection policy aims to maintain and enhance the estuary and make sure that surrounding land is managed in an environmentally and economically sustainable way. The policy focuses on reducing the level of nutrients entering the estuary.
The Department of Conservation and Land Management's (CALM) role is to conserve and manage Western Australia's wildlife, public lands and waters.
CALM is delegated power under the State Government's Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 and the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950. CALM manages the State's forests, timber reserves, national parks, nature reserves and lands vested in the Lands and Forests Commission and the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority.
CALM is also responsible for marine nature reserves and marine parks declared under the Conservation and Land Management Act. Marine nature reserves and marine parks are reserved to conserve and restore the natural environment, protect native flora and fauna and preserve any feature of archaeological, historic or scientific interest. Commercial and recreational fishing is not permitted in marine nature reserves. Commercial and recreational fishing is permitted in marine parks in accordance with the provisions of the Fisheries Act.
There are eight marine reserves in Western Australia established under the Conservation and Land Management Act and one established under the Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987.
In 1986, the Western Australian Government appointed a working group of marine scientists and planning officers from a number of government, academic and other bodies to identify significant coastal marine sites and areas which could be included in the State marine reserve system. The working group recommended that additional marine reserves be established along the Western Australian coast.
CALM is also involved in a number of catchment management projects. These are:
CALM develops share farming programmes growing Pinus radiata and Tasmanian blue gums. The programmes provide economic benefits to farmers and help address environmental problems such as rising watertables and soil erosion. CALM helps plan and research.
CALM considers all proposals to protect remnant vegetation along streamlines and in other areas and helps when needed. CALM gives advice in accordance with the regional management plan.
The Ministry for Planning is Western Australia's principle land use planning agency. The Ministry is responsible for urban and regional planning and development. The Ministry's two most important jobs are strategic planning and statutory planning. Strategic planning focuses on the `big picture': long-term and regional planning in the State. Statutory plans are legally enforceable. Legislation and regulations make sure that appropriate land use planning and development controls are in place to manage land use, land supply and urban development.
The Department is delegated powers under the following Acts:
Before the changes brought about by the Planning Legislation Amendment Act 1996, there were no clear, formal links between planning and environmental processes. The Act's changes have brought planning and environmental assessment procedures together at an early stage of the zoning process. The Ministry processes all subdivision applications and refers all proposals to the relevant government agencies for comment. Approval may then be may be refused or granted with or without conditions.
There are nine regional development commissions established under the Regional Development Commissions Act 1993. They are independent State Government agencies whose aim is to improve and promote the development of the State.
The commissions' objectives are to:
The Department of Land Administration (DOLA) administers vacant Crown lands, gazettes reserves, makes maps and remote sensing information of the cadastral and physical features of Western Australia.
DOLA is delegated powers under the following Acts:
The Land Act applies to foreshore reserves and land extending from the high water to low water mark, land below the low water mark and the beds of watercourses.
DOLA is also responsible for the State's computer-based land information service (Western Australian Land Information System Secretariat) and the State's map production. This information is an important tool in helping to manage waterways and catchments.
The Water Corporation (WC) was established on 1 January 1996 as a result of the restructuring of the water industry. The Corporation is a business enterprise that carries out the utility functions that were previously the responsibility of the Water Authority of Western Australia. The Water Corporation carries out its work through an operating licence issued by the Office of Water Regulation.
The Water Corporation is the major service provider of the State's public water supplies, sewerage, irrigation and drainage networks. The Corporation's role includes:
The Department of Transport (formerly Department of Marine and Harbours) manages services and facilities for the shipping and fishing industries and recreational boat use. The Department builds and manages jetties, moorings, launching ramps, navigation aids and marine craft. The Department is also responsible for the survey and operation of commercial vessels, registration and control of pleasure craft, enforcement of maritime safety regulations, granting mooring licences, closure of navigable waters, and limiting of boat speeds. The Department has the power to set aside navigable waters for particular purposes.
The Museum is delegated powers under theWestern Australian Maritime Archaeology Act 1973 and the Commonwealth's Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 to protect and manage declared historic shipwreck sites and underwater artefact deposits lying in State and Commonwealth waters along the Western Australian coast.
The Museum is responsible for declared historic shipwrecks in the harbours and the sound. These wrecks are protected under the Western Australian Maritime Archaeology Act. Any development or other activity which has the potential to affect a declared site must be referred to the Maritime Museum.
The Council administers the Heritage of Western Australia Act 1990. The Council requires that government authorities do not take action which will harm cultural heritage sites which are subject to a heritage agreement. In general terms a heritage agreement applies to any site which is placed on the interim, or permanent Register of the National Estate. Also, government authorities, as representatives of the Crown, have an obligation to comply with the intent of the Act and adopt appropriate management practices which will protect and enhance cultural heritage values.
The Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 (1980) is administered by the Aboriginal Affairs Department and protects all Aboriginal cultural heritage sites in the Albany waterways catchment. Any development, or other activity which has the potential to effect a site, must be referred to the Aboriginal Cultural Material Committee through the Department for Aboriginal Affairs.
Local governments are responsible for local planning and development control, providing recreation facilities, and managing and maintaining reserves of which they are the vesting body. Local governments are encouraged to prepare town planning schemes and local rural strategies to plan for development and changes in land use within their area. Both are important planning documents to guide and manage the development in urban and rural areas.
The Town Planning and Development Act 1928 gives several important powers to local governments which directly affect catchment and waterway management. These powers let towns and shires:
There has been growing community awareness of the environmental problems facing catchments and waterways. This awareness has been helped by media publicity, the publication of research results and regular community consultation and involvement in decision-making.
As well as State and local government authorities there are many community interest groups within towns and catchments. These groups play an important role in helping to clean up waterways. Contact and liaison with these groups is an important part of the role of management authorities.
To make sure the waterways are managed properly it's important to include community members in decision-making. Community involvement helps identify what issues are important in the catchment. Having the community involved with developing management strategies is a good way of making sure that the strategies can be achieved, because everyone will want them to work and knows what has to be done. Landowners are often involved with LCDCs and other coordinating groups. Community representatives are also members of the management authorities, Geocatch and the Swan River Trust.