SUMMARYSUMMARY

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The Port Phillip and Western Port region is a spectacular,diverse, productive, vibrant, valuable and exciting place.

It includes Port Phillip Bay and Western Port plus their oceanfrontages, French and Phillip Islands and the rivers andstreams of five catchments that flow to these bays. It containsmetropolitan Melbourne, a thriving international city that ishome to more than two-thirds of Victoria’s population. It isthe hub of much of the State’s commercial, industrial andtransport infrastructure, an important rural and agriculturalregion and a centre of social and cultural interaction.

The activities, livelihoods and lifestyles of the region’s 3.4million urban and rural residents, and of the visitors whogenerate an important tourism industry, depend on thesustainable use of its land and water, the health of its faunaand flora and the habitats they live in. These are our“catchment assets”.

The region at a glanceTotal area: 1.3 million hectaresLand uses: 18% urban, 40% rural farmland,

42% forestDemography: 3.4 million people, 1.4 million

dwellings, 180,000 business locationsAgriculture: 4,500 commercial agricultural

holdings producing more than$1 billion per year which is 15% ofVictoria’s gross value ofagricultural production. Industries aremany and varied includingvegetables, poultry, dairy products,grains, wool, meat, flowers and fruit.

Local governments: The Port Phillip and Western Portregion includes all or part of38 municipalities.

Community groups: Over 500 active environmentalcommunity groups in the regionincluding Landcare, Coastcare,Bushcare, Rivercare and‘Friends’ groups.

Major natural assets:• 8 national parks, 6

state parks, 8 marineprotected areas, 3wetlands ofinternationalimportance andseveral sites ofinternational andnational importancefor shorebirds

• Port Phillip Bay andWestern Port whichsupportcommercial fishing, aquaculture, three major ports andVictoria’s most popular recreationalfishing areas. Tourists make some 70 million visits a year tothe bays and region’s coastal beaches.

• One-third of the region retains remnants of locallyindigenous vegetation of which 41% is protected in parksand reserves, 31% is on other public land, 28% is onprivate land

• 1,860 species of native flora and 600 species of nativevertebrate fauna make the region one of the mostbiologically diverse in the State.

• Tourism and recreation attractions such as Port Phillip Bayand Western Port, the Yarra River, Phillip Island with itsfairy penguin parade, You Yangs, Brisbane Ranges, MtMacedon, upper Yarra forests, Sherbrooke Forest,Dandenong Ranges, renowned wine districts in the YarraValley, Macedon Ranges and Mornington Peninsula,beaches of Port Phillip Bay and the Mornington Peninsula

Some of the main pressures on the region’s catchment assets:• increasing population, relatively high per capita water

consumption and energy use• changing land-use and urban development, inappropriate

land management practices• habitat and species loss• pest plants and animals• climate change• salinity• water pollution.

This booklet is a summary of the Port Phillip and Western Port Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) 2004-2009, whichwas launched in December 2004. It includes the tables from the RCS which give an overview of its objectives andtargets for catchment condition, and the 97 priority actions the RCS identifies for healthier catchments and bays inthe region.

The Port Phillip and Western Port region

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Port Phillip and Western PortRegional Catchment Strategy

The Regional Catchment Strategy describes our catchmentassets and how they are interrelated. It indicates what needsto be done to manage and use the assets in a sustainable andintegrated way, and outlines goals and priorities for thefuture. While many of our catchment assets are in goodcondition and well managed, the health of some others is atserious risk.

The 2004-2009 Regional Catchment Strategy is theculmination of two years work.

The CMA has coordinated the development of the RegionalCatchment Strategy in cooperation with governmentagencies, councils, non-government organisations,agricultural and industry groups, indigenous organisationsand hundreds of volunteer community groups in the region.

Protecting and improving our catchment assets

Achieving sustainability and protecting our catchment assetsis a major challenge for our society. We all have aresponsibility and an opportunity to be good stewards of ourcatchment assets.

We must acknowledge that there are real limits andconsequences to the way we use and manage our catchmentassets. We have to understand that there are critical

thresholds and we must ensure that we do not reach thesethresholds.

Achieving good catchment management requires everyone toconsider the downstream impacts of their activities and to findsolutions where these cause problems.

As we produce goods and services and modify landscapes tomeet our economic and social needs, we must ensure that werespect environmental limits, avoid environmental damageand prevent environmental costs being transferred to others,into the public domain or into the future. For every activity,there are ways to minimise damage and make the most ofenvironmental values. This is the path to sustainability.

Vision, goals, objectives and targets

The RCS outlines a vision for the region plus a regional goal,objectives and quantifiable targets for the four main groups ofcatchment assets - water resources, land, biodiversity and thepeople of the region. From the targets, our 97 priority actionsfor healthier catchments and bays have been identified andagreed.

Vision for the region

The Port Phillip and Western Port region will have people working to achieve productive land, habitat for native plantsand animals and clean water in the catchments, rivers and bays,

making it a healthy, attractive and prosperous place to live, work and visit.

Water goal

Sustainable water use and healthywaterways, wetlands, estuaries,

coasts and bays

Land goal

Healthy land usedappropriately and productively

Biodiversity goal

Healthy and enduringecosystems with a diversity

of habitats and native species

People goal

The community valuing, under-standing and celebrating theregion’s catchment assets and

working to achievesustainability

Summary tables listing the targets and 97 actions are included in the following pages.

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WO1. Ensure effcient managementof water resources withminimal new impacts onnatural hydrological processes

WO3. Protect and improve theenvironment health andsocial and economic valuesof estuaries, coastal andmarine systems

WT5. Maintain the condition of the13% of region’s rivers that arecurrently in excellent condition

WT6. Improve the condition of theregion’s waterways so that:• At least 50% of all natural waterways will be in good or excellent condition by 2015• All natural waterways will be in good or better condition by 2025

WT7. Progressive improvement in thecondition of waterways across theregion as measured by the Index ofStream Condition, including beds and banks, streamside zone andaquatic Life

WT15. No net loss in the extent andhealth of wetlands of eachexisting types

WT16. Progressively improve the overallhealth and social value of naturalwetlands, including those that arenationally and internationally recognised

WT17. Reduced the proportion of coast in theregion where environmental values,recreational beaches, Indigenouscultural values and public infrastructureare at high risk from acceleratedcoastal erosion and otherdegading processes.

WT18. A net gain in the extent and quality ofnative coastal vegetation as measuredby habitat hectares

WT19. Public access to the region’s beachesand bays maintained

WT20. The number of days that beaches areclassified unsuitable for swimmingreduced to zero by 2010

WT24. Reduced the amount of litter andother gross pollutants entering PortPhillip Bay and Western Port by70% by 2015

WA2. Determine, and ensure compliance withSustainable Diversion Limits and BulkWater Entitlements for the region

WA3. Implement the State Government’s policyfor the establishment of diverson capsand an environmental reserve for theregion’s rivers

WA4. Complete Stream Flow Management Plansfor the plenty, Upper Maribyrnong, WattsLittle Yarra, Don and Bunyip Rivers andOlinda, Stringbark, Pauls, Steels, Dixons,Woori Yallock and Coranderrk Creeks plusadditional waterways as required

WA5. Develop local stream flow managementrules for waterways where Stream FlowManagement Plans are not required; eg.Merri, Moonee Ponds andGardiners creek

WA8. Design amd implement schemes forrecycling water from the Eastern andWestern Sewerage Treatment Plants andSmaller plants in the region

WA15. Investigate the hydrological and ecologicalrelationships between surface waters andgroundwater and develop catchment-basedwater budgets

WA1. Implement the relevant directions ofthe ‘White Paper–Securing OurWater Future Together’.

WA7. Implement the Port Phillip andWesternport Regional RiverHealth Strategy.

WA28. Develop and apply an Index of WetlandCondition method to determine theoverall health of wetlands in the regionand establish a benchmark to measurechange into the future.

WA29. Consolidate and distribute data onregional wetlands to relevantstakeholders, including localgovernment, landholders andKulin people.

WA30. Develop a Regional Wetland Plan toestablish and implement pioritiesfor investment.

WA33 Investigate, assess and manage acceleratedcoastal erosion and other degrading processesat high value sites where recreation, heritage,Indigenous culture, environmental values andpublic infrastructure are at risk.

WA34 Communicate the requirements of contingencyplans for oil spills to all relevant stakeholders

WA36 Map the occurrence of coastal acid sulphatesoils and develop overlays for inclusion inrelevant planning schemes

WA38 Ensure planning schemes in coastal areasreflect the content of the Victorian CoastalStrategy.

WA39 Audit coastal public facilities and developguidelines for coastal infrastructure that reflectenvironmental and social values and providefor public access and use.

WA16. Benchmark rural water use efficiency in majoragricultural areas and increase water useeffciency by agricultural industries

WA19. Clarify the organisational arrangements for themanagement of aquifers and groundwaterin this region

WA20. Further develop the regional risk assessmentmodel to indentify the level of risk facinggroundwater assest.

WA21. Complete Groundwater Management Plans forall GMAs with allocations that approach orexceed their permissible annual volume

WA22. Assess the practices and efficiency ofgroundwater use in GMAs and developstrategies to archieve higher efficiency andsustainable use of groundwater

WA31. Develop planning policy and protocolsthat contribute to the protection ofwetlands, and incorporate them inrelevant planning schemes

WA32. Implement Wetland Management plansfor all three Ramsar wetland areas in theregion (Port Phillip – Western Shoreline,Western Port and aEdithvale-Seaford)

WA41. Continue to investigate marine ecosystems andthe links with key threatening processes andidentify an appropriate set of indicatorsand targets.

WA42. Research the health of and risks to estuaries inthe region.

WA49 Implement priority litter managementprograms that include installation of grosspollutant traps at key sites on drainagesystems

WA50 Develop and implement environmentalmanagement plans for the region’s portsand marinas

WA51 Ensure adoption of best management practices for marine dredging

WA52. Regularly review the marine pollutioncontingency plans to ensure world’s bestpractice procedures are incorporated

WA53. Develop and implement a coordinated monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework regarding the condition of the region’s marine enviroment, risk and effectiveness of actions.

Objectives

Targets (pre-existing targets in Bold)

Actions (pre-existing targets in Bold)

Goal

WT1. Average potable water consumption per person reduced by 15% by 2010

WT2. The volume of recycled water used in the region increased to 20% of the total treated volume by 2010

WT3. Diversions from all waterways to be within Sustainable Diversion Limits by 2015

WT4. Improved average value of irrigated agricultural production per megalitre

WT11. Levels of extraction from each GMA in the region to be within the permissible annual volume by 2025

WT12. Groundwater levels in key regional aquifers to be stabilised at sustainable levels by 2025

WT13. Progressively increase the average value of production per megalitre of groundwater extracted

WO2. Protect and improve theenvironment health andsocial and economic values ofwatersway and wetlands

Substainable water use and healthy

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WO4. Improve water quality in waterways,aquifers, wetlands, estuaries,bays and seas

WO5. Ensure the management of waterresources minimises risks to naturalecosystems, public land, privateassests and public safety.

WT8. Improve water quality in rivers andstreams so that:• At least 80% of monitoring

sites attain SEPP objectives orregional targets by 2009

• All monitoring sites attain SEPP objectives or regional targets by 2030

WT14. All groundwater monitoring sites to attain SEPPobjectives or regional targets by 2030

WT21. Impove water quality in esturaries, bays andseas so that all monitoring sites attain SEPPobjectives or regional targets by 2030

WT22. Reduce the average annual nitrogen levelsentering Port Phillip Bay by 1000 tonnesby 2006

WT23. Reduce, by 2015, the total sediment loadannually entering Western Port, as measuredagainst existing benchmarks.

WT9. No loss of hydrallic capacity and environmentalvalues of flood plains

WT10. Timely flood warnings provided for all majorwaterways and risks to infrastructure minimised

WA6. Map the land-based sources of nutrients,sediments and other pollutants to waterways,Port Phillip Bay and Western Port and developand implement a Regional Water QualityImprovement Plan to address the major sources.

WA10. Meet best practice standards in urbanstormwater discharges in new urban areas.

WA17 Review and implement a surface and groundwater quality monitoring system to ensureadequate and coordinated coverage across theregion, including reservoirs, high dischargeareas, bays and seas, high rainfall events andnutrient loads

WA18 Continue regular assessment of the Indexof Stream Condition [ISC] across the region.

WA23. Develop and implement groundwater qualitymanagement plans for GMAs with a high levelof risk to groundwater quality

WA24 Develop guidelines and codes of practice forthe management of risks to groundwaterquality, and undertake programs with relevantland and water managers

WA25 In the local governments that contain GMAs,develop planning scheme guidelines/regulationsto protect groundwater quality.

WA27 Develop and implement a comprehensiveregional ground water quality monitoring andevaluation program.

WA44 Implement the Port Phillip BayEnvironmental Management Plan with afocus on reducing the annual nitrogeninput into Port Phillip Bay by 1,000 tonnesper year and review and extend the planto address additional risks to the Bay.

WA46 Initiate research and major integratedprograms to identify the specific sourcesand reduce the inputs of sediments,nutrients and other pollutants to Western Port.

WA47. Refine and implement key actions inmunicipal Stormwater Management Plansto reduce inputs of sediments, nutrients,toxicants and litter to the bays

WA48. Implement ammonia reduction work at theEastern Treatment Plant by 2007

WA9. Complete an audit of stormwater management planimplementation for all municipalities and design andimplement a program to address key gaps

WA11. Reduce by 500 the number of properties vulnerable toa one in 100 years flood

WA12. All new developments constructed with floor levels atthe required safety margin above one in 100 yearsflood levels

WA13. Develop and incorporate into relevant planningschemes, protocols that contribute to the protection ofthe environmental values of floodplains

WA14. Develop and implement Special Area Plans for watersupply catchments where appropriate.

WA26 Meter all significant existing groundwaterextractions used for commercial and irrigationpurposes and all new licenses and monitorgroundwater levels within key aquifers to assess trendsin relation to sustainable levels.

WA35 Map areas susceptible to inundation in Port Phillip Bay,and Western Port.

WA37 Develop and implement plans to increase the extentand quality of coastal ecological vegetation classes

WA40 Identify coastal areas with significant stormwater andsewage effluent discharge directly to the bays andimplement programs to manage the quantity andquality of these discharges.

WA43. Establish coordination forums for Port Phillip Bay andWestern Port to identify priorities for research, planningand implementation programs.

WA45 Investigate and pilot ways for new nitrogen inputs toPort Phillip Bay to be offset by reduced inputs fromelsewhere.

waterways, wetlands, estuaries, coasts, bays and seas

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Objectives

Targets (pre-existing targets in Bold)

Actions (pre-existing targets in Bold)

Goal

LO1. Achieve prosperous andsustainable primary productionsystems

LO2. Protect and improve the healthof land

LT1. Increase the overall real net farmincome per hectare and increasethe proportion of rural land beingused for profitable andsustainable agriculture

LT5. ‘Long-term’ rabbit controlachieved on 400,000 ha ofrural land by 2008

LT2. No more than a 10 per centincrease (from 2004 levels) in thearea with shallow water tables(<2m) and the area of salinedischarge

LT3. The structure and biologicalhealth of the region’s soilsmaintained

LT4. No establishment of ‘new andemerging’ weed species andno further spread of ‘high-priority established’ weeds

LA1. Develop a comprehensive profileand understanding of rural landownership and regionaldemographics as a basis fordetermining appropriate land useand management.

LA9. Implement the regional Weedand Rabbit Action Plans

LA10. Design and deliver programs toachieve adoption ofenvironmental managementsystems across 25 per cent of theregion’s commercial horticulture,viticulture, dairying and intensiveanimal enterprises

LA3. Develop and apply amethodology for comprehensiverisk assessment of soil health, asa basis for development of aRegional Soil Health Plan

LA4. Undertake detailed mapping andmodelling of salinity hotspots as abasis for completing andimplementing the regional SalinityManagement Plan

LA5. Develop and implement astrategic plan to promoteproductive and sustainableagriculture in the region

LA11. Implement a regional FarmForestry Action Plan toincrease the area of farmforestry in the region by 25per cent

Healthy land used

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LO3. Ensure sensitively located andfunctional urban and urban-ruralfringe areas with minimal impactson the region’s biodiversity, waterresources and heritage values

LO4. Match rural land-use,development and managementto land capability and minimiseimpacts on the region’sbiodiversity, water resources andheritage values

LO5. Provide a high-qualitynetwork of parks and openspace across urban andrural areas managed forcommunity andenvironmental benefit

LT6. All new development keptwithin urban growth andtownship boundaries

LT7. Increase the area for whichrural and use matchesland capability

LT8. All designated water supplycatchments delivering water ofthe required quality

LT9. Increase the ratio of urbanopen space to total urban areaand the connectivity betweenregional open space andhabitat assets

LT10. Increase the environmentalquality of parks and otherpublic land , andcommunity satisfactionwith these features

LA6. Develop and implementurban growth area andgreen wedge action plans,as identified in Melbourne2030, and major transportplanning, in line with theprinciples, objectivesand targets of the RCS

LA13. Ensure that urban designconsiders landscape andcatchment values through thedevelopment of performancestandards for planningapplications and buildingpermits that include watersensitive design and otherenvironmental andcatchment parameters

LA2. Develop a comprehensive riskassessment of rural and urban-rural land use compared toland capability

LA7. Investigate and promotemarket- based mechanismsthat reward landholdersproviding environmentalservices

LA8. Capitalise on opportunitieswithin greenhouse gasabatement programs to createcarbon dioxide sinks andmodify production systems

LA12. Increase and extend thepark system in theregion, and implementbest managementpractices for parks andother public land

appropriately and productively

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Objectives

Targets (pre-existing targets in Bold)

Actions (pre-existing targets in Bold)

Goal

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BO1. Achieve a net gain in the quantityand quality of indigenousvegetation

BO2. Maintain the diversity ofindigenous habitats and speciesin terrestrial, aquatic and marineenvironments

BT1. The total extent of indigenousvegetation increased to at least35% of the region by 2030

BT2. At least 95% of the region’secological vegetation classes(EVC) represented to at least10% of their pre-1750 extent by2030

BT3. A net gain in the quality andextent of native vegetation inthe region, with the total“habitat hectares” increased by10% by 2030

BT4. All ecological vegetation classesin the region to have at least15% of their current extentprotected by 2030

BT5. Reduce the number of threatenedflora species to less than 250 by2030 and reduce the number ofthreatened fauna species to lessthan 100 by 2030, with nofurther regional extinctions

BT6. Increase the connections betweenthe region’s fragments ofnative vegetation

BA1. Finalise and implement theregional Native VegetationPlan including programs toprotect, maintain or enhanceexisting high qualityvegetation, increaseconnectivity and revegetateheavily-depleted nativevegetation types

BA2. Strengthen the controls on theclearing of native vegetationand ensure adequateimplementation andenforcement

BA3. Undertake a program ofeducation, training and supportfor local government and otherorganisations to achieveconsistency in the understandingand application of operationalguidelines for vegetationprotection and other mechanismsto achieve net gain

BA4. Undertake further mapping ofnative vegetation extent at anappropriate scale to assistvegetation protectionmeasures by Stategovernment, localgovernment and communitygroups

BA5. Assess and map the habitathectare values of nativevegetation in the region

BA7. Develop and implementmechanisms to offset nativevegetation clearance and achievea net gain in habitat hectares

Healthy and enduring ecosystems with a

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BO3. Achieve sustainablepopulations of indigenousflora and fauna species

BO4. Improve the connectivityand long-term security ofindigenous habitats andspecies

BO5. Encourage intelligent use ofintroduced flora and faunaspecies with minimal impactson indigenous habitats andspecies

BT7. Increase the diversity of nativespecies in modified landscapesand aquatic systems

BT8. Achieve a net gain in the extentand quality of seagrasscommunities by 2020 and retainthe extent of all other broadmarine habitat classes in theregion at 2004 levels

BT10. Total annual seafood catchby both commercial andrecreational fisheries to bemaintained at ecologicallysustainable levels

BT9. No human-induced reductionin species diversity for thefreshwater, estuarine andmarine environments ofthe region

BA9. Develop and implementBiodiversity Action Plans,Flora and Fauna GuaranteeAction Statements andrecovery programs forthreatened species andcommunities in the region’sterrestrial andaquatic systems

BA11. Develop and implementAction Plans for the region’s8 Marine Protected Areas andother areas with special values

BA14. Investigate and record thediversity of native freshwater fishspecies in the region and theextent and health of thepopulations, and establish linksbetween this data and planningapproval processes

BA6. Increase the area andquality of heavilydepleted vegetationtypes that are protected inparks/reserves or undercovenant programs

BA8. Assess the risks to biodiversityfrom pest plants and animals,and establish integratedmanagement programs toreduce the impact ofenvironmental weeds andpest animals on nativevegetation and fauna

BA12. Develop and implementFishery Management Plansfor the region

BA10. Implement safe andenvironmentally-beneficialfire management regimesin high risk areas

BA13. Develop and implementprograms to prevent theintroduction and spread ofmarine pests in the region

BA15. Develop an inventory ofurban biodiversity andundertake research,community educationand involvement campaignsto promote and pilot urbanpractices that contribute tothe health ofnatural ecosystems

diversity of habitats and native species

Objectives

Targets (pre-existing targets in Bold)

Actions (pre-existing targets in Bold)

Goal

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PO1. Enhance regional planning, coordination, resourceallocation, monitoring and reporting

PT1. All key catchment management stakeholders participating in and agreeing ona ‘regional investment planning’ process to implement the RCS by 2005

PT2. All Victorian government agencies with key roles in catchment managementto be directly implementing the RCS through their annual works programsby 2006

PT3. At least half the region’s 38 councils to have formally adopted the RCS as areference document by 2008, reflecting relevant sections of it appropriately intheir planning schemes and/or implementing relevant actions through theirannual programs

PT4. Each year to 2008, secure an increase in:• the proportion of available Victorian and Australian

government funding for RCS programs in the region

• the total amount of corporate investment in RCS programs

PA2. Establish a whole-of-region research forum to identify gapsand the needs for research and development

PA3. Establish sub-regional forums that enable local government tohelp identify, discuss and resolve priority issues relevant tocatchment management and to cooperate at a catchmentscale

PA6. Develop and deliver education programs for catchmentmanagement across the region

PA7. Align the directions and actions of the RCS withMunicipal Strategic Statements, planning schemes andother local government processes related to catchmentmanagement

The community valuing, understanding and celebrating the

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PO2. Increase the capacity and participation ofpeople and organisations in catchmentmanagement

PO3. Reduce the overall impact ofthe regional communityon catchment assets

PT7. Maintain the region’s totalecological footprint at orbelow the 2003 level, andreduce the average ecologicalfootprint (per capita) for theregion by 25 per cent by 2030

PT5. Maintain or increase the number andgeographic coverage of communitygroups participating in catchmentmanagement in the region, andincrease the active membership ofcommunity groups by 20 per cent(from 2001 levels) by 2008

PT6. Increase community awareness andunderstanding of the condition ofcatchment assets and associated trends

PA8. Implement the strategy forthe support andcoordination of Landcareand community groups inthe Port Phillip andWestern Port region

PA9. Pilot and evaluate the use ofmethodologies including theecological footprint as aneducational and monitoringtool to drive behaviouralchange in key sectors of thecommunity, and identifyopportunities for regionalprograms to reduce thetotal footprint

PA10. In the catchments in theregion, develop and beginimplementing majorprojects that fully engageand involve keystakeholders and thatattracts major new funding

PA1. Review existing forums and committeestructures and identify efficientways to:• plan and conduct community

involvement in integratedcatchment management

• facilitate coordination and shareinformation

• identify local issues and developpriority programs

PA4. Establish forums that enable ruralcommunities, industries andlandholders to identify, discuss and resolvepriority issues relevant to catchmentmanagement including ruraldevelopment, land use and landmanagement

PA5. Develop and implement protocols for theinvolvement of Indigenous groups andincorporation of Indigenous culturalvalues in the implementation of this RCS

region’s catchment assets and acting to achieve sustainability

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MO1. Adequate, appropriate, efficient and cost effectivemonitoring of catchment assets, ecosystem processes,trends, risks, implementation of actions and outputs

MT1. Monitoring programs for key catchment assets agreed and inplace by 2007

MT2. Monitoring programs for all RCS actions and other majoractions of key stakeholders agreed and in place by 2006

MA1. Develop an agreed framework for integrated monitoring ofregional catchment condition

MA2. Develop and implement regional monitoring and reportingprograms for key catchment assets including:• Surface water, rivers and streams• Groundwater and aquifers• Wetlands• Coasts• Estuaries, bays and seas• Land• Biodiversity• People and organisations

Objectives

Targets

Actions

Goal

A strong understanding of the health of our

enabling evidence-based planning and action,

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MO2. Timely, rigorous, efficient and cost effective evaluation of catchment management planning and implementation

MO3. Timely, tailored, efficient and costeffective reporting on catchment assets,ecosystem processes, trends, risks,catchment management planning andimplementation

MT4. A regional catchment managementreporting framework agreed and inplace by 2006

MT3. Evaluation processes to assist priority settingand assess links between actions andoutcomes agreed and in place by 2008

MA4. Establish an independent scientific panelto evaluate and report on the conditionof catchment assets, ecosystemprocesses, trends and risks

MA5. Ensure that all RCS projects includeappropriate monitoring,evaluation and reporting processes

MA3. Further develop an asset-risk assessmentmethodology and apply it consistently tocatchment assets to assist integratedpriority setting

MA6. Design and establish an RCS ActionTracking Database

catchment assets, ecosystem processes, trends and risks,

coordination of effort and continual improvement

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Implementing the RCS –the next challenge

The 97 actions for healthier catchments and bays areproposed to be led and contributed to by various agencies inthe coming years. Among the actions are some major projectswith significant funding and resource implications.

So where do we start?

The RCS contains a risk analysis methodology which willenable us to ascertain the most important tasks that areaffordable and achievable, and which will address the mostsignificant risks to our natural assets.

The methodology assesses the value of each action byconsidering its environmental, social and economic benefitsand costs. It also assesses the achievability of actions byrating them on six criteria:

• urgency of the action• level of community and partner support• confidence in the action achieving desired outcomes• the likelihood of funding being available, including

agreed cost-sharing arrangements• the adequacy of technical knowledge and expertise

to implement, monitor and evaluate the action• the opportunities for integration and multiple

benefits from the action.

More detail provided in Regional Plans

The Regional Catchment Strategy provide only a regionaloverview of catchment condition and priority responsesrequired at a catchment scale.

More detailed assessment of resource conditions, impacts ofparticular activities and the detail of actions required at amore local level are provided in several current orforthcoming regional management plans and strategies. Thesehave been, or are being written to help inform and implementthe Regional Catchment Strategy. They include:

• The Port Phillip and Western Port Regional WeedAction Plan (completed in collaboration with theDepartment of Primary Industries in 2003)

• The Port Phillip and Western Port Regional RabbitAction Plan (completed with DPI in 2003)

• The Strategy for support and coordination oflandcare and community groups (completed in 2003)

• Studies on Western Port’s health and sustainability(by several agencies and research oganisationsin 2003)

• The Regional Salinity Management Plan (to becompleted with DPI)

• The Water Quality Management Plan (to becompleted with DSE, DPI Melbourne Waterand EPA)

• The Regional River Health Strategy (with MelbourneWater – released in draft in November 2004 forpublic consultation).

For further information, contact:Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment ManagementAuthority

Level 1Landmark Corporate Centre454 Nepean HwyFrankston, VIC 3199

Phone: 03 8781 7900Fax: 03 9781 0199

Email: enquiries@ppwcma.vic.gov.auWebsite: www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au

Port Phillip and Western Port Regional Catchment StrategyISBN 0975 070 983

© Copyright Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, 2004. Reviewed and reprinted 2007.

This publication may be of assistance to you but the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority, its Board and its employees do not guarantee thatthe publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes. The Authority therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other

consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

Designed and printed by Docklands Group

Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management AuthorityLevel 1 Landmark Corporate Centre, 454 Nepean Hwy, Frankston, VIC 3199

Phone 8781 7900