Coastal Catchment Initiative - Implementation of the Vasse Wonnerup Geographe Bay Water Quality Improvement Plan
Details:
The Department of Water is responsible for the coordination of the Vasse Geographe Coastal Catchment Initiative. A Draft Water Quality Improvement Plan for the Vasse Wonnerup Wetland system and Geographe Bay was launched in February 2009 with the final report currently being prepared. The initiative is aimed specifically at reducing nitrogen and phosphorous inputs to the wetlands and Bay. The Coastal Catchments Initiative (CCI) was an Australian Federal Government initiative that seeks to significantly reduce pollutant discharge to agreed national hotspots. In 2006 the combined catchment of the Vasse Wonnerup Estuary and Geographe Bay was identified as a nutrient 'hotspot'. The roll out of CCI across Australia involves two phases:
The identification of coastal hotspots; and preparation of water quality improvement plans.
The plans will be prepared in accordance with the Framework for Marine and Estuarine Water Quality Protection. They will identify the most cost-effective and timely projects for investment by all parties, including the Australian Government, State and local governments, and community and environment groups.
Water quality projects identified through the improvement plans will be invested in. The Australian Government will target projects most likely to deliver cost-effective water quality improvements. By intergrating science and management actions, CCI and an accredited WQIP will underpin a long term strategy to improve water quality in the Vasse Wonnerup wetland system and Geographe Bay. Supporting projects have been funded to inform the development of the water Quality Improvement Plan. Supporting projects and responsible agencies contributing to the Vasse Geographe WQIP are:
Predictive water quality modelling (Department of Water).
Development and implementation of agricultural best manangement practice and Decision Support System (Department of Agriculture and Food; Department of Water).
A framework for implementing Water Sensitive Urban Design (Western Australian Local Government Association, Department for Planning and Infrastructure, and Department of Water).
CCI exists in the context of many other programs and resources already dedicated to improving water quality through better land management. CCI seeks to provide integration and coordination through a single strategy that is underpinned by sound science and cost benefit analysis, potentially finding and addressing existing gaps. The Coastal Catchments Initiative (CCI) is an Australian Federal Government initiative. For more information , visit www.environment.gov.au link:Summary of supporting components of the Coastal Catchments Initiative Project.
