Bennett Brook
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March 2011 5. Monitoring and review Coastal Catchments Initiative 1. Existing activities Local Water Quality Improvement Plan What are we doing to improve water quality? Bennett Brook Catchment In June 2006 the Swan Canning river system was nutrient levels in the river system using scientific Local WQIPs link to existing projects and programs The research also indicated that the pearl cichlid was Strategy Implementation Lead Supporting Timing identified as a hotspot for water quality issues as part models and decision support tools prepared under this in the catchment. They draw together activities breeding during much of the year and had established organisations partners of the Australian Government’s Coastal Catchments new initiative. contributing to improved water quality and target a self-sustaining population. The results of the study Initiative (CCI). The Trust was responsible for preparing future investments for optimal water quality outcomes. suggest that the potential for this species to spread How do we • Organise initial stakeholder meeting Trust, CoS WC, DoP, DEC, Starting Integrating science and management actions, an the regional Water Quality Improvement Plan for the Projects are based on partnerships with local throughout the Swan Canning Riverpark is high. measure our to determine Key Performance PRNRM, DoW 2010 accredited WQIP will underpin a long-term investment Swan Canning river system. government, community and shared stakeholders. success? Indicators (KPIs) and annual reviews strategy to improve water quality in known hotspots Partners: Murdoch University, Perth Region NRM to assess progress on KPIs; identify funding opportunities; and determine The regional WQIP provides a roadmap for reducing such as the Swan Canning river system. Examples of key existing programs in the Bennett and Swan River Trust Brook Catchment include: objectives and actions for the next Outcomes: Low improvement in water quality and 12 months medium improvement in biodiversity • Seek funding and support to Rehabilitation programs ensure ongoing implementation and monitoring of effectiveness of Background Bennett Brook Catchment Water Gnangara Sustainability Strategy Quality Improvement Plan Since 1998 rehabilitation works have occurred on a strategies and actions The Swan River Trust (Trust) works to reduce number of sites in the Bennett Brook Reserve through The Gnangara Sustainability Strategy is a cross- nutrients and other contaminants entering the Swan The Bennett Brook Catchment is located in the north a range of collaborative partnerships. Rehabilitation of government initiative working on an action plan to and Canning rivers. east of the Perth metropolitan area and includes the Lightning Swamp has been undertaken since 2000. ensure the sustainable use of water for drinking and local government authorities of the cities of Swan and The programs involve weed removal and revegetation The Trust has developed and is investing in local commercial purposes and protect the Gnangara Bayswater and Town of Bassendean. The catchment with indigenous plant species. Water Quality Improvement Plans (WQIPs). has an area of 217km². Just over half is covered by Mound. Through the strategy a number of projects Maps These will provide local councils and communities the Gnangara pine plantation and Whiteman Park. Partners: Alcoa, City of Bayswater, Friends of have been undertaken, including investigating with a mechanism to prioritise recommendations Bennett Brook, Friends of Lightning Swamp, Perth opportunities to change pine harvest regimes to and resources, and seek funding to improve water Bennett Brook was once a natural creek system; Region NRM, Swan River Trust, Whiteman Park increase groundwater surface recharge. 385000 390000 395000 400000 405000 410000 quality in catchments contributing the greatest however its tributaries to the west have been modified !( amount of nutrients. These plans should be reviewed to deeply incised drains to allow development. Outcomes: Medium improvement in water quality Partners: CSIRO, Department of Agriculture and Bennett Brook Catchment !( LEGEND Food, Department of Environment and Conservation, Planting day at Clarry Small project Quenda at Bennett Brook, picture Bennett Brook annually and assessed after five years. Under the Bennett Brook is fed primarily by groundwater Water Quaily Improvement Plan ´ (! High nutrient site Water quality monitoring Forest Products Commission, Department of ") site, Bennett Brook, 2006 courtesy of Whiteman Park Healthy Rivers Action Plan (HRAP), the Bennett seepage from the Gnangara Mound and also High non-nutrient site Planning, Department of Water, Water Corporation Bennett Brook subcatchment Brook Catchment is identified as one of eight priority receives stormwater from the surrounding industrial, Local Govt. Authorities (LGA)!( A snapshot of water and sediment quality was Major roads catchments in the Swan Canning river system. residential and rural areas. The water from these Outcomes: Medium improvement in water quality !( initiated in 2002 and has since been conducted each Hydrography drains is discharged into the Swan River, upstream of Bennett Brook and biodiversity 6485000 6485000 Catchment Landuse WQIPs trace nutrient and pollutant pathways through year to help locate pollution hotspots throughout the !( Success Hill in Bassendean. Industry!( and Manufacturing !( catchments from their source to the discharge point. catchment that may be contributing to contamination Animal keeping - Non-farming Increased groundwater pumping in the northern Community Education And Awareness !( Commercial and Education of Bennett Brook and the Swan River. In 2009, !( Conservation and Natural Partners part of the catchment has lowered groundwater 24 sites along Bennett Brook were tested and There are a number of volunteer organisations Horticulture and Plantation levels, consequently reducing flow into the brook. parameters for nutrient and non-nutrients measured Lifestyle block / Hobby Farm Outcomes that work with key stakeholders to coordinate and !( Conversely, the southern part of the catchment has against the ANZECC water quality trigger values Quarry!( / Extraction!( !( implement onground actions to improve wetland City of Swan Recreation This WQIP was developed in consultation with the following stakeholders The Water Quality Improvement Plan will: elevated flow due to the construction of drainage (for freshwater; 95% protection level guidelines for Residential and catchment health. They consist of community !( networks and increased runoff from hard surfaces. aquatic ecosystems; and recreational health). !( 6480000 Farm 6480000 • identify water quality issues and hot spots; members who work to raise awareness of the Viticulture City of Bayswater, City of Swan, Department impacts of nutrients on waterways and protect the V E R N M Department of Partners: E Environment and Conservation !( O N • identify environmental values of water bodies G T E O H F T Water body !( W A E I Our environment, our future S L T A Department of Water E R R N A U S T City of Wanneroo !( and water quality objectives required to protect of Water, Perth Region NRM, South East Regional catchment’s ecological values. !( Department of ") 0 1 2 3 4 5 GOVERNMENT OF Planning !( ") WESTERN AUSTRALIA Centre for Urban Landcare, Whiteman Park !( the values; and (! Kilometers The Children’s Groundwater Festival, held annually • identify and commit to a set of cost-effective ")(! ")(! Outcomes: Identify hotspots within the catchment at Whiteman Park since 2001, provides the ")(! !( !( management measures to achieve and opportunity for teachers and students to learn more ")(! maintain those values and objectives. about water, sustainability and other environmental !( ")(! Pearl cichlid investigations City of Stirling ") ")(! 6475000 6475000 topics. !( ") (! Studies on the biology of the pearl cichlid and its ") ") ")")")(! River Partners: Bassendean Preservation Group, City !( ") distribution in the Swan Canning Riverpark are ")(! ")(! !( ANZECC & ARMCANZ 2000, Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Freshwater and Marine Water Quality, of Bayswater, City of Swan, Department of Water, !( City of ")(! ")(! continuing. Results from the study suggest that this !( Volume 1, The Guidelines, Australian and New Zealand Environmental and Conservation Council and Agricultural and Friends of Bennett Brook Reserve, Friends of Bayswater Swan feral freshwater fish has a current distribution from !( Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand. !( !( 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Altone Park lakes, through Lanius Drain and into Lightning Swamp, Perth Region NRM, Swan River !( Town of !( !( Bassendean !( Trust, Water Corporation, Whiteman Park !( !( !( IMPLEMENTATION !( EXISTING CONDITION VALUES, MONITORING Bennett Brook as far downstream as Grogan Swamp. !( !( For further information contact ACTIVITIES OBJECTIVES, & REVIEW 385000 390000 395000 400000 405000 410000 Although no pearl cichlids were caught in the Swan Outcomes: Medium improvement in water quality The Dept. of Environment and Conservation does not guarantee that this map is without flaw of any kind and disclaims all liability for any errors, loss or other consequence which may arise from relying on any information depicted TARGETS Job Ref: G:\gis_projects\Swan_River_Trust\GIS_Requests-08075J14\WQIP\Plan_map_bennett2.mxd; Amended 23 December, 2009 City of Bayswater Ph 9272 0903 www.bayswater.wa.gov.au River or any of its other tributaries during the study,