Western Port STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS STATEMENT SEPTEMBER 2018

Integrated Water Management Forums Acknowledgement of Victoria’s Aboriginal communities

The Victorian Government proudly acknowledges Victoria's Aboriginal communities and their rich culture and pays its respects to their Elders past and present. The government also recognises the intrinsic connection of Traditional Owners to Country and acknowledges their contribution to the management of land, water and resources.

We acknowledge Aboriginal people as Australia’s fi rst peoples and as the Traditional Owners and custodians of the land and water on which we rely. We recognise and value the ongoing contribution of Aboriginal people and communities to Victorian life and how this enriches us. We embrace the spirit of reconciliation, working towards the equality of outcomes and ensuring an equal voice.

© The State of Victoria Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning 2018 This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria as author. The licence does not apply to any images, photographs or branding, including the Victorian Coat of Arms, the Victorian Government logo and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) logo. To view a copy of this licence, visit creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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Cover Photo Western Port Marina, Victoria Photographer: Craig Brave Integrated Water Management is a collaborative approach to water planning and management that brings together organisations with an interest in all aspects of the water cycle. It has the potential to provide greater value to our communities by identifying and leveraging opportunities to optimise outcomes. Contents

Foreword 1 Acknowledgements 2

Chapter 1 The way forward 3 Introduction 4 Overview 4 What is a Strategic Directions Statement? 4 Enduring collaboration 5 How we’re working together 5 Recognising Aboriginal values in water planning and management 5 Guiding principles for collaboration 6

Chapter 2 IWM in the region 7 Regional context 8 Population 8 Climate change 8 Vision and strategic outcomes 10 Collaboration to develop the shared vision and strategic outcome areas 10 Strategic outcomes for IWM 12 The case for IWM in the Western Port catchment 14

Chapter 3 IWM opportunities 17 Priority Portfolio 18 Impact of IWM opportunities on the Forum’s strategic outcomes 19 IWM opportunities: An overview of projects and strategies 20 Priority Portfolio of IWM opportunities 22 Strategic enablers to put IWM into practice 30 Success stories 31 Continued success through collaboration 32

Appendix 34 Additional IWM opportunities in the Western Port catchment 34 Glossary of terms 36 Foreword

Water is central to how we live, work and play in Victoria. We have a long and proud history of eff ectively managing water resources to meet the needs of our communities, our economy and the environment.

Through the Western Port Integrated Across Victoria, IWM Forums design This Strategic Directions Statement Water Management Forum, our and deliver solutions to the complex outlines our shared goals and drivers vision is to carry on with this tradition urban water management challenges for IWM across the Western Port in the face of pressures such as of our times. They are potential game region and commits the Forum to our unprecedented demand on water changers for regional scale planning vision to deliver a secure, aff ordable supply, the uncertainty of climate and delivery of water infrastructure and sustainable water cycle for this change and rapid population growth. across the state. beautiful place in Victoria.

The Western Port IWM Forum seeks to The members of the Western Port IWM It is a privilege to present this Strategic progress the benefi ts of collaboration Forum have made a bold commitment Directions Statement on behalf of the across multiple aspects of water to collaborate for positive outcomes Western Port IWM Forum. management, from the cultural for our region. As a resident of this importance of water for Aboriginal region, it is an honour to Chair the people through to innovations that inaugural Western Port IWM Forum. keep our food growing regions strong I am grateful for the commitment of and productive, and our communities the water and land managers of the Gillian Sparkes healthy and liveable. Western Port catchment who make Chair of the Western Port IWM Forum up our Forum and to their respective organisations, who, united by their desire for best practice integrated water management for the Western Port region, have committed to work together through this Forum.

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 1 Acknowledgements

The Western Port The inaugural Western Port IWM Forum acknowledges these Traditional Forum was convened in November Owners as traditional custodians Integrated Water 2017 with subsequent Forums meeting who have managed land and water Management Forum throughout 2018 to discuss and sustainably over thousands of was the fi rst Integrated prioritise integrated water planning generations and maintain an active Water Management and management in the Western connection to Country. Port Forum Area. (IWM) Forum convened in The Western Port Integrated Water metropolitan Melbourne The Forum Area covers the traditional Management Strategic Directions lands of the Wurundjeri people and Statement has been developed by and is leading the way the Bunurong people of the Kulin the Western Port Integrated Water towards systematically Nation. The Forum Area is abundant in Management Forum. Members of this embedding IWM across Aboriginal cultural sites with a majority Forum include the Chief Executive of these found near waterways and Offi cers and Managing Directors the region. the coast. The Western Port IWM of the following organisations:

2 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 1 The way forward

An unprecedented opportunity to progress water cycle planning and management in Victoria through collaboration.

Western Port marina. Photographer: David Paul Introduction

Overview The way in which land use and water What is a Strategic planning occur will be fundamental to Directions Statement? The Western Port catchment is a vast ensuring these aspirations are realised. geographic area encompassing richly This Strategic Directions Statement diverse, protected and internationally- The urban water cycle in the Western (SDS) articulates the regional context, recognised marine and coastal Port catchment is overseen and shared vision and strategic water- environments, fertile agricultural managed by several agencies. related outcomes for the Western lands, natural woodlands and densely Enhanced communication and Port catchment. populated urban areas. The extent of collaboration is therefore required It includes a prioritised list of urban growth and development across to ensure plans and investments IWM opportunities developed Greater Metropolitan Melbourne, are optimised to enable shared in collaboration by the Western considered alongside challenges community outcomes. Port IWM Forum partners. posed by global climate change, This approach is Integrated Water will further impact on the water cycle Management (IWM). The central Partners of the Western Port and the health of waterways entering premise of IWM is the overall IWM Forum are committing both Western Port and Port Phillip Bay. acceptance that managing their best endeavours to: Balancing the needs and function urban liveability and resilience of the catchment's water cycle with • Ensure priority opportunities are is a shared responsibility. future growth and development progressed in line with the shared is a complex challenge requiring The Integrated Water Management vision and strategic outcomes of careful management. Framework for Victoria 2017 is the Western Port catchment; and designed to help local governments, The region’s water sector, local • Support the Department of water corporations, catchment governments and Traditional Owners Environment, Land, Water and management authorities, Traditional are working collaboratively to plan Planning to progress priority strategic Owners and other organisations work and deliver projects and strategies enablers for IWM in Victoria. together to ensure that the water that will enhance the resilience cycle effi ciently contributes to the It is envisaged that the SDS will and liveability of the Western Port region’s liveability, with communities be a living document which will catchment and deliver enduring at the centre of decision-making. be updated to refl ect the Western environmental, economic and social Port IWM Forum’s current priorities benefi ts to local communities. Through To assist with this, IWM Forums have and opportunities. ongoing engagement with their been established across the state communities, these organisations to identify, prioritise and oversee have heard that thriving waterways the implementation of critical are inextricably linked to community collaborative water opportunities. identity, amenity, value and sustained economic benefi t for the Western Port catchment.

Integrated Water Management

IWM is a collaborative approach to water planning and management that brings together organisations with an interest in all aspects of the water cycle. It has the potential to provide greater value to our communities by identifying and leveraging opportunities to optimise outcomes.

4 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 1

Enduring collaboration

How we’re working together Each organisation has an important Recognising Aboriginal role to play in the decision-making values in water planning The Western Port IWM Forum identifi es, and management of the catchment’s and management coordinates and prioritises areas that water, resources and assets. would most benefi t from collaborative The Western Port IWM Forum is and place-based water management Collaboration across IWM Forum committed to working in partnership planning and projects. partners will ensure balanced with Aboriginal Victorians across consideration of the complex landscapes, communities and The Forum brings together 16 economic, environmental, cultural natural resources. organisations with an interest and community benefi ts and in Western Port’s water cycle impacts associated with the range The Forum recognises that Traditional management. These organisations of proposed IWM projects and Owners throughout the metropolitan include fi ve water corporations, seven strategies. This collaborative process Melbourne catchments, including local governments, the Port Phillip and allows for integrated solutions that the Bunurong, Wadawurrung and Westernport Catchment Management respond to individual organisations’ Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation, Authority, representatives of two needs, as well as the needs of the are unique to Country and their Traditional Owner organisations, broader catchment. involvement in IWM planning will be the Department of Environment, Land, specifi c to each planning area. Water and Planning (DELWP) and The Western Port IWM Forum partners the Victorian Planning Authority. will continue to work together to build Organisations involved in IWM have inter-organisational trust and develop obligations to involve Traditional To ensure IWM is successful and productive, enduring relationships to Owners and consider Aboriginal enduring across the region, the realise the shared vision for integrated values in their organisational activities. Western Port IWM Forum partners water management and delivery in The Forum will continue to work with commit to promoting a collaborative the Western Port catchment. Traditional Owner groups to determine and shared values culture within their the appropriate approach and level own organisations and through their Further information on the IWM of involvement in the broader IWM work with local communities and Forum’s governance and planning planning process for each Forum Area. water cycle delivery partners. framework is outlined in the Integrated Water Management Framework for The Western Port IWM Forum Victoria 2017, available on the internet is governed by an open and at www.delwp.vic.gov.au. transparent IWM planning process.

This process assumes a holistic, whole-of-cycle approach to determine water cycle solutions and delivery responsibilities.

Phillip Island. Photographer: Sakaret

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 5 Guiding principles for collaboration

The purpose of the Western Port IWM Forum is to provide a collaborative IWM Forum platform for overseeing, supporting and, where necessary, facilitating water’s contribution to resilience and liveability in Victoria.

Applying an IWM approach, the Forum will: IWM Working Group • Consider the collective community needs in the regional context and develop an overall strategic direction accordingly.

• Complement and feed into existing water and land planning processes, collaborative networks, forums IWM Project IWM Project IWM Project and associations. Group Group Group • Commit best endeavours to facilitate multi-stakeholder initiatives, share organisational expertise and IWM Forum governance structure advance sectoral learnings. Further information on IWM Forum collaboration and planning can be found in Chapter 3 of this SDS. • Respect Traditional Owner rights in water management planning.

• Ensure multiple benefi ts can be delivered to the community and the economy.

• Optimise investment in water management projects and strategies to deliver multiple benefi ts and best community value solutions.

Hastings foreshore. Courtesy View Factor Images

6 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 2 IWM in the region

Understanding why an integrated approach to water planning and management is critical to achieving better economic, environmental, cultural and community outcomes for the Western Port catchment.

Casey Fields. Photographer: Scott Memery Regional context

The Western Port IWM Forum Area lies 70 km to the southeast of Melbourne, Victoria. The catchment covers an area of approximately 3,207 km2, extending from Mount Dandenong in the west and following the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range to San Remo. The eastern extent of the Forum Area follows through to the centre of the Mornington Peninsula and includes Phillip Island. The Forum Area excludes French Island, which is unincorporated land located to the north of Phillip Island.

A unique feature of the Victorian Population Whilst the Western Port catchment coastline, Western Port’s semi-closed will experience greater frequency embayment supports an abundant The Western Port IWM Forum Area and intensity of short duration rainfall array of plant and animal species has an estimated population of events, the region is predicted to and a range of ecosystem services. more than 250,000 people and is see an overall reduction in average Fringed by the world’s southernmost predicted to double by 2040. Much of annual rainfall by 2040. mangroves and saltmarshes, Western the greenfi eld growth for southeast Port is designated as a wetland Melbourne will occur here over the next two decades. Signifi cant of international importance under To meet the challenge of densifi cation is predicted for many the Convention on Wetlands of climate change and prepare suburbs across the region, particularly International Importance especially Victoria’s water system for those surrounding Pakenham, as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar a range of possible climate Cranbourne and Beaconsfi eld. Convention). The region is home futures, climate change Large population increases are to several of Australia’s iconic and mitigation and adaptation also anticipated in the suburbs of protected species of migratory and actions will be embedded in Frankston, Warragul and the Casey resident shorebirds, as well as diverse all IWM Forum decisions. aquatic plants, fi sh and invertebrates. Clyde area. This considerable population growth and development The landscape of the Western raises numerous challenges for the Port catchment varies greatly from region’s built and natural water Climate change and rising sea levels agricultural areas, parks, natural systems over the coming years. will also pose a serious threat to the woodlands and sandy beaches, to marine landscapes of Western Port. densely populated and expanding Climate change The bay’s gently sloping shoreline urban areas on the fringe of Melbourne. make it particularly susceptible to By 2040, temperature changes rising sea levels, with high storm The region sustains a range of encompassing the Western Port surges further increasing the risk of commercial and recreational activities, catchment are expected to rise by shoreline erosion, impacting coastal including tourism, fi shing and an average of 1.3˚C under a medium communities and industries. aquaculture, viticulture, boating and climate change scenario. This will international and domestic shipping. Water quality will also be impacted increase the impact of the urban heat by climate change and, coupled island eff ect. Higher density urban The catchment includes areas of with the impacts of changing land areas will experience higher heat signifi cant value where Aboriginal use activities, will impact the marine vulnerability than more rural areas. people have lived for thousands ecosystems of Western Port. of years.

8 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 2

Maribyrnong

Yarra Werribee

Dandenong

Western Port

POPULATION GROWTH THE REGION 250,000 NOW (2018) 500,000 BY 2040 3,207km2 URBAN AREAS 6% 100% CATCHMENT INCREASE FORESTED 25% AREA

AGRICULTURE 69%

MORE THAN

MARINE 3 NATIONAL 15,000 PARKS MIGRATORY BIRDS VISIT RAMSAR-LISTED WESTERN PORT

SEA LEVEL TEMPERATURE WATERWAYS RISE BY AN INCREASE OF 1m 1.3˚C 2,232 KM IN THE NEXT BY 2040 80 YEARS

Source: Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Healthy Waterways Strategy 2013/14-2017/18, Melbourne Water Victoria in future 2016 Understanding the Western Port Environment 2011, Melbourne Water Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 9 Vision and strategic outcomes

Working together to deliver a secure, aff ordable and sustainable water cycle across the Western Port catchment for the betterment of all communities and the environment.

Collaboration to develop The seven primary strategic outcome These outcomes acknowledge the shared vision and areas to achieve this vision, as well the breadth of water plans, strategic outcome areas as the secondary outcome areas environmental strategies and nested beneath each primary area, land use plans developed by The IWM Forum demonstrates a were developed collaboratively each partner organisation. robust and transparent process by the IWM Forum partners. of collaboration amongst local governments and a range of stakeholders with an interest in water.

Central within this process are the community values, local interests and place-based opportunities represented by each Forum Member organisation.

The IWM Forum recognises the valuable contribution of these many and diverse actors in supporting a transformative approach to the planning and management of our wider water cycle. Each of these organisations played a leading role in determining a shared vision for IWM unique to each of the fi ve metropolitan Melbourne catchments. Enoplosus armatus, the old wife (pair). Photographer: Julian Finn

10 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Knobbed argonaut in Western Port. Photographer: Julian Finn Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 11 Strategic outcomes for IWM

Outcomes

Safe, secure and aff ordable Eff ective and aff ordable Opportunities are sought to Healthy and valued waterways supplies in an uncertain future wastewater systems manage existing and future and marine environments fl ood risks and impacts

A diverse range of water Exceed public health and Community and residential, Fishable and swimmable marine supplies and resources for fi t environmental outcomes business/industry and environments and swimmable for purpose human, industrial agriculture properties recreational waterways and agricultural consumption resilient to local fl ood risk Eff ective sewerage and climate change systems for both septic Waterways in the catchment Water quality meets regulatory and non-septic systems are managed for long term standards and community Emergency information ecological resilience, balancing expectations is shared, available and the needs for regional fl ood Waste-to-resource understandable by both mitigation, agriculture, industry opportunities are maximised practitioners and the community and urbanisation Effi ciently managed water and demand Water system networks Reduced nutrients, sediments resilient to extreme weather and discharges to both Secure water supply for and climate change waterways and Western Port both agricultural and non- agricultural industry and economy under all climatic Traditional Owner and conditions, including droughts Aboriginal values, knowledge and practices are integrated and protected in waterway Water is available to maintain management and planning valued green community assets

All water resources, including groundwater, are managed in a balanced and sustainable way

12 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 2

The Western Port Forum is seeking to achieve seven strategic outcomes through IWM. Each of these will have Low-emissionLow-emission sosolutionslutions a signifi cant role in shaping the liveability, prosperity and IWMIWM opportunities that minimise the rereleaselease ofof greenhouse gas (GHGs) emissions will be resilience of Victoria’s cities and towns. These outcome consideredconsidered by the Forum as solutions are areas provide a guide to identify and prioritise the various evaluatedevaluated for impimplementation.lementation. IWM opportunities included in Chapter 3 of this SDS.

Healthy and valued urban, rural, Community values are refl ected Jobs, economic growth agricultural and green landscapes in place-based planning and innovation

Active and passive recreation Diverse urban landscapes that refl ect Jobs and economic growth supported supported by water local conditions and community values by water

Improved connectivity and access Local water related risks and issues, Innovative planning and operation for active transport links including emerging and legacy issues, are understood and managed Strong governance, collaboration Urban landscapes retain moisture and performance support water quality for cooler, greener cities and towns Stakeholders and the broader trading, common understanding at the community are knowledgeable, engaged, catchment scale and urban and agriculture empowered and working together off set options Waterways and coastal environments accessible as valuable open space Actions in Water for Victoria 2016 with specifi c regard to Traditional Owner and Aboriginal cultural values associated Aboriginal consultation, engagement, with waterways and urban landscapes employment and economic development are protected have been comprehensively implemented

Diverse and abundant native animals and plants are supported through connected habitats within and along waterways and across landscapes

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 13 The case for IWM in the Western Port catchment

Over the coming years, signifi cant involve working across organisational change in the region will put pressure boundaries to achieve the following on Western Port catchment's water strategic outcomes. These outcomes Seeking cycle and resources, impacting are aligned with those refl ected in opportunitiesopportunities urban landscapes and communities, the strategic plans and environmental toto manamanagege marine environments and industries. strategies of the Forum's partner existingexisting and Translating community objectives for organisations. futurefuture fl ood water management into practice will risksrisks aandnd impactsimpacts

The Western Port catchment contains several areas familiar Safe,Safe, secure Eff ective and with the risks and impacts of fl ood and aff ordableordable aff ordable events. Approximately 18 per cent suppliessupplies in wastewater of the region lies in areas subject to an uncertain systems inundation or overland fl ow paths future during periods of heavy rain when water build up swells beyond the capacity of drainage systems. Five water corporations oversee The catchment is served by many These areas include the large water supply and sewerage services wastewater treatment plants, and populous shire of Cardinia, for the Western Port catchment. including several operated by South communities near the Bass River These include South East Water, East Water located at Somers, and the former Koo Wee Rup swamp. Melbourne Water, Southern Rural Blind Bight, Pakenham, Koo Wee Water, Westernport Water and Rup, Lang Lang and Longwarry. The catchment is expected to South Gippsland Water. Treated water from these plants see more intense and frequent is recycled or discharged into short duration rainfall events in the Melbourne’s second largest reservoir, the region’s waterways. summer months, raising further Cardinia Reservoir, is found in the concerns for fl ood-prone coastal northwest reaches of the catchment. Onsite domestic wastewater communities along Western Port and The Tarago Reservoir serves systems (septic systems) are the Mornington Peninsula. Under a communities and industries in the located throughout the catchment. medium climate change scenario, northeast. There is an opportunity Failing systems that discharge sea levels will rise by one metre in now to plan for the provision of pollutants to groundwaterand the next 80 years, increasing the improved water security for urban waterways on parts of the incidence of high storm surges, areas, agriculture and viticulture Mornington Peninsula are coastal fl ooding and risk of industries into the future. problematic for the Western shoreline erosion. Port catchment. Changes to the water cycle driven Climate change and rising sea levels by projected population growth and Investment in wastewater further threaten the ecological health climate change will raise numerous management is required to of the catchment’s waterways and challenges to built and natural water continue serving the region’s marine species, including the unique systems across the catchment. growing population and mitigate mangrove, saltmarsh, seagrass and The total demand for potable water harmful impacts to the Western intertidal rocky reef landscapes is expected to rise, creating a need Port catchment’s waterways and important to the health of the bay. to identify opportunities to increase the breadth of marine species the use of alternative, fi t for purpose they support. Reducing stormwater volumes water sources. and limiting the release of nutrients and sediments to Western Port are signifi cant challenges facing the region.

14 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 2

Ramsar sites (or Ramsar wetlands) are wetlands of international importance Healthy and valued listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. This international waterways and marine intergovernmental treaty provides environments a framework for the conservation and wise use of designated wetland ecosystems worldwide. There are 12 Ramsar sites in Victoria, including The Western Port catchment contains comprise the dominant marine Western Port. 2,232 km of waterways ranging from habitat in Western Port. Areas iconic coastal beaches, large rivers including intertidal mudfl ats and small creeks popular as fi shing, contain several hundred micro- swimming and tourism destinations. organisms and off er important foraging grounds for migratory Three of Victoria’s 13 Marine National and local shorebirds such as Parks are located in the catchment, the Red-necked Stint and the Healthy and including the Ramsar-listed Western Hooded Plover. valued urban, Port, recognised nationally and internationally for its rich marine Together, these impressive rural, agricultural ecosystems and diverse habitats. vegetation communities support and green some 15,000 migratory birds landscapes To the south, Phillip Island is home to visiting the region each year. the world’s smallest penguin species, The landscape of the Western the Little Penguin, and supports a However, the region faces Port catchment varies greatly from range of protected animal species. a decline in the health and agricultural areas, parks, natural function of waterways due to woodlands and sandy beaches, to Unique to Western Port are some climate change, pollution and densely populated and expanding of the world’s most southernmost changing land use. In general, urban areas accounting for around mangrove forests where fi sh, birds, waterways in the upper reaches 6 per cent of the region. A quarter crabs and land animals such as skinks of the catchment and within of the catchment area remains and wallabies are found. Large tracts Mornington Peninsula are in forested and around 69 per cent of coastal saltmarsh also exist in and moderate condition, while those of the area is devoted to agriculture, around Western Port. These contain in the southeast discharging to with the majority of this used a breadth of aquatic plants and Western Port are either poor or for dairy farming. provide habitat for numerous bird very poor. species, including Black Swans and The catchment also includes the the critically endangered Orange- Changing rural and urban viticulture region on the Mornington bellied Parrot. land use activities have led to Peninsula and the intensive food reduced fl ows in the catchment’s production zone known as the The region’s seagrass meadows are rivers and streams. Bunyip Food Belt, which contains also ecologically important, giving some of Australia’s most fertile soils refuge to a range of marine animals, An increase in nutrients, and is a signifi cant supplier of fresh including seahorses, seadragons and sediments and pollutants from food for Victoria. juvenile whiting. These areas perform high-intensity rainfall could an essential role in maintaining the disrupt the ecological balance An increase in native vegetation health of Western Port’s waterways of the bay. Increased chance is sought at the catchment scale, by stabilising sediment released by of algal blooms in Western with the management of weeds changing land use and recycling Port, coupled with increasing along priority waterways, as well as nutrients through the bay. salinity levels due to current and the restoration of wildlife corridors, ongoing intensive agricultural two key areas of improvement for Extensive soft sediment environments activity, further threaten these the Western Port catchment. cover about two thirds of the bay and interlinked ecosystems.

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 15 Jobs, Community values are refl ected economic in place-based planning growth and innovation

The Western Port catchment Local governments are working The population of the Western holds a wide range of values for alongside their communities to create Port catchment is expected to Victorians, including recreational, connected green corridors to improve double over the next 20 years. agricultural, tourism, cultural local amenity and enrich liveability in With new residents will come new heritage and aesthetic appeal. the catchment. jobs and economic opportunities for the region. The catchment encompasses An area of focus for this work includes the Traditional lands of the maintaining the breadth of existing State Signifi cant Industrial Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung and parks, natural woodlands, beaches Precincts identifi ed in the the Bunurong people of the Kulin and other assets unique to the catchment include the areas of Nation. It boasts a rich indigenous catchment. Pakenham, Offi cer and Hastings. history, including the belief of Too- roo-dun, the bunyip, which was Balancing resiliency and liveability Agriculture will continue to be a said to occupy the former Koo with population growth, community key area of economic growth for Wee Rup swamp, a lowland area planning and development is a the region. Other major industries in the northeast of the catchment. complex challenge for the region. in the Western Port catchment Eff ective stormwater infrastructure include fi shing, aquaculture, Over 2,000 Aboriginal cultural assets to safely manage stormwater tourism and international and sites have been recorded in the and wastewater from residential domestic shipping. region, many of which are along development will be crucial to minimise waterways and coastal areas. community fl ood hazards and deliver Secure water supplies, adequate improved environmental, commercial water storage and distribution Residents across fi ve of the seven and social benefi ts to the catchment. infrastructure to support these local government areas included industries will be critical areas in the Western Port catchment of focus for the region moving rate their general wellbeing above forward. the Victorian average, according to the most recent VicHealth Indicators Survey examining public health and wellbeing across in the state.

The Western Port Forum Area includes part of the Southern Metro Region collaborative partnership, an initiative that brings together community and business representatives with state and local governments to identify priorities for jobs, services and infrastructure within the region.

16 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 3 IWM opportunities

A portfolio of priority IWM opportunities that the Western Port Forum's collaborative partners have committed their best endeavours to progress.

Cardinia Reservoir. Photographer Ric Wallis. Courtesy Melbourne Water Priority Portfolio

The following portfolio and the relevant strategies and This work may occur in tandem plans of their organisations, and with the development of a of priority projects and in consideration of their potential catchment-wide strategy. strategies represents to impact on the seven strategic The Forum acknowledges that this outcomes for IWM sought for the a suite of IWM is a dynamic list of IWM opportunities Western Port region. opportunities for which and is subject to further assessment the Western Port IWM In addition, consideration was by the IWM Forum Members. given to the urgency of taking Forum's collaborative By co-delivering a range of water such actions, particularly where planning and management partners are committed opportunities could be lost if no opportunities, the Western Port IWM to progress within the action was taken, as well as the level Forum seeks to build on the strengths of commitment demonstrated by next 12 to 18 months. of the community, the water sector partner organisations to progress and governments to achieve better The status of each IWM opportunity IWM opportunities over the next value and long vterm shared benefi ts included in the Priority Portfolio refl ects 12-18 months. for the region. the phase of work to be undertaken The projects and strategies within in this period. The Western Port IWM Forum presents acknowledge a number of existing an unparalleled opportunity for Additional opportunities that require metropolitan-wide strategies and these organisations to build lasting further assessment are included plans, such as the Melbourne Water partnerships across sectors and in the Appendix of this SDS. Systems Strategy and the draft geographical boundaries to enhance, Healthy Waterways Strategy 2018, accelerate and generate greater In developing this portfolio, the as well as the clear and measurable visibility for water cycle opportunities collaborative governance of the targets identifi ed in the existing that will improve Victoria’s resilience Forum recognises the water cycle strategies. Targets may include and liveability. complexities of the region and alternative water use and stormwater considers the balance of outcomes, harvesting and infi ltration. Further, opportunities, resource availability, climate change mitigation goals, roles and responsibilities for Forum including low emission IWM solutions Members and their communities. and those that support urban cooling and greening, will be considered by A Forum Area (or catchment-wide) the Forum during the evaluation of IWM Strategy is yet to be developed. projects and strategies. The Western Port IWM Forum has agreed to initiate development of a The IWM Forum recognises that the strategy over the next 12-18 months. contribution of this Priority Portfolio to the seven strategic outcomes, The projects and strategies listed including the targets identifi ed in the within the Priority Portfolio have not existing metropolitan-wide strategies, been guided by a catchment scale has not yet been quantifi ed. It is the IWM Strategy, rather they were intention of the Forum to consider developed based on the experience a targeted evaluation of these IWM and knowledge of the Forum Members opportunities where the Forum agrees this is necessary. Superb Fairy-wren. Photographer: David Paul

18 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 3

Impact of IWM opportunities on the Forum's strategic outcomes

Biodiversity Connections for Carbon Neutrality

Recycled Water to Tyabb and Somerville

Enhancing Ramsar-listed Western Port wetlands

Nature Links across Western Port Catchment Landscapes

Bass Coast and Cardinia Bio Links

Pakenham Regional SewerageTreatment Plant Delivering Recycled Water for Work

Catchment-scale IWM Strategy

Urban Forest Implementation

Baw Baw Shire IWM Plan

Bass Coast IWM Plan

Monitoring Septic Tank Systems

Alternative Water Opportunities For Greening Sporting Reserves - Prioritisation Framework

Recycled Water to the Mornington Peninsula Hinterland

Drainage Strategy for Sunderland Bay and Surf Beach Areas

Repurposing Little Bass, Coalition Creek and Ness Gully Dams

Stormwater Harvesting in the Pakenham Region

0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1

Relative impact on strategic outcomes (highest total impact = 1)

Safe, secure and affordable Healthy and valued urban, rural, Effective and affordable Community values are reflected water supply agricultural and green landscapes wastewater systems in place-based planning

Effective management of flood Jobs, economic growth and innovation Healthy and valued waterways risks and impacts and marine environments

Safe, secure and aff ordable supplies in an uncertain future 1 0.9 0.8 Eff ective and aff ordable 0.7 Eff ective and aff ordable wastewater systems 0.6 wastewater systems 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0

Community Avoided or minimised values refl ected in existing and future place -based planning fl ood risks

Healthy and valued Healthy and valued urban, rural, agricultural waterways and marine and green landscapes environments

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 19 IWM opportunities: An overview of projects and strategies

IWM opportunity Strategic outcomes Location Spatial scale

Catchment-scale Western Port Forum area IWM Strategy catchment

Stormwater Harvesting Pakenham Growth area in the Pakenham Region

Repurposing Dams at Little Bass, Poowong Sub-catchment Coalition Creek and Ness Gully

Drainage Strategy for Sunderland Sunderland Bay Sub-catchment Bay and Surf Beach Areas and Surf Beach

Alternative Water Opportunities City of Casey Sub-catchment for Greening Sporting Reserves - Prioritisation Framework

Monitoring Septic Tank Systems Mornington Sub-catchment Peninsula

Bass Coast IWM Plan Bass Coast Inter-forum

Urban Forest Implementation City of Frankston Sub-catchment

Pakenham Regional Sewerage Pakenham Sub-catchment Treatment Plant Delivering Recycled Water for Work

Bass Coast and Cardinia Bio Links Bass Coast and Green wedge Cardinia Shires

Nature Links across Western Port Western Port Forum area Catchment Landscapes catchment

Enhancing the Ramsar-listed Western Port Forum area Western Port Wetlands

Recycled Water to Tyabb Tyabb and Growth area and Somerville Somerville

Baw Baw Shire IWM Plan Baw Baw Shire Sub-catchment

Recycled Water to the Mornington Sub-catchment Mornington Peninsula Hinterland Peninsula

Biodiversity Connections Western Port Forum area for Carbon-Neutrality catchment

The status of each IWM opportunity included in the Priority Portfolio refl ects the phase of work to be undertaken in this time period.

Shade scale Level of shading refers to the degree of impact the IWM opportunity has on each strategic outcome area. Dark shading represents highest impact.

Low High

20 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 3

Collaborative partners Status

All Western Port IWM Forum partner organisations

South East Water, Melbourne Water, Cardinia Shire Council, Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (LCAC), VPA, Wurundjeri Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council Aboriginal Corporation (L&CCHCAC)*

South Gippsland Water, South Gippsland Shire Council, Port Phillip and Westernport CMA (PPWCMA), West Gippsland CMA, Southern Rural Water, Bunurong LCAC, local communities

Bass Coast Shire Council, Melbourne Water, VicRoads, Westernport Water, Surf Beach and Sunderland Bay Community Coast Care volunteers, Committee of Management for Surf Beach Community Park, Bunurong LCAC

City of Casey, Melbourne Water, Bunurong LCAC, Southern Rural Water, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, Melbourne Water, South East Water, Bunurong LCAC

Bass Coast Shire Council, Melbourne Water, Westernport Water, VicRoads, Bunurong LCAC

Frankston City Council, South East Water, Melbourne Water, PPWCMA, Bunurong LCAC

South East Water, Cardinia Shire Council, Melbourne Water, Bunurong LCAC, Southern Rural Water, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

Bass Coast Shire Council, Cardinia Shire Council, PPWCMA, Westernport Water, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

PPWCMA, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*, Westernport Water, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, South East Water, Western Port Catchment Landcare Network, Bass Coast Landcare Network, Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, City of Casey, Cardinia Shire Council, Baw Baw Shire Council

PPWCMA, Parks Victoria, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Birdlife Australia, Phillip Island Nature Park, French Island Landcare, Zoos Victoria, Bass Coast Landcare Network, Bunurong LCAC, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, City of Casey, Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Western Port Catchment Landcare Network

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, South East Water, Melbourne Water, Bunurong LCAC, Southern Rural Water, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

Baw Baw Shire, PPWCMA, West Gippsland CMA, Gippsland Water, Southern Rural Water, Bunurong LCAC

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, South East Water, Melbourne Water, Bunurong LCAC, Southern Rural Water

PPWCMA, South East Water, Bunurong LCAC

* The Wurundjeri Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council Aboriginal Corporation will remain informed of progress related to this IWM opportunity.

Project opportunity status

Concept & feasibility Business case Detailed design Implementation Commission Benefi t realisation

Strategy opportunity status

Concept Commitment Prepare draft Consult & fi nalise Implement Evaluate

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 21 Priority Portfolio of IWM opportunities

All the IWM opportunities included Some projects and strategies in in the Priority Portfolio demonstrate the Priority Portfolio off er unique value for the Western Port catchment. additional values. These include: the potential to generate important All these projects and strategies will cross-organisational learnings and be enhanced and accelerated by capacity-building benefi ts for current collaboration and visibility through and future IWM opportunities; the the IWM Forum process. They will all ability to be a mechanism for further benefi t from additional resources IWM advocacy and policy innovation; and support through the IWM and a contribution of substantial Forum, and from generating new, benefi ts to the region as a whole, or enhancing existing, cross- or specifi cally to its iconic natural organisational collaboration. assets, including the Ramsar-listed Western Port.

ACTION 1

Catchment-scale IWM Strategy

A catchment-scale IWM Strategy will support the Western Port IWM Forum Members to Status eff ectively contribute to the achievement of the Forum's vision and strategic outcomes. This project will defi ne a plan to deliver an IWM Strategy in collaboration with all Western Collaborative Western Port Forum Port IWM Forum Members and Working Group members. partners partner organisations

The catchment-scale IWM Strategy will develop a framework to inform/guide investment Location Western Port catchment decisions regarding place-based IWM opportunities.

Spatial scale Forum area Unique value:

This strategy has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity-building benefi ts for IWM opportunities. It will contribute substantial benefi ts to the Western Port region and its iconic natural assets.

22 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 3

ACTION 2

Stormwater Harvesting in the Pakenham Region

This project investigates the possibility of harvesting stormwater from the Pakenham East Status area and diverting it for treatment at Pakenham Water Recycling Plant to use as a source for Class A recycled water for local towns. Collaborative South East Water, partners Melbourne Water, Cardinia There is a potential to divert approximately 700 ML/year of stormwater which would Shire Council, Bunurong otherwise discharge into waterways and ultimately to Western Port. LCAC, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*, VPA

This project has strong links with Action 9, which investigates the possibility of upgrading the Location Pakenham Pakenham Water Recycling Plant to supply recycled water to agribusiness and industrial uses in Cardinia. Spatial scale Growth area

Unique value:

This project has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity- building benefi ts for IWM opportunities. It may be a mechanism for further IWM advocacy and policy innovation for alternative water. This project will contribute substantial benefi ts to the Western Port region, particularly to its iconic natural assets at Western Port.

ACTION 3

Drainage Strategy for Sunderland Bay and Surf Beach Areas

A draft drainage strategy for the Sunderland Bay and Surf Beach Areas has been Status developed with an aim to minimise fl ood hazards to the community, reduce stormwater Collaborative Bass Coast Shire, overfl ow discharges to the sea and reduce stormwater ingress to the sewer network partners Melbourne Water, from localised fl ooding and inundation. VicRoads, Westernport Water, Surf Beach and This strategy seeks to develop a cost-eff ective network of stormwater assets that will Sunderland Bay community manage stormwater fl ows in a safe manner that minimises local fl ood risks. The strategy Coast Care volunteer group, Committee of and associated assets will help improve water quality, environmental conditions and Management for Surf drainage in the Sunderland Bay and Surf Beach areas. Beach Community Park, Bunurong LCAC Finalisation of the draft strategy will be undertaken over the next 12-18 months which will involve detailed analysis of diff erent stormwater management options by considering Location Sunderland Bay and Surf Beach their functionality and cost eff ectiveness. Spatial scale Sub-catchment Unique value:

This strategy has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity- building benefi ts for IWM opportunities. This strategy will contribute substantial benefi ts to the Western Port region, particularly to its iconic natural assets at Western Port.

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 23 ACTION 4

Alternative Water Opportunities for Greening Sporting

Reserves - Prioritisation Framework

The supply of alternative water resources will help the City of Casey meet future irrigational Status demands of open green spaces and recreational reserves. This ‘future-proofi ng’ strategy Collaborative City of Casey, Melbourne develops a process to identify priority projects on alternative water supply to recreational Partners Water, Bunurong LCAC, reserves in the City of Casey. It implements a prioritisation process as a tool to coordinate Southern Rural Water, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC* capital works plans, including across council boundaries to enable collaboration and collective funding applications to benefi t multiple councils at one time. There are Location City of Casey opportunities to share the tool with other organisations. Spatial scale Sub-catchment Unique value:

This strategy has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity-building benefi ts for IWM opportunities.

ACTION 5

Repurposing Dams at Little Bass, Coalition Creek and Ness Gully

Following the upgrade of water supply infrastructure in the region, a number of Status dams serving the towns of Poowong, Loch, Nyora and Korumburra will be available Collaborative South Gippsland Water, for re-purposing for a variety of community recreational uses, as well as stormwater Partners South Gippsland Shire harvesting for fi t for purpose supplies. Repurposing these dams may also support Council, PPWCMA, West a range of agricultural and cultural benefi ts. Gippsland CMA, Southern Rural Water, Bunurong This project seeks to understand opportunities to determine how these dams LCAC, local communities can be re-purposed to best suit the needs of local communities. Location Poowong

Unique value: Spatial scale Sub-catchment

This project has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity-building benefi ts for IWM opportunities.

24 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 3

ACTION 6

Monitoring Septic Tank Systems

Over the next three years, Mornington Peninsula Shire Council will work collaboratively Status with South East Water and industry stakeholders to use a proprietary digital application called ‘Septic Track’ to eff ectively log the servicing and maintenance of septic systems. Collaborative Mornington Shire, Data acquired with the App confi rms the location of septic assets and will allow better Partners Melbourne Water, South targeting and education of septic system owners who have not serviced their septic East Water, Bunurong LCAC systems. This will help mitigate the environmental impacts of poor-performing systems and provide additional information regarding on-site bores, stormwater management Location Mornington Peninsula and assets to include in property sale documents. Spatial scale Sub-catchment Unique value:

This project has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity-building benefi ts for IWM opportunities. It may be a mechanism for further IWM advocacy and policy innovation regarding septic tank wastewater management.

ACTION 7

Bass Coast IWM Plan

Bass Coast Shire Council is embarking on the development of an Integrated Water Status Management Plan in line with the vision and strategic outcomes of the Western Port Collaborative Bass Coast Shire, and Central and South Gippsland IWM Forums. An IWM Plan will help direct the Shire Partners Melbourne Water, to eff ectively address water-related challenges with relevant regional partners. Westernport Water, VicRoads, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC* Unique value: Location Bass Coast Shire This strategy has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity-building benefi ts for IWM opportunities. It will contribute substantial benefi ts Spatial scale Inter-forum to the Western Port region, particularly to its iconic natural assets along the Bass Coast.

ACTION 8

Urban Forest Implementation

This project seeks to ensure that the objectives of the Metropolitan Urban Forest Strategy, currently in development by Resilient Melbourne and supported by all Forum members, Status are consistently implemented across relevant IWM projects within the Western Port Collaborative Frankston City Council, Forum Area. Partners South East Water, Melbourne Water, The Urban Forest Strategy outcomes aim to achieve a signifi cant increase in the tree PPWCMA, Bunurong LCAC canopy cover of all Melbourne metro municipalities. Key actions include tree planting Location City of Frankston and vegetation management in publicly owned reserves, street tree provision and the provision of trees on privately owned land. The urban forest will deliver substantial social, Spatial scale Sub-catchment environmental and economic benefi ts to the metropolitan Melbourne area and its communities.

Unique value:

This project has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity-building benefi ts for IWM opportunities.

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 25 ACTION 9

Pakenham Regional Sewerage Treatment Plant Delivering Recycled Water for Work Status A secure water supply is key for economic growth in the Western Port catchment. There are a number of Sewerage Treatment Plants (STPs) in the region that produce Collaborative South East Water, Cardinia Class A recycled water. This project will investigate sourcing recycled water from Partners Shire Council, Melbourne Pakenham STP and other regional STPs to secure the supply of water for agribusinesses Water, Bunurong LCAC, Southern Rural Water, in Cardinia Shire, as well as residential and non-residential uses in neighbouring towns. Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

This project has strong links with Action 2, which investigates the possibility of utilising Location Pakenham stormwater harvested from Pakenham region to source recycled water. Spatial scale Sub-catchment

Unique value:

This project has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity- building benefi ts for IWM opportunities. It may be a mechanism for further IWM advocacy and policy innovation. It will contribute substantial benefi ts to the Western Port region.

ACTION 10

Bass Coast and Cardinia Bio Links

This project seeks to increase the amount of native vegetation cover in Victoria's southeast Status region through a network of Bio Links connecting open green spaces and wildlife corridors through the landscape. This project also seeks to create and enhance vegetated riparian Collaborative Bass Coast Shire Council, zones to capture, fi lter and retain water in the landscape, providing habitat for birds, Partners Cardinia Shire Council, fi sh and animals, improving water quality, and mitigating fl ood related issues in the PPWCMA, Westernport Water, Bunurong LCAC, Bass Coast and Cardinia regions. Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

Lead organisations will collaborate with other stakeholders by sharing learnings. Location Bass Coast and Cardinia By working together, they will ensure a consistent approach to bio links implementation Shires where they cross local government boundaries. Spatial scale Green wedge Cardinia and Bass Coast Shires will engage with stakeholders and the community to develop a shared vision and prepare a draft plan of implementation.

This project demonstrates strong linkages with Action 11. There are opportunities for collaboration in the future design and implementation of these two projects.

Unique value:

This project has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity-building benefi ts for IWM opportunities.

26 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 3

ACTION 11

Nature Links across Western Port Catchment Landscapes

This project will continue and build upon revegetation work undertaken over the past decades by many organisations and community groups to reconnect fragmented Status vegetation and rejuvenate landscapes in the Western Port region. This project aims Collaborative PPWCMA, Bunurong LCAC, to develop priority Nature Links in the Western Port catchment over the long term, Partners Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*, particularly along the Mornington Peninsula, the upper Bunyip catchment and from Westernport Water, Western Port to Mount Worth. Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, South East Water, Western Port Catchment This project demonstrates strong linkages with Action 10. There are opportunities Landcare Network, Bass for collaboration in the future design and implementation of these two projects. Coast Landcare Network, Mornington Peninsula Landcare Network, Unique value: Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, City of Casey, This project has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity- Cardinia Shire Council, building benefi ts for IWM opportunities. It may be a mechanism for further IWM advocacy Baw Baw Shire Council and policy innovation. It will contribute substantial benefi ts to the Western Port region Location Western Port catchment and its iconic natural assets, particularly along Western Port. Spatial scale Forum area

ACTION 12

Enhancing the Ramsar-listed Western Port Wetlands

Western Port is recognised globally as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. It currently faces increased pressures and stressors, including Status invasive species, climate change, urban development and pollution, that directly aff ect Collaborative PPWCMA, Parks Victoria, the critical components, processes and ecological services that the wetlands provide. Partners Conservation Volunteers Australia, Birdlife Australia, In order to maintain or improve these important wetlands, management intervention Phillip Island Nature Park, and conservation actions are required to address known priority threats that impact French Island Landcare, Zoos Victoria, Bass Coast or take away from the ecological character of Western Port. Landcare Network, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri This project will assist in improving the condition of coastal saltmarsh vegetation L&CCHCAC*, Mornington communities, as well as help support and stabilise the trajectories of several Peninsula Shire Council, threatened species. City of Casey, Mornington Peninsula and Western Port Biosphere Reserve Unique value: Foundation, Western Port Catchment Landcare Network This project has the potential to generate cross-organisational learnings and capacity- building benefi ts for IWM opportunities. It may be a mechanism for further IWM advocacy Location Western Port and policy innovation. It will contribute substantial benefi ts to the Western Port region and its iconic natural assets, particularly the Western Port Wetlands. Spatial scale Forum area

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 27 ACTION 13

Recycled Water to Tyabb and Somerville

The Tyabb and Somerville area has been recognised as an important horticultural Status region in the Western Port catchment. However, the potential growth of the horticulture industry is restricted by the availability of reliable water. This project will update a Collaborative Mornington Peninsula business case developed in 2014 and evaluate the construction of a pipeline to deliver Partners Shire, South East Water, approximately 1,555 ML of recycled water to Tyabb and neighbouring Somerville. This Melbourne Water, Bunurong LCAC, Southern project has the potential for signifi cantly increased revenue and job creation for the Rural Water region from the delivery of recycled water. Location Mornington Peninsula Shire

Unique value: Spatial scale Growth area

This project may be a mechanism for further IWM advocacy and policy innovation.

ACTION 14

Recycled Water to the Mornington Peninsula Hinterland

Economic and agricultural growth in the Mornington Peninsula hinterland is limited by water availability. Currently, the only source of water available is groundwater Status and there is a need to reduce the demand on this supply due to sustainable limits Collaborative on groundwater usage, particularly in the southern end of the peninsula. Mornington Peninsula Partners Shire Council, South East Water, Melbourne Water, This project investigates diverting recycled water from the South Eastern Outfall Bunurong LCAC, Southern (SEO) pipeline to the Hinterland region and southern end of the Mornington Peninsula, Rural Water and develops a business case by considering full market feasibility and triple bottom line costs and benefi ts. Location Mornington Peninsula

Spatial scale Sub-catchment This project has the potential to realise new horticulture opportunities in highly productive land currently limited by the availability of water. Further environmental benefi ts of the water can be realised as waterways and aquifer levels benefi t from additional water availability.

Unique value:

This project may be a mechanism for further IWM advocacy and policy innovation.

28 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 3

ACTION 15

Baw Baw Shire IWM Plan

Recognising the value of integrated water management, Baw Baw Shire Council has Status successfully delivered several place-based IWM projects. However, utilisation of ad-hoc funding and opportunities have meant that there is currently no medium-term strategy Collaborative Baw Baw Shire, PPWCMA, or prioritisation of projects to provide a stable direction or funding base to ensure the Partners West Gippsland CMA, Gippsland Water, Southern full benefi ts of IWM are realised across the municipality. Rural Water, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri The development of an IWM Plan for Baw Baw Shire Council will ensure that its L&CCHCAC* departments with an interest in water can eff ectively collaborate and coordinate IWM opportunities across the organisation and throughout the shire alongside water industry Location Baw Baw Shire partners. This IWM Plan will consider a regional perspective to implementing IWM in Victoria Spatial scale Sub-catchment and will be aligned with the vision and strategic objectives of the Western Port Forum. It has the potential to raise the profi le of IWM amongst council and the community to ensure water management is included in the decision-making process in peri-urban local government.

ACTION 16

Biodiversity Connections for Carbon-Neutrality

Victoria’s water authorities are committed to becoming carbon neutral. Achieving this will require various actions to reduce carbon emissions. It will also likely require some off setting Status of carbon emissions. Collaborative PPWCMA, South East Partners Water, Bunurong LCAC, Work has been under way over the past two years between water authorities and Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC* catchment management authorities to develop and trial arrangements that see carbon off sets being achieved through revegetation whilst also providing other environmental Location Western Port catchment and social benefi ts in local areas. Spatial scale Forum area This collaborative project will trial a process for revegetation in priority areas of the Western Port catchment that can contribute to carbon off sets. It will also assess the costs and benefi ts to enable improved decision-making regarding carbon off sets in the future.

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 29 Strategic enablers to put IWM into practice

The IWM Forums were established The DELWP Water and Catchments Barriers to IWM are reviewed, with in Victoria to identify, coordinate Group is responsible for addressing local implications and potential state- and prioritise place-based and these barriers to implementation in wide resolutions, or strategic enablers, catchment-wide opportunities a holistic manner alongside relevant discussed. These discussions will help that would most benefi t from government organisations involved DELWP determine potential options collaborative water cycle in land use planning and land for policy reform and associated planning and management. management. areas of impact for industry sectors and organisations. Alongside these opportunities, Advisory groups drawing on industry the IWM Forum Members identifi ed and independent expertise support Advisory groups provide advice a range of barriers that could prevent DELWP in the development and regarding areas where planning, eff ective implementation of IWM implementation of strategic initiatives water, local government and other across metropolitan Melbourne to fi ll knowledge gaps and address arms of government need to work and regional Victoria. issues identifi ed through the IWM more collaboratively to maintain and Forum process. enhance the liveability and resilience of Victoria’s cities and towns.

Agriculture in the Western Port Green Wedge. Photographer: John Krutop

30 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 3

Success stories

Sustainable Water Use playing surfaces at Casey Fields and Greening the fi elds at Casey Fields greening and cooling benefi ts for the at Bellbird Park broader region. The current water Casey Fields is an 88-hectare premium infrastructure saves approximately Bellbird Park is a multi-sport and multi-sport precinct in the City of 70 ML of potable water each year, community facility in the West Casey, 45 kilometres south-east of an important addition for the growing Gippsland region, 90 kilometres east Melbourne’s CBD. Set amongst vast community’s drinking water supplies. of Melbourne. With over 130,000 parklands, this prominent sporting Since the site was established in 2003, visitations annually to its seven hub provides a range of active and Casey Fields has saved approximately outdoor sportsgrounds, three indoor passive recreation opportunities in 1 GL of potable water, the equivalent sport pavilions, two playgrounds and Cranbourne East, one of Australia’s of 400 Olympic size swimming pools, equestrian facilities, Bellbird Park is fastest growing suburbs. and reduced signifi cant pollutant a sporting hub for regional Victorians. loads to downstream waterways, A network of walking tracks through Together with South East Water, keeping approximately 310 tonnes scenic bushland and picnic areas Casey City Council have invested in of sediment, 750 kg of phosphorous contribute to the popularity of the sustainable water initiatives to ensure and over 500 kg of nitrogen out of park as a year-round passive and Casey Fields can continue to serve waterways that fl ow to Western Port. active recreation destination. However, communities as one of the region’s with limitations to current rainwater top sporting facilities. A network In future, irrigation demand is harvesting at the site, Bellbird Park of swales and wetlands within the predicted to increase to 108 ML per could not meet its summer irrigation precinct capture, fi lter and retain year as the site expands. Casey City needs, leaving sports fi elds and stormwater on-site. The wetland lakes Council aim to use the stormwater surrounds at risk of drying out. have become a popular recreation captured on-site to bridge the gap destination for residents and visitors, in demand for total sportsground Together with the Bellbird Park off ering seasonal rainbow trout fi shing irrigation, eliminating use of potable Committee of Management, resident and playful interactions at the water supplies. The collaborative sporting clubs and Gippsland Water, water’s edge. partners will also explore the use of Baw Baw Shire Council embarked on Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) a project to utilise treated water from To date, 60 ML/year of recycled water as a strategic storage option for a nearby wastewater treatment plant is used in conjunction with up to 15 ML/ alternative water, returning water for sportsground irrigation. Filtration year groundwater from on-site bores resources to Casey’s communities and UV disinfection technology, to irrigate the ovals and surrounding to meet future demand. pumps and storage infrastructure parklands, providing high quality helped bring treated water to the site. Project outcomes include; estimated cost savings of $50,000 per annum, 36 ML/year reduction in potable water use and year-round green, quality sporting fi elds for the community. By repurposing the treated wastewater, Baw Baw Shire helped prevent excess discharge from the treatment plant to local waterways, protecting aquatic environments and improving waterway health in the upper Western Port catchment.

Aerial of Casey Fields. Photographer: Peter Glenane Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 31 Continued success through collaboration

IWM is an evolving IWM Forums collaborate and oversee It is anticipated that the IWM Forum ongoing IWM planning. The IWM collaborative partners will continue process that seeks to Forum cycle is summarised at right. to use their best endeavours to coordinate and balance advance priority IWM opportunities Phase One of the IWM Forum through regular meetings and future many views and interests cycle has established an enabling in the water sector Forums. Forum Members will also environment for Victoria’s water assess the feasibility of additional around common goals sector stakeholders to develop IWM opportunities identifi ed in and agreed outcomes. shared IWM objectives and overcome Phase One (refer to Appendix). sectoral, institutional and geographic boundaries through collaboration. Phase Two will create an opportunity This phase was guided by the to evaluate and share learnings experience and knowledge of from Phase One. It will also optimise the Forum Members. resources and explore the development of innovative tools and approaches Phase Two of the IWM Forum that plan for, and respond to, water cycle will assume a more strategic supply and demand in the future. approach to successful IWM planning and implementation for the Forum Phase Three prepares the Forum Area. This phase will include the to refresh the Strategic Directions development of catchment-wide IWM Statement and review the progress strategy to inform IWM investments. of strategic enablers for IWM.

Phase Two will also provide an opportunity for IWM Forum Members to update relevant organisational policies, plans and strategies to refl ect the outcomes of the IWM Forum.

Girls fi shing. Photographer: John Krutop

32 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Chapter 3

Outcomes Participants Phase I

Establish Preliminary work on regional characterisation Local governments and collaborative governance Organisational leaders Catchment come together Agree vision, objectives and goals Management Authorities in collaborative IWM Forums and Agree criteria for selection and prioritisation Water corporations of IWM opportunities Working Groups to Traditional Owners discuss integrated IWM opportunities identifi ed and prioritised water management Department of challenges, Collaboratively develop and endorse Strategic Environment, Land, opportunities Directions Statement for each region Water and Planning and priorities for Chair each region Others as relevant

Phase II

Planning Co-design and agree on Terms of Reference, Collaborative partners governance structure, stakeholder engagement Cultivate a collaborative and/or community participatory planning guidance Community culture to progress for IWM project/strategy representatives IWM opportunities Others as relevant

Progress IWM Project Groups initiate work as per identifi ed Collaborative partners project/strategy status, including: feasibility Forum Members use assessment; technical and economic analysis; Individual organisations best endeavours who have committed to cost allocation; business case development Next 12-18 to progress IWM a project/strategy months opportunities Strategic enablers for IWM progressed by Community to next stage DELWP with support from Forum Members The feasibility representatives of IWM IWM Project Groups report progress to IWM Forums Relevant stakeholders opportunities will be Incorporate IWM Project Groups to take IWM commitments Individual organisations continually (projects and strategies) to their Board or Councils who have committed reviewed and Collaborative for investment endorsement to deliver a project/ assessed Partner organisations strategy in Phase II incorporate relevant IWM Project Groups incorporate elements into their to confi rm elements of IWM in their own organisational planning systems, e.g. Council the need for own plans, guidelines and corporate plans, Construction Guidelines, etc. specifi c IWM or frameworks projects/ Report back to IWM Forum strategies

Realise Application of practical IWM tools and innovative Collaborative partners approaches IWM benefi ts are Individual organisations realised following Additional community value added through who have committed to implementation of participatory planning a project/strategy project/strategy Monitoring and evaluation of key measures and outcomes Community representatives Economic savings through shared resources, costs, etc. Others as relevant Improved resilience and liveability of cities and towns

Phase III

Prepare Collaborative partners prepare for next round Collaborative partners of IWM Forums IWM Forums prepare to refresh the Strategic IWM Forums collaboratively review key learnings and Directions Statement outcomes from Phase I & II, including catchment-scale IWM Strategy and progress on strategic enablers

Next round of IWM opportunity identifi cation and prioritisation

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 33 Appendix Additional IWM opportunities in the Western Port catchment

Action Project Collaborative partners

17 Clyde-Cardinia Treated Water Management South East Water, Melbourne Water, Cardinia Shire, City of Casey, Victorian Planning Authority, Southern Rural Water, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

18 Regional Aquifer Storage and City of Casey, South East Water, Southern Rural Water, Recovery Feasibility Study Melbourne Water, Westernport Water, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

19 Environment Account for Western Port PPWCMA, Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, Councils, Wentworth Group, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

20 IWM Growth Area Analysis City of Casey, South East Water, Melbourne Water, Victorian Planning Authority, Southern Rural Water, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

21 Manuka Road - Berwick Drainage Scheme City of Casey, Melbourne Water, Parks Victoria, Bunurong LCAC, Water Quality Improvements Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

22 San Remo Recycled Water Project Westernport Water, Bass Coast Shire Council, Melbourne Water, PPWCMA, Bunurong LCAC

23 Water Stewardship for Western Port PPWCMA, Mornington Peninsula, Western Port Biosphere Reserve Foundation, Bunurong LCAC, South East Water, Melbourne Water, Councils, Parks Victoria, Westernport Water, Southern Rural Water, Environment Protection Authority, Aus Veg Vic, Nursery and Garden Industry Victoria, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

24 Small Property Improved Soil and PPWCMA, Councils, Melbourne Water, Westernport Water, Land Management Initiative Melbourne Polytechnic, various local Landcare and environmental groups, Bunurong LCAC, Wurundjeri L&CCHCAC*

* The Wurundjeri Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council Aboriginal Corporation will remain informed of progress related to this IWM opportunity.

34 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Appendix

The following list of additional IWM opportunities was identifi ed by the Western Port IWM Forum in the fi rst phase of the IWM Forum cycle. The list captures potential future priorities for the Western Port IWM Forum.

Further assessment will be required by the collaborative partners to progress these opportunities through the IWM Forum.

Strategic outcome areas

Shade scale Red-capped Plover. Photographer: David Paul Level of shading refers to the degree of impact the IWM opportunity has on each strategic outcome area. Dark shading represents highest impact.

Low High

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 35 Glossary of terms

Aboriginal Victorians Catchment Community

An Aboriginal Victorian is a person of An area where water falling as rain is Includes individuals, public and Aboriginal descent who identifi es as collected by the landscape, eventually private landholders, community an Aboriginal and is accepted as such fl owing to a body of water such as a groups and business owners. by the Victorian Aboriginal community creek, river, dam, lake or ocean; in which he or she lives. or into a groundwater system. Connectivity

Algal blooms Catchment management Connections between natural authorities (CMAs) habitats, such as a river channel and A rapid increase in the population of adjacent wetland areas. Connectivity algae that can occur in waterways, The Catchment and Land Protection is a measure or indicator of whether a often caused by excess nutrients Act 1994 established 10 catchment waterbody (river, wetland, fl oodplain) (particularly phosphorus and nitrogen). and land protection regions, each with has water connections or fl ow a catchment management authority connections to another body. Allocation responsible for the integrated planning and coordination of land, water Department of Environment, Land, Water that is actually available to use and biodiversity management. Water and Planning (DELWP) or trade in any given year, including new allocations and carryover. Central business district (CBD) Supports Victoria’s natural and built environment to ensure economic Assets Melbourne’s original ‘Hoddle Grid’ growth and liveable, sustainable street layout bounded by the Yarra and inclusive communities. Assets are resources that provide River, Spring Street, La Trobe Street The Water and Catchments group benefi t. This includes, for example, and Spencer Street, as well as the of the Department assists the Minister infrastructure such as treatment triangular area to the north bounded for Water, develops and implements plants, pipes and pumps, water by Victoria, Peel and La Trobe streets. state policies and programs, assets such as dams, bores and and oversees the administration of wetlands, and community assets such Climate change organisations including catchment as sporting facilities, public gardens management authorities. and street trees. Natural assets are A long term change of the earth’s assets of the natural environment, for temperature and weather patterns, Ecosystem example waterways and vegetation, generally attributed directly or also known as natural capital. indirectly to human activities such A dynamic complex of plant, as fossil fuel combustion and animal, fungal and microorganism Aquifer vegetation clearing and burning. communities and the associated non-living environment interacting An underground layer of rock or Climate change mitigation as an ecological unit. sediment that holds water and allows water to fl ow through it. Actions that prevent or reduce Entitlement (or water entitlement) emissions of greenhouse gases Biodiversity that contribute to climate change. Authorisation to take water issued in accordance with the Water Act The numbers and variety of plants, Coastal fl ooding 1989. It includes bulk entitlements, animals and other living beings, environmental entitlements, water including micro-organisms, across our Inundation along the coastline shares, and surface water and land, rivers and oceans. It includes the mainly due to fl ooding from the groundwater licences (also known diversity of their genetic information, sea associated with storm surge. as take and use licences). the habitats and ecosystems in which It may also include additional they live and their connections with fl ooding caused by heavy rainfall. other life forms.

36 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Appendix

Environmental water Greenfi eld land Integrated water management (IWM) Water to support environmental Undeveloped land identifi ed for values and ecological processes. residential or industrial/commercial A collaborative approach to planning development, generally on the that brings together all elements of Fit for purpose (water quality) fringe of metropolitan Melbourne. the water cycle including sewage management, water supply, Water of a quality that is Groundwater stormwater management and water appropriate for its intended use. treatment, considering environmental, All subsurface water, generally economic and social benefi ts. Flash fl ooding occupying the pores and crevices of rock and soil. Sudden and unexpected fl ooding Integrated Water caused by sudden local heavy rainfall Management Forum Growth areas or rainfall in another area. Often A meeting of urban water defi ned as fl ooding which occurs Locations on the fringe of management organisations to within six (6) hours of the rainfall event. metropolitan Melbourne designated identify, prioritise and commit in planning schemes for large-scale to the investigation of integrated Floodplain transformation, over many years, water management opportunities. from rural to urban use. Low-lying land adjacent to a river or stream with unique ecosystems Integrated water Heritage River Area dependent on inundation from management opportunity fl ood events. Land in particular parts of rivers and A servicing need that has the river catchment areas in Victoria which potential to leverage broader Flow have signifi cant nature conservation, benefi ts when undertaken recreation, scenic or cultural heritage Movement of water – the rate of collaboratively, using an integrated values. These areas are identifi ed water discharged from a source, water management approach. and protected under the Heritage given in volume with respect to time. Rivers Act 1992. There are 18 Heritage Integrated Water Gigalitre River Areas in Victoria. Management strategic enabler

One billion (1,000,000,000) litres. Impervious area A policy, framework or tool that One gigalitre is the equivalent of enables putting IWM into practice. A surface or area within a catchment approximately 400 Olympic size that signifi cantly restricts the Irrigation district swimming pools. infi ltration of water. Impervious An area declared under the Green-blue infrastructure surfaces can include concrete, road surfaces, roofs and saturated Water Act 1989 that is supplied Green infrastructure refers to ground such as a lake or pond. with water by channels and pipelines key vegetation features such as used mainly for irrigation purposes. street trees, parklands, grassed Infi ll Liveability sports fi elds and vegetated walls. Development of unused or underutilised Blue infrastructure refers to key land in existing urban areas. A measure of a city’s residents’ waterways, wetlands, recreational quality of life, used to benchmark lakes, stormwater retarding basins, Infrastructure cities around the world. It includes or other water body features. socioeconomic, environmental, Green-blue infrastructure brings Basic facilities and networks needed transport and recreational measures. these assets together through for the functioning of a local integrated approaches to deliver community or broader society. community benefi ts.

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 37 Megalitre (ML) Ramsar Convention Resilience One million (1,000,000) litres. Defi ned by section 4 of the The capacity of individuals, Commonwealth Water Act 2007 communities, institutions, businesses, Metropolitan Melbourne as the Convention on Wetlands of systems and infrastructure to survive, The 31 municipalities that make International Importance especially adapt and grow, no matter what up metropolitan Melbourne, as Waterfowl Habitat done at chronic stresses or shocks they plus part of Mitchell Shire within Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971. encounter. the urban growth boundary. Ramsar wetlands Riparian National employment and innovation clusters (NEIC) Wetlands of international Refers to land or vegetation importance, designated under that adjoins a river, creek, Designated concentrations of the Ramsar Convention. estuary, lake or wetland. employment distinguished by a strong core of nationally signifi cant Recreational water or Riverine fl ooding knowledge sector businesses and recreational benefi ts Inundation of normally dry land institutions that make a major The objectives and benefi ts that occurring when water overfl ows contribution to the national recreational users and community the natural or artifi cial banks of economy and Melbourne’s members associate with the use a creek or river. Also called main positioning in the global economy. of water, reservoirs and waterways channel fl ooding. for recreational activities. These Open space objectives and benefi ts include Runoff Includes land reserved for natural wellbeing and enjoyment, derived The portion of rainfall which landscape, parklands, recreation from social interaction, physical actually ends up as streamfl ow, and active sports, as well as activity and relaxation associated also known as rainfall excess. waterways and bays. with activities including sporting events, fi shing, water skiing and Sewage Potable rowing, camping, walking and gathering with friends and family. Wastewater produced from Water of suitable quality for drinking. It also includes fl ow-on economic households and industry. benefi ts to local communities from Productivity visitors to regional areas to make Sewerage The economic value produced the most of these opportunities. The pipes and plants that for an hour of work or a dollar of collect, remove, treat and investment. Increasing productivity Recycled water dispose of liquid urban waste. is a key source of economic growth Water derived from sewerage and competitiveness. systems or industry processes State-signifi cant industrial that is treated to a standard precincts (SSIP) Project appropriate for its intended use. Strategically located land available A planned set of interrelated tasks or for major industrial development activities to be executed over Regional Victoria linked to the Principal Freight a defi ned period and within certain Includes all municipalities Network and transport gateways. cost and other considerations, outside metropolitan Melbourne to achieve a goal. (except part of Mitchell Shire within Stormwater the urban growth boundary). Rainwater Runoff from urban areas. The net increase in runoff and decrease Water that has fallen as rain or Reservoir in groundwater recharge resulting has been collected from rainfall. Natural or artifi cial dam or from the introduction of impervious lake used for the storage surfaces such as roofs and roads and regulation of water. within urban development.

38 Western Port Strategic Directions Statement Appendix

Stormwater fl ooding Urban water cycle Water sensitive urban design (WSUD) Inundation by local runoff . Stormwater The cycle of water through urban fl ooding can be caused by local runoff environments. Distinguished from Integrating the urban water cycle exceeding the capacity of an urban the natural urban water cycle by into urban design to minimise stormwater drainage system or by the transfer of water through built environmental damage and improve the backwater eff ects of mainstream infrastructure and the high runoff rates recreational and aesthetic outcomes. fl ooding causing the urban stormwater generated by impervious surfaces. drainage system to overfl ow. Waterways Use (water use) Strategy Rivers and streams, their The volume of water diverted associated estuaries and fl oodplains A high-level direction designed from a stream or groundwater (including fl oodplain wetlands) to achieve an outcome or a set bore. It is not the same as ‘use’ and non-riverine wetlands. of outcomes related to IWM, by the end consumer of the water. over a defi ned time period for Waterway condition/ a defi ned geographic location. Wastewater waterway health

Traditional Owners Water that has had its quality Waterway condition (or waterway aff ected by human infl uence, deriving health) is an umbrella term for the People who, through membership of a from industrial, domestic, agricultural overall state of key features and descent group or clan, are responsible or commercial activities. processes that underpin functioning for caring for Country. Aboriginal waterway ecosystems (such as people with knowledge about Water corporations species and communities, habitat, traditions, observances, customs or connectivity, water quality, riparian Victorian Government organisations beliefs associated with a particular vegetation, physical form, and charged with supplying water to urban area. A Traditional Owner is authorised ecosystem processes such as nutrient and rural water users. They administer to speak for Country and its heritage. cycling and carbon storage). the diversion of water from waterways Urban greening and the extraction of groundwater. Wetlands Formerly known as water authorities. Growing plants wherever possible Areas, whether natural, modifi ed in cities to contribute to urban Water infrastructure or artifi cial, subject to permanent vegetation coverage, and providing or temporary inundation, that hold a connection to nature. Facilities, services and installations static or very slow-moving water needed for the functioning and develop, or have the potential to Urban heat-island eff ect of a water system. develop, biota adapted to inundation and the aquatic environment. When the built environment absorbs, Water sector Wetlands may be fresh or saline. traps, and in some cases directly emits heat, causing urban areas Organisations involved in water to be signifi cantly warmer than management, including water surrounding non-urban areas. corporations, local government and catchment management authorities. Urban renewal

The process of planning and redeveloping underutilised medium and large-scale urban areas, precincts or sites for mixed land-use purposes.

Western Port Strategic Directions Statement 39 Integrated Water delwp.vic.gov.au Management Forums