Corangamite CMA Salinity Action Plan. Background Report No.4. Asset manager consultation, preferred methods of implementation and management actions Authored by: Cam Nicholson 1, Graeme Anderson 2 & Mike Stephens 3 1Nicon Rural Services, Queenscliff 2Department of Primary Industries, Geelong 3Mike Stephens & Associates Pty Ltd, Yendon Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, 2003 Published by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, 2003 64 Dennis Street Colac Victoria 3250 Website: http://www.ccma.vic.gov.au The National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry: ISBN ISSN Cover photo: Untreated saline land, Meredith area. Photograph: Graeme Anderson This document has been prepared for use by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority by Mike Stephens & Associates Pty Ltd and has been compiled by using the consultants’ expert knowledge, due care and professional expertise. The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority, Mike Stephens & Associates Pty Ltd and other contributors do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for every purpose for which it may be used and therefore disclaim all liability for any error, loss, damage or other consequence whatsoever which may arise from the use of or reliance on the information contained in this publication. Corangamite Salinity Action Plan 2003 Project team: Mike Stephens, Mike Stephens & Associates Pty Ltd Cam Nicholson, Nicon Rural Services Pty Ltd Peter Dahlhaus, Dahlhaus Environmental Geology Pty Ltd Graeme Anderson, Department of Primary Industries Roger Standen, Rendell McGuckian Pty Ltd Karlie Tucker, Rendell McGuckian Pty Ltd Project management Tim Corlett, Corangamite CMA Mike Stephens & Associates and Dahlhaus Environmental Geology Pty Ltd i Corangamite CMA Salinity Action Plan. Background Report No.4. Asset manager consultation, preferred methods of implementation and management actions Summary Asset manager consultation was based on a highly targeted approach, by speaking directly to those parties whose assets are directly affected by salinity or whose participation is required to implement proposed salinity treatment options. Discussions were based on a semi structure interview process, using the program logic approach developed by the Corangamite Salinity team in the mid 1990’s. This targeted consultation approach was endorsed by the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority in February 2003. The main groups of asset managers consulted were: • Infrastructure managers • Utility managers • Agricultural land managers • Water resources mangers • Environmental groups, primarily Government Agencies • Those responsible for cultural and heritage assets Consultation allowed potential adoption rates for each treatment at each target location to be identified. Analysis of the comments from asset managers clearly identified their preferred method of implementation and opportunities for potential partnerships. However to capitalise on these opportunities, several aspects needed to be considered including: • Adopting best practice delivery • Creating meaningful partnerships by rewarding desirable actions • Integrated delivery • Customising delivery for each target location • Devolving responsibility for implementation to the asset managers. Each topic is explored in this document and provides valuable ‘market intelligence’ to help guide implementation. During consultation a number of region wide themes and common issues also emerged. They included: • The need to manage expectations in priority and non priority areas. • Appreciating the impact water management has on the effectiveness of salinity management actions • Integrating salinity management with other environmental responsibilities • The development of more profitable agricultural systems to help achieve adoption • Appreciating the impact the current dry climatic pattern is having on stakeholder perceptions. Common salinity issues included: • The need to expand the saline land treatment options available to land managers • The opportunity for commercial forestry development to assist in achieving regional salinity outcomes • The role of community education for regional education and salinity training programs Mike Stephens & Associates, Nicon Rural Services and the Department of Primary Industries, Geelong ii Corangamite CMA Salinity Action Plan. Background Report No.4. Asset manager consultation, preferred methods of implementation and management actions • Opportunities to increase the skills of road and infrastructure engineering staff with municipalities to better protect assets from salinity threats • The ‘value’ of salinity management overlays and technical support for local government. These are discussed in detail in the report. The working notes from individual consultations are also included for future reference. Mike Stephens & Associates, Nicon Rural Services and the Department of Primary Industries, Geelong iii Corangamite CMA Salinity Action Plan. Background Report No.4. Asset manager consultation, preferred methods of implementation and management actions Table of Contents SUMMARY II 1 INTRODUCTION 1 2 CONSULTATION APPROACH 3 3 CONSULTATION FINDINGS 6 3.1 Asset managers reaction to salinity process and the proposed salinity treatment options 6 3.1.1 Infrastructure managers 6 3.1.2 Utility managers 6 3.1.3 Agricultural land managers 7 3.1.4 Water resources 8 3.1.5 Environment 9 3.1.6 Cultural and Heritage 10 3.2 Analysis of asset managers’ comments. 10 3.3 Preferred method of implementation (the next actions) 16 3.3.1 Adopting best practice delivery 16 3.3.2 Creating meaningful partnerships by rewarding the actions you want 17 3.3.3 Integrated delivery 18 3.3.4 Customising delivery for each target location 18 3.3.5 Devolving responsibility to the asset managers. 18 3.4 Management actions for each target location 23 4 EMERGING ISSUES AND COMMON THEMES ACROSS THE CORANGAMITE REGION 26 4.1 Emerging issues 26 4.1.1 Managing expectation in priority and non priority areas. 26 4.1.2 The impact of water management on salinity 27 4.1.3 Our environmental responsibilities 27 4.1.4 Profitable agricultural systems 28 4.1.5 Climate change - the impact of the current dry climate pattern on stakeholder perceptions. 29 4.2 Common themes 29 4.2.1 Saline land management - expanding the options available to land managers. 29 4.2.1 Commercial forestry development for regional salinity benefits 30 4.2.3 Community education – regional education and salinity training program. 31 4.2.4 Road and infrastructure engineering 31 4.2.5 Municipal planning 32 APPENDIX A. PROGRAM LOGIC USED TO DEVELOP THE SEMI STRUCTURED INTERVIEW PROCESS AND INTERPRETATION OF ASSET MANAGERS FEEDBACK 33 APPENDIX B. RESPONSE FROM INFRASTRUCTURE, UTILITIES, ENVIRONMENTAL AND WATER RESOURCE ASSET MANAGERS 35 APPENDIX C. RESPONSE FROM PRIVATE LAND MANAGERS 51 5 REFERENCES 85 List of Figures Figure 1: Target locations 4 Figure 2: Higher level program logic developed by the Corangamite Salinity Team. 33 Mike Stephens & Associates, Nicon Rural Services and the Department of Primary Industries, Geelong iv Corangamite CMA Salinity Action Plan. Background Report No.4. Asset manager consultation, preferred methods of implementation and management actions List of Tables Table 1: Asset managers consulted at each target location 5 Table 2: Summary of asset managers’ response to proposed salinity treatment options, grouped by program logic 15 Table 3: Next actions and recommended delivery agent / partners 22 Table 4: Annual adoption of various treatment options for each location ( difference between the intervention and non intervention (do nothing) scenarios) 24 Table 5: Adoption of various treatment options for each location over 10 years – rounded to nearest 10 ha (difference between the intervention and non intervention (do nothing) scenarios) 25 Mike Stephens & Associates, Nicon Rural Services and the Department of Primary Industries, Geelong v Corangamite CMA Salinity Action Plan. Background Report No.4. Asset manager consultation, preferred methods of implementation and management actions 111 Introduction This background report is presented in three parts. Part one describes the community consultation process adopted as part of the development of the second generation salinity action plan (SAP) for the Corangamite region. Part two describes the asset manager reactions to the proposed treatment options, their preferred method of implementation as well as an indication of the likely rates of treatment adoption. This information is critical to formulating benefit cost analysis and generating management action targets as well as creating implementation programs that meet the needs of asset managers in each target location. Failure to incorporate this ‘market intelligence’ into any possible future intervention program is likely to result in poorer rates of adoption by the target audience. Part three draws together common themes and issues that have arisen from the targeted consultation process and have identified needs that would be better addressed on a regional basis. This part also presents several philosophical points regrading the way the authors believe intervention programs should be delivered in the future, based on asset manager feedback and previous experiences in the natural resource management area. Mike Stephens & Associates, Nicon Rural Services and the Department of Primary Industries, Geelong 1 Corangamite CMA Salinity Action Plan. Background Report No.4. Asset manager consultation,