Waterways and wetlands - regional water plan background paper

Looking after all our water needs

Department of Water

September 2009 Department of Water 168 Perth Western 6000 Telephone +61 8 6364 7600 Facsimile +61 8 6364 7601 www.water.wa.gov.au © Government of 2009 September 2009 This work is copyright. You may download, display, print and reproduce this material in unaltered form only (retaining this notice) for your personal, non-commercial use or use within your organisation. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all other rights are reserved. Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Department of Water.

978-1-921637-88-9 (online)

Contents Summary ...... iv 1 Introduction...... 1 1.1 Waterway and wetland values ...... 1 1.2 Management responsibilities ...... 2 1.3 Values under pressure...... 2 2 Moore-Hill river basin ...... 5 3 Swan coastal basin ...... 6 3.1 Swan-Canning conditions ...... 6 1.4 Gnangara and Jandakot mounds ...... 8 1.5 Salinity ...... 10 2 Murray River basin ...... 12 2.1 Values and conditions...... 12 2.2 Water quality improvement plan ...... 13 2.3 Drainage and stormwater planning...... 15 2.4 Peel-Harvey system governance...... 16 3 Waterways and wetlands as ecological linkages...... 17 4 Climate change ...... 21 4.1 Potential impacts ...... 21 4.2 Ecological water needs...... 22 Appendices...... 23 Appendix 1 — Existing programs...... 23 Appendix B — significant waterways and wetlands...... 25 Shortened forms ...... 28 References ...... 30

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Summary The Perth-Peel regional water plan (PPRWP) will provide strategic directions for sustainable water management in the region to the year 20301. Figure 1 displays the Perth-Peel region’s boundaries including its three subregions: Gingin, Perth and Peel.

Figure 1 Perth-Peel regional water plan boundary

This background paper provides an overview of the condition of waterways in the Perth-Peel region, the pressures they are experiencing, key management programs and additional needs. It is one of four background papers prepared in support of the Perth-Peel strategic directions discussion paper released by the Department of Water in March 2009. The four Department of Water background papers are: 1 Water efficiency, recycling and alternative water supplies 2 Waterways and wetlands 3 Climate change, water demand and water availability scenarios to 2030 4 Land and water planning

1 Water resources in this context do not include marine waters.

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1 Introduction 1.1 Waterway and wetland values

A waterway can be a creek, brook, river or stream, and include a lake, estuary or inlet at its base. Waterways also include floodplains and wetland systems that overflow into rivers, as well as any lakes or swamps that are filled (mainly) by streams rather than shallow groundwater. Wetlands not only include lakes with open water but areas of seasonally, intermittently or permanently waterlogged soil. Approximately 25 per cent of the between and Mandurah is classified as wetland (WRC 2001). The region’s waterways and wetlands are valuable natural assets because they provide habitat for aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna, and support biodiversity and threatened species. They drain land, transport and store water, and carry flood waters. Wetlands influence the water quality of rivers and streams by removing pollutants such as sediments, nutrients, organic and inorganic matter and some pathogens. Many of the region’s waterways and wetlands are recognised at regional, state and national levels for their ecological values, such as providing breeding grounds for migratory waterbirds. The Thomsons and Forrestdale lakes and the Peel–Yalgorup system are listed for protection under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. The region’s waterways are also valuable tourism assets and prized recreational areas. They provide a source of water for drinking, fisheries, agriculture, mining and other industries. A recent study estimated the private-sector value attached to the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary at a net present value of $5200–$19 930 million (ECS 2008). Waterways and wetlands support many in situ social values including: • recreation • cultural and heritage (Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal) • landscape and aesthetic • educational and scientific. Waterways and wetlands are important components of the state’s cultural landscapes2. George Seddon popularised the concept of ‘sense of place’ in his discourse about the Swan coastal plain (Seddon 1971). Natural landscapes and places are locations filled with history, memories, and emotional and symbolic meanings (Williams & Vaske 2003). The region’s water landscapes play an important role in the customs and spiritual beliefs of the Nyungar people. The landscapes are of cultural value through a spiritual or heritage connection stemming from knowledge of their ancestors using and living in these places (Estill & Associates 2005). Some waterways, such as the Swan River and the Peel-Harvey estuarine system, have iconic status as ‘special places’ within the region. The planned creation of the Swan Canning Riverpark under the new Swan and Canning Rivers Management Act 2006 (WA) and the Peel Regional Park (Peel Inlet, Harvey Estuary and the lower parts of the Murray, Serpentine and Harvey rivers) recognises how highly the community values these waterways and their contribution to the region’s landscape.

2 The concept of cultural landscapes integrates, for any one place, aspects of natural, Indigenous and historic, aesthetic, scientific and social heritage values (Jane Lennon & Associates 2001).

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1.2 Management responsibilities

The Department of Water is the lead organisation ensuring the management of waterways through its Waterways Program. The Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) is directly responsible for the management of wetlands. However, the Department of Water must also consider wetlands management as part of its responsibilities for the maintenance of aquatic ecosystems and water-dependent terrestrial ecosystems. The Swan River Trust (SRT) is responsible for management programs and projects to address threats to the ecological health and community benefit of the Swan- system. The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) assesses proposed actions that may have a significant environmental impact on wetlands and waterways. Some of the proposals it has assessed in relation to wetlands and waterways include estuarine marinas and urban development projects in catchments on the Swan coastal plain. Environmental protection policies of relevance to particular waterways and waterway catchments in the Perth-Peel region are: • Environmental Protection (Swan and Canning Rivers) Policy 1998 • Environmental Protection (Peel Inlet–Harvey Estuary) Policy 1992 • Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain Lakes) Policy 1992 • Draft Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain Wetlands) Policy 2004 Natural resource management (NRM) councils also play a significant role in waterways and wetland management. The Perth-Peel region falls within the areas of three catchment councils: the Northern Agricultural Catchment Council (Moore-Hill river basin), the Perth Region NRM (formerly the Swan Catchment Council) and the South West Catchments Council (includes the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council). In terms of water resources, the NRM groups focus on waterway health: developing river action plans, undertaking on-the- ground riparian management, and building capacity. The councils facilitate community and government partnerships and coordinate implementation of state and federal NRM policies and programs in the region. Both the Department of Water and DEC are members of the three NRM regional councils. Western Australia’s implementation plan for the National Water Initiative (NWI) indicates that the state ‘is actively working to strengthen integration between regional level NRM and water planning and management, including enhancing regional level coordination and implementation capacity’ (Government of WA 2007). A summary of the variety of wetlands and waterway programs being undertaken in the Perth- Peel region is contained in Appendix A. 1.3 Values under pressure

Within the Perth-Peel region, many waterways and wetlands have already experienced significant modification and degradation due to human activities such as water storages, agriculture, land clearing, urban and industrial land uses, recreation and tourism. The human pressures placed on waterways and wetlands can have dramatic consequences that are difficult to reverse, such as eutrophication, sedimentation, salinisation and acidification (Figure 2).

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Pressures on water resources Change in climate or Nutrient input Water storages rainfall pattern Livestock grazing Vegetation clearing Water extraction Channel excavation Pollutant input Overuse Acid sulfate soils Irrigation Artificial drainage Mine dewatering Water interception Exotic species Fire Filling Sprays

Effects on resource conditions Altered streamflow regimes Erosion and sedimentation Stream or groundwater salinisation Declining water quality Lowered watertables Altered stream processes Eutrophication Increased algal blooms Filled or stagnated river pools Acidification

Blockage to fish passage Weed infestation

Ecosystem fragmentation Increase in disease and mosquitoes Fish and invertebrate deaths Figure 2 Relationship between water resource pressures and conditions

More recently, a decline in rainfall and the prospect of greater climate change have emerged as significant pressures on water resources in the region. The declining condition of these resources threatens the many environmental, social and economic values they support. The Australian Government’s Coastal Catchments Initiative (CCI) has identified the Swan- Canning and Peel-Harvey catchments as water quality ‘hot spots’. Unfortunately, the pressures on the region’s waterways and wetlands are likely to increase with urban growth and further climate change. The health of many aquatic ecosystems, such as rivers and estuaries, is inextricably linked to the abundance and health of the wetlands in their catchments. It is estimated that 80 per cent of wetlands on the Swan coastal plain have been lost (EPA 2004b). Of the remainder, only an estimated 15 per cent retain high ecological values (WRC 2001). Many of the remaining wetlands on the Swan coastal plain have been modified to such an extent that their ecological functions bear little resemblance to their original state (EPA 2004b). Nutrients from urban stormwater and horticultural activities have disturbed the natural nutrient cycle in many wetlands. This nutrient enrichment can lead to water quality problems such as blue-green algal (cyanobacterial) blooms and increased numbers of midges and mosquitoes. Eutrophication, inundation of wetland vegetation, introduced fauna and weeds are widespread. Where vegetation corridors between wetlands and other native vegetation have been reduced and fragmented, further threats to ecosystem processes at the whole

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system level occur (EPA 2004b). Increasing development pressure in low-lying swampy areas with sulfide-rich peat soils heightens the likelihood of acid sulfate soil problems3. The region is part of one of the world’s 34 biodiversity hot spots (EPA 2007b). Many of the pressures on water resources (i.e. habitat loss and modification due to land practices, introduced species and climate change) are also threatening associated biodiversity values. Appendix B provides a brief overview of EPA guidance on wetland and waterway significance and key policy positions.

3 Soils containing significant levels of iron sulfide minerals pose a significant risk if oxidised when disturbed by drainage, dewatering or soil excavation. Potential impacts include: contamination of surface water and groundwater resources by acids, arsenic, heavy metals and other contaminants; increased mosquito breeding; fish kills; and loss of biodiversity in wetlands and waterways (Appleyard et al. 2006).

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2 Moore-Hill river basin The Perth-Peel regional water plan study area includes parts of three river basins: the Moore-Hill river basin in the north, the Swan coastal basin in the central area and the Murray River basin in the south. Each basin extends well beyond the eastern boundary of the plan area. The portion of the Moore-Hill river basin within the Perth-Peel region includes part of the Moore River plus Gingin Brook and Lennard Brook. The catchment has been extensively cleared (>50 per cent) for agriculture. There are land-use pressures due to diversification in horticulture and silviculture and population pressures in the coastal towns of Guilderton and Lancelin (NACC 2005). This portion of the basin contains poor sandy soils that allow nutrients from agricultural activities to absorb readily, making waterways and wetlands vulnerable to eutrophication. Gingin Brook contributes very high levels of nutrients to the Moore estuary, mainly from fertilisers (NACC 2005). Despite widespread land clearing, narrow bands of native vegetation remain along waterways, but the extent of riparian vegetation surrounding wetlands is largely unknown. Vegetation has been damaged by salinisation, waterlogging, grazing and trampling by domestic and feral animals and invasion by weeds. A network of levees constructed to prevent flooding of agricultural and semi-rural properties has modified the functioning of the Moore River floodplain. The Moore River is saline because its catchment stretches inland to low-rainfall areas that have salt-lake systems. Gingin Brook, which enters the Moore about 10 km from the coast, has year-round flow for most of its length due to freshwater springs and groundwater seepage (Mayer et al. 2005). Both Lennard Brook and Gingin Brook (at Gingin) are fresh. A rapid catchment appraisal (Alderman & Clarke 2003) of the Moore River and Gingin Brook reported the following conditions: • Bank erosion is severe and extensive on the Moore River with most pools now filled with sediment. • The old drainage line of the river may no longer be large enough or strong enough to contain the energy of floodwaters because there is: − a greater volume of water flowing off the catchment due to clearing − a reduction in the dissipation of the energy of floodwaters due to less fringing vegetation along the river − prevention of water dispersal over the floodplains by levee banks. • Stock has direct access to a large proportion of the river foreshore and septic tanks are used along both waterways. • Indicative of high levels of nitrogen, algal mats are often observed in the estuary during summer months. • Groundwater in the area contains elevated nutrients.

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3 Swan coastal basin The Swan-Avon river basin covers about 128 200 km2, stretching 500 km inland from the . While it is technically a single river basin, it is often referred to as two: the Swan basin and the Avon basin. The Avon River is officially renamed the Swan River below Wooroloo Brook. The Swan basin covers an area of 2126 km2. Land uses within the catchment range from agricultural to urban, including the Perth metropolitan area. The Swan River’s main tributary is the Canning River, which flows from the Darling Range and enters the Swan River at between the suburbs of South Perth and Applecross. 3.1 Swan-Canning conditions

High levels of nutrients are a priority environmental issue for the entire Swan River, as well as the middle and upper Canning River (SRT 2006). Other significant environmental issues affecting water quality in the Swan-Canning river system are altered and reduced river flows, loss of fringing vegetation, erosion and sedimentation and acidification. Flows into the Swan and Canning rivers have reduced as a result of a drying climate and the damming of major tributaries. Improved river flows are critical to reduce the impact of sedimentation from urban development and cleared rural catchments (SRT 2007). There are elevated bacterial levels in the upper Swan and Canning estuaries. A key source of contamination is stormwater entering the rivers from drains. Stormwater needs to be redirected from discharging directly into the estuaries to improve the bacterial quality of the water. The Swan-Canning Cleanup Program monitors nutrient levels in 15 of the 31 subcatchments. In these subcatchments, the total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorous (TP) levels of the Swan-Canning tributaries have consistently fallen since 2003. All have met short-term TN targets since 2003 and over half (53 per cent) have met the long-term targets (i.e. a six per cent improvement since 2003). All monitored tributaries have met the short-term TP target, with the exception of . Seventy-three per cent of tributaries have met the long- term TP target, but no improvement has been made since 2003 (SRT 2007). Non-nutrient contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides and herbicides also affect the Swan-Canning rivers. Leaking underground storage tanks at petrol stations are a widespread threat to groundwater, and contamination may eventually reach the Swan-Canning (EPA 2007b). Cumulatively, small- to medium-size enterprises (SMEs) remain one of the biggest sources of contamination but are almost entirely unregulated (SCC 2004). The SRT summarises the health of the Swan-Canning river system as follows: • Ecosystem health: the lower Swan estuary is good, the middle Canning estuary is fair, the middle Swan estuary is poor, and the upper Swan estuary and upper Canning estuary are seasonally very poor. • Fish: there are limited data on contaminant levels in fish, but available information indicates that fish caught in the Swan-Canning river system are generally safe to eat. • Recreation and aesthetics: the waters of the lower Swan estuary and middle Canning estuary are generally of good quality, the middle Swan estuary is generally of moderate quality and the upper Swan estuary and upper Canning estuary are of seasonally poor quality.

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The SRT’s Healthy Rivers Program is the second phase of the Swan-Canning Cleanup Program. The Healthy Rivers action plan (SRT 2007) aims to maximise the reduction of nutrients and other contaminants entering the rivers by directing funding to catchments that contribute the greatest amount of nutrients or other contaminants to the rivers. Where catchment management plans do not exist, water quality improvement plans will be developed to deliver river-health outcomes. Initial investment will focus on the priority areas of Ellen Brook, Mills Street Main Drain and Southern River (Figure 3), with the overall aim of reducing nutrient inputs to priority catchments by 30 per cent by 2015. Ellen Brook has the highest median TN and TP concentrations of the monitored catchments. The SRT recently released a Swan-Canning water quality improvement plan (SRT 2009).

Figure 3 Priority catchments of the Swan-Canning river system (SRT 2007)

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3.2 Gnangara and Jandakot mounds

Water levels in shallow groundwater systems are generally declining across the Gnangara Mound (Figure 4). Regionally the climate is becoming drier; reducing recharge and leading to lower groundwater levels. Superimposed on this regional trend are the effects of localised land use, vegetation, urbanisation and groundwater abstraction (McHugh & Bourke 2008).

Figure 4 Watertable decline on the Gnangara Mound between 1979 and 2003 (McHugh & Bourke 2008)

The superficial aquifer of the Gnangara Mound supports numerous ecosystems, including permanent and seasonal wetlands, springs and caves (e.g. National Park).

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Declining water levels in shallow groundwater systems have been linked with negative ecological changes and loss of biodiversity (Froend et al. 2004). Fire and drought-induced acidification are of concern in about one-third of the wetlands monitored on the Gnangara Mound (Clark & Horwitz 2005). The limestone caves in Yanchep National Park are drying out for longer periods in summer. Some of these caves support occurrences of the critically endangered aquatic root-mat community of the Swan coastal plain. These include very small subterranean fauna known as stygofauna. Some species may only exist in a single cave. If the current drying trend continues, some stygofauna species will be at extreme risk of extinction. The decline in the watertables has resulted in Ministerial water-level criteria being breached and a general deterioration of the environmental, social and cultural values of lakes and wetlands. The number of Ministerial water-level criteria breaches is increasing. In 2004, the EPA warned that management of Gnangara Mound groundwater was no longer sustainable (EPA 2004a). The Department of Water artificially supplements Lake Nowergup, a Conservation Category Wetland that provides habitat for waterbirds and turtles. To maintain water levels, the lake is supplemented with approximately 1.4 GL of water per year, sourced from the Leederville aquifer, at a cost of about $50 000 per year (McHugh et al. 2008). The Water Corporation’s artificial maintenance of Lake Jandabup has improved the lake’s quality but has been unable to keep up with falling water levels. A groundwater bore and pipeline has been established to re-hydrate part of the Yanchep cave system by putting local water mounds in place at seven of the caves that support root-mat communities (CALM 2005). In April 2007, the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy (GSS) was announced as a cross- government4 initiative to prepare an action plan to ensure a sustainable future for the mound. The GSS action plan is scheduled for release in mid-2009. On the Jandakot Mound the watertable has also declined. Some valuable wetlands have directly altered hydrological states due to drainage input. These are Thomsons Lake, Bibra Lake, Kogolup Lake and the Spectacles (McHugh et al. 2008). Table 1 displays examples of wetlands under pressure on the Gnangara and Jandakot mounds.

Table 1 Examples of groundwater-dependent wetlands under stress

Wetland Stress Location Lake Nowergup Water levels artificially maintained Gnangara Mound Lake Yonderup Severe risk of drawdown Gnangara Mound Big Carine Swamp Severe risk of drawdown Gnangara Mound Loch McNess Severe risk of drawdown Gnangara Mound Lake Jandabup Falling water levels despite artificial water-level Gnangara Mound maintenance Lake Gnangara Permanently acidified site. Severe risk of drawdown Gnangara Mound Lake Mariginiup Susceptible to acidification. Severe risk of drawdown Gnangara Mound Lake Pinjar Severely degraded from agriculture land use Gnangara Mound EPP 78 High risk of ecological impact due to water-level declines Gnangara Mound Kings Spring Severe risk of drawdown Gnangara Mound

4 The Department of Water has joined forces with the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, DEC, Department for Planning and Infrastructure, Forest Products Commission, Water Corporation and CSIRO.

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Wetland Stress Location Beenyup Road Severe risk of drawdown Jandakot Mound Swamp Thomsons Lake Severe risk of drawdown Jandakot Mound Spectacles North Severe risk of drawdown Jandakot Mound North Lake Severe risk of drawdown Jandakot Mound Forrestdale Lake Severe risk of drawdown Jandakot Mound Shirley Balla Swamp Severe risk of drawdown Jandakot Mound Mather Reserve Severe risk of drawdown Jandakot Mound Harrisdale Swamp Severe risk of drawdown Jandakot Mound Booragoon Lake High concentrations of metals in sediments Jandakot Mound

A recent Department of Water audit highlighted deficiencies in the current monitoring network at both criteria and non-criteria shallow groundwater system sites on the Gnangara and Jandakot mounds. The study concluded that a detailed investigation of shallow groundwater systems, including a substantial upgrade of the existing monitoring network, is required to maintain sustainable development of groundwater resources on the mounds (McHugh & Bourke 2008). 3.3 Salinity

Stream salinity shows a clear relationship between land clearing and mean annual rainfall. Rivers with very little catchment clearing are typically fresh, whereas those with significant clearing have higher salinities – unless they are in very high rainfall areas (Mayer et al. 2005). Two large tributaries of the Avon River – the and Wooroloo Brook – drain mostly cleared catchments (Table 2).

Table 2 River salinity status (Mayer et al. 2005)

River Salinity status Ellen Brook Marginal Brackish Brockman River Moderately saline Susannah Brook Fresh Swan River Moderately saline Wooroloo Brook Moderately saline Avon River Saline Canning River Fresh

An objective of the State salinity strategy (Government of Western Australia 2000) is to protect and restore key water resources to ensure salinity levels are kept to a level that permits safe, potable5 water supplies in perpetuity. The Helena River catchment is

5 The Australian drinking water guidelines (NHRMC 2004) sets the desired level of total dissolved solids in potable water at no more than 500 mg/L TDS (i.e. fresh).

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designated a ‘water resource recovery catchment’ (WRRC) for salinity management. The Helena River is the largest tributary of the Swan River: it currently contributes only 30 per cent of the inflow but 63 per cent of the salt load entering the Mundaring Reservoir (the source of public water supply for the Goldfields and Agricultural scheme). The transfer of freshwater from a pumpback dam constructed in 1971 provides up to 60 per cent of the water supply in dry years and allows the water in the Mundaring Reservoir to remain fresh (i.e. <500 mg/L TDS). A recent salinity-situation statement predicted that the salinity of the Mundaring Reservoir inflow will remain at 510 mg/L TDS – just above the 500 mg/L target – unless additional recovery actions are taken or the low rainfall continues. If the below-average-rainfall pattern continues, the mean annual salinity of inflow to the reservoir is predicted to decline below the 500 mg/L TDS target (Smith et al. 2007). A catchment recovery plan is in the early stages of preparation.

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4 Murray River basin 4.1 Values and conditions

The Murray River basin includes two river systems – the small, shorter Serpentine and the longer Murray – both of which drain into the Indian Ocean through the Peel Inlet near Mandurah. The Peel Inlet-Harvey estuarine system has significant ecological, recreational, commercial and scientific values. The estuary supports the largest professional and recreational estuarine fishery in the state (URS 2007). At more than 26 000 ha, the Peel-Yalgorup system is the largest Ramsar Convention site in the South West. It is an outstanding example of a shallow estuary and the largest in the region, with substantial areas of saltmarsh. In terms of waterbird numbers, the Peel-Harvey estuarine system is the most important in the South West (URS 2007). It is a principal stopover for migratory wading birds and a major drought refuge area for the region’s waterbirds. The Economic development and recreation management plan for the Peel waterways (WRC 2002) highlighted the many positive attributes of the waterways but concluded that without corrective action, the waterways could not sustain the increased recreational demands driven by population growth. Under such stress, the environment would decline further unless action was taken in the catchment to improve water quality throughout the system, and to restore the environment and habitats of the rivers, particularly the Murray and Serpentine. In 2003, the EPA reported that while the Dawesville Channel had been successful in improving water quality in the main body of the Peel Inlet and Harvey Estuary, water quality and environmental problems remained in the contributing rivers. These included deteriorating water quality in the lower reaches of the Murray and Serpentine rivers, such as increased nutrient concentrations, toxic phytoplankton blooms and fish kills. Where seasonal wetlands once existed in the catchments, large modifications to surface- water hydrology have occurred as a direct result of agricultural and urban development. Extensive drainage networks cross the coastal plain and have major impacts on river flows and water quality in the estuary. The networks intercept surface and ground waters and rapidly deliver nutrients and sediments directly to the waterways. The condition of the wetland systems and rivers are summarised in tables 3 and 4.

Table 3 Condition of wetland systems

Wetland Current land use Disturbance or threat system Peel- Nature conservation, commercial fishing Past/present: eutrophication, algal blooms, Harvey and recreation. Surrounding areas: mosquitoes, developments on the shoreline, estuary nature conservation, grazing, and dredging and dumping on tidal flats. recreational, residential. Urban areas Potential: further urban development and generally extend to the water’s edge. increased disturbance near the shoreline. Lake Nature conservation, pasture, grazing Past/present: eutrophication and exotic plants. McLarty and recreation. Wetlands generally lack Potential: groundwater extraction, too-frequent system buffers of native vegetation. wildfire, development and management of inflow drains. Yalgorup Nature conservation, recreation, pasture Past/present: algae (Cladophora vagabunda) Lakes grazing and rural smallholdings. covering thrombolites. Extraction of system Vegetation buffers surround some of the groundwater and nutrient input. Lack of plant smaller lakes but much of the site’s east buffers. Potential: human activity on the shore side has little or no buffer. of Lake Clifton and impacts on thrombolites.

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Table 4 Condition of rivers

River Condition Murray River Environment problems of water quality, bank erosion and loss of landscape values. Further urban and rural development along its course is a threat. North and Both rivers have been dammed, reducing downstream flow. Fringing vegetation has South been lost along parts of the rivers and bank erosion has been exacerbated by Dandalup rivers agricultural development. Serpentine River has been dammed, reducing downstream flow. Substantially altered by River extensive drainage of the coastal plain. Middle reaches affected by extensive river training, desnagging and levees. A significant source of nutrients to Peel Inlet. About 15 per cent of the riparian vegetation has been cleared or is badly degraded. (Source: URS 2007) 4.2 Water quality improvement plan

The state and federal governments co-funded the development of the Coastal Catchments Initiative (CCI) program for the Peel-Harvey estuarine system. A suite of CCI projects contributed to the development of the Water quality improvement plan for the rivers and estuary of the Peel-Harvey system – phosphorus management (EPA 2008). Figure 5 shows the three catchments6 covered by the plan. The plan’s main focus is reducing phosphorous loads. The large stores of phosphorus in the soils and sediments of the coastal portion of the Peel-Harvey catchment will take years to leach out of the soil. The plan is therefore a long-term one – as significant changes in water quality may require 20–50 years (EPA 2007a). The plan sets a median total-phosphorus-load target of 75 tonnes/yr for the estuary. The estuary’s current winter load is an estimated 145 tonnes/yr. About a 60 per cent reduction in phosphorous load (i.e. from 69 tonnes/yr to 21 tonnes/yr) is required in the Serpentine catchment. Measures to reduce phosphorus inputs to the estuary include: • management of agricultural land practices – better fertiliser, soil amendment and irrigation practices, as well as perennial pastures • management of urban land practices – better fertiliser and soil amendment practices, and water sensitive design • retrofitting of septic tanks with nutrient-reducing alternatives, full connection to sewerage, and clean-up of livestock practices • licensing of agricultural nutrient discharges • continued research and evaluation of best-management practices (BMPs) and reduction of barriers to their uptake • a monitoring and reporting program of suitable indicators and targets • community partnerships to promote awareness and collective resource management. In 2006, the state government announced its intention to replace the use of highly water- soluble phosphorus fertilisers with low water-soluble phosphorus fertilisers within environmentally sensitive areas (JGFIWP 2007). The change would help reduce phosphorous loads in the Moore, Swan and Peel-Harvey estuaries.

6 The Harvey catchment is outside the boundary of the Peel-Peel regional water plan but is included in the Department of Water’s South West regional water plan.

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Comment [__1]: subcatchme nt should be lower-case s and Figure 5 Peel-Harvey water quality improvement plan catchments (EPA 2007a) not have a hyphen in the map’s labels

In 2008, a DEC-led inter-agency working group formulated a plan to progress implementation of the Fertiliser action plan (DEC 2008). It recommended that the Environment Minister: • develop a State Environmental (Phosphorus Fertiliser) Policy • establish a management/advisory council with industry, user groups and government representation to oversee the implementation and review of the policy. The Peel-Harvey water quality improvement plan addresses only phosphorus loads but acknowledges other problems such as elevated nitrogen levels, estuarine and riverine habitat loss, acid soil drainage, and bacteria levels (EPA 2007a). These issues are to be addressed in a catchment management plan for the estuarine system. Other key environmental issues facing wetlands and waterways are large-scale clearing and the condition of remnant vegetation. Remnant native-vegetation cover ranges from about 5– 48 per cent and in many cases is dominated by weeds (PHCC 2007). The Murray River is

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seasonally brackish up to Pinjarra while the Serpentine River is seasonally brackish up to Lake Amarillo. 4.3 Drainage and stormwater planning

Rural drainage networks have already altered much of the Swan coastal plain. These networks not only convey excess water from the land, but also significant amounts of nutrients and other contaminants (e.g. pesticides) that make their way into receiving waterbodies. Rural drainage schemes were developed decades ago to enable agricultural development of the low-lying and poorly drained land. The Mundijong and Waroona drainage districts are located in the Peel subregion. These two districts have 1020 km of drains managed by the Water Corporation. There are also 2455 km of non-gazetted drains in the Peel-Harvey catchment. During the past 10–15 years, there has been a dramatic shift in the planning philosophy underpinning drainage and stormwater management. Current best-management practice7 greatly reduces emphasis on ‘end of pipe’ water quality treatment solutions and prioritises ‘preventative’ measures, such as: • retention of existing natural drainage lines • ‘at-source’ non-structural controls • small-scale infiltration systems. The sensitivity of the palusplain to urban development associated with the expanding south- west and south-east urban corridors is reflected in the following statement in the State of play of the Peel-Harvey eastern estuary catchment: There is a need for extreme caution to be displayed in all preliminary planning processes that are underway, until such time as the [Department of Water’s] Urban Drainage Initiative studies have been completed. There is a potential risk that proposals that are developed prior to the completion of this work may require substantial modification once the Urban Drainage Initiative work is complete. Without a cautionary approach, there is a risk that these developments may compromise the ‘water and sustainability’ outcomes sought through the Urban Drainage Initiative (URS 2007 p.108). The Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) is preparing a policy framework to guide the planning, development and implementation of a spatial plan for the southern segments of the Perth metropolitan area and the Peel region, in accordance with the principles of Network City (WAPC & DPI 2004). A broad urban growth strategy will inform the development of future structure plans for the area. The drainage and water management plans for the subregional planning area are integral to this work. Water saving urban design (WSUD) approaches to water quality and stormwater management rely to a large degree on the effective application of best-management practices (BMPs). These are practical, structural or non-structural methods that reduce the movement of sediment, nutrients, pesticides and other pollutants from the land to surface water or groundwater. The EPA has noted that deterioration in water quality from urban development cannot be ruled out. This is because modelling and experience do not yet allow confident prediction that water quality can be managed adequately (EPA 2008). There is a knowledge gap on how

7 The Stormwater management manual for Western Australia provides guidance on implementing best-practice urban stormwater management (Department of Water 2004–07).

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BMPs perform under Western Australian conditions. The Liege Street Wetland constructed in Cannington is one of the few demonstration projects to be evaluated (GHD 2007). A rigorous evaluation program is needed to determine the effectiveness of the various BMPs for WSUD under conditions similar to the Perth-Peel region. This knowledge would help the setting of appropriate water quality management targets. 4.4 Peel-Harvey system governance

Many stakeholders in the Peel region identified the need for more coordinated governance of the Peel-Harvey estuarine system. The SRT was identified as a governance model: it has one clearly identifiable management body that acts as an umbrella under which the trust and other agencies and groups conduct a range of programs for the betterment of the Swan- Canning river system. The Peel-Harvey system does not have a similar singular public face. As a result, often the public does not know which agency should be contacted on a given issue. Problem issues are passed from agency to agency before reaching the right hands and the system is inefficient. An inter-agency working group (EPA, WAPC, DAFWA, PHCC, PDC, DEC, DPI and the Department of Water) recently considered options for a new governance arrangement for the Peel-Harvey. It recommended a governance model whereby key partners in the region were represented and environmental planning and management were integrated with stronger urban planning and management, not only for the waterways but for all urban and rural lands.

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5 Waterways and wetlands as ecological linkages Much of the landscape in the metropolitan region, especially the coastal plain, is defined as: fragmented to such an extent that substantial loss of biodiversity has or is already occurring and the survival of remaining species even in large, consolidated, regionally significant areas will depend on well-planned and managed ecological linkages in conjunction with careful management of the protected areas that are being linked. Thus, the long-term viability and conservation values of Bush Forever sites, CALM-managed estate and regional parks depend in part on an effective network of regional ecological linkages (Del Marco et al. 2004 p.66). The Perth Biodiversity Project’s objective for ecological linkages is to connect natural areas, preferably with continuous corridors of native vegetation, in ways that allow fauna and flora to move between these areas to access resources and suitable habitat for survival and reproduction. Even relatively small natural-vegetation patches can serve as stepping stones for species dispersal or recolonisation. One of the primary goals of the State biodiversity strategy (DEC 2006) is to create large- scale regional ecological linkages that include a comprehensive conservation reserve system and complementary off-reserve initiatives. The SRT has advocated the establishment of linkages and greenways to form an integrated system of regional parks, conservation areas, recreation nodes and public spaces around water resources (SRT & WAPC 2002). At a regional scale, the following programs include a focus on ecological linkages: • Swan Bioplan (DEC) • Perth Biodiversity Project (WALGA) • Riverbank and Riverpark programs (SRT) • Ecological Linkages Program (Perth Region NRM) In highly fragmented landscapes, where continuous corridors of vegetation rarely exist, river environments and wetland chains are significant assets. Wetlands and waterways are natural linkages as their fringing and wetland vegetation provide a connection between terrestrial and aquatic environments. The vegetation provides habitat, protects aquifers and allows movement of genetic materials between populations. Figure 6 displays the regional ecological linkages identified by the Perth Biodiversity Project for the Perth metropolitan region. Wetland chains on the Gnangara Mound and near Rockingham and rivers including the Swan-Canning provide vital ecological linkages. Many of these waterways and wetlands are already in protected areas or regional parks and serve additional recreational and cultural/heritage purposes. Within the Perth-Peel region the native vegetation along some rivers and creek lines is limited and in poor condition (e.g. invasive species and stock access). Pressures include: • The foreshore reserves of some wetlands and waterways are vested in multiple parties (e.g. local governments and state government agencies). In such cases, active vegetation management is often limited or non-existent due to a shortage of resources. • Outside the metropolitan area, many waterways have yet to undergo floodplain mapping and there are few foreshore reserves in place. In areas such as the Brickman River in Chittering, there is increasing pressure to subdivide rural land holdings. In such areas, while the opportunity still exists, a proactive approach is

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needed to map the floodplains and establish foreshore reserves that complement the objectives of programs such as the Perth Biodiversity Project. Waterways that serve as ecological linkages will come under increasing pressures from climate change including: • increased flooding and inundation due to rising sea levels • decreased streamflows • increased sedimentation • reduced water quality • changes in the distribution and abundance of foreshore vegetation (SRT 2008). The highest priority for establishing waterway or wetland-based ecological linkages is the Peel-Harvey catchment, which is under increasing pressure from rapid urbanisation and higher levels of water-based recreation. The planning for the Peel Regional Park is ongoing (ERM 2005). The park will consist of the foreshores of the Peel-Harvey estuary and the floodways of the Murray, Serpentine and Harvey rivers that flow into the estuary (Figure 7). Key management issues for the park include: • conservation and protection of wetlands, particularly through maintenance and improvement of water quality by reducing nutrient inputs • protection and management of foreshores • protection of native vegetation • provision of ecological linkages.

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Figure 6 Draft regional ecological linkages for the Perth metropolitan region (Del Marco et al. 2004)

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Figure 7 Peel Regional Park

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6 Climate change 6.1 Potential impacts

Climate change has the potential to profoundly change the region’s waterways. An SRT study (2007) predicted the Swan-Canning river system would experience: 1 continued increases in atmospheric and water temperatures 2 an acceleration in sea and river-system water-level rise 3 decreases in winter rainfall and streamflow 4 decreases in groundwater levels and consequent flows to drains and streams 5 increases in warm spells and heat wave frequency. The Climate change, water demand and water availability scenarios to 2030 background paper explores the issue of climate change and its implications for water availability. By 2030, streamflows may decrease by ~25 per cent (relative to 1980–99) for the median climate scenario and by ~47 per cent for the drier scenario. These are significant reductions with large implications for water supply security and dependent ecosystems. As groundwater levels decrease, climate change may increase the risk of acidification and heavy metal contamination from disturbance of acid sulfate soils. A drier climate could exacerbate many of the region’s existing environmental problems. For example, estuaries and some other waterways would become more marine in nature. The amount of freshwater flowing into the estuaries would be reduced, as would the seasonal flushing effect that occurs during periods of high flow. The conditions of the estuary would become more closely linked with the conditions of the ocean tides. Since sea levels are expected to rise and storm surges to increase, this increases the likelihood of saltwater intrusion into the Swan estuary (SRT Technical Advisory Panel 2007). The impact of climate change on eutrophication and sedimentation is unclear. While the amount of sediments and nutrients entering the Swan-Canning is expected to decrease, retention of these particulates is expected to increase. This is because a decrease in rainfall translates to a decrease in runoff; however, it also means a decrease in streamflows. With decreased streamflows, sediments and nutrients will not be ‘flushed out’ into the ocean as they usually are during high flows. An extension of the warm, still conditions that characterise the ‘autumn’ phase of the Swan- Canning River could lead to less mixing, stronger stratification (layering) in the water column, low oxygen levels and increased nutrient release from the sediments. Such conditions favour the creation of algal blooms and place stress on aquatic organisms (SRT Technical Advisory Panel 2007). Climate change is expected to impact on biodiversity and species composition. Examining the likely local effects of climate change on the Peel-Harvey catchment, Hick (2006) described the following potential impacts on waterways and wetlands: • a change in species composition and a loss of valuable diversity in ephemeral wetlands • a reduction in water-logging and perhaps a reduction in stream salinity in the long term • higher sea level and greater tide flow and velocities resulting in the loss of some inter- tidal habitats including some Ramsar-listed wetlands

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• existing habitat and biological systems disappearing; some species will adapt, emigrate or will be restricted to refuges • new ecosystems will establish. 6.2 Ecological water needs

Ecological water requirements (EWRs) describe the water regimes needed to sustain the ecological values of water-dependent ecosystems at a low level of risk. Seasonal and annual variability of flow is essential to maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. Environmental flows within waterways are important to improve streamflow and to protect in-stream and riparian habitat and biodiversity. Groundwater abstraction and water storages on rivers have placed significant pressures on groundwater and surface-water resources and their dependent ecosystems. The declining watertable on the Gnangara Mound is having a negative impact on wetlands. Large public water supply dams and reservoirs in the Hills regulate many of the major rivers in the Perth- Peel region. In the case of Canning River system, the dams have reduced average annual downstream flows by 98 per cent. Most of the major dams were already in place before the concept of environmental flows or EWRs was introduced in the 1990s. EWRs and environmental flows have been defined for many of the region’s groundwater resources but few of the rivers affected by public water supply dams. In undisturbed environments, EWRs are determined with the aim of protecting existing ecological values at a low level of risk (WRC 2000). However, if a river has already been significantly modified, EWRs can be established to: • maintain the current key ecological values at low risk • maintain and/or enhance current key ecological values • restore pre-existing or pre-disturbance ecological values • provide for a combination of current key ecological values and key pre-existing natural ecological values (DoW 2007). For rivers in the region with major public water supply dams, returning flow regimes to their status before dam construction is impractical and unattainable – especially with a drying climate. However, the environmental flows set for the region’s rivers should be reviewed and to the extent it is feasible, the water regime should complement the needs of dependent wetlands and floodplains and downstream water quality. In some instances, this will require more water to be released from some public water supply dams. In other instances, the volume of flow may not change significantly but adjustments will be needed to the timing and nature of releases to mimic natural frequency, duration and seasonal flows. In the case of the Gnangara Mound wetlands and other groundwater-dependent ecosystems, determining appropriate management objectives will be an important part of the statutory groundwater water management plan that will follow the Gnangara Sustainability Strategy.

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Appendices Appendix 1 — Existing programs

Program Agency Summary Coastal Catchments SRT, EPA, A draft water quality improvement plan has been Initiative (CCI) PHCC, Perth prepared for Peel-Harvey and will be prepared for the Region NRM Swan-Canning. Aimed at reducing nutrient inputs. Swan-Canning system Swan-Canning Cleanup SRT Established to tackle the increasing incidence of algal Program (phasing out) blooms in the Swan and Canning rivers. The Healthy Rivers Program is the second phase of this work. Healthy Rivers Program SRT Eight key management programs to drive the next phase of managing the Swan-Canning river system: • Coordination • Healthy Catchments • Land Use Planning • Drainage Nutrient Intervention • Riverbank • River Health • River Guardians • River Science Non-Nutrient SRT Assesses non-nutrient contaminants in the system. Contaminants Program Includes the Swan-Canning Industry Project. Foreshore Assessment SRT, Perth The foreshore assessment is completed and a Program Region NRM foreshore management strategy published. Swan Alcoa Landcare SRT Goal is the retention, restoration and protection of Program bushland, coastal, wetland and riverine vegetation. Water Quality Monitoring Perth Region Part of the Integrated Water Management Program. and Evaluation NRM The framework will also provide the baseline for Framework monitoring and evaluation and enable the Perth Region NRM to evaluate its effectiveness in improving water quality. Sustainable Production Perth Region Wooroloo Salinity Management Project RDP NRM Bellevue Sustainable Industry Project SME Sustainability Project - pilot project focused on moving SMEs toward BMPs Superficial Aquifer Health Perth Region Implements projects to revegetate and fence riparian Project NRM areas in strategic areas. Avon Upper Swan Perth Region Focused on the implementation of the Ellen Brook and Nutrient Intervention and NRM Brockman River catchment plans. Salinity Amelioration Project Wetland Watch Perth Region Focuses on high-value wetlands on private property. NRM, WWF Wetlands Indigenous Perth Region Management of wetlands for Indigenous values. Project NRM Ribbons of Perth Region Encourages local communities to be actively involved Blue/Waterwatch WA NRM in learning about and protecting environmental water

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Program Agency Summary quality. Peel-Harvey system Rivercare PHCC Aims to protect and restore priority rivers in the catchment: • river action planning for the Murray River • drainage BMPs in the Serpentine River Peel-Yalgorup system PHCC Preparation of a management plan for the Ramsar- listed Peel-Yalgorup System. Ecological character description. Hotham Williams Murray PHCC A strategic initiative of the South West Catchment River Salinity Recovery Council, funded through the National Action Plan for Project Salinity and Water Quality. Man and the Biosphere PHCC, Alcoa This project is exploring the concept of a biosphere in Project the Peel-Harvey Local Government Water PHCC ICLEI Water Campaign Resource Management Project Design and operation of PHCC Development of a drainage management plan for the coastal drainage systems Peel-Harvey catchment Water quality EPA, PHCC A comprehensive plan to reduce phosphorous loads in improvement plan the Peel-Harvey system through changes to land management practices Moore River Rivercare NACC Aims to protect and restore priority rivers in the NAR, including the Moore River and Gingin Brook. Biodiversity Bush Forever WAPC/DPI Aims to protect a target figure of at least 10 per cent of the 26 original vegetation complexes within the SCP portion of metropolitan Perth. Perth Biodiversity Project Perth Region Supports participating local governments in NRM , DPI, implementing the National Local Government WALGA Biodiversity Strategy. SCP Targeted Biodiversity PHCC, SWCC Conservation of priority remnant vegetation within the Project Swan coastal plain. Ecological Linkages Perth Region Aims to identify species that depend on wildlife Program NRM corridors.

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Appendix B — significant waterways and wetlands

The information in this appendix is drawn from the EPA’s Draft guidance statement no. 33: Environmental guidance for planning and development (2005).

Wetland protection The EPA’s Position statement no. 4 on the environmental protection of wetlands (EPA 2004b) sets out the EPA’s overarching goals for wetlands, as follows: • to protect the environmental values and functions of wetlands in Western Australia • to protect, sustain and, where possible, restore the biological diversity of wetland habitats in Western Australia • to protect the environmental quality of the wetland ecosystems of Western Australia through sound management in accordance with the concept of ‘wise use’, as described in the Ramsar Convention, and ecologically sustainable development principles, regardless of land use or activity • to have as an aspirational goal, no net loss of wetland values and functions. The EPA considers that the wetlands below are of high conservation significance and require a high level of protection: • conservation category wetlands as identified on DoE’s Geomorphic Wetlands Swan Coastal Plain Dataset • wetlands protected under the Environmental Protection (Swan Coastal Plain Lakes) Policy 1992. • wetlands recognised by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance • wetlands supporting waterbirds listed in the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA) and the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA) • wetlands identified in A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia • wetlands in sites on the Register of the National Estate • wetlands in Perth’s Bush Forever sites and Regional Open Space in the Greater Bunbury Region Scheme and the Peel Region Scheme • wetlands in sites recommended for protection in the Systems ‘Red Book’ reports (Department of Conservation and Environment 1976–1983) except where superseded by later conservation recommendations adopted by government • wetlands on land vested for National Park or Nature Reserve purposes, sites endorsed by government for inclusion in the conservation estate, and sites recommended for the conservation estate by government agencies responsible for biodiversity protection and conservation • wetlands with significant vegetation, significant flora or habitat that supports significant fauna as accepted by the EPA, for example, threatened ecological communities, Declared Rare Flora, Specially Protected Fauna • wetlands identified as ‘conservation category’ following application of an EPA- recognised methodology

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• wetlands identified as having high conservation significance by an authority on wetlands, for example, DoE or the Department of Conservation and Land Management (CALM), or following a thorough process, subject to confirmation by the EPA. Table B1 Wetland management categories (EPA 2005)

Management General description Management objectives category Conservation Wetlands which support Highest priority wetlands. Objective is to preserve and a high level of ecological enhance the existing conservation values of the attributes and functions wetlands through various mechanisms including: • reservation in national parks, crown reserves and State-owned land • protection under Environmental Protection policies, • wetland covenanting by landowners. No development or clearing is considered appropriate. These are the most valuable wetlands and any activity that may lead to further loss or degradation is inappropriate. Resource Wetlands which may Priority wetlands. Ultimate objective is to manage, enhancement have been partially restore and protect towards improving their conservation modified but still support value. These wetlands have the potential to be restored substantial ecological to conservation category. This can be achieved by attributes and functions restoring wetland function, structure and biodiversity. Protection is recommended through a number of mechanisms. Multiple use Wetlands with few Use, development and management should be remaining important considered in the context of ecologically sustainable attributes and functions development and best-management practice catchment planning through landcare.

Waterway protection The position of the EPA is that all waterways have environmental significance. It is preferable to maintain the natural dynamic water regime of each waterway in terms of water quality, water course alignment, flow quantity and the timing of flows in and entering the waterway. The EPA’s objective for waterways is to maintain their integrity, ecological functions and environmental values (EPA 2004b). The EPA considers that the portions of waterways and their buffers in the areas listed below require a high level of protection during strategic planning, decision-making and ongoing management: • wild rivers (note: there are none in the Perth-Peel region) • areas endorsed by government for inclusion in the conservation estate • areas recommended for protection in the Systems ‘Red Book’ reports • areas reserved through the planning process for purposes which include conservation • ecological linkages that connect high-value conservation areas • key habitat areas, for example, key fish breeding areas and areas on which birds that are the subject of the JAMBA and CAMBA migratory bird agreements depend

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• other areas with significant vegetation, significant flora or significant fauna • areas that include significant wetlands • public drinking water supply catchments • all estuaries and inlets and their associated wetlands and buffers, except for portions agreed for uses such as ports following public processes accepted by the EPA • areas that include important landscapes or landforms or sites of high heritage significance • other waterway areas recommended for conservation by recognised authorities following rigorous processes as accepted by the EPA.

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Shortened forms BMP best-management practice CCI Coastal Catchment Initiative CALM former (department of) Conservation and Land Management CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation CAMBA China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement DEC Department of Environment and Conservation DAFWA Department of Agriculture and Food WA DPUD former Department of Planning and Urban Development DoE former Department of Environment DoH Department of Health DoW Department of Water DPC Department of Premier and Cabinet DPI Department for Planning and Infrastructure EPA Environmental Protection Authority FPC Forest Products Commission GAWS Goldfields and Agricultural Scheme GSS Gnangara Sustainability Strategy GW groundwater area ICLEI International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives ILWMP integrated land and water management plan IOCI Indian Ocean Climate Initiative IWSS Integrated Water Supply Scheme JAMBA Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement KIA Kwinana Industrial Area KIC Kwinana Industries Council KWRP Kwinana Water Reclamation Plant LGA local government area MAR managed aquifer recharge MRPA former Metropolitan Region Planning Authority MRS Metropolitan Region Scheme (MRS) NACC Northern Agricultural Catchments Council NRM natural resource management NWI National Water Initiative PDWSAs public drinking water source areas PHCC Peel-Harvey Catchment Council

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PDC Peel Development Commission POS public open space PPRWP Perth-Peel regional water plan PWS public water supply SCC Swan Catchment Council SDOOL Sepia Depression Ocean Outfall Line SME small- to medium-size enterprise SPP State planning policy SRT Swan River Trust SWCC South West Catchments Council UWPCAs underground water pollution control areas WALGA Western Australian Local Government Association WAPC Western Australian Planning Commission WCP water conservation plan WELS Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Scheme WRC Water and Rivers Commission (now Department of Water) WRMS water resource management strategy WRRC water resource recovery catchment WSUD water sensitive urban design WWF World Wildlife Fund – Australia WWTP wastewater treatment plant

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References Alderman, A & Clarke, M 2003, Moore River catchment appraisal: Resource Management Technical Report 263, prepared for the Northern Agricultural Region, Rapid Catchment Appraisal Team, Department of Agriculture. Appleyard, SJ, Angeloni, J & Watkins, R 2006, ‘Arsenic-rich groundwater in an urban area experiencing drought and increasing population density, Perth, Australia’, Applied Geochemistry, 21,1, 83-97. CALM – see Conservation and Land Management Conservation and Land Management 2005, Annual report (2004–2005), Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. Clark, JD & Horwitz, P 2005, Annual report for the wetland macroinvertebrate monitoring program of the Gnangara Mound Environmental Monitoring Project – spring 2004 to summer 2005, report to the Department of Environment, Perth, WA. Del Marco, A, Taylor, R, Clarke, K, Savage, K, Cullity, J & Milles. C 2004, Local government biodiversity planning guidelines for the Perth metropolitan region, Perth Biodiversity Project, Western Australian Local Government Association, Perth, WA. DEC – see Department of Environment and Conservation Department of Environment and Conservation 2006, Draft – A 100-year biodiversity conservation strategy for Western Australia: Blueprint to the bicentenary in 2029, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. Department of Water 2007, Environmental values, flow related issues and objectives for the Canning River, Western Australia: From the to Kent St Weir, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. DoW – see Department of Water Economics Consulting Services 2008, Peel waterways: An economic evaluation, prepared for the Department of Water. Perth, WA. ECS – see Economics Consulting Services EPA – Environmental Protection Authority Environmental Protection Authority 2004a, Environmental management of groundwater abstraction from the Gnangara Mound July 2000 – June 2003 – triennial report, Bulletin 1139, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. — 2004b, Environmental protection of wetlands, Position statement no. 4, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. — 2005, Environmental guidance for planning and development, Draft guidance statement no. 33, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. — 2007a, Draft water quality improvement plan for the rivers and estuary of the Peel-Harvey system, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. — 2007b, State of the environment report: Western Australia 2007, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. — 2008, Keralup (formerly Amarillo) masterplan, Karnup, EPA Bulletin 1281, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. Estill & Associates 2005, Study of groundwater-related Aboriginal cultural values on the Gnangara Mound, Western Australia, report for Department of Environment, Perth, WA.

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Froend, RH, Rogan, R, Loomes, R, Horwitz, P, Bamford, M & Storey, A 2004, Study of ecological water requirements on the Gnangara and Jandakot mounds under Section 46 of the Environmental Protection Act. Tasks 3 & 5: Parameter identification and monitoring program review, prepared for Water and Rivers Commission, Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University. Joondalup, WA. GHD 2007, Liege Street Wetland performance report 2005 to 2006, prepared for the Swan River Trust, Perth, WA. Government of Western Australia 2000, Natural resource management in Western Australia, The salinity strategy, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. Hick, P 2006, Understanding, quantifying & demonstrating the likely local effects of climate change & variability in the Peel-Harvey catchment, Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, Mandurah, WA. JGFIWP – see Joint Government and Fertiliser Industry Working Party Joint Government and Fertiliser Industry Working Party 2007, Fertiliser action plan: Phasing- out the use of highly water soluble phosphorus fertilisers in environmentally sensitive areas of South West, Western Australia, a report to the Western Australian Minister for the Environment, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. Mayer, XM, Ruprecht, JK & Bari, MA 2005, Stream salinity status and trends in south-west Western Australia, Department of Environment, Salinity and land use impacts series, Report No. SLUI 38, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. McHugh, SL & Bourke, SA 2008, Management area review of shallow groundwater systems on Gnangara and Jandakot mounds, prepared for Department of Water, Perth, WA. NACC – see Northern Agriculture Catchment Council Northern Agriculture Catchment Council 2005, Natural resource management strategy, Northern Agriculture Catchment Council, Perenjori, WA. Peel-Harvey Catchment Council 2007, PHCC DSS toolbox, Satellite Remote Sensing Services – Landgate, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. PHCC – see Peel-Harvey Catchment Council SCC – see Swan Catchment Council Seddon, G 1971, Sense of place: A response to an environment, the Swan coastal plain, Western Australia, UWA Press, Nedlands, WA. Smith, RA, Bari, MA, Dixon, RNM & Rowlands, DW 2007, Helena River salinity situation statement, Department of Water, Western Australia, Water resource technical series, no. WRT 34, 190p. Swan Catchment Council 2004, The Swan region strategy for natural resource management, Swan Catchment Council, Midland, WA. SRT – see Swan River Trust Swan River Trust 2006, Draft Healthy Rivers action plan, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA — 2007, Swan River Trust annual report 2006–2007: Caring for the Swan and Canning rivers, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. — 2008, Swan and Canning rivers foreshore: Assessment and management strategy, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA.

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Swan River Trust & WAPC 2002, Swan and Canning rivers precinct planning project: Precinct plan handbook, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. Swan River Trust Technical Advisory Panel 2007, Potential impacts of climate change on the Swan and Canning rivers, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. URS 2007, The state of play: Peel-Harvey eastern estuary catchment environmental assessment discussion paper, prepared for the Department of Water, Perth, WA. WAPC – see Western Australian Planning Commission Water and Rivers Commission 2000, Statewide policy no. 5, Environmental water provisions policy for Western Australia, Government of Western Australia: Perth, WA. — 2002, Economic development and recreation management plan for the peel waterways, prepared by Everall Consulting Biologists, Perth, WA. Western Australian Planning Commission & DPI 2004, Network City: Community planning strategy for Perth and Peel, Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA. WRC – see Water and Rivers Commission Williams, DR & Vaske JJ 2003, ‘The measurement of place attachment: Validity and generalizability of a psychometric approach’, Forest Science, 49(6): 830-840.

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