MINISTER’S FOREWORD

This Catchment Blueprint is part of meeting the challenge of finding new ways to manage the natural resources of . This is one of 21 catchment blueprints covering the whole of the State. The blueprints are 10-year plans for integrated catchment management. They represent a major step forward in our quest for balanced natural resource management in the rural, coastal and urban catchments of New South Wales. Building on the valuable work of the former catchment management committees, the blueprints contain specific and measurable targets to be achieved in a set period of time, and the management actions required in meeting these targets. Catchment blueprints are “whole-of-government” plans which have been developed through a community/government partnership. They set overarching natural resource priorities, consistent with NSW and Commonwealth Government policy. Other natural resource management plans, such as regional vegetation management plans and water management plans, will have regard to the blueprints. The blueprint management actions are not compulsory because the blueprints are advisory, not regulatory, plans. Their influence will be in setting the direction for managing the native vegetation, biodiversity, water sources and soils in our catchments. They also provide investment guidance, as the management actions represent the community’s preferred investment priorities. Many people have contributed to developing the blueprints. First and foremost, I thank the chairpersons and members of the 18 catchment management boards, the Hunter Catchment Management Trust, the and Wollondilly Catchment Management Committees and the Hawkesbury-Nepean Local Government Advisory Group for their commitment and hard work. It has been a great effort from people with wide-ranging backgrounds and views on natural resource management, including Indigenous people, working in a spirit of seeking consensus. I also thank the individuals, groups and organisations who made contributions in various ways, particularly those who took the trouble to make a submission during the public exhibition of the draft blueprints in March/April 2002. The boards, Trust, committees and Advisory Group carefully considered all submissions in revising the draft blueprints to produce this present version. I acknowledge the support provided by many staff of the Department of Land and Water Conservation and other NSW Government natural resource management agencies. The NSW Government endorsed the catchment blueprints in late 2002. However, the work is far from finished. It is now time to put the blueprints into action. The next step is to develop blueprint investment strategies that will contain more detail on the management actions, partnerships and funds required for implementation. In addition, the blueprints will be regularly reviewed to ensure that the targets and management actions remain adequate and appropriate. I commend this Catchment Blueprint to you. I urge you, your group or organisation to consider how you may participate in its implementation. I suggest that through the Department of Land and Water Conservation you make contact with the catchment management board or trust covering your area to discuss your potential involvement. Working together, we can improve the way we manage the natural resources that are so vital for the future of our State.

The Hon John Aquilina MP Minister for Land and Water Conservation February 2003

An Integrated Catchment Management Plan for the South East Catchment 2002 Published by NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation February 2003 ISBN 0 7347 5346 2 www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au Contents Page Vision ...... 4 Introduction and Board Members ...... 5 How this Blueprint will make a difference ...... 6 The Blueprint in Context...... 7 Format of the Blueprint ...... 8 Regional Map and defined sub-regions...... 9 First Order Objectives ...... 11 Biodiversity ...... 12 Water and Coasts...... 17 Soil Stability and Health ...... 24 Social and Economic...... 26 Outcomes analysis...... 29 Funding and resources...... 29 Where to from here...... 29 Prioritised Management Actions (2002-2012)...... 30 Management Actions (from 2013 onwards)...... 45 Appendix 1 Catchment Blueprint in context ...... 46 Appendix 2 Review of Catchment Blueprint ...... 47 Appendix 3 Example Incentive Scheme...... 50 Appendix 4 Reference points on Biodiversity...... 55 Appendix 5 Fauna List ...... 57 Appendix 6 Flora List...... 60 Appendix 7 Migratory Species List...... 63 Appendix 8 Bibliography and Data Sources ...... 67 Appendix 9 Definitions and Acronyms...... 69

The title of the Plan is the “Integrated Catchment Management Plan for the South East Catchment 2002”, also known as the “South East Catchment Blueprint”. The South East Catchment Blueprint has been prepared by the South East Catchment Management Board (under the Catchment Management Act 1989) to provide clear direction for action and investment. The blueprint commences in 2002/03 and has a term of 10 years. The area of operation of the Catchment Blueprint is shown by the map on page 9. In formulating the Catchment Blueprint, due regard has been given to Government policy and to the provisions of any environmental planning instrument under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 that applies to land within the area of operation of the catchment Blueprint.

Further information is available on the South East Catchment Management Board web-site at www.cmb.org.au/southeast. or by contacting the Board at PO Box 99 MORUYA NSW 2537 or phone 02 4474 1235.

3 We aspire to a future in which we achieve from our natural resources the greatest possible long term social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits for the region. We recognise the many achievements of the past and value the foundation they have provided to build a healthy and productive future. VISION FOR THE SOUTH EAST

We recognise Aboriginal spiritual, social and cultural connections to land and waters and are committed to ensuring that Aboriginal rights to land and waters, as enshrined in legislation, are not eroded. We call for new relationships with Aboriginal people in caring for and sharing in natural resource management, based on respect for traditional knowledge and perspectives.

4 Introduction

We live in a region of great productivity and rare beauty.

We all recognise that our natural resources need to be managed in a sustainable way. We want to protect what exists now, fix up the damage from the past and continue to improve current practices. If we work together in effective partnerships based on trust and respect, drawing on the knowledge, experience and skills within our communities, we can ensure that these resources continue to support us and are passed to the next generation as a significant base for the future.

All of us share the responsibility of working to achieve our economic, environmental, social and cultural goals. This Blueprint provides a framework for action and investment. It has drawn on the best available knowledge and technical advice, including the work of the previous catchment management committees. It also reflects the wisdom of the many submissions received during formation of the document, each taken as a serious contribution and carefully considered by the Board.

Based on these inputs, the Board has established the following principles:

• Sound management of the region's natural resources is essential to ensure the long term productivity and health of our communities. • All land managers have a responsibility for sound resource management. • Property rights of landowners must be respected. • The costs and benefits of conservation must be shared equitably by the whole community. • Voluntary conservation is critical to successful management and must be supported by appropriate incentives. • Rehabilitation plans must acknowledge and treat the root causes of problems.

The ambitious targets of the Blueprint will be successfully achieved where these principles guide the way for government and the community to work together.

Leadership by all government bodies demonstrating good management of public lands will be vital to generating momentum for private land management.

There is enough flexibility during the life of the Blueprint for the Board to be able to make adjustments as its knowledge base is improved, as additional resources become available and as impacts are assessed. There will be formal reviews at both five and 10 years. Each formal review will provide an opportunity for the Board and the community to comment on implementation, to review targets and actions and to consider any new priorities. The processes for making further amendments to the Blueprint are outlined in Appendix 2.

Board Members Primary Producers: Beverley Allen, Mark Fleming, Kerry Pfeiffer (Deputy Chair), Stephanie Shearer Nature Conservation: Keith Hughes, Chris Kowal, Den Robin, Robin Sevenoaks Aboriginal Interests: Ben Cruse, Frank Slabb Local Government: Leanne Atkinson, Garret Barry, Pam Green (Chair) State Government: Steve Dodds (State Forests NSW) Tim Shepherd (National Parks and Wildlife Service), Peter Simpson (Department of Agriculture), Axel Tennie (Department of Land and Water Conservation).

Executive Support The preparation of the Blueprint was assisted by Brett Miners, Justin Gouvernet and Nerrida Louttit from the Department of Land and Water Conservation.

5 How this Blueprint will make a difference

This Blueprint focuses on outcomes and the way we can work together to reach our targets. Challenges ahead include:

• Local Governments, environmental care groups, government agencies, businesses and individuals need to work in stronger partnerships to develop large-scale integrated rehabilitation programs to restore the health and productivity of natural resources. • Government agencies, both State and Federal, need to work in strong partnerships to maximise the delivery of programs. • Businesses need to be involved in equitably sharing and protecting natural resources. • The continuation of Landcare and community support is vital – on private and public land.

State and Federal agencies will be required to better manage and resource their responsibilities with long term commitments. This Blueprint places a large responsibility on both private and public landowners. Leadership by all government bodies demonstrating good management of public lands will be vital to generating momentum for private land management. The Board also recognises the immense value of the community in implementing many of the Board's actions to achieve targets. Better resourcing is part of the solution.

All spheres of government - Federal, State and Local - will use this Blueprint as a basis for regional funding priorities over the next 5-10 years, especially in areas of:

• identification and management of the biodiversity within ‘at-risk’ ecological communities; • protection of high value rivers, estuaries and coastal resources, equitable sharing of water resources and rehabilitation of degraded rivers; • improved soil health and a reduction of soil loss; • building community capacity to share responsibility and benefits of good natural resource management.

Effort should be put towards:

• increasing knowledge and skills of land managers to enable a sustainable balance between resource use and resource conservation; • addressing priority actions with projects big enough to make a difference; • ensuring that the mix of incentives, regulation and extension make effective use of resources; • developing protocols and setting benchmarks for monitoring and evaluation of projects.

The Board believes that the total of its management actions represent a comprehensive approach to the natural resource management issues of the South East.

6 The Blueprint in Context

The South East Region covers 1,965,821ha. It is bounded on the west by the Snowy Mountains and on the east seaward to three nautical miles. It encompasses alpine and sub-alpine areas, the legendary plains and high country of the Monaro, the rich coastal belt, major river and estuary systems. The population is 68,000. Population trends range from the growth of on the coast which has a population of 13,000 that is expected to double in the next 15 years, to the village of Delegate on the Monaro where the population has dropped from 500 to 350 over the past five years.

Approximately 70% of land is publicly managed (mostly in national parks or as state forest), the remainder is privately managed (which includes agricultural and urban land). This large amount of public land presents an excellent opportunity to provide connectivity between natural areas and agricultural areas to achieve broad-scale sustainable landscapes. In one of the most geographically diverse areas of , we enjoy a richness of eco-systems, scenery and cultural history.

In developing the Blueprint three broad sub-regions were identified so that the diverse landscapes and issues of the South East region could be more easily considered. They are Eurobodalla, Bega/Eden and Snowy/Monaro (see map on page 9). Due to size constraints of this document, it has not been possible to include maps of landuse, soils, forest/cover/types etc., but they, along with detailed work of previous Catchment Management Committees have been taken into account during the Board's deliberations.

The current economic and social prosperity of our region is centred around natural resources through primary industries including sheep, beef, dairying, fishing, timber production, horticulture, recreation, tourism, oyster farming, nature conservation, and urban development and manufacturing. In 1997 the total value of primary production in the region was estimated at $476 million (K. Thomas, pers comm). The value of tourism was estimated at $491 million (ACRDC, 1998).

Some of the factors impacting on catchment health include population expansion and resulting urban development, pest animal and weed invasion, intensive native and plantation forestry activities, water extraction, recreational and tourism pressures and periodic events such as droughts, fires and floods.

The Board has aimed to find a balance between a realistic document that provides a framework to achieve quite modest advances and a more visionary one that sets a range of challenging targets to stimulate innovation. As a result of community consultation, some of the targets were made more ambitious (eg noxious weeds) while others required staging (eg river rehabilitation). Adjustments have been made where original targets or management actions were considered not realistically achievable, given the likely level of investment in this region over the next decade. Even with more coordinated and efficient delivery of government services and enhancement funding from Federal and State governments, it has been necessary to move some management actions back in their delivery date. In some instances it has been necessary to put management actions beyond the 10-year scope of this Blueprint, with the intention that they are not lessened in value but rather retained to provide part of the foundation of the subsequent Blueprint (see page 45). This is the first effort at writing a natural resource management Blueprint in the South East and the process is an evolving one.

There are many issues that may require major work just to better define them and their resolution. In these situations the Board has laid out some of the steps and deliberately left the next phase open. An example of this approach includes issues associated with private timber plantations in the Southern Monaro and also developing ways for Koori communities to become more engaged in natural resource management. The Board does not want to prescribe the process, but rather intends that communities work cooperatively to set directions.

The Blueprint is the primary mechanism for integration for all natural resource planning. It sets overarching natural resource priorities for the catchment as a whole, consistent with national and statewide policy. Many of the actions and targets included in this catchment blueprint will inform the preparation of the regional strategy covering the catchment area (as part of the PlanFirst initiative). Work on regional strategies is commencing progressively and is expected to be completed over the next 5 years. It provides a framework, if necessary, for the community and government to jointly consider “negotiated outcomes” between natural 7 resources (ie what natural resource conditions we are willing to accept to get other benefits – within the constraints of legislation and government policy). Hence, draft regional vegetation management plans and water management plans must have regard to any relevant catchment Blueprints. New water and regional vegetation management plans must address targets in the relevant Catchment Blueprints and must demonstrate how their strategies will contribute to meeting those targets. Other natural resource management plans such as estuary management plans must also be consistent with catchment Blueprints. Links will be developed with Regional State of the Environment reporting process to enhance monitoring and avoid duplication. Appendix 1 includes a diagram that aims to describe the Catchment Blueprint in the context of other planning mechanisms being used. Format of the Blueprint

First Order Objectives provide a statement of the community’s values about the desired state and functioning of the area’s natural resources. The are found on page 11 and relate to all Catchment Targets.

The Blueprint has four main sections, Biodiversity, Water and Coasts, Soil Health and Social and Economic. Each section is commenced with a broad Catchment Target that all Management Targets and prioritised Management Actions aim to meet. Management Targets and Management Actions are listed in each section and then a prioritised list of all Management Actions illustrating the way in that many relate to more than one management target can be found commencing on page 30. The diagram below describes the relationship between objectives, targets and actions.

This Blueprint has been written in a format set by the NSW State Government (DLWC, 2000)

FIRST ORDER OBJECTIVES provide a statement of the community’s values about the desired state and functioning of the area’s natural resources.

CATCHMENT TARGETS are an acceptable condition of natural resources at a specific point in time that: (a) provide broad indicators of catchment health, and (b) are specific, measurable, achievable and relevant.

MANAGEMENT TARGETS are the level of action needed to achieve a catchment target within a specified time, being action that is specific, measurable, achievable and relevant.

MANAGEMENT ACTIONS specify who is to do what by when in order to meet the Management Targets and Catchment Targets. These are then prioritised.

Members of the South East Catchment Management Board

8 Regional Map and defined sub-regions

9 10 First Order Objectives

First Order Objectives provide a statement of the community’s values about the desired state and functioning of the area’s natural resources. The South East Catchment Management Board has five First Order Objectives:

1. To support cohesive, profitable and productive communities committed to the ecologically sustainable management of natural resources.

2. To manage the range of ecological communities to: • support and enhance primary production systems; • protect and enhance biodiversity and healthy functioning ecosystems by supporting and encouraging all land/water managers' contributions to conservation management.

3. To maintain and improve the health of rivers, lakes, wetlands, estuaries and coastal waters by balancing resource use and conservation needs and treating the causes of degradation.

4. To maintain or improve soil stability and health through improved land management practices that, where possible, enhance the social and economic wellbeing of the region.

5. To increase the recognition and understanding of the: • cultural diversity and heritage of the whole community; • cultural landscapes and practices of Aboriginal people; • natural significance of the region.

11 Biodiversity

Biodiversity Catchment Target

(Long term target) By 2025, across the South East landscape there will be a full range of functional ecological communities being managed in a way that makes the most of production and at the same time conserves biodiversity.

By 2012, through voluntary participation, the area of private land managed to conserve vulnerable ecosystems presently under-represented in the formal reserve system will increase:

• from the present 6,500 hectares to 20,000 hectares for connections between ecological communities, especially along rivers. (Crown land managed for connectivity will increase to 200 hectares);

• from 100 hectares to 5,000 hectares for the conservation of rare and threatened ecological communities. (Crown land managed for the conservation of ‘at risk’ communities will increase to 50 hectares).

Explanation The conservation of biodiversity is critical to the depends on the healthy functioning of natural continued health of the region - for the preservation systems. of species and for sustainable primary production. Biodiversity is defined as the variety of natural life The Biodiversity targets have been set in the forms – the different plants, animals and context of the Statewide Policy of ‘no net loss’. microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form. The Board has targeted weeds and pest animals that reduce productivity and the biodiversity of The South East is fortunate in having large areas of land and water, for immediate and continuous relatively undisturbed Crown and public land to action and has brought forward target dates in help protect the region’s biodiversity. Most of the response to community concern. public lands are managed as national park, nature reserve or state forest, and there are significant Mapping and identification will be part of parcels of Crown lands. The Comprehensive measuring the effectiveness of on-ground Regional Assessment of forested ecosystems, action. conducted between 1996 and 2000, showed that while a large proportion of the biodiversity resource See Appendices five and six in regard to the rare occurs on public land, most of the remaining ‘at and endangered species that occur in our region. risk’ ecological communities occurred only, or predominantly, on private land. For this reason, the The Board recognises that the rural landscape is participation of private landholders is vital in likely to be a mixture of: conserving the region’s biodiversity. They will be • A-lands managed for intensive use. able to take advantage of a wide range of material • B-lands managed through production and financial incentives and local extension advice. systems designed to deliver balanced economic and conservation outcomes. Biodiversity encompasses marine, estuary, • C-lands managed for multiple uses to freshwater, wetland and terrestrial ecosystems that provide habitat value and connectivity, underpin our primary production and recreational especially along creeks and rivers. industries. Similarly valuable and vulnerable • D-lands managed for conservation ecosystems exist in the west of the region in the form of native grasslands, woodlands, sub-alpine The setting of targets for an appropriate mix of and alpine areas. land uses for each sub-region needs to take place through consultation with affected Landowners have already done a lot to conserve communities. Landholder rights are to be valuable remnants and wildlife habitat, recognising protected. also that long-term sustainability of their properties

12 Accordingly, a range of incentives and actions are on private land in conjunction with improved being developed to support landholders in management of public lands. managing for biodiversity, that broadly relates to these categories: • Environmental benefits include - Improved • A - Intensively managed lands. Primarily the habitat quality and quantity. Connectivity responsibility of the landowner. between important remnant patches and • B – Multiple or mixed use lands, in which Crown and public land and protection of both conservation and production outcomes vulnerable forest and grassland ecosystems. are aimed for. The Board is seeking Reduced impact on natural ecosystems from significant support for the following:- weeds and pest animals. An enhancement of ◊ Research into improved pasture systems the water quality in rivers, streams, wetlands, that can deliver conservation without floodplains, lakes, lagoons, estuaries and reducing production. coastal waters. ◊ Cooperative programs that control agricultural and environmental weeds that • Social benefits include - A robust community are threatening biodiversity. underpinned by sustainable natural resources. ◊ Demonstration projects on farms. Greater opportunities for Aboriginal cultural ◊ Identification of those large areas of land use of flora, fauna and place. Greater that is currently delivering balanced opportunities for using the Biodiversity production and biodiversity outcomes. resource as a basis for scientific research, For example, sustainable grazing of some education and tourism. Reduced social stress sections of the Monaro grasslands is due to a more effective battle against currently providing habitat for the agricultural weeds. A closer working endangered Legless Lizard. relationship between public and private land • C - Connectivity and habitat value lands. managers. Incentives focussed on gaining multiple outcomes along river corridors such as • Economic benefits include - Enhancement of enhancing biodiversity and water quality and existing land management regimes that are sustaining limited production. delivering biodiversity outcomes for • D - Conservation lands. The Board is seeking landholders and the broader community. The support from government to identify ability to gain an economic return (via ecological communities that are remnants or incentives or other market-based mechanisms) at risk of disappearing, and to provide a full for protecting high conservation value range of incentives to enable landholders to ecological communities. Provision of a look after them for future generations. strategic framework to enable investment by government and private organisations in These incentives can also apply to other important conservation outcomes. An improvement in parts of the landscape, such as threatened species environmental services, eg: pest control, for habitat, areas critical for connectivity and primary production. Reduction of pest sensitive features such as wetlands, floodplains, animals such as wild dogs enhances primary lakes, lagoons and estuaries, and Crown lands. production and therefore the ability of See Appendix 3 for an example of the variety of landowners to make a commitment towards incentive types currently available under the biodiversity conservation. Possible new uses Voluntary Biological Diversity Conservation of native plant species for bush tucker and Strategy for Private Lands in the Eden CRA pharmaceuticals. Financial benefits from region. Other possible incentives yet to be fully conservation eg: shelter belts and shade trees. explored and developed include tradeable rights Enhanced opportunities for tourism and and rate rebates. ecotourism. A diverse income source from integrated farming activities including timber Benefit Statement as a hedge against fluctuating agricultural The intent of this target is to assist the current markets and financial returns from the sale of efforts of landholders to manage land and waters posts, poles and sawlogs. funds. for biodiversity and production outcomes by encouraging voluntary biodiversity conservation

13 Desired Biodiversity Outcomes

25000 Land managed 20000 for connectivity 15000 Land managed 10000 for conservation of vulnerable 5000

conservation (Ha) ecological communities 0

Area identified and managed for 2002 2012

The catchment target aims to increase both the area of land managed for connections between vegetation patches (mostly along river corridors) and land managed for the conservation of vulnerable ecological communities. This will be encouraged through the use of incentives and extension services to landholders.

Biodiversity Management Targets • Bega/Eden sub-region - African Lovegrass, Bitou Bush, Blackberry, Bridal creeper, Broom, Caulerpa, Chillean Needle Grass, BMT1 Identify and conserve high and medium Fireweed, Giant Parramatta Grass, Lantana, conservation value ecological communities by Pine wildings, Salvinia, Serrated Tussock, establishing and funding comprehensive Spiny Burr Grass, St Johns Wort and Willow. biodiversity conservation schemes commencing in: • Eurobodalla sub-region – African Lovegrass, Bitou Bush, Blackberry, Bridal • Eden CRA region by 2002 (completion by Creeper, Broom, Caulerpa, Chillean Needle 2005). Grass, Fireweed, Giant Parramatta Grass, • ‘Snowy/Monaro’ region (Part of the Lantana, Privet, Salvinia, Serrated Tussock, Southern CRA region) by 2004 Spiny Burr Grass, St Johns Wort and Willow. (completion by 2007). • Snowy/Monaro sub-region - African • ‘Eurobodalla’ region (Part of the Southern Lovegrass, Blackberry, Broom, Chillean CRA Region) by 2004 (completion by Needle Grass, Fireweed, Pine wildings, 2008). Salvinia, Serrated Tussock, Spiny Burr Grass, These schemes will follow the new approach used St Johns Wort and Willow. in the Voluntary Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy in the Eden CRA Region BMT4 By 2005 the processes will be in place to that focuses on incentives, voluntary action and maintain the weed and pest-free status of all areas local management. These schemes may include that are free of pests and weeds (as at 2001 strategic native species revegetation. (The sub levels). The processes will include a combination regions in BMT1 refer to the map in Appendix 3 of community education/information sharing and and not on page 9) coordination of all land managers.

BMT2 By 2012 identify all Crown lands (using the Crown land assessment process) with significant biodiversity values and implement appropriate reservation and management actions.

BMT3 By 2012 the area of public and private land and waters (within specified sub regions as per map on page 9) infested with following high priority weeds will not exceed year 2000 levels: 14 BMT5 • Mapping of existing terrestrial, freshwater • By 2005 the following pest animals levels will and marine vegetation and reporting on be reduced in accordance with the status/trend of native vegetation. management plans of the regulatory authority: • Regional planning mechanisms that wild dogs, wild pigs, rabbits and; ensure the viability of threatened species, • By 2005 Management Plans will be populations and ecological communities. developed to control the following pest • Utilising fire management and risk plans animals: to assist with overall biodiversity foxes, wild horses, feral cats, wild goats, deer outcomes. and; (DLWC—2012) • By 2012 Management Plans will be developed and implemented for alien fish BMA2 Develop and implement integrated control (defined as gambusia, weather loach, carp). strategies for priority weeds including: African Lovegrass, Bitou Bush, Blackberry, Note: Weed and pest animal lists will be regularly Bridal Creeper, Fireweed, Serrated Tussock, St reviewed. The Board will request weed and pest Johns Wort and Willow. animal management plans from agencies and local (NSWAG—2003 and ongoing) government as part of any agreement (plans will include strategies for private land). BMA3 Develop and implement integrated control strategies for the following priority species: BMT6 By 2002 there will be no deterioration in wild dogs, foxes, wild goats, wild pigs, wild the status (as at 2001) of listed endangered, horses, wild cats, rabbits. (RLPB—ongoing) vulnerable and potentially threatened species and communities. BMA4 Develop and implement integrated control strategies for emerging agricultural and Biodiversity Management Actions environmental weeds including: Broom, Caulerpa Chillean Needle Grass, Giant Parramatta Grass, Lantana, Pine Wildings, Privet, BMA1 Implement a Biodiversity conservation and Salvinia. (NSWAG—2003) scheme in

• Eden CRA Region by 2005 – implementation BMA5 Maintain the weed and pest free status of in progress – Voluntary Biological Diversity all areas that are free of pests and weeds. Conservation Strategy. (NSWAG, NSWF—ongoing) • ‘Snowy/Monaro’ Region (part of the Southern CRA region) by 2007 – plan development in BMA6 Establish a system of marine protected progress. areas. (NSWF—2001 ongoing) • ‘Eurobodalla’ Region (Part of the Southern CRA region) by 2008. BMA7 Implement recovery actions for threatened (See Map in Appendix 3) species and ecological communities listed in To achieve the Biodiversity Catchment Target Appendices 5 and 6 with priority given to those elements of the scheme will include: species: • Incentive programs (see Appendix 3 for • that are known to be declining or are likely to example of how an incentive program is decline in the short to medium term; or for operating in the Bega/Eden region). which • Development of plans that identify areas • recovery actions can be implemented in the critical for linking, enhancing, short term. rehabilitating and protecting important (NPWS—2002 and ongoing) remnant vegetation (including paddock trees) and fauna habitat including suitable BMA8 Support recovery plans and habitat habitat for threatened species. protection for migratory waders, shorebirds and • Establishment of demonstration sites. sea bird colonies. (NPWS—2002 and ongoing) • Information programs to encourage management of land for conservation. • Weed management programs for controlling environmental weeds, particularly in priority areas.

15 BMA9 Develop new South East regional BMA12 Develop a landscape management tool approaches (including investigation of incentives for landuse change (which includes the plantation and market based mechanisms) to support the forestry industry in the Southern Monaro) that existing approaches (existing incentives, helps make negotiated outcomes between programs, techniques) to achieve the desired environmental, economic and social values. conservation outcomes. (DLWC—2012) (DLWC—2005)

BMA10 Negotiate reform for weed control and BMA13 Support recovery plans and habitat establish monitored trial zones for a new South protection for threatened fish and marine species, East regional approach. This may include: including grey nurse shark, great white shark, • a review of current systems; green sawfish and the black cod. (NSWF—2012) • research into biological and other forms of, control; BMA14 Undertake a review of threatening factors • trialing innovative approaches. on biodiversity values and address any threats that (NSWAG—2005) are not being adequately considered. (NPWS, NSWF—2012) BMA11 Develop and implement integrated control strategies for pest animals, including alien BMA15 Develop vegetation management plans fish (defined as gambusia, weather loach and covering three sub regions (see map on page 9) carp) and emerging pest species (freshwater or that builds upon the schemes developed in BMA1. marine). (NSWF—2002 and ongoing) (DLWC—2012)

16 Water and Coasts

Water and Coasts Catchment Target By 2012 river flow objectives will be met in the 24 priority catchments and the health indicators (including water quality) in priority rivers; coastal areas and estuaries will be improved by a minimum of 10%.

Explanation Managing river, estuarine and coastal systems can To meet so many demands requires equitable be complex and often needs a range of sharing between resource users, minimisation of approaches, but all of the actions must work any upstream and downstream impacts of using cooperatively together. this resource and equitable access to human and • Water sharing plans ensure equitable use of financial resources to improve the current water between all users and the environment. condition of water bodies in the South East. • River, Lake (including ICOLLS) and Wetland rehabilitation plans direct efforts in Water sharing agreements facilitated by the water streamside/waterside vegetation protection management committees are one of the critical and establishment, erosion and sediment steps in ensuring equitable access to water by all stabilisation and water quality improvement. who need it. Over time these agreements will be • Fish management plans direct efforts in the formalised as Water Sharing Plans under the NSW stocking and harvesting of recreational and Water Management Act 2000. There are six (6) commercial species as well as rehabilitation major river basins (Clyde, Deua, Tuross, Bega, of important habitat. Towamba and Snowy–Genoa Rivers) in the South • Estuary management plans are implemented East, comprising a total of 122 recognised sub- to direct rehabilitation and ensure catchments. A total of 24 of these sub-catchments development pressures do not reduce our have been listed as priorities for water sharing estuarine health. agreements on the basis of their hydrological • Coastal management plans assess risk to stress ratings. coastal assets and the environment and ensure development pressures do not compromise Similarly there are 66 rivers that are considered to significant coastal ecological resources. be under medium or high environmental stress • The coastal policy guides action (including due to loss of riparian vegetation, erosion and development) in the coastal zone. sedimentation, barriers to fish passage or decline of water quality which require rehabilitation. • Stormwater management plans are a requirement of Local Government. They Those rivers that have water sharing plans will be prioritise works, minimise pollutants entering the main priorities for complementary the system and have an education component. rehabilitation efforts. The intent however, is not • Floodplain management plans are coordinated just to rehabilitate badly degraded rivers, lakes by Local Government and minimise risk to and wetlands but to also improve and protect the communities from flood damage. condition of the many high conservation value • Crown land assessments provide sustainable rivers and estuaries so that they are not degraded future land use options for Crown lands on the over time. beds and foreshores of estuaries and along the coast

There are many pressures on our fresh water resources including: the need for high quality drinking water for urban and rural areas, water allocations for irrigation and stock and environmental needs to protect wetland and aquatic habitat.

17 The three Tiers of river rehabilitation They are also subject to increasing pressures from River rehabilitation plans will incorporate three changing economic and social patterns. The tiers (or stages): region not only attracts development pressure but • Tier 1. The minimum level of effort required also suffers impacts from increasing and to stabilise the river, preventing further sometimes inappropriate use. Some of the significant decline. This will largely involve pressures include: dealing with key threatening processes that • habitat loss through displacement of valuable often include weeds such as willows and ecological communities by other uses; blackberry and contemporary erosion and • degradation of habitat, sedimentation, sedimentation issues. Works might include vegetation loss and associated reduction in willow and blackberry control, some creek water quality; frontage is fenced and stock access managed • invasion of habitat by exotic flora and fauna; for conservation/production outcomes, critical • reduction in fish resources through over use or erosion sites and sediment sources treated. inappropriate fishing methods; • Tier 2. The level of effort required to begin • loss of visual amenity through over the river recovery process that can be development or development in unsuitable expected to lead to significant river health locations; improvement over the long term. Additional • inadequate management structures and works might include major weeds and erosion policies to assess and deal with proposed uses controlled, key reaches have limited stock that are potentially incompatible with access and have improving quality of riparian ecological function, habitat preservation, vegetation. resource conflicts and visual amenity. • Tier 3. Major rehabilitation program that will lead to substantial river health recovery in the The region is an important location for fishing, medium term. Additional works might tourism, recreation and residential living. It is include; major recovery of strategic river increasingly important to identify the thresholds reaches including major improvements in for sustainable use and to have planning control of riparian weeds and erosion as well arrangements that protect the values that underpin as substantial areas of high quality riparian the present uses. The Blueprint’s influence vegetation. extends three nautical miles offshore therefore targets and actions cover activity within this The coastal and tableland landscapes of the South region. East are regarded as a critical resource on which the region's tourism, fishing and recreational industries depend.

River, Estuary and Coastal Management Programs

Coastal Coastal Policy Management Plans River/Lake/ Wetland Stormwater Rehabilitation Plans Management Plans

Estuary Management Water Sharing Plans Plans

Floodplain Management Plans Fish Management Plans Crown Land Assessments

This diagram illustrates that all the above policies and plans are inter-related

18 Benefit statement The intent of the catchment target is to ensure • Social benefits include – Long-term equitable access to available water, to give greater protection of resources for lifestyle (eg: security to water users, while also promoting swimming), recreation, cultural practices and water for aquatic ecosystems and to achieve an tourism and long-term sustainability of water improvement in the quality of both surface and resources. Improvements in the sustainability groundwater systems over the next 10 years. of present and proposed uses of coasts, estuaries and lakes. Improved health and • Environmental benefits include: safety conditions and protection of valuable Improvement in ecosystem function through ecological and community resources from agreements to provide environmental flows disturbance or adverse impacts. and the gradual return to more natural flow regimes. Protection of ecological systems and • Economic benefits include - An agreed water processes through the maintenance of water sharing plan for priority rivers that ensures quality parameters at a level that sustains resources are shared during periods of low these processes. Improved riparian flow. New opportunities for action in the management and protection of high quality riparian zones. Sustainable fisheries resources rivers and estuaries. Provision of and protection from impacts of development management structures and strategies to on fish habitat. Protection of existing assess the likely impact and appropriateness aquaculture and evaluation of possible effects of any proposed catchment development of proposed developments or changes of use (including the impact of development of the in estuaries and lakes. Protection of the coastal landscapes) on the environment and environmental resources that underpin amenity values of the region. sustainable tourism and residential amenity on the coast and tablelands, and in the estuaries and lakes.

Note: there are many rivers and many issues, not all will be the highest priority in the next decade.

River Flow Objectives sharing agreements in place N 30 umber of catchments with water

25

20

15

10

5

0 2001 2012 Year

The diagram indicates an existing slow increase in the number of rivers with water sharing agreements in place. The aim of the catchment target is to accelerate this process (using informal agreements if necessary) to ensure that landholders equitably share water resources and to ensure provision for environmental and cultural needs.

19 Water and Coasts WCMT10 By 2012 80% of actions are implemented from existing flood plain Management Targets management plans.

WCMT1 By 2012 the number of high priority WCMT11 By 2012 rivers with formalised and implemented water • all wetlands in the South East region are sharing arrangements will be 24. Priorities will be mapped and rapid assessment of current status determined in consultation with Water and management priorities are completed; Management Committees. • the 25 top priority wetlands will be fenced and managed (including rehabilitation and WCMT2 By 2012 the number of river restoration of function where appropriate). rehabilitation plans that complement water sharing arrangements will be 24 and the number of river rehabilitation plans for other priority Water and Coasts rivers and estuaries will be eight (8). The Management Actions priorities will be determined in consultation with Water Management Committees. WCMA1 24 water sharing agreements will be implemented in accordance with water WCMT3 By 2005 management plans will be in management committee priorities and will target a place for the rehabilitation and ongoing protection combination of stressed and high conservation of the Clyde River and other high conservation river. Plans will include baseline condition and rivers, estuaries, lakes and lagoons as assessed by monitoring to report on river health. (Water Water Management Committees and Coastal Sharing Plans also address fisheries issues such as Management Committees. barriers to fish passage etc).

WCMT4 By 2012 groundwater management SOUTH COAST WATER MANAGEMENT plans will be in place for three (3) high use aquifer AREA CATCHMENTS systems. Water Sharing Plans in Stressed Catchments WCMT5 By 2012 primary faecal coliform inputs High Priority to priority rivers and lakes will be reduced by at • Wandella Creek least 40%. • River • Dry River WCMT6 By 2012 primary sediment inputs to • Narira Creek priority rivers and streams from roads, tracks and • Tantawangalo Creek laneways will be reduced by at least 50%. • Wolumla Creek Candelo Creek WCMT7 By 2012 the nine (9) estuary • management plans currently being developed or • implemented will have been audited to ensure • their implementation is complete and their Medium Priority revision is being undertaken. • (Regulated) • WCMT8 By 2003 coastal management • committees will be established for Eurobodalla • Buckenboura River and Bega Valley Shires to determine priorities for • Sandy / Stony Creek coastal management plans; and by 2012 Lower Priority preparation of plans for additional high priority • Dignams Creek areas will be undertaken as consistent with the • Creek NSW Government’s Coastal Package. • Yowrie River

WCMT9 By 2006 best management practice (Continued over page) implemented for stormwater and sewage management and best management achieved greater than 90% of the time.

20 Water Sharing Plans in High Conservation River Rehabilitation Plans implemented to tier 1 Value Catchments (except where specified otherwise) in Stressed High Priority Catchments • Clyde River catchment High Priority Medium Priority • Wandella Creek • high conservation value streams where • (rehabilitated to tier 2) development pressure is occurring • Dry River • Narira Creek SNOWY GENOA AREA CATCHMENTS • Tantawangalo Creek • Wolumla Creek Water Sharing Plans in Stressed Catchments • Candelo Creek High Priority • Araluen Creek • • Tuross River • Medium Priority • Alpine areas supporting skiing industry • Brogo River (regulated) Medium Priority • Towamba River • Wullwye River • Pambula River • . • Buckenboura River (DLWC—2012) • Sandy / Stony Creek Lower Priority (limited actions) WCMA2 Develop and implement river • Dignams Creek rehabilitation plans to Tier 1 (The minimum level • Merimbula Creek of effort required to stabilise the river, preventing further significant decline. This will largely • Yowrie River involve dealing with key threatening processes which often include weeds such as willows and River Rehabilitation Plans developed and blackberry and contemporary erosion and implemented to tier 1 in High Conservation sedimentation issues) for: Value Catchments High Priority SOUTH COAST WATER MANAGEMENT • Clyde River catchment AREA CATCHMENTS Medium Priority • high conservation value streams where River Rehabilitation priorities for catchments development pressure is occurring without water sharing plans (Coastal priorities only, Snowy/Monaro region SNOWY GENOA AREA CATCHMENTS priorities to be determined) • Millingandi, current plan developed to protect River Rehabilitation Plans developed and Merimbula estuary implemented to tier 1 (excepted where specified • Tomaga River catchment, complete pilot otherwise) in Stressed Catchments water quality management plan High Priority • Belowra, to complement section 10 project • Snowy River (rehabilitated to tier 3) • • • Wagonga • Bombala River Medium Priority • Wapengo • Wullwye River • Coastal Creeks/lakes - rural (includes Brou, Lawler, Cullendulla, Borang, Congo, • Maclaughlin River. Candlagan, Kianga, Nangudga, Corunna, (DLWC—2012) Tilba, and Benandarah). For coastal lakes estuary management plans may be prepared • Coila system

21 WCMA3 Negotiate plans to protect high quality • sewage and stormwater reuse schemes rivers, lakes and lagoons (including ICOLLS) encouraged. estuaries, wetlands and groundwater systems (DLWC—2012) especially where development pressure is occurring or has the potential to occur. Priorities WCMA5 Improve water quality by implementing will be determined in conjunction with water and evaluating programs at a large enough scale to management committees, estuary management reduce sediment inputs from roads, tracks and committees and coastal management committees. laneways to priority systems. This will be As a part of this, water resources (rivers, lakes and through implementation of the following changes: lagoons, wetlands and estuaries) will be: • increasing the number of sealed approaches at • assessed and ranked according to their priority water course crossings (priority is vulnerability by 2003; based on slope, soil type, pattern of use, etc); • their protection status formalised by 2003; • best management practice for all new roads will be implemented by all Local government • their status recognised in planning bodies, National Parks and Wildlife Service instruments by 2005. and State Forests; Priorities for protection include: • increasing the number of private tracks rehabilitated (following recommendation from SOUTH COAST WATER MANAGEMENT SCWMC prioritisation); AREA CATCHMENTS • increasing participation in sediment High Priority management courses for machinery operators • Clyde River catchment (eg road builders), landholders, etc • Tomaga River (DLWC—2012) • Towamba River Medium Priority WCMA6 Develop and implement estuary • HCV streams where development pressure is management plans for nine (9) estuaries. The occurring Estuaries are: SNOWY GENOA AREA CATCHMENTS • Clyde High Priority • Moruya • . • Tuross and Coila Lakes (Planning NSW—2005) • Tomaga • Wagonga WCMA4 Improve water quality by implementing • Wallaga and evaluating programs at a large enough scale to • Merimbula and Back Lake reduce faecal coliform inputs (from introduced • Lake Curalo sources) to priority systems. This will be through • Wonboyn. implementation of the following changes: Other estuary management or rehabilitation plans • a reduction in the number of uncontained to be prepared for emerging priority systems. effluent spill events through implementation (LG—2012) of best management practice; • an improvement in waste management WCMA7 Develop and implement coastal systems in dairy farms through application of management plans under the Comprehensive Best Management Practice (and take-up of Coastal Assessment process and set high priority relevant incentives); areas. Coastal management committees will • an increasing number of riparian zones will be determine priorities. fenced (this may include a greater take-up of (LG—2012) riparian fencing incentives) and provision of off-stream watering points; WCMA8 Implement priority actions identified in • septic system inspection, upgrade (where the Healthy Rivers Commission report of the necessary) and operation approvals for 1000 Bega River according to specified timelines. owners per year; (DLWC —completion date to be specified) • introduction of a further 10,000 dung beetles per year for 3 years; WCMA9 Map and undertake rapid assessment of • provision of sewage pumpout facilities (See all wetlands in the South East region to determine WCMA16); current status and assess management priorities. (DLWC—2012) 22 WCMA10 Floodplain management plans WCMA14 Undertake measures to reduce sewage developed and implemented for priority areas to and ballast pollution from vessels by auditing direct future urban development. commercial vessels. (Waterways—2005) (LG, DLWC—2012) WCMA15 Undertake an education campaign for WCMA11 Groundwater management plans private vessel owners on the importance of negotiated and implemented for groundwater containing all pollutants on board. systems in priority of: (Waterways—ongoing)

SOUTH COAST WATER MANAGEMENT WCMA16 Increase the number of pumpout AREA CATCHMENTS facilities in the estuaries of the South East region High Priority in priority order of: • Araluen by 2005 • Clyde River/Batemans Bay (by 2004) • Bega Sands (Bega River) by 2012 • Merrimbula Lake Medium Priority • Wagonga Inlet • Kiah Sands (Towamba River) by 2012 • Bermagui (sustainable yield negotiated) • Eden Note: Coastal Priorities listed only, • Moruya Snowy/Monaro region priorities to be determined (DLWC, Waterways—2012) in consultation with Water Management Committee. (DLWC—2012) WCMA17 Develop an interstate arrangement for water sharing and river management of the Snowy WCMA12 Implement contaminated land and Genoa rivers. (DLWC—2003) management plans affecting surface and groundwater for priority sites. (LG—2007) WCMA18 Develop Fish Habitat Action Plans (including fish management) for three (3) priority WCMA13 Identify Crown lands (using the catchments, being: Crown land assessment process) with significant • Clyde water catchment, coastal protection, coastal • Brogo biodiversity and coastal recreational values and • Snowy. implement appropriate reservation and (NSWF—2003) management actions (including land suitable for consideration under the Coastal Land Protection WCMA19 Encourage water sensitive urban Scheme). design (including re-use and other demand (DLWC, Planning NSW—2012) management strategies) for all new developments and redevelopments. (LG—2012).

23 Soil Stability and Health

Soil Stability and Health Catchment Target By 2012 the rate of soil loss across the South East region will be reduced by 10% and the health of the soil resource will be maintained at current levels or enhanced.

Explanation Soil pH and vegetative cover have been identified Management of our soils has two main aspects. as two key parameters that have a significant The first is controlling soil loss, both from the impact on soil health and also provide a development and progression of gullies and from measurable base from which we can determine sheet erosion across the broader landscape. The trends. second aspect is the maintenance and/or enhancement of soil health that is measured with The loss of soil from the catchment generates a a range of physical, chemical and biological significant load of fine sediment to the rivers and parameters. waters of the catchment. Following is a brief approximation of the generation of sediment from Soil loss occurs through active gully erosion as the gullies of the South East Board region. The well as through sheet, rill and wind erosion across average sediment yield is estimated to be in the broad areas of the landscape and is directly order of 100 tonnes per kilometre per year. affected by changes in the density of and type of Mapping has identified 1600 km of extreme to vegetative cover. The recognition of soil serious and 1033 km of minor to moderate gully landscape limitations as summarised in the land erosion within the Board area (Angus, et. al capability classification (classes determined by 1999). Reducing the average annual sediment soil characteristics, slope and climate) provides a release by 10% or 25,000 tonnes would require sound basis for stabilisation of the soil resources the rehabilitation of approximately 80 km of by appropriate vegetation management (from extreme and serious and 60km of minor to Higginson, 1970 and Jacks, 1946). Soil health is moderate gullies. Stream bank erosion and bed complex and is measured using of a range of lowering are other major sources of sediment physical, chemical and biological parameters. within the region's rivers and waters.

Soil loss through active erosion

250000

r Current Trend

225000 Target Tonnes of soil lost/yea

2002 2012

The current trend indicates a gradual reduction in the loss of soil from the environment (due to works that stabilise soil in active gullies). The soil catchment target especially seeks to improve this through further programs and projects to reduce the amount of soil lost into priority rivers, wetlands and estuaries.

24 Benefit Statement Soil Stability and Health The intent of the soil target is to reduce the erosion and transport of soil and to maintain soil Management Actions health by holding degradation processes. SMA1 Implement property planning program to • Environmental benefits include - Protection establish and promote land capability and of ecological systems and processes (flora, sustainable land management practices. fauna and habitat) dependent on a stable soil (NSWAG—2012) resource. Reduced soil loss and quality decline, thus maintaining productivity of the SMA2 Develop integrated rehabilitation projects soil resource. Increased soil stabilisation to incorporating 'Section 10' and other funding reduce input of sediment and associated sources to control soil erosion in the following nutrients to streams and waterways (this is priority locations (Angus et. al., 1999): especially important for sensitive waterways). • Belowra • Dalgety/Numbla Vale • Social benefits include - Improvements in the • Wandella. sustainability of agricultural production, (DLWC—2012) providing greater security for communities responding to various changes and challenges. SMA3 Facilitate the preparation and Improved health and safety conditions and commencement of implementation of an alpine protection of culturally important sites from erosion rehabilitation plan which outlines priority erosion disturbance. areas, methods, costing and an implementation schedule. (NPWS—2006) • Economic benefits include - Sustainable agricultural productivity from the SMA4 Establish soil pH baseline and trend using maintenance of soil health. A reduction in existing soil test data. (NSWAG—2012) costs from erosion. A reduction in numerous off-site impacts associated with soil and SMA5 Facilitate pilot projects and knowledge nutrient loss to the rivers and waters of the transfer (eg: Keyline techniques, benefits of catchment (eg turbidity, high nutrient levels organic production) to improve soil condition. and blue green algae outbreaks). (NSWAG—2012)

Soil Stability and Health SMA6 Facilitate pasture management programs to promote sustainability through production and the Management Targets maintenance of soil health. Raise awareness of acidity problems such as those occurring in the SMT1 By 2012 80km extreme/serious gully Bombala area. (NSWAG—2012) erosion and 60km minor/moderate priority erosion will be rehabilitated and stabilised using proven SMA7 Facilitate the identification, control and soil conservation techniques. remediation of all exposed Acid Sulphate Soils. (LG—ongoing) SMT2 By 2006 prepare an alpine erosion rehabilitation plan, identifying priority areas.

SMT3 By 2012 the baseline for soil acidity will be established and maintained at year 2001 levels.

SMT4 By 2012 control and remediate all exposed acid sulphate soils.

SMT5 By 2012 a sustainable soils strategy will have been developed and implemented that aims to enhance soil quality (this incorporates Keyline land development, organic soil treatments, etc).

25 Social and Economic Social and Economic Catchment Target By 2012 a mix of incentives, regulations and extension programs will be in place to achieve the biophysical targets of the Blueprint for the priority natural resource management areas of: • biodiversity conservation (refer to Biodiversity section starting page 12); • weed control (refer to Biodiversity section starting page 12); • water quality improvement (refer to Water and Coasts Section starting page 17). Explanation Aboriginal and other cultural heritage of the The three main factors that influence how people region. Higher quality projects put forward by manage their natural resources are financial gain or community groups. loss, regulatory imperatives and extension (advice/education) programs. Questions often • Economic benefits include - Better returns on asked are: investment due to more effective programs. A Money: “How much money will I lose if I Better returns to government because money is make this management decision”? and “Will the invested strategically. incentive programs help me cover costs if I lose production to deliver conservation outcomes”? Social and Economic B Regulatory Pain: “Does regulation allow me to do this action”? and “Will I be prosecuted for Management Targets undertaking this action”? C Attitude: “Will this action help my SEMT1 Develop a package of the most effective neighbours or broader community”? and “Will this combination of incentives, regulation and extension action make the land better/worse for the next programs to achieve catchment targets in the face generation “? of rural adjustment and demographic change for: • biodiversity conservation programs on private The South East Catchment Management Board is land by 2002; committed to negotiating with the government to • river corridor management programs by 2003; deliver the best combination of incentives, • weed and pest animal control programs by regulations and extension programs that provide the 2005. right reasons for people to manage their natural resources for profit and conservation. Examples of SEMT2 By 2005 there will be greater use of better approaches are the introduction of the Native mechanisms such as statements of commitment, Vegetation Incentive Fund and various memorandums of understanding, and regional and Commonwealth Government programs that enable local agreements between local councils, state landholders to voluntarily conserve high government agencies, regional organisations and conservation vegetation. This complements the Aboriginal communities to facilitate negotiation Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 that, via and Indigenous involvement in natural resource regulation prevents broad scale destruction of planning processes. valuable vegetation communities. SEMT3 By 2003 sustainable resourcing of Benefit statement community support and capacity building will be The intent of this target is to provide natural achieved in accordance with the regional Landcare resource managers and users with techniques and and community support strategy tools that enhance broad social, economic and environmental outcomes while improving the SEMT4 By 2008 strategies for sustainable resource viability of their enterprise. use will be developed. This includes settlement strategies for all coastal areas to be developed in • Environmental benefits include - Quicker accordance with draft Coastal Settlement Strategy achievements of targets because landholders (by 2006) and settlement strategies for all non- have balanced and clearly defined reasons to coastal areas. manage the resource base well.

• Social benefits include - A more inclusive approach to sustainable natural resource management. An improved understanding of

26 Social and Economic • provide information to the Geographic Names Board, local councils, schools, other Management Actions educational institutions and the community about the Aboriginal names in the South East SEMA1 Broker training opportunities and capacity region with the aim of increasing knowledge of building programs that: Aboriginal history and cross-cultural • resource Landcare and other community awareness. support networks and implement community (Aboriginal Organisations, NPWS—2005) support strategy (this includes local Indigenous land management facilitators); SEMA6 Undertake a review of comparative effort to identify weaknesses in current approaches to • support and fund community capacity building natural resource management. This review would small grants program; compare resources spent per hectare in incentives, • support training opportunities/programs for resources spent per year in compliance costs and community groups, which improve their resources spent per year in education programs capacity to manage their natural resource base; compared to results achieved. (DLWC—2003) • run multi-skilling programs for existing extension/compliance personnel to natural SEMA7 Measure and audit progress towards resource management; targets to enable reporting to government and the community, estimate appropriate baseline • education programs to identify the learning conditions using a range of tools and enabling needs of the community; community access to data. • foster, promote and support community and (DLWC—2002 and ongoing) care group involvement in and implementation of measures to protect and rehabilitate coastal SEMA8 Broker with Federal, State and Local environments, biodiversity resources and Government integrated investment programs across riparian environments. the region that provides for long term program (DLWC—2002) development and delivery of integrated resource rehabilitation projects. SEMA2 Liaise with Aboriginal people to: • nominate appropriate people to form a (DLWC—2002 and ongoing) consultative reference group for natural resource management issues; SEMA9 Broker and chair inter-agency • support the operation of the above group and coordination groups to: other Aboriginal networks; • develop resource implementation plans; • develop a register of Aboriginal groups and • integrate landscape management projects at a individuals willing to serve on natural resource scale able to rehabilitate priority areas; boards and committees. • ensure cross border liaison occurs with all (DLWC—ongoing) relevant groups. (DLWC—2002) SEMA3 Broker and evaluate programs for increasing involvement of Aboriginal people (and SEMA10 Improve the effectiveness of planning for other key identified groups) in natural resource sustainable development using the Plan First and management in: Land Capability programs by undertaking a pilot • Bega/Eden Region by 2002. (Bombala Shire Council region). • Eurobodalla Region by 2003. (Planning NSW—2005) • Snowy/Monaro Region by 2004. (regions are defined on page 9) SEMA11 Develop Aboriginal sites profile to (DLWC—2004) enhance existing registers (national, State and local registers exist but are incomplete). SEMA4 Implement the Snowy Outcomes Package (Aboriginal organisations, DLWC, NPWS—2012) to gain maximum social and economic benefit from rehabilitation of the Snowy River. (DLWC—2004) SEMA12 Broker an integrated research strategy to address information gaps in areas of: SEMA5 Facilitate initiatives to: • management systems for multiple uses of rural • research and record the names of significant land; Aboriginal place and landscape features; • assessment of capabilities of landscapes to 27 integrate further human settlement; • an outline of technical studies completed; • environmental benefit of water sharing plans; • an outline of technical studies currently under • habitat and flow requirements for native fish way; species in the region, particularly focusing on • mapping information that is available. natural fish nurseries; (Planning NSW—2012) • research into nuisance animal damage on stream banks and other drainage lines. SEMA17 Create links between the Regional State (DLWC, NSWF—commencing 2002) of the Environment reporting processes and the Blueprint to enable cohesive, relevant monitoring SEMA13 Identify areas unsuitable for future urban and reporting. (EPA—2012) and rural residential growth as consistent with the Draft Coastal Settlement Strategy guidelines SEMA18 Fifteen new (or expanded) initiatives will (including identification of areas susceptible to sea- be established that maintain or enhance the natural level rise and climate change). (LG—2008) resource base of the region including: • facilitate implementation of the South East SEMA14 Facilitate the development and Aquaculture Strategy by 2004. Other implementation of a 'code of practice' for ecologically sustainable resource initiatives management of private native forest to allow will be reviewed as they arise; sustainable private forestry, including its use for • identification of suitable soil remediation habitat value, connectivity and other environmental project areas for the application of high quality services (including commercial returns). composted product; (SENSWPF—2004) • identification of opportunities for further organic farming initiatives; SEMA15 Encourage the development of integrated • identification of opportunities for recycling or farm forestry practices including planting of native sorting of waste products. vegetation as shelter belts, protective buffers to (SRD, other agencies as appropriate—ongoing) remnant native forest, sediment, nutrient and pasture weed buffers, riparian stabilisation and SEMA19 Maintain a register of interested wildlife corridors. members of the community whom would be willing (SENSWPF—2012) to serve on Natural Resource Boards and Committees. (DLWC—ongoing) SEMA16 Rationalise information bases of various agencies and organisations making the information more available to permit informed planning decisions. This may include:

28 Outcomes analysis

The South East Catchment Blueprint has prioritised actions to meet the catchment targets. Without such a Blueprint, the development of water sharing plans for the South Coast, a biodiversity conservation scheme for the Eden region and limited soil conservation works would address targets to a lesser extent. Almost two thirds of the region would not have the opportunity to take part in an integrated vegetation management program. Water sharing would not be resolved for the Snowy region and soil conservation schemes may not be focused for maximum benefit for the region. Additionally, an evaluation of the existing resources put into extension, regulation and education may indicate a different balance would be more effective and cost less. This Blueprint will integrate existing programs and work with new ideas and action. It also provides for optimisation of investment across natural resources. Targets and actions should improve the health and overall prosperity of the region as compared with not implementing this Blueprint.

Likely environmental outcomes include: improved environmental water quality in rivers, lakes, estuaries, wetlands, groundwater and coastal systems; agreed water-sharing plans ensuring low flows are maintained; maintenance and enhancement of vegetation networks and habitat, including conservation of threatened ecosystems; high priority land degradation is targeted to reduce soil loss. Likely social outcomes include: maintenance of drinking water quality; enhanced resource base for cultural, tourism and recreational use; increased capacity of the community to participate in natural resource management; recognition by the community that protecting natural ecosystems and maintaining biodiversity are fundamental elements of sustainable agriculture. Likely economic outcomes include: increased ability for community participation in natural resource management through incentive programs; a prioritised focus for resource investment in the region.

Funding and Resources

The South East Catchment Management Board has already started work in the Eden CRA region by convening a local management team to undertake the Voluntary Biodiversity Conservation Strategy with funds allocated under the Native Vegetation Management Fund. Local Government municipalities or authorities will continue to play a vital role in natural resource management and will be major signatories to the Board's Statements of Joint Intent in each area. It will be the work of the Board to assist in gaining the funds necessary to undertake the actions in the Blueprint. There are many existing sources, such as Natural Heritage Trust (NHT) in its many forms, other Federal and State schemes, redirection of future agency budgets, across-agency funding and corporate investment. Some actions will be achievable within current budget structures with better prioritisation and co-operation across government agencies, landholders, local government and the community in timing and placement of works. Where to from here?

The South East Catchment Blueprint sets the direction for investment and action in the region’s natural resources. An implementation and investment strategy will be prepared by the agencies, Local Government and the community under the guidance of the South East Catchment Management Board. The Department of Land and Water Conservation, in consultation with other agencies, Local Government, and specific groups, will produce an annual progress report. The Board will use this report to assist its audit of the catchment Blueprint implementation and to report to the Minister, also on an annual basis. The Blueprint will be reviewed in one year. A mid-term review of progress towards targets will be prepared under the direction of the Minister. The South East Catchment Blueprint will be revised at least twice before the completion of 2012.

29 Prioritised Management Actions (2002-2012)

The following Action Plan prioritises actions needed to achieve management targets. This also nominates the responsible (Lead) and supporting authorities, sets the timeframe for completion of the action and an indicative costing. The entire suite of Management Actions is estimated to cost in the order of $98.39 Million.

Key to Management Action Table Column Description Priority Shows priority of each action in descending order. Issue Shows the key issue (Biodiversity =”B”, Water and Coasts =”WC”, Soil stability and health =”S”, and Social and Economic =”SE”) and the number of the most important management target that each action addresses (an action may also support other management actions). For example, all actions working directly towards meeting the first Soil management target would have “S1” in the “Issues” column. Status Shows the current status of the management action (“Ex”- is an existing action, “En”-an enhancement of an existing action, “New”- is a completely new action). Lead Organisation Shows the organisation that is involved in the implementation of the management action, and also has the role of initiating, coordinating and reporting on the total implementation of the management action. The lead organisation would generally be a single organisation (unless for very specific actions where more than one organisation is involved and the organisations have distinct responsibilities within the management action). More than one lead organisation only to be nominated if there is really no other option. The lead organisation is selected because: ! It will clearly make the major contribution to the implementation of the action, or ! It would best be able to coordinate the other organisations, where there is no major contributor, and a number of organisations are expected to make a similar contribution. The organisation may only have a minor role, compared to some others.

The role of the lead organisation will be to: ! Initiate the management action. ! Coordinate supporting organisations identified as contributing to the management action. ! Develop a management action work program at a broad level, agreed to by all Supporting Organisations. Assistance in the development of the work program would generally be sought from the Supporting Organisations. ! Develop and implement a detailed work program for their activities. ! Monitor the progress of the implementation of the management action. ! Report to the Board/Trust on implementation.

30 Column Description Supporting Shows all other organisations nominated as being involved in the implementation of the management action. Organisation The role of the supporting organisations will be to: ! Assist the lead organisation in the development of the broad action work program. ! Develop and implement a detailed work program for their own activities. ! Cooperate with the lead organisation in the timely implementation of the management action. ! Report their progress on the implementation of the detailed work program to the lead organisation.

Timing Shows expected completion date of the prioritised management action. Many actions will require commencement almost immediately to ensure completion by the suggested date.

Indicative Costing Shows the estimated amount of new funds required for each prioritised management action to complete over a ten year period.

31 Action Priority Issue Status Timing Lead Supporting Indicative Organisations cost SEMA1 Broker training opportunities and capacity building programs that: 1 SE3 New 2002 and DLWC Landcare/ $4.7M (min) • resource Landcare and other community support networks and implement ongoing -admin Environmental community support strategy (this includes local Indigenous land care groups management facilitators); etc EA • support and fund community capacity building small grants program; AFFA • support training opportunities/programs for community groups, which improve their capacity to manage their natural resource base; • run multi-skilling programs for existing extension/compliance personnel to natural resource management; • education programs to identify the learning needs of the community; • foster, promote and support community and care group involvement in and implementation of measures to protect and rehabilitate coastal environments, biodiversity resources and riparian environments. BMA1 Implement a Biodiversity conservation scheme in 2 All New/ 2012 DLWC NPWS, LG, $7M • Eden CRA Region by 2005 – implementation in progress – Voluntary BMTs En SFNSW SE1 Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy. • ‘Snowy/Monaro’ Region (part of the Southern CRA region) by 2007 – plan development in progress. • ‘Eurobodalla’ Region (Part of the Southern CRA region) by 2008. (see Map in Appendix 3) To achieve the Biodiversity Catchment Target plans will include: • Incentive programs (see Appendix 3 for example of how an incentive program is operating in the Eden CRA region). • Development of plans that identify areas critical for linking, enhancing, rehabilitating and protecting important remnant vegetation (including paddock trees) and fauna habitat including suitable habitat for threatened species. • Establishment of demonstration sites. • Information programs to encourage management of land for conservation. • Weed management programs for controlling environmental weeds, particularly in priority areas. 32 Action Priority Issue Status Timing Lead Supporting Indicative Organisations cost • Mapping of existing terrestrial, freshwater and marine vegetation and reporting on status/trend of native vegetation. • Regional planning mechanisms that ensure the viability of threatened species, populations and ecological communities. • Utilising fire management and risk plans to assist with overall biodiversity outcomes. WCMA1 24 water sharing agreements will be implemented in accordance with 3 WC1 En 2012 DLWC WMCs $0 water management committee priorities and will target a combination of stressed and high conservation river. Plans will include baseline condition and monitoring to report on river health. (Water Sharing Plans also address fisheries issues such as barriers to fish passage etc).

SOUTH COAST WATER MANAGEMENT AREA CATCHMENTS

Water Sharing Plans in Stressed Catchments High Priority • Wandella Creek • Bemboka River • Dry River • Narira Creek • Tantawangalo Creek • Wolumla Creek • Candelo Creek • Araluen Creek • Tuross River Medium Priority • Brogo River (Regulated) • Towamba River • Pambula River • Buckenboura River • Sandy / Stony Creek Lower Priority • Dignams Creek • Merimbula Creek 33 Action Priority Issue Status Timing Lead Supporting Indicative Organisations cost • Yowrie River Water Sharing Plans in High Conservation Value Catchments High Priority • Clyde River catchment Medium Priority • high conservation value streams where development pressure is occurring

SNOWY GENOA AREA CATCHMENTS

Water Sharing Plans in Stressed Catchments High Priority • Snowy River • Bombala River • Alpine areas supporting skiing industry Medium Priority • Wullwye River • Maclaughlin River. WCMA2 Develop and implement river rehabilitation plans to Tier 1 (The 4WC2New 2012 DLWC WMCs $14M minimum level of effort required to stabilise the river, preventing further WC3 NSWF significant decline. This will largely involve dealing with key threatening B1 EPA processes which often include weeds such as willows and blackberry and SE1 contemporary erosion and sedimentation issues) for:

SOUTH COAST WATER MANAGEMENT AREA CATCHMENTS

River Rehabilitation priorities for catchments without water sharing plans (Coastal priorities only, Snowy/Monaro region priorities to be determined) • Millingandi, current plan developed to protect Merimbula estuary • Tomaga River catchment, complete pilot water quality management plan • Belowra, to complement section 10 project • Deua River • Wagonga • Wapengo • Coastal Creeks/lakes - rural (includes Brou, Lawler, Cullendulla, Borang, 34 Action Priority Issue Status Timing Lead Supporting Indicative Organisations cost Congo, Candlagan, Kianga, Nangudga, Corunna, Tilba, and Benandarah). For coastal lakes estuary management plans may be prepared • Coila system

River Rehabilitation Plans implemented to tier 1 (except where specified otherwise) in Stressed Catchments High Priority • Wandella Creek • Bemboka River (rehabilitated to tier 2) • Dry River • Narira Creek • Tantawangalo Creek • Wolumla Creek • Candelo Creek • Araluen Creek • Tuross River Medium Priority • Brogo River (regulated) • Towamba River • Pambula River • Buckenboura River • Sandy / Stony Creek Lower Priority (limited actions) • Dignams Creek • Merimbula Creek • Yowrie River

River Rehabilitation Plans developed and implemented to tier 1 in High Conservation Value Catchments High Priority • Clyde River catchment Medium Priority • high conservation value streams where development pressure is occurring

35 Action Priority Issue Status Timing Lead Supporting Indicative Organisations cost SNOWY GENOA AREA CATCHMENTS

River Rehabilitation Plans developed and implemented to tier 1 (excepted where specified otherwise) in Stressed Catchments High Priority • Snowy River (rehabilitated to tier 3) • Genoa River • Bombala River Medium Priority • Wullwye River • Maclaughlin River. BMA2 Develop and implement integrated control strategies for priority weeds 5B1New/ 2003 and NSWA LG $24M+ including: B2 En ongoing G NPWS African Lovegrass, Bitou Bush, Blackberry, Bridal Creeper, Fireweed, Serrated B3 SFNSW Tussock, St Johns Wort and Willow. B4 SE1 WCMA3 Negotiate plans to protect high quality rivers, lakes and lagoons 6 WC3 New 2005 PNSW LG $500,000 (including ICOLLS) estuaries, wetlands and groundwater systems especially WMCs where development pressure is occurring or has the potential to occur. Priorities CMCs will be determined in conjunction with water management committees, estuary EMCs management committees and coastal management committees. As a part of this, water resources (rivers, lakes and lagoons, wetlands and estuaries) will be: • assessed and ranked according to their vulnerability by 2003; • their protection status formalised by 2003; • their status recognised in planning instruments by 2005. Priorities for protection include:

SOUTH COAST WATER MANAGEMENT AREA CATCHMENTS High Priority • Clyde River catchment • Tomaga River • Towamba River Medium Priority

36 Action Priority Issue Status Timing Lead Supporting Indicative Organisations cost • HCV streams where development pressure is occurring SNOWY GENOA AREA CATCHMENTS High Priority • Thredbo River. BMA3 Develop and implement integrated control strategies for the following 7B5Ex ongoing RLPB NPWS $10.5M priority species: SE1 SFNSW wild dogs, foxes, wild pigs, wild goats, wild horses, wild cats, rabbits. NWSAG WCMA4 Improve water quality by implementing and evaluating programs at a 8 WC5 New 2012 DLWC WMCs $450,000 large enough scale to reduce faecal coliform inputs (from introduced sources) to LG priority systems. This will be through implementation of the following changes: • a reduction in the number of uncontained effluent spill events through implementation of best management practice; • an improvement in waste management systems in dairy farms through application of Best Management Practice (and take-up of relevant incentives); • an increasing number of riparian zones will be fenced (this may include a greater take-up of riparian fencing incentives) and provision of off-stream watering points; • septic system inspection, upgrade (where necessary) and operation approvals for 1000 owners per year; • introduction of a further 10,000 dung beetles per year for 3 years; • provision of sewage pumpout facilities (See WCMA16); • sewage and stormwater reuse schemes encouraged. WCMA5 Improve water quality by implementing and evaluating programs at a 9 WC6 New 2012 DLWC WMC $450,000 large enough scale to reduce sediment inputs from roads, tracks and laneways to LG priority systems. This will be through implementation of the following changes: SFNSW • increasing the number of sealed approaches at priority water course crossings (priority is based on slope, soil type, pattern of use, etc); • best management practice for all new roads will be implemented by all Local government bodies, National Parks and Wildlife Service and State Forests; • increasing the number of private tracks rehabilitated (following recommendation from SCWMC prioritisation); • increasing participation in sediment management courses for machinery 37 Action Priority Issue Status Timing Lead Supporting Indicative Organisations cost operators (eg road builders), landholders, etc. SEMA2 Liaise with Aboriginal people to: 10 SE2 New 2002 and DLWC Aboriginal $100,000 • nominate appropriate people to form a consultative reference group for ongoing -admin Organisations natural resource management issues; NPWS • support the operations of the above group(s) and other Aboriginal networks; • develop a register of Aboriginal groups and individuals willing to serve on natural resource boards and committees. SEMA3 Broker and evaluate programs for increasing involvement of 11 SE2 En 2004 DLWC Aboriginal $2.5M Aboriginal people (and other key identified groups) in natural resource -admin Organisations management in: NPWS • Bega/Eden Region by 2002. • Eurobodalla Region by 2003. • Snowy/Monaro Region by 2004. (regions are defined on page 9). WCMA6 Develop and implement estuary management plans for nine (9) 12 WC7 En 2012 LG DLWC $9M estuaries. The Estuaries are: EMCs • Clyde NSWF • Moruya • Tuross and Coila Lakes • Tomaga • Wagonga • Wallaga • Merimbula and Back Lake • Lake Curalo • Wonboyn. Other estuary management or rehabilitation plans to be prepared for emerging priority systems. WCMA7 Develop and implement coastal management plans under the 13 WC8 New 2012 LG DLWC $8M Comprehensive Coastal Assessment process and set high priority areas. Coastal CMCs management committees will determine priorities. SEMA4 Implement the Snowy Outcomes Package to gain maximum social and 14 All New 2004 DLWC East $330,000 economic benefit from rehabilitation of the Snowy River. Gippsland CMA

38 SEMA5 Facilitate initiatives to: 15 SE2 New 2005 Aborigin LG, SFNSW, $200,000 • research and record the names of significant Aboriginal place and landscape al DLWC organisa features; tions, • provide information to the Geographic Names Board, local councils, NPWS schools, other educational institutions and the community about the Aboriginal names in the South East region with the aim of increasing knowledge of Aboriginal history and cross-cultural awareness. SEMA6 Undertake a review of comparative effort to identify weaknesses in 16 SE1 New 2003 DLWC $0 current approaches to natural resource management. This review would compare resources spent per hectare in incentives, resources spent per year in compliance costs and resources spent per year in education programs compared to results achieved. SEMA7 Measure and audit progress towards targets to enable reporting to 17 All New 2002 and DLWC All Govt $1M government and the community, estimate appropriate baseline conditions using ongoing -admin agencies a range of tools and enabling community access to data. LG others WCMA8 Implement priority actions identified in the Healthy Rivers 18 WC1 New TBA DLWC TBA Commission report of the Bega River according to specified timelines. WC2 WC3 WCMA9 Map and undertake rapid assessment of all wetlands in the South East 19 WC11 New 2012 DLWC State $400,000 region to determine current status and assess management priorities. Wetlands Cttee WCMA10 Floodplain management plans developed and implemented for 20 WC10 En ongoing LG DLWC $2M priority areas to direct future urban development. FMC BMA4 Develop and implement integrated control strategies for emerging 21 B1 New 2003 and NSWG LG $2M agricultural and environmental weeds including: B3 ongoing NPWS Broom, Caulerpa, Chillean Needle Grass, Giant Parramatta Grass, Lantana, Pine B4 SFNSW Wildings, Privet, and Salvinia. SE1 NSWF BMA5 Maintain the weed and pest free status of all areas that are free of pests 22 B4 New ongoing NSW LG $0 and weeds. SE1 AG NPWS (terrestri al) SFNSW NSWF (aquatic)

39 WCMA11 Groundwater management plans negotiated and implemented for 23 WC4 En 2012 DLWC WMCs $300,000 groundwater systems in priority of: LG

SOUTH COAST WATER MANAGEMENT AREA CATCHMENTS High Priority • Araluen by 2005 • Bega Sands (Bega River) by 2012 Medium Priority • Kiah Sands (Towamba River) by 2012 (sustainable yield negotiated) Note: Coastal Priorities listed only, Snowy/Monaro region priorities to be determined in consultation with Water Management Committee. WCMA12 Implement contaminated land management plans affecting surface 24 WC4 En 2007 LG EPA $300,000 and groundwater for priority sites. WC11 SMA1 Implement property planning program to establish and promote land 25 S5 En 2012 NSW $1M capability and sustainable land management practices. SE4 AG SEMA8 Broker with Federal, State and Local Government integrated 26 All New 2002 and DLWC Landcare $0 investment programs across the region that provides for long term program ongoing SFNSW development and delivery of integrated resource rehabilitation projects. NPWS NSWAG NSWF SMA2 Develop integrated rehabilitation projects incorporating 'Section 10' and 27 S1 En 2012 DLWC $910,000 other funding sources to control soil erosion in the following priority locations (Angus et al., 1999): • Belowra • Dalgety/Numbla Vale • Wandella. SEMA9 Broker and chair inter-agency coordination groups to: 28 All New 2002 DLWC All agencies $0 • develop resource implementation plans; LG • integrate landscape management projects at a scale able to rehabilitate priority areas; • ensure cross border liaison occurs with all relevant groups. SEMA10 Improve the effectiveness of planning for sustainable development 29 SE4 En 2005 PNSW LG $500,000 using the Plan First and Land Capability programs by undertaking a pilot (Bombala Shire Council region)

40 SEMA11 Develop Aboriginal sites profile to enhance existing registers 30 SE2 En 2012 Aborigin LG $1M (national, State and local registers exist but are incomplete). al SFNSW Organisa tions DLWC (ANRO) NPWS BMA6 Establish a system of marine protected areas. 31 WC8 New 2012 NSWF $200,000 B6 SEMA12 Broker an integrated research strategy to address information gaps in 32 All New commenc DLWC Universities $0 areas of: ing 2002 NSWF All Agencies • management systems for multiple uses of rural land; • assessment of capabilities of landscapes to integrate further human settlement; • environmental benefit of water sharing plans; • habitat and flow requirements for native fish species in the region, particularly focusing on natural fish nurseries; • research into nuisance animal damage on stream banks and other drainage lines. BMA7 Implement recovery actions for threatened species and ecological 33 B6 En 2002 and NPWS $2M communities listed in Appendices 5 and 6 with priority given to those species: ongoing ! that are known to be declining or are likely to decline in the short to medium term; or for which • recovery actions can be implemented in the short term. BMA8 Support recovery plans and habitat protection for migratory waders, 34 B6 New 2002 and NPWS LG $200,000 shorebirds and sea bird colonies. ongoing DLWC WCMA13 Identify Crown lands (using the Crown land assessment process) 35 WC3 New 2012 DLWC PNSW $1M with significant water catchment, coastal protection, coastal biodiversity and WC8 coastal recreational values and implement appropriate reservation and B1 management actions (including land suitable for consideration under the Coastal B2 Land Protection Scheme). BMA9 Develop new South East regional approaches (including investigation of 36 B1 New 2012 DLWC $0 incentives and market based mechanisms) to support the existing approaches B2 (existing incentives, programs, techniques) to achieve the desired conservation SE1 outcomes.

41 BMA10 Negotiate reform for weed control and establish monitored trial zones 37 B1 New 2005 NSW LG $200,000 for a new South East regional approach. This may include: B2 AG NPWS • a review of current systems; B3 SFNSW • research into biological, and other forms of, control; B4 • trialing innovative approaches. SE1 WCMA14 Undertake measures to reduce sewage and ballast pollution from 38 WC3 New 2005 Water $0 vessels by auditing commercial vessels. WC5 ways WCMA15 Undertake an education campaign for private vessel owners on the 39 WC5 New ongoing Water $100,000 importance of containing all pollutants on board. WC9 ways WCMA16 Increase the number of pumpout facilities in the estuaries of the 40 WC3 New 2012 DLWC $300,000 South East region in priority order of: WC5 Water • Clyde River/Batemans Bay (by 2004) WC9 ways • Merrimbula Lake • Wagonga Inlet • Bermagui • Eden • Moruya. WCMA17 Develop an interstate arrangement for water sharing and river 41 All New 2003 DLWC $100,000 management of the Snowy and Genoa rivers. WCTs SEMA13 Identify areas unsuitable for future urban and rural residential growth 42 SE4 En 2008 LG PNSW $200,000 as consistent with the Draft Coastal Settlement Strategy guidelines (including identification of areas susceptible to sea-level rise and climate change). SEMA14 Facilitate the development and implementation of a 'code of practice' 43 SE1 New 2004 SENS DLWC $0 for management of private native forest to allow sustainable private forestry, WPF including its use for habitat value, connectivity and other environmental services (including commercial returns). SEMA15 Encourage the development of integrated farm forestry practices 44 SE1 New 2012 SEMS DLWC Included in including planting of native vegetation as shelter belts, protective buffers to B1 WPF BMA1 remnant native forest, sediment, nutrient and pasture weed buffers, riparian stabilisation and wildlife corridors. SMA3 Facilitate the preparation and commencement of implementation of an 45 S2 New 2006 NPWS DLWC $1M alpine erosion rehabilitation plan that outlines priority areas, methods, costing and an implementation schedule.

42 SEMA16 Rationalise information bases of various agencies and organisations 46 All En 2012 PNSW LG $200,000 making the information more available to permit informed planning decisions. This may include: • an outline of technical studies completed; • an outline of technical studies currently under way; • mapping information that is available. WCMA18 Develop Fish Habitat Action Plans 47 WC1 New 2012 NSWF EMCs $300,000 (including fish management) for three (3) priority catchments, being: WC2 • Clyde WC7 • Brogo B6 • Snowy. BMA11 Develop and implement integrated control strategies for pest animals, 48 B5 New 2002 and NSWF $100,000 including alien fish (defined as gambusia, weather loach and Carp) and ongoing emerging pest species (freshwater or marine). BMA12 Develop a landscape management tool for landuse change, (which 49 All New 2005 DLWC SFNSW $250,000 includes the plantation forestry industry in the Southern Monaro) that helps BMT SENSWPF make negotiated outcomes between environmental, economic and social values. SE1 LG SMA4 Establish soil pH baseline and trend using existing soil test data. 50 S3 New 2012 NSW $50,000 AG SMA5 Facilitate pilot projects and knowledge transfer (eg Keyline techniques, 51 S5 New 2012 NSW $200,000 benefits of organic production) to improve soil condition. AG SMA6 Facilitate pasture management programs to promote sustainability 52 S3 En 2012 NSW $50,000 through production and the maintenance of soil health. Raise awareness of AG acidity problems such as those occuring in the Bombala area. BMA13 Support recovery plans and habitat protection for threatened fish and 53 B6 En 2012 NSWF $200,000 marine species, including grey nurse shark, great white shark, green sawfish and the black cod. SEMA17 Create links between the Regional State of the Environment reporting 54 All New 2004 EPA LG $100,000 processes and the Blueprint to enable cohesive, relevant monitoring and NPWS reporting. DLWC SFNSW RTA

43 SEMA18 Fifteen new (or expanded) initiatives will be established that maintain 55 S5 New 2012 SRD Resource $200,000 or enhance the natural resource base of the region including WC10 NSW, LG WC3 • facilitate implementation of the South East aquaculture Strategy by 2004 and (Other ecological sustainable resource initiatives will be reviewed as they others arise); • identification of suitable soil remediation project areas for the application of high quality composted product; • identification of opportunities for further organic farming initiatives; • identification of opportunities for recycling or sorting of waste products. WCMA19 Encourage water sensitive urban design (including reuse, and other 56 WC9 New 2012 LG $200,000 demand management strategies), for all new developments and redevelopments BMA14 Undertake a review of threatening factors on biodiversity values and 57 B6 New 2012 NPWS $0 address any threats that are not being adequately considered. (terrest rial) NSWF (aquati c) SEMA19 Maintain a register of interested members of the community whom 58 SE1 New ongoing DLWC $0 would be willing to serve on Natural Resource Boards and Committees. SMA7 Facilitate the identification, control and remediation of all exposed Acid 59 S4 New 2002 and LG DLWC, $100,000 Sulphate Soils. ongoing NSWAG BMA15 Develop vegetation management plans covering three sub regions (see 60 All New 2012 DLWC LG $0 map on page 9) that builds upon the schemes developed in BMA1. BMTs

44 Management Actions (from 2013 onwards)

The following Action Plan lists management actions to be considered from 2013 onwards. This section allows identification of actions that, while desirable to be completed prior to 2012, are unlikely to be completed given likely sources of funds over this ten year period. Actions are not prioritised or costed at this stage and are included so that at the five and ten year review of the document, Board members can reprioritise as appropriate. The definition of a Lead Organisation is the same as for the Prioritised Management Actions (2002-2012).

Action Lead organisation

Groundwater Sharing Plans for the Coastal Plains. SCWMC

River rehabilitation of HCV streams where there is potential for development pressure to occur. SCMWC

Integrated weed management for Asparagus Fern, Cape ivy, Periwinkle, Turkey Rhubarb and Moth Vine. LG

Integrated pest management plans for Indian Mynahs. LG

45 Appendix 1: Catchment Blueprint in context

The Catchment Blueprint aims to bring together existing international, national, state and regional legislation and policies as they are relevant to natural resource management into one document. The diagram below indicate some of the relevant legislation and also indicates some of the important partners in ensuring what is written in the document translates into action on the ground.

International Catchment Blueprint UN Convention on Biological Diversity China-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat (Ramsar Convention) Community Japan-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement Kyoto Protocol to the United Nations Framework Convention on State Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol National Greenhouse Strategy – State Implementation Plan Rio Declaration Local Government NSW Biodiversity Strategy Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and NSW Native Vegetation Strategy Natural Heritage (World Heritage Convention) World Soils Policy and World Soil NSW Salinity Strategy NSW Wetlands Management Policy Research Roadside Environment Strategic Plan Institutions Crown Lands Act 1989 National Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 COAG Heads of Agreement on Roles and Heritage Act 1977 / Heritage Amendment Act 1998 Government Responsibilities for the Environment Local Government Act 1993 Instrumentalities Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 Act 1999 Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997 Native Title Act 1993 Noxious Weeds Act 1993 Regional Vegetation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984 Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999 Committees Australian Heritage Commission Act 1975 Rural Lands Protection Act 1998 Inter Governmental Agreement on the Environment Policy for Sustainable Agriculture in New South Wales National Framework for the Management and Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 Water Management Monitoring of Australia’s Native Vegetation Water Act 1912 Committees National Natural Resource Management Policy Water Administration Act 1986 (proposed) Contaminated Lands Management Act 1997 National Forest Policy Statement Protection of the Environment Operations Act National Greenhouse Strategy Fisheries Management Act 1994 National Local Government Biodiversity Strategy NSW State Groundwater Policy Framework National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable NSW State Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems Policy Development NSW Groundwater Quality Protection Policy National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity Interim Environmental Objectives for Water Quality Regional Natural Heritage Trust Partnership Agreements Soil Conservation Act 1938 Bush Fire Management Plans The Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of State Soils Policy Floodplain Management Plans Places of Cultural Significance (Burra Charter) Coastal Policy 1997 Groundwater Management Plans National Water Quality Management Strategy Water Management Act 2000 Local Environmental Plans Allocation and use of Groundwater: A National Land & Water Management Plans Framework for Improved Groundwater Management in Management plans for TSRs Australia National Principles for the Provision of Water for Roadside Management Plans Ecosystems River Management Plans National Soil Conservation Strategy for Australia Regional Vegetation Management Plans Regional Forest Agreements

46 Appendix 2: Review of Catchment Blueprint

1. Periodic review of the Catchment Blueprint

The Blueprint Implementation Manual will outline a clearly defined process as required by NSW for the periodic audit and review of catchment blueprint outputs (ie management actions) and outcomes (ie catchment and management targets). This will ensure continued development and improvement of the catchment blueprint over its 10 year term.

The CMB will be required to produce an annual report for the Minister for Land and Water Conservation on the progress of blueprint implementation. The report will also be designed to satisfy the reporting requirements for specific investment sources such as NAP and NHT2 to NSW and Commonwealth Ministers. A standardised annual reporting format will include a description of progress against management actions, and a brief evaluation of the efficiency of management actions in delivering the approved catchment and management targets. This annual report may also include recommendations to the Minister to modify (mainly) the management actions.

Every five years, the CMB will review the catchment blueprint to ascertain whether its provisions remain adequate and appropriate for meeting the blueprint targets. This review may include recommendations to the Minister to amend targets and/or supporting management actions. Any review reports are to be made publicly available.

At intervals of not more than five years the Minister will appoint an independent audit panel to report to him on whether the provisions of the catchment blueprint are being given effect to. This may be done in consultation with the Commonwealth if investment sources such as NAP and NHT2 are being audited. The audit may result in recommendations to the Minister on amendments to the blueprint which the Minister would discuss with the CMB. Any audit reports are to be made publicly available.

2. Amending the Catchment Blueprint

Under the following instances this catchment blueprint may require amendment by the Minister. Catchment targets, management targets and/or management actions may be added, changed or deleted during the term of the catchment blueprint as a result of:

! cross-boundary interactions between CMBs or cross-border arrangements between a CMB and an adjacent interstate catchment management organisation;

! the need to incorporate any improved government policy frameworks agreed to in bilateral arrangements and to ameliorate any negative impacts or enhance any positive impacts arising from proposed strategies and actions. Examples of such policy frameworks include catchment blueprints (under the Catchment Management Act 1989), water management plans (under the Water Management Act 2000), regional vegetation management plans (under the Native Vegetation Conservation Act 1997) and threat abatement plans and recovery plans (under the Threatened Species Conservation Act) available after the catchment blueprint is approved;

• requirements for future Natural Heritage Trust 2 (NHT2) accreditation;

• the participation of the CMB in a review of targets by 31 December 2003 in terms of consistency in relation to the National Standards and Targets Framework, and where applicable, other agreed national frameworks including the National Water Quality Management Strategy, the National Vegetation Framework and the National Objectives and Targets for Biodiversity Conservation, and the requirement to implement the outcomes by May 2005; undertake social and economic analysis of impacts to support the review where appropriate.

47 ! new or enhanced technical, scientific or socio-economic information;

• ongoing community consultation;

! the annual reporting to the Minister by the CMB on the implementation of the catchment blueprint. In particular, there may be a need to amend the management actions because their success can be further enhanced, or they are proven to be inappropriate, or counterproductive to meeting the approved catchment and/or management targets, or a gap has been identified.

! the five yearly review of the catchment blueprint by the CMB. In particular, there may be a need to amend the catchment targets and management targets (and their supporting management actions) because they are proven to be unrealistic or inappropriate.

! the auditing of the catchment blueprint by an independent audit panel appointed by the Minister;

! minor issues such as administrative or typographical errors or name changes.

Proposed amendments to the catchment blueprint can be:

! included as a recommendation from the CMB as part of its annual reporting to the Minister; ! included as a recommendation from the CMB to the Minister as part of its five yearly review report; ! generated by the Minister, for example, as a result of agreed government policy requirements; ! included as a recommendation from the independent audit panel to the Minister.

Where amendments are required to meet future NHT2 accreditation criteria, the joint NSW-Commonwealth Steering Committee will work with the CMB to ensure the amendments are identified and recommended to the Minister.

The Minister can approve any of the above amendments and amend the plan by a notice published in the Gazette. Amendments would take effect immediately upon gazettal.

3. Matters of National Environmental Significance

This Blueprint recognises that the South East Catchment contains the following assets which have national environmental significance:

World Heritage Areas None listed

Ramsar Site(s) Blue Lake and its catchment (located within Kosciuszko National Park)

Nationally listed threatened species and ecological communities See Appendices 5 and 6 in the Blueprint

Listed Migratory Species See Appendix 7

Under the Commonwealth Government’s Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, actions that are likely to have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance require the approval of the Commonwealth Environment Minister. An action includes a project, development, undertaking, activity, or series of activities.

48 In setting targets and management actions for investment, the CMB has given preliminary consideration to the possible impacts on the region’s environmental assets that these targets and actions might entail.

Notwithstanding this consideration, before any specific action arising from this Blueprint that may have a significant impact on a matter of national environmental significance is undertaken, any necessary approval under the EPBC Act should be obtained. In order to determine whether the proposed action requires approval under the EPBC Act, the proponent should refer the proposal to the Commonwealth Environment Minister. If the Minister determines that an approval is required, the proposed action would proceed through the assessment and approval process.

4. Taking account of existing strategies at the national, state and regional level

In developing this Catchment Blueprint, the CMB has given due consideration to existing natural resource management strategies and plans. The Catchment Blueprint provides a vehicle for implementing elements of those strategies and plans at the catchment scale.

The strategies and plans include the National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biological Diversity, National Water Quality Management Strategy, National Species Recovery Plans, National Threat Abatement Plans, National Weeds Strategy, Regional Vegetation Management Plans, Water Sharing Plans, State Biodiversity Strategy, Recovery and Threat Abatement plans, other NSW strategies and plans, and Local Government plans.

49 Appendix 3: Example Incentive Scheme

An example of how a comprehensive scheme (using a range of voluntary incentives) may deliver positive biodiversity outcomes is the Local Management Team (LMT) approach used in the Eden CRA region as described below.

Background The State Government allocated $2.4 Million from the Native Vegetation Incentive Fund to the Eden Forest Management Area (Eden CRA region – see Attached Map) to offer private landowners incentives to encourage the protection of ecosystems that are poorly represented on public land.

At the request of the Premier, the South East Catchment Management Board with the Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) and National Parkes and Wildlife Service (NPWS) developed the Voluntary Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy (approved by Minister Amery on 15/5/01) to implement the Agreement’s commitment. A Local Management Team (LMT) was formed in June 2001 to implement the strategy.

Current Situation Incentives are currently offered locally to landholders by a number of organisations with a range of guidelines, priorities and approaches. The LMT is removing this complexity by fostering a joint cooperative approach by all local organisations through a Statement of Joint Intent. The LMT has developed a comprehensive and coordinated package of incentives, that is a whole of farm approach to biodiversity conservation of endangered ecological communities.

The comprehensive incentive package (see following) increases incentives for DLWC management contracts and agreements from 50% up to a maximum of 70% of the total project costs to conserve biodiversity. Rate reimbursement is available in certain cases for land managed for conservation, NPWS Voluntary Conservation Agreements (VCAs) incentives continue to be up to 100% of total project costs, that recognisees the high level of effort and commitment required in a VCA.

All of the incentives within this package have been used at various times in NSW, but this is the first time that such a range of incentives has been pulled together into a comprehensive package. The Minister for Land and Water Conservation, the Honorable John Aquilina launched the package in Bega on the 11th of July 2002 and presented the first cheques to landholders. Through the LMT a weeds strategy for has been developed and also a 52 page weed identification booklet supported by a web-site.

50 Voluntary Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy --- Incentive package (Draft 28.01.02) Land Categories INCENTIVES Council Rates Weed & Pest control Fencing Planting tubes stock Direct drilling native plants A. Intensive land Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Intensive land (A) acting as Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable a buffer to B Intensive land (A) that Not applicable Where weeds are threatening To protect biodiversity on Not applicable Not applicable provides a buffer to C & D biodiversity on adjacent C & D. adjacent C & D land Materials up to 100% of the Materials up to 100% of the cost of materials to control cost of materials for fencing weeds Buffers width specific to weed type B. Land that has a Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable balanced between production & conservation Land that has a balanced Not applicable Where weeds are threatening To protect biodiversity on Not applicable Not applicable between production & biodiversity on adjacent C & D. adjacent C & D conservation (B) and is Materials up to 100% of the Materials up to 100% of the acting as a buffer to C & D cost of materials to control cost of materials for fencing land weeds Buffers width specific to weed type C. Land managed to Not applicable Materials up to 100% of the Materials up to 100% of the Materials up to 100% of the Materials up to 100% of the provide a connective link cost of materials to control cost of materials for fencing cost of materials to plant a cost of materials to plant a within & between weeds a connective link connective link connective link ecological communities Labour to spray weeds:- Labour for fencing a Labour to plant a connective Labour to plant a connective incentive connective link:- incentive link:- incentive link:- Incentive • up to 15% with an approved • up to 15% with an • up to 15% with an • up to 15% with an farm plan approved farm plan approved farm plan approved farm plan • up to 25% for an agreement • up to 25% for an • up to 25% for an • up to 25% for an on title agreement on title agreement on title agreement on title • up to 100% for a VCA • up to 100% for a VCA • up to 100% for a VCA. • up to 100% for a VCA.

51 D. Land managed primarily The Materials up to 100% of the Materials up to 100% of the Materials up to 100% of the Materials up to 100% of the for Conservation Conservation cost of materials to control cost of materials for fencing cost of materials to cost of materials to areas under a weeds rehabilitate biodiversity rehabilitate biodiversity VCAs are Labour to spray weeds:- Labour for fencing:- Labour to rehabilitate Labour to rehabilitate exempt from incentive incentive biodiversity:- Incentive biodiversity:- Incentive Council rates • up to 15% with an approved • up to 15% with an • up to 15% with an • up to 15% with an farm plan approved farm plan approved farm plan approved farm plan For areas • up to 25% for an agreement • up to 25% for an • up to 25% for an • up to 25% for an under other on title agreement on title agreement on title agreement on title contracts and • up to 100% for a VCA • up to 100% for a VCA • up to 100% for a VCA. • up to 100% for a VCA. agreements a rebate of up to $10 per hectare per year for 3 years

Average ratio of costs of Ranges from 50 : 50 to 20: 80 50 : 50 50 : 50 50 : 50 materials vs labour depending upon the weed Notes • Existing incentives are shown in italics • Maximum total project incentive for a VCAs is 100% and for other agreements and contracts is around 70% of the total project cost (the 70% is made up of 100% of cost of materials and up 40% of labour costs plus the rate subsidy). • Agreements on title. --- Incentive of 25% of the cost labour cost to fence, spray, plant or sow • Properties with two or more categories and an approved physical farm plan. --- Incentive of 15% of the cost labour of to fence, spray, plant or sow • Maximum incentive for materials is 100% of the materials cost • Maximum incentive for labour is 40% of the materials cost (VCAs 100%) • NOTE: the basis for calculation for labour costs. As the materials and labour costs are approximately equal the cost of the materials is the figure used to calculate labour incentive. • Rate subsidy up to $10 per hectare per year for 3 years • That proportion of a property under a VCA is exempt from Shire Council rates.

52 53 54 Appendix 4: Reference points on Biodiversity

The CSIRO’s Divisions of Sustainable Ecosystems, Plant Industry, Entomology and Land and Water have been researching different aspects of ecological sustainability. Their websites are well worth a visit www.csiro.au

A particularly useful model which sets guidelines for the sustainability of ecosystems in eucalypt woodlands is contained in the paper:

McIntyre, S., McIvor, J. G. & Macleod, N.D. (2000) ‘Principles for sustainable grazing in eucalypt woodlands: Landscape-scale indicators and the search for thresholds’ in Management for Sustainable Ecosystems, Eds. P. Hale, A. Petrie, D. Moloney & P. Sattler. Centre for Conservation Biology, The University of Queensland.

The summary table for which is included below

Other useful references include:

National Strategy for the Conservation of Australia’s Biodiversity. 2001 Environment Australia.

New South Wales Biodiversity Strategy. 1999. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Other relevant websites include:

Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry www.affa.gov.au

NSW Department of Agriculture www.agric.nsw.gov.au

Department Land and Water Conservation www.dlwc.nsw.gov.au

Environment Australia www.ea.gov.au

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service www.npws.nsw.gov.au

NSW Rural Fire Service www.rfs.nsw.gov.au

Birds Australia (for its ‘Birds on Farms’ Study) www.birdsaustralia.com.au

55 In general principles for the sustainable management of grazed woodlands. (McIntyre et. al., 2000)

1. Property planning and management should include a long-term vision which considers the whole of the property and its place in the catchment 1.1 Manage to the potential and limitations of the land, based on an understanding of ecological processes 1.2 The precautionary principle of conservative or delayed development should apply 1.3 Land uses of high intensity need to be balanced with significant areas of low intensity use across landscapes 1.4 Land uses can have influences that spread beyond their boundaries so their arrangement across landscapes is important 1.5 Vegetation representative of all the land types occurring on a property needs to be retained and managed

2. Manage soils to prevent erosion and to maintain productive capacity and water quality 2.1 Keep the amount of bare ground exposed to no more than 30-40% of the ground surface in pastures 2.2 Place infrastructure in stable locations on the landscape to avoid erosion 2.3 Some soil types require particular attention to avoid erosion and salt problems

3. Manage pastures for production and to maintain the variety of plants and animals 3.1 Graze conservatively to maintain dominance of tall and medium tussock grasses over 60-70% of the native pastures 3.2 Limit the extent of intensive use (grain and forage cropping, sown pastures) to a maximum of 30% of the property area 3.3 Vary the management of pastures to provide for a variety of species and a diverse range of fodder sources

4. Maintain local native trees for the long term ecological health of the property and catchment 4.1 There should always be a minimum of 30%woodland or forest cover on properties 4.2 Always favour natural regeneration of existing trees to planting and re-creating habitat 4.3 To be viable in the long term, woodland patches should be a minimum of 5-10 ha 4.4 Retain trees of different ages within stands to retain the long term viability of tree populations 4.5 Maintain or regenerate trees in appropriate places to minimise degradation and enhance livestock production

5. Manage at least 10% of the property for wildlife values 5.1 Where possible choose the areas with existing wildlife for ongoing management 5.2 Vegetation on good quality soils should be included in this 10% 5.3 Standing and fallen dead timber is important for wildlife 5.4 Wildlife areas need protection from heavy or continuous grazing 5.5 Weed control and fire management may be required in wildlife areas 5.6 Wildlife areas should be connected to others on the property or in the district

6. Watercourses are particularly important to the ecosystem and grazing enterprise, and require special management 6.1 As a general principle, livestock should be excluded from watercourses to reduce soil erosion and maintain the quality of water 6.2 Vegetation should not be cleared up to the edges of watercourses 6.3 Control of exotic species in riparian zones is important.

56 Appendix 5 Fauna List

Scientific Name Common Name NSW Status Commonwealth Status Category A Species and Populations Category A Species and Populations are those that are believed to be in continued decline within the SE Catchment or are likely to decline in the short to medium term if current trends continue. Management, planning or investigative actions additional to those currently available to public lands management agencies or Local Government will be necessary to address these declines.

Burramys parvus Mountain Pygmy-possum E1 Endangered Carcharias taurus Grey Nurse Shark (east coast E1 Critically population) Endangered Dasyornis brachypterus Eastern Bristlebird E1 Endangered Dasyurus viverrinus Eastern Quoll E1(but likely to be extinct in NSW) Heleioporus australiacus Giant Burrowing Frog V Vulnerable Isoodon obesulus Southern Brown Bandicoot E1 Endangered Lathamus discolor Swift Parrot E1 Endangered Litoria booroolongensis Booroolong Frog E1 Litoria littlejohni Littlejohn’s Tree Frog V Vulnerable Litoria raniformis Southern Bell Frog E1 Vulnerable Litoria verreauxii alpina Alpine Tree Frog E1 Vulnerable Macquaria australasica Macquarie Perch V Endangered Mixophyes balbus Stuttering Frog V Vulnerable Potorous longipes Long-footed Potoroo E1 Endangered Pseudomys fumeus Smoky Mouse E1 Endangered Pseudophryne corroboree Southern Corroboree Frog E1 Endangered Sterna albifrons Little Tern E1 Thinornis rubricollis Hooded Plover E1 Tympanocryptis lineata Grassland Earless Dragon E1 Endangered pinguicolla Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater E1 Endangered Category B Species and Populations Category B Species and Populations are those that are likely to decline in the short to medium term without active management if current trends continue. There may be adequate management, planning and investigative actions currently available to public land management agencies and Local Government to address these declines however, some additional mechanisms may become necessary in the future.

Burhinus grallarius Bush Stone-curlew E1 Cercartetus nanus Eastern Pygmy-possum V Chalinolobus picatus Little Pied Bat V Chalinolobus dwyeri Large-eared Pied Bat V Vulnerable Dasyurus maculatus Spotted-tailed Quoll V Vulnerable Delma impar Striped Legless Lizard V Vulnerable Eubalaena australis Southern Right Whale V Endangered Falsistrellus tasmaniensis Eastern False Pipistrelle V Haematopus fuliginosus Sooty Oystercatcher V Haematopus longirostris Pied Oystercatcher V Hoplocephalus bungaroides Broad-headed Snake E1 Vulnerable Kerivoula papuensis Golden-tipped Bat V Litoria aurea Green and Golden Bell Frog E1 Vulnerable Mastacomys fuscus Broad-toothed Rat V Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback Whale V Vulnerable 57 Miniopterus australis Little Bentwing-bat V Miniopterus schreibersii Common Bentwing-bat V Mormopterus norfolkensis Eastern Freetail-bat V Myotis adversus Large-footed Myotis V Petaurus australis Yellow-bellied Glider V Petaurus norfolcensis Squirrel Glider V Petrogale penicillata Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby V Vulnerable Pezoporus wallicus wallicus Ground Parrot (eastern subsp.) V Phascogale tapoatafa Brush-tailed Phascogale V Phascolarctos cinereus Koala V Potorous tridactylus Long-nosed Potoroo V Vulnerable Prototroctes maraena Australian Grayling Vulnerable Pyrrholaemus sagittatus Speckled Warbler V Saccolaimus flaviventris Yellow-bellied Sheathtail-bat V Scoteanax rueppellii Greater Broad-nosed Bat V Sminthopsis leucopus White-footed Dunnart V Stagonopleura guttata Diamond Firetail V Category C Species and populations Category C Species and populations are those that are believed to be stable or whose decline can be addressed by management, planning and investigative actions currently available to Public Land management agencies and Local Government. Balaenoptera musculus Blue Whale E1 Endangered Botaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern V Calamanthus fuliginosus Striated Fieldwren V Calidris alba Sanderling V Calidris tenuirostris Great Knot V Calyptorhynchus lathami Glossy Black-Cockatoo V Carcharodon carcharias Great White Shark V Vulnerable Charadrius mongolus Lesser Sand Plover V Dermochelys coriacea Leathery Turtle V Vulnerable Diomedea amsterdamensis Amsterdam Albatross Endangered Diomedea antipodensis Antipodean Albatross V Vulnerable Diomedea dabbenena Tristan Albatross Endangered Diomedea epomophora Southern Royal Albatross Vulnerable Diomedea exulans Wandering Albatross E1 Vulnerable Diomedea gibsoni Gibson's Albatross V Vulnerable Diomedea sanfordi Northern Royal Albatross Endangered Falco hypoleucos Grey Falcon V Ixobrychus flavicollis Black Bittern V Limosa limosa Black-tailed Godwit V Lophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite V Macronectes giganteus Southern Giant-Petrel E1 Endangered Neophema chrysogaster Orange-bellied Parrot E1 Endangered Neophema pulchella Turquoise Parrot V Ninox connivens Barking Owl V Ninox strenua Powerful Owl V Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck V Pachycephala olivacea Olive Whistler V Pandion haliaetus Osprey V Petroica rodinogaster Pink Robin V Physeter macrocephalus Sperm Whale V Pterodroma leucoptera Gould's Petrel E1 leucoptera Pterodroma neglecta Kermadec Petrel (western) V Vulnerable

58 neglecta Pterodroma solandri Providence Petrel V Pteropus poliocephalus Grey-headed Flying-fox V Vulnerable Puffinus assimilis Little Shearwater V Puffinus carneipes Flesh-footed Shearwater V Rhincodon typus Whale Shark Vulnerable Rostratula benghalensis Painted Snipe V Sterna fuscata Sooty Tern V Stictonetta naevosa Freckled Duck V Suta flagellum Little Whip Snake V Thalassarche bulleri Buller's Albatross Vulnerable Thalassarche cauta Shy Albatross V Vulnerable Thalassarche chrysostoma Grey-headed Albatross Vulnerable Thalassarche impavida Campbell Albatross Vulnerable Thalassarche melanophris Black-browed Albatross V Vulnerable Thalassarche salvini Salvin's Albatross Vulnerable Thalassarche steadi White-capped Albatross Vulnerable Tyto novaehollandiae Masked Owl V Tyto tenebricosa Sooty Owl V Xenus cinereus Terek Sandpiper V

59 Appendix 6: Flora List

Scientific Name NSW Status Commonwealth

Category A Species or Communities Category A Species or Communities are those that are believed to be in continued decline within the SE Catchment or are likely to decline in the short to medium term if current trends continue. Management, planning or investigative actions additional to those currently available to public lands management agencies or Local Government will be necessary to address these declines. Natural Temperate Grasslands EEC EEC Grassy White Box Woodlands EEC EEC Bega Dry Grass Forest EEC Candelo Dry Grass Forest EEC Brogo Wet Vine Forest EEC Dry Rainforest of the South East Forest EEC Aldrovanda vesiculosa E1 Eucalyptus imlayensis E1 E Euphrasia scabra E1 Gentiana baeuerlenii E1 E Grevillea acanthifolia subsp. paludosa E1 E Plinthanthesis rodwayi E1 V Pomaderris cotoneaster E1 E Westringia kydrensis E1 E Zieria tuberculata VV Category B Species or Communities Category B Species or Communities are those that are likely to decline in the short to medium term without active management if current trends continue. There may be adequate management, planning or investigative actions currently available to Public Land management agencies or Local Government to address these declines however, some additional mechanisms may become necessary in the future. Acacia constablei VV Acacia georgensis VV Astrotricha sp. 5 E1 (nominated) Cryptostylis hunteriana VV Distichlus distichophylla E1 Diuris ochroma V Eucalyptus kartzoffiana VV Eucalyptus parvula VV Galium australe Presumed Extinct (but recently found) Genoplesium rhyoliticum E1 E Haloragis exalata subsp. exalata VV Leionema ralstonii VV Monotaxis macrophylla E Montoca rotundifolia E Nematolepis rhytidophylla VV Persicaria elatior VV Pomaderris elachophylla E1 Pomaderris pallida VV Prasophyllum canaliculatum E1 (nominated) Prasophyllum retroflexum VV Pultenaea baeuerlenii VV 60 Pultenaea parrisiae subsp. parrisiae VV Rutidosis leiolepis VV Thesium australe VV Westringia davidii VV Zieria adenophora E1 E Zieria buxijugum E1 E Zieria formosa E1 E Zieria parrisiae E1 E Category C Species or Communities Category C Species or Communities are those that are believed to be stable or whose decline can be addressed by management, planning or investigative actions currently available to Public Land management agencies or Local Government.

Category C Species or Communities

Baloskion longipes VV Boronia deanei VV Budawangia gnidioides VV Callistemon forresterae V Calotis glandulosa VV Carex raleighii E1 Correa baeuerlenii VV Correa lawrenciana var. genoensis E (nominated) E Discaria nitida VV Eucalyptus pulverulenta VV Eucalyptus saxatilis E1 E Eucalyptus sturgissiana VV Euchiton nitidulus VV Genoplesium vernale VV Leptospermum thompsonii VV Pomaderris glimourii var. cana VV Pomaderris parrisiae VV Pseudanthus ovalifolius E1 Pultenaea pedunculata E1 Ranunculus anemoneus VV Rytidosperma pumilum VV Wilsonia rotundifolia E1

Key to abbreviations used in Appendix 5and 6

V Vulnerable E1 Endangered EEC Endangered Ecological Community SE South East

61 62 Appendix 7 Listed Migratory Species

Marine birds covered by migratory provisions of the EPBC Act 1999

Scientific Name Common Name Type of Presence Diomedea amsterdamensis Amsterdam Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Diomedea antipodensis Antipodean Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Diomedea dabbenena Tristan Albatross Foraging recorded within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Diomedea epomophora Southern Royal Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Diomedea exulans Wandering Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Diomedea gibsoni Gibson's Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Diomedea sanfordi Northern Royal Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Puffinus griseus Sooty Shearwater Breeding recorded within area Puffinus pacificus Wedge-tailed Shearwater Breeding recorded within area Puffinus tenuirostris Short-tailed Shearwater Breeding recorded within area Thalassarche bulleri Buller's Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Thalassarche cauta Shy Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Thalassarche chrysostoma Grey-headed Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Thalassarche impavida Campbell Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Thalassarche melanophris Black-browed Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree

63 Thalassarche salvini Salvin's Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Thalassarche steadi White-capped Albatross Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree

Marine species covered by migratory provisions of the EPBC Act, 1999

Scientific Name Common Name Type of Presence Rhincodon typus Whale Shark Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Balaenoptera musculus Blue Whale Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Eubalaena australis Southern Right Whale Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback Whale Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Dermochelys coriacea Leathery Turtle, Luth Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree

Terrestrial species covered by migratory provisions of the EPBC Act, 1999

Scientific Name Common Name Type of Presence Haliaeetus leucogaster White-bellied Sea-Eagle Species or species habitat likely to occur within area Hirundapus caudacutus White-throated Needletail Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Monarcha melanopsis Black-faced Monarch Breeding or breeding habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Myiagra cyanoleuca Satin Flycatcher Breeding or breeding habitat likely to occur within area Rhipidura rufifrons Rufous Fantail Breeding or breeding habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree

64 Wetland species covered by migratory provisions of the EPBC Act, 1999

Scientific Name Common Name Type of Presence Gallinago hardwickii Latham's Snipe, Japanese Snipe Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Rostratula benghalensis Painted Snipe Species or species habitat likely to occur within area - Derived from a general distribution map > 1 degree Thinornis rubricollis rubricollis Hooded Plover (eastern) Species or species habitat likely to occur within area

65

66 Appendix 8 Bibliography and Data Sources

Bibliography

Angus, B., Duff, A., Gouvernet, J., Waldon, C., (1999), South Coast Land Degradation Survey Report and Recommendations, unpublished report Department of Land and Water Conservation. The mapping that is the basis of the report was done by Carrie Waldon.

Australian Capital Region Development Council (ACRDC) (1998) Australian Capital Region – Investment Prospectus.

Croke, J., Wallbrink, P., Fogarty, P. Hairsine, P., Mockler, S., McCormack, B., and Brophy, J. (1999) Managing Sediment Sources and Movement in Forests: The Forest Industry and Water Quality, CRC for Catchment Hydrology Industry Report 99/11.

Department of Land and Water Conservation (2000) Catchment Management Board Support Package.

Department of Land and Water Conservation (2000) Natural Resource Management Plans – Overview - Catchment Blueprints, Water Management Plans, Regional Vegetation Management Plans.

Environment Australia (1998) Environmental Indicators for National State of the Environment Reporting.

Healthy Rivers Commission of NSW (2000) Independent Inquiry into the Bega River System. Final Report. Sydney.

Higginson, F. R. (1970) - "Survey of Erosion and Landuse Within the Shoalhaven Valley". Journal of Soil Conservation, Serv. NSW. 26 25.

Jacks, G.V. (1946) - "Land Classification for Land use Planning" Commonwealth Bureau of Soils. Tech. Comm.43 Harpenden UK.

McIntyre, S and Hobbs, R. (1999) 'A Framework for Conceptualising Human Effects on Landscapes and Its Relevance to Mangement and Research Models'. Conservation Biology, 13: pp1282-1292.

McIntyre, S., J. G. McIvor & N.D. Macleod (2000) ‘Principles for sustainable grazing in eucalypt woodlands: Landscape-scale indicators and the search for thresholds’ in Hale, P., A. Petrie, D. Moloney & P. Sattler (Eds.) Management for Sustainable Ecosystems. Centre for Conservation Biology, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, pp92-100.

NSW Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (2001) ‘plan FIRST Review of Plan making in NSW White Paper.

NSW Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (1995) South Coast – Lower South Coast Draft Regional Settlement Strategy.

Richards, N (2000) Report to South East Catchment Management Board from the Lower South Coast Catchment Management Committee, Far South Coast Catchment Management Committee and Snowy- Genoa Catchment Management Committee, unpublished report.

South East Catchment Management Board and Pfeiffer, K (2001) Voluntary Biological Diversity Conservation Strategy for the Eden RFA Region (Draft) unpublished report.

Thomas, K., pers comm, State and Regional Development.

67 Tongway, David and Hindley, Norman. (2000) Assessing and monitoring desertification with soil indicators. pp89-98 in Ludwig, J.A. and Tongway, D.J., (2000). Viewing rangelands as landscape systems. in Rangeland desertification, eds. O.Arnalds and S. Archer, pp39-52. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic.

Data Sources

Biodiversity Section

Known conserved areas (and projected target areas) • National Parks and Wildlife Service data-base (Merimbula) – contact Max Beukers Ph 6495 5000 • World Wildlife Fund data-base (Canberra) – Contact David Eddy Ph 62574010 • Crown Lands information (Department of Land and Water Conservation) (Paramatta) – Contact Tim Wilkinson Ph 4224 9646 • State Forests Regional Forest Assessment data-base for Eden and Southern CRA regions (Batemans Bay) – contact Steve Dodds Ph 4472 6211

Water and Coasts Section

River Flow/Water Quality Information • South Coast Water Management Committee data base (Bega) – contact Don McPhee Ph 6491 6208 • Snowy River Benchmarking Project data-base (Cooma) – contact Teresa Rose Ph 6452 1455 • Water Quality Monitoring Project data-base (joint State and Local Government project) (Moruya) – contact Suzzanne Gray Ph 44741370

River Rehabilitation Priorities and Techniques • Department of Land and Water Conservation data-base (Bega) – contact Cliff Massey Ph 6491 6207

Soil Health Section

Gully Erosion • Department of Land and Water Conservation data bases (Bega) – contact Bob Britton Ph 64916209

68 Appendix 9 Definitions and Acronyms

Definitions

Aboriginal Organisations: is inclusive of the following - Elders Groups, Traditional People, Native Title Groups and Claimants, Language Groups, Local Aboriginal Land Councils, Regional Aboriginal Land Councils, Employment and Training Groups, Environmental Groups, other groups and individuals.

Alien fish: for this document is inclusive of Gambusia, Weather Loach and carp and does not include trout as this is recognised as an important recreational industry in the region.

Bega/Eden Region: as defined on the map on page 9.

Biological Diversity Conservation: Conservation of Biodiversity. Biodiversity is defined as the variety of natural life forms, the different plants, animals and microorganisms, the genes they contain and the ecosystems they form.

Coastal Waters: intertidal beaches, intertidal rocky shores, soft and hard benthic sediments, fringing reefs, rocky reefs and inshore islands within a three (3) nautical mile limit of the State coastal zone.

Coastal Zone the coastal zone is defined as: • three nautical miles seaward of the mainland and offshore islands; • one kilometre landward of the open coast high water mark; • a distance of one kilometre around: • all bays, estuaries, coastal lakes or lagoons; • coastal rivers to the limit of mangroves, as defined by NSW Fisheries' maps (1985) or the tidal limit if there are no recognised mangroves; • the boundary is to be shown as the nearest cadastral boundary, or easily recognisable physical boundary, in consultation with local councils. The marine component of the coastal zone extends to the limit of State waters: three nautical miles seaward from the open coast high water mark.

Condition: The long term health and vitality of an ecosystem.

Connectivity: The spatial links between a remnant patch of vegetation, other remnants and larger areas of native vegetation.

Crown lands – those lands administered under the Crown Lands Act 1989

Ecological community: an assemblage of species occupying a particular area.

Ecologically Sustainable Development: The six principles are: • improving material and non-material well being; • improving equity between generations; • improving equity within the present generation; • maintaining ecological integrity and biodiversity; • dealing cautiously with risk, uncertainty and irreversibility; and • taking account of global ramifications of our actions, including international cooperation international trade and international spillovers.

Eden CRA Region: The land falling within the Eden CRA region - see map in Appendix 3 (note that a small north western section of the Eden CRA region is not within the South East Region)

69 Environmental care groups: The network of Landcare, Coastcare, Bushcare and other ‘care’ groups, largely of a voluntary nature, which actively rehabilitate degraded natural environments.

Environmental services: the services provided by the landholder to restore functioning to the landscape - such as planting trees to achieve no net loss of vegetation, or to provide diversity through plantation timber would result in environmental services such as improving biodiversity, or locking up carbon in plants and soil.

Eurobodalla Region: as defined in the map on page 9.

Habitat: The range of plant and animal communities, structural arrangements of vegetation, soil types, climate, fire regimes and other environmental variables.

Health Indicators: A suite of appropriate environmental condition, pressure and response indicators (possibly sourced from Environmental Australia, 1998) as well as appropriate social and economic indicators as determined by an inter-agency technically-based team.

Integrated Production and Conservation Outcomes: The delivery of integrated production and conservation outcomes would come from enhancing the natural advantages of many of our native species thus developing pasture and other production systems that have low inputs, nil or low fertiliser requirement, enhanced weed management and strategic harvesting approaches.

Intensive Land Uses: Activities that fall into this category include grain growing, irrigated pasture production, pasture improvement, plantation forestry, and urban and industrial development. (Unfortunately not all current intensive land uses are sustainable. The Board will employ an adaptive approach and encourage moves towards using and developing ‘Best Management Practice’ processes, guidelines and ‘codes of practice’).

Intrinsic values: The natural core values of a functional system, for example functional ecological systems that allow plant and animal communities to function, habitat that is intact, etc.

Landcare and Community Support: The network of Landcare, Bushcare, Coastcare, etc., Coordinators and Facilitators that assists the community to participate in on-ground works.

Landscape: A unit of land, generally a sub-catchment, that may also define a group of sub-catchments on similar soils and/or geology.

Limited Production Outcomes: providing habitat and connectivity across and to other areas. These outcomes do not necessarily exclude commercial activities.

Managed ‘for connections’: Managed for connectivity, see definition for ‘Connectivity’ above.

Managed ‘for conservation’: areas that are actively managed to achieve conservation outcomes, such as retention of endangered, rare or threatened fauna and flora species and/or ecological communities. (This may involve some sort of management agreement such as a Voluntary Conservation Agreement, or other agreements not on property title).

Management Plan: A plan that encourages active management of the natural resource (or threat such as weed or feral animal invasion) for its improvement.

Primary faecal coliform inputs: Reduced faecal coliform input will be measured by a reduction in the number of uncontained effluent spill events, an improvement in use of waste management systems in dairy farms, the increased percentage of riparian zones fenced, septic system inspection and upgrade in high risk areas, dung beetle introduction program in priority areas, provision of sewage pumpout facilities at marinas, encouragement of sewage and stormwater reuse schemes and a decreased level of faecal coliforms (parts per million) present in monitoring site samples over the period of the action.

70 Primary Sediment input: A reduced sediment input will be measured by an increased number of road sealing near priority river crossings (benchmarked at 2001 levels), increased use and proper maintenance of sediment traps, decreased level of sediment present in monitoring site samples (turbidity, phosphorus) over the period of the action, and an increased level of participation in sediment reduction programs for machinery operators, landholders, etc.

Priority Noxious Weeds: Weeds are a major economic and environmental threat to the well being of our community. When long-term conditions within the agricultural grazing industries of the South East are considered it can be seen that seasons and markets limit the capacity of farmers to consistently keep up weed management programs. Consistency and a strategic approach to weed management is the key to success.

Private Lands: All lands not specifically managed by agencies of the NSW State Government or the Federal Government.

Production Systems: All processes used to grow produce utilising land, soil or water.

Snowy/Monaro region: as defined in the map on page 9.

Southern CRA Region: The land falling in the Southern CRA Region, see Map in Appendix 3. For this document the Eurobodalla section (to the north of the Eden CRA Region) and Snowy/Monaro section (to the west of the Eden CRA Region) of the Southern CRA region is referred to in BMA1. Note that the Southern CRA Region extends to the west and north of the South East Catchment Management Board Region.

Sustainable resource use: The utilisation of the vegetation, water or soil resource in a way that is not detrimental over the long term. Acronyms

AFFA Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry ANRO Aboriginal Natural Resource Officer CMA Catchment Management Authority CMC Coastal Management Committee CRA Comprehensive Regional Assessment of forest resources. DLWC Department of Land and Water Conservation EA Environment Australia (Federal Department) EMC Estuary Management Committee FMC Floodplain Management Committee ICOLL Intermittently Closed and Open Lakes and Lagoons LG Local Government MA Management Action - eg BMA is Biodiversity Management Action MT Management Target - eg WCMT is Water and Coasts Management Target NPWS National Parks and Wildlife Service NSWAG New South Wales Department of Agriculture NSWF New South Wales Fisheries PNSW Planning NSW RLPB Rural Lands Protection Board RTA Regional Transport Authority SECMB South East Catchment Management Board SFNSW State Forests New South Wales SENSWPF South East NSW Private Forestry SRD State and Regional Development TBA To Be Advised WMCs Water Management Committees

71