Healthy Rivers Action Plan An Action Plan to improve water quality in the Swan Canning river system For more information about the Healthy Rivers Action Plan and opportunities to help keep our rivers healthy, please contact the Swan River Trust. Swan River Trust Hyatt Centre, Level 1 20 Terrace Road East Perth WA 6004 Telephone: (08) 9278 0900 Fax: (08) 9325 7149 Email: [email protected] www.swanrivertrust.wa.gov.au Printed on 100% recycled paper Contents Figures Minister’s foreword ..................................................................................................2 Figure 1a Health of the Swan Canning river system 2008 ................................12 Chairman’s introduction ...........................................................................................3 Figure 1b Desired health of the Swan Canning river system ............................13 Executive summary .................................................................................................5 Figure 2a-d Seasonal states – Swan Canning river system .................................18 Setting the scene .....................................................................................................9 Figure 3 Ecological management zones for the Swan Canning river system 25 Health of the rivers ................................................................................................15 Figure 4 Priority catchments of the Swan Canning river system .....................29 Our response .........................................................................................................23 Figure 5 Tools to change behaviour for improved river health ........................37 A new approach ..............................................................................................24 Figure 6 State of the Environment reporting model ........................................44 Action areas - What needs to be done to improve water quality? ..................27 1 Address nutrient and contaminant sources and set water quality targets .............................................................................27 Tables 2 Improve land use planning and development processes .....................32 3 Achieve behaviour change through community involvement ...............36 Table 1 Summary of river problems, causes and existing management responses ...................................................................20 4 Apply intervention techniques to improve river health ..........................41 Table 2 Scales of the land use planning system and relevant 5 Monitor river health and report to the community .................................43 planning tools ....................................................................................33 6 Identify and fi ll gaps in knowledge .......................................................46 Table 3 A fi ve-year research and innovation program ...................................47 Implementation - How are we going to improve water quality? ......................51 Table 4 Summary ...........................................................................................61 Program 1 Coordination ...........................................................................52 Program 2 Healthy Catchments ...............................................................53 Program 3 Land Use Planning .................................................................54 Program 4 Drainage Nutrient Intervention ...............................................55 Program 5 Riverbank ...............................................................................56 Program 6 River Health ............................................................................57 Program 7 Community and Partners ........................................................58 Program 8 River Science .........................................................................59 Acknowledgements ...............................................................................................60 1 Minister’s foreword Western Australians enjoy a close affi nity with the This is backed by the Swan and Canning Rivers Management Act 2006 which Swan and Canning rivers. We are blessed to have such the State Government enacted to provide appropriate powers for the task of a signifi cant environmental and cultural icon fl owing managing and protecting these precious assets. through the heart of our capital city. The Carpenter Government is acting now to ensure our waterways remain The Swan River - and our immense fondness for it - is healthy and robust so that future generations may continue to create history in steeped in history and tradition. The Swan is the reason the Swan and Canning rivers. Perth sits where it does. In the early days of settlement, the Swan River was an important source of water and a crucial transport corridor. The Swan River is also what has made Perth the HON DAVID TEMPLEMAN, MLA stunning, vibrant city it is today. It is the very heart MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT; CLIMATE CHANGE; PEEL and soul of our community. Our deep cultural links with the river - including its important role in Aboriginal history and its countless environmental and recreational qualities continue to fuel our love affair with the mighty Swan. But inevitably, the lifestyle we enjoy places great stress on our river systems. Just like other rivers around the world, the Swan and Canning rivers are susceptible to algal blooms, low oxygen levels and seasonal fi sh deaths. The State Government is committed to addressing these issues. The actions taken under the Swan-Canning Cleanup Program since the mid-1990s have resulted in signifi cant benefi ts to the health of our rivers. However, we know there is more to be done. The Healthy Rivers Action Plan establishes a new, more integrated approach. The central goal of the Action Plan during the next fi ve years is to protect the environmental health and community benefi t of the Swan and Canning rivers by improving water quality. The eight key management programs and their many initiatives form a ‘catchment to coast’ approach and underscore our continued commitment to work with the community to keep our rivers healthy. The total proposed investment in implementing the Action Plan from 2007 to 2013 will be more than $41million. 2 Chairman’s introduction The Healthy Rivers Action Plan has been prepared to I would like to thank all those who contributed to the preparation of the Healthy improve water quality in the Swan and Canning rivers Rivers Action Plan and participated in the public consultation process. I look during the next fi ve years. Building on the achievements forward to a continued high level of community involvement in implementing the and outcomes of the Swan-Canning Cleanup Program plan and recognise that the Noongar community, as the traditional owners of Action Plan (1999), it represents a signifi cantly new land in the Swan Canning Catchment, have a special interest in the protection approach for Government, industry and the community and management of these rivers. to work together for the long-term benefi t of the Swan Canning river system. The Draft Healthy Rivers Action Plan was released in December 2006 for public comment, allowing key JIM FREEMANTLE stakeholders to be briefed and the general public to A/CHAIRMAN, SWAN RIVER TRUST provide comment through forums, such as the 2007 Autumn River Festival. The Swan River Trust received 31 public submissions, the majority of which expressed strong support for the Draft Healthy Rivers Action Plan. However, suggestions for improvements were received and carefully considered by the Trust and it is pleasing to note that where appropriate, amendments were made to the plan to refl ect and address community needs and attitudes. Although the Healthy Rivers Action Plan has been fi nalised, the implementation of its eight key management programs will be fi netuned in response to short, medium and long-term pressures on the Swan Canning river system. These programs are designed to deliver the plan’s central goal - to protect the environmental health and community benefi t of the Swan and Canning rivers by improving water quality. To assist with implementing these initiatives, the Swan River Trust has assembled a Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) comprising scientists from a wide range of disciplines. The team has focused on examining the potential impacts of climate change and developing adaptation strategies. The initial investigations on climate change suggest that there will be irreversible change in the Swan Canning river system. The rate of change is increasing relative to the past century and changes to the river system will become increasingly evident and signifi cant as this century progresses. 3 4 Executive summary 5 Executive summary The Swan Canning river system - Western Australia’s fi rst offi cial heritage development on the quality and quantity of the water entering the rivers through icon - is a wonderful social, environmental and scenic resource for all West drains, tributaries and groundwater, and where possible, seek to maintain critical Australians. river fl ows. The Swan River Trust is committed to ensuring this system continues to be Our response a sustainable healthy ecosystem providing clean water for fi shing, boating, swimming and other activities enjoyed by West Australians. There are no simple, quick-fi x solutions to these issues. This plan presents an informed and integrated approach that builds on the achievements of the Swan-