Water Quality and the Community: Understanding the Views, Values and Actions of Residents of the ACT and Surrounding Region
Water quality and the community: Understanding the views, values and actions of residents of the ACT and surrounding region. February 2016 Jacki Schirmer1,2 and Melinda Mylek2 1Institute for Applied Ecology, University of Canberra 2Health Research Institute, University of Canberra Acknowledgements Many people and organisations contributed to this study. First and foremost, we would like to thank the 4700 people who took the time to complete the survey and help build a better understanding of how people living in the ACT and surrounding region view and value the region’s lakes and waterways, and of their views about taking action to improve water quality. We also thank the people who had input during the survey design process, both through providing suggestions for content and reviewing draft questions. These include staff of the ACT Environment and Planning Directorate, the ACT Basin Priority Project Advisory Group – Subject Experts and Academics, the ACT Basin Priority Project Advisory Group – Community, Peak and Professional Stakeholders Groups, and the ACT and Region Catchment Coordination Group. This study was funded by the ACT Basin Priority Project, which seeks to improve the quality of water flowing from urban and rural areas into catchments within and outside the ACT. The survey was also supported by the ACT and Region Catchment Management Coordination Group, and by other organisations including the ACT government, Cooma-Monaro Shire Council, Icon Water, National Capital Authority, Palerang Council, Queanbeyan City Council, South East Local Land Services and Yass Valley Council. We thank these funders and supporters for their contributions to the study. Executive Summary The lakes and waterways of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and surrounding region have multiple environmental values, contribute to an attractive landscape, provide places for recreation, and support economic activity for farmers and local businesses.
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