Recognition Rewards Results ANNUAL REPORT 2010 – 2011 Scenic Sydney is Table of contents Who we are 04 simply sensational What we are 06 Message from the Chairman 09 Profile of Board Members 10 The unique, almost magical interweaving of built, The event went global in 1993 with 30 million people General Manager’s Report 14 bush and beach environments sets Sydney apart in 80 countries. Where we are located 16 from other global cities. In 1989 250,000 people attended a concert on Why we do what we do 18 Sydneysiders have demonstrated for decades they Bondi Beach protesting ocean outfall of sewerage, Our Strategic Partnerships 20 greatly prize their natural environment. prompting a government pledge of Case study: Environmentally friendly seawalls 24 Local Aboriginal Land Councils 25 They value the health of the bushland fringing their $7 million to clean up Sydney Harbour. How we deliver NRM leadership across Sydney 28 neighbourhoods and the water quality of their rivers, In 2007 Sydney embraced Earth Hour, immediately Kurnell Corridors Towra Point & estuaries and coastal regions. attracting participation from Buffer Area Restoration 30 People from all localities across Sydney hold a 2.2 million residents and 2,100 businesses Water Sensitive Urban Design Program 34 genuine concern for the ongoing resilience of their who turned off their lights for one hour. Botany Bay Water Quality Improvement Plan 36 natural environment. In 2010 the event went global. Earth Hour organisers GRCCC Community River Health Monitoring Project 38 There is a long, proud tradition of people actively claim their event has influenced Cooks River Urban Water Initiative 40 advocating on behalf of Sydney’s environment. 1 billion people in cities around the world Thousands of people have invested “sweat equity” to participate. Sydney Harbour Catchment Water working as Bushcare volunteers to weed and Quality Improvement Plan 42 regenerate localities. ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY Wetlands GIS Prioritisation – High & Medium Wetlands 44 Others have engaged the support of their political An overwhelming number of Sydney residents care Environmental Education Strategy representatives at all levels of government to extend passionately about the environment and for Boaters & Fishers 46 resources to protect and preserve particular pockets take action to demonstrate their conviction. Gandangara Mill Creek Catchment within Sydney. Some 8,000 Sydney residents are volunteer Indigenous Land Management 48 Bushcare workers. Waterways & Wetlands Devolved Grants 50 ACT LOCAL: LEAD GLOBAL The SMCMA has an “army” of allies to partner with Seagrass friendly moorings 54 The concern for the environment felt by many Sydney across a wide range of natural resource management Caring for Our Coast, Stage 2 56 residents has had an impact at an international level. projects and programs. Saving Sydney’s Biodiversity 2009-2011 60 Green Web Program 64 For example, in 1989 Ian Kiernan initiated the first Imagine if the energy and enthusiasm demonstrated “Clean Up Sydney Harbour” recruiting an unexpected at “one-off” annual events were harnessed for on- NRM Community Support 40 and almost overwhelming 40,000 volunteers. going natural resource management projects. Bushcare Volunteer Training & Professional Support 68 This event was a catalyst for national Clean Up Aboriginal Community Support Program 70 Australia Day starting in 1990 with 300,000 Regional Landcare Facilitator 72 Australians joining in. Awards & Recognition 74 Appendices 76 Financial Reports 84 04 The Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management OUR VISION Authority (SMCMA) is one of 13 NSW and 56 Australian Community growth reconciled with nature. natural resource regional bodies whose purpose is to provide a landscape-scale approach to management of An urban community that thrives within a valued the natural environment. natural landscape. We are Australia’s largest urban Natural Resource OUR MISSION Management (NRM) region – in terms of population. To demonstrate how dynamic urban areas can be In NSW we are the smallest natural resource management consistent with sustainable natural resource management. (NRM) region – in terms of budget, staff and area. To champion a Sydney community which has the The SMCMA can provide a range of services to its knowledge and skills to achieve healthy waterways and catchment partners, in particular local government. bushland that all residents and visitors can enjoy, now The SMCMA has: and in the future. • A brokering role – brokering knowledge, tools OUR AIMS AND OBJECTIVES and resources The SMCMA works to implement its Catchment Action • A linking and liaising role – identifying common Plan which is a strategic planning tool that identifies the needs and linking and helping to fund partners key natural resource features the Sydney community from government, industry, research and education wants to protect and improve. in cross-sectoral projects to achieve efficiencies, common approaches and deliver on-ground work OUR CATCHMENT ACTION PLAN • A supporting role – helping community groups, The Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Action Plan schools and government to effectively work together (CAP) is central to the delivery of natural resource at a regional level management throughout our region. Summed up in one word, the SMCMA is about The Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003 partnerships. requires each catchment management authority to OUR UNIQUE POINT OF DIFFERENCE prepare a catchment action plan in partnership with its community and government agencies. Sydney Metropolitan is the only NSW CMA with a specific focus on delivering natural resource The CAP outlines specific targets to be achieved by management in an urban context. 2016 and the priorities for funding or carrying out of catchment activities in the SMCMA region. The most important role for the SMCMA – and one that The CAP depicts a region where there are strong and is not being filled by any other entity in the region positive links between healthy, functioning natural – is to connect diverse stakeholders as they work resource systems, vibrant communities and a robust towards shared targets for natural resources across the and sustainable economy. whole region (and even beyond). Who we are we Who Who? Who? 05 The CAP is the reference document for the MANAGEMENT TaRGETS community, the Australian and NSW Governments, Management Targets identify specific short term actions state-owned corporations, industry, peak bodies and local which will help deliver the longer term targets. The Sydney Metropolitan councils who are the SMCMA’s primary partners Management Targets outline a systematic approach to in specific programs. enhancing the connectivity of ecosystem processes. is the only NSW CMA Importantly, the CAP has a key role in addressing The Management Targets focus regional attention with a specific the NRM priorities of the NSW Government. These on improving the connectivity of priority ecological priorities include targets which will guide the communities. Achieving this will require a consistent focus on delivering implementation of CAPs to ensure better outcomes for and coordinated focus across multiple government and native vegetation, biodiversity, land, rivers and coastal community organisations. natural resource waterways. The CAP complements other NRM plans, including management in an regional strategies, water sharing plans and regional conservation plans. urban context. The CAP is the result of extensive consultation and collaboration with local groups, Aboriginal communities, local government, industry, NSW and Australian Government agencies to develop the priorities for investment for natural resource management at a catchment level. The CAP contains 18 Catchment Targets and 47 Management Targets. How the SMCMA is delivering on its CAP is documented in each project outlined in this Annual Report. CATCHMENT TaRGETS The Catchment Targets describe the intended improvement to the condition of our biodiversity, water and coasts and soil. These categories, along with “community” represent the four Themes contained in the CAP. Nested within the Themes, the Catchment Targets provide multiple benefits to the condition of our natural resources. For example, regeneration of native riparian vegetation will also have a positive effect on aquatic health, biodiversity, soils and estuaries. SYDNEY METROPOLITAN CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY ANNUAL REPORT 2010-2011 06 More than 90% of Sydneysiders live within 800m of some kind of open space. NSW Government, Sydney Metropolitan Strategy: City of Cities - A Plan for Sydney’s Future, 2005. OUR FOUNDATION The SMCMA was established under the Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003. At its inception in 2005 Sydney Metropolitan joined the 12 existing regional catchment management authorities that were established in 2004. The purpose of the NSW CMAs is to prepare strategic natural resource management plans and coordinate initiatives and activities under these plans that will contribute to the sustainable management of the natural resources of NSW. OUR FUNCTION The specific functions of NSW CMAs in Section 15 of the Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003 are to: • Develop a Catchment Action Plan (CAP) • Provide loans, grants, subsidies or other financial assistance for catchment activities • Enter contracts or do any work for the purposes of catchment activities • Assist landholders to achieve the objectives of the CAP • Provide educational and training courses and materials in connection