Annual Report 2004-2005 www.environment.wa.gov.au WATER AND RIVERS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT 2004–2005 The Water and Rivers Commission operates as part of the Department of Environment. Much of the content of this 2004–2005 Annual Report — particularly the Report on Operations — is common to both the Water and Rivers Commission and the Department of Environment.Throughout this report, those operations that relate to WRC outcomes and services are indicated as WRC S1–S7, while those that relate to DoE outcomes and services are indicated as DoE S1–S7. Details of WRC services may be found in Section 2 — About the Water and Rivers Commission.Our achievements are also annotated to indicate where they meet Better Planning, Better Services goals, i.e., BSBP G1–G5 (Appendix E). WATER AND RIVERS COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT OCTOBER 2004 Water and Rivers Commission Annual Report 2004–2005 Acknowledgments This report was prepared by the Community Information and Publications Section of the Communications Branch, Department of Environment. For more information contact: Department of Environment Level 4, The Atrium 168 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Telephone (08) 6364 6500 Facsimile (08) 6364 6520 Postal address: PO Box K822 Perth WA 6842 Recommended reference The recommended reference for this publication is: Water and Rivers Commission 2004– 2005 Annual Report, Department of Environment, 2005. We welcome your feedback AA publication feedback form can be found at the back of this publication, or online at <http://informationcentre.environment.wa.gov.au>. ISSN 1447-8099 ISBN 1-921094-00-1 October 2005 2 Annual Report 2004–2005 Water and Rivers Commission Vision A healthy environment and sustainable use of water resources for the benefit of present and future generations. Mission To lead the protection and enhancement of the State’s environment and water resources, working in partnership with the community. We achieve this through managing and influencing people’s attitudes and behaviours towards the environment and natural resources. Our Principles For the environment and water resources, we will: • act for the long term protection of the environment • act in the long term public interest • consider environmental, social and economic needs, and • manage them in an integrated way with others. And in all our dealings we will: • act with courage and integrity • respect our stakeholder’s views and contributions • be willing to make a constructive difference • progressively explore new ways for achieving outcomes, and • take responsibility for our individual and collective contribution. 3 Water and Rivers Commission Annual Report 2004–2005 Letter to the Minister Hon John Kobelke MLA MINISTER ASSISTING THE MINISTER FOR WATER RESOURCES On behalf of the Water and Rivers Commission Board and in accordance with Section 65A of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985, I have pleasure in submitting for presentation to Parliament the Annual Report of the Water and Rivers Commission for the period 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2005. This report has been prepared in accordance with provisions of the Financial Administration and Audit Act 1985. Verity Allan CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD Perth, Western Australia 30 August 2002 4 Annual Report 2004–2005 Water and Rivers Commission Foreword 2004–05 has been a year of new initiatives and consolidation in the management and protection of our water resources and environment portfolio. We are still working through the process of becoming a single legal entity and we have made major advancements in operating cohesively as one corporate structure. Western Australia is experiencing rapid change in water resources management, due predominantly to marked climatic change. Over recent years, there has been a further decline in the average rainfall for Perth and the south-west, beyond the already significant decline that started in the early 1970s. During 2004–05, major achievements included: • The development of the proposed Groundwater Investigations Program in Western Australia (2005 to 2020) • Implementation of the Gnangara Mound metering project to install about 1000 meters and monitor water use • Implementation of major elements of the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2004, including the development and preparation of Drinking Water Source Protection Assessments • The preparation of a report on possible future actions for a State Algal Management Strategy • Preparation of the Western Australian Floodplain Management Strategy • Promotion of an integrated whole of government approach to wetland management • Completion of the Stream Salinity and Trend Status Report for the South-West Drainage Division • Major progress on Engineering Evaluation Initiatives to deliver better engineering approaches to manage salinity The agency completed a report to the State Government setting out the broad requirements and costs of a coordinated water resources management program for the next decade. This report focussed on improving water resources investigation, assessment, planning and the protection of public and private drinking water sources. As a result, the agency received a substantial funding boost that will enable a long-term funding base for water resources management and associated initiatives. Also of significance is the new regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) governance structure for the delivery of NRM objectives. We have been working closely with regional groups to align the NRM strategy priorities with those of the agency to achieve mutual objectives and maximise the use of available funding. During 2004–05 we provided an extra emphasis on community involvement and stakeholder management including establishing specially focussed community reference groups. 5 Water and Rivers Commission Annual Report 2004–2005 We continue to promote and encourage indigenous engagement across all our businesses so as to ensure appropriate consultation with Aboriginal peoples is strongly embedded within our processes, deliberations and decision making. Our draft Sustainability Action Plan was developed, supporting the State Sustainability Strategy. This Plan is part of a whole of government requirement for each agency to examine their practices and demonstrate how they are furthering the sustainability agenda in balancing social, economic and environmental values. As well, our five-year strategic direction was completed identifying long-term goals in environmental and water resources management. I appreciate the contribution that our highly talented and diverse workforce continues to make and thank them for another year of tremendous support. Derek Carew-Hopkins ACTING DIRECTOR GENERAL 6 Annual Report 2004–2005 Water and Rivers Commission 1 Contents Acknowledgments 2 Recommended Reference 2 Vision 3 Mission 3 Our Principles 3 Letter to the Minister 4 Foreword 5 1 Contents 7 2 About the Water and Rivers Commission 13 2.1 Governing legislation 14 2.2 Organisation profile 14 2.3 Organisation structure 16 3 2004–2005 Major achievements 19 4 Report on Operations 21 4.1 Manage Water Use and Protect Quality 21 4.1.1 Business overview 21 4.1.2 Groundwater Investigations Program in WA (2005–2020) 22 4.1.3 Implementation of the Gnangara Metering project 22 4.1.4 Understanding the Gnangara Mound 23 4.1.5 Irrigation in the Ord Irrigation District 25 4.1.6 Licensing and management of water use 26 4.1.6.1 Public Drinking Water Supply Sources Protection 26 4.1.6.2 Water resources quality protection 28 4.1.7 Emergency response arrangements under the 2005 Water Deficiency Declarations 28 4.2 Waterways and Catchment Management 30 4.2.1 Business overview 30 7 Water and Rivers Commission Annual Report 2004–2005 4.2.2 Luke Pen Scholarship Fund 30 4.2.3 Wetlands and Waterways 31 4.2.3.1 Statewide Algal Management Strategy 31 4.2.3.2 Waterways Strategy 32 4.2.3.3 Fish kills, response and protocols 32 4.2.3.4 Pilbara/Kimberley rivers and foreshores 33 4.2.3.5 River restoration — waterways on-ground works 34 4.2.3.6 The challenge of setting estuarine water quality targets 37 4.2.3.7 South West estuarine water quality targets and situation statements 38 4.2.3.8 Beach Health 40 4.2.3.9 Contribution to the guide to biodiversity incentives programs in WA 41 4.2.3.10 Whole-of-government approach to wetland management 41 4.2.4 Salinity 42 4.2.4.1 Stream salinity and trend status report for the south-west drainage division 42 4.2.4.2 Salinity Investment Framework — Phase II 43 4.2.4.3 Dumbleyung Strategic Water Management Strategy 44 4.2.4.4 Engineering Evaluation Initiative achievements 44 4.2.4.5 Recovery Catchments 45 4.2.4.6 Engineering Salinity Solutions — 1st National Salinity Engineering Conference 47 4.2.5 Implementation of the Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004 48 4.2.6 Natural Resource Management support 49 4.2.7 Western Australian Floodplain Management Strategy 50 4.2.8 Stormwater Management Manual 51 4.3 Office of Water Policy 51 4.3.1 Business overview 51 4.3.1.1 Water Legislation Amendment (Competition Policy) Bill 52 4.3.1.2 Water Boards Bill 52 4.3.1.3 Extension of enactments — by-laws and regulations 53 4.3.1.4 Great Southern Water Industry Strategic Plan 53 4.3.1.5 Sustainable indigenous communities 53 4.3.1.6 Infrastructure security 54 4.3.1.7 Western Australian Water Industry Awards 54 4.4 Water Information 55 4.4.1 Business overview 55 4.4.2 Collecting water resource information 55 8 Annual Report 2004–2005 Water and Rivers Commission 4.4.3 Management and provision of water resource information 55 4.5