13.Groundwater
The basis of groundwater management in the ACT is to ensure that groundwater continues to be used in a sustainable manner. Pressure on the use of groundwater resources is recognised as the main threat and effective long-term management of its use is needed. This includes compliance, monitoring and investigative programs to ensure adequate quantification and characterisation of groundwater resources.
Groundwater quality also needs to be protected – particularly from pollution sources. This is done through legislation and policies of the Environmental Protection Authority.
The measurable target
It will identify high risk management areas using active monitoring programs, and calculate sustainable yield from multiple methods and management recommendations drawn from program evaluation
| OUTCOMES | OUTPUTS | ACTIONS |
|---|---|---|
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Intermediate Monitoring and measurement methods of aquifers expanded in accordance with increases in demand and risk (2015) Sustainable yields evaluated in line with most recent information (2015) Long-term Ensure water management areas do not experience groundwater abstraction above sustainable yields (2030) |
Related plans Think water, act water Draft Australian Guidelines for Water Recycling: Managing Health and Environmental Risks: Managing Aquifer Recharge (Phase 2) Environmental Protection Act 1997 Environmental Protection Legislation 2005 Water quality Environment Protection Policy, April 2008 Environment Protection Guidelines for Construction and Land Development in the ACT, August 2007 Contaminated Site Environment Protection Policy, November 2000 |
Foundation Comprehensive assessment of groundwater reserves and sustainable yields Foundation documents include: Environment ACT annual water reports, Salient Solutions and Integrated Carchment Assessment and Management Centre (iCAM) 2001, Groundwater Assessment of Jerrabomberra Creek Catchment, Salient Solutions and iCAM On-ground Cap new entitlement applications based on current knowledge of sustainable yields Cancel or buyback licences where appropriate Field validation of aquifers For priority subcatchments, determine water balance that incorporates regional groundwater modelling Monitor activities to ascertain water quality in and extent of known aquifers Collate historical information into database |
Biodiversity targets
Healthy functioning ecosystems are a fundamental element of healthy functioning landscapes. They are valuable in themselves and provide ecosystem services such as air and water quality, carbon sequestration, habitat, amenity and cultural value. Continued loss of communities and habitat is absolutely incompatible with ACT aspirations to being sustainable.
The measurable target
| OUTCOMES | OUTPUTS | ACTIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Intermediate Fire hazard management is improved so that it is more compatible with protection of plant and animal species and communities (2015) A strategy is in place to guide management and conservation of ecological communities threatened by climate change (2015) Long-term The integrity, condition and resilience of native terrestrial and aquatic communities and related habitats is as good or better than it was in 2008 (2030) |
Recognition of the conservation values of extant vegetation communities and their integration into A strategy to guide management and conservation of ecological communities threatened by climate change is developed Restoration and rehabilitation of land and vegetation to provide improved biodiversity outcomes on disturbed lands Related plans Planning Framework for Natural Ecosystems—NSW Southern Tablelands and ACT (2002) Nature Conservation Strategy 1995 |
Foundation Develop revegetation guidelines and standards Review off-set and other no net loss mechanisms in other jurisdictions in order to recommend approaches applicable to the ACT On-ground Develop policy that requires loss of any habitat to be offset at a commensurate rate Develop principles for fire hazard management that ensure that any potential biodiversity loss is localised, not ACT-wide Recognise and manage modified remnants for their contribution to biodiversity conservation Develop and apply mechanisms for off-reserve protection, including incentives such as payments for ecosystem services, rates rebates, voluntary conservation agreements Conserve and rehabilitate riparian zones and wetlands Improve links between researchers and land managers Develop a publicly accessible flora and fauna database Develop better monitoring systems and apply them in an adaptive management framework Assess the combined impact of pest animals, weeds, drought, fire and climate change on biodiversity Establish guidelines to assess impacts of loss or high disturbance of vegetation or habitat to ensure cumulative impact is minimised Review biodiversity valuation approaches and their potential to contribute to decision making |
15.Endangered species and communities
The ability of native species to be maintained in a landscape depends on the quality, quantity and connectivity of its preferred habitat. The intention of this target is to conserve endangered species and communities through recovery plans, action plans and mitigation of key threatening processes.
The measurable target
| OUTCOMES | OUTPUTS | ACTIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Intermediate Trajectories established that show that endangered species and communities are becoming less threatened (2015) Long-term The conservation listing status of endangered species and communities improves by 20% (2030) |
Related plans Threatened species actions plans ACT Vertebrate Pest Management Strategy ACT Weeds Strategy ACT Lowland Woodland Conservation Strategy ACT Aquatic Species and Riparian Zone Conservation Strategy ACT Lowland Grassland Conservation Strategy |
Foundation Assess the potential impact of climate change on endangered species and communities and the options for mitigation On-ground Identify and enhance priority habitat Establish species re-introductions or breeding programs if required Publicise the state and recovery of endangered species and communities Develop formal provisions that require any loss of endangered species habitat or communities to be fully offset Develop specific criteria that itemise prohibitions and restrictions on land use change in endangered species habitat Continue development, implementation and revision of threatened species action plans and conservation strategies Monitor the habitat of endangered species and communities to identify changes in condition Assess and address threats to species or communities that are in decline and in danger of becoming vulnerable Assess the combined impact of pest animals, weeds and climate change on biodiversity including the impact of extreme events such as drought, climate change and fire for inclusion in the next review of strategies and action plans for threatened species and communities |
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16.Urban biodiversity
Canberra enjoys the benefits of a rich and diverse urban ‘forest’, realising the vision of its original planners. Fundamental to this ‘bush capital’ vision is the interconnectedness of Canberra’s hills and open space that provides a valued ecological resource including for some endangered species and communities, as well as contributing to the community’s wellbeing and sense of place. Canberra’s urban forest also provides a rich ecological resource and refuge. This constructed landscape requires continued management and rejuvenation.
The measurable target
| OUTCOMES | OUTPUTS | ACTIONS |
|---|---|---|
|
Intermediate Provision for enhancing urban biodiversity values and functions is incorporated into development decisions, management plans and local neighbourhood actions (2015) Long-term Healthy and resilient urban biodiversity, at local and landscape scale (2030) Canberra has established a strong international reputation as a ‘bush’ capital and is widely used as a best practice case study (2030) |
Foundation Develop targets and indicators for urban biodiversity Map Canberra’s urban biodiversity On-ground Rehabilitate and enhance urban biodiversity in open spaces and backyards Enhance connected habitats and corridors across Canberra Construct wetlands Collaborate with stakeholders on incorporating urban biodiversity into new greenfields developments Develop provisions for urban biodiversity to be considered in planning and land management Raise the profile of urban biodiversity in the community Involve schoolchildren through the Sustainable Schools Initiative Review development of East O’Malley in terms of success of biodiversity and tree protection in relation to the original proposal, and use any results for informing other greenfields developments Review potential threats to urban biodiversity, such as prescribed burning, due to fuel management requirements in the urban fringe Develop a biosphere reserve proposal for the ACT |