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Water targets

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The health of all ACT water ecosystems is consistently the best of all Australian capital cities and their catchments
8. Water supply catchments

The intention of this target is to protect and rehabilitate catchments that are used for potable water supply. Recovery of the catchments after the fires of 2003 is continuing and efforts to improve groundcover to reduce sediment run-off from erosion will continue to use natural processes in ensuring that relevant water quality standards are met. This work will complement efforts to enhance biodiversity in these catchments.

OUTCOMES OUTPUTS ACTIONS

Intermediate

Revegetation and better road management in the lower Cotter results in sediment movement to streams in the lower Cotter catchment stabilised at below pre-bushfire levels (2015)

Ensure water supply security that results in water restrictions limited to one in every 20 years or less than 5% of the time (2015)

Long-term

The excellent condition of all ACT water supply catchments provides resilience to loss of water quality in parts of the catchment due to periodic bushfires or other periodic disturbance (2030)

 

Area of catchment restored (ha)

Land is protected from erosion

Development of an ACT region water strategy based on the current ACT water strategy, Think water act water

Related plans

Draft Lower Cotter Strategic Management Plan

Environment and Protection Act 1997, republication November 2004

Think water, act water

Water2Water

Water Resources Act 2007

ACT Aquatic Species and Riparian Zone Conservation Strategy Action Plan 20

ACT Planning and Land Authority Water Use and Catchment Code

Forestry Code of Practice

Foundation

Choose an index of stream condition and catchment health (e.g. the MDBC Sustainable Rivers Audit) for use and to trigger action points so that adaptive management can be activated to address water quality or erosion problems

Develop a geographic information system (GIS) data system for integrated water quality and stream health that combines agency and accredited Waterwatch monitoring and AUSRIVAS data

On-ground

Encourage Government endorsement of the integrated Lower Cotter Strategic Management Plan

Rehabilitate priority subcatchments, including in-stream habitat, consistent with vegetation communities classification. Work prioritised according to condition and available funding

Put erosion protection measures in place in priority subcatchments

Increase Waterwatch involvement in monitoring progress towards restoration of water supply catchments

Develop an agreement with stakeholders about supply of potable water from the Murrumbidgee and Queanbeyan rivers

 



Molonglo Catchment Group

Molonglo Catchment Group
The Molonglo Catchment Group works largely in NSW and covers the catchments of the Molonglo and Queanbeyan Rivers, Jerrabomberra Creek and the urban areas of inner Canberra and Queanbeyan.

Ginninderra Catchment Group

The Ginninderra Catchment Group works in the urban areas of Belconnen, West Belconnen, Hall, Gunghalin, and the rural areas and nature reserves of the Ginninderra Creek catchment.

Ginninderra Catchment Group

Southern ACT Catchment Group

Southern ACT Catchment Group
The Southern ACT Catchment Group operates in the southern areas of the ACT covering Woden, Weston Creek, Tuggeranong, Tharwa, Tidbinbilla and Namadgi national parks, and the rural leases.