ACT Natural Resource Management Council

A partnership between ACT communities and the ACT and Australian Governments

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Good neighbours make good friends

the ACT – part of a larger catchment

The ACT is located in the upper catchment of the Murrumbidgee River and is a part of the Murray–Darling Basin. As the largest city in the basin and a significant economic and educational centre, Canberra draws NSW residents towards its borders, increasing the density of settlement in the area. At the same time, some Canberra residents are relocating to NSW to enjoy semi-rural lifestyles not permitted in the ACT. This congregation of small-scale rural lifestyle properties around the ACT border has the potential to impact negatively on biodiversity, land and water values both inside and outside the ACT.

The border between NSW and the ACT is a political rather than a catchment boundary. Rivers such as the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee start in NSW, flow through the ACT and then back into NSW. ACT reserves such as Namadgi and Goorooyarroo stop at the border and do not extend into NSW. The challenge is for people to work together across these boundaries so that both ACT and upper Murrumbidgee catchment natural resources are well sustained.

ACT in the Murray–Darling Basin

Occupies 3% of the basin but has 35% of the population

Uses only 0.3% of total diversions of basin water

Provides jobs for a number of people who live outside the ACT

Has a responsibility not to impact thoughtlessly on the rest of the basin

Management of natural resources in the ACT needs to minimise impact on the surrounding region and elsewhere. Although this plan is concerned only with ACT resources, it acknowledges the place of the ACT in the Murray–Darling Basin, and aligns and works with with other Murray–Darling Basin plans, particularly the Murrumbidgee Catchment Action Plan. In recognition of this, in 2006 the ACT Natural Resource Management Council and the Board of the Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority signed an agreement to work together on issues of mutual interest.

A current ACT Natural Resource Management Council investment program

WORKING WITH OUR NEIGHBOURS

Building better relationships with neighbouring local governments and catchment authorities to address natural resource management issues at the right scale

This program provides for sharing of natural resource management expertise with neighbours in the Murrumbidgee River catchment. Working with our neighbours conducted an initial forum on shared natural resource management in the Upper Murrumbidgee region in 2006. A second forum will take place during 2008.

Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Coordinating Committee

Murrumbidgee River.

Photo Michael Schultz

Junction of the Molonglo and Murrumbidgee rivers.
Murrumbidgee and Molonglo Rivers

Photo Sarah Ryan

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Council Communiqué

After each meeting the Council reports to the ACT community on its activities and deliberations.

Council last met on 1 June 2010 and some of the issues discussed included:

Welcoming the ACT and Region Catchment and Landcare Association as an observer

ACT Review of Nature Conservation Strategy and Nature Conservation Act 1980

Presentation on Investment Framework for Environmental Resources

NRM Regions Chairs Forum and Knowledge Sharing Conference Darwin April 2010

ACT Environment Grants Assessment Panel arrangements

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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.

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.

Theme by Dr. Radut.