Narellan Creek catchment : an urban impact study

Abstract

River system and catchment area management in developed and developing economies has become more urgent yet more problematic as urban areas grow, industries shift locations and production processes, and communities become more concerned about deteriorating water quality and environmental degradation. This thesis documents the design and implementation of an adaptive and integrated management approach towards achieving sustainable water resource management practices in the Narellan Creek sub-catchment located within the Hawkesbury- Nepean catchment. The Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Trust was in many ways a model of best practice for the management of a catchment of 22,000 square kilometres under severe pressures from urbanization and industrialization near Sydney. The Trust's approach to catchment management was unique in its design as an integrated model enabling the participatory formulation of catchment management strategies. The Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Trust established local catchment based management committees to address the needs and specific objectives of communities, and involved organizations, government agencies and other stakeholders. The local committees were instrumental in harnessing the expertise, knowledge and interest of local stakeholders in order to identify key issues and problems propose possible solutions, actions plans, development and implementation. These committees developed impact studies, monitoring programs, and educational activities In order to address the environmental issues in relation to water quality of local stream, creeks and rivers. The objective of the Trust was to help integrate the management of natural and cultural resources of the catchment. These resources include land, water, flora, fauna, air, scenic landscapes and heritage. The Trust supported the involvement of a number of organisations with the development of a Narellan Creek Urban Impact Study. These organisations and groups included The Upper Nepean Catchment Management Committee, local council, State Government Agencies, developers and the local community. This study comprised an evaluation of previous monitoring and studies on the catchment to establish the status water quality and flow in the Narellan Creek catchment. The study also consisted of a pre survey to determine levels of community awareness and attitudes on the environment, a community education programme based on the findings of the initial survey and a post survey subsequent to the implementation of the educational programme. The study is presented as an exemplar case which highlights the benefits of stakeholder collaboration and the importance of community participation in the development and successful implementation of ecologically sustainable development programmes. The recognition of the value of participatory, multi-partisan approaches to the sustainable management of resources may be identified in the outcomes of this case study. This study also identifies the significance of a coordinating agency such as the Trust as a key stakeholder in terms of providing an institutional framework for change, localized expert knowledge and as an enabler for the action of other stakeholder groups in the development and implementation of a sustainable model for catchment management. The participatory, multi-partisan (multi-stakeholder) philosophy adopted by the Trust in their model of catchment management represents a paradigm shift from traditional approaches catchment management. Stakeholders have interest and legitimate concern for and knowledge of the environment within which they exist. As such they are in a powerful position to influence the management of resources within natural ecosystems. Clearly, different agencies will have different areas of responsibility, resourcing and legislative support. However, cooperative and constructive action which is consistent with the goals and expectations of the community, stakeholder groups can have a major impact on the future of the catchment. Catchment authorities such as the Trust and its committees provide a mechanism for improved cooperation between and within agencies (stakeholders) and simultaneously fostering closer links between the community and government.

Date of Award	2008
Original language	English