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In 2003 the Peel-Harvey Coastal Catchment was identified as a priority hotspot under the Australian Government's Coastal Catchments Initiative (CCI) and the subsequent component projects were developed in partnership with the Government of Western Australia.
The CCI programme consisted of eight coordinated projects including the development of the Water Quality Improvement Plan for the Rivers and Estuary of the Peel-Harvey System (WQIP) by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) with assistance and coordination provided by the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council. The outputs of the seven remaining projects contributed to and assisted in the preparation of the WQIP. These CCI projects were as follows and their reports are included as appendices in the WQIP:
- Decision Support System for Water Quality Protection
- Support System for the Phosphorus Reduction Decisions
- Water Quality Monitoring Program
- Water Sensitive Urban Design
- Regulation/ Licensing Review
- Targeted Assistance to Intensive Agricultural Industries, and
- Stock Exclusion from Catchment Waterways.
The EPA has now prepared a draft WQIP that takes the findings of the seven supporting projects and recommends a combination of management measures to reduce phosphorus loss from land uses within the coastal sections of the three catchments-the Serpentine, Murray and Harvey-draining to the estuary. The key components include:
- use a slow-release, low water soluble fertiliser, applied after the break of season, preferably in spring and at reduced rates, on sandy soils in rural areas
- undertake soil amendment on sandy soils in rural areas
- use low water soluble fertiliser in urban areas
- connect all existing homes to infill sewerage
- zero discharge from licensed agricultural premises
- improve other agricultural practices to reduce phosphorus discharges
- undertake strategic reafforestation of agricultural land
- connect to sewerage all homes and properties for new urban developments
- undertake soil remediation in all new urban developments with sandy soils
- implement Local Planning Policies, Strategies and Planning Conditions that incorporate Best Management Practices where applicable
- incorporate water sensitive urban design in all new developments, and
- improve the agricultural and urban drainage system.
The Draft WQIP was released by the EPA for community engagement on 19 September 2007 until 10 December 2007. A series of community workshops will be conducted during the consultation phase in addition to meetings with key stakeholders.
The EPA seeks the community's views on this draft WQIP. After receiving submissions the EPA will prepare a final WQIP for Government implementation and funding. Click here for submission proforma.
Hard copies of the report are available:
At the Environmental Protection Authority Library, Level 4 The Atrium, 168 St Georges Terrace, Perth
On request by emailing policy@dec.wa.gov.au or calling 08 6467 5226.
At the Peel Waterways Centre, 6/21 Sholl Street, Mandurah
On request by emailing pwc@water.wa.gov.au or calling 08 9550 4228.
Downloads
Community Consultation Document (PDF 1.09 MB)
Draft Water Quality Improvement Plan for the Rivers and Estuary of the Peel-Harvey System (PDF 3.99 MB)
Appendix B - Decision Support System for Water Quality Protection (PDF 4.79 MB)
Appendix C - Support System for the Phosphorus Reduction Decisions
Appendix C1 - Model Framework Development Report (PDF 4.55 MB)
Appendix C2 - BMP Scenarios Report (PDF 2.22 MB)
Appendix C3 - LASCAM Scenarios Report (PDF 2.13 MB)
Appendix D - Water Quality Monitoring Program (PDF 972 KB)
Appendix E - Water Sensitive Urban Design
Appendix E1 - Peel-Harvey WSUD Local Planning Policy (PDF 3.08 MB)
Appendix E2 - Peel-Harvey Coastal Catchment Water Sensitive Urban Design Technical Guidelines (PDF 8.10 MB)
Appendix F - Regulation/ Licensing Review (PDF 336 KB)
Appendix G - Targeted Assistance to Intensive Agricultural Industries (PDF 741 KB)
Appendix H - Stock Exclusion from Catchment Waterways (PDF 336 KB)
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