10/06/2005 - Western
Australia's iconic Swan River, resource-rich
land and native plants and animals will
be better protected following the accreditation
of the State's first Natural Resource Management
(NRM) Strategy.
The landmark accreditation for the Swan
region was today announced by Australian
Government Ministers for the Environment,
Senator Ian Campbell, and Agriculture, Warren
Truss, along with Western Australian Government
Ministers for Agriculture, Kim Chance and
Environment, Dr Judy Edwards.
The strategy paves the way for government
funding to help communities manage and protect
the region's natural assets.
Making the announcement in Perth today,
Senator Campbell said the strategy marked
a fresh approach for tackling water quality,
biodiversity and land use issues in the
Swan.
"This region is renowned for its diverse
natural resources. Features such as Rottnest
and Garden Islands, a stunning coastline
and the Swan and Canning Rivers make the
area truly unique," he said.
"Under pressure as a result of years
of urban expansion, the Swan River in particular
needs our help. So the region's NRM Strategy
provides a blueprint to keep the 'heart
of Perth' healthy so our grandchildren can
enjoy it too."
Mr Truss said the strategy showed how important
natural resources were to the region's prosperity
and that those assets would play a role
in its continued success.
"The Swan is one of the richest areas
in Western Australia in terms of land, mineral
and water resources. The region supports
horticulture, agriculture, mining, forestry
and tourism. Agriculture creates ongoing
wealth in a range of sectors to the value
of about $692 million.
"The NRM strategy identifies partnerships
between communities, industries and governments
to keep these businesses strong. For example,
sustainable forestry practices will help
to restore degraded land, water and native
vegetation on private land will be carefully
managed," Mr Truss said.
Dr Edwards said caring for the region's
rivers and wetlands was vital to delivering
a high quality of water to the Swan-Canning
estuary and conserving its biodiversity.
"The strategy includes a focus on in-stream
habitats and freshwater wetlands to help
us help the Swan-Canning system," she
said.
"Proposed activities include monitoring
to maintain water resources, providing habitat
corridors and breeding grounds within water
areas, and improving flows to stop damage
to river and wetland ecosystems."
Mr Chance said the region consulted extensively
with the community during the strategy's
development.
"The Swan covers nearly 700,000 hectares
and has 1.4 million people, so getting input
from a variety of groups was a major undertaking,"
he said.
"As a result the strategy is not only
a long term vision for natural resource
management but also for indigenous and other
cultural heritage sites, and a healthy society."
The Australian and State governments will
make joint funding contributions for a range
of significant projects. Details of this
funding will be announced in coming weeks.
For information on the Swan's NRM Strategy
contact Sue Metcalf, Chair of the Swan Catchment
Council on (08) 9374 3333
