New group to improve management of Swan-Avon River catchment

29/11/95

A new group has been established to improve the co-ordination of environmental management activities in the Swan-Avon River catchment.

Primary Industry Minister Monty House today announced the membership of the Swan-Avon Integrated Catchment Management Co-ordinating Group.

"The group will play a key role in co-ordinating the efforts of community groups and agencies working for the benefit of the Swan-Avon catchment," Mr House said.

"A major responsibility is the management of the State and Federal Landcare Program funding which has been granted to the various agencies and community groups to ensure that these funds are effectively and efficiently spent on high priority projects.

"It will promote integrated catchment management as the process for the long-term protection of the river system with improved water quality, land management practices, and conservation of natural vegetation."

Mr House has appointed Mr Noel Robins as chairman of the group. Mr Robins has wide experience in catchment management as the Waterways Commissioner and a founder of the Swan River Trust.

Other members include:

·       Patricia Hart - Deputy Mayor, City of Armadale, member of the Armadale City Rivercare Group and the Canning Catchment Steering Committee;

·       Mike McFarlane - farmer Doodlakine, closely involved in landcare activities in the Kellerberrin Shire;

·       Graeme Blight - farmer West Beverley, and heavily involved in conservation projects;

·       Darralyn Ebsary - farmer Corrigin, chairperson Corrigin Land Conservation District Committee (LCDC);

·       Doug Morgan - farmer Northam, chairman of the Avon River Management Authority;

·       Max Hipkins - planning consultant and engineer, member of Canning River Regional Park Community Advisory Committee;

·       Jan Zeck - councillor, Shire of Swan;

·       Veronica Cooke - Maylands ward City of Stirling and representing the Local Government Association; and -

·       Rachel Siewert - Conservation Council of WA and representing the Soil and Land Conservation Council

The main resource management agencies of Agriculture Western Australia, Conservation and Land Management, Water Authority and Ministry for Planning also have representatives on the group.

The Swan-Avon is a major catchment system which extends through the wheatbelt east of Perth to Southern Cross. The Swan and Canning Rivers are the major tributaries, while Ellen Brook, Southern River and the Bayswater urban drain have a significant impact on the catchment system.

The catchment area is 120,000 square kilometres; it supports 1.4 million people and a huge diversity of agricultural, industrial and commercial land uses.

Agricultural production from the central and eastern wheatbelt is estimated to be worth up to $1 billion a year, while horticulture on the Swan Coastal Plain is worth about $100 million.  Integrated catchment management involving a major river system and urban region has not previously been undertaken in WA.

"A key role for the group is to ensure a high level of co-operation and involvement between Government agencies, LCDC's, catchment groups, urban interest groups and local government," Mr House said.

Media contact: Will Henwood 481 2044

Chairman, Swan-Avon Integrated Catchment Management Co-ordinating Group: Noel Robins (09) 327 9700