Time is running out for public submissions on Swan-Canning Cleanup program

12/10/98

Time is running out for people wanting to have their say their say on the future management plan for the Swan and Canning rivers, Water Resources Minister Dr Kim Hames said today.

Public submissions for the Swan-Canning Cleanup program close this month.

Dr Hames said it was vital that everyone wanting to have a say on the future of our city's most precious natural asset got their responses in now.

"If the community does not get behind this program, it will not succeed," Dr Hames said.

"I believe this is one of the most important initiatives in the history of the management of the Swan-Canning system."

The Swan-Canning Cleanup Program Draft Action Plan is an innovative blueprint for the future protection of the Swan and Canning rivers.

The plan recommends an integrated range of strategies over five years that involves the community, business, local, State and Federal governments, the Swan River Trust and other authorities.

The cornerstone of the plan is a four-point, $16.5million core program.

This program supports Integrated Catchment Management, improving planning and land-use management to reduce nutrient inputs, modifying river conditions to reduce algae blooms and monitoring river health to fill knowledge gaps and reporting back to the community.

Submissions will be now be assessed and considered in revisions of the draft action plan. A bulletin will be released on the public submissions.

All public submissions should be sent to: The Manager, Swan-Canning Cleanup Program, PO Box 6740, Hay St, East Perth, WA 6892. Submissions close on Thursday, October 15.

Media contact: Caroline Lacy (08) 9424 7450

Water and Rivers Commission; Paula Wallace (08) 9278 3000