Western Australian Natural Resource Management Strategy

Copyright © Western Australian Agriculture Authority, 2015

May 2015

Recommended referenceGovernment of Western Australia (2015) Western Australian natural resource management strategy, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia, Perth.

DisclaimerThe Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.

Copies of this document are available in alternative formats upon request.

3 Baron-Hay Court, South Perth WA 6151Tel: (08) 9368 3333Email: enquiries@agric.wa.gov.auWebsite: agric.wa.gov.au

Acknowledgements

This document has been prepared by the Natural Resource Management Senior Officers Group of the Government of Western Australia.

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1 PurposeIn Western Australia a range of State Government agencies, through their core activities, contribute to the management of the State’s natural resources. To support and complement this work, the State provides funding with the clear intent to work with community, industry and other groups to improve natural resource outcomes. This strategy outlines the state government’s direction for Western Australia’s natural resource management by:

outlining the state’s vision and goal for natural resource management; and

providing principles and priorities to guide investment.

This strategy focuses only on activities conducted through the Western Australian Natural Resource Management funding Program, with the level, priorities and criteria for funding of the Program determined by the State Government from time to time via normal budget approval processes.

Neither the Program, nor the Strategy, encompass the core land, water and marine resource management functions of agencies, which are summarised at Appendix A for the major agencies (noting that any agency that utilises, manages and regulates any part of the State’s land, water or marine resources has some “natural resource management” function and responsibility).

2 VisionWestern Australia’s government, industries and community working together to conserve, manage and sustainably use the state’s natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

3 GoalTo meet this vision, individual and community wellbeing will be enhanced through activities that: support sustainable use of natural resources invest in priority projects conserve and where feasible, recover diversity and productive capacity of natural

resources.

4 Investment PrinciplesThis strategy covers the renewable natural resources of land (soils, landforms and geology), water (fresh and marine, including waterways, wetlands, groundwater and other water-dependent ecosystems, and surface water) and biodiversity (the variety within and between all species of plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystems within which they live and interact). Managing non-renewable resources, such as minerals, oil and gas, occurs through other policies, regulatory and/or approval processes.

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There are many pressures challenging our natural resources, including population growth, weeds, pests, pollution, clearing of native vegetation, altered fire regimes, increasing salinity, sedimentation, erosion, algal blooms and impacts of climate variability. Management of these pressures is a fundamental aim of this strategy.

4.1 Sustainable management of land resourcesAgricultural and pastoral activities occur on about 80% of the state’s allocated land area, with a gross value of production of more than $7 billion in 2011/12. Forestry contributed a gross value of production of $356 million in 2011/12 through logging, harvesting of plantation and natural sandalwood stands and old growth forest operations. These primary industries significantly contribute to the economies and social fabric of many regional and rural communities and their sustainable management is essential.

Western Australia has an incredibly rich, diverse and unique set of land-based biodiversity assets, many of which are internationally recognised. These include Purnululu, Ningaloo Reef, Shark Bay World Heritage Area, the south-west international biodiversity hotspot, the Kimberley and the forests of the south-west.

Biodiversity supports a range of production systems as well as having important amenity, recreational, scientific and educational values. Additionally, it supports spiritual values, such as our sense of place, which are widely acknowledged and highly significant. Ecosystem service values, such as nutrient stripping by wetlands and de-activation of pollutants by micro-organisms, are also vital.

Conserving biodiversity at a landscape scale is achievable with all members of the community participating. Private landowners and other managers need recognition and support to protect the conservation values on the land they manage for future generations. This outcome is best achieved through partnerships.

4.2 Sustainable management of inland watersWater is fundamental to life and public health; it drives and facilitates economic development and provides a variety of social, sporting and recreational opportunities.

Protecting rivers, wetlands and other water-dependent ecosystems supports ecosystem health, water availability and biodiversity. With pressures, such as urban expansion and climate change, our approach and values associated with water resource management may need to change and therefore the tools that we have to manage changes may need to be adapted.

Managing water resources and water quality will continue to be a high priority for government and the community given the impacts of our varying climate, continuing economic development, the need to provide environmental flows and meeting demand from rapid population growth.

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4.3 Sustainable management of marine and coastal environmentsMarine and coastal environments are part of WA’s identity and support cultural, social, recreational and commercial activities.

Inland waters, marine and coastal environments together support a commercial fishing industry with a gross value of production of $448 million in 2011/12, a substantial part of the state’s tourism industry and a considerable recreational fishing industry. These industries contribute to the social and economic wellbeing of many regional and rural communities. Sustainably management will protect commercial fisheries, recreational fishing opportunities, tourism ventures and marine and coastal ecosystems in the long term.

Our marine and coastal biodiversity and ecosystems are internationally renowned: the Ningaloo Reef and Shark Bay areas are World Heritage areas, the marine and coastal environment of the Kimberley is considered one of the few remaining wilderness areas in the world and there are newly established marine parks at Camden Sound and Eighty Mile Beach.

4.4 Integrated Planning ProcessesWA's population is predicted to grow by more than 40% by 2030 and urban and peri-urban areas, especially the coastal plain between Perth and Augusta–Margaret River, will substantially grow. Development is occurring also across the Mid-West, Pilbara and Kimberley. These trends will be a powerful driver of land use and other change. Management of the State’s natural resources can be achieved where planning of urban, peri-urban and regional areas effectively minimise possible risks to sustainably using our natural resources.

5 Investment Priorities5.1 State Government ActivitiesThe state government has leadership and legislative functions for the management of the State’s natural resources. It delivers these functions primarily through the Forest Products Commission, and the departments of Parks and Wildlife, Water, Agriculture and Food, Fisheries, and Planning. Summaries of the core activities of these agencies can be found in Appendix A.

Over many years there have been national initiatives to address natural resource degradation through programs such as the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Management, the Natural Heritage Trust, Caring for Our Country and the National Landcare Program.

In Western Australia, the government has partnered with many of the national programs and it also delivers its own funding program.

5.2 Western Australian Funding ProgramPartnerships with the community and industry are an important element of delivering cost-effective outcomes. Over many years, partnerships with groups, including landcare groups, industry bodies, Aboriginal groups, landholders, community groups and non-government organisations, have delivered many positive outcomes in the management of natural resources, to the WA community.

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The State Government maintains strong support for:

The role community groups play in planning and coordinating and facilitating community input into the delivery of natural resource management activities;

Volunteer efforts and the significant additional benefits they bring to State funded grants; and

The critical roles local governments, industry and Aboriginal groups can play in contributing to planning and implementing initiatives.

The priorities for State Government investment in the management of natural resources are:

On-ground local community action; and Improving community capability to do on-ground work and enhancing governance and

management performance of community-based organisations (capacity building).

Volunteers and community groups are instrumental in delivering tangible outcomes for the improved management of natural resources. Partnerships between government and volunteers and community groups provide activities in relevant locations and opportunities to build upon existing funds. Supporting these groups through building capacity and maintaining skills is an important priority for investment.

Performance monitoring, evaluation and reporting arrangements are put in place for all projects funded under the Program. Reporting is required under both the Royalties for Regions and Consolidated Fund components of the Program, with relevant departments also reporting via Budget and Annual Report obligations. NRM-related Ministers will be briefed annually on the Program.

6 SummaryManagement of the State’s natural resources is a priority for the Western Australian Government. The government’s approach outlined in this strategy will direct future investment in this area.

Through partnerships with landholders, community groups and industry, many significant outcomes have been, and will continue to be, achieved and will ensure the sustainability of our natural resources for future generations.

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Appendix A: Description of Agency ResponsibilitiesDepartment of Agriculture and Food Western AustraliaThe outcome sought by Government through the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia is a profitable, innovative and sustainable agrifood sector that benefits Western Australia. The Department delivers this through three service areas: business and supply chain development, transformational development and resource risk management.

Primarily activities to manage the resource base are delivered through the resource risk management activity, to which approximately $102 million is allocated for activities including improving understanding and tools for climate variability, retaining natural resource health and ensuring biosecurity.

Two pieces of legislation help the Department of Agriculture and Food Western Australia to deliver its functions in this area:

Soil and Land Conservation Act 1945 - provides legislation for the conservation of soil and land resources, and mitigation of the effects of land degradation; and

The Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007 - establishes a biosecurity regulatory scheme to prevent serious animal and plant pests and diseases from entering the State and becoming established, and to minimise the spread and impact of any that are already present within the State. The Act also establishes controls in relation to agricultural and veterinary chemicals, fertilisers and animal feeding stuffs, and has the capacity to recognise and support industry standards.

Department of Parks and WildlifeThe Department of Parks and Wildlife has responsibilities to deliver the following desired outcomes: Community enjoyment of park facilities and services, wildlife and the natural environment displayed in parks, and conservation and sustainable utilisation of biodiversity.

The three services areas of parks management ($94m), wildlife management ($139m) and forest management ($53m) all provide outcomes associated with management of the natural resource.

The department has four pieces of legislation that help it to deliver these functions:

Environmental Protection Act 1986 - creates the Environmental Protection Authority, for the prevention, control and abatement of environmental pollution, and for the conservation, preservation, protection, enhancement and management of the environment;

Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 - establishes comprehensive legislative provisions dealing with State conservation and land management matters;

Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 - provides for the conservation and protection of wildlife; and

Bushfires Act 1954 - makes provision for diminishing the dangers resulting from bush fires, and for the prevention, control and extinguishing bush fires.

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The Swan River Trust is also located within the Department of Parks and Wildlife. Government seeks the following outcomes from the Swan River Trust: long term community benefit of the Swan-Canning river system is protected and enhanced and the ecological health of the Swan-Canning river system is protected and enhanced. It delivers these through four service areas: Statutory assessment of development proposals ($2m), Riverpark management ($2m), Development and implementation of environmental management programs ($12m) and communication of environmental information ($2m). All areas have a role is delivering sustainable management and improvement of the natural resource base.

It has one piece of legislation that allows it deliver these functions:

Swan and Canning Rivers Management Act 2006 – it establishes the Swan Canning Riverpark, develops targets for river use and environmental health, improves coordinated management of activities that may affect the rivers, enables for the streamlining and assessment of planning approvals and allows for the use of River Protection Notices to manage activities that affect the river. It also increases opportunities for public involvement in planning and decision making.

Department of WaterThe purpose of the Department of Water is to support Western Australia's community, economy and environment by managing water sustainably. The Department delivers this through three service areas: Water Information and Advice ($36.8m); Water Planning, Allocation and Optimisation ($38.3m); and Water Regulation, Licensing and Industry Governance ($17.1m).

Through the Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984, the Department of Water leads water resource management in Western Australia by coordinating cross-government efforts to protect and manage water resources. Section 9 of the Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984 outlines the general functions of the Minister for Water, including:

Conserving, protecting and managing water resources; Assessing water resources; Planning for the use of water resources; Promoting the efficient use of water resources; Promoting the efficient provision of water services; and Preparing plans for and providing advice on flood management.

The other legislation that helps the Department of Water deliver these functions include the:

Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, which provides for the regulation, management, use and protection of water resources. The objects of the Act include providing for the sustainable use and development of water resources, protection of their ecosystems and the environment in which water resources are situated, and assisting the integration of water resources management with other natural resources management;

Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947 Act and Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Act 1909 and associated by-laws, which protect the state's public drinking water sources (i.e. proclaimed catchment areas, water reserves and underground water pollution control areas);

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Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947 Act (Clearing Licence) Regulations 1981, which control clearing of vegetation to manage and prevent salinisation of water resources in the clearing control catchments (Mundaring Weir, Wellington Dam, Harris River Dam, Denmark River, Warren River, Kent River).

Metropolitan Arterial Drainage Act 1982, which provides for an arterial drainage scheme and the declaration of drainage courses.

Waterways Conservation Act 1976, which applies to the declared waterways management areas (Albany waterways, Avon River, Wilson Inlet, Peel-Harvey estuaries and Leschenault Inlet).

Water Services Act 2012, which enables water service providers to deliver water supply, irrigation, sewerage and drainage services.

The Government has given approval to start drafting the new Water Resources Management Bill that will provide simplified, modern water legislation for Western Australia. This will include combining the Water Agencies (Powers) Act 1984, Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, Country Areas Water Supply Act 1947, Metropolitan Water Supply, Sewerage and Drainage Act 1909, Metropolitan Arterial Drainage Act 1982 and Waterways Conservation Act 1976 into the Bill.

Department of FisheriesThe outcome desired by Government through the Department of Fisheries is conservation and sustainable development of the State’s fish resources. The Department delivers this through three service areas: fisheries management, enforcement and education, and research and assessment.

All three service areas contribute to the Department’s sustainable management of the natural resource. Budget allocated for the 2014-15 financial year against service area is as follows: fisheries management ($18m), enforcement and education ($44m) and research and assessment ($27m)

The department has two pieces of legislation that help it to deliver its functions in sustainably managing the State’s fish resources:

Fish Resources Management Act 1994 - developed to conserve, develop and share the fish resources of the State for the benefit of present and future generations; and

The Pearling Act 1990 - provides for the Minister for Fisheries to issue a policy statement giving guidelines on significant matters which may affect pearl farm leases, licences and permits.

These Acts will shortly be combined into the Aquatic Resources Management Act.

Department of PlanningThe desired outcomes sought by Government from the Department of Planning are the integration of land systems that facilitate economic development and accessibility to serviced land and infrastructure.

The Department delivers these functions through two service areas: integrated land and infrastructure policy development and, land accessibility to serviced land and infrastructure.

No specific mention is made in the budget papers about managing the state’s natural resources. However under each service function the Department of Planning has a role in

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ensuring planning processes take into account the range of values sought by community, including management of the natural resource.

The department has one piece of legislation that helps it to deliver its functions in sustainably managing the State’s natural resources:

Planning and Development Act 2005 - provides for a system of land use planning and development in the State and for related purposes.

The Forest Products Commission is a statutory authority operating under the Forest Products Act 2000. It is responsible for developing, marketing and sustainably managing the State’s plantation and native forest resources. The Forest Products Commission engages in commercial forestry activities in State-owned native forests and plantations

Forest Products Act 2000 - establishes the Forest Products Commission responsible for developing an environmentally sustainable forest products industry.

The Department of LandsThe Department of Lands is responsible for administering Western Australian lands to meet the State’s economic, social and cultural objectives. Within this definition, the Department supports the Pastoral Lands Board. The Department administers the:

Land Administration Act 1997 - provides the legislative base for administration and disposition of Crown land in Western Australia, and for sustainable management of the rangelands.

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