Regional capacity - Healthy Estuaries

Regional capacity and project delivery

A coordinated effort is needed to improve water quality and protect the values that depend on healthy estuaries: thriving ecosystems, liveable communities, and economic development. The Regional Capacity and Project Delivery strategy will support regional groups and partnerships to implement on-ground actions for healthier estuaries. Local communities will be informed, engaged and equipped for long-term regional catchment management.

Capacity building

Restoring and protecting the health of our estuaries is only possible if people with the right skills, knowledge and experience work together. The Regional Estuaries Initiative is designed to support training and employment opportunities for regional communities, targeting local practices to improve estuary condition.

Catchment groups can be stretched thin, and projects and partnerships to improve agricultural or urban water quality take means and capability. The Regional Estuaries Initiative is providing resources for project officers and catchment coordinators to deliver on-ground actions.

Consistent effort is required to recruit landholders to try soil testing and fertiliser management or manage dairy effluent to reduce nutrients entering waterways. We’re partnering with regional landcare groups, catchment councils and peak agriculture industry bodies to promote best practice and improve water quality.

Growing urban areas in our regional centres are also putting our estuaries under pressure through changes to water flows and runoff of polluted stormwater. The Regional Estuaries Initiative is working with local governments to embrace water sensitive urban design by using better urban planning and design to mimic natural hydrological processes.

Planning and investing for the future

An accurate picture of water quality, land use and land use practices is needed across the six estuaries and catchments to guide long term investment and future planning. Water Quality Improvement Plans (WQIPs) document estuary condition, identify and quantify pressures and causes of degradation, and develop practical response actions. The Regional Estuaries Initiative will bring WQIPs to a contemporary standard supported by updated catchment modelling and best management practices for urban and agricultural areas.

Action plans and tailored on-ground works to improve water quality by estuary and catchment will be developed. Find the most current information on each estuary at:

Coordination

Strong project management and extensive partner engagement and support are critical to achieving the ambitious outcomes of this project. The Regional Estuaries Initiative has a dedicated coordinator who will drive partnerships and ensure the project is delivered in a timely and effective manner. The Initiative will be delivered by collaboration across State, local and Commonwealth government agencies, regional natural resource management groups, catchment councils and the community for united planning and action.

Community engagement and communication

Estuaries are unique and vibrant places that support businesses, communities, tourism, recreational and commercial fishing and port activities. Together, we will build a better understanding of current estuary health, sharing this information with all estuary users to guide future management and planning.

This website has been developed as a key resource for the community, with complex scientific information presented in a community friendly format to support consultation and engagement, and help inform decisions on management actions. New and up-to-date science and information will be added regularly.

Subscribe to our news for updates and opportunities to get involved. We’ll issue regular community updates and hold events to allow people to learn more about their local waterways and contribute to estuary improvements.