Page 1100 - Week 04 - Tuesday, 28 March 2017
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
The recovery of the lower Cotter catchment therefore took on an increased urgency because it is now an important component of the territory’s water catchment. The Auditor-General’s audit report into the lower Cotter catchment served to focus attention on the importance of delivering effective and integrated land management for this important water catchment area.
Government acknowledged the need for new investment in the catchment, and the 2015-16 budget promised $7.8 million over four years to repair existing erosion control structures to: better protect water quality; deliver further fuel management activities such as the removal of some pine tree wildlings that may pose an increased fire hazard; repair fire trails; control pest plants and animals; and increase staff presence in the area and deliver a large program of works.
Today I can report that the government is well progressed in delivering a program of works that will substantially improve the environmental quality of the lower catchment and is therefore helping to protect the quality and quantity of our water supply.
The progress report which I table today summarises works against each of the Auditor-General’s 12 recommendations, noting that some of the ground works that look to repair environmental damage post-2003 will be long-term undertakings. I am pleased to report that all three of the Auditor-General’s high priority recommendations have been actioned and completed.
Recommendation 5 called on government to improve the coordination and decision-making arrangements for the lower Cotter catchment. In May of 2015, the directors-general water group resolved to assume responsibility for all works related to the management of the lower Cotter catchment. A multi-directorate working group was created to deliver on each of the Auditor-General’s recommendations, with a requirement to provide reports to the directors-general water group meetings.
In June 2016, the DG water group endorsed a new risk plan for the lower Cotter catchment, in keeping with recommendation 7 of the Auditor-General’s report. The risk plan considered 58 risks in a variety of categories, including fire management, native animals, native vegetation, plantation forestry and water management. A treatment plan, clearly outlining the risk, agency ownership of risk and the nature of mitigating activities has been finalised. This document will be regularly reviewed for endorsement by the DG water group.
The last of the high priority recommendations identified the need to assess and remedy poorly functioning sediment control structures. In 2015, the working group commissioned Landloch Australia to assist with documenting the conditions of all 38 sediment control structures in the catchment. A total of 10 structures—eight gabion check dams and two rock check dams—were prioritised for remedial work. All these works were successfully completed in 2016.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video