Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers Program Strategic Framework 2014

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1 Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers Program Strategic Framework 2014 Working together for healthy waterways

2 Introduction The Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers (TEER) Program was established in January The program is a regional partnership between the statutory agencies responsible for waterway management within the Tamar estuary and Esk Rivers catchment area. Financial partners represented on the TEER Strategy and Partnerships Committee include; the Tasmanian Government, Launceston City Council, West Tamar Council, George Town Council, Meander Valley Council, Northern Midlands Council, Hydro Tasmania, TasWater, the Launceston Flood Authority and NRM North. In 2008 key stakeholders and community leaders from government, industry, business and the community came together to develop the TEER Strategic Framework and a vision and for the Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers systems. In 2013 a review of the Strategic Framework was undertaken to reaffirm the direction of the TEER Program and to update the strategies to ensure the program continued to meet the needs of partners and the community. The Strategic Framework 2014 outlines the key strategies the TEER Program will implement in collaboration with our partners from 2014 to Vision & Values 2030 Vision The Tamar Estuary and Esk River Systems Healthy, productive, valued and enjoyed -Our Rivers Of Life Values Statement In all our work and dealings we will: Lead with vision Build trust and engagement Be fair and open Make informed decisions for the long term

3 Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers (TEER) Catchment

4 Role TEER s role is to improve our scientific understanding of the issues impacting upon the health of the TEER waterways so that we can better identify and target priority areas requiring onground action. TEER fosters collaborative partnerships and works closely with a range of industry, community, government, research and business partners to monitor and report on waterway health as well as developing strategies and coordinating activities to reduce pollutants entering waterways. The TEER area covers approximately 15% of Tasmania and includes; the Tamar, North Esk, South Esk, Macquarie, Brumby- Lake, and Meander catchments. A specific focus of the program is water quality improvement within these catchment areas. Aims 1. To provide a coordinated management approach and guide investment to protect, restore and enhance the Tamar estuary and its rivers from catchment to coast; and 2. To ensure science and evidence is used to inform decision making. Objectives Effective working partnerships between government, industry and community in decision making; An Independent reference point; Leverage funding and attract investment into the region; Ensure science and evidence informs decision making; Provide stakeholders with information as it comes to hand; Foster and develop regional partnerships and joint projects; Community education, awareness and engagement in NRM activities.

5 Future Directions 1. Work together to provide integrated governance, planning and management Working together is the way to achieve the desired outcomes for the Tamar Estuary and Esk River systems. TEER is well positioned to play a facilitation role and help bring about a coordinated and consistent approach to planning and management. If all players work as a team the activities associated with improving The Tamar Estuary and Esk River systems can be based on informed decision making and a strategic approach. This way of working will have the best chance of attracting the funds necessary to achieve success. Strategies TEER Role Who can help Performance measures Use the TEER program to review who does what in NRM North and TEER stakeholders Joint projects the catchment, identify gaps and encourage better State Government Department of TEER partnership forums linkages Justice (Land Use Planning) Land use strategies adopted (including the Regional Land Use Plan) Seek and advocate funding for agreed priorities Federal, state and local government Levels of funding achieved NRM North Industry partners Community groups Support and encourage consistent and informed decision making across responsible organisations NRM North and TEER stakeholders Number of decisions made involving TEER input

6 2. Protect, restore and enhance waterway health Healthy river systems help build healthy communities. Protecting, restoring and improving the health of the Tamar Estuary and Esk River systems will ensure our river systems can cope with future pressures and remain healthy, productive and enjoyed now and in the future. Strategies TEER Role Who can help Performance measures Monitor, evaluate and report on the health of the river systems TEER Stakeholders Number of reports released and the Tamar estuary Industry groups Number of monitoring programs Community University of Tasmania, established Australian Maritime College Improve the integrity of native plants and animals in and around NRM North Number of projects and activities the rivers to enhance waterway health Tamar NRM improving the health of riparian Landcare and community and estuarine flora and fauna groups Conservation groups Work in collaboration with partners to reduce pollution in the TEER Stakeholders river systems and improve waterway health by: Industry groups NRM North Community Collating and synthesizing data and developing strategies for action Identifying target areas for action Continuing to implement joint partnership programs such as: the Water Quality Imrpovement Program, Ecosystem Health Assessment Program, Stormwater Program, and Lake Trevallyn Algal Bloom Monitoring Program. Number of strategies developed in collaboration with partners Number of partnership programs implemented Number of Partneship Agreements developed Level of resource sharing and inkind contribution by partners

7 3. Build community knowledge and awareness It is important the entire community understands the Tamar Estuary and Esk River systems, the role they play in our lives, the need for them to be healthy and what we can do to help. Everyone needs to play their part. Using fact and science based information will build credibility. Promoting the role individuals and groups can play will help build attitudes and behaviors to benefit the Tamar Estuary and Esk River Systems. Strategies TEER Role Who can help Performance measures Implement the TEER Communications Plan 2012 NRM North Achievement of performance measures in TEER TEER stakeholders Communications Plan Develop and implement a suite of communication strategies in collaboration with NRM North Number of individual or issue specific communication partners to influence community attitudes and behaviour for high priority issues. TEER stakeholders strategies developed with partners (eg. stormwater, sewage and sedimentation) Incorporate communications and education activities into each TEER sub program and major project. NRM North Number of projects with communication and education activities Establish a Communications and Education working group to provide guidance and NRM North Communications and Education group established oversee implementation of the above listed strategies. TEER stakeholders

8 4. Improve the amenity of the Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers How the rivers look and how they are used is important to our community. The amenity of the Tamar Estuary and Esk River systems falls outside the scope of the TEER Program. However, providing fact and science based advice and information will influence and assist decision making. Central to the TEER Program is the improvement of the water quality. Improved water quality will assist with improving amenity. Strategies TEER Role Who can help Performance measures Provide advice and information to stakeholders to assist with siltation/ Launceston City Council Advice provided sedimentation management Launceston Flood Protection Authority Advise and inform on the impacts to the river systems regarding development initiatives, tourism and recreation Local Government State Government Relevant planning authorities Advice provided Provide information and advice on the management of water and fish life contaminants like blue green algae, e-coli and heavy metals TEER stakeholders University of Tasmania Australian Maritime College TasWater Hydro Tasmania Dept. Health and Human Services Environment Protection Authority Advice provided

9 Glossary of Terms TEER stakeholders Providing the resources to deliver or contribute towards achieving the strategy. Facilitating or coordinating stakeholders to work together to achieve the strategy (eg. securing resources, coordinating forums for discussion and action). Encouraging and lobbying stakeholders to achieve the strategy. TEER stakeholders include all organisations and individuals who have an interest in protecting, restoring, enhancing and managing the waterways within the greater Tamar catchment area. Key stakeholders are represented on the TEER committees and working groups and include; the Tasmanian Government, Launceston City Council, West Tamar Council, George Town Council, Meander Valley Council, Northern Midlands Council, NRM North, TasWater, Hydro Tasmania, University of Tasmania, Environment Protection Authority, Launceston Flood Authority, Australian Maritime, College, Tamar NRM, Forestry Tasmania, BCD Resources, Rio Tinto Aluminum, BHP Billiton TEMCO, Van Diemen Aquaculture, and Tasmanian Irrigation. NRM North stakeholders NRM North stakeholders include all of the organisations represented on the NRM North Association. These include representatives from a diverse group of people from the Aboriginal community, industry, local government, conservation groups, public and private land managers and others who have an interest or expertise in the region s natural resources.

10 Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers Program NRM North PO Box 1224, Launceston TAS 7250 Tel:(03) Fax: (03) TasWater