Environment and Sustainability Committee — 2020-08-20

1. Report on the status of Ipswich's rivers and waterway systems

Doc ID No: A6377280

ITEM: 1

SUBJECT: Report on the status of Ipswich's rivers and waterway systems

AUTHOR: Natural Environment and Land Manager

DATE: 22 July 2020

Executive Summary

This is a report following the Mayoral Minute presented by Mayor Harding in May 2020 seeking a full report on Council’s roles and responsibilities in the management of the Bremer River and Ipswich waterways, and the consideration of future actions and investment priorities.

Recommendations:

A. That Council endorse the Bremer River and Waterways Health Report July 2020 as a full report on Council’s roles and responsibilities in the management of the Bremer River and Ipswich waterways in response to the Mayoral Minute presented by Mayor Harding in May 2020, as detailed in Attachment 1.

B. That Council adopt the Waterway Health Strategy 2020 as the strategic direction for investment in city-wide and sub-catchment based actions, as detailed in Attachment 2.

C. That a waterway investment plan draws upon the Bremer River and Waterways Health Report and the Waterway Health Strategy to inform future budget considerations for investment in waterway improvement.

D. That Council receive and note the Waterway Health Strategy Background Report as detailed in Attachment 3.

RELATED PARTIES

There were no conflicts of interest arising or declared as part of this project.

Advance Ipswich Theme

Caring for the environment

Purpose of Report/Background

The Bremer River and Waterways Health Report (Attachment 1) provides an overview of the legislative framework, the key stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities, the health status, and the priority investment actions for waterways in Ipswich. The report is supplemented by the renewed Waterway Health Strategy 2020 (Attachment 2) and a detailed Background Report (Attachment 3) outlining the city-wide strategic priorities and sub-catchment based actions to improve the health and function of the Bremer River and Ipswich waterways. The Waterway Health Strategy 2020 builds on the best available science and past actions to set the investment priorities for the next 3-5 years.

Implementation of the Strategy will support Council’s achievement of the Corporate Plan Strategic Priority for protecting and preserving the natural environmen t, and provides a framework for Council to meet the relevant legislative requirements for waterway protection.

Council’s primary role in waterway health management is to meet community expectations through policy, planning and management actions. Council’s responsibilities are guided by Commonwealth and State legislation as well as regional and local policies. Whilst Council is only one player within the broader context of waterway and catchment management, it is well positioned to lead, advocate and implement for real change at a local level.

Council fulfils its role in waterway health management by working across four broad areas:

· Developing and implementing planning documents and management activities to fulfil legislative requirements (eg Ipswich City Council’s Waterway Health Strategy)

· Supporting regional natural resource management as a stakeholder in regional planning, operational programs and education initiatives.

· Delivering on-ground natural resource management, stormwater improvement and floodplain management activities.

· Supporting local groups and landholders in waterway improvement initiatives.

Waterway health management is also achieved, directly or indirectly, through a number of projects and programs between Council and external organisations, landholders and the general community, such as:

· Private landholder support programs (Land for Wildlife, Partnership Agreements)

· Environmental education material, workshops and events

· Support to local and regional natural resource management groups

· Investigating opportunities in market-based mechanisms for on-ground outcomes such as vegetation and water quality offsets

· Sourcing external funding for riparian protection and rehabilitation projects and devolved grants.

Council’s inaugural Waterway Health Strategy was adopted in 2009. Since then, Council has undertaken a number of actions to improve the health of Ipswich’s waterways, including bank stabilisation, community planting events, and the delivery of key projects such as the naturalisation of Small Creek. In addition, Council has collected and collated waterway health data and conducted a sub-catchment based condition assessment. This has led to the development of sub-catchment profiles and area specific recommendations and actions to address the needs of each waterway within the Ipswich Local Government area.

Legal/Policy Basis

There is no legislative requirement for Council to develop and adopt a Waterway Health Report or Strategy. However, this report and its recommendations are consistent with all relevant legislative provisions as listed in Bremer River and Waterway Health Report, and fall within good governance under the:

Local Government Act 2009

RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

As an asset, there is organisational and environmental risk associated with not having a clear and defining strategy for Council in regards to the management of the City’s waterways.

Financial/RESOURCE IMPLICATIONS

The Bremer River and Waterway Health Report and the Waterway Health Strategy presented, set out the strategic investment opportunities to improve waterway health. The waterway report includes a number of higher level recommendations, some of which are currently costed and included in the 2020/21 budget. Others are proposed as future investment considerations.

These include funding to expand riparian improvement works as well as increases to the workforce in areas pertaining to catchment and water quality management, notably, in sediment and erosion control compliance and education, and waterway and vegetated stormwater asset maintenance.

COMMUNITY and OTHER CONSULTATION

All documents drawn upon here to inform this report were produced in collaboration with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.

The Waterway Health Strategy and background report were developed, taking into consideration consultation across all relevant areas of council and key external stakeholders that has occurred previously.

Conclusion

The Bremer River and Waterway Health Report responds to the Mayoral Minute presented by Mayor Harding in May 2020 seeking a full report on Council’s roles and responsibilities in the management of the Bremer River and Ipswich waterways, and the consideration of future actions and investment priorities. It provides an overview of the legislative framework, the key stakeholders and their roles and responsibilities, the health status, and the priority investment actions for waterways in Ipswich. The report draws from the proposed new Waterway Health Strategy and background report which set out a position and road map for Council to move forwards in prioritising waterway health as a focus for the City.

Attachments and Confidential Background Papers

1.

Bremer RIver and Waterway Health Report July 2020 ⇩

2.

Waterway Health Strategy 2020 ⇩

3.

Waterway Health Strategy Background Report 2020 ⇩

Phil Smith

Natural Environment and Land Manager

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Kaye Cavanagh

Manager, Environment and Sustainability

I concur with the recommendations contained in this report.

Charlie Dill

General Manager - Infrastructure and Environment

“Together, we proudly enhance the quality of life for our community”

Environment and Sustainability Committee

Meeting Agenda

20 August

2020

Item 1 / Attachment 1.

Environment and Sustainability Committee

Meeting Agenda

20 August

2020

Item 1 / Attachment 2.

Environment and Sustainability Committee

Meeting Agenda

20 August

2020

Item 1 / Attachment 3.

Mentions: Ipswich

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