Nine Local Governments in the Peel-Harvey catchment area of Western Australia are setting an example for Local Governments around Australia on how Councils can work together for better water management and environmental protection. The City of Mandurah and the Shires of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Murray, Boddington, Wandering, Cuballing, Harvey, Waroona and Kwinana are involved in a special project funded with $54,000 from the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust.
The Peel-Harvey project has seen the Councils working together to protect and enhance the catchment area and improve the water quality of the Peel-Harvey. They were the first Local Governments in Western Australia to take up the challenge and join a nationwide Local Government Water Campaign, and are the first in Australia to expand the concept to a whole of catchment approach to water management and protection.
The water campaign was developed by the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), an international association of Local Governments who believe in striving for sustainability. It has since been adopted by more than 62 Local Governments across Australia.
Water Campaign project manager for the Peel Harvey-Catchment Council, Peter Jones, said the Peel-Harvey Shires were demonstrating a commitment to safeguarding and improving water quality and reducing consumption. Other Local Governments around the nation were watching its success.
“The conservation and protection of our water resources is vital to the health, vitality and sustainability of communities within the Peel-Harvey catchment,” Peter said.
He said it was important that the Councils work together to improve the water quality of the catchment. In the Peel region alone, there is an area of 5,500 square kilometres extending from 35 to 145 kilometres to the south of Perth’s CBD. The Peel region encompasses 130 square kilometres of estuary and inland waterways, much of which is a Wetland of International Significance listed under the Ramsar Convention. The region also includes 50 kilometres of pristine coastline on the Indian Ocean.
The Peel region incorporates the geographical boundaries of five local municipalities, the City of Mandurah together with the Shires of Boddington, Murray, Serpentine Jarrahdale and Waroona.
“Through participating in the ICLEI Water Campaign each of the Local Governments undertakes to progress through a milestone process that includes the development of water inventories and examines ways in which they can reduce water use and improve water quality in their area,” Peter said. “Ultimately this results in the development of a Local Action Plan for each Local Government.”
Shires involved in the Peel-Harvey project are undertaking a range of water quality and conservation projects including installing waterless urinals in public buildings to reducing fertilizer and water use on parks and gardens.
For more information phone (08) 9733 2599 or email watercpm@southwest.com.au For details about the Natural Heritage Trust visit www.nht.gov.au
