The NSW State Rivers and Estuaries Policy

Prepared by:

NSW Water Resources Council

New South Wales Government

Cl Crown Copyright

ISBN 0 7305 7919 0

Printed August 1993 Te~t has been printed on recycled paper.

2 000

Preface

Rivers and estuaries are very important community assets. '111ey generate a wide range of benefits, including wildlife, fisheries, agriculture, urban, industrial and social ameniti~s, and warrant the same s~rious attmtion to ass~t management strategies as is accorded to physical, capital and financial resources. The riverine and estuarine systems are complex environments with special attributes, processes and sensitivities which set it apart from dryland syst~ms.

ln recent years, concern has increased about the declining condition of the State's natural resources. This decline is possibly nowhere more evident than in the river and estuarine environments. Water quality has deteriorated, land has become degraded, salinity levels in soils and streams have ris~n, and native vegetation and its d~pendent fauna have been lost. Many owners and resource managers are increasingly aware that their activities are contributing to the overall decline in the condition of these resources, and to the consequent reduction in productivity and amenity. Many have already begun to change their management practices and to be more responsive to environmental needs, but their actions generally have been uncoordinated and inadequate for dealing with the growing problems.

The NSW Government recognises the need for the improved management of rivers and estuaries and their floodplains. The State Rivers atrd Estuaries Policy is the first natural rcsou•·ces policy within the Total Catclunent Management (TCM) framework to focus on river and estuarine resources. It complements the State Soils, State Trees and (in preparation) State Groundwater Policies. The intent is to ensure that rivers and estuaries can continue to suppon responsible economic and social uses in the long term.

The State Riwn a11d Estuaries Policy is based on the fundamental principle that government agencies, private landbolders, resource users and the community in general must all share responsibility for managing natural resources. 1t recognises, however, that a critical factor in achieving the policy objectives is the coordination and resolution of disparate State agency objectives, and their integration with Total Catchment Management principles and activities.

Specifically, the Start Riven a11d Eswaries Policy will:

• ~ncompass a suite of component policies each focussing on the prot~ction or management of ecosystem processes and associated values; and

• provide clear management objectives and principles which will reflect the State's commitmmt to resource sustainability and which must be consciously balanced against other social and economic objectives in resource management decisions.

To achieve its objectives, the State Riwn attd Eswarits Policy proposes lhrce inrer-reloted activities: development ofcomponent policies; Sun~ Riwrs a11d EsruaritJ Repon.i•rg; and Pilot River and Estuary Resource Information Studies.

The NS\'Q Government will rely upon itS agencies, local aulhorities and the community to translate tbe suite ofcomponent policies into practical management strategies. In offering a more coordinated and intensified encouragement role, lhe NSW/ Government looks forward to working witb tbe community to achieve the Policy's objectives, so tbat tbe rivers and estuaries \vill continue to provide a quality environment, supporting a full range ofcommunity needs and amenities.

Contents

Preface

Part 1: The Policy

1.1 Component Policies

1.2 State of the Rivers and Esruaries Repon:s

1.3 Pilot Rivers and Esruarics Resource lnfonnation Studies

1.4 Policy Implementation

Part 2: The Background

2.1 Overview

2.2 The Need

2.3 Th.e Overall framework

2.4 Relationship to E.xisting Acts and A3encies

2.5 The Scope of the Policy

Part3: The Objectives and Principles

3.1 Policy Objectives

3.2 Policy Principles

Part 4: The Component Policies

4.1 Scope of Component Policies

4.2 Content of Component Policies

4.3 Policy Development Responsibilities and Process

4.4 Policy Schedule

Part 5: State ofthe Rivers and Estuaries Reports

5.1 Regional Ri\'CI'S and Estuaries Repom (2 Yearly)

5.2 Stnte of rhe R;vers and Eoruarie• Report for NSW (4 Yearly)

5.3 Pilot River and Estuarine Resource Information Srudies

Part 6: Policy Coordination and Review

6.1 Component Policies

6.2 Srate of the Rivers Estuaries Reports

6.3 Policy Support and Advisory Programs

Part 1: The Policy

It is the policy of the NSW Government to encourage the sustainable management of the natural resources of the State's rivers, estuaries and wetlands and on the adjacent riverinc plains, so as to reduce, and where possible halt:

declining water quality, loss of riparian vegetation, damage tO river banks and channels, declining natural productivity, loss of biological diversity, and declining natural flood mitigation;

and to encourage projectS and activities which will restore the quality of the river and estuarine systems such as:

• rehabilitating remnant habitats, re-establishing vegetation buffer zones adjacent to streams and wetlands, restoring wetland areas, rehabilitating of estuary forcshores, and

• ensuring adequate strcamflows to maintain aquatic and wetland habitats

Adoption of the State Rivers and Estuaries Policy means that the sustainability of the river and estuarine resources and their biophysical functions will be given explicit consideration in resource management decision making.

The objective of the State Rivers and Estuaries Policy are:

TO MANAGE THE RIVERS AND ESTUARIES OF NSW IN WAYS WHICH

* SLOW, HALT OR REVERSE THE OVERALL RATE OF DEGRADATION IN THEIR SYSTEMS,

* ENSURE THE LONG"TERM SUSTAINABILITY OF THEIR ESSENTIAL BIOPHYSICAL FUNCTIONS,AND

* MAINTAIN THE BENEFICIAL USE OF THESE RESOURCES.

These objectives will be achieved through application of the following management principles:

* Those uses of rivers and estuaries which are non-degrading should be encouraged.

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* Non-sustainable resource uses which arc not essential should be

progressively phased out.

* Environmentally degrading processes and practices should be replaced with more efficient and less degrading alternatives.

* Environmentally degraded areas should be rehabilitated and their biophysical functions restored.

* Remnant areas of significant environmental values should be accorded special protection.

* An ethos for the sustainable management of river and estuarine resources should be encouraged in all agencies and individuals who own, manage or use these resources, and its practical application enabled.

1.1 Component Policies

A comprehensive set of component policies will be developed, identifying management needs and opportunities and providing clear management

principles and guidelines. They will commit agencies to the review and modification of related regulatory and operational activities, nod to the

support of rehabilitation and cooperative management programs. They include the Policies shown below.

STATl! RIVERS Al\'1) ES'nJARJES

POUCY

I I I I I I

WllTI..".NDS POUCY

CSTUARY MANAGI!MENT

POUCY

STRilAM MANAGI!MENT

POUCY

RIPARIAN ZONE

POUCY

RIVERlNB PLAINS POUCY

I I I I I

WUDAND

SCENIC RIVERS

SAJ\'DAND GRAVEL

EXTRACTION POUCY

llNVIRON· MtlNTAL

FLOW POUCY

RIVER

RECREATION

POUCY

WATER

QUAUTY

POUCY

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1.2 State of the Rivers and Estuaries Reports

Every two years, Regitmal Riven a.rd Eswaries Rtporu will be prepared and distributed widely in each catchment management region. The~ reportS will monitor trends and the occurrence of resource degradation or improvement.

The reportS will identify the existence and effectiveness of preventative action, treatment or rehabilitation. They will provide a base for the ongoing review of

the component policies and be a major clement in evaluating catchment management performance.

Every four years, information from the regional repOrtS and other sources will

be gathered into a major Start of the Riwrs and Estuarits Report. This report will provide for a comprehensive, up to date account of the environmental condition of rivers and estuaries and the performance of NSW resource

m anagement policies.

1.3 Pilot River and Estuaries Resource Information Studies

The Pilot Studies will work out the best way of gathering together all the information on the condition of rivers and estuaries which is currently held by

both government and non-government organisations. This will aid in the design and preparation of the Srare of che Rivers a11d Estuaries Repons. it will also provide a better basis for identifying a greater range of management solutions.

The aim of the studies will be twofold. Firstly, to dctem1ine a set of

meaningful and practical indicators which can be used eo assess the condition

of rivers and estuaries over lime. Secondly, to test the adequacy and accessibility of existing data which will allow measurement of these indicators.

The studies 'vill highlight the existence of less obvious sources of information, identify gaps in data collection, and any barriers to the access, transfer or collation of the information. They will recommend strategies to overcome these problems.

Mangrovn: MangroW$ provide habitanoa diverse range otaquatlc animals and are partiCtJia~y Important nursery areas lormarine tl$11.

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1.4 Policy Implementation

The Policy will be implemented and coordinated as follows:

• The Water Resources Council will oversee the implementation of the Policy.

• The Council will establish two advisory committees to provide integrated technical and strategic guidance on the impkmentation and performance of the Statt Riven a11d Eswanu Policy and its component policies and programs:

• Coastal Rivers and Estuaries Advisory Committee, and

• Inland Rivers Advisory Committee.

• The component policies and other programs will be referred to the Regional Catchment Management Committees through the Stare Catchment Management Coordinating Committee, for their support and assistance with implementation. The Catchment Management Committees will assist in the collation of the Stm• of the Riwn and Estuanu Reports and in the pilot studies which should be of direct value to them.

• The advisory committees will prepare regular reports on the progress of the component policies, their implementation, and associated management initiatives.

* Individual State agencies will support the Policy by assisting in the development of component policies, Store of the Riwn and Estuaries Reports and the pilot studies, and by reviewing and modifying their own management practices and instruments .

..

Oeg.estualy: The ostoaries or NSW area valuable state asset manyollhe eJCisting PfOblems havearisen lromunwise pa$1

cleliel:lpI Wl< CS when the oomplexlty olestuarine puxs sses was poorly understood.

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Part 2: Background

2.1 Overview

Rivers and estuaries are very important community asset$ which generate a wide range of wildlife, fisheries, agriculture, urban, industrial and social benefits.

T hese values and uses depend not only upon the quality and availability of the water resource but also on the integrity of the overall ecological system, its functions and itS proc•-sscs. These in rum rely on the quality of landfornu, soils and water, and on the diverse plant and animal communities. The State Riven a>td Eswari~s Policy therefore embraces rivers and estuaries, the riverine plains and their associated wetland environments. 1t recognises river systems as a continuum which must be managed as such.

The condition of the State's rivers and estuaries is declining. This is a result of major changes in their catchments and instream conditions and estuary entrance characteristics. Catchment changes vary from deforestation and soil erosion in the inland rivers to extensive urbanisation in coastal regions. These in rum have resulted in widespread decline in water quality and loss of habitats and a decline in essential biophysical functions. For the inland rivers in particular, frequent heavy demand for water is causing major chOf\gcs in flow patterns and flooding characteristics, with subsequent impacts on aquatic ecosystems. At the same time, the development of rive.rine plains (which ofte.n involves the clearing of rivcrine and bankside vegetation) has reduced channel stability, biological diversity and the capacity of streams to cycle nut.rients. For coastal lagoons, lakes and estuaries, urban developments have also increased prC$$ure on ecosystems, as a result of drainage, domestic and industrial waste disposal as well as direct habitat destruction. Several estuary entrances have been "trained" or dredged. These impacts in conjunction with natural coastal processes have created significant problems.

Many owners and managers of the river and estuarine resources arc becoming increasingly aware of the contribution that their activities arc making to the overall decline in the condition of these resources, and to the consequent reduction in productivity nnd amenity. Many have already begun to change their management practices and have become more responsive to environmental needs. In recent years large scale environmental rehabilitation projectS have been initiated, particularly in respect of the state owned otu.aries wlu:n: Ouvc:rnmc:nt has established a sratewfde restoration program. However, evidence of resource degradation continues to mount and estimates of longer term impacts and decline in productivity are of increasing concern.

The impacts and the management issues involved are complex and broadreaching. The management opportunities and responsibilities for dealing effectively with them arc spread widely amongst government agencies, local government, land owners and resource users.

tO

Individual agency planning, decisions and policies, based on tmdidonal areas of interest and responsibility, have resulted in a fragmented and often inconsistent approach. They have often failed to deal with the complexity of !he problems; to recognise the full range of management objectives; or ro realise the wide range of management opportunities.

The Catchment Management Act (1989) focused on achieving the cooperative management and restoration of catchment resources between agencies and the community at a regional and local level. Still missing, however, is a cohesive and integrated package of riverine and estuarine resource policies to guide and support regional and local management initiatives. This is the gap which the Sr.au RiWI'$ and Estuams Policy, together with its component policies, seeks to fill.

Such policies are needed to establish more creative incentive strUctures to protect and restore environmental quality. They must also create and guide the use of the necessary regulatory and operational mechanisms.

Furthermore, !he policies will provide an important input into broader resource-use decisions and into the resolution of e.nvironmental conflict. They can do this by cleMiy enunciating the ecological risks, the responsibilities and !he opportunities for resource protection associated with different resource uses and practices.

2.2 The Need

In recent years there has been increasing awareness of, and concern about, the declining condition of the State's natural resources. The decline is possibly nowhere more evident than in the river and estuarine enviroru11ents. Rive.rs and estuaries are subject to different pressures, but the impacts on both are similar. In both cases, development which produced tangible benefitS to the community has impacted on the environment and has resulted in a greater degree of degradation than was foreseen at the time. Evidence of this decline in !he riverine systems has included deteriorating water quality, land degradation, rising salinity levels in soils and Streams, and the decline and loss of native vegetation and its dependent fauna. Jn the estuarine system, water quality has deteriorated, banks have become unstable, and shoaling has led ro the loss of foreshore and nearshore amenity and loss of seagrass beds, with consequent impacts on fish producdon. Such factors not only have affected the natural nnd culturnl Amenity of the areas but ;are having othc:r increasingly serious effects on tourism, the fishing industry and agricultural productivity. These impacts threaten the economic viability of individual enterprises as well as that of the State generally.

The increasing evidence of resource degradation problems indicates that past management decisions or practices have not been fully effective in preventing or dealing with such problems. At the same rime the community is placing increasing demands on river and estuary systems for commercial, recreational and residential purposes.

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&tuarl": Estuaries provtdoa sought a«•r aroonityln urbanareas, bulurllen eaiCJ08Chi• • c can result m waterquality pcCiem$: loss of habolat:an loss of visual appeal.

Declim1 in the quality of the aquatic environmettt has resulted from the cumulative and concurrent changes imposed on the water system itself and on its c~ttchment.

ln the estuarine environment, natural and induced bank instability shoaling and changes brought about by training works and dredging have had a marked impact on tidal range and Oows. ln turn these changes bave impacted on the ability of estuaries to cope with pollutants and nutrients from the surrounding catchment, leading in extreme cases to a decline in fish breeding grounds and fish stocks.

ln the rivers, changed Oow regimes due to river regulation and the construction of physical barriers such as dams and weirs sigoilicandy affect the aquatic environment. Other factors include the removal ofwater from the system for

Welra: Weirs are used extensively on the westem nv.rs to re-regulato llowslor liTigation. however they alterthe natural seasonal now pattems. flow variabilityand lnstream habitat: and ""'ny Obstruct tishpassage.

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irrigation, town water supply and other offstream needs, desnagging, sedimenwtion, sand and gravel extraction, land drainage and clearing.

River regulation has had a marked effect on river flows and seasonal flow patterns. Flood peaks have been reduced, river levels stabilised and the ecology of some

sections of rivers has changed from flowing water to still water environments. 'lnese changes hove affected the suitability of rivet'S as a habitat for many native

species, while favouring many introduced species.

The impact on fish of river regulation and the construction of physical barriers has

been significant and generally deleterious. The golden perch, bony bream, Australian bass, freshwater catfish, silver peiCb, trout cod, Macquarie perch,

Murray crayfish and Murray cod are all declining in range and numbers with consequem effects on both commercial and recreational fishing.

~ Oesnagglng: largoWOOdy debris or ·snags-are sometimes removed lrom riversiO Increase cflannel capacily. lor navigation satety; and 10 proven! bank Gfosion due to llow dellectlon. However snags provide important habilatlor llsh.

Stnbilisation works, removal of streamside vegetation, desnagging, reclnmarion and other river works such as the widening, deepening and Straightening of channels

have resulted in increased flow velocities. The diversity and productivity of microhabitats in the channel have been reduced leading to a reduction in the diversity ofplant and animal life.

Extensive levee systems, designed to protect agricultural land and towns, decrea.se

the area of flood plain inundated during small and medium floods. This can reduce the area available for nutrient recycling, invertebrate production, and fish spawning

and feeding. It can change vegetation assemblages, prevent regeneration of many plants and prevent rechal'ge ofwctland systems. f'loodplain productivity, fish productivity and the number ofwaterbirds and other flood-dependent populations

is reduced as a consequence.

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http:decrea.se

Damage to wetlatzds a11d billabo11gs has resulted from hydrological modifications, drainage and filling, flood mitigation works, agricultural activities and vegetation clearance. This has resulted in a reduction in their diversity and abundance as well as a decline in their ecological functions and overall productivity.

Urban weuands: Urban encrouc:hmenl has resulted in the loss or degradation of many weUands.

In the eastern part of the State, the more obvious changes have included the large-scale drainage of coastal wetlands for flood mitigation or agricultural purposes. The reclamation of coastal wetlands for development purposes and for refuse disposal has also caused a substantial loss. For example, of the estimated 2,400 ha of we!lands originally around Botany Bay, only about I 00 ha remain today. On the inland rivers, the death of extensive stands of river red gums has resulted from either prolonged or unseasonal inundation from regulated flows. At the same time a reduction in the frequency or extent of natural flooding has led to a decline in the condition and regenerative capacity of rivcrine woodlands.

More subtle are the effects of changes to the water regime, alterations to the flooding patterns and consequent effects on the vegetation, nutrient cycling and fauna! populations. Several species of waterfowl are declining in numbers as a result of reductions in breeding habitat and drought refuge areas. While artificial storages have provided benefits to a few species there has been an overall a:nd t ub&t:lntial lots of uaco.ble wetl:'tnd habi ta[ for wa[erbird

populations.

This decline in wetlands has long term implications (beyond the loss of intrinsic environmental values) for the natural fertility and productivity of the floodplains, Streams and estuaries to the extent that the agricultural activities, commercial fisheries, tourism and recreation may all be detrimentally affected.

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~ -Water birds: Wetlallds ptOVide food atld habl1at formigtata

lAnd degradatiota is Bluo

... also of concern on

green floodplain lands. Thealgae: ovcrclearing of nativeBlue-gteen

algaecan vegetation, inappropriateloon a surface farm management scumwilh practices and the change IIIo from grazing to cropping

are (n,quently cited as contributing factors.

Land degradation may include soil loss by water or wind erosion, salinisarion or acidification of soils,

deterioration of soil structure, and the development of water

repellence in sandy soils.

It reduces the long·term productive capability of the land and reduces

economic returns. In addition, indirect effects may include either

reduced or increased accessions to

groundwater, reduced water quality (througb chemical residues, nutrients and sedimentation of streams and storagcs) and increased costs associated with

water treatment and greater flood damage.

... catchment andund Management: Land degradalionin lhecaldlment may reSUlt In poo

Vegetation clearance and inappropriate vegetation management, particulady in riparian zones and along drainage lines, can seriously damage

productive rivcrine and estuarine resources. It decreases productivity by lowering soil fertility, increasing groundwater levels and associated salinity and enabling soil erosion and bank instability. Such clearing also weakens !he

food ch.ain by reducing !he amount of leaves and olher coarse organic matter entering !he stream. Riparian zone vegetation acts as a buffer against the

overland passage of pollutants, and when the buffer is removed, water quality suffers .

... RfvorBank Protoctfon Works: loss of,.,..rian wge~a

ond Increased runoff can result In bank erooton. Coslly slruCiural wor1

Improved water management strategies, including volumetric allocations, have largely controlled the declines.

Habitat change, through clearing, fire and over-grazing has been a major threat to riverine flora and fauna. Twenty percent of vertebrates currently at risk on flood plains rely on trees and shrubs for breeding. Already several species of plants and small mammals have become extinct and many more are now seriously endangered, as are several bird amphibian and reptile species. Many more plant and animal species have been reduced in range and abundance. Other pressures including forestry, biocides, pest plants and animals and tourism and recreational activities have taken their toll. Changed flow regimes, combined with clearing and overgrazing, have resulted in a significant decline in the quality and regenerative capacity of the river red gum and black box communities of the western floodplains. The clearing of riparian vegetation has destroyed important links between conservation areas such as National Parks and Nature Reserves, and has reduced wildlife movements.

Examples of resource degradation such as salinisation and waterlogging, erosion, and the loss or deterioration of riparian vegetation are well documented. Increased understanding of the extent and causes of such problems provides both the incentive and opportunity to re-assess management techniques and priorities and to develop new management solutions. The introduction of the State Rivers and Estuaries Policy is therefore both necessary and timely.

2.3 The Overall Framework

The State R ivers and Estuaries Policy lies within the sphere of Total Catchment

Management, adopted by the Government as the framework for natural resource management in New South Wales. Total Catchment Management is an approach to the management of human activities which recognises that the interrelationship between physical and biological systems and life-support processes is best provided for within an integrated catchment framework. This framework is the basis for two related initiatives: the development of integrated natural resource management policies, and the establishment of community based management committees

under the Catchment Management Act.

The State Trees Policy and the State Soils Policy were released in 1987. The State Rivers and Estuaries Policy and the State Groundwater Policy (currently in preparation) will complement those policies, in the following relationship :

TOTAL CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT

I

I I I

STATE SOILS

POLICY

STATE TREES POLICY

STATE RIVERS A!'

2.4 Relationship to Existing Acts and Agencies

1l1e Stare Rivers and Estuaries Policy recognises the role of other instruments and authorities in environmental planning and management. lt seeks to complement and reinforce these roles as they relate to the riverine and estuarine systems.

·llte NSW ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AUTHORITY (EPA) will play a leading role in environmental goal setting, and performance review. Its functions also include environmental regulation and preventing and controlling water pollution. The Suue Riven and Eswaries Policy on the other hand is concerned with the development and review of strategies for sustainable resource management. Its programs are designed to recogruse and complement the functions of the EPA. For example, the State of the Rivers and Eswtnies Reports will provide a valuable input into State of Environment Reports and other auditing programs undenaken by the EPA. Interaction with the EPA will continue to ensure that the programs arc complementary and that any potential for overlapping activities is minimised.

The NSW ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT ACT (1979) plays an imponant role io natural resource management. lt is intended that the Stare Rivers and Estuan"cs Policy complement and support planning initiatives under the Act, such as the preparation of regional, state and local environmental plans, so as tO better integrate land and water management in NSW.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT has an extensive role in issues involving riverine and estuarine environments. This is panicularly so in rural areas where loeal government activiry has a significant impact upon land and river resources, and on the uses to which riverine and estuarine areas are put. The Stare Rivers and Estuaries Policy reinforces and complements the provisions of the Local Government Act (1993), particularly those associated with the obligation to take into account environmental matters.

The role of the MURRAY-DARUNG BASIN COMMISSION in pursuing natural resource management initiatives is acknowledged, panicularly in the ease of rivers which cross the territorial boundaries of NSW. Good interstate cooperation is required to ensure the application of the NSW Total Catchment Management approach in general, and of the State Rivers and Estuaries Policy in particular.

Relarlonshlp with the C atcbment Management Act (1989)

The Catchment Management Act ( 1989) was enacted to achieve better coordination between resource managers and users, and greater community participation in natural resource management. The ultimate objective is the coordinated and sustainable use and management of natural resources on a water catchmem basis so as to balance resource utilisation and conservation.

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Wild and scenic rivers: Majestic slow ffowing rivers aJsohavo wild and scenic values.

To achieve this end, the Act provides for a network of Catchment Management Committees coordinated by a State Catchment Management CoordinatiQg Committee.

Individual Catchment Management Committees focus primarily on developing and implementing regional strategies and coordinating activities which address natural resource management issues and needs within their own catchments. The committees are thus driven by their own priorities, bur their programs arc guided by state-wide principles and policies.

In seeking cooperative management initiatives, the Catchment Management Acr (1989) must be supported by State policies such as the Srarc Rivers a11d Eswanes Policy which are consistent with the Act's objective and which:

• clearly articulate the objective of sustainable natural resource management and the consequent management implications;

* provide guidance on the management changes and actions which are most likely to be effective in achieving sustainable resource management,

* ensure that local action is supported by consistent and complementary regulatory, planning, and operational strategies; and

* ensure that the responsibilities, constraints and benefits resulting from sustainable resource management initiatives arc shared fairly by the community and resource users, so that action or restraint by one group of users will not be negated by contrary action or unfair competitive advantage elsewhere.

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It is essential that Catchment Management Committees be kept informed of policy developments and the opponunities flowing from them. Conversely, those who formulate the palicies need to be aware of local needs and initiatives which the palicies might suppan and complement. Clearly, good working relations will be essential between the Total Catchmeot Management structure and the Advisory bodies for the State Riwrs and EsiUaries Policy.

In addition, both the palicy-makers and the Catchment Management Committees urgendy need more and grearer sharing of information on the type and extent of resoure

affecting the stability, productivity, biological diversity, food chains, and reproductive cycles of these systems.

The State Rivers and Estua1ies Policy is a framework policy designed to establish:

• objectives and principles for natural resource management

• coordinated programs for policy development and review

• opportunities for information sharing

arrangements for the necessary reporting, monitoring and policy review.

The State Rivers and Estuaries Policy is directed primarily at the broad regulatory, informational and operational environments of resource management agencies. It consolidates and builds on recent environmental management initiatives, encourages joint or complementary actions where these offer better management opportunities, and supports community actions which prevent or restore environmental degradation.

The State Rivers and Estuaries Policy does not dismiss other important resource management objectives such as those dealing with economic and

social imperatives. T hese are the basis of other resource and State development policies and the State Rivers and Estuaries Policy recognises that all such objectives must ultimately be consciously balanced in resource management decisions.

Weirs and in-channel structures: Weirs and inchannel structures can alter flow characteristics of rivers (ie. velocity, water quality, depth and wetted area) which influence the habitat value to aquatic fauna.

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Part 3: The Objectives and Principles

The objectives and principles of the State River> a11d Estuaries Policy stem from the need to achieve sustainable management of the State's rivers and estuaries.

Sustainable resource management for the purposes of the Policy is considered to be that which ensures resource use is consistent with the long-term biological and physical function of the natural system.

This definition is based on the fact that aquatic and semi-aquatic ecosystems fulfill crucial ecological, geomorphic and chemical functions within a catchment, such as:

* cycling nutrients

* stabilising channels

* mitigating flood damage

* moderating groundwater changes

* providing high biological diversiry

* providing essential links in aquatic and terrestrial food chains

* providing essential reproductive conditions and nursery areas

These functions are essential for the maimenance of both human and natural systems and therefore for the long-te.rm viabiliry of all the uses and values of the riverine environment, including:

* agricultural and fisheries production

* industrial acdvities

* urban qualiry and security

* wildlife habitat

* aesthetic qualities

* recreational activities

The communiry's ability to subst.itute technological and artificial alternatives for these natural functions is very limited. The solutions are usually expensive and frequently generate a further set of environmental problems.

23

http:long-te.rm

Despite this, many riverine and estuarine activities continue to deplete or degrade these ecosystems and their associated functions. This in turn reduces the value and production of these uses. The result is a downward spiral involving artificial substitution, with its secondary impacts, and the expansion of activities into

previously unaffected areas to compensate for the decline in

Recreation: condition.The state's

rivers and estuaries are To deal with these problems it widely used for recreation is essential that the and tourism. community and government Recreational

find ways of using andfishing is the state's most managing its riverine and popular estuarine resources whichleisure activity and better maintain their is estimated natural functions. In some to be worth

cases this may requiresome$500 million per fundamental changes in the year. uses to which different areas

and resources are put (e.g. the exclusion of some urban and industrial developments

from critical or sensitive areas such as wetlands). More commonly, it will require changes to the management practices, such as increasing the efficiency of irrigation systems, ensuring the optimum use of trees in the agricultural and urban landscapes, land use zoning to set development back from foreshores, maintaining

and replacing riparian vegetation, using ecologically sensitive crop types and cropping systems, improving environmental flow provisions, controlling pollution, restoring industrial and mining sites, and determining and adopting optimal rates of use (for stocking, mining etc.).

Environmental degradation creates an imbalance, as one resource use diminishes or destroys the potential for other uses or values. Where degradation has already occutTed, direct action will be needed to rehabilitate and restore as far as possible the resource base and its biological and physical functions. In some cases this could mean a compensatory action by users or developers for new or expanded activities or impacts. In other cases, resource managers may have to be prepared to critically review past decisions and where necessary to reverse inappropriate ones.

The pursuit of sustainability will inevitably impose additional constraints on resource use and development, but it does so in the understanding that a decline

in the condition of the resource leads to increasing costs for everyone associated with that resource. This might be manifested directly, for example in the costs associated with water treatment, or indirectly, as when poor water quality affects agricultural yields .

:~

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Management agencies have a choice of many strategies which they could adopt or combine to achieve the more sustainable use and management of riverine nnd estuarine resources and their biophysical functions. 1t will be up to the users and managers of the resources to decide which strategies arc appropriate to their own situations. This ethic pervades the statement of objectives of the Stall Riven a71d EJmaries Policy. In its wording, the objective seeks to have long-term considerations incorporated into decision making, to provide a climate for positive management initiatives, and to guide the development of a new set of crit.eria for managers to use in evaluating new or reviewing existing decisions. The component policies will develop and refine this Policy's objectives and principles, and will thus provide more detailed guidanoe on appropriate management criteria and strategies.

3.1 Policy Objectives:

TO MANAGE! THE RIVERS AND ESTUARJES OF NSW IN WAYS WHICH

• SLOW, HALT OR REVERSE T HE OVERALL RATE OF DEGRADATION IN THE SYSTEMS,

* BNSURE THE LONG-TERM SUSTAIN ABILITY OF THEIR ESSENTIAL BIOPHYSICAL FUNCTIONS, AND

* MAINTAIN THE BENEFICIAL USE OF THESE RESOURCES.

Sustainable use involves management by stewardship of natural resources, including plnnrs ond nnimnls and the non-living resources on which they depend. Sustainable use is that which is within the capacity of the natural resource base to withstand while still maintaining its full range of biophysical functions. Non-sustainable use ultimately results in resource depletion, decline in the geomorphic, ecological and chemical functions, and loss of biological diversity and productiviry.

Extractive Industries: Rivers can Pf(Mdea ~ source of consiiUCiion materials, however OV

The State Riven arrd Estuariu Policy therefore seeks to achieve progressive improvement at the system or macro level. This does not mean that no ecological

degradation ever occurs anywhere, but rather that there should be net improvement in the condition of the resource base overall. This result can be achieved for example by a policy ofprogressively replacing older environmentally

degrading processes and practices with newer less degrading ones.

The concept of sustainable use as applied tO natural resources is in essence no different from the concept of optimal rates of use of physical and financial assetS, which are defined in terms ofdesign capacities and real rates of return

respectively.

There are, of course, substantial practical problems in identifying realistic or meaningful targetS for ecological sustainability. Large hydrological variability and uncenainry characterise these systems, and the nature of the aquatic and

semi-aquatic ecology which depends upon them. Support will be required for research to establish criteria for resource sustainabiliry and tolerance.

Furthermore, it will be necessary to monitor the changes to riverinc and estuarine ecosystems which follow management decisions and actions, to help define the

levels ofchange essential to protect the resources in the long-term.

3.2 Policy Principles

To achieve itS objective the policy adopts six principles for sustainable management:

.... 1st Principle

THOSE USES OF RIVERS AND ESTUARIES WHICH ARE NON-DEGRADING

SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED.

Strategies for a~hiwirrg this objective illclrtde givi11g preference to srtstai>tablc ttse optiom i11 /tmdamemal land-use plamting and resource a/locatio.,, and i>tf/ut>tci>tg the associated ma11agcmem practices. It would reqrtirt moro

rigour arrd selectivity over the type a11d location of fuwre dwelopments a11d land rtsc clta11gcs. This would necessitate a sormd infonnation and research base abortt 1101 orrly la11d-use capability but also water-we capability, mtd tire

determinacion of acceptable a11d urracuptable uses for difjere11t la11d areas a>td resot~rces.

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... 2nd Principle

NON..SUSTAlNABL£ RESOURCE USES WHJCH ARE NOT ESSENTIAL SHOULD

BE PROGRESSIVELY PHASED OUT.

Depending on the l()(;atiOtl, some acrivitU$ are essemially incompatible with the resource

and ecosyuem conditions and inevitably result in resouru depletion or a decline in dze biologU;al and physical ftmctiom. Ifmch activliies or specific managemem practices are not essemffll on such sites then strategks are needed to actively discourage cltem and, over time,

to phase them ow.

... 3rd Principle

ENVIRONMEI'.'TALLY DEGRADING PROCESSES Al"'D PRACTICES SHOULD BE

REPLACED WITH MORE EFFIClEN1" AND LESS DEGRADING ALTERNATIVES.

Strategies for achieving this objective would encourage 011dfacilitate the adoption of the best available ma11agemem practices. These might i>lclmk tztSUli11ablc hai"'Jesting of i11tegrated forestfwoodlotlbtiffer strips, retentio11 of tm1water and tuaste, and ejjiciem warer

use systems. Eco11omic i11mumems ca11 be used 10 m list the imtovative capacity of i11dustry

and ctmunerce i11 pursuit of this environmental goal. In other cases, appropn"tlle safeguardi>lg scrategies ca11 be adopted, such as optimal races ofIISe and pla>med life cycles.

... 4th Principle

ENVIRONMENTALLY DEGRADED AREAS SHOULD BE REHABILITATED AND

THEIR BIOPHYSICAL FUNCTIONS RESTORED.

This principle recognises that rehabiliration ofdegraded areas can generate a number of

economic as well as environmental benefits including:

* increases in biodiversi~ with subsequent improvements in long term genecic and economic opporuatiu'es

* increases in local productivity with consequent social and economic bet~efits

* the reductio11 or postponement of new, compensatory resource developments elsewhere

* greater rates of rewrn on existi1tg development r'n-veStments.

Strategies for achiwi11g this pri>teiple will target 'hot $J>Ots' of existillg or potential ruourct degradation~ an d tut'll focru 1/fortt to Jralt or restore adverse

impacts on e~ouomic prod.tlttivity aud resource amettity.

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IJiil> ·sth Principle

REMNANT AREAS OF SIGNIFICAt'-

---- ----"

The State Rivers a11d Es=ria Policy intends that these principles will guide resource management planning and decision making which affect the condition of the State's rivers and estuaries.

It is expected that the principles will influence the type and selection of management activities and resource development opportunities supported by the State's resource managers. Many of the management opportunities available to satisfy the principles will not significantly affect the economic benefits to be derived from them. Revegetation programs, th.e maintenance of buffer strips and some water and tailwater management strategies are examples of such initiatives. However, some actions needed to prevent further degradation will conflict with eilher existing or potential economic development. In such cases the objective and principles of the State Riwn and Eswaries Policy must be weighed against other economic and social objectives. Evaluators will need to consider the costs and benefits of the options within both a short and long time frame. They will also need to ensure that the project design itself is consistent with, and incorporates as far as possible !he principles of this Policy.

... Floodplaln Wetlando: ~ wedands provide breeding ~ lormigratocy water bird$.

Part 4: The Component Policies

4.1 Scope of Component Policies

The State Rivers and Estuaries Policy seeks to provide a cohesive and integrated approach to the sustainable management of our rivers and estuaries. While one comprehensive policy encompassing the management of all the interrelated elements may be philosophically desirable, the scale and diversity of these elements make it necessary, in practice, to deal with them under a number of component policies.

The State Rivers and Estuaries Policy provides for an initial set of ten component policies. However, this is not a final set and additional policies may be identified in the future.

To ensure that the component policies best meet the objectives of sustainable resource management through the maintenance of ecosystem functions, the system has been divided into five broad ecosystem categories: wetlands, riparian zone and foreshores, riverine plains, streams, and estuaries. These constitute the key set of component policies. An additional set of policies recognises the need for a consistent system-wide approach to the management of specific values or u ses: water quality, river recreation, extractive industries, environmental flows and wild and scenic rivers. Clearly, it is essential that these are guided by and consistent with the ecosystem-based policies.

Each component policy will address, to the maximum extent possible, the objectives of the State R ivers and Estuaries Policy with particular emphasis on:

* prevention of further damage or degradation to biological and physical functions

* improvement of resource condition and biological and physical functions through the restoration of previously degraded areas.

For each component policy, these broad goals will be translated into specific objectives relevant to the particular policy area.

4.2 Content of Component Policies

The component policies will guide the recognition of and response to resource management problems and opportunities. Thus they will suggest both reactive and pro-active management strategies.

The component policies will provide a philosophical and procedural basis upon

which the management strategies and plans for individual systems or subareas may be reviewed and/or developed. The component policies will identify management needs and opportunities, and provide clear objectives and

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r

l

Wlldand Scenic Rivers: Wild and scenic rivers are an Important part of oor natural heritage.

management principles to guide planning and managemem decisions and practices. They will commit agencies to programs for review and modification, where appropriate, of relevant regulatory and operational activities, and to lhe support of rehabilitation and cooperative management programs. The component policies will therefore provide a guide to those involved in formulating regional or local management plans. However, because the systems vary substantially in their character and conditions there are no universal management solutions. The policies therefore can seek only to guide decisions about particular actions in specific situations. To assist this, component policies should be supported by management manuals and guidelines as appropriate.

Inevitably the component policies will, at times, come into conflict with each other and whh other communiry or government objectives. This means that some may have to be compromised in subsequent management decisions. Decisions on the policies to be compromised, and lhe degree of that compromise, whilst reflecting the perceived economic, social and environrnemal aspirations of the communiry, must give proper regard to the long term objectives of the State Rivers and Estuaries Policy and of the Total Catchment Management Policy.

It is not intended to closely prescribe the contents of each component policy. It

is obviously important for each policy to match the specific needs for which it is being designed. However as a guide it is expected that the policies will include the following:

* a clear description of the ecosystem functions and processes, amenities or benefits which are the subject of the policy

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* the more detailed policy objectives (consistent with the objectives of the State Rivers and Estuaries Policy)

* a clear set of management principles or general rules which should guide future decision making, planning and operational practices

* provision for management strategies and management support programs which will assist in the implementation of the State Rivers and Estuaries

Policy. These might include for example:

• classification system for the establishment of targets and priorities

• legislative revtew programs

• integrated resource inventory programs and/or data base directories

coordinated education/extension programs

• research priorities

• programs for the determination of best management practice (BMP) and best available technology economically achievable (BATEA)

• revtew of economic instruments e.g. incentive schemes and grants

River Recreation: White-water canoingand rafting is increasing in popularity in wild and scenic rivers and can generate tourist income.

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It is anticipated that the component policies may also provide for the preparation of a Management Manual which would incorporate:

* technical guidelines on best practices for operations, structural designs, management plans, restoration programs ere

* clarification of legislative responsibilities

* recommendations on preferred license/lease conditions (where relevant).

4.3 Policy Development Responsibilities

The development of each component policy will be the overall responsibilitY of a nominated lead agency. This agency will establish a working group representing relevant government and non-government organisations. Each policy will also be subject to a full communiry consultation process. The whole process will be overseen by the NSW Water Resources Council and the Council's endorsement will be necessary prior to seeking NSW Governmem adoption of each policy.

The Component Policies and their Managemem Manuals will be subject to regular reviews and updating. The Rivers and Esruaries Advisory Committees will be responsible for ensuring the ongoing reviews of the policies and advising the Water Resources Council of their continued relevance.

4.4 Policy Schedule

Each component policy will be released independently. lt is expected that all componem policies will be completed within three years. The preparation of the Management Manuals will follow closely after the release of the policies.

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Part 5: State of the River and Estuaries Reports

The Statt RMn a1td Estuaries Policy sets a clear objective for sustainable natural resource management. The question ofhow well this objective is being achieved

will become increasingly critical, influencing future rradcoffs and decisions on sustainable development.

It will be essential ro have reliable tools for monitoring and reporting on the success of resource management strategies, plans and activities. The content ofsuch reports will influence future activities, and will assist in reviewing and redefining the

Policy and itS components.

Moreover a prerequisite of sustainable resource management is a sound knowledge

of the condition of the resou~ttS, the ~ling and emerging problems and the trends toward either further deterioration or improvement.

The Policy proposes the compilation ofperiodical State of tl•• Rivers a111f Estuaries Reports. These will use a set of appropriate environmental indicators to assess the condition of the river and estuarine resource over time and t.hc success of the

policies and associated activities.

Monitoring programs can provide infonnation at various levels of detail and

scientific rigour. Many agencies have programs to monitor the condition of specific aspects of the natural resource. These programs have typically been

designed with a particular application in mind, such as supporting regulatory

actions or operational and design acrivit·ics. These programs and their associated data bases will continue to be importanL

The purpose of the Suue Ritlm a11d EswarillS Reporu is, on the other hand, to provide a more holistic overview of the trends and changes in the condition of the

resource and their response to changing management practices and activities. They will do this by focusing on three major areas:

* trends in rivcrine a,nd estuarine resource condition, with emphasis on emerging problems, improving or deteriorating factors and problem hot spotS. This

aspect of the reportS should help in establishing management priorities and will also identify gaps in information and any need for additional monitoring

programs.

•• the degree to which the policies and other management initianves arc being

implemented. These reports would look in particular for broad changes in

management practices and decision making, and at the level of activity in local resource management and rehabilitation programs.

* the performance of specific local management activities, rehabilitation programs etc. This evaluation will provide examples of what is being and can be done, and will highlight major problems and successes.

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The reports will try to draw conclusions about the apparent relationship between the current condition of the resource and the management changes being effected

by the component policies and the Total Catchment Management initiatives.

The State of the Rivers and Estuaries Reports will be overseen by the Water Resources

Council. The Council will seek assistance from the State Catchment Management

Coordinating Committee for input to and review of the reports. The reports will

be tabled before Parliament by the Ministers responsible for the State of the Rivers and Estuaries Policy, and released for public information.

The State of the Rivers and Estuaries Reports will report on two levels: regional

reports and a State summary. It is likely that these reports ultimately will become a

major component of more comprehensive State of the Environment reports, which will also cover terrestrial and marine systems.

5.1 Two Yearly Regional Rivers and Estuaries Reports

Every two years regional reports will be prepared for the rivers and estuaries of

each catchment management region. The primary audience for such reports will be the regional resource managers, local government authorities, the regional catchment management committee and the regional community. T·he documents

will be structured to report on the component policy elements in each major river system, and then draw some general conclusions.

The reports will be collated by the Catchment Management Coordinator or

nominated agency officer for each region under the guidance of a State Coordinator. They will draw on information on indicators of river and

estuarine condition and relevant management activities from the following

sources:

* regional reports from each relevant resource management agency

* other local and non-government sources

* the activities of the Catchment Management Committee

* local community and landcare groups involved in monitoring, managing and restoring riverine or estuarine areas. Input from local groups will be

very important and will be actively encouraged.

These inputs should be brief, "user friendly", and provide both qu antitative

and qualitative information which will be presented in an appropriate mix of mapped, graphical and verbal form.

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The reports will fulfill a number of important and related functions and thereby

avoid duplication and promote coordination. They will be:

* widely released within each region

* incorporated within the Annual Reports of the Catchment Management Committees

* referred to the Resource Advisory Committees to assist in preparation of the State and four yearly summaries

* where appropriate, referred to the MDBC for use in the Natural Resources Management Strategy for the Murray-Darling Basin and to the Coastal

Committee.

5.2 Four Yearly State of the Rivers and Estuaries Reports

These reports will seek to inform resource managers and practitioners and the community about the environmental problems and the successes of NSW

policies and initiatives in river and estuary management, and will provide a commentary on state wide trends and priorities.

They will involve the collation of information from the regional reports and other

sources.

The reportS will be divided into rwo main sections, the COASTAL RIVERS AND

ESTUARIES REPORT and the INLAND RIVERS REPORT. The reports will be prepared by the Stare Coordinator and overseen by the advisory committees.

5.3: Pilot Rivers and Estuarine Resource Information Studies

In mosr catchments there is substantial data collected and held by

organisations on the status or condition of various aspects of the river and estuary. The data is, however, typically fragmented and difficult to access.

The purpose of the Pilot Studies will be first, to determine the extent to which existing data and data collection programs can provide an adequate basis for

meaningful State of the Rivers arrd Estuaries Reports; and second, to work out the best way of gathering together all the information on the condition of rivers and estuaries held by different groups and agencies.

The studies will establish a set ofenvironmental indicators of the health of the river and estuary environments. They will then investigate the currenr availability of data on these indicators within the sample catchments. They will identify who collects,

stores, and analyses the data, its spatial and temporal coverage, and the difficulties

encountered in accessing the data.

Through this stocktake, the studies will determine how useful such data might be

for Swte of the Rivers arrd Estuaries Reportirrg. The data will be analysed in terms of its value for:

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* establishing an environmental benchmark - being the current condition of the rivers and estuaries

* providing some indication of the historic trends in condition

* contributing to analysis of future trends

The studies will highlight the existence of less obvious sources of information, identify gaps in data collection, and any barriers to the access, transfer or collation or suitable interpretation of the information. They will recommend strategies to overcome these problems.

Finally the studies will make recommendations on new benchmark or monitoring programs for selected indicators where existing data is clearly inadequate.

Three pilot studies are proposed initially, one of a coastal river, one of a full estuary and one of an inland river. If successful these will provide a prototype for similar

resource studies in other catchments.

The studies will be the responsibility of a nominated agency. They will be overseen by the relevant Resources Advisory Committee for the NSW Water Resources Council with assistance from the Catchment Management Committee.

It is essential that all relevant State agencies be actively involved in the exercise. The participation of local government and local community groups is also important

for its success.

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Part 6: ·Policy Coordination and Review

The NSW Water Resources Council will oversee the implementation of the Staties Policy encourages individual agencies to formulate strategies and initiatives to meet the policy objectives, its principal intent is to realise the benefits of a more holistic and integrated approach. The key to this is improved coordination and joint action programs between agencies and berween agencies, and communiry groups.

The NSW Water Resources Council will establish two Resource Advisory Committees to ensure that the implementation of the policies is technically sound. They will work closely with the State Catchment Management Coordinating Committee, providing technical infom1ation and advice, and suggesting effective strategies as needed. These committees will be:

• The Coasml Rivers and Estuaries Advisory Comminee, and

• The Inland Rivers Advisory Committee

This separation recognises the differences in the biophysical characteristics, as well as in the management issues, opportunities and interests which predominate in each area. For example, tidal in1luences, coastal fisheries, urbanisation and industrial development dominate coastal concerns. Inland rivers reflect predominantly agricultural and irrigation influences, regulated flow issues, and salinity problems. Establishing the two advisory committees in this way will focus expertise and interest, while still achieving the integrated 'systems management' perspective which is central to the State Rivers and Eswaries Policy and its programs.

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Tite role ofeach committee will be to:

• ensure that the implementation of the component policies is technically sound, and advise the NSW Water Resources Council accordingly;

• provide integrated technical advice to Regional Catchment Management Committees and the individual agencies responsible for implementing th.c policies on matters relating to the intent, interpretation and application of the policies;

• collaborate with the State Catchmeot Management Coordinating Committee and Regional Catchment Management Committees in the implementation of the policies;

• assist in the Statt ofthe Riwrs aud Estuaries Reporting Ptogram and the Pilot Rivcrine and Estuarine Resource Information Studies;

• assist the State Catchment Management Coordinating Committee and its Natural Resources Program Coordinating Committee in reviewing research and management study proposals under the National Resource Management Strategy and National Soil Conservation Program;

• advise on the priorities which would be consisteot with and best suppon the State Rwers aud Estuaries Policy;

• l.iaise with Commonwealth and State research authorities on the research priorities identified by the component policies.

The Resource Advisory committees will be formed of representatives of government bodies with expertise in nnd responsibility for river and estuary management. Each committee will also include one regional Catchment Management Chairperson. This reOects the fact that the Stare Rivers a11d Estuaries Policy is primarily directed at ensuring that the management, regulatory and operational activities ofNSW Government agencies are consistent with objectives of sustainable resource management.

To be most effective, the resource Advisory Committees will need to work closely with and be supported by those involved in Total Catchment Management. In turn, Catchment Management will be supported and served by the Resource Advisory Committees.

The Coastal Rivers and Estuaries Advisory Committee will include representatives from:

Publlc Works Department

• Department of Water Resources

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• Department of Conservation and Land Management

• Environment Protection Authority

NSW Agriculture

• NSW Fisheries

Sydney Water Board

• One regional Catchment Management Committee chairperson

The Inland Rivers Advisory Committee will include representatives from:

D epartment of Water Resources

• NSW Agriculture

Environment Protection Authority

• Department of Conservation and Land Management

• NSW Fisheries

• One regional Catchment Management Committee chairperson

Whilst the intent is to keep the Resource Advisory committees small for practical reasons it is recognised that many other agencies have an interest and responsibility

in river and estuarine management. To permit input from such agencies the proceedings of the Resource Advisory Committee meetings will be circulated and agencies will be granted representation at meetings where matters of direct interest are to be discussed. Further, the Resource Advisory committees will establish appropriate mechanisms for input from local government and community interests. The committees may also include greater representation as the need arises.

As discussed in Part 4 each Component policy will be developed in consultation with relevant State agencies and non government organisations. As each policy is

released, a nominated representative of the policy development team will be eoopted by the responsible committee for one year to advise on the implementation of that policy.

In addition the committees will have the option of eo-opting further assistance in specific aspects of policy implementation or review.

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PrefaceContentsPart 1: The PolicyPart 2: BackgroundPart 3: The Objectives and PrinciplesPart 4: The Component PoliciesPart 5: State of the River and Estuaries ReportsPart 6: ·Policy Coordination and Review