Community Environment Network - Key Natural Resource Management Issues

Key Natural Resource Management Issues

The region faces many challenges in managing and sustaining its natural resources. Key issues are identified in the Catchment Action Plans covering the region:

Central Coast

Urban Development
Stormwater Management
Loss of Biodiversity and Native Vegetation
Erosion and Sedimentation
Riparian Zone Management
Rural land management
Wetland degradation and loss

Click here for the Central Coast Catchment action plan

Hunter

Degradation of the Riparian Zone including Channel Structure Decline
Sedimentation, Loss of Vegetation and Stream Bank Erosion
Degradation, Loss and Fragmentation of Native Vegetation Cover and Terrestrial, Riverine, Estuarine and Wetland Habitat and Biodiversity
High Levels of Induced Silinity in Rvers, Groundwater and Soil
Soil Degradation including Rill, Sheet and Gully Erosion, mass movement and Exposed Acid Sulfate Soils

Click here for the Hunter Catchment action plan

National Water Initiative

In 1994, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) responded to growing concern about the alarming state of many Australian river systems and realized that the solution was an establishment of new policies and some institutional changes.

The result was a national policy for the efficient and sustainable reform of Australia’s rural and urban water industries was developed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) called the COAG Water Reform Framework. The NWI outlines what reforms need to be undertaken and timeframes for doing so, but it is formulated in a way that each state can implement their own reform.

Click here for an overview of the NWI

The National Water Commission overseas the implementation of the NWI and monitors its implementation in each state. Click here to access the NSW water reform website.

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