Protection of high value waterways in the first place is a lot
cheaper than having to repair them after they are disturbed. The
National Water Quality Management Strategy grades aquatic
ecosystems using a hierarchical approach according to their
condition or level of disturbance. The most pristine and healthy
systems are considered to be of
High Ecological Value (HEV)
. The aim for such waterways is to maintain this current, natural
condition. Waterways which are
slightly disturbed
also have good water quality. The management goal for these
waterways is to maintain or improve the health of the water and
possibly restore it to high ecological value.
At each workshop, stakeholders provided feedback on areas in their
catchment that may contain high ecological value or slightly
disturbed waterways. This feedback was based on their local
knowledge of the level of disturbance in these areas, which they
suggested should be checked with local park and forest rangers,
etc. for accuracy.
Input from attendees at catchment workshops resulted in follow up
actions for the team and some attendees to provide further
information towards draft EVs which is currently being progressed.
