2018 ACT Aquatic and Riparian Conservation Strategy.

The 2018 ACT Aquatic and Riparian Conservation Strategy (the strategy) provides guidance on the conservation of aquatic environment focusing on non-urban rivers, riparian areas, and component species in the ACT, consistent with the ACT Nature Conservation Strategy 2013–23. The Strategy builds on the previous 2007 ACT Aquatic Species and Riparian Zone Conservation Strategy achievements.
This Strategy primarily considers natural water bodies and takes a Territory-wide approach within a regional context for the protection and management of the surface waters of the Murrumbidgee, Molonglo and Cotter rivers, their tributaries and riparian zones and associated native flora and fauna. The Cotter, Paddys, Ororral, Naas and Gudgenby rivers, which are partly protected in Namadgi National Park, are included in this strategy as well (See Figure 1.2). The strategy does not include the Queanbeyan River, which is almost entirely in New South Wales, though reference is made to it, including the section upstream of Googong Reservoir with regard to threatened fish species. Tuggeranong, Weston, Yarralumla, Sullivans, Woolshed, Jerrabomberra and Ginninderra creeks are also not included. Woolshed and Jerrabomberra creeks have substantial rural catchments but are now mainly within or adjacent to the Canberra urban area and their riparian zones are part of the urban open space network. This strategy also does not cover wetlands and omits riparian zones surrounding artificial lakes, large floodplain areas or substantially modified urban water courses. The water supply reservoirs of the Cotter River are, however, considered as they contain threatened species.
The Strategy is organized in Part A, the actual Strategy, and Part B that includes eight Action Plans for threatened species that are dependent on aquatic and riparian areas covered by the Strategy. Each action plan provides a detailed description of the species, its conservation status, ecology and key threats, and outlines the major conservation objectives and intended management actions. Conservation objectives, management actions and performance indicators in action plans are arranged into five core objectives: protect, manage, increase (for example, population or habitat) and promote knowledge and awareness.
Part A is divided into five main sections (protection, threats, management, research and monitoring, and community engagement) with associated key principles and management guidelines. The Chapters provide guidance on Chapter 1: Relevant definitions, objectives and scope of the strategy, legislation and policy applying to nature conservation, and the links between the strategy and associated action plans. Chapter 2: Protection of aquatic and riparian areas and component species as well as related protection goals and guidelines. Chapter 3: Provides guidelines for managing and minimising the potential impacts of threats to aquatic and riparian biodiversity (considerations on water extraction, barriers, poor water quality, weed infestation, pest animals, introduced diseases, urbanisation and a changing climate). Chapter 4: Management of aquatic and riparian areas and component species for conservation using adaptive management principles. Chapter 5: Monitoring, research and baseline data collection for aquatic and riparian areas and component species. The chapter also provides an overview of the recently developed Conservation Effectiveness Monitoring Program. Chapter 6: Engagement with the community in aquatic and riparian conservation by increasing awareness, supporting and promoting citizen science and engaging with local indigenous communities on traditional ecological knowledge.
The Strategy’s objectives are to: 1) provide conservation management guidelines for the protection and enhancement of aquatic and riparian areas, 2) identify threats to aquatic and riparian ecosystems and provide guidelines for their management; 3) provide monitoring and research objectives for aquatic and riparian areas in the ACT; 4) outline strategies to increase engagement of the community in aquatic and riparian activities and projects; 5) set the strategic context for action plans for threatened aquatic and riparian flora and fauna.
In regard to sustainable agriculture aspect, the Strategy focusing on the threats that rural land use and management can have on water ecosystem and water quality (land erosion leading to channel sedimentation, riparian clearing, animal nutrient and agricultural chemical inputs and weed incursion, uncontrolled grazing of riparian zones and unrestricted livestock access to streams) recommends guidelines and approaches to manage consequences of riparian modification, weeds and ensure water quality.
Resilience to disasters, like floods, climate change and pests is covered by Chapter 3 as one key goals of the Strategy. Rural land owners and managers inclusion in the conservation management process is developed by Chapter 6.