Water Quality Protection Plan for Darwin Harbour
Background
Darwin Harbour is vital to the lifestyle, character and economy of the Top End region. The Darwin Harbour Strategy has identified protection of the Harbour water quality as a high priority. Continued growth of the city and rural areas will place the Harbour under increasing pressure. Increased monitoring and better informed decision making are therefore required to ensure the values of Darwin Harbour are protected.
The National Water Quality Management Strategy (NWQMS) provides nationally agreed processes for the effective management of water quality. The preparation of action plans under the NWQMS to improve or protect water quality are based on the Framework for Marine and Estuarine Water Quality Protection.
The action plan being developed to protect water quality in the Darwin region is called the Darwin Harbour Water Quality Protection Plan (WQPP). The overall aim of the WQPP is to ensure that water quality objectives (local guidelines) are maintained and that community’s values for waterways are protected.
Water Quality Protection Plan: Phase 1
Phase 1 commenced in 2006 and was completed in 2009. Phase 1 included identifying key risks to water quality, development of the Water Quality Objectives based on Beneficial Use Declarations, improved monitoring activities and pollutant load evaluation.
Water Quality Protection Plan: Phase 2
The aim of Phase 2 project is to finalise the WQPP. Phase 2 runs from January 2011 to June 2013 and is funded by the Australian Government under the ‘Caring for our Country’ program. Progress update October 2011.
Components of the WQPP Phase 2 include:
- Identifying further research that needs to be undertaken as part of the monitoring and modelling strategy to improve understanding of the water quality issues;
- Update of selected water quality objectives;
- Development of an integrated Decision Support System (DSS) for Darwin Harbour catchment to improve understanding of the effect of various processes and potential developments on water quality in the catchment.
- Recommending management actions (e.g., water sensitive urban design, WSUD) to be implemented and gain endorsement from key stakeholders;
- Identifying strategies for monitoring, modelling and reporting on the effectiveness of each control action;
- Identifying gaps in the legislation and identify any gaps that should be addressed;
- Identifying river flow objectives (this will be part of the Water Allocation Process); and
- Incorporation of Larrakia knowledge and water quality monitoring by Larrakia sea rangers.
Further information
Darwin Harbour Water Quality Protection Plan: Phase 2 - Factsheet pdf 178Kb
Darwin Harbour Region Report Cards
W: http://www.nretas.nt.gov.au/natural-resource-management/water/aquatic/reportcards
| What's Involved |
| Protection Plan Timetable |
| Integrated Decision Support System |
| Water Management |
| Beneficial Uses/Water Values |
| Publications |
| Community Engagement Process |
Aquatic Health Unit
Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport
PO Box 496, Palmerston NT 0831
Ph: (08) 8999 3413