Archive for January, 2016

VENUE CHANGED TO TUCKEY ROOM, MANDURAH CITY CIVIC CENTRE,

83 MANDURAH TERRACE,  DUE TO OVERWHELMING DEMAND…

• A detailed Strategic Assessment by the WA Government is open for public comment until early April
• The Strategic Assessment addresses the environmental impacts of future development of the Perth and Peel regions required to support a population of 3.5M
• The public comment period is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to have your say on how the plans will ensure a healthy catchment that supports life and livelihood in the future
• The Peel-Harvey Catchment Council (PHCC) will host a public forum to discuss the Strategic Assessment on 11 February 2016 (5.30pm – 7.00pm) at the PHCC Shed

The Perth and Peel regions are projected to grow to 3.5 million people by 2050 – an increase of almost 70% on our current population. Supporting this growth while protecting our unique natural environment is a significant challenge.

The Western Australian Government has released the draft strategic assessment documents, ‘Perth and Peel Green Growth Plan for 3.5 million’ (Green Growth Plan) for a four month public comment period ending on 8 April 2016.

As part of the community consultation process on the draft Green Growth Plan, the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council are hosting a public forum that will enable the community to better understand the strategic assessment process and the resulting Green Growth Plan.

Future development proposed under the strategic assessment will shape the landscape for future generations to come. For instance, the availability and location of residential housing, the location of major roads and consequences for road users, the siting of industrial development nodes, the development of mineral resources (including sand and limestone quarrying) are set out under the plan.

The forum will include a presentation by the Department of Premier and Cabinet as well as a Q&A forum including representatives from the Department of Parks and Wildlife and Department of Water.

Date: Thursday 11 February 2016 – 5.30pm to 7.00pm
Venue: The Tuckey Room, Mandurah City Civic Centre, 83 Mandurah Terrace, Mandurah
RSVP: 9 February 2016 – Please email admin@peel-harvey.org.au or call (08) 6369 8800
Further information on the Green Growth Plan can be found at: www.dpc.wa.gov.au/greengrowthplan.

ENDS

Media Contact: Jane O’Malley, Chief Executive Officer, Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, Jane.Omalley@peel-harvey.org.au , (08) 6369 8800

Jan Star PHCC deputy chair and David Rennie photographer present Andrew Hastie MP Member for Canning with ‘Lone Eagle’.

21 January 2016… In celebration of World Wetlands Day on Tuesday 2 February 2016, the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council (PHCC) joined award-winning photographer David Rennie when he presented Andrew Hastie, Member for Canning with one of his all-time favourite photographs, titled Lone Eagle.

The dramatic image of a lone eagle soaring above the Peel-Yalgorup Lakes symbolises the significance of the Peel-Harvey’s Ramsar-listed wetlands – the natural canvas for the artist’s work.

“Our Ramsar Site 482 is one of the world’s most important wetlands. It is the most diverse estuarine complex in south-western Australia and supports vulnerable and critically endangered species and communities including the Lake Clifton Thrombolites,” said David Rennie.

Jan Star, deputy chair of the PHCC, noted that the importance of wetlands and the site’s global significance was still unknown to many members of the local community.

“Wetlands keep our landscapes healthy and productive. They host a huge variety of life, protect our coastlines, provide natural defences against river flooding or storm surges and store carbon dioxide, helping to regulate climate change.”

“They are not only vital to the health of the environment, our local wetlands also support industries such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry and tourism by supplying water for crops, stock and people, maintaining water quality, providing habitat for commercial species and having cultural and recreational values,” she explained.

David Rennie’s renowned images of birdlife captured in their spectacular habitats are a powerful reminder of the importance of protecting and conserving our natural resources.

This was evident in a handwritten note to David Rennie from Andrew Hastie, which highlighted the personal impact the Lone Eagle image had made after viewing his compilation book, Art in Nature.

“Being awarded for your work is a great feeling, but perhaps more rewarding is finding out that what you do reaches out and touches another human being,’ said David Rennie.

Andrew Hastie said the image, which he intends to hang in his office, will serve as a reminder of the opposing strength and fragility of nature, and the ongoing work required to preserve our local wetlands.

“This story is a great example of how we can link the wetlands and people. Education and awareness raising of the site’s significance at a local level will support our community to become champions for the protection of the Ramsar system,” said Jan Star.

“If we don’t come together as a community to understand how to use our wetlands wisely, in the future the lone eagle may not be seen circling overhead,” she said.

World Wetlands Day is celebrated the world over on 2 February each year and is a time to reflect and understand the global significance of what we have in our own backyard.

ENDS…

Media Contact: Annette Brown, Communications Co-Ordinator, Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, annette.brown@peel-harvey.org.au , (08) 6369 8800

19 January 2016… Local Landcare groups and farmers will share in over $141,000 in community environment grants for natural resource management projects administered by the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council (PHCC) under the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme.

Federal Member for Canning, Andrew Hastie MP, said the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council has a proven track record in managing projects that consistently deliver good environmental outcomes across the Peel and south west regions.

“Over the coming months, the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council will support local groups to carry out important on-ground works to address some of the crucial environmental issues facing the region,” he said.

Peel-Harvey Catchment Council chairman Andy Gulliver said the projects chosen will help protect the Ramsar listed Peel-Yalgorup wetlands and threatened ecological communities through weed and Phytophthora dieback management, revegetation, and habitat protection for endangered species such as the Forest Red-tailed and Carnaby’s black cockatoos.

“National Landcare Programme funding supports local Landcare networks and other community-based groups to help restore local ecosystems and protect natural assets so the local community can to enjoy the long-term benefits,” he said.

The PHCC will work with community NRM partners Harvey River Restoration Taskforce, Murray Districts Aboriginal Association, Landcare SJ and Peel-Harvey farmers on projects that include actions to improve habitat values and ecological linkages in Harvey River, revitalise Binjareb Park, enhance reserves in Byford and Mundijong and improve resilience in threatened communities in Serpentine and North Dandalup.

These projects are supported by PHCC through funding from the Australian Government which is investing $1 billion to help support better natural resource management across Australia through the National Landcare Programme. This includes more than $450 million directed in regional funding through to Australia’s 56 natural resource management organisations.

The announced grants are part of Peel-Harvey Catchment Council’s commitment to invest over 20 per cent of its National Landcare Programme funding to help support local projects such as these as well as other local community engagement activities.

For more information about the National Landcare Programme go to www.nrm.gov.au

ENDS…

Media Contact: Annette Brown, Communications Co-Ordinator, Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, annette.brown@peel-harvey.org.au , (08) 6369 8800

13 January 2016…The region’s peak natural resource management (NRM) body, the Peel Harvey Catchment Council, has issued the following statement relating to the Waroona bushfires:

Peel-Harvey Catchment Council chairman Andy Gulliver said the PHCC’s staff will meet with local Waroona landcare groups in the aftermath of the bushfires.

“Our thoughts are with the affected communities in Harvey, Yarloop and Waroona. PHCC officers, together with our local NRM partners in the region, plan to meet at an appropriate time with local groups and individuals to assess immediate and future natural resource management needs resulting from the impacts of the bushfires.”

“We are already actively engaged in strategic NRM projects within the Harvey Waroona district and will investigate opportunities to assist in the aftermath of the bushfires and with the rebuilding of the region’s NRM assets.”

ENDS…

Media Contact: Annette Brown, Communications Co-Ordinator, Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, annette.brown@peel-harvey.org.au , (08) 6369 8800

13 January 2016…The region’s peak natural resource management (NRM) body, the Peel Harvey Catchment Council, has announced 2016 board member appointments.

Two local government agency representatives were re-appointed for a further two year term: Cr Carolyn Knight from the City of Mandurah will represent the Coastal Councils and Shire President John Allert from the Shire of Boddington will represent the Inland Councils.

Peel-Harvey Catchment Council (PHCC) also announced two new proxy members: Shire of Murray deputy president Cr Steve Lee who was appointed as proxy for the Coastal Councils and Shire of Cuballing deputy president Eliza Dowling, appointed as proxy for the Inland Councils.

Chairman Andy Gulliver welcomed the new and re-appointed members to the not-for-profit community organisation which undertakes natural resource management of a 1.2million hectare catchment.

“The PHCC works closely with local government throughout the catchment and we appreciate the enthusiasm they have shown to work with us. These appointments provide important connections within our active community,” he said.

ENDS…

Media Contact: Annette Brown, Communications Co-Ordinator, Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, annette.brown@peel-harvey.org.au, (08) 6369 8800