Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority

The Sydney Metropolitan CMA region extends from Mona Vale to Stanwell Park, and from Blacktown to the coast. Photo: Simon Ho

mambaraSpring 2011 | Issue 32www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au

Champion of Catchment Management

Bob Junor, the inaugural Chairman of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (2004-2009) was presented with the Individual Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment by the Victorian Governor, Alex Chernov, AO, QC, at a ceremony in Melbourne on June 3 (Below).

The gala event was attended by the NSW Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Robyn Parker, SMCMA Board Chairman, Philip Sansom, Board member, Suzanne Little, General Manager, John Carse, and Mr Junor’s wife Robyn.

Mr Junor served as the NSW Soil Conser- vation Service Deputy Commissioner (1981-1987) and Commissioner (1987-1992).

He was one of the architects of a range of natural resource management programs of national significance. These included Landcare, the Natural Resources Management Strategy in the Murray

Darling Basin, Total Catchment Management (resulting in the

establishment of the Total Catchment Management Act,1989) and Salt Action.

Mr Junor was instrumental in the development of the

13 NSW CMAs.

He was a strong advocate of the need for a skills-based rather than representational model of Board appointment.

The value of his vision can be seen in the acknowledged

achievements of the NSW CMAs.

mambaraThe Aboriginal Darug name for Geebung Tree (Persoonia sp)News views and occasional interviews from across the SMCMA

CatchmentCatch-up

Mambara is the official newsletter of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA). It is funded through the Australian Government Caring for our Country initiative.

The SMCMA is one of 13 NSW and 56 Australian natural resource bodies whose purpose is to provide a landscape-scale regional approach to management of the natural environment.

Mambara is published quarterly. Email is the preferred method of distribution. Or download: www.smcma.nsw.gov.au

Mambara is printed on recycled paper

Contact Mambara Editor: Louise McMahon louise.mcmahon@cma.nsw.gov.au

Catchment Action Plan: Michele Bailey michele.bailey@cma.nsw.gov.au

Volunteer Coordinators’ Network: Judy Christie judy.christie@cma.nsw.gov.au

PO Box 3720, PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

Download Mambara: www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au

Career highlights:• Chairman, Greening Australia (NSW) 1992-97

• Chairman, Murray-Darling Basin Commission Community Advisory Committee 1992-95

• State Flood Plain Management Committee 1994-95

• NSW Coastal Council industry representative 1992-99

• Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering & Innovation Council Salinity Working Group 1998

• NSW Environmental Protection Authority Board 1992 - present

A man who can be described as a “visionary” and a “founding father of catchment management” in NSW has been honoured with a 2011 United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Award.

New SMCMA Project: Establishing Links to LandcareAgriculture contributes $1 billion to the Sydney economy.

Twelve per cent of the total value of NSW agricultural production is generated in the Sydney basin – which is only one per cent of NSW’s land. There are approximately 13,000 people employed in the agricultural, forestry, fishing and mining industry in the Sydney region.

There are at least 8,000 full time on farm jobs in the Sydney region. NSW Department of Planning: (Environment and Resources: Strategy for Sydney) 2011

The SMCMA has initiated a Regional Landcare Facilitator project which will support primary producers in the Parramatta and Georges River catchments. This project will assist the SMCMA to understand the issues and challenges of managing sustainable production in locations at the edge of the metropolitan area. This SMCMA project is conducted in partnership with OceanWatch Australia.

International Environment Conference: Manly Manly Environment Centre will host a four-day “International Conference of Eco Ideas” at North Head Sanctuary from September 8-11.

The event will be a support hub for community groups by providing opportunities to network and sharing expertise in everything from biodiversity to running successful campaigns.

A highlight will be a weekend of free events including artworks, a short film festival and guided walks as well as talks on a variety of subjects.

This event is one of the activities to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Manly Environment Centre. www.mec.org.au/conference.

Botany Bay Water QualityThe SMCMA has developed a Water Quality Improvement Plan for Botany Bay and its Catchment.

This sets targets for pollutant reductions to the waterways that will enable improvements in water quality and reduce the pressures on these waterways from urban development over the long-term.

This area has highly important ecological sites such as the internationally important Towra Point wetlands, and it also has great cultural and historical significance not only to local residents, but to all Australians.

The Plan was developed after targeted consultation with key stakeholders and community groups and builds on the extensive scientific research and modelling work undertaken over the past few years by the SMCMA.

We need to ensure we have resilient ecological systems to cope with the pressures an increasingly populated city will put on our waterways.

The Plan sets out recommended actions that all levels of government, businesses and the community can take to support improvements to water quality in the Catchment. Download: www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au/bbcci/improvement-plan.html

Bob and Robyn Junor.

Macquarie University PhD candidate, Lois Oulton, conducting water quality monitoring at the Cup and Saucer Wetland, Canterbury.

on June 3 (Below).He was one of the architects of a range

natural resource management programs of national significance. These included Landcare, the Natural Resources Management Strategy in the Murray

Darling Basin, Total Catchment Management (resulting in the

establishment of the Catchment Management Act

Mr Junor was instrumentalin the development of the

13 NSW CMAs.

In support of the United Nations World Environment Day (June 5), the United Nations Association of Australia recognises innovative and outstanding environmental programs and initiatives from across Australia.

Mr Junor has spent half a century advocating on behalf of the environment – fostering the understanding that a catchment-wide administrative perspective was the best way to manage and protect our natural resources.

Swapping Boardroom and Suits for Bushand BootsThe SMCMA is supporting the National Parks Association Keepers program to engage volunteers from business to rehabilitate and restore the bushland near their offices.

The focus of the project is to improve the condition of coastal native vegetation. Work is carried out at Hermitage Foreshore, Nielson Park and Greycliffe Gardens, Vaucluse. Many corporations support their staff to participate in community volunteering. The chance to remove weeds and litter from some of the most picturesque localities in Sydney is proving to have strong appeal.

With our SMCMA inaugural Chairman, Bob Junor receiving recognition for his decades of work in championing “catchment thinking”, this is a great opportunity to highlight the journey so far for the SMCMA

The SMCMA is Australia’s largest urban NRM region - in terms of population. In NSW we are the smallest NRM region - in terms of budget, staff and area.

Pied Piper to Point Piper...Pied Piper Point Piper...From Asquith to Appin from

Birds Sing at Melody Gardens and Pied Piper Playground Planting of bushland corridors to benefit native birds and animals were part of a program of work carried out in 2010 by Blacktown Council and community Bushcare groups with $37,000 funded by the SMCMA.

Members of the Pied Piper Bushcare Group had been working for three years revegetating and regenerating the reserve to establish native vegetation to link remnant pockets of bushland in Pied Piper Playground and Melody Gardens, Seven Hills. The SMCMA project also funded other work at bushland areas along Lalor Creek including Chopin Park, Troubadour Park, Pearce Reserve and Banks Reserve.

At the time the funding was announced SMCMA Chair Philip Sansom said the work was important to “establish vibrant corridors to link bushland areas across Blacktown and wider Sydney.”

“Corridors of healthy native bush provide essential ‘transport’ links for our native animals and birds. Who need to be able to move across the landscape easily to breed and feed,” he said.

The almost magical interweaving of built, bush and beach environments has seen Sydney become internationally known as a

unique and aesthetically appealing global city.

Sydneysiders have demonstrated for decades they greatly prize their natural environment.

They value the health of the bushland fringing their neighbourhoods and the water quality of their rivers, estuaries and coastal regions.

People from all localities across Sydney hold a genuine concern for the ongoing resilience of their natural environment.

There is a long, proud tradition of people actively advocating on behalf of Sydney’s environment. Thousands of people have invested “sweat equity” working as Bushcare volunteers to weed and regenerate localities.

Others have engaged the support of their political representatives at the Local, State or Australian Government level to extend resources

to protect and preserve particular pockets within Sydney.

An overwhelming number of Sydney residents care passionately about the environment and are prepared to take action to

demonstrate their conviction. Some 8000 Sydney residents are volunteer Bushcare workers.

The SMCMA has an “army” of allies to partner with across a wide range of natural resource

management projects and programs.

Our Unique Point of DifferenceSydney Metropolitan is the only NSW CMA with a specific focus on delivering natural resource management in an urban context. The most important role for the SMCMA – and one that is not being filled by any other entity in the region - is to connect diverse stakeholders as they work towards shared targets for natural resources across the whole region (and even beyond).

The SMCMA has:

A brokering role - brokering knowledge, tools and resources;

A linking and liaising role - identifying common needs and linking and helping to fund partners from government, industry, research and education in cross-sectoral projects to achieve efficiencies, common approaches and deliver on-ground work;

A supporting role - helping community groups, schools and government to effectively work together at a regional level.

Summed up in one word, the SMCMA is about partnerships.

Simply Sensational!Scenic Sydney is

Simply Sensational!The almost magical interweaving of built, bush and beach

Scenic Sydney isScenic Sydney isScenic Sydney isSimply Sensational!Simply Sensational!Simply Sensational!Simply Sensational!Simply Sensational!Simply Sensational!Simply Sensational!Simply Sensational!Simply Sensational!Simply Sensational!

Justin Clark and Carolyn Adamcewicz from Blacktown Council.

Nielsen Park Vaucluse

Get

ty Im

ages

©

mambara

Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority

The Sydney Metropolitan CMA region extends from Mona Vale to Stanwell Park, and from Blacktown to the coast. Photo: Simon Ho

mambaraSpring 2011 | Issue 32www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au

Champion of Catchment Management

Bob Junor, the inaugural Chairman of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (2004-2009) was presented with the Individual Award for Outstanding Service to the Environment by the Victorian Governor, Alex Chernov, AO, QC, at a ceremony in Melbourne on June 3 (Below).

The gala event was attended by the NSW Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Robyn Parker, SMCMA Board Chairman, Philip Sansom, Board member, Suzanne Little, General Manager, John Carse, and Mr Junor’s wife Robyn.

Mr Junor served as the NSW Soil Conser- vation Service Deputy Commissioner (1981-1987) and Commissioner (1987-1992).

He was one of the architects of a range of natural resource management programs of national significance. These included Landcare, the Natural Resources Management Strategy in the Murray

Darling Basin, Total Catchment Management (resulting in the

establishment of the Total Catchment Management Act,1989) and Salt Action.

Mr Junor was instrumental in the development of the

13 NSW CMAs.

He was a strong advocate of the need for a skills-based rather than representational model of Board appointment.

The value of his vision can be seen in the acknowledged

achievements of the NSW CMAs.

mambaraThe Aboriginal Darug name for Geebung Tree (Persoonia sp)News views and occasional interviews from across the SMCMA

CatchmentCatch-up

Mambara is the official newsletter of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA). It is funded through the Australian Government Caring for our Country initiative.

The SMCMA is one of 13 NSW and 56 Australian natural resource bodies whose purpose is to provide a landscape-scale regional approach to management of the natural environment.

Mambara is published quarterly. Email is the preferred method of distribution. Or download: www.smcma.nsw.gov.au

Mambara is printed on recycled paper

Contact Mambara Editor: Louise McMahon louise.mcmahon@cma.nsw.gov.au

Catchment Action Plan: Michele Bailey michele.bailey@cma.nsw.gov.au

Volunteer Coordinators’ Network: Judy Christie judy.christie@cma.nsw.gov.au

PO Box 3720, PARRAMATTA NSW 2124

Download Mambara: www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au

Career highlights:• Chairman, Greening Australia (NSW) 1992-97

• Chairman, Murray-Darling Basin Commission Community Advisory Committee 1992-95

• State Flood Plain Management Committee 1994-95

• NSW Coastal Council industry representative 1992-99

• Prime Minister’s Science, Engineering & Innovation Council Salinity Working Group 1998

• NSW Environmental Protection Authority Board 1992 - present

A man who can be described as a “visionary” and a “founding father of catchment management” in NSW has been honoured with a 2011 United Nations Association of Australia World Environment Award.

New SMCMA Project: Establishing Links to LandcareAgriculture contributes $1 billion to the Sydney economy.

Twelve per cent of the total value of NSW agricultural production is generated in the Sydney basin – which is only one per cent of NSW’s land. There are approximately 13,000 people employed in the agricultural, forestry, fishing and mining industry in the Sydney region.

There are at least 8,000 full time on farm jobs in the Sydney region. NSW Department of Planning: (Environment and Resources: Strategy for Sydney) 2011

The SMCMA has initiated a Regional Landcare Facilitator project which will support primary producers in the Parramatta and Georges River catchments. This project will assist the SMCMA to understand the issues and challenges of managing sustainable production in locations at the edge of the metropolitan area. This SMCMA project is conducted in partnership with OceanWatch Australia.

International Environment Conference: Manly Manly Environment Centre will host a four-day “International Conference of Eco Ideas” at North Head Sanctuary from September 8-11.

The event will be a support hub for community groups by providing opportunities to network and sharing expertise in everything from biodiversity to running successful campaigns.

A highlight will be a weekend of free events including artworks, a short film festival and guided walks as well as talks on a variety of subjects.

This event is one of the activities to celebrate the 20th birthday of the Manly Environment Centre. www.mec.org.au/conference.

Botany Bay Water QualityThe SMCMA has developed a Water Quality Improvement Plan for Botany Bay and its Catchment.

This sets targets for pollutant reductions to the waterways that will enable improvements in water quality and reduce the pressures on these waterways from urban development over the long-term.

This area has highly important ecological sites such as the internationally important Towra Point wetlands, and it also has great cultural and historical significance not only to local residents, but to all Australians.

The Plan was developed after targeted consultation with key stakeholders and community groups and builds on the extensive scientific research and modelling work undertaken over the past few years by the SMCMA.

We need to ensure we have resilient ecological systems to cope with the pressures an increasingly populated city will put on our waterways.

The Plan sets out recommended actions that all levels of government, businesses and the community can take to support improvements to water quality in the Catchment. Download: www.sydney.cma.nsw.gov.au/bbcci/improvement-plan.html

Bob and Robyn Junor.

Macquarie University PhD candidate, Lois Oulton, conducting water quality monitoring at the Cup and Saucer Wetland, Canterbury.

Mr Junor has spent half a century advocating on behalf of the environment – fostering the understanding that a catchment-wide administrative perspective was the best way to manage and protect our natural resources.