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The Role of Waterwatch
Small waterways make up three-quarters of the total stream
network within any given catchment.
These can be monitored most effectively by local communities including land managers.
Waterwatch supports the involvement of local communities in taking
responsibility for their rivers and aquatic ecosystems. By monitoring
water quality and biological indicators, local communities directly
observe and learn about the health of their rivers and are empowered to
identify problems and to take action.
Waterwatch data can provide historical data on how river
systems have changed over time, demonstrate whether remediation activities
are having the desired effect, and identifying emerging local issues.
Waterwatch data provides a platform for community monitors to
contribute to catchment planning by developing partnerships with natural
resource managers so that collaborative decisions are made about local river issues.
Waterwatch Support
Waterwatch is a partnership program as funding comes from
all levels of government, regional private businesses and local communities
including schools.
As a national network Waterwatch is supported by the
National Waterwatch Facilitator and the Department of Environment, Water,
Heritage and Arts. For information on the Waterwatch program at a national
level, check out the website at www.waterwatch.org.au.
At a state level, the Department of Environment and Climate
Change hosts the State Waterwatch Coordinator position through joint
Australian Government and State Government investments from the Natural
Heritage Trust.
NSW Waterwatch has partnerships with Catchment Management
Authorities, Sydney Water, Sydney Catchment Authority, local government,
private business, the education sector and community organisations such
as Landcare to enhance the involvement of local people in monitoring local
actions that may directly or indirectly impact on water quality and
catchment health. Partnerships with the scientific community ensure that
the data generated by the community is technically sound, quality assured
and useful for planning and monitoring natural resource management actions
and natural resource condition over time.
National Waterwatch Network
Waterwatch Australia is coordinated by a national facilitator.
The Waterwatch network promotes the sharing of tools and resources to enhance community
involvement in water quality monitoring. A strategic plan has been developed for Waterwatch
taking it forward within the regional delivery framework developed through CMAs in NSW.
Each Australian state supports Waterwatch. Links to these programs and resources are listed below.
Australian Capital Territory: www.act.waterwatch.org.au
Queensland: www.qld.waterwatch.org.au
Victoria: www.vic.waterwatch.org.au
South Australia: www.sa.waterwatch.org.au
Western Australia: www.wrc.wa.gov.au/ribbons/index
Northern Territory: www.lpe.nt.gov.au/care/waterwatch
Tasmania: www.tas.waterwatch.org.au
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