Media release: 10 June 1999

Environment committee to investigate catchment management

Catchment management is to be investigated in a new inquiry by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage.

Chairman of the committee, the Hon Ian Causley MP, said the inquiry would focus on best practice models for catchment management in Australia and how current management strategies might be improved.

"The committee is interested in looking at successes and failures in catchment management, and will recommend how Australia's water catchments could be better managed. Current practices in planning, resourcing, implementation, coordination and cooperation in catchment management will be examined," MrCausley said.

"The committee will also look at the broader issue of the value of a catchment approach to management of the environment.

"I invite organisations and individuals who are interested or have expertise in catchment management to make a written submission to the inquiry."

The terms of reference for the inquiry are overleaf. The inquiry will be advertised in major metropolitan and rural papers on the weekend of 19-20 June, with Friday 30 July 1999 as the closing date for submissions.

The inquiry has arisen from the committee's review of the 1997-98 annual report of the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage. The review identified the management of water resources, particularly river health and water quality, as an important issue for further inquiry. The committee's report on its review of the department's annual report will be tabled in the House of Representatives on 21 June 1999.

Terms of reference

Information about making a submission

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