Eurobodalla Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy

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Eurobodalla Integrated Water Cycle Management Strategy
review and evaluate how the urban water cycle in Eurobodalla Shire could be improved.
Thus this strategy will be used to demonstrate that the improved management of the ‘urban
footprint’ can help to achieve Council’s strategic business objectives, State resource policy
objectives and community expectations for natural resource management. Importantly, the
strategy is:
Driven by the local community and has whole of government support
Holistic and comprehensive
Long term in its horizon (30 years), but should be reviewed every five years
Flexible to accommodate future uncertainties
Economically, environmentally and socially responsible.
1.4 Eurobodalla Shire’s Progress So Far
The IWCM strategy process for Eurobodalla began in mid-2001 with the Department of
Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) undertaking a ‘Concept Study’ for Eurobodalla Shire
Local Government Area. This study identified the key water cycle issues for Eurobodalla
(Objective 1) and identified the urban context for these issues (Objective 2). The results of
this study (Eurobodalla’s water issues) were presented to Council at the strategic business
objectives workshop and have been summarised in Part C.
During the preparation of the concept study, DLWC and Eurobodalla Shire Council
engaged the Department of Public Works and Services (DPWS) to help in identifying and
detailing the management options that would have the potential to control the issues
identified.
In November 2001, Council staff developed the strategic business objectives for the future
management of the urban water cycle in Eurobodalla Shire. Following development of the
objectives, the first round of community consultation for the Integrated Water Cycle
Management strategy was undertaken. Separate meetings were held at Narooma, Moruya
and Batemans Bay, to identify the management options that the community would like to
see implemented in the future, along with ratification of the strategic business objectives.
The Council has since ratified the strategic business objectives.
In November 2002, a summary document containing the study findings prepared and
presented to Council to seek Council’s input and approval to seek wider community input
based on the summary document. In November 2002, the second round of community
consultation was undertaken, where the water cycle management options identified in the
first round of consultation, together with other opportunities and options, were presented.
Separate meetings were again held at Narooma, Moruya and Batemans Bay.
In October 2002 a two day inter-agency workshop was held to identify any issues and
concerns the agencies may have with the current management of the water services and
the proposed future water management opportunities and to seek ‘in principle’ support to
IWCM opportunities. To seek community document was posted on Council’s web page
and was made available at Council offices. Community feedback was sought until mid-
February 2003. The community feedback and responses to the feedback are contained in
Appendix B.
1.5 Where To From Here?
Parts D and E of this strategy address how Eurobodalla’s IWCM will be delivered in the
future, along with a timeframe for the various delivery stages.