3. Benefits of a National Strategy The framework set out in this National Strategy provides significant advantages across several sectors including governments, landholders and industry. Benefits will be realised at the national and local level, over both the short and long term. They will accrue across environmental, economic, social, technical and operational areas. The more important benefits are expected to be: Better understanding of the problem by key stakeholders. Stopping the problem getting worse. Improving water quality and environmental outcomes over time. Avoiding/reducing future rehabilitation costs to the community otherwise associated with doing nothing. Establishing a framework for national communication. Identifying priorities and options for action and funding at national, state and local levels. Creating a consistent interface between ASS management and related national initiatives. The most important benefit will be recognition, coordination and management of coastal ASS issues and problems at the national level. The National Strategy recognises ASS as an urgent issue requiring greater understanding and immediate action, paralleling those implemented to manage salinity in inland catchments. In the absence of the National Strategy a piecemeal, cost-ineffective response to this problem is highly likely. Future remedial actions can be expected to be much more expensive. An approach which addresses the key issues and helps the community move towards ecologically sustainable use of ASS is detailed in the following sections.
4.2.3.2 Integrate planning and development controls with education and awareness programs (ST, LG, Ind). 4.2.3.3 Encourage land holder and industry input to develop planning controls relating to both development and rehabilitation of ASS high risk areas (ST, LG, Ind). 4.2.4 Regulatory controls 4.2.4.1 Review legislation nationally to identify that which supports and/or conflicts with the National Strategy objectives and amend if needed (ST, LG). 4.2.5 Desired outcomes Industry, government agencies and community have sufficient knowledge base to avoid disturbance of ASS and manage them sustainably. Assessment of drainage and excavation works is undertaken with reference to ASS risk maps. Appropriate planning controls and mechanisms are established for coastal developments and agricultural enterprises on ASS. Planning and development control instruments are supported by appropriate use of other regulatory tools. Land owners, coastal resource managers, developers and planners become aware of the properties and impacts of ASS on water quality, aquatic ecosystems and capital infrastructure, as well as relevant legislation and penalties. Coastal resource managers have access to training and technical information so they may provide competent investigation, analysis and advice to clients. Local land holders and industry implement best management practice for ASS and avoid or mitigate water quality problems. Planning controls are integrated with education and awareness programs.
4.4.3.1 Identify and actively develop incentive schemes for environmental works of public benefit, especially in agricultural situations for environmental rehabilitation and management projects/ practices (Fed, ST, LG, Ind). 4.4.4 Desired outcomes Local landholders supportive of initiatives to attract funding for rehabilitation projects and active in fostering private and government support for local projects. Rehabilitation techniques trialed and implemented as appropriate to local problems. New rehabilitation techniques researched, developed and extended to coastal resource managers, industry and landowners. Programs implemented to improve water quality from known high environmental impact sites. Local community becomes actively involved in rehabilitation projects. Emergence of incentive driven rehabilitation of ASS areas. Greater coordination of restoration and rehabilitation activities. Costs and benefits of undertaking management and rehabilitation of ASS are determined. Evaluation mechanisms implemented which enable all stakeholders to appreciate the results of rehabilitation and changes in management
acidification and leachate generation applicable to Australian conditions. 7.7 Sustainable agriculture The effectiveness of best management practice in agricultural production systems in ASS areas has yet to be strenuously tested and monitored across a range of soils, climates and tidal regimes. Comparisons of yields, productivity, acid generation and export are needed for various drainage, liming and irrigation strategies. Comprehensive work is needed on the national implications of ASS for sustainable agricultural development within the Australian coastal zone. 7.8 Social and economic research The social and economic aspects of ASS disturbance need to be investigated so that the full range of impacts (both positive and negative) can be assessed. This may be achieved through selected case studies. The awareness and knowledge of ASS in coastal communities and among land managers are unknown. Similarly the economic impacts of ASS on land users, affected industries and local communities have not been studied in detail, despite their probable significance. In particular, quantification of the full economic impact on the fishing industry is needed. 7.9 Funding Since the research and development effort and cost to remedy current problems is substantial, a strategic approach is needed to set priorities for research and to indicate when issues can be addressed. It is essential that federal and state governments liaise and coordinate their funding programs for the research and monitoring works being undertaken on ASS. Management advisory and technical support committees need to establish effective communication networks, share information and adapt findings from Australian and overseas research where applicable.