influence your decision are identified in the table below, along with a suggestion of how these targets and objectives could be reflected in developing a storm water management plan. Table A: Objectives and targets that most influence development of storm water management plans Objective/Target How to reflect in a storm water management plan Examples Most Relevant 2035 Ecosystem Health Objectives EHO2 The Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area retains its integrity and system functions by maintaining and restoring the connectivity, resilience and condition of marine and coastal ecosystems. Highlight and protect coastal ecosystems including looking for opportunities to provide a net benefit through restoring connectivity in key coastal systems and providing versatile places that enable safe, healthy inclusive and resilient communities. Most Relevant 2035 Heritage Objectives HO2 Indigenous and non-Indigenous heritage including natural, aesthetic, historic, scientific, and social values are identified, conserved and managed in partnership with the community. Protect heritage values in planning and undertaking storm water construction. Consult with Traditional Owners to identify values. Promote implementation partnerships. If your storm water management plan refers to actions that may result in changes to heritage places, further information about what might need to be considered is available at If your storm water management plan refers to actions that may affect Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage (including artefacts or sites), further information about what might need to be considered is available at: Most Relevant 2035 Water Quality Objectives WQO2 Over successive decades the quality of water in or entering the Reef from all sources including industrial, aquaculture, port (including dredging), urban waste and stormwater sources has no detrimental impact on the health and resilience of the Great Barrier Reef. Develop approaches to ensure water exiting scheme meets State water quality objectives. Ensure implementation of targeted Reef 2050 actions such as WQA12 :Implement best practice storm water management (e.g. erosion and sediment control, water sensitive urban design and capture of gross pollutants) for new development in coastal catchments. The Environmental Protection Act 1994 and subordinate Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 set the Water Quality Objectives (WQO) and Environmental Values (EVs) of waters in Queensland, which must be taken into account to inform environmental management decisions.
based on a comparison with a 2009 baseline] WQT2 By 2018: The extent of riparian vegetation is increased There is no net loss of the extent, and an improvement in the ecological processes and environmental values, of natural wetlands. [From Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2013] Include opportunities for re-vegetation and enhancement of riparian vegetation and ecosystems; Use storm water planning process to: Protect extent and processes of natural wetland systems Develop opportunities to improve ecological processes and environmental values of wetland systems Further information about the location and management of wetlands is available at: http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/ And there are case studies about wetland management at: WQT3 By 2020, Reef-wide and locally relevant water quality targets are in place for urban, industrial, aquaculture and port activities and monitoring shows a stable or improving trend. Ensure adequate water quality targets in plan; Develop and implement a water quality monitoring program for water leaving the storm water system to demonstrate stable or improving trend in outputs. http://reefcatchments.com.au/wetlands/ contains information on the De Moleyns Lagoon rehabilitation project being undertaken by Mackay Council in partnership with Reef Catchments and the Queensland and Australian Governments. The project includes water quality monitoring component. Most Relevant 2020 Water Quality Targets WQT5 Traditional Owners, industry and community are engaged in water quality improvement and monitoring. Engage community in plan development and implementation; incorporate opportunities for active involvement. Most Relevant 2035 Economic Benefit Objectives EBO2 Protecting the Reef’s Outstanding Universal Value is embedded within decision making with impacts first avoided, then mitigated and then, as a final consideration, any residual impacts are offset to achieve a net environmental benefit In developing the plan, review the plan through an impact assessment lens. Are there any actions that could be avoided or undertaken in a manner with less adverse impacts on GBR values? What could be done to lessen any adverse impacts? What further rehabilitation could be incorporated to lessen the residual adverse impacts? Are there any remaining adverse impacts that should be offset? What opportunities does the plan provide for achieving net environmental benefits?