Restoration Plan
Summary

Foreword

We all love living in the Torbay area, with its temperate climate, safe environment, wonderful coastline and relaxed rural lifestyle. Torbay has the advantage of being close to services in both Albany and Denmark while not being threatened by any large scale development. Our clean, fresh air is regarded as amongst the best in the world - free from industrial pollution and full of goodness from Southern Ocean air flows. Many of us enjoy the close contact with nature, being able to grow some of our own food, having safe space around for us and our children to grow up in, as well as the caring friendliness of neighbours and the local community.

We must recognise that some of our past and current practices are impacting on the quality of the environment. There are problems with poor water quality in our creeks, wetlands, lakes and inlets, leading to increasing algal blooms; damage from recreational use especially on the fragile coastal hills; erosion in drains and creeks; acidity and water logging of soils; and salinity in the upper catchment.

There are additional pressures likely in the near future. The Marbellup Brook has been identified as the preferred next major source of public water supply for the City of Albany. The Albany irrigated tree farm, located in the upper catchment, is reaching its capacity to treat the City of Albany's wastewater. Increasing numbers of people are moving into the area, putting more pressure on resources, which demand good planning. In addition there are increasing sources of nutrients from agriculture and urban development.

It is important to recognise the valuable assets in the catchment, the resources we use, the aspects we treasure and our historical links. If we truly value these assets, we need to work out how to protect them and urgently start repairing the often unforeseen damage that has occurred in the past, before things get worse.

This catchment restoration plan is an attempt to do just that. It has been the result of the work of a dedicated group of local residents and agency representatives working together over the past four years, with significant input from many of you. Thanks go to the community led Watershed Torbay project steering committee, the technical advisory group, the drainage management sub-committee, the Torbay Catchment Group and the support team which had to carry out most of the tasks.

A plan is good: implementing the plan is far better! Now is the time for each of us to start making things happen, and I am pleased that key organisations have pledged their ongoing support. This plan is for everyone and I really encourage all in the community to come on board and help restore the catchment to a healthier condition. We can then be really proud of where we live and satisfied in the knowledge that we are passing on a better environment to future generations. After all, commitment from each one of us, and just an hour or so out of our often hectic lifestyle, would all mount up to a huge difference!

Andrew Marshall
Chair, Torbay Catchment Group
Chair, Watershed Torbay project steering committee