Water is one of the regions most precious natural resources not only for the fact that it sustains life at all levels, but because it is under increasing pressure. If used unsustainably our water resources could become degraded, impacting on the regions social and economic well-being and the ecosystems that depend on them.
The Eyre Peninsula NRM Board is dedicated to water resources management in the region.
Our Goals
Goal 1 - Protect & Manage Water Resources
The protection, management and rehabilitation of water resources and water-dependent environments is the foundation to the Water Resources Program. It is fundamental that the resources currently used are maintained for future generations. Strategies to achieve this are:
1.1 Auditing resources: ensuring we know the distribution and condition of our resources and regularly report to the community of Eyre Peninsula via a "Catchment Report Card and Water Budget".
1.2 Understanding resources: ensuring we are able to predict risks to our resources.
1.3 Protecting and sharing water resources: ensuring they are not contaminated or over-committed and are equitably shared.
1.4 Managing water resources: undertaking on-ground works to maintain the condition and value of our water resources and water-dependent environments.
Goal 2 - Efficient Use of Water Resources
Promoting the efficient use of water will help manage demands upon water resources. Being sensible in how we use water - and avoiding waste - will help ensure there are adequate supplies available without compromising lifestyles and living standards. Strategies to achieve this are:
1.1 Promoting conservative use: giving water users to understand and adopt "best practice" to conserve water, whilst enjoying the benefits of its use.
1.2 Sustainable development: paying high regard to water resources and ecologically sustainable development principles when planning for growth and economic development.
Goal 3 - Additional Water Supplies
Promoting the development of "alternative" water supplies will increase the quantum of water available for use. A key theme is making more use of alternatives to reticulated water and matching water quality with the use to which it is put. This will further reduce the demand for reticulated, potable water and increase the range and volume of alternative supplies used (eg collecting rainwater and re-using water - such as "greywater", treated effluent or stormwater). Strategies to achieve this are:
3.1 Developing alternative local supplies: obtaining a better understanding of the alternative supplies available and application of the technologies to use them.
3.2 Managing long-term supply and demand: promoting a concerted effort to continually forecast demand and plan ahead with new technologies and programs to match supply with demand - eg the application of desalination technology by SA Water (or other water suppliers).
Goal 4 - Informed & Involved Community
The Board representing the interests of the community is responsible to the community as well as to the Minister. The Board will emphasise understanding and community involvement through innovative approaches to learning and communicating with communities and stakeholders. Strategies to achieve this are:
4.1 Community capacity building: establishing an "Eyre Water Innovation Centre" to share information and understanding and regularly communicating with communities.
4.2 Facilitation: adopting accountable management practices and means to promote community involvement in water resource management and administration.