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Why use this indicator?Healthy waterways play a vital role in our environment, supporting our ecosystem, supplying drinking water, maintaining agriculture, tourism and other businesses as well as providing recreational and aesthetic values. The community significantly impacts on the health of watercourses particularly from increased urban development including stormwater runoff, reduced flows and discharge of pollutants from point and non-point sources. In addition there is substantial impact from businesses including agriculture and tourism and from industry. An increased awareness is needed within the community of the state of the waterways and the direct impact from residents and businesses. It is envisaged that with increased understanding, the community may establish new skills and patterns of behaviour to protect the river and creeks. There is a plethora of agencies and authorities that have responsibility for protecting and managing the waterways including Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority and Department of Environment and Climate Change. An integrated cohesive approach to managing the rivers and creeks is required and will assist in providing long term protection of the system. What is the current situation?Council conducts a biennial customer survey which addresses this issue. The last survey was conducted in 2007 the results of which were reported in the 2006-2007 Annual Report. The next survey will be conducted in 2009. Council's 2007 customer survey indicated no significant change in the proportion of residents satisfied with the health of the river and creeks compared to surveys conducted in 2003 and 2005. Council will conduct another survey in 2009 and gain further trend information at that time. Council plays a strong and proactive role in collaborative regional actions and lobbying of State and Federal Government to better manage and fund responses to the health of the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment. The surveys carried out have been primarily aimed at Council's performance in terms of maintaining the waterways in a clean condition. A range of agencies have responsibilities in this regard. What is the desired trend?An increase in the proportion of residents who believe the river and creeks are healthy. What does this mean for the Sustainability of Penrith City?The health of our waterways is worse than many residents perceive. To effectively reduce the impact from urban development, there needs to be an increased awareness of the state of the waterways, and the direct impact the community has on the health and wellbeing of the river and creeks. Case Study - Aquatic Weeds
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