4. Standardise the standards
Overview
The Parramatta River’s catchment spans 11 local government areas. To create a swimmable river, we need to work together to standardise policies and practices that impact water quality, such as approaches to baseline measurements, installation of rainwater tanks, and creation of raingardens.
This project has identified the appropriate policies, planning instruments and sustainable funding mechanisms that will support the goals of the Parramatta River Masterplan.
Recommendation
Establish a whole of catchment land use policy and statutory planning mechanisms.
Timeframe
By 2021.
Lead Agencies
NSW Department of Planning, Infrastructure & Environment and Sydney Water.
Current Measure
Delivery of recommendations and responsibilities outlined in Recommendations Paper.
Status Update
- Our recommendations paper, Strategic and Statutory Planning Review to create Our Living River – Final Recommendations Paper was released in February 2021. The paper sets out recommended planning reforms to achieve clean, clear water and support and encourage healthy ecosystems in the catchment.
- The paper lays out three main policy reform pathways as indicated in the diagram below, covering both short and longer-term actions.
- The recommendations paper provides councils with the tools they need to strengthen the wording in LEPs and DCPs to improve outcomes for the Parramatta River catchment. Councils are individually considering how each of these are best implemented locally and the timeframes for any amendments.
- Sydney Water is now progressing the development of the Blue Green Index project in partnership with a key developer(s). This partnership approach will enable us to understand the practical opportunities and constraints in applying a new stormwater assessment framework to development and ensure it is fit for purpose.
- Further work will be required with the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) and councils to determine how a future Blue Green Index tool is embedded into policy and planning frameworks.
- Opportunities to progress the proposed Blue Green Grid framework will be explored in 2023.