Have your say on a water sensitive future for the Blue Mountains

Blue Mountains City Council is inviting community comment on the draft Water Sensitive Blue Mountains strategic plan. The plan sets the direction for how Council manages our City’s waterways and water resources in the future.

Mayor, Cr Mark Greenhill, said, “Blue Mountains waterways are some of the most beautiful, and iconic in Australia. They sustain a unique diversity of animals and plants, feed into vital water supplies, and are a feature of our popular nature-based activities for residents and visitors.”

“However, our waterways are facing increasing pressures from urban development, stormwater runoff and climate change.”

In 2017, water monitoring by Council showed that 39% of our waterways are in poor to fair health. To address the challenges and improve the health of our waterways, we need to rethink the way we use and value our water resources.

The plan identifies ways to manage water in our City in a more water sensitive way by being more water efficient, harvesting and reusing water, championing best-practice stormwater management and increasing awareness in the general community and within Council.

Other actions include improving the planning, coordination and delivery of council’s water management activities, and incorporating water sensitive urban design principles into Council’s capital works projects. The draft plan provides opportunities for Council to build on its track record in water management, Water sensitive urban design principles are being adopted by other water management agencies and councils across Australia. 

“Caring for our water is crucial to the future of our City”, said the Mayor. “I encourage you to be part of the conversation about water management in the Blue Mountains and to have your say.

The draft strategic plan and information on how to make a submission is available at www.bluemountainshaveyoursay.com.au/water-sensitive-strategic-plan

Submissions close Monday 10 September 2018.