Protection of Rural and .Urban Water Supply Catchments in Victoria

For half a century the State of Victoria has had the statutes to facilitate cooperative work with landholders in controlling and managing land use in multiple-use water supply catchments. Despite this, water quality in water supply reservoirs continues to decline. Suggestions are made which have the potential to reverse this trend. Achievement of sustainable water production from multiple-use catchments requires additional contributory investments by the State. Catchment landholders may receive tax incentives under existing law but income supplementary payments to manage land according to its capability to produce high quality water for public benefit is recommended. Landholders, water authorities and planning authorities should have access to technical support. Support should demonstrate best practice, communicate effectively with clients, and be independent of commercial interests. Further land capability studies are now required; these should be peer - reviewed. All existing and future water supply catchments should be declared Special Water Supply Catchment Area Plans. Returns to State investment will be less land degradation and less need for water treatment, with the major benefit being that the land resource in these catchments will provide water of improved quality in perpetuity.