High Ecological Value Waterways and Water Dependent Ecosystems - BLUE MOUNTAINS LGA

A map of the high ecological value waterways and water dependent ecosystems for the Blue Mountains LGA was prepared by the Science Division of the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment, with input layers and support for the map provided by the former NSW Department of Primary Industries-Fisheries and Department of Industry-Crown Lands and Water. The basis for the map arises from Science Division inputs to strategic planning processes. For example, the map has been included in the Land Use and Infrastructure Implementation Plans for the Wilton (Wilton2040, page 22) and Greater Macarthur (interim plan, page 36) Priority Growth Areas. This map was specifically developed for input to Local Government Local Strategic Planning Statements to support Council’s delivery of Strategy 25.1 of the Greater Sydney Region Plan.\r\n\r\nThe map shows areas where waterways and water dependent ecosystems are defined as high ecological value, based on definitions, guidelines and policies under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, Fisheries Management Act 1994 and Water Management Act 2000. Water dependent ecosystems are defined as wetlands, and flora and fauna that rely on water sources (including groundwater). The map represents an overlay of 39 indicators being used by the State Government to define high value, however, not all 39 indicators will be present in any one LGA (see Attachment 1 below). For example, there are 20 indicators making up the map for the Blue Mountains LGA. It should also be noted that the individual indicators have not been ground-truthed and it is recommended that field assessments and/or a comparison to local mapping be undertaken prior to any decisions being made.\r\nThe map was created by initially placing a 1 ha (to correspond with a lot size) hexagon grid over the LGA, and attributing the grid with the area, length and/or frequency of occurrence of high value water dependent ecosystems. The purpose of the map is to identify strategic planning priorities for protecting and improving the health of high value waterways and water dependent ecosystems in the LGA. Once identified, the priorities can be used as a basis for identifying aquatic biodiversity refugia, stream rehabilitation efforts and setting management targets and/or land use planning controls that would protect or improve the health of waterways and water dependent ecosystems so they provide the essential services and functions expected of a cool blue-green corridor.

蓝山地方政府区域（Local Government Area, LGA）内的高生态价值水道与水依赖生态系统地图，由规划、产业与环境部科学司编制，该地图的输入图层与技术支持由前新南威尔士州（New South Wales, NSW）初级产业部-渔业局及产业部-国有土地与水资源局提供。本地图的编制依据源自科学司为战略规划流程提供的相关输入内容。例如，该地图已被纳入威尔顿（Wilton2040，第22页）与大麦克阿瑟（Greater Macarthur，临时规划方案，第36页）优先增长区的土地利用与基础设施实施计划。本地图专为提交地方政府本地战略规划声明而开发，以支持议会落实《大悉尼区域规划》中的25.1号战略。

本地图依据《1999年环境保护与生物多样性保护法》《2016年生物多样性保护法》《1994年渔业管理法》及《2000年水资源管理法》中的定义、指南与政策，标识出被界定为高生态价值的水道与水依赖生态系统分布区域。其中，水依赖生态系统指依赖水源（包括地下水）的湿地、动植物群落。该地图叠加了州政府用于界定高价值生态系统的39项指标，但并非所有39项指标都会在单个地方政府区域内全部出现（详见下文附件1）。例如，蓝山LGA的地图仅由20项指标构成。需特别说明的是，所有单项指标均未经过实地验证，建议在做出相关决策前，先开展实地评估或与本地现有地图进行比对。

本地图的制作流程为：首先在目标LGA范围内布设1公顷（与地块尺寸匹配）的六边形网格，随后为网格赋予高价值水依赖生态系统的分布面积、长度及/或出现频率等属性信息。本地图的编制目的是识别蓝山LGA内保护与改善高价值水道及水依赖生态系统健康状况的战略规划优先级。确定优先级后，可将其作为识别水生生物多样性避难所、开展溪流修复工作、制定管理目标及/或土地利用规划管控措施的依据，以保护或改善水道与水依赖生态系统的健康水平，使其能够发挥作为清凉蓝绿走廊的核心服务与功能。