High Ecological Value Waterways and Water Dependent Ecosystems - LIVERPOOL LGA

A map of the high ecological value waterways and water dependent ecosystems for the Liverpool 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 24 indicators making up the map for the Liverpool 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.

新南威尔士州规划、产业与环境部科学处编制了利物浦地方政府辖区（Liverpool LGA）内的高生态价值水道及水依赖生态系统分布图。本图集的编制得到了新南威尔士州原初级产业部-渔业局及新南威尔士州产业部-国有土地与水务局的图层数据与技术支持。其编制依据源于科学处为各类战略规划流程提供的输入数据，例如该图已被纳入威尔顿（Wilton2040，第22页）及大麦克阿瑟（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中。本图集专为地方政府战略规划声明编制，用于支持利物浦地方政府落实《大悉尼区域规划》中的25.1号战略。

本图集依据《1999年环境保护与生物多样性保护法》（Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999）、《2016年生物多样性保护法》（Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016）、《1994年渔业管理法》（Fisheries Management Act 1994）及《2000年水管理法》（Water Management Act 2000）中的相关定义、指南与政策，将水道及水依赖生态系统（water dependent ecosystems）划定为高生态价值区域。其中，水依赖生态系统指依托各类水源（含地下水）生存的湿地及动植物区系。本图集叠加了州政府用于界定高价值生态区域的39项评价指标，但并非所有39项指标都会在单个地方政府辖区内全部覆盖（详见下文附件1）。以利物浦地方政府辖区为例，该图集仅采用了其中24项指标。此外需说明，所有单项指标均未经过实地校核，建议在做出相关决策前开展实地评估或与本地地图进行比对。

本图集的制作流程为：首先在利物浦地方政府辖区内布设与地块尺寸匹配的1公顷六边形网格（hexagon grid），随后为该网格赋予高价值水依赖生态系统的分布面积、长度及出现频率等属性信息。本图集的编制目的是识别本辖区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。识别出的优先级可用于后续确定水生生物避难所、开展河道修复工程，以及设定管理目标或土地利用规划管控措施，以保护或改善水道及水依赖生态系统的健康状况，使其发挥清凉蓝绿廊道（cool blue-green corridor）应有的核心服务与功能。