1 Protecting Water Quality in Sydney’s Drinking Water Catchments by Impact Assessment

In 1998 the New South Wales Government made a bold decision to pass legislation which required that new development should only proceed in Sydney’s drinking water catchments if the application could demonstrate a neutral or beneficial effect on water quality. Prior to this time, the aim, as is common in most jurisdictions, was to minimise impacts on water quality. Experienced environmental impact assessment practitioners know only too well that the enactment of legislation is not enough to achieve the desired outcomes. Many of the barriers that often prevent the desired outcome from being achieved have been addressed in this case study. A specific regional agency was established, the Sydney Catchment Authority, with a key objective being the protection and enhancement of water quality. A specific planning instrument has been proclaimed which requires that local consent authorities must not grant consent to the carrying out of development unless it is satisfied that the carrying out of the proposed development would have a neutral or beneficial effect on water quality. The expertise and resources of the Sydney Catchment Authority are available to assist local consent authorities in undertaking assessments. Drinking water supplied to customers in Sydney, Australia is sourced from several water catchments located to the west and south of the Sydney metropolitan area – as shown on the figure below. While substantial parts of these catchments are covered with relatively undisturbed native vegetation, there are a range of current potentially water polluting land uses. In addition, there is pressure for more development within these catchments due to their proximity to an expanding Sydney