The Role of the Middle Harbour Catchment Management Committee:

The Middle Harbour Catchment Management Committee was established in September 1992 through the Catchment Management Act (1989). The purpose was to put TCM into practice in Middle Harbour.

Our members represent many groups interested in catchment management: These include landholders, conservationists, government agencies and local government. Our current membership can be see under members. We have a primary responsibility for co-ordinating the policies, programs and activities of any authority, group or individual in the catchment. The Committee does not have the power to direct others how to manage natural resources in their areas but they can facilitate, promote, co-ordinate, advise, monitor and identify how to do so.

The functions of the Catchment Management Committees (CMC) are provided in the Catchment Management Act (1989) and include;
 

• To promote and co-ordinate the implementation of total catchment management policies and programs.
• To advise on and co-ordinate the natural resource management activities of authorities, groups and individuals.
• To identify catchment needs and prepare strategies for implementation.
• To co-ordinate the preparation of programs for funding.
• To monitor, evaluate and report on progress and performance of total catchment management strategies and programs.
• To provide a forum for resolving natural resource conflicts and issues.
• To facilitate research into the cause, effect and resolution of natural resource issues.
• Other functions relating to total catchment management as are directed by the State Catchment Management Co-ordinating Committee.

Flowing from these specific functions, we have already agreed to encourage certain policies and actions; we have developed our mission statement; and we have developed a strategic plan.

We have agreed to encourage policies and actions which:
 

• Determine and achieve water quality to appropriate quality standards.
• Balance resource utilisation and resource conservation.
• Minimise land and soil degradation.
• Enhance native vegetative species diversity and cover.
• Promote ecologically sustainable principles.
• Improve air quality.