The freshwater resources of the northern region are our life-blood. Industries, cities and towns, our outdoor recreation needs, and our natural environment all depend on the reliable provision of good quality water.

To help sustain the water resources of the region, the Rivers and Water for Life program supports a sustainable balance between the environmental, economic and social uses of water, while enhancing water quality.

As this is only the second year of implementation for the program, many of the activities have focused on increasing our knowledge of the region’s water resources. The information gained from these activities will inform future on-ground activities within the region.

The program has four themes:

• Water Quality
• Sustainable Water Usage
• River Condition
• Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers

Water Quality

The water quality theme addresses the causes of decline in surface and ground water quality throughout northern Tasmania.  Its focus is on developing baseline data, creating a regional water monitoring strategy, and identifying, managing and diffusing pollutants at a catchment level. The theme also recognises the key importance of riparian vegetation in maintaining water quality.

Sustainable Water Usage

The aim of the sustainable water usage theme is to ensure northern Tasmania’s precious water resources are used in a sustainable manner. While there is nothing to indicate water resources are currently over-allocated, a better understanding of the region’s water resources will verify the facts. It will also identify any increased demands on future water resources. The theme includes monitoring, research and the implementation of water use efficiency activities.

River Condition

The river condition theme addresses river health, focussing on changes to flow regimes and the use of catchment land, recognising that the health of the river systems directly affects water quality. The theme acknowledges that any implemented actions will also affect the estuaries, coastal regions and marine assets.

The protection and re-establishment of riparian vegetation has significant benefits in buffering river assets from the impacts of surrounding land use and protection of riparian habitat. Since June 2007, NRM North has provided support for land managers which will result in the protection of in excess of 550 hectares of riverside vegetation. This has been achieved through supporting fencing, off-stream watering and supplementary plantings and revegetation of 130 hectares of riverside vegetation.

Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers

The Tamar Estuary and Esk Rivers (TEER) Program is focused on partnerships - working together to achieve collaboration between partners. The aim of this theme was to establish a voluntary regional partnership to manage the waterways of the Tamar Estuary and Esk River systems, extending from the catchment through to the coast. This theme closely links with the aims and objectives of the other themes under the Rivers and Water for Life program.