DAWESVILLE Member Kim Hames and Liberal candidate for Mandurah Tony Solin announced last week the party’s proposal for governance of the Peel-Harvey Estuary if re-elected.
Dr Hames said the future of the Peel-Harvey estuary as a sustainable and healthy waterway was at the crossroads.
“That is why the Liberal Party’s proposal to establish the Peel-Harvey Estuary Management Committee, made up of Government departments, local government representatives and local environmental groups such as the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council, is the best governance model for the estuary,” he Hames said.
“I have enjoyed these waterways since my childhood and I want to see them properly managed and protected for future generations
“This proposal steps away from creating another layer of bureaucracy and puts day-to-day management in the hands of the local community.
“It’s a grass roots model that engages the local community.”
The proposed management group will be known as the Peel-Harvey Estuary Management Committee (PHEMC) and will consist of agencies such as the Departments of Planning, Water, Environment and Conservation and Food and Agriculture.
Other agencies include Environmental Protection Authority, the Peel Development Commission, local governments and groups such as the Peel-Harvey Catchment Council would also be involved.
“This is one of the biggest issues in my electorate and this initiative is great news for the people of Mandurah and the future of the estuary,” Mr Solin said.
Peel-Harvey Catchment Council chair Jan Star welcomed the proposal and said it was “absolutely needed”.
“I am very glad to see the commitment as this is something which is desperately needed,” she said.
Ms Star also agreed there should be a scientist on board to report to the public which is part of the plan proposed by the Liberal Party.
“At the moment we do not even have the funds to analyse the water samples that are being taken,” she said.
