In January 2022, Melbourne Water integrated with the Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (PPWCMA), considerably expanding it’s role in biodiversity conservation beyond waterways and across the broader catchment. In response, the Biodiversity Conservation Action Plan (BCAP) 2024-2028 was developed as a sub-plan of both the Regional Catchment Strategy (RCS) and Healthy Waterways Strategy (HWS). The plan used an ecosystem approach and sets out spatial priorities to guide investment in biodiversity and brings together the role of Melbourne Water as a leader in the coordination and delivery of biodiversity actions across the region and on land it owns. The plan also includes organisational objectives and actions that help to embed biodiversity conservation into business as usual across Melbourne Water. Melbourne Water is now playing a leading role in co-delivery of the plan to protect and enhance high priority biodiversity assets and values in the Port Phillip and Westernport region.
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Authors:
Kate Lumb
Stephanie McNutty
