Indicator: Riparian Condition

Summary of results

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The extensive January 2003 bushfires were the dominant factor in riparian condition during the reporting period. In unburnt catchments, condition is stable or improving. For burnt catchments, not all streams had been assessed for damage at the end of the reporting period. However, there have been changes in the condition of at least 840 kilometres of streambanks in the ACT during the reporting period that can be attributed to riparian zone vegetation damage by those bushfires. Recovery in the five months to the end of the reporting period is variable.

Many government and community projects to improved riparian condition were instituted or continued during the reporting period, and community participation was encouraging.

There are currently three sets of policy controlling riparian areas in the ACT. It is recommended these be consolidated into a single ACT Riparian Zone Policy.