Integrating economic valuation and water quality modelling for improving management of coastal catchments: Focus on Eurobodalla Shire, NSW

Improving water quality in the coastal zone is vital for sustaining the industries, communities and ecosystems dependent on coastal catchments. This project will provide national community benefits across several levels, including direct benefits to rural and regional communities. At the regional level, the project will inform policy makers and managers on how to balance environmental protection with competing development demands. At the national level, it will provide tools and a structured process for managers to assess water quality impacts in the coastal zone. It will be particularly useful for guiding protection and enhancement of coastal environments under pressure from urban development and land use intensification.

This project will apply and integrate water quality models and economic assessment techniques to assist policy makers and catchment managers balance competing development pressures and environmental concerns in coastal catchments. The research is fundamental to underpinning the sustainable management of coastal catchments which provide major economic, environmental and community benefits. The project will provide robust tools to predict water quality impacts under a range of conditions and it will develop techniques for the economic valuation of market and non-market impacts. The project will demonstrate the integration of water quality and economic modelling and how it can influence policy and investment in conservation and remediation.

The project is focused in the Eurobodalla Shire on the south coast of NSW, Australia.