Botany Bay and Catchment Alliance

Many groups have taken a special interest in environmental matters and there is a loose network linking these groups, offering a conduit for public policy debate. There are hundreds of examples of catchment-wide ‘direct action’ projects in which local people have pooled their resources, energies and expertise. Networks also exist in the fields of sport, religion, community recreation, community service, ethnic affairs, education, business, women’s affairs, and youth to name a few. And despite the disruptions and cultural traumas of the last 200 years or so the indigenous Bay people have managed to retain important vestiges of communal spirit and pride in their ancestral associations with the place - especially notable at Kurnell, La Perouse and a number of other locations within the catchment.There is a wide variety and distribution of local projects which reveal not only the richness of the total community resource involved. They are also a reminder that local groups have a valuable knowledge fund arising from their direct involvement in ‘on-the-ground’ surveys, plans and projects. The potential for them to contribute this knowledge to serious science should be acknowledged in future Bay management arrangements.

In a landmark first move towards an ongoing partnership between the non-government environment groups, science, the indigenous community and local government, the Botany Bay Program convened a meeting on 24 May 2001 at Sutherland. Representatives of these key groups discussed and agreed upon common interests relative to the management of the Bay and its catchment including the Georges and Cooks Rivers - with a view to conserving, protecting and improving its environment.

Vision

To bring together environmental groups who are dedicated to the restoration, protection and sustainable use and enjoyment of Botany Bay and its catchment.

Values

The alliance will work to improve the health of the Bay ecosystem through education, conservation, research and advocacy.

Commitment to our vision

• To act as an environmental advocate at the request of member groups.
• To liaise with all levels of government, the scientific community, industry and stakeholders to discuss member groups’ concerns.
• To bring community views on policy and management matters to any authority charged with formulating policy and management of Botany Bay and its catchment.
• To monitor current developments, available grants, reports and documents requiring public comment and fast-track this information to member groups.
• To promote and facilitate the sharing of knowledge and expertise within and beyond the Alliance.