Lessons from applying the principles of the Salinity Investment Framework at a local level in catchment and farm planning

From early 2005 a comprehensive catchment planning and implementation plan has been operating in the Oyster Harbour Catchment of WA. Planning was carried out using the principles of the Salinity Investment Framework (SIF) relating to the recovery, containment or adaptation to NRM risks. This was achieved through a staged process using technical specialists in partnership with local farmers and the OHCG. Out of a potential 28 subcatchments, 10 were eventually chosen to be approached based on the technical information and local knowledge of the OHCG. Land managers in these 10 subcatchments were sent invitations to a series of information meetings where they were given the choice of becoming involved. The OHCG was then approached by four of these groups who were given presentations within their catchments; out of this three target subcatchments moved on to farm planning. Planning concentrated on combining farming needs with technical risk information. Each land manager developed a farm plan with the proposed works identified and a written document outlining the works agreed to. This then formed the basis for the catchment plan that included comprehensive risk and management data that backed up the implementation plan submitted for funding.