Mr Truss said the report — Australian Catchment, River and Estuary Assessment 2002 —provided the first comprehensive, catchment-to-coast assessment of Australia’s rivers and estuaries, and would greatly help regional groups determine their management priorities.

“Good catchment management is fundamental to good natural resource management,” Mr Truss said. “This report reinforces the importance of managing impacts where it matters — at the source.

“The report also provides advice on how to compare the condition of various catchments, helping to ensure we get the best return on the significant investments we are making in natural resource management.

“The report highlights the diversity of challenges facing our land and water managers. It reinforces the need for management practices that take into account the needs of individual catchments and the condition of associated rivers and estuaries.

“Half of our nearly 1,000 estuaries are considered to be in pristine condition. For others, rehabilitation and improvement activities may be needed — this report provides details on the options available.”

The report details the extent to which riverside vegetation has been modified or lost; the impact of sediments and nutrients entering rivers from their catchments and the changes to river flow regimes.

“The report also reminds us that the efforts of communities across Australia to repair riverside vegetation is one of the success stories of the Government’s landmark Natural Heritage Trust, and it’s vital that this important work continues,” Mr Truss said.

Australian Catchment, River and Estuary Assessment 2002 is one in a series of assessments carried out by the NLWRA — part of the Government’s Natural Heritage Trust.