3. Benefits of a National Strategy The framework set out in this National Strategy Identifying priorities and options for action provides significant advantages across several and funding at national, state and local sectors including governments, landholders and levels. industry. Creating a consistent interface between ASS Benefits will be realised at the national and local management and related national initiatives. level, over both the short and long term. They will accrue across environmental, economic, The most important benefit will be recognition, social, technical and operational areas. coordination and management of coastal ASS issues and problems at the national level. The The more important benefits are expected to be: National Strategy recognises ASS as an urgent Better understanding of the problem by key issue requiring greater understanding and stakeholders. immediate action, paralleling those implemented to manage salinity in inland catchments. Stopping the problem getting worse. In the absence of the National Strategy a Improving water quality and environmental piecemeal, cost-ineffective response to this outcomes over time. problem is highly likely. Future remedial actions Avoiding/reducing future rehabilitation costs can be expected to be much more expensive. to the community otherwise associated with An approach which addresses the key issues and doing nothing. helps the community move towards ecologically Establishing a framework for national sustainable use of ASS is detailed in the communication. following sections.
3. Benefits of a National Strategy The framework set out in this National Strategy provides significant advantages across several sectors including governments, landholders and industry. Benefits will be realised at the national and local level, over both the short and long term. They will accrue across environmental, economic, social, technical and operational areas. The more important benefits are expected to be: Better understanding of the problem by key stakeholders. Stopping the problem getting worse. Improving water quality and environmental outcomes over time. Avoiding/reducing future rehabilitation costs to the community otherwise associated with doing nothing. Establishing a framework for national communication. Identifying priorities and options for action and funding at national, state and local levels. Creating a consistent interface between ASS management and related national initiatives. The most important benefit will be recognition, coordination and management of coastal ASS issues and problems at the national level. The National Strategy recognises ASS as an urgent issue requiring greater understanding and immediate action, paralleling those implemented to manage salinity in inland catchments. In the absence of the National Strategy a piecemeal, cost-ineffective response to this problem is highly likely. Future remedial actions can be expected to be much more expensive. An approach which addresses the key issues and helps the community move towards ecologically sustainable use of ASS is detailed in the following sections.