1. Regional Environmental Management in the Yarra Valley

2. Overview of the project: why is it needed? what have been the issues? Regional Environmental Management in the Yarra Valley is needed due to public concerns that chemicals and nutrients, particularly nitrogen, are polluting the Yarra River and ultimately Port Phillip Bay. Also, urban rural fringe conflict with traditional farming practices makes the Yarra Valley an ideal place to pilot the concept of a regional Environmental Management System (EMS). There have also been Government concerns about declining biodiversity and other catchment wide issues.

3. Who is involved? Groups involved in the Yarra Valley regional “Environmental Management System” include: The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) The Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) (These are the two groups who joined together to fund the EMS project) Government: As part of the reference group, the government expressed concerns relating to biodiversity and the role of the government in the development of the EMS. Industry Groups: The Winegrape Industry o Locally: The Yarra Valley Wine Growers Association o State-wide: The Greater Victoria Wine Industry Development Committee The Apple Industry: o Locally: The YV (Yarra Valley) Fruits group o Nationally: The Australian Apple and Pear Growers Association Industry Other industries such as: the strawberry industry, the vegetable industry and the flower industry. Regional Groups: The Yarra Valley Centre of Agribusiness (CAB) was regularly involved in the project as the project officer often met with the group to keep them up to date with the progress of the project.

4. What are the aims/intended outcomes? The project aims to investigate methods in the particular area and tools for developing and adopting EMS (Environmental Management System) and their impact on adoption of EMS at three levels: by individual businesses, by industries, and regionally. The Regional Environmental Management will include horticulturists’ attitudes to the environment, the process being used to develop region environmental best practices (the science behind the system), a catchment approach to environmental management, and self-assessment tools being developed for industry.