Environmental sensitivities on the map

This World Environment Day (5 June), South East Water is proud to announce the development of an innovative tool created to identify environmental sensitivities to proactively protect our environment.

The Environmental Sensitivity Map locates key environmental habitats for endangered species and critical vegetation and helps determine the vulnerability of local waterways and wetlands.

Initially, South East Water created the map as an incident response tool. It’s grown to assist with strategic environmental planning, assessments and regulatory requirements, providing an important baseline of understanding for areas of environmental significance within its service area.

The Environmental Sensitivity Map offers insights for 26 sensitivity categories across local waterways, terrestrial and marine environments. Typing an address into the map reveals information about sensitivities in the surrounding environment with colouring to indicate a 1-5-point sensitivity rating.

South East Water worked in partnership with Alluvium Consulting Australia and DiscoverEI to develop the map and dashboard, with datasets obtained through Melbourne Water’s Healthy Waterways Strategy 2018-28, stream habitat indices and the Victorian Biodiversity Atlas to determine locations for endangered species.

South East Water General Manager Liveable Water Solutions, Charlie Littlefair said the map created an important awareness of environmental sensitivities in the field in real-life communities.

“We have a duty of care to be proactive stewards of the natural environment in which we operate to minimise the risk of harm, pollution or degradation.”

“The Environmental Sensitivity Map allows us to quickly see what’s on our doorstep, and what kind of risk management is required to protect our environment and support our community in which we’re operating.”

“We’re also empowered with the insights to strategically map environmental sensitivities that guide the design of our assets and make biodiversity improvements in future capital projects.”

South East Water General Manager Liveable Water Solutions, Charlie Littlefair

Above:
The Environmental Sensitivity Map offers insights for 26 sensitivity categories across local waterways, terrestrial and marine environments. Typing an address into the map reveals information about sensitivities in the surrounding environment with colouring to indicate a 1-5-point sensitivity rating.