The Water Quality Goal has 3 priority areas; Nutrients & Pollutants, Litter and Pathogens (human health). The MERI utilised targets from the EPA Strategic Plan 2022-2027 and also aligns with the Healthy Waterways Strategy. Three KPIs met their targets, 4 targets had baselines set and 1 did not meet its target.
Achieving Water Quality targets have been the most challenging aspect of the EMP. There have
been 3 La Nina events in the last 5 years bringing increased rainfall and significant flooding events. This has impacted surface water quality, and long-term microbial quality, as episodic rainfall increases nutrient, and sediments loads to the receiving waters of the Bay. While Water Quality did not meet 1 target, and has overall been greatly impacted by the climate, organisations retain their strong commitments to monitoring and understanding the water quality drivers within Port Phillip Bay. Litter research and monitoring programs continue to grow and be a strong focus to how community members can drive activities that have an immediate impact towards improving the health of the Bay.
The chart below shows the KPI target performance. The full list of the KPIs and their target performance are listed in the MERI report.
Page last updated: 12/11/24