About Clean Coastal Catchments

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is leading the Clean Coastal Catchments project to address the priority threat of agricultural diffuse source pollution by:

• understanding current drivers for on‐farm fertiliser decisions and developing a pathway for change to improve fertiliser management for coastal agriculture


• improving science-based knowledge of fertiliser and erosion best management practices for target industries

• demonstrating the benefits and increasing industry understanding of best management practices for fertiliser and erosion management

• increasing the awareness and capacity of growers to respond to pollution risks by better managing nutrient and sediment runoff

The Clean Coastal Catchments project team is:

• working with growers to identify farm practices that will improve management of fertiliser and erosion, and reduce losses of nutrients and sediment from farms


• conducting research trials to establish locally relevant BMPs for fertiliser, erosion and water management


• monitoring at research sites to understand how water, sediment and nutrients move off farmed areas and into the wider landscape


• using demonstration sites to showcase Best Management Practices and drive industry adoption


• working with peak industry bodies to educate and encourage growers to better manage erosion, fertiliser and water runoff

This project will help farmers in coastal agricultural industries to:

• reduce their impact on water quality and the marine estate environment through better management of fertiliser, erosion and water runoff


• become more productive and profitable


• improve the long term economic and environmental sustainability of coastal agriculture


• enhance social licence to operate and improve market access through better land and water stewardship

The Clean Coastal Catchments project is a NSW Government Initiative funded by the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy.

The project is delivered by the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Agriculture division, in partnership with DPI Fisheries, Local Land Services, the NSW Departent of Planning and Environment (DPE) Environment and Heritage Group, and other external partners.