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Community feedback regarding potential management actions

Coffs Harbour City Council is currently developing a Coastal Management Program (CMP) for the estuaries of Darkum Creek, Woolgoolga Lake, Willis Creek and Hearnes Lake. The purpose of the CMP will be to set the long term strategy for the management of the estuaries. It will set out a program of management actions designed to improve estuary health and manage the current and emerging issues.

We are now in Stage 3 of the CMP, which involves identifying actions that can address the various issues affecting the estuaries. The project team has been developing an initial long-list of potential actions - but we would also love the community to have a say in their management.

We are asking for your help to:

1. Provide feedback on the management actions that have been proposed by the project team to date. This will involve stepping through a brief description of each action, and then providing some feedback, including whether or not you would support the action.
 
2. Provide your suggestions and opinions for other potential management actions that you think should be included in the CMP.

Once the community feedback is received, this information will be used to help prioritise and rank management actions. This process will also include weighing up their various benefits and costs.

This process will identify the most effective, viable, and supported actions from the long list. The result will be a short-list of actions to be included in the CMP. The community will have another opportunity to provide feedback on the short list when the CMP goes to public exhibition in early 2022.

There are 21 Options to step through, and survey should take around 20 minutes to complete. The survey will be open until 15th July 2021.

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* 1. Undertake a Foreshore Weed Control Program
This option includes a targeted foreshore weed control program across the four estuaries – in order to manage both the spread, and the introduction of weeds.

Foreshore weed mapping was undertaken in Stage 2 of the CMP. The program should use this mapping and prioritise weed control works in high value riparian areas - particularly those areas where the presence of weeds may affect Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC’s).

Weed control work in foreshore environments needs to be undertaken by specialist bush regenerators with skills in plant identification and knowledge of appropriate methods to control weeds near waterways.

This program will require coordination with a range of relevant stakeholder groups, including the National Parks & Wildlife Service and Coffs Harbour Regional Landcare.

Council should also work with the Darrunda Wajaarr Rangers - a ranger team operated by the Coffs Harbour & District Local Aboriginal Land Council with a focus on sustainable environmental management of Gumbaynggirr country.
 

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* 2. Prepare and Implement a Stormwater Management Plan for the Estuaries
Council should review the local stormwater network that drains into the four estuaries - and develop a plan to upgrade and/or maintain these assets.

The plan should analyse the local stormwater network, and identify strategic locations to minimise stormwater pollution using Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) principles. It can also include the installation of stormwater infrastructure such as gross pollutant traps (GPTs). 

This plan should aim to reduce the impacts of urban stormwater and industrial runoff on water quality, gross pollution, and siltation in the estuaries.

 

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* 3. Restore and Expand Riparian Vegetation at the Woolgoolga Southern Foreshore
This option includes restoring and expanding riparian vegetation at Woolgoolga Lake’s southern foreshore, adjacent to Sunset Lakes Estate. This area of riparian vegetation can be restored in order to promote estuary health, bank stability, visual amenity, and biodiversity. This option would include:

> Installing a defined edge between mown land and riparian vegetation. This defined edge may be a pathway, bollards or a simple “pegged boundary” and will help reduce unnecessary impacts to riparian vegetation.

> Re-establishing riparian vegetation along the foreshore by extending vegetated areas along the footpaths, replacing existing trees with native tree species, and implementing a weed management program to facilitate the growth of native riparian plants.

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* 4. Environmental Protection Works
This CMP action is intended to enable Environmental Protection Works to be undertaken by Public Authorities in Coastal Wetland and Littoral Rainforest Areas, under Part 5 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act.

Environmental Protection Works may be needed from time to time across these estuaries, and may include:

> Revegetation and bush regeneration works

> Wetland protection works

> Erosion protection works

> Weed control

> Dune restoration works

Having the future need for Environmental Protection Works “pre-flagged” in an approved CMP will streamline the approvals process for public authorities when the time comes for action.

This action has been included in the CMP for Bonville and Pine Creek, and Council intends to include this action across a number of its CMPs.

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* 5. Develop and Implement a Program of Environmental Education and Performance Reviews for Local Businesses

Council could implement a program of Environmental Education and Performance Reviews for local businesses. The purpose of this program would be to help local businesses improve their on-site management practices, and in doing so, minimise potential impacts of urban and industrial runoff on the estuaries.

The program would involve Council working closely with local businesses - to inform them of their responsibilities with regards to environmental management, and provide education regarding cost effective ways to improve their environmental practices.

Environmental education could involve:

¨ Sediment and erosion control;

¨ Stormwater and runoff management;

¨ Fertiliser practices;

¨ Chemical and waste management;

¨ Emergency response to spills;

¨ General housekeeping; and

¨ Riparian zone vegetation management.

The program would also include periodic performance reviews, in order to provide ongoing assistance, and ensure businesses maintain good practices.

The program could incentivise uptake and good practices through a recognition scheme, that rewards operators who demonstrate industry standard best practice. Providing  recognition will help enhance business reputation and boost competitive advantage.

A number of Councils across NSW implement environmental education and recognition programs for businesses, and these have been largely deemed to be successful at incentivising strong good environmental practices.

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* 6. The Coffs Harbour Intensive Horticulture Environmental Program

During the development of this CMP, Coffs Harbour City Council, the NSW State Government, and relevant industry groups have collaborated to develop a concept for The Coffs Harbour Intensive Horticulture Environmental Program (the CHIEP).

The CHIEP would utilise a partnership based, collaborative approach to incentivise intensive horticulture operators across the Coffs Harbour area to adopt enhanced on-farm management practices – with a focus on improving down-stream estuary health. The CHIEP will include a number of key components:

¨ A dedicated full-time technical officer to manage the program and engage with growers;

¨ Deployment of an accessible, web-based, horticultural management tool using the established Hort360 program. Uptake of this tool by local growers can lead to the development of a recognition scheme for operators that demonstrate good practice farm management.

¨ A competitive incentives program that allows growers to apply for funding of up to $10,000 to improve on-farm management practices, and harness innovative solutions;

¨ A monitoring and reporting program in order to track progress of the CHIEP against key performance criteria.

The CHIEP will work with local growers to identify opportunities for practice change and improvement - and then provide an avenue for both technical and funding assistance to facilitate those changes.

The issues affecting estuary health are complex, and require coordination across a range of stakeholder groups. The CHIEP represents an opportunity to work collaboratively across industry and government in order to develop a coordinated program of environmental improvement for intensive horticulture across the entire Coffs Harbour LGA.

Discussions and negotiations held between Coffs Harbour City Council, the NSW State Government, and relevant industry groups have demonstrated in principal support for the CHIEP concept.

If approved as an action in the CMP, the next step will be to source funding for the package.

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* 7. Installation of Water Level Gauges at Darkum Creek, Willis Creek and Hearnes Lake

Council and the State Government currently manage 9 water level gauges across the 12 major estuaries of the Coffs Harbour LGA, including 2 within the Woolgoolga Lake catchment.

However, there are currently no water level gauges in Darkum Creek, Willis Creek or Hearnes Lake. This option would therefore involve the installation of a permanent water level gauge within these estuaries.

Installation of water level gauges can improve our understanding estuary behaviour with regards to flooding, entrance opening/closing cycles, and tidal flushing.

The estuary water level data can also be transmitted and published in real time, in order to help prepare for and help manage potential flooding impacts.

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* 8. Implement a Water Quality Monitoring Program for the Woolgoolga Region Estuaries

In order to monitor the health of the estuaries on an ongoing basis, Council could implement a robust water quality monitoring program. This program would add to, and compliment, the current Ecohealth Monitoring Program which takes place once every four years.

This program should utilise the same 7 monitoring sites as Ecohealth, but also include an additional 11 sites that are strategically located to establish links between cause and effect across the catchment. Sampling should occur on monthly basis.

The program would establish a water quality dataset that can help identify seasonal and longer-term trends. In order to identify potential impacts from catchment runoff, it is also recommended that event-based water quality monitoring be undertaken when a rainfall trigger of 50 mm in 24 hours is met.

This program would provide a comprehensive dataset to inform estuary management decision making. The program would allow Council to monitor estuary health over time, and improve the understanding of the impacts of catchment land usage on downstream water quality.

Water quality samples would be lab-tested for a range of water quality indicators, such as nutrients, heavy metals and faecal coliforms. This would to provide an overall snapshot of the estuary condition, and identify potential human health impacts.

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* 9. Publish an Annual Water Quality Report Card for Estuaries

In conjunction with the proposed Water Quality Monitoring Program, it is recommended that the water quality data be analysed, and the results published in the form of an Annual Water Quality Report Card.

The report card would provide water quality “grades” for each estuary, based on a transparent scoring system that measures estuary water quality against Council’s objectives.

There are demonstrated examples of successful programs of Annual Water Quality Report Cards across the mid-northern NSW coast – including by Tweed Shire Council and Mid-Coast Council. 

It would be an easy to understand, visual report card system that the public can use to find out about waterway health, what has been monitored, and how waterway health has been maintained and improved.

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* 10. Undertake a 12 Month Trial of a Water Quality Autosampler for Hearnes Lake 

Automated sampling devices are used to collect water samples when it is not possible to collect them manually. It is an unmanned water sampling device that can be pre-programmed to collect samples when triggered by heavy rainfall events and strong creek flows. The automatically collected samples are stored in a chamber in the sampling device, and can then be collected at a later date and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

The autosampler would collect water samples in real-time during rainfall events. This would provide detailed information regarding how estuary water quality responds to rainfall, and allow nutrient loads from the catchment to be quantified.

Using this innovative, high-tech approach, data from the autosampler would provide important insights into the health of the estuaries.

The autosampler could be located somewhere in Hearnes Lake or Double Crossing Creek, so that the data can align with the research undertaken by Southern Cross University in the Hearnes Lake estuary.

Initially, implementation of the sampler would be for a 12-month trial period. If the trial is then considered successful and value for money, then the trial period can be extended.

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* 11. Provide Support for Research and Innovation into Estuary Health Risks and their Management

Council currently employs an Environmental Levy as a means of funding various kinds of environmental management works - including research and innovation projects.

In recent years, this has included research undertaken by Southern Cross University regarding estuarine water quality and catchment land usage in the Coffs Harbour LGA. An example project is the prototype development  - and on-farm trials - of wood chip “bioreactors” to help manage excess nutrient run-off in the catchment.

Therefore, the CMP represents an opportunity to provide a means of continuing to support this research and innovation work.

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* 12. Consolidate and Update Indigenous Heritage Information

The CMP is an opportunity to consolidate and update local indigenous heritage information, by undertaking an updated cultural heritage survey of the four estuaries and their catchments.

This survey can provide a major step towards improving the understanding of local indigenous  history, and collect the necessary evidence to inform heritage registers and planning schemes. In this way, the study survey can protect indigenous cultural heritage of the study area.

The survey should employ historical documentary research, field work and community engagement to explore the history of the estuaries and their catchments, and to identify places and items of heritage significance. 

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* 13. Provide Funding Support for Radiocarbon Dating of Indigenous Heritage Items

Engagement with Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council during Stage 2 of the CMP indicated that artefacts and middens located across these catchments are of the utmost importance to the local indigenous community. In recent years, some significant artefacts have been found in Hearnes Lake, as well as in Moonee Creek (the catchment next to Hearnes Lake).

The CMP could therefore be used to assist in funding of radiocarbon dating of indigenous artifacts found across these catchments. This can continue to expand knowledge of the local indigenous history, and demonstrate the evolution and development of indigenous culture over tens of thousands of years.

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* 14. Hearnes Lake Facilities Option A: Prepare and Implement a Major Foreshore Access Improvement Plan

The previous Hearnes Lake Estuary Management Plan recommended the preparation and implementation a Foreshore Access Improvement Plan, which would provide a major upgrade of access and recreational facilities around the lake. It would include:

¨ Upgrade of the current access track to Sandy Beach;

¨ Improving the existing walking tracks along the northern foreshore;

¨ A formal walking / cycling track along public land in front of the Caravan Park;

¨ Removal of the existing footbridge and construction of a new engineered boardwalk connecting the proposed Caravan Park walkway to the northern foreshore walkway;

¨ Determining the most appropriate location for, erecting, and maintaining new facilities, including a canoe/kayak launching facility, picnic tables, serviced waste bins, barbeques, shelters, and toilets.

This plan would cater for the expected significant increase in demand on Hearnes Lake for recreational amenity - if and when the proposed development in the Sandy Beach / Hearnes Lake Urban Release Area is realised.

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* 15. Hearnes Lake Facilities Option B: Upgrade of Access Track

This action represents a smaller scale, fit for purpose alternative to the Foreshore Access Improvement Plan. It would upgrade two pieces of recreational access infrastructure at the Northern foreshore of Hearnes Lake (off Hearnes Lake Road), namely:

¨ The unsealed vehicle access track from Hearnes Lake Road to the foreshore - which requires sealing and resurfacing; and

¨ The timber board pedestrian access track leading to Sandy Beach - which requires installation of an upgraded hardwood “board and chain” access track.

These assets are currently in relatively poor condition, and this option would seek to upgrade these facilities to a safe and appropriate level of service for the community.

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* 16. Upgrade Vehicle Access Track to Willis Creek

The existing vehicular access track down Crosserly Road (south of the Woolgoolga Wastewater Plant) is unsealed and poorly maintained, particularly in the southern section. It has drainage issues leading to pooling of water on the track, making it hazardous to drive on at times.

This option involves provision of road/track upgrades to maintain a basic level of service and safe access to Willis Creek and Woolgoolga Back Beach. This would include surveying the existing route and installing upgrades which may include road re-configuration, resurfacing and drainage re-design.

This would ensure vehicle access is safe, and maintained strictly on the track.

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* 17. Greater Acknowledgement of Indigenous Heritage

 This option would seek to work with traditional owners to identify culturally appropriate ways to better acknowledge the indigenous cultural heritage of the study area.

This could take the form of dedicated signate at strategic locations along the estuary foreshores. Similar signage has already been installed at estuary foreshore locations across the LGA, including at Reflections Holiday Park at Boambee Creek Reserve.

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* 18. Development Provisions for the Hearnes Lake / Sandy Beach Release Area

The purpose of this action is to ensure that any potential future development that takes place within the Hearnes Lake catchment has adequate environmental controls. Council already has an effective Development Control Plan (the DCP 2015) that sets out development provisions for water management, waterway (riparian) buffer zones and environmental protection.

Given the sensitive environmental values of Hearnes Lake, Council should ensure that their Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) guidelines apply to all development within the proposed release area – in order to minimise urban runoff pollution, and sedimentation of the lake.

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* 19. Indigenous Cultural Inductions for High Risk Developments

Historically, earthworks associated with developments have resulted in irreversible loss of tangible heritage items, particularly around the  foreshores of the estuaries.

In consultation with Coffs Harbour Local Aboriginal Land Council, it has been proposed that a process of indigenous cultural inductions be required for certain high risk developments across the catchment.

Where proposed developed is identified as posing a potential risk to indigenous heritage, developers and contractors would receive an induction by an authorised local indigenous representative before any excavation is carried out.

The induction could include a history of the area, how to identify potential artefacts, middens and other tangible heritage items, and the legal obligations of site workers. This may also include having an authorised local indigenous representative on-site to oversee to supervise the excavation / construction work. 

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* 20. Promote Community Education Regarding Water Access Compliance

A lack of compliance from water access users with their licence conditions  may result in excess water extraction from the estuary systems, and a reduction in natural flows.

At present, all compliance activity for the use of Water Access Licences (WALs) is the responsibility of the state’s Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR), who have recently undertaken a comprehensive Coffs Harbour water compliance campaign.

Compliance issues are often related to a lack of understanding of good management practices and licence conditions. NRAR plans to address this through a regional and state level education initiative called the “Know the Rules” campaign. This campaign will help water users understand how to responsibly access water while abiding relevant legislation. 

Council can promote this material through their webpage, social media platforms and other mediums. This will aim to enhance local knowledge around water extraction issues and increase compliance.

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* 21. Promote Community Education Regarding Recycled Water Usage

Coffs Harbour City Council’s "purple pipe" recycled water distribution network currently supplies recycled water to a range of customers across the LGA.

A recent Council audit revealed a low level of compliance by recycled water users with the terms of their End User Agreement. The audit identified that there is a lack of awareness of the potential environmental harm associated with mismanagement and overuse of recycled water.

This option involves educating the community on the responsible use of recycled water. It could include educational information provided on Council’s website and social media channels, as well as  provision of information attached to the End User Agreement.  The aim of the program would be to improve downstream estuary health outcomes. 

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* 22. Are there any other management actions you think should be considered for the CMP?

0 of 22 answered
 

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