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Waterway Health Strategy - 2009An Integrated Approach to Waterway Health Management
for Ipswich City Council
Final Version
Date: July 2009
Author: Kaye Cavanagh
Supervisor: Darryl Porche
Lead Department: HealthParksandRecreation
Audience: Ipswich City Council
EXECUTIVE SUMMARYTheWaterwayHealthStrategy(WHS)hasbeendevelopedtoassistIpswichCityCouncilwiththe management and enhancement of the natural waterways that run through the City of Ipswich.Itprescribesachange in current management practices to address waterway health improvementasanintegralcomponentofTotalWaterCycleManagement.Thiswillentailachange from focussing primarily on end-of-pipesolutionstohavinggreateremphasisonsource-of-impactmanagement,andripariancorridorprotection,managementandenhancement.TheStrategyalsoidentifiestheneedtoprioritise management activities based on addressing theimpactsassociatedwithspecificlandusesandtargeting actioninthefreshwatersub-catchments.
Overthepastdecade,Councilhasplayedastrongleadershipandsupportroleinthedevelopmentandimplementationoflocalandregionalcatchmentmanagementstrategies,asakeystakeholder.CouncilisnowfocussingoncatchmentandwaterwaymanagementfromwithintheorganisationtodeterminehowitwillachievetheobjectivesoftheCorporatePlan2007-2012,Ipswich2020andBeyond,SEQRegionalPlan,SEQNRMPlan,SEQHealthyWaterwaysStrategy,BremerRiverCatchmentManagementStrategyStage2andcompliancewithrelevantlegislation.
ThreepriorityManagementThemes,Water Quality Improvement,Riparian Corridor Management,andCommunity Appreciation,givefocustoCouncil’sinvestmentandeffortinwaterwayhealthimprovement,takingintoconsideration:
The current health of Ipswich waterways•
Council’srolesandresponsibilitiesinwaterwayhealthmanagement•
Regionalplanningandlegislativerequirements,and•
Communitydesiresandvisionsforwaterwayhealth.•
TheprimarywaterwayinIpswich,theBremerRiver,isahighlydegradedsystemthatfailstomeetQueenslandGovernmentregulatedwaterqualityobjectivesandscorespoorlythroughtheregionalEcosystemHealthMonitoringProgram.TheWHSsetsthedirectionforCounciltoworktowardsthesewaterqualityobjectivesasaspirationaltargets,whilstrecognisingthattheBremerRivermayneverhavemetsomeoftheseobjectivespriortoEuropeansettlementandmostlikelywillneverachievetheseintheshorttomediumterm.Morerelevant,localobjectiveswillgiveCouncilandthecommunityabettersenseofpossibilityinwaterwayhealthmanagement.TheWHSvisionistoimprovethehealthofIpswichwaterwaystoachieveandmaintaina‘D+’ratingfortheBremerRiverestuaryanda‘C’ratingforthefreshwatertributaries,by2031.
Council’s greatest capacity to improve waterway health that can be undertaken immediately andthatfitswithinitsrolesandresponsibilitiesistouseplanningmechanisms,strategiesandpartnershipsto:
1. IntegratewaterwayhealthmanagementobjectivesintoCouncil’sdaytodayactivities,
2. Reducethequantityofsediment,nutrientsandotherpollutantsbeingtransportedbyurbanstormwater,and
3. Protect,manageandenhanceripariancorridors.
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KEYS TO SUCCESSSuccessfulimplementationoftheWHSwillbeachievedthrough:
Congruence of ideas across all•stakeholders
Coordinated planning and targeted•implementationofmanagementactions
Appropriateallocationofbudget•andidentificationofalternativesources of funding
Increasededucationandawareness•
Knowledgeandappreciationof•waterway health ecosystem services
COST OF IMPLEMENTATION PreviousmanagementactivitiesundertakenbyCounciltoimprovewaterwayhealth,such as Waste Water Treatment Plant upgrades,demonstratethehighcostofimplementation.TheSEQHealthyWaterwaysPartnershiphasestimatedacostof$40MtoreducetheimpactsoferosionandsedimentationintheBremerRiverCatchment.In2008,theStateGovernmentcommitted$8Mforthreeon-groundprojectsinSEQtoreducetheimpactsoferosiononwaterqualityinruralareas,underthe‘HealthyCountry’program.
Itisdifficulttopredictthefullcostofimplementationacrossthecity,giventhewiderangeofmanagementactionsrequired.TheWHSrecommendsthedevelopmentofsub-catchmentbasedLocal Waterway Management Plans(LWMP)toidentifyprioritymanagementactionsandprovideindicativecostingforthese.ThefirstLWMPwillbecompletedforBundambaCreek,giventheexpectedchangesinthecatchment with urban development of RipleyValley.
Inmostcases,Councildoesn’thavetobearthefullcostofimplementationofmanagementactions.Someactivitieswill be undertaken solely or in part by externalparties,orfundedthroughothermechanisms,suchas:
Compliance of erosion and sediment•regulationsonbuildingandconstructionsites
ImplementationofthePriority•InfrastructurePolicyforStormwaterand infrastructure charging for newurban developments
Partnerships with industry and•private landholders for riparianrevegetationandrehabilitation
ImplementationoftheNature•ConservationStrategy
AdvocacyofStateagencies•
Industry upgrades of point source•discharges
Externalfundingforwaterreuseand•stormwaterharvestingprojects
However,Councilwillstillberesponsiblefortheon-goingmanagementandmaintenanceofinfrastructure,suchaswatersensitiveurbandesignassets,withacommitmentofcorefundingtowardsthese.ItisalsoarecommendationofthisStrategy,thatCouncil changes its focus in waterway health management towards addressing the impactsatsource.Thiswillrequire:
Acommittedfinancialandresource•investment
Abettercoordinatedapproach•for stormwater and infrastructureplanning,managementandmaintenance in new urban areas
Retrofitofstormwaterquality•improvementdevicesinexistingurban areas
Rehabilitationofripariancorridors•and
Targetededucationprogramsfor•internalandexternalstakeholders.
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REVIEW PROCESSTheWHSisastrategicleveldocument,endorsedbyIpswichCityCouncilasacorporateprojectforthenext3years.Thefirstreviewwillbeundertakenat18months,fromthedateofCounciladoption,toupdateandensurerelevanceandaccuracyofintent.AcomprehensivereviewoftheStrategywillcommencein2.5years.
TARGET AUDIENCETheWHShasbeendevelopedforuseby:
CommunityStakeholders•
ElectedRepresentatives•
AllCouncilplanninganddeliverystaff•
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STRUCTURETheWHShasbeenstructuredintotopic-basedsectionstogiveanoverviewof:
Where we are now•
Where we want to be•
How we will get there and•
When we are there•
Figure1.WaterwayHealthStrategyStructure
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3
STRUCTURE . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6
1. INTRODUCTION.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 11
1.1WhsObjectives .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 14
1.2KeyMessages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 14
1.3StrategyDevelopment . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 15
1.4HowImplementationOfTheWaterwayHealthStrategyFitsInWithCorporate Plan . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 15
1.5TheOnePlan. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 16
SECTION 1 - SETTING THE SCENE .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 172. SNAPSHOT OF WATERWAY HEALTH IN IPSWICH . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 18
2.1WaterwayHealthInTheBremerRiverCatchment . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 19
2.2WaterwayHealthInTheBrisbaneRiverCatchment .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 20
2.2.1MidBrisbaneRiver.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 21
2.2.2LowerBrisbaneRiver . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 22
3. SNAPSHOT OF WATERWAY HEALTH MANAGEMENT IN COUNCIL. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 23
3.1WaterwayHealthManagementActivitiesInCouncil. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 24
3.2WaterwayHealthManagementApproachesInRuralAndUrbanAreas .. .. .. . 24
3.2.1RuralAreas .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .25
3.2.2UrbanAreas. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 25
4. WHAT ARE THE INFLUENCES ON WATERWAY HEALTH MANAGEMENT . .. .. .. .. .. . 26
4.1EnvironmentalValuesAndWaterQualityObjectives .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 26
4.2CatchmentManagementModelling .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 27
4.3ClassificationOfWaterwaysUsingTheStreamOrderSystem . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 28
4.4WaterwayHealthManagementRecognisedAsCoreBusiness .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 29
4.5LegislationAndRegionalPlanning .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 29
5. MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 31
5.1EnvironmentalChallenges . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 31
5.2LandUseChallenges . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 31
5.3ManagementChallenges .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 32
SECTION 2 - VISIONS AND TARGETS. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 336. VISION.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 35
6.1SettingTheVision .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 35
6.2HowTheVisionWillBeAchieved . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 36
6.3SettingAchievableTargets. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 36
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SECTION 3 - INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 37
7. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 38
7.1Council’sRolesAndResponsibilities .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 38
7.2ManagementThemes.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 39
7.3PerformanceMeasuresBy2011 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 40
SECTION 4 - MANAGEMENT THEMES . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 418. THEME 1 – WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 42
8.1WhyIsWaterQualityImportant .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 42
8.2KeyThreatsToWaterQualityInIpswich .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 43
8.3BroadImpactsOnWaterQualityInIpswich.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 44
8.3.1PointSourcePollution.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 45
8.3.2UrbanDiffusePollution. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 45
8.3.3Non-UrbanDiffusePollution . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 45
8.3.4PeakFlows/UrbanStormwaterRun-Off.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 46
8.4HowWaterQualityWillBeManagedInIpswich.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 46
8.5KeyObjectivesForWaterQualityImprovement.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 47
9. THEME 2 – RIPARIAN CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 49
9.1WhyRiparianCorridorsAreImportant.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .49
9.2WhatAreTheBroadImpactsOnRiparianCorridorConditionInIpswich . .. .. . 49
9.2.1ReductionInRiparianCorridorWidth.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .49
9.2.2InvasionOfExoticGrassesAndWoodyWeedSpecies .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 50
9.3AdoptingAnAppropriateRiparianCorridorWidthForIpswich.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 51
9.4RiparianCorridorWidthsToBeAdoptedForIpswichWaterways . .. .. .. .. .. .. . 52
9.5HowRiparianCorridorsWillBeManagedInIpswich. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 54
9.5.1APartnershipApproachToRiparianCorridorManagement .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 54
9.5.2MechanismsForRiparianManagement . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 55
9.5.3PrioritisationOfAreas.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 55
9.6KeyObjectivesForRiparianCorridorManagement.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 56
10. THEME 3 - COMMUNITY AWARENESS & ENGAGEMENT . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 57
10.1WhatIsCommunityAwarenessAndEngagement.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 57
10.2WhyCommunityAwarenessAndEngagementIsImportant . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 57
10.3TargetedAwarenessAndEngagementObjectivesAndOpportunitiesToSupportTheKeyStakeholderGroups .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 58
10.3.1Landholders–RuralAndPeri-Urban.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 58
10.3.2Landholders–Urban.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 59
10.3.3BusinessAndIndustry. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 59
10.3.4DevelopmentBodies.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 60
10.4ManagementPriorities. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 60
10.5KeyObjectivesForCommunityEngagementAndAwareness.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 60
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SECTION 5 - IMPLEMENTATION AND ACTION.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 61
11. IMPLEMENTATION AND ACTION .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 62
11.1TwoKeyImplementationActions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .62
11.2LocalWaterwayManagementPlans. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 63
11.3AlignmentToOtherPlans.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 63
11.4ManagementActionPlan .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 63
11.3.1Theme1-WaterQualityImprovement .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 64
11.3.2Theme2-RiparianCorridorManagement. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 69
11.3.3Theme3-CommunityEngagementAndAwareness .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 72
SECTION 6 - ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 7312. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 74
12.1MonitoringandEvaluation. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 74
GLOSSARY . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 75
DEFINITIONS.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 76
REFERENCES .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 79
APPENDICES .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 81Appendix1.Milestonesandachievements.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 82
Appendix2.Waterqualityobjectivesandguidelinesrelevanttoipswich .. .. .. .. .. .. . 84
Appendix3.Nationallegislationandstatelegislationrelevanttowaterway health management.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 84
Appendix4.SEQHealthyWaterwaysPartnershipmanagementscenarios. .. .. .. .. .. . 86
Appendix5.Streamorderdiagram. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 87
Appendix6.Potentialclimatechangeimpactsonipswichwaterways.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 88
Appendix7.Potentialimpactsfromperi-urbanareas. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 90
Appendix8.Hierarchyofrolesandresponsibilitiesinwaterwayhealth management. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 90
Appendix9.WaterSensitiveUrbanDesignandLowImpactDevelopmentopportunities............................................... 91
Appendix10.Locationofidentifiedscheduledspeciesfoundalongipswich waterways .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 94
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FIGURES Figure1.WaterwayHealthStrategyStructure .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6
Figure2.StrategyDevelopmentProcess.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 15
Figure3.Social,EnvironmentalandEconomicValuesofWaterwayHealth . .. .. .. .. .. .. . 15
Figure4.InternalandExternalInfluencesonWaterwayHealthManagement .. .. .. .. .. . 16
Figure5.Proportionoflandforrural,naturalandurbanuseintheBremerRivercatchment(IpswichLGA).. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 19
Figure6.Proportionoflandforrural,naturalandurbanuseintheMidBrisbaneRivercatchment(IpswichLGA) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 21
Figure7.Proportionoflandforrural,naturalandurbanuseintheLowerBrisbaneRivercatchment(IpswichLGA) .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .22
Figure8.Statutoryandnon-statutoryinstruments(Source:SEQHWS) . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 26
Figure9.Changesinwaterwayhealthovertimewithdifferentmanagementapproaches(Source:SEQHWS).. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 28
Figure10.WHS-informingCouncilplansandpoliciestomeetStatelegislationandregional plans. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 30
Figure11.LinkingLocalandRegionalVisions. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 35
Figure12.SettingachievabletargetsforIpswichwaterways. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 36
Figure13.ExpectedchangesinpollutantloadstotheBremerRiverwaterwaysfrom2004–2026(graphtakenfromSEQHWSBremerActionPlanp.27) .. .. .. .. . 42
Figure14.Vegetatedripariancorridorwidths. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 52
Figure15.HierarchyofplansforWaterwayHealthManagementinIpswich. .. .. .. .. .. . 63
TABLES Table1.AnnualSEQHealthyWaterwaysReportCardRatingforwaterwaysinIpswich . 18
Table2.CurrentandProposedPlanningActivitiesforIpswichCityCouncil . .. .. .. .. .. .. . 24
Table3.TotallengthandpercentageofstreamordersinIpswich . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 28
Table4.BroadImpactsandMajorThreatsonWaterQuality .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 44
Table5.SomeofthemajorriparianweedsinIpswich. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 50
Table6.Recommendedminimumripariancorridorwidths .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 53
Table7.Minimumripariancorridorwidths,basedonstreamorder,formajor waterways in Ipswich . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . 53
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INTRODUCTION
‘Lookafterit,anditwilllookafteryou.’Jim Papalois
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The future of Waterway Health in Ipswich will be secured through Council’s leadership and commitment to the development and implementationofkeystrategies,policiesandmanagementactionplanstoturnthecorner in water quality decline and start the processofrecovery.
Overthepastdecade,Councilhascontributedtoandparticipatedinmany local and regional catchment managementinitiatives,leadingtothedevelopmentofnumerousstrategies,plans,guidelinesandmanagementactions,allwithvaryingvisionsandtargets.Thismultiplicityofapproaches,andevolvinginstitutionalarrangementsinregionalcatchmentmanagement,haspromptedthedevelopmentoftheWHSasaCouncil-centricframeworkandstrategicdirectionto guide waterway health management in Ipswich.
ItistimelyforCounciltoconsideritsapproach to waterway health management withrapidlyincreasingpopulationgrowthandprojectedclimatechangeimpacts.Implementationofmanagementactionswillprotectthelong-termsustainabilityofthecity’sresources,maintaineconomicviabilityand achieve the vision of Clean and Healthy WaterwaysasidentifiedinIpswich2020andBeyondandCorporatePlan2007-2012.
WHAT IF IPSWICH CITY COUNCIL DID NOTHING? Ipswichresidentswouldsee:
Acontinualdeclineofwaterway•healthintheBremerRiverandotherwaterways in Ipswich
Increased downstream impacts on•theBrisbaneRiverandMoretonBayMarinePark
Reduced liveability of the•city,impactingonthesocial,environmental and economic valuesof Ipswich;
Lossofriparianandin-stream•habitatfornativefloraandfauna;
Lossofwater-basedrecreational•opportunities,and
Significantremediationcoststo•repairdamageinthefuture.
Thehealthofourwaterwaysreflecthowwemanage land and water resources across thecatchment.Waterwayssuffertheconsequencesofpoorlandusepracticesandreapthebenefitsofefficientandeffectivemanagement,suchasstormwaterimprovement,wastewatertreatmentplantupgradesandriparianrehabilitation.Clean,safeandhealthywaterwaysareessentialtothe liveability and economic viability of the city.
Preventativemeasurestomanagetheimpactsonwaterwayhealthtodayisoftenmorecost-effectivethanimplementingmeasures to reverse the decline in waterwayhealthinthefuture.IpswichCityCouncil’s strengths lie in sustainable land useplanning,andthedeliveryofpoliciesandprojectsbothatagrass-rootsandsub-regionallevel.
TheWHSprovidesCouncilwithanIntegrated Management Framework and identifiesthreeManagement Themes to guide delivery of a corporate approach that incorporates all facets of waterway health managementacrosstheorganisation.TheWHSisCouncil’s‘oneoverarchingplan’forwaterwayhealthmanagement.
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1.1 WHS OBJECTIVESObjectivesoftheWHSareto:
Provide Council with a broad•understanding of the current statusof waterway health in Ipswich
Guidemanagementactionsto•ensure desired outcomes areachieved
Guidemanagementactivitiesto•protectandenhancetheintegrity,amenity,habitatvalueandrecreationalopportunitiesofourwaterways
Provide an integrated management•framework to meet commitmentsto regional planning strategies andobligationsundernationalandstatelegislation
Encouragecommunityparticipation•inmanagement,useandappreciationofourwaterways
1.2 KEY MESSAGES1. Waterwayhealthmanagement
is an investment in the futureliveability of the City
2. Council’scommitmenttoimproving waterway health isbased on1:
Protectingareasingood•condition
Managingandenhancing•areasinmoderatecondition
Preventinganyfurther•decline of areas in poorcondition
Informing future•managementactionsthroughanadaptivemanagement framework
3. BetterwaterwayhealthinIpswich will be achievedthrough a coordinated andcollaborativeapproachacrossallareas of Council and strategic useof funding and otheropportunitiesforimprovement.
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1InlinewithEPP(Water)recommendations
1.3 STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT TheWHSisawhole-of-Councildocument,developedthroughcoordinatedconsultationacrosskeydepartmentsandstakeholders.InternalstakeholdersinvolvedinthedevelopmentoftheWHSincluderepresentativesfrom:
HealthParksandRecreation•
EngineeringServices•
Planning and Development•
Ipswich Water•
IpswichWasteServices•
Figure2.StrategyDevelopmentProcess
1.4 HOW IMPLEMENTATION OF THE WATERWAY HEALTH STRATEGY FITS IN WITH CORPORATE PLAN
ImplementationoftheWHSwillassistinthedeliveryofsustainablemanagementinitiativestoachievethevisionofliveability,improvedvisualamenity,accessibilityandhigherwaterqualityasidentifiedintheCorporatePlan2007-2012.Section 3 - Integrated Management Framework and Section 4 - Management Themesoutlinethemanagementactionsneededtoaddressimpactsonthesocial,economicandenvironmentalvaluesofIpswich’swaterways.
Figure3.Social,EnvironmentalandEconomicValuesofWaterwayHealth
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1.5 THE ONE PLANTheWHSisCouncil’s‘oneoverarchingplan’thatbringstogetherallinternalandexternaldriversofwaterwayhealthmanagementandgivesacleardecision-makingframeworkforallareasofCouncil.ImplementationoftheWHSwillallowCounciltoachievelegislativerequirementsandregionalplanningtargets,throughtheimplementationofmanagementactionsandthedevelopmentofLocal Waterway Management Plans.
Figure4.InternalandExternalInfluencesonWaterwayHealthManagement
SECTION 1 - SETTING THE SCENE
‘Is there some principle of nature which states that we never know the quality of whatwehaveuntilitisgone?’
Richard Hofstadter
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2. SNAPSHOT OFWATERWAYHEALTH IN IPSWICH
Overall,waterwayhealthinIpswichisratedpoor or very poor based on assessments ofwaterqualityandriparianvegetationconditioninbothfreshwaterandestuarinesystems2.Mostwaterwayshavebeensignificantlymodifiedoralteredfromthepre-Europeanstate,withonlyafewwaterwaysstillmaintainingaspectsofthenaturalfeatures,biodiversityandecosystemfunctionsrepresentativeofawaterwayinahealthynaturalstate.
Since2001,theSEQHealthyWaterwaysPartnershiphasprovidedanannual‘score-card’ratingforwaterwayhealthinsouth-eastQueensland(Table1),froman‘A’forexcellenttoa‘F’forfailedecosystemhealth.Waterways in Ipswich have primarily receiveda‘D’or‘F’ratingsincethestartofthisprogramduetoacombinationofpastandcurrentinfluences.
There has been no assessment of what the pre-EuropeanratingforIpswichwaterwayswouldhavebeen.ModellingindicatesthattheBremerwouldnothavemetcurrentwaterqualityobjectivesforparameterssuchas nitrogen3.
ThemajorinfluencesthatimpactonwaterwayhealthinIpswichare:
Point Source Pollutants• -historicaland current discharges of industrialandsewageeffluent.
Diffuse Source Pollutants• -movementofsediment,nutrientsand other contaminants from ruralandurbanareas.
Local Climate and Rainfall•Variability-highintensitystormswithshortsharppeaks,extendedperiodsoflimitedrainfall,highevaporationrates.
Naturally Low Freshwater Flow•– combinedwithextractionforruralactivities,industryandpowerproduction.
Enclosed Tidal Estuary• –alongresidencetime(upto190days)intheBremerRiverestuary.
Highly Dispersive Soils• –highlymobilesoilsinsomefreshwatersub-catchments.
Loss of Native Riparian Vegetation•– extensiveclearingofnativevegetation.
Table1.AnnualSEQHealthyWaterwaysReportCardRatingforwaterwaysinIpswich
Year
Catchment
Estuary Freshwater
Brem
er
Low
er
Bris
bane
Brem
er
Mid
Br
isba
ne
2001 F D- F C
2002 F D- F C
2003 F D- D- C
2004 F D- D- B-
2005 F D- D- C+
2006 F D- D- C+
2007 D- D+ D B-
2008 F D+ D- B
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2EHMP,BremerStateoftheRiversReport3SEQHWPScenarioModelling
2.1 WATERWAY HEALTH IN THE BREMER RIVER CATCHMENTTheBremerRiverestuaryisconsideredasthemostdegradedestuaryinSEQ,withthehighestlevelsofnutrientandsedimentloadsintheregion(SEQWHS2007-2012).WaterqualityintheBremerRiverhasbeendescribedasextremelypoor,dueto:
Highlevelsofnitrogenandphosphorus.•
Highlevelsofturbidity(suspendedsolids).•
Highphytoplanktonbiomass,light-limitedphytoplanktonandabundantbacterialevels.•
Veryhighlevelsoforganiccarbon.•
Lowconcentrationsofdissolvedoxygen.•
Figure5.Proportionoflandforrural,naturalandurbanuseintheBremerRivercatchment(IpswichLGA)
Highlevelsofnutrientsandpollutantsareprimarilyderivedfromstormwaterinputs,pointsourcedischargesandurbanrun-off.Theuppercatchmentsarealsoanimportantcontributorofnutrientsandsedimentstotheestuary,mostlyduringsignificantraineventsthroughgullyandchannelerosion.Highlevelsoforganiccarbonhavebeenrecordedintheestuary.
LEGEND
BremerRiverCatchment
UrbanAreas
NaturalAreas
CityBoundary
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The‘failed’ecosystemhealthratingintheBremerRiverestuaryisfurtherexacerbatedbylowflowratesduetonaturalandanthropogenicinfluences.Someoftheflowwaspreviouslyattributedtoinputsfromcouncil’swastewatertreatmentplants.Since2006,mostofthisflow,primarilyindryweather,hasbeenremovedfromtheriver with the Western Corridor Recycled Waterscheme.Industrialpointsourcesandwetweatherdischargeswillstilloccur,withadditionalflowscomingfromurbanandcommercialstormwaterrun-off.ThenaturalconditionsoflowfreshwaterflowcoupledwiththetidalinfluencefromtheBrisbaneRiver,meanspollutantsandsedimentsbecome‘trapped’withintheestuary,overloadingthesystem.Alongresidencetimeofupto190days(thehighestintheMoretonBayregion),hasbeenreportedfortheBremer.Effectively,thesystemdoesnotreceiveregularflushingofpollutants.
Themajorityofwaterwaysaresusceptibletodestabilisationandtransportofdispersivesoilswithinthecatchment,particularlywithin new development areas of the upper BundambaandDeebingCreekcatchments.Inexistingareaspoormanagementofstormwater has created localised scours at outflowpointsoncreekandriverbanks.
The channel morphology of receiving waterways with high banks leads to further erosionandslumping,resultingindeeplyincisedbanks.Themajorityofwaterwayshavelittletononativeriparianvegetationincontinuousstands,reducingitscapacitytofiltersedimentandnutrientsfromoverlandflowandincreasingtheriskofbankinstability.TheStateoftheRiversReportfortheBremerRiver,completedin1998,foundriparian corridors within the catchment to beinmoderatetopoorcondition,basedonthecorridorwidth,speciescompositionandstructuraldiversity.Approximately10%ofriparianvegetationisingoodorverygoodcondition,18%inmoderatecondition,andtheremaining72%ratedeitherpoororverypoor.
2.2 WATERWAY HEALTH IN THE BRISBANE RIVER CATCHMENT
TheBrisbaneRiveristhelargestriversysteminSouthEastQueensland,extendingfromitsheadwatersnorth-eastofNanangotoMoretonBayatLuggagePoint.TheBrisbaneRiverflowsintotheMoretonBay,oneofSouthEastQueensland’smostimportantmarinenurseryareas.TheMoretonBayMarineParkhasbeenclassifiedasawetlandofinternationalsignificanceundertheRAMSARConvention.
Duetoitssize,theBrisbaneRivercatchmenthas been divided into three management sections,asfollows:
UpperBrisbaneRiver-extending•from the headwaters to WivenhoeDam.
MidBrisbaneRiver-fromWivenhoe•DamwalltoMtCrosbyWeir.
LowerBrisbaneRiver-fromMt•CrosbyWeirtoLuggagePoint.
OnlysectionsoftheMidBrisbaneandLowerBrisbaneRivercatchmentsliewithinor form the boundaries of Ipswich City Council.
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2.2.1 Mid Brisbane RiverTheMid-BrisbanesectionistheprimarydrinkingwatercatchmentforSouthEastQueensland,providingwaterformostofBrisbaneandIpswich.TheMidBrisbaneisclassifiedundertheWaterAct2000throughtheWaterResource(Moreton)PlanasaPriorityArea1fordrinkingwatersupply.Itisalsoakeywaterresourceforirrigation,stockgrazing,passiverecreationaluseandecologicalfunctioning.
Figure6.Proportionoflandforrural,naturalandurbanuseintheMidBrisbaneRivercatchment(IpswichLGA)
TheMidBrisbaneRiverisinfluencedbyupstreaminputsfromWivenhoeDamandtheLockyerRivercatchment.Theprimarylanduseswithinthecatchmentconsistsofgrazing,cropping,ruralresidentialdevelopment,andsandandgravelextractionatPineMountain.ThebiggestthreattowaterqualityintheMidBrisbaneRiverissediment,nutrient,pesticideandherbicideinputs from current land uses4.ReuseofeffluentviatheWesternCorridorRecycledWaterschemeforirrigationintheLockyerCreekcatchmentmayresultinfurtherloadsofnutrientsintotheriversystem.ThehighnutrientlevelsincreasetheriskofalgalbloomsatMtCrosbyWeir.
Riparianandin-streamconditionisimpactedonbythecontinualreleaseofwaterfromWivenhoeDam.Constantdamreleasesremovethenaturalflowvariationandincreasestheriskofbankslumpingduetoconstantsaturationofbanksoils.Lossofnativeriparianvegetationinsomesections,primarilyforagriculturalpurposes,reducestheuptakeofwater,increasingbanksaturationandsubsequenterosion.
LEGEND
MidBrisbaneRiverCatchment
UrbanAreas
NaturalAreas
CityBoundary
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4SEQHWPComplexConceptualModel‘Mid-BrisbaneRiver’
2.2.2 Lower Brisbane RiverTheLowerBrisbaneRiverformsmostoftheboundarybetweenIpswichCityandBrisbaneCityCouncil,extendingfromCollegesCrossingtoGailes.Sectionsoftheriverareusedregularlyforpassiveandactiverecreationaluse,includingjetboating,waterskiingandfishing,primarilybetweenKaraleeandBorallonPoint.
Figure7.Proportionoflandforrural,naturalandurbanuseintheLowerBrisbaneRivercatchment(IpswichLGA)
WaterwayhealthintheLowerBrisbaneRiverisinfluencedbyurbanrun-off,pointsourcedischargesandindustrialinputs.Sedimentloads,carryingattachednutrientsandpesticides,isamajorthreattowaterquality,aquaticbiodiversityandin-streamhabitats.
TheLowerBrisbaneRivercatchmenthasthehighestconcentrationofurbanandindustriallandusesinQueensland,withurbanexpansioncontinuingintheheadwatercatchmentsofWoogarooandOpossumCreeks.ExtensiveupgradesofmajorinfrastructurebetweenIpswichandBrisbanealsocontributesignificantamountsofsedimentandreducethevegetationcoverinthecatchment.
LEGEND
LowerBrisbaneRiverCatchment
UrbanAreas
NaturalAreas
CityBoundary
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3. SNAPSHOT OFWATERWAYHEALTHMANAGEMENTIN COUNCIL
Council currently undertakes waterway healthmanagementinthreebroadareas:
1. Developingandimplementingplanning documents andmanagementactivitiestofulfillegislativerequirements.
2. Supportingregionalnaturalresource management as astakeholderinregionalplanning,operationalprogramsandeducationalinitiatives.
3. Deliveringon-groundnaturalresourcemanagement,stormwater improvement andwasteminimisationactivities.
Primarily,thesearedoneascomponentsof Council’s core activities and functions,including:
Strategiclanduseplanningand•development assessments
Acquisitionandmanagementof•publicly owned land
Constructionandmaintenanceof•publicinfrastructure,and
Regulationofenvironmentalrisks.•
Secondly,waterwayhealthmanagementisachieved,directlyorindirectly,througha number of projects and programs with externalorganisations,landholdersandthegeneralcommunity,suchas:
Private landholder support programs•(LandforWildlife,PartneringAgreements)
Environmentaleducationmaterial,•workshops and events
Supporttolocalandregionalnatural•resource management groups
Investigatingopportunitiesin•market-basedmechanismsforon-groundoutcomesonprivateland,eg:CatchmentProtectionPayments/CatchmentIncentives/Offsets
Sourcingexternalfunding•forriparianprotectionandrehabilitationprojectsanddevolvedgrants.
Variousrolesandresponsibilitiesforwaterway health management sit within thedifferentdepartmentsofCouncil,allapproachingitfromdifferentperspectivesandoftentomeetdifferentlegislativerequirements.Somecoordinationoccurredthrough internal groups such as the WaterwayManagementGroup(WMG),reportingonCouncil-wideissues.However,themajorityofcoordinationoccursthroughadhocdiscussionsatofficerlevel.
Todate,managementactivitieshavefocused on water quality improvement atpointsourcestosatisfylegislativerequirements under the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy,ortomeetcommitments in regional planning documentssuchastheSEQRegionalPlanandSEQHealthyWaterwaysStrategy2007-2012(SEQHWS).Therehasbeenlimitedfocusontheimpactsofvariableflowratesfromdifferentlandusesonchannelmorphologyorin-streamprocesses,ortheimpactsofdiffusesourcepollutionfrombothurbanandruralareas.UrbanandNon-Urban(rural)diffusesourcepollutantshavebeenidentifiedasprioritymanagementareasbytheSEQHWS.
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3.1 WATERWAY HEALTH MANAGEMENT ACTIVITIES IN COUNCILAnumberofdepartmentsinCounciladdresswaterwayhealthmanagement,directlyorindirectly,throughvariousmanagementandplanningactivities.Inmostcases,theseactivitiesaredoneinisolationofotherareasofCouncilorwithoutanoverallstrategicdirectionforenhancingwaterwayhealth.
Table2outlinesthecurrentandproposedplanningactivitiesundertakenbyeachdepartmentthathaveadirectorindirectconnectiontowaterwayhealthmanagement.
Table2.CurrentandProposedPlanningActivitiesforIpswichCityCouncil
Department Planning Activity
Health Parks and Recreation
WaterwayHealthStrategy•
NatureConservationStrategy•
LocalWaterwayManagementPlans*•
UrbanStormwaterQualityManagementPlan•
ErosionandSedimentControlActionPlan•
EnvironmentalProtectionPlan*•
ClimateChangeResponse*•
Engineering Services
UrbanStormwaterImplementationPlan*•
AssetManagementPlan•
InfrastructureChargingStrategy*•
Planning and DevelopmentIntegratedWaterManagementImplementation•Guideline*
IpswichPlanningScheme–codesandoverlays•
Ipswich Water
IpswichRecycledWaterStrategy•
AlternativeWaterSupplyStrategy•
OperationalPlans•
3.2 WATERWAY HEALTH MANAGEMENT APPROACHES IN RURAL AND URBAN AREAS
ThewayinwhichCouncilmanagesorinfluenceswaterwayhealthmanagementvariesconsiderablybetweentheruralandurbanareas,duetotheconstraintsofpublicandprivatelandownership,catchmentcharacteristicsandextentofurbandevelopment.
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3.2.1 Rural AreasInruralareas,Councilhaslimitedcontrolovertheimpactstowaterwayhealth.Opportunitiesexistthroughprivatelandholdersupportprograms,acquisitionandmanagementofconservationestates,partnerships with regional bodies and river improvementtrusts,andthroughregulatoryenforcementoflocalandstatelegislation.Furtheropportunitieswillbeachievedviafuturebiodiversityoff-setandcarbonsequestrationplantings,andCatchmentProtectionorIncentivePayments.
Thecurrenttrendtowardssmaller‘peri-urban’ developments raises a number of challenges for waterway health managementinpreviouslyruralareas,which will need to be addressed through planning instruments and partnership arrangementswithlandholders(referAppendix7).Thenaturalresourcemanagementchallengesandopportunitiesinperi-urbanareasisdiscussedinCouncil’sNatureConservationStrategy.
Current management approaches in rural areasinclude:
Enforcement of Local Laws and•devolvedregulatoryresponsibilities,suchas:controlandmanagementofdeclared plants and animals
Managementofconservation•estates and bushland reserves
LandholderPartnerships,including:•voluntaryconservationagreements
PartnershipswithStateGovernment,•RegionalNRMGroupsandIpswichRivers Improvement Trust
3.2.2 Urban AreasInurbanareas,Councilhasgreaterinfluenceandopportunitiestominimisetheimpactsof urban and industrial development throughplanninginstruments,managementofpublicinfrastructureandregulationofpointsourcedischarges.Thegreatestchallenge for waterway health management in the urban area is for Council to address and invest in the management of urban diffusesourcepollution,andtoinvestigatecost-effectivewaystoretrofitmanagementactionsinexistingurbanareas,particularlyforsmallerin-filldevelopments.Thereis a growing trend towards Integrated UrbanWaterCycleManagementwhichbringsinconceptssuchasWaterSensitiveUrbanDesign(WSUD)andLowImpactDevelopment(LID)todealwithstormwaterimpactsonwaterwayhealth(referAppendix9).
Current management approaches in urban areasinclude:
Administrationofplanningand•development through the IpswichPlanningScheme
Stormwaterandinfrastructureasset•management
Sewermanagement,treatmentand•discharge
Linear open space planning and•management along waterways
Riparianrestorationprojectson•public land
Regulationofpointsource•discharges
Supporttoprivatelandholders•
PartnershipswithStateandFederal•Government agencies
Educationandenforcementof•EnvironmentalProtectionAct1994stormwatercontaminationprovisions
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4. WHAT ARE THE INFLUENCES ON WATERWAYHEALTH MANAGEMENT
VariousinternalandexternalfactorsinfluencehowCouncilmanageswaterwayhealth,whatitsrolesandresponsibilitiesare,wheremanagementwilltakeplaceandhowmanagementactivitiesareprioritisedanddelivered.
TheWHSgivesCounciltheintegratedmanagementframeworkandtargetedactionplantorespondto:
1. EnvironmentalValuesandWaterQualityObjectivessetbytheQueenslandGovernment for Ipswich waterways
2. Regionalcatchmentmanagementmodelling
3. Streamordermappingandclassificationofallwaterways
4. Corporate-wideapproachtowaterwayhealthmanagementascorebusinessforCouncil,and
5. Compliancewithlegislationandregionalplanning
4.1 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES AND WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES EnvironmentValues(EV’s)andWaterQualityObjectives(WQO’s)aresetinstatelegislation,listedinSchedule1oftheEnvironmentalProtection(Water)Policy19975(EPPWater).Theyinformarangeofstatutoryandnon-statutoryactivitiesrelatedtowaterwayhealthmanagement,includingdevelopmentassessmentsandcomplianceofenvironmentallyrelevantactivities(ERA’s)ie:pointsourcedischarges.
Figure8.Statutoryandnon-statutoryinstruments(Source:SEQHWS)
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5EPP(Water)isbeingreviewedandredraftedbyEPA-expectedcompletionmid2009
TheEPP(Water)setsthemanagementintentfortheprotectionofwaterqualitybasedonaclassificationlevelgiventowaterways.AllwaterwaysinIpswichhavebeenclassified,inconsultationwithCouncil,asLevel2Waterways.Themanagementintentforthesewaterwaysis:
Wheretheexistingwaterquality• isbetter thanthescheduledWQO’s,maintain current water quality whileallowingsomeassimilativecapacity(insomeinstances)
Wheretheexistingwaterquality• isthe same asthescheduledWQO’s,maintaincurrentwaterquality,or
Wheretheexistingwaterquality• islower thanthescheduledWQO’s,improvewaterqualityovertime,haltingfurtherdecline.
ForCouncil,managementdecisionsneedto consider other impacts on waterway health,suchascatchmentcondition,landuses,existingandfutureflowpatterns,todetermine how it will meet the WQO’s as onlyonelandmanagerwithinacatchment.
It is recommended that the WQO’s listed in theEPP(Water)shouldbereferredtoasthelongtermaspirationaltargets.LocalWQO’sshouldbedevelopedtogivetheshort-termtargetsforIpswichwaterways,andbeusedasaguideforsettingminimumwaterqualitytargetsforexistingandproposedlanduses.
4.2 CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT MODELLING
Modellingscenariostopredictchangesinwaterqualitywithdifferentcatchmentmanagement approaches was undertaken bySEQHWPin2007(referAppendix4).The modelling indicated that with improved management(currentbestpracticeapproach),theBremerRiverestuarywouldstillnotmeetthescheduledWQO’s,andabusiness as usual approach would result infurtherdegradationofwaterqualityandecosystemhealth.
SEQHWPrecommendedthatimprovementin waterway health will only be achieved bychallengingexistingmanagementapproachesandcommittingsignificantmanagement investment in the implementationofasuiteofmeasuresto address various impacts on waterway health,involving:
Improvedwastewatertreatment,•effluentflowreductionsandreuse
ImplementationofWSUDinall•greenfielddevelopmentsandintegrationofretrofitthroughexistingurbanareas
Useofmanagementincentivesto•reduceruraldiffuserun-off
Anincreaseinenvironmentalflowin•theBremerRivercatchment,and
Implementationofin-stream•remediationprocesses,suchasre-aeration.
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WaterwaysinIpswichareclassifiedasLevel2Waterways–‘slightlytomoderatelydisturbedecosystems’.Thatis:
‘ecosystemsinwhichaquaticbiologicaldiversitymayhavebeenadverselyaffectedtoarelativelysmallbutmeasurabledegreebyhumanactivity’.6
6BremerRiverEV’sandWQO’s
Figure9.Changesinwaterwayhealthovertimewithdifferentmanagementapproaches(Source:SEQHWS)
4.3 CLASSIFICATION OF WATERWAYS USING THE STREAM ORDER SYSTEM
Streamorderisanumberingsystemusedtoclassifywaterwaysbasedontheirhierarchyfromheadwatertributaries(commencingwithstreamorder1)tolargerivers.Whentwostreamsofthesameorderjoin,thewaterwayiselevatedtothenexthighestorder(referAppendix5).
Onacollectivebasis,firstandsecondorderstreamshaveasignificantimpactonwaterwayhealth via transport of sediment and nutrient loads from the catchment to higher order streamsandrivers.Manyofthesehavebeenlost,poorlymanaged,clearedofnativevegetationoralteredthroughlandusechanges.Effectivemanagementcanbeachievedthroughplanningmechanismstoprotectfirstandsecondorderstreamswherepossible,designofstormwatermanagementsystemstoenhanceorreplicatetheirfunctionsandon-groundrehabilitationtorestorenativevegetationandbankstabilityinruralareas.
Table3.TotallengthandpercentageofstreamordersinIpswich
Stream Order Total Length (km) Percentage of Total Stream Length in Ipswich (%)
1 1,243 48
2 649.5 25
3 291.5 11
4 136.96 5.5
5 89.17 3.5
6 50.5 2
7 54.55 2
8 67.4 3
TOTAL 2,582.54 100
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4.4 WATERWAY HEALTH MANAGEMENT RECOGNISED AS CORE BUSINESS
There is a current trend towards the emergence of natural resource management,includingwaterwayhealth,ascorebusinessforCouncil,requiringthe commitment to good management to be viewed as an investment in the future liveabilityoftheCity.Furthermore,thereisaneedforaholisticapproachacrossallCouncil departments to undertake Total WaterCycleManagement.Withthiscomestheneedtounderstandtheefficienciesofscale with resource sharing and capacity building; integrated management will result inachievingmultipleoutcomesacrossmultipledepartmentsandprograms.
TheWHSisakeycorporatedocument,informingdecision-makingatahighlevel.ItsitsbelowtheCorporatePlan,guidingoperationoutcomestoachievelocalandregional targets for waterway health improvement,andconsistencyofoutcomesacrossallareasofCouncil(referAppendix11).
4.5 LEGISLATION AND REGIONAL PLANNING
Thedynamicnatureandcontinuingchanges in waterway health management arrangements has put pressure on local governmentstoexpandtheirresponsibilitiesin waterway health management through theirplanningandoperationalworks.Clearlydefinedinstitutionalarrangementsand strong partnerships between all stakeholders is needed to assist in the developmentofmutuallyagreedtargets,prioritiesandallocationoffundingatbothalocalandregionalscale.Thiswillrequireacommitmentandgreatercooperationfromallpartiesandaclearunderstandingofrolesandresponsibilitiestoavoidconfusionandduplicationofeffort.
Councilhasanobligationtomeetanumberof statutory requirements and regional targetsfortheprotectionandmanagementofwaterquality,aquaticecosystemsandriparianvegetation(referappendix3).ItalsohastofulfilStateGovernmentdevolvedresponsibilitiesthroughregulatoryenforcementonpublicandprivateland.Theseresponsibilitieshavebeentakenintoconsiderationwiththedevelopmentofwaterwayhealthmanagementactions(referFigure7).
TheSEQRegionalPlan2009-2031(currentlyindraft)isthepre-eminentplanthatsetsthedirectionforplanningandlandusedesignationinsouth-eastQueenslandoverthenext20years.TheSEQRegionalPlanisa statutory document with Desired Regional Outcomes(DRO’s),linkedtotheSEQNRMPlan(draft)andSEQHWStargets.TheWHSaccords with the following policies in the SEQRegionalPlan:
Principle 2.1 Biodiversity
Protect,manageandenhancetheregion’ssignificantbiodiversityvaluesandsupportingecologicalprocesses.
Principle 4.1 Natural Resource Management
Coordinate the management and use of naturalresourcestoenhancecommunity,economicandenvironmentalvalues.
Principle 11.1 Total Water Cycle Management
Water is acknowledged as a valuable andfiniteregionalresourcethatmustbemanagedonatotalwatercyclebasis.
Principle 11.2 Waterway Health
Protectandenhancetheecologicalhealth,environmental values and water quality ofsurfaceandgroundwater,includingwaterways,wetlands,estuariesandMoretonBay.
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5. MANAGEMENTCHALLENGESCouncilfacesanumberofenvironmental,land use and management challenges in thedevelopmentandimplementationofactionsandprioritiesforwaterwayhealthmanagementinIpswich.
5.1 ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGESErosive soils• –Highlymobiledispersivesoilsinmostsub-catchments,includingnewdevelopment areas in theBundambaandDeebingCreekcatchments,leadstowidespreaderosion,threatstopropertyandinfrastructure,sedimentationandincreasedturbidityinwaterways.
Unstable banks• -Configurationandmorphology of receiving waterwayswith deeply incised banks increasesthe risk of bank erosion with highvolumeand/orhighvelocityflows.
Degraded riparian vegetation• -Continuallossanddegradationofnativeriparianvegetationreducesriparianandin-streamhabitats,significantlyimpactsonwaterquality and increases vulnerability ofriverecosystemtocollapse.
Climate change uncertainty• -Projected climate change variabilityandchangedrainfallpatternswillpolarisebaseandpeakflowsandexacerbatedegradationpatterns(referAppendix6).
5.2 LAND USE CHALLENGESImpervious surfaces • -Greaterareasof impervious surfaces increasestheriskofdownstreamfloodingandimpactsfrom‘firstflush’inputsofpollutants(nutrients,litter,pesticides,heavymetalsandsediments).
Recycled water• -Theincreaseduseof recycled water and associatedchangesinwastewatertreatment,dischargequalityandquantities.
Population growth• -Ipswich’spopulationisexpectedtoincreasefrom150000to318000bytheyear 20267.Populationgrowthandexpandinginfrastructureplacesadded pressure on already impactedcatchments and waterwaysespeciallywithinfilldevelopmentanddensificationofexistingurbanareas.
Peri-urban development• -Changinglandusepracticesanddemographicsin rural areas with an increasingtrendtowards‘peri-urban’developments(referAppendix7).
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7IpswichCityCouncilCorporatePlan2007-2012p.13
5.3 MANAGEMENT CHALLENGESEnforcement-Capacityto•strengthen enforcement of erosionandsedimentcontrolandpollutiondischarges,usingacombinationofregulatoryandeducationalmechanisms.
Staffcapacity-Increasinginternal•knowledge and skills to addresswaterway health issues andmanagementrequirements.
Resources-Commitmentof•resources and investment to thedeliveryofmanagementactions.
RolesandResponsibilities-•Developingacleardefinitionand agreement on the roles andresponsibilitiesofallstakeholders.
Partnerships-Developingand•supportingstrongpartnershipswithprivatelandholders,non-governmentorganisation,regionalNRMbodiesandalllevelsofgovernment to align waterwayhealthmanagement.
Monitoring-Capacityto•monitor and evaluate success ofmanagementactions.
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SECTION 2 - VISION AND TARGETS
‘The best thing about the future is that it onlycomesonedayatatime.’
Abraham Lincoln
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6. VISIONBy 2020, the Bremer River, Brisbane River and other major waterways that flow through Ipswich have improved water quality and increased biodiversity value and are appreciated by the community for their amenity values and through appropriate recreational use8.
6.1 SETTING THE VISIONTheVisionforwaterwayhealthinIpswichhasbeentakenfromIpswich2020andBeyondasitcapturesthedesiredfutureoutcomesofCouncilandtheIpswichcommunity.ItalsosetstheplatformfortheprotectionandmanagementofIpswich’swaterwaystobalancetherapidchangesinlandusewithinthecatchmentsandthepotentialimpactsonwaterwayhealth.Itprovides the link between where we are now and where we want to be.
TheVisionalsobuildsuponthevisionsanddesiredregionaloutcomesintheSEQRegionalPlan,SEQHealthyWaterwaysStrategyandtheSEQNaturalResourceManagementPlan,settingthetoneforCouncil’sresponsetoregionaloutcomesdeliveredonalocalbasis.
Figure11.LinkingRegionalandLocalVisions
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8I2020andBeyond
6.2 HOW THE VISION WILL BE ACHIEVEDTheconditionofwaterwayhealthinIpswichis a result of past catchment management practicesandthedirectinputofindustrialdischarges,combinedwithcurrentlandusesandthepressuresofincreasingpopulation.Becauseofthis,achievingthevisionwillbeadifficulttaskthatwillrequiremajorcommitment and investment from all stakeholders.
Insomecases,asignificantchangeorcompletestopofexistingmanagementpracticeswillberequired.Inothercases,asmall change in management approach with targeted investment will result in a large beneficialchange.Thekeyistoadoptandimplement the Integrated Management Framework which will move us towards the visioninachievablesteps.
Achievingthevisionwillrequire:
Corporate-wideadoptionof•waterway health targets in Council’s coreanddiscretionaryprojects
Anagreedpriority-settingprocess,•atalllevelsoftheorganisation
Up-skillingandtrainingofcouncil•staffin‘bestpractice’TotalWaterCycleManagement
Improvedandinnovativedecision-•making,and
Agreaterfocusonefficientresource•utilisation
WehavefewwaterwaysingoodconditionacrossIpswichandurgentactionisrequiredtomaintaintheirpresentcondition,starttheprocessofrehabilitationinwaterwaysofmoderatecondition,andpreventfurtherdeclineinallotherwaterways.Toachievethevision,Councilneedstohaveaclearunderstanding of what level of ‘healthiness’ isrealisticforwaterwaysinIpswich,identifyallpotentialimpactsofcurrentandproposedlanduses,andbeabletoprioritisemanagementactionsforimplementation.
6.3 SETTING ACHIEVABLE TARGETSOnaregionalandstate-widebasis,waterquality and waterway health targets have been set through the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 1997 and a suite of SEQregionalnaturalresourcemanagementplans.Theseshouldbeconsideredasthelong-termaspirationaltargets.Short-term targets or performance indicators are required to assess incremental improvements in Ipswich waterway health inresponsetomanagementactions.
The desired outcome for waterway health managementistosetrealistictargetsforimprovement in water quality, riparian corridor condition and community appreciation(referFigure9).CouncilwillalsoneedtoundertakefurtherinvestigationtodetermineiftheBremerRiverestuaryhas the capacity to reach a target of ‘D+’ by2031,oratargetof‘C’inthefreshwatertributaries(basedontheregionalEHMPreportcardrating).
Figure12.SettingachievabletargetsforIpswichwaterways9
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9CurrentvaluesderivedfromstudieslistedinAppendix1
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SECTION 3 - INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK
‘Wealwaysoverestimatethechangethatwilloccurinthenexttwoyearsandunderestimatethechangethatwilloccurinthenextten.Don’tletyourselfbelulledintoinaction.’
Bill Gates
7. INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORKThe Integrated Management Framework provides Council with the one overarching management responsetoprotect,manageandenhancewaterwayhealthinIpswich,inlinewithnational,stateandregionalrequirements.
TheIntegratedManagementFrameworkidentifies:
1. Council’srolesand responsibilitiesinwaterway healthmanagement,
2. Definesthethreepriority ManagementThemes,and
3. Setstheperformancemeasures.
7.1 COUNCIL’S ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESCouncil’srolesandresponsibilitiesinwaterway health management are guided bythecurrentinstitutionalarrangementsbetween federal and state government andregionalNRMbodies,balancedwith the needs and desires of the local community(referAppendix8).Sometimesthedelineationbetweentherolesofeachstakeholderisnotclearlydefinedanditisdifficulttodeterminewhoisresponsibleforwhat.
TheWHSsetstodefineCouncil’srolesinwaterway health management that meets bothlegislativerequirementsandthefuturedesired outcomes set in the Corporate Plan andIpswich2020andBeyond.
It is recognised that Council is only one playerwithinthebroadercontextofintegratedcatchmentmanagement.However,itiswellpositionedtoimplementandadvocaterealchangeatalocallevel.Councilfulfilsitsroles in waterway health management through the delivery of core activities,suchas:
Education–buildingcapacity,•partnershipsandadvocatingchange.
Enforcement–administratingand•regulatingimpactsandriskstowaterwayhealth.
ManagementandPlanning–•providing leadership and guidance intheuseofresources,landusepracticesandcatchmentmanagement on public and private land.
On-GroundDelivery–protecting•and maintaining constructed and naturalassets.
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Council’sPRIMARYROLEinwaterwayhealthmanagementistofulfillegislativerequirementsandmeetcommunityexpectationsthroughpolicy,planningandmanagementactionstomakethelocalandregionalvisionsofrestoringwaterwayhealthinIpswichareality.
Council’sresponsibilitiesinwaterwayhealthmanagementareto:
Develop and work towards achieving •the vision for Waterway Health in Ipswich.
Integrate waterway ecosystem •values into Total Water Cycle Management.
Investintheprotection,•maintenance and security of the city’s natural waterway resources inacost-effectivemanner,toensurelong-termsustainabilityandproductivityforsocial,cultural,economic and environmental outcomes,thatfitswithinthe delivery of other Council responsibilities.
Provideopportunitiesforthe•enjoyment and equitable use of the City’swaterway.
Foster strong partnerships with •thecommunity,non-governmentorganisations,governmentagencies,industryandregionalNRMbodiestodelivermanagementactionstowardsacommonoutcome.
Recognise Ipswich’s waterways •withintheregionalcontextoftheBrisbaneRivercatchmentandMoretonBayMarineParkthroughcoordinatedplanning.
Develop a widely accepted •understanding,appreciation,awareness and knowledge of waterwayhealth.
7.2 MANAGEMENT THEMESThe overall improvement of waterway health in Ipswich will be a long and expensiveprocess,wheremanagementactionsundertakentodaymaytake50to100yearstomakeadifference.Overallimprovement will also require a concerted effortandinvestmentfromallstakeholders,including:alllevelsofgovernment,businessandindustry,privatelandholdersandthegeneralcommunity.
Part of developing an integrated management framework is to consider whatmanagementprioritiesareachievable,thatis:realisticandnotcostprohibitive,andwhatfitswithinCouncil’scorporatedirection,rolesandresponsibilities.Themanagementprioritiesalsoreflectwhatkey aspects of waterway health will give the best outcomes towards achieving both the shortandlongtermtargets,basedon:
Bestavailablescienceand•knowledge on waterway health management.
Opportunitytodevelopcost-•effectivesolutionsthatfitwithinCouncil’s current and future planningandoperationalactivities.
The need to halt further decline and •begin to improve waterway health in Ipswich.
ThreeManagementThemeshavebeenselectedtogiveasimplifiedyetfocussedapproach towards improving waterway healthinIpswich.Thesethemesdonotincorporate all aspects of waterway health management,butareconsideredasthebestoptionsforCounciltogiveavisibleandmeasurableresult.
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The three Management Themesare:
THEME 1 - WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT –fundamentaltothesustainabilityofaquatichabitatsandecosystemprocessesinfreshwaterstreamsandestuaries.Improvethesocial,environmentalandeconomicvalues of waterways that are necessary for humanwell-being.
THEME 2 - RIPARIAN CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT–providehealthy,continuouscorridorsofnativevegetationthatsupportsnativefloraandfauna,providesrecreationalopportunitiesandvisualamenityforthecommunity,andfilterssediments,nutrientsandtoxicantsfromoverlandflow.
THEME 3 - COMMUNITY APPRECIATION –empowerandmotivateallsectorsofthecommunitytoimprovetheirskills,resourcesand networks for involvement in waterway healthmanagement.
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7.3 PERFORMANCE MEASURES BY 2011
1. Theobjectivesofthisstrategy are agreed to and acknowledged inCouncil’scoreactivitiesto achieve an overall improvement inwaterwayhealth.
2. Highprioritymanagement actionshavebeeninitiated within12-18monthsofadopting thisstrategy.
3. LocalWaterwayManagement Planshavebeendeveloped, adopted and implemented for at least half of Ipswich sub-catchments.
4. IpswichCityCouncilmaintains strongpartnershipswithState Government,regionalNRM bodies,industryandlandholders to achieve the local water quality objectivesforIpswichwaterways.
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SECTION 4 - MANAGEMENT THEMES
‘Naturedoesnotproceedbyleapsandbounds.’
Linnaeus
8. THEME 1 – WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT8.1 WHY IS WATER QUALITY IMPORTANTWaterisourmostvaluablenaturalresource.Healthywaterwaysrequiregoodwaterquality,whichinturnprovidesessentialecosystemservicesofbenefittohumanwell-beingandcontributestothelifestylesandlivelihoodsoftheIpswichcommunity.
ThecontinualdeclineofwaterqualityinIpswichwaterwaysisamajorconcernonbothalocalandregionalscale.PredictedincreasesinannualpollutantloadsintotheBremerRiverby2026withpopulationgrowthanda‘businessasusual’approachare10:
RuralDiffuse–8%insedimentloads,5%nitrogen,5%phosphorus•
UrbanDiffuse–138%insedimentloads,155%nitrogen,164%phosphorus•
PointSource–100%nitrogen,140%phosphorus•
Figure13.ExpectedchangesinpollutantloadstotheBremerRiverwaterwaysfrom2004–2026(graphtakenfromSEQHWSBremerActionPlanp.27)
Waterqualityisalsoaffectedbyhighdemandsforlimitedwatersupplies,furtherreductioninenvironmentalflowsandthepotentialimpactsofclimatechangeonflowpatterns.Poorwaterqualityposesthreatsto:
Humanhealthandwell-being•
Waterwayhealthandfunctions•
Reliability and quality of water supply•
Recreationandliveabilityvalues•
Agricultural use and livestock health•
Economicdevelopment,and•
Preservationofwaterresourcesforfuturegenerations.•
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10SEQHWSBAPp.26
8.2 KEY THREATS TO WATER QUALITY IN IPSWICHNutrients–arethemajorthreattowaterqualityinIpswichwaterways,inparticulartheBremerandLowerBrisbaneRiverestuaries.WhilstBundambaandGoodnaWastewaterTreatmentPlants(WWTP)havebeen upgraded to improve total nitrogen andtotalphosphoruslevels,dischargesare now diverted into the Western Corridor Recycled Water scheme with the concentrated brine waste being discharged totheLowerBrisbaneRiveratGoodna.Industrialpointsourcedischargescontinuetoaddnitrogen,phosphorusandorganiccarbonintotheBremerandLowerBrisbaneRiverestuaries.
Investigationofdiffusesources,particularlystormwaterrun-offfromurbanandindustrialareas,sewernetworkoverflows,on-sitetreatmentsystemsandrun-offfromirrigationisalsonecessarytogainabetterunderstandingofthenutrientcontributionfrom freshwater tributaries and overall loadsintotheestuaries.
Sediments–Significantlyhighinputsof sediments are derived from urban development,ruralpracticesandunstablecreekbanks.Controlofsedimentfromurban development sites needs to be a criticalareaoffocusforCouncil.Diffusesourcesedimentloadsisidentifiedasa priority management investment and commitmentneedintheSEQHWS.
Carbon–Organiccarbonoccursnaturallyinallriversystems,primarilyderivedfromcatchmentandriparianvegetationinputs.Organiccarbondrivesprimaryproductionofalgaeandbacteria.TheBremerRiverdiffersfromotherSEQwaterwayswithsignificantlyhigh levels of organic carbon in the water column.Thisexcessorganiccarbonhasleadto very high levels of bacterial growth and subsequentdepletionofdissolvedoxygen,impactingonaquaticbiota(Pollardetal,2001).Lowlevelsofdissolvedoxygenresultin poor waterway health and is one reason whytheBremerRiverreceivesand‘F’ontheregionalEHMPreportcardratingeachyear(SEQHWS2007-2012).
Salinity–Salinityoccurswhenmineralsalts within the soil are carried to the surfacewithrisinggroundwater,primarilythroughtheremovalofdeep-rootednativevegetation.Salinityimpactsonlandandwaterbiodiversity,productivityofagriculturallandandcansignificantlyreducethe lifespan of infrastructure such as roads andbridges.AreasofconcernforsalinityinIpswichexistinthePurgaandBlacksnakeCreekcatchments.
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8.3 BROAD IMPACTS ON WATER QUALITY IN IPSWICHImpactsonwaterqualitycanbecategorisedintothreebroadareas:
PointSourcePollution•
UrbanandNon-urbanDiffuseSourcePollution•
PeakFlows/UrbanStormwaterrun-off•
Table4.BroadImpactsandMajorThreatsonWaterQuality
Broad Impact Major Threat(s)
Point source Wastewater treatment •plants
Industrial wastewater •
Nutrients–nitrogen(N)andphosphorus(P)Organic Carbon
UrbandiffuseUrbandevelopmentsites•
Commercial and industrial •sites
Stormwater•
Roads•
Nutrients(N,P),sediment,heavymetals,litter,pesticides,toxicants,organiccarbon,hydrocarbons
Non-urbandiffuseRural landscapes•
Septicsystems•
Rising water tables•
Sediment,nutrients(N,P),herbicide,pesticides
Peakflows/UrbanStormwaterrun-off
Rainfallevents(‘first-flush’)•
Impactonchannelmorphologyandaquatichabitat,highconcentrationofcontaminantsinashortperiod
The control of point source pollutants can be tackled through a range of regulatory mechanismsandinnovativereuseoptions.Bycontrast,thecontrolofdiffusesourcepollutantsinvolvesanunderstandingoftheimpactsfromalllanduseswithinacatchment.Whilsttheimpactsfromonelanduseinacatchmentmaybesmall,thecumulativeimpactsofallthelandusesmaybequitesignificant.Managementofbothpointanddiffusesourcepollutantsrequiresanintegrativepartnershipapproachacrossthecatchment,withallstakeholders.
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8.3.1 Point Source PollutionPointsourcepollutionisthedirectinputatasinglepointofdischargeofeffluentfromwastewatertreatmentplants,alicensedindustryorbusiness.Currently,therearenine major industries licensed to discharge intotheBremerandLowerBrisbaneRiversinIpswich,including:
Rosewood WWTP•
BundambaWWTP•
Goodna WWTP•
RAAFBaseWWTP•
ChurchillAbattoir•
AustraliaMeatHoldingsDinmore•Abattoir
Australian Hardboards•
SwanbankPowerStation•
ReadymixHoldings•
RegionalplanningestimatesthatIpswichwillprovideupto43%oftheavailableindustrialzonedlandinsouth-eastQueensland.Combinedwithpredictedincreasesinpopulationtotriplecurrentnumbersby203111,effectivemanagementofpointsourcepollutiontoreducetheimpacts on water quality is high priority in Ipswich.
Todate,Councilhascommittedsignificantinvestment in reducing the impacts of point sourcedischargesfromWWTP’s,whichhas gone some way towards lowering total nitrogen and total phosphorus loads in waterways(nowpartoftheWCRWS).
8.3.2 Urban Diffuse PollutionUrbandiffusepollutionisthewide-spreadinputofpollutantsfromresidential,industrial and commercial land within the urbanfootprint.Morethan70%ofurbanpollutants(notincludingtracemetals)originatefromdiffusesources12.Urbandiffusepollutantsareprimarilydischargedtowaterwaysthroughstormwatersystems.
The major threat to water quality is increasedlevelsofsediment,nutrients,organiccarbon,heavymetals,litterandotherwastesfromawiderangeofsources.
Thenumberofpotentialcontributorsisverylarge,makingurbandiffusepollutiondifficulttotraceandmanage,decidewheretotargetsolutionsanddeterminewhatstrategiesaremostappropriate(SEQHWS2007-2012).
Traditionalurbandevelopmentpracticesdo not discourage direct discharge of stormwater into streams and provides minimal opportunity for treatment and reuse.TheimplementationofWaterSensitiveUrbanDesignandLowImpactDevelopment in new urban areas is being used to minimise the impacts of developmentonwaterwayhealth(referAppendix9).Additionalstepsarerequiredto strengthen enforcement of erosion and sediment control on all development sites (largescaleandindividuallotsorprojects),andtoaddressthedifficultiesofretrofittingstormwater quality improvement systems in existingurbanareas.Council’sErosionandSedimentControlActionPlansetsoutalistofnecessaryactions.
8.3.3 Non-urban Diffuse PollutionSedimentloadsderivedfromgullyandchannelerosionasaresultofgrazing,clearingandlossofriparianvegetationisthemostsignificantcauseofnon-urbandiffusesourcepollutiononwaterqualityinSEQ.Highsedimentloadsimpactonwaterquality,aquaticfloraandfauna,andchannelmorphology.
TheBremer,LockyerandLogan-AlbertRivercatchmentscontributeapproximately75%(250000tonnesperannum)ofthetotalsedimentloadintoMoretonBay.The majority of this sediment is derived from stream bank erosion caused by bank instability and uncontrolled stock access towaterways.Unsealedruralroadsarealso recognised as a major contributor of sediment.
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11ICC(2008)PlanningandDevelopmentUpdate.Edition1October200812CRCforCatchmentHydrology.1999.UrbanHydrologyProgram
8.3.4 Peak Flows / Urban Stormwater run-offTheimpactofthechangeinflowregimesinwaterways,inbothlarge(increasedpeaks)andsmall(frequentflow)rainevents,fromurbanandperi-urbanstormwatermanagementsystemsisasignificantfactorinthedegradationofecosystemhealthinurbanwaterways.Increasesinthe magnitude of stormwater discharges andthefrequencyofrun-offevents,duetointroductionofimpermeableareasanddirectwaterwaydischarge,canstronglyinfluencewaterquality,anddiversityoffaunaandaquatichabitatsinawaterway.EffectssimilartothatdescribedinSection8.3.3arecommoninsusceptibleareasinIpswich.
Effectivemanagementofstormwaterdischargecharacteristicsinurbanareasinvolves challenging historical urban stormwaterdesign(eg:movingallstormwater away as quickly as possible and directlydischargingintourbanwaterways).Undernewregulations,alternativesystemsneedtobeinvestigatedandimplementedfornewdevelopmentswithconsiderationofretrofittingexistingareastochangefromtraditionalpracticestoonewherestormwaterisretained,captured,controlledandreusedatsource.
8.4 HOW WATER QUALITY WILL BE MANAGED IN IPSWICHWater quality improvement is the most complexissueinthemanagementofwaterwayhealth.Thisisprimarilyduetothenatureofpointanddiffusepollutantsources,theirimplicationsonwaterwayhealthandthetimelagbetweenmanagementactionsandoutcomes.
Traditionally,waterqualitymanagementhasprimarilyfocusedonend-of-pipesolutionsforpointsourcedischarges.Overthepastfewyears,Councilhasmadeasignificantinvestment in upgrading its WWTP’s to reducenitrogenandphosphorusloads.Thisinvestmenthasachievedthefirstmajorincreaseinwaterqualityimprovement,andany future improvement will require a high levelofinvestmentincomparisontoeffort.
The greatest improvement in water quality will now be achieved by reducing the impactsofurbanandnon-urbandiffusepollutionattheirsource:“source-of-impactsolutions”.Thisis,higherwaterqualityoutcomeswillbeachievedbyre-focussinginvestment to address sediment and nutrientloadsattheirsource,primarilywithintheurbanfootprint.
Someinitiativeswillneedtochallengetheway in which Council currently undertakes urbanstormwatermanagement,suchas:
Addressing urban stormwater •as part of Total Water Cycle Management.
Providing investment to increase the •capacityofCouncilstaff,contractors,and planning and development consultants to undertake the appropriate level of planning and design,thenimplement,manageand reduce the impacts that lead toerosionandsedimentationfrom development sites on urban waterways.
Adoptingurbanstormwater•management and design based on catchmentcharacteristicsandwaterqualityoutcomes.
Complementingurbandesignwith•‘desired’urbanwaterwayvalues,suchas:riparianvegetation,flowpatternsandpublicuse.
Reviewing maintenance •requirements for constructed stormwater management configurationsandwaterwaystoconsideramenity,safety,human-healthandwaterqualityvalues.
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ForthewaterwaysofIpswich,waterqualitymanagement needs to incorporate the following aspects to fully understand what improvementsarelikely,andforwhatlevelofinvestment:
Determine the most appropriate •cost-effectivesuiteofmanagementactionsonasub-catchmentbasisthrough the development and implementationofLocalWaterwayManagementPlans.
Developrealisticandlocallyrelevant•waterqualityobjectives(WQO)forIpswichwaterwaysasshort-termtargets,recognisingtheStateGovernment’sWQOaslong-termaspirationaltargets.
Prioritisemanagementactionsinthe•freshwater tributaries to minimise thecumulativeimpactsofsedimentand nutrient inputs on water quality intheBrisbaneandBremerRiverestuaries.
8.5 KEY OBJECTIVES FOR WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENTWQ1. Developandadoptlocalwater qualityobjectivesforIpswich waterways.
WQ2. Developandprioritisemanagement strategiesandactionstoaddress theimpactsofdiffusesource pollutiononurbanwaterways.
WQ3. StrengthenCouncil’scapacityto ensure compliance of current and futurelanduses,andtomanage treatmentassets,toachievethe Council derived water quality objectivesaswellasthestatewater qualityobjectives.
WQ4. Buildpartnershipswithstate government,regionalNRM bodies,non-government organisationsandthecommunity to address water quality issues in Ipswich through a coordinated andconsistentapproach.
WQ5. Supportlandholdersthrougha rangeofmechanismstoadoptbest- practicemanagementonprivate land to reduce the impacts of rural diffusepollutiononwaterquality.
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9. THEME 2 – RIPARIANCORRIDORMANAGEMENT
9.1 WHY RIPARIAN CORRIDORS ARE IMPORTANT
Riparian corridors are the area of land adjoiningawaterway.Foraripariancorridortobehealthy,itmustcontainstructuralandspeciesdiversityofnativevegetation,existincontinuousstandsalongthewaterway,andbeofaminimumwidthtoperformspecificfunctions.Ripariancorridorsprovideabufferbetweenterrestrialandaquaticecosystemsmaintaining the health and viability of the waterway,by:
Holding bank soil in place and•reducing the risk of bed and bankerosion
Filtering sediments and nutrients•fromsurfacerun-offandgroundwater
Regulatingwatertemperature•
Providingshade,shelterandorganic•matterforaquaticorganisms,and
‘Shadingout’exoticweedspecies•
Healthy riparian corridors with a diversity of nativevegetationabsorbsrainfalltherebyreducing the volume and frequency of run-off,aswellascapturesaround90%13 of sedimentsandattachednutrientsbeforeenteringwaterways.Riparianvegetationalso contributes to the removal of nutrients and salts from groundwater14.
Riparian corridors are an important socio-economicasset,providinganintegrallinkbetweensuburbs,supportingpeoplemovement,offeringrecreationalopportunitiesandimprovingthevisualamenityofthesurroundingarea.
9.2 WHAT ARE THE BROAD IMPACTS ON RIPARIAN CORRIDOR CONDITION IN IPSWICH
RipariancorridorconditioninIpswichhasbeenheavilydegraded,andinmostinstances no longer supports terrestrial andaquaticecosystemprocessesorprovidesfunctionsforfilteringsedimentandnutrientsfromsurfacerun-off.Nativeriparianvegetationhasbeenremovedthroughintenseurban,peri-urbanandrurallandusepracticesandreplacedbyexoticgrassesandwoodyweedspecies.
The two major impacts on riparian corridor conditioninIpswichare:
1. reducedripariancorridorwidthand
2. invasionofexoticweeds
9.2.1 Reduction in Riparian Corridor Width
Researchinsouth-easternQueensland15 hasshownthattheconditionandhealthof riparian corridors has a greater impact onthehealthandconditionofaquaticecosystemsthanlandusepracticesalone.A major source of sediment and nutrients reachingMoretonBayisderivedfromchannel erosion linked to poor riparian conditionintheBremer,LockyerandLogan-Albert catchments16.
The majority of riparian corridors in Ipswich existasverythinstripsofvegetation,oftenlessthan10metreswidefromthewatersedgeonbothsidesofthewaterway.Insomereaches,bankerosionhasoccurredwiththelossofvegetation,withbankslumping recorded at irregular intervals alongmorethan75%ofstreamlengths17.
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13 LWA 2005c14 Fellows15StuartBunn16SEQHWS17StateoftheRivers
9.2.2 Invasion of Exotic Grasses and Woody Weed SpeciesRipariancorridorconditionisheavilyaffectedbythelossofnativeriparianvegetationandsubsequentdominanceofintroducedspeciesofwoodyweeds,grassesandvines.TheripariancorridoralongtheBremerRiverandtributariesishighlydisturbedwiththevastmajorityofthewaterwayshavinglittletonoremainingnativeriparianvegetation.Exoticgrassesandherbsdominatetheunderstorey.
Exoticweedspeciesinriparianareascanhaveamyriadofimpactsonsurroundinglandandwaterecosystemssuchas:
changingwatertemperatureandlightconditionsbyovershadingwaterways•
altering soil nutrient processes•
impactinguponnativeaquaticfoodwebs•
providingfoodandhabitatforexoticandpestspeciessuchasfoxesandhares•
impactingondiversityofnativevegetation•
inhibitingthere-colonisationandgrowthofnativespecies•
restrictingaccessandopportunitiesforrecreationalactivities•
ThenumberoneriparianwoodyweedinIpswichisChineseceltisCeltissinensis(alsoknownasChineseelm).InsomereachesChineseceltisdominatestheripariancorridorconstitutingmorethan90%oftheriparianvegetation18.
Table5.SomeofthemajorriparianweedsinIpswich19
Species Common name Form
Cinnamomum camphora Camphor Laurel Tree
Schinus terebinthifolius Broad-leavedPepperTree Tree
Lantana camara Lantana Shrub
Leucaena leucocephala Leucaena Smalltree
Macfadyena unguis-cati Cat’s Claw Creeper Vine
Anredera cordifolia MadeiraVine Vine
Ipomoea sp. MorningGlory Vine
Asparagus sp. Asparagus Fern Vine
Panicum maximum Green panic Grass
Chloris gayana Rhodes grass Grass
Sorghum halepense Johnson grass Grass
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18Perscomm.GeoffFaulkner19WeedScience
9.3 ADOPTING AN APPROPRIATE RIPARIAN CORRIDOR WIDTH FOR IPSWICHTheadoptionofaminimumripariancorridorwidth,andinclusionofthisinaplanningcodeundertheIpswichPlanningScheme,isessentialforachievingwaterwayhealthoutcomes.Currently,Councilhasnodistinctpolicyorguidelineinplaceforsettingripariancorridorwidths.
TheIpswichPlanningSchemerestrictsclearingofnativevegetationwithin30metresofadesignatedwaterway,triggeredthroughdevelopmentapplications.Thedesignatedwaterwaymapping only covers the major waterways in Ipswich and is limited in its ability to ensure protectionandrehabilitationofripariancorridorsforwaterwayhealthoutcomes.
TodetermineanappropriateripariancorridorwidthforIpswich,thefollowingcasestudieshavebeenused.
Case Study 1. Redland City Council (previously Redland Shire Council)
RedlandCityCouncil’swaterwaybufferwidthsarebasedonstreamorderclassificationofmajor,minorandslightwaterways,fortheprotectionandenhancementofenvironmentalvalues.WaterwaybufferwidthsareusedasaminimumstandardintheRedlandPlanningSchemeundertheWaterway,WetlandandMoretonBayOverlayCode.TheCodesetsminimumbufferwidthseachsideofthewaterwayat100metresformajorwaterways(streamorder4andabove)and60metresforminorwaterways(streamorder2and3).
Case Study 2. Maroochy Shire Council (now part of the Sunshine Coast Regional Council)
TheMaroochyShirePlanningSchemeusesaWaterwaysandWetlandsCodetoprotectandenhanceecologicalprocessesandenvironmentalvaluesofwaterways.TheCodestipulatesvegetatedriparianbufferwidthseachsideofthewaterwaybasedonstreamorder,being:50metresforstreamorder5andabove;25metresforstreamorder3and4;and10metresforstreamorder1and2.
Case Study 3. Regional Vegetation Management Code for Southeast Queensland Bioregion 2006
TheRegionalVegetationManagementCodeforSoutheastQueenslandBioregion2006(Code)undertheVegetationManagementAct1999restrictsclearanceofnativevegetationalongwaterways,basedonstreamorder.Minimumriparianvegetationwidthsoneachsideofthewaterwayhavebeensetat10metresforstreamorder1and2;25metresforstreamorder3and4;and50metresforstreamorder5andabove.ThedraftEPP(Water)2009recommendsthe inclusion of minimum riparian widths for water quality outcomes based on the guidelines setintheCode.
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9.4 RIPARIAN CORRIDOR WIDTHS TO BE ADOPTED FOR IPSWICH WATERWAYS Ripariancorridorwidthsaretheminimumvegetatedwidthnecessaryfortheprotectionandenhancementofwaterwayhealthandenvironmentalvalues,measuredfromthehighbankmarkoneithersideofawaterway(referFigure14).Givenconsiderationtoexistingconditionsandrequiredecologicaloutcomes,therecommendedminimumriparianwidthsforIpswichwaterways(referTable6)havebeendeterminedusingtheRegionalVegetationManagementCodeforSoutheastQueenslandBioregion2006andtheSEQHealthyWaterwaysPartnershipstreamordermapping(referAppendix5).Whereverpossible,themaximumpossiblewidthshouldbesoughtfortheprotectionofriparianvegetation,butnotlessthantherecommendedminimumwidthforthatstreamorder.
Thesewidthsarearecommendationfortheprotectionandreinstatementofnativeriparianvegetationtoprotecttheintegrityandecologicalfunctioningofallwaterways.Insomecases,therewillneedtobeprovisionstoaccommodateforexistinginfrastructureortoprovidepassiverecreationalaccess.However,theprimaryfocuswillalwaysbetheprotectionofwaterhealthobjectives.
RipariancorridorsaretobedefinedforallwaterwaysasidentifiedbytheSEQStreamOrderMapandprotectionprovidedthroughaWaterwayManagementCodeintheIpswichPlanningScheme.
Figure14.Vegetatedripariancorridorwidths.
high bank high bank
Riparian vegetation width
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Table6.Recommendedminimumripariancorridorwidths
Waterway Category Stream Order Minimum Riparian Corridor Width for Each Side of the
Waterway20
MajorWaterway 5 and above 50 metres
MinorWaterway 3and4 25 metres
SlightWaterway 1and2 10metres
Table7.Minimumripariancorridorwidths,basedonstreamorder,formajorwaterwaysinIpswich
Waterway Category SLIGHT MINOR MAJOR
Stream Order 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Riparian Width 10m 10m 25m 25m 50m 50m 50m 50m
Stre
am N
ame
BlacksnakeCreek
BremerRiver
BrisbaneRiver
BundambaCreek
Deebing Creek
Franklin Vale Creek
Goodna Creek
Ironpot Creek
MihiCreek
Opossum Creek
Plain Creek
Purga Creek
SandyCreek(Camira)
SandyCreek(PineMtn)
SandyCreek(Tivoli)
SixMileCreek
SpringCreek
Warrill Creek
Western
Woogaroo Creek
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20Insomeinstances,theremaybescopetoallowforawiderwidthononeside,givenanarrowwidthontheotherside,duetounavoidableconstraints.Thiswouldbetheexceptionratherthanthenorm.
Where there is a discrepancy between these widths and other Council requirements (suchasPlanningSchemezones)thegreaterwidthwillapplies.
Itisintendedthatthedesignationofminimum vegetated corridor widths is to existinadditiontoprovisionsforotheruses,such as linear open space and infrastructure requirements.Provisionforbothareascanbecomplementaryifconsiderationformultiplesocial,environmentalandeconomic outcomes is given in the early planningstages,andconfigurationoflotlayouts is carefully considered to avoid adverseoutcomes,toattain:
Protectionandreinstatementof•nativeriparianvegetation
Increase in the ecological •functioningandhabitatprovisionsfornativeterrestrialandaquaticfauna
Protectionofadjoininglandand•assetsfromerosionandfloodingimpacts
Increase in the scenic amenity of the •locallandscape,and
Provision of community access to •andalongwaterways.
9.5 HOW RIPARIAN CORRIDORS WILL BE MANAGED IN IPSWICHThe management framework for riparian corridors is based on the following prerequisites:
1. Apartnershipapproachbetween allusers,ownersandmanagers of riparian land
2. Mechanismsinplaceto guideadequateprotectionand management of riparian land
3. Prioritisationofareasreflecting the importance of riparian land
The minimum standards to be adopted for ripariancorridormanagement,are:
Control and removal of declared and •environmentalweeds.
Protectionofexistingriparian•vegetation.
Reinstatementofnativeriparian•vegetationtotherecommendedcorridorwidth.
Developmentandimplementation•ofacceptablesolutionsformultipleuseofripariancorridors.
Incorporationofriparian•rehabilitationrequirementsintothe early planning stages of urban development proposals and major infrastructureconstructionorupgrades.
9.5.1 A Partnership Approach to Riparian Corridor ManagementAny person or agency who owns or manages riparianlandisariparianlandmanager.ThisappliestoStateandlocalgovernment,andprivatelandholders.UndertheWaterAct2000,allwatercoursesincludingthebedandbanksisownedand/orcontrolledbytheQueenslandGovernment.However,differentaspectsandareasofadministrationandcontrolofriparianlandrestswithvariousstatedepartments,including:
Department of Fisheries•
Department of Environment and •ResourceManagement
MaritimeSafety•
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The management responsibility of waterwaysandripariancorridorsisoftendevolvedtotheriparianlandmanager,regardlessofstateownership.Councilhas responsibility for the management of publicopenspace,andtheconstructionand maintenance of major infrastructure alongwaterways.Apartnershipapproachis required across all Council departments whenundertakingtheseactivitiestoensureCouncilmeetsitslegislativerequirementsandachievesthegoalsandobjectivesforripariancorridormanagement.
Council also works in partnership with private landholders through a variety of formalandinformalagreements,suchasVoluntaryConservationAgreements.Thesepartnerships can be further enhanced through targeted support programs to riparianlandownersandaneducationalcampaign.Privatelandownerscanalsobeencouraged to rehabilitate riparian corridors through regional partnerships that are currentlybeingdevelopedtoinvestigateopportunitiesforriparianrevegetationforcarbonsequestrationandvegetationoff-sets.CatchmentprotectionpaymentschemeswillprovidefinancialincentivestoimprovenativevegetationalongIpswichwaterwaysandwithinprioritisedsub-catchments,identifiedinIpswichCityCouncil’sNatureConservationStrategy2008andLocalWaterwayManagementPlans.
9.5.2 Mechanisms for Riparian ManagementRiparian corridors are at risk where major infrastructure pressure is high and wherenewdevelopmentsareoccurring.When planning new developments and managingorupgradinginfrastructure,itisnecessarytoplanfortheprotectionand/orrehabilitationoftheriparianlandbeingimpactedupon.Arangeofpoliciesandlegislationmaycomeintoplay(referAppendix3).
Inadditiontorelevantlegislation,anumberofstrategiesexistthatencompassriparianland management including the National Water Quality Management Strategy,theSouth East Queensland Healthy Waterways Strategy,andtheBremer River Catchment Management Strategy.Locally,theRiparianCorridorRehabilitationGuidelineadoptedbyCouncilin2008,providesguidanceonthereinstatementofnativevegetationonpubliclandalongIpswichwaterways.
9.5.3 Prioritisation of Areas Prioritisationofareasforriparianmanagement may not be those with the mostobviousdamage,ortheeasiestsitestorehabilitate.Prioritieswillbebasedonmeetingthegoalsandobjectivesinthemostefficientwaypossible.
Key points to consider when determining priorityareasare:
Riskassessment-identifycurrent•threats that may impact on the riparian corridor or on the level of success of management
Greatestreturnforfinancialoutlay•–itisoftenmorecosteffectivetoprotect and manage reaches in good conditionthantouselimitedfundsonrehabilitatingdegradedsections
Earlyintervention–costbenefits•ofmitigatingagainstripariandegradationcomparedtothecostofrehabilitationlateron
Protectionofmajorassetsfirst•–focusresourcesonprotectingpublicandprivateassets,includingenhancementoflinearopenspace,and then look towards linking these areas and improving overall stream condition
Itismorecosteffectivetoprotectandmanageareasingoodcondition,rehabilitateareasinmoderatecondition,and monitor and address areas of poor conditionasopportunitiesarise.
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9.6 KEY OBJECTIVES FOR RIPARIAN CORRIDOR MANAGEMENT RC1. Developandimplementtechnicalguidelinesforripariancorridormanagement andnaturalchanneldesign,forinternalandexternalstakeholders.
RC2. ImprovetheconditionofripariancorridorsinIpswichtoincreasetheir ecosystemservicevalues.
RC3. Identifyandprioritiseripariancorridorsofhighecologicalsignificancefor protection,retentionandrehabilitation.
RC4. Implementplanningmechanismstoprotectripariancorridorsalongall waterwaysinIpswich,includingaWaterwayManagementCodeandadoption ofSEQstreamordermappingasthedesignatedwaterways.
RC5. Adopttherecommendedminimumripariancorridorwidthsfortheprotection, management and enhancement of vegetated corridors along Ipswich waterways.
RC6. Investigateopportunitiesforpartnershipsinriparianrehabilitationthrough vegetationoff-setsandcatchmentprotectionincentives.
RC7. Supportprivatelandholderstoundertakeripariancorridormanagement throughexistingpartnershipprogramsandimplementationofnewpartnership approaches.
RC8. Incorporateenvironmentalassessmentintothedevelopmentphaseof Council’smajorinfrastructureprojects.
56
10. THEME 3 - COMMUNITY APPRECIATION10.1 WHAT IS COMMUNITY APPRECIATIONInthedevelopmentandimplementationofanystrategy,therolesofallstakeholdersneedstobeclearlyarticulatedifcommunicationandimplementationofactionsaretobesuccessful.Thisisparticularlyimportantwhenoneofthestakeholder groups is the community21.Communityawarenessandlong-termengagementiscriticaltothesuccessoftheWHSandimprovementofwaterwayhealthinIpswich.Withoutthislevelof involvement in the planning and implementationphases,strategiesandactionswillfailtofullyrepresentcommunityvalues.
ToachievetheWHSobjectives,capacitybuilding is required across three key stakeholdergroups,being:
Landholders–Rural,UrbanandPeri-•Urban
BusinessandIndustry•
DevelopmentBodies•
Communitieshaveanimportantroletoplayincontributingtotheknowledgeandinformationbase,thehumanresourcebaseandthedirectionofresearchanddevelopmentrequiredtoeffectivelymanagewaterwaysnowandintothefuture.Underpinningthisistheneedforbroader,moregeneralinformationaboutwaterwaymanagement issues to raise community awareness.
WithintheWHS,threekeyoutcomesaresought:
1. Thecommunityhasan understanding and knowledge abouttheissuesthataffect waterwayhealthinIpswich.
2. Thecommunityparticipatesin prioritysetting,decisionmaking, taking ownership and undertakingactionsofvalue.
3. Thecommunity’scapacityto deliverWHSstrategicoutcomes isfurtherdeveloped.
Inadditiontotheappropriateinstitutionalarrangements required to implement the actionsdescribedintheWHS,itisnecessarytobuildontheskillsandexpertiseofcommunity members responsible for implementingactionsatthegroundlevel.
10.2 WHY COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT IS IMPORTANTUnderstandingthatwealllivewithinacatchmentandthatourday-to-dayactivitieshavethepotentialtoimpactonthe health of our waterways is an important componentofcommunityawareness.Toensurethelong-termsustainabilityofthecity’s resources and achieve the vision of ‘Clean and Healthy Waterways’22 it is essentialthatweinvolvethecommunityinawarenessraising,education,trainingandon-groundimplementation.Thisprocesswill assist community stakeholders in understandingtheecological,economicandsocialvaluesofIpswichwaterways.
57
21‘Community’-isacollectivetermusedtodefineanyperson,groupofpeopleororganisationconnectedoraffectedbyaspectsofwaterwayhealthmanagement.
22AsidentifiedinIpswich2020andBeyond,andCorporatePlan2007-2012
10.3 TARGETED AWARENESS AND ENGAGEMENT OBJECTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SUPPORT THE KEY STAKEHOLDER GROUPSThe importance of awareness for the three key community stakeholder groups varies according totheirspecificinterestsandoverallobjectives.
10.3.1 Landholders – Rural and Peri-Urban
DescriptionRuralandperi-urbanareascovermorethanhalfoftheCity•
Waterwayhealthisthreatenedbyagriculturalrun-off,uncontrolledstockaccess,gullyand•channelerosion,lossofnativevegetation,invasiveweedspeciesandwaterextraction
Majorityofruralwaterwaysrunthroughprivateland•
The headwaters of most waterways are in rural areas•
ObjectivesIncreasenativeriparianvegetationcovertoimproveconnectivity,filtersedimentand•nutrientsfromoverlandflowandreducebankerosion
Improvelandusepracticestoachievewaterwayhealthobjectives•
OpportunitiesVoluntaryPartnershipProgramstoprovidefinancialandtechnicalsupportandmaintainlong-•term commitments
Practical,easilyaccessibleinformationandtrainingopportunitiestosupportimplementation•ofon-groundmanagementinitiatives
58
10.3.2 Landholders – Urban
DescriptionMostoftheCity’spopulationliveswithintheurbanfootprint•
Waterwayhealthisthreatenedbydomesticimpactsofpoorurbanstormwaterquality,•clearingfornewdevelopments,gardenescapeesandunmanagedrecreationalaccess
Combinationofbothprivateandpublicownershipofriparianland–majorityofpubliclandis•designated as linear open space
ObjectivesImproveurbanstormwaterqualityandquantitymanagement•
Providepublicaccessandrecreationalopportunitiesalongurbanwaterwaysandincreasethe•social and environmental values of riparian corridors
Encourageurbanlandholderstoparticipateinwaterwayhealthmanagementinitiatives•
OpportunitiesIncrease awar• enessandeducationalmaterial,workshopsandeventstopromotewaterwayhealthmanagementissuesandopportunities
PromotetheuptakeofCouncilinitiatives,suchas:EnvironmentalWeedControlRebate,Free•Plant Program
Targetpartnershipswithriparianlandholderstoimproveriparianvegetationconditionon•private land
Engageresidentsinon-groundwaterwayrehabilitationactivitiesonpublicland•
ImplementactionsintheNatureConservationStrategyandParksStrategytoachieveboth•conservationandrecreationoutcomesalongurbanwaterways
Focus the Enhanced Access to Waterways program to achieve greater waterway health •
outcomesaswellasrecreationaloutcomes
10.3.3 Business and Industry
DescriptionImpactsonwaterwayhealthfrombothpointanddiffusesourcepollutantsthroughdirect•dischargeandrun-offfromimpervioussurfaces
MostpointsourcedischargesareregulatedasEnvironmentallyRelevantActivities(ERA’s)•undertheEnvironmentalProtectionAct1994
IndustrialareasinIpswichtoexpandoverthenext20years•
ObjectivesReducetheimpactsofpointanddiffusesourcepollutantsfrombusinessesandindustrial•areas
Improve the public image of businesses and industries working towards Ipswich as a liveable •City with ‘Clean and Healthy Waterways’
OpportunitiesBuildpartnerships,supporton-groundinitiativesandencourageownershipofwaterway•healthmanagementwithnewandexistingbusinessesandindustries
WorkinpartnershipwithStateGovernmenttoensureaconsistentandcoordinatedapproach•toregulationandcomplianceofpointsourcedischarges
Supportinnovativesolutionstoimprovewaterqualityfromindustrialareas•
59
10.3.4 Development Bodies
DescriptionRapidlyexpandingurbandevelopmentwithconstantlychangingapproachesandlegislation•forstormwatermanagement,urbandesignandlowimpactdevelopment
Largeareasofexposedsoilduringtheconstructionphaseofdevelopment,followedby•increased areas of impervious surfaces
Greenfield-v-infilldevelopments,smallscale-v-masterplannedcommunities•
ObjectivesReduce the impacts of soil disturbance and sediment movement from new development sites•
Contain,controlandmanageurbanstormwaterqualityandquantityasclosetothesourceas•possible
Minimisetheamountofsoilexposedatanyonetime•
OpportunitiesEncouragebestpracticeWSUDandLIDprinciplesinallnewdevelopments•
Providetrainingopportunitiesandbuildpartnershipswithdevelopers,contractorsand•builderstoimplementeffectiveandsiteappropriateerosionandsedimentcontrolmethods
Supportalternativelowimpactdevelopmentdesignsolutionstoimprovewaterwayhealthin•urban waterways
Encouragerehabilitationofripariancorridorstoprovidebothsocialandenvironmental•outcomes,andpromotepublicaccesstoandmovementalongwaterwaysbetweenneighbouring suburbs
10.4 MANAGEMENT PRIORITIESTheprotectionandrehabilitationofwaterwayhealthcannotberealisedwithoutaworkingpartnershipbetweenCouncilandthecommunity.Tofacilitatethis,thefollowingmanagementprioritiesexist:
Work with community stakeholders to improve awareness and understanding of the •significanceandfunctionsofwaterwayhealth.
Establishamanagementframeworktofacilitateeffectivecommunicationand•disseminationofinformationtothecommunity.
Prioritiseon-groundprojectswithcostandsocialbenefit.•
Promoteon-groundprojectstothecommunity,clearlyshowingshortandlongterm•benefits.
10.5 KEY OBJECTIVES FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND AWARENESS CE1. Develop,produceanddistributetargetedcommunityeducationandawareness materialthatprovidesup-to-datewaterwayhealthinformation.
CE2. Enhanceaccesstowaterwaystofacilitatecommunityrecreationaluseand increaseawarenessandunderstandingofIpswichwaterways.
CE3. Developandimplementwaterwayhealthrelatedtrainingprograms, workshopsandguidelinesforcommunityandinternalstakeholders.
CE4. Providefinancialandtechnicalsupporttoprivatelandholderstoundertake riparianrehabilitationandwaterwayhealthimprovementprojects.
CE5. Formpartnershipswithcommunityandotherexternalstakeholdersto promoteCouncil’scommitmenttowaterwayhealthimprovement,encourage involvementinmanagementactivitiesandincreaseownershipofcatchment issues.
60
SECTION 5 - IMPLEMENTATION AND ACTION
‘The future depends on what we do inthepresent.’
Mahatma Gandhi
61
11. IMPLEMENTATION AND ACTIONTo achieve the vision of ‘Clean and Healthy Waterways’inIpswich,Councilneedstotakeaholisticandintegratedapproachandgiverecognitiontowaterwayhealthmanagementasacorporateresponsibility.Councilwillalsoneedtoworkwithexternalpartnersandstakeholders,andencouragecommunity responsibility in waterway healthimprovement.Investingintheprotectionandenhancementofwaterwayhealth today is an investment in the future liveabilityofIpswich.
TheWHSprovidesCouncilwiththestrategicdirectionandenablingactionstoaddresspriorityissuescontributingtothedegradationofwaterwayhealthinIpswichwaterways,basedoncurrentknowledgeandthebestavailablescientificdata.
To prevent further decline of waterway healthinIpswich,Councilwillneedto:
1. Prioritisemanagementactions infreshwatersub-catchments to improve their carrying capacity andreducetheimpactsofdiffuse and point source pollutants on theBremerandLowerBrisbane Riverestuaries.
2. Targetinvestmenttomanage sediment and nutrient inputs attheirsource,beforetheyenter waterways.
3. StrengthenCouncil’scapacityto implement planning and operationalactivitiesthat protect,enhanceandmaintain waterwayhealthinIpswich.
4. Protect,manageandenhance riparian corridors along all waterways.
5. Supportpartnershipswith privatelandholders,businesses and industries to reduce the impacts on waterway health from privateandcommercialland.
6. Continuetobuildpartnerships withthecommunityandexternal stakeholders for a consistent approach and delivery of waterwayhealthoutcomes.
11.1 TWO KEY IMPLEMENTATION ACTIONSCouncil’s greatest capacity to improve waterway health that can be undertaken immediatelyandthatfitswithinitsrolesandresponsibilitiesistouseplanningmechanisms,strategiesandpartnershipsto:
1. Reducethequantityofsediment, nutrients and other pollutants being transported by urban stormwater and their impacts on urbanwaterways,and
2. Protectandrehabilitateriparian corridors.
Thesetwoactivitieswillbefurtherenhanced through strong partnerships with stategovernment,regionalNRMbodies,industry,urbandevelopersandprivatelandholders.
62
11.2 LOCAL WATERWAY MANAGEMENT PLANSLocalWaterwayManagementPlans(LWMP)arerequiredforeachmajorsub-catchmentwithinIpswich.Urbansub-catchmentswillbetargetedfirst,including:
BundambaCreek•
Deebing Creek•
SixMileandGoodnaCreek•
WoogarooandSandyCreek•
IronpotandMihiCreek•
Thisisduetotheprojectedrapidpopulationgrowthandthecriticalneedtomanagetheimpacts of urban development on waterway health,asrecognisedinregionalplansandstatelegislation.ItisenvisagedtheLWMP’swillassistCounciltofulfillegislativeandregionalplanningrequirements,giving guidance to the development of implementationplanssuchasUrbanStormwaterQualityManagementPlanandStormwaterCatchmentPlans(referFigure15).
LWMP’swillprovidespecific,targetedmanagementactionsthatwillidentifypriority areas and investment needs for Council to improve waterway health on asub-catchmentbasis.Theyarethekeyvehicle for delivery of the Integrated Management Framework.
11.3 ALIGNMENT TO OTHER PLANSThedevelopmentofmanagementactionshas been undertaken to align with the goals andtargetsininternalandexternalplans,policiesandstrategies,andtosupporttheachievement of management commitments inthe:
SEQRegionalPlan2009-2031•
SEQHealthyWaterwaysStrategy•2007-2012
SEQNRMPlan2009-2031•
BremerRiverCatchment•ManagementStrategyStage2
Ipswich2020andBeyond•
ICCCorporatePlan2007-2012•
ICCNatureConservationStrategy•2008
11.4 MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN The following tables provide detailed managementactionstomeetthepriorityManagementThemekeyobjectives.
Figure15.HierarchyofplansforWaterwayHealthManagementinIpswich
63
11.3
.1 T
hem
e 1
- Wat
er Q
ualit
y Im
prov
emen
t
ACT
ION
SUB-
ACT
ION
DES
CRIP
TIO
NKE
Y O
BJEC
TIV
EPR
IORI
TYST
ART
YE
AR
WQ
1 Lo
cal W
ater
way
Pl
anni
ng a
nd M
anag
emen
t
WQ1.1Develop
and
implem
entL
ocal
WaterwayM
anagem
entP
lans(LWMP)
forea
chm
ajorsub
-catchmen
t.
Toprovide
spe
cific,targetedman
agem
ent
actio
nsth
atwillid
entifypriorityareasand
in
vest
men
t nee
ds fo
r Co
unci
l to
impr
ove
waterwayhea
lthonasub-catchm
entb
asis.
WQ1RC
3W
Q2
RC
5WQ3RC
8W
Q4
EA
5
Hig
h1
WQ1.2Develop
and
ado
ptlo
cal
waterqua
lityob
jecti
vesforIpsw
ich
waterways.
StateGovernm
entsetW
QO’sprovide
thelong
-term
aspira
tiona
ltargets.LocalW
QO’sta
keinto
considerati
onlo
calcatchmen
tcon
ditio
nsand
land
uses,to
provide
sho
rt-termta
rgets.The
se
willbeiden
tified
throug
htheLW
MPs.
WQ1
WQ3
Med
ium
1
WQ
2 W
ater
Qua
lity
Mon
itor
ing
WQ2.1Establishalocalw
ater
quality
mon
itoring
program
,whe
re
approp
riate,asan
evaluati
onto
ol
for
asse
ssm
ent o
f man
agem
ent
initiati
ves.
Loca
l wat
er q
ualit
y m
onito
ring
will
pro
vide
ba
selin
eda
tato
assesstheeff
ectiv
enessof
man
agem
enta
ction
san
dsupp
ortthe
Stateof
theEn
vironm
entrep
ortin
g.
WQ1
WQ
2WQ3
Med
ium
2
WQ2.2Su
pportthe
SEQ
Ecosystem
Hea
lthM
onito
ring
Program
.Re
view
Cou
ncil’scurren
tfina
ncialcon
tributi
on
toth
eregion
alEHMPwith
SEQ
HWPtoensure
valu
e to
Ipsw
ich
thro
ugh
the
annu
al re
port
car
d ratin
g.
WQ
4CE
5Med
ium
1
WQ
3 Se
dim
ent a
nd
Nut
rien
t Ass
essm
ent
WQ3.1Und
ertakeanau
dito
fsedimen
tand
nutrien
tinp
uts.
Iden
tifyan
dtargetm
anagem
entforpriority
sourcesofdiffusesourcepollutants.Evaluate
thecarrying
cap
acity
offreshwatertributaries.
WQ
2Med
ium
2
WQ3.2Assesspo
llutantlo
adsfrom
ruralroa
ds.
Iden
tifyan
dad
dresssedimen
timpa
ctsfrom
un
sealed
ruralro
ads.
WQ
2H
igh
2
WQ3.3Assesstheim
pactsofsep
tic
tanksan
don
-site
treatm
entp
lantson
waterqua
lityinruraland
peri-u
rban
area
s.
Iden
tifyan
dad
dressnu
trientand
con
taminan
tim
pactsfrom
un-sewered
prope
rties.
WQ
2W
Q5
CE4
Low
3
64
ACT
ION
SUB-
ACT
ION
DES
CRIP
TIO
NKE
Y O
BJEC
TIV
EPR
IORI
TYST
ART
YE
AR
WQ
4 U
rban
Sto
rmw
ater
M
anag
emen
t
WQ4.1Re
invigo
rateacross-
depa
rtm
enta
l wor
king
gro
up fo
r ‘In
tegrated
Urban
WaterCycle
Man
agem
ent’.
To e
nsur
e a
cons
iste
nt a
nd c
oord
inat
ed
appr
oach
to u
rban
sto
rmw
ater
man
agem
ent
acrossth
erelevantareasofC
ouncil.
WQ
2WQ3
RC4
CE5
Hig
h1
WQ4.2Seta
Cou
ncilpo
licyfor
‘Integrated
Urban
WaterCycle
Man
agem
ent’.
Defi
neCou
ncil’spo
sitio
non
urban
storm
water
man
agem
enttha
tincorpo
ratesallsocial,
environm
entaland
econo
micaspects.
WQ
2WQ3
RC4
CE5
Hig
h1
WQ4.3Develop
Cou
ncilgu
idelines
for
Low
Impa
ct D
evel
opm
ent
(LID)p
rinciplesinallGreen
field
developm
ents.
Setg
uide
linesth
atre
plicatepre-de
velopm
ent
stream
hydrology,tha
tinclude
s:
•Maxim
isetree
retenti
onalong
natural
dr
aina
ge c
orri
dors
•Maintainpred
evelop
men
ttimeof
concen
trati
on(Tc),throu
gh
Disconn
ectin
gim
perviousareas
• Enc
oura
ge g
rass
ed o
r la
ndsc
aped
•
swal
es in
com
mon
are
as s
uch
as ro
ads
an
dpa
rks.
•Incorporatebioreten
tionba
sins
•Ca
pturefirst5-15m
m/dayofrun
off
(de
pend
entu
ponfractio
nofim
pervious)
•Alignm
ento
fpost-de
velopm
entp
eakon
e
yearARIto
pre-develop
men
twhe
re
dis
char
ge is
to u
nlin
ed g
ully
or
wat
erw
ay
Mee
tstorm
waterpollutantlo
adre
ducti
ons(eg:
80%TSS,6
0%TP,45%
TN,9
0%grosspollutants).
WQ
2WQ3
WQ
4H
igh
1
65
ACT
ION
SUB-
ACT
ION
DES
CRIP
TIO
NKE
Y O
BJEC
TIV
EPR
IORI
TYST
ART
YE
AR
WQ
4 U
rban
Sto
rmw
ater
M
anag
emen
t
WQ4.4Und
ertakeacom
preh
ensive
review
ofC
ouncil’sUrban
Storm
water
Qua
lityMan
agem
entP
lan(USQ
MP)
for20
09/10.
TheEPAiscurrentlyre
vising
theEP
P(W
ater)
andde
veloping
theSPP(Hea
lthyWaters).Any
chan
gestolegislati
onto
bead
dressedinth
ene
xtre
view
ofthe
USQ
MPan
dthede
velopm
ent
ofapp
ropriateacti
ons.
WQ
2W
Q4
Hig
h1
WQ4.5Develop
stand
ardsfo
rac
cept
able
sed
imen
t and
nut
rien
t lo
ads
from
urb
an d
evel
opm
ent a
nd
indu
strialareas.
Det
erm
ine
acce
ptab
le lo
ads
that
are
con
sist
ent
with
localand
statewaterqua
lityob
jecti
ves.
Thesewillalignwith
theLW
MP’s.
WQ1
WQ
2Med
ium
2
WQ4.6Maintainan
dmon
itorexistin
gStormwaterQua
lityIm
provem
ent
Devices(S
QID’s).
Revi
ew c
urre
nt m
aint
enan
ce re
gim
e an
d mon
itorqu
antiti
esoflitter/deb
risremoved
from
SQID’sto
assesstheireff
ectiv
enessin
improvingwaterqua
lity.
WQ
2Med
ium
2
WQ4.7Investigateth
ebe
nefitsof
SQID’s,anyalte
rnati
vesan
dtheir
applicab
ilityin
new
and
existing
urban
area
s.
Assesstheeff
ectiv
enessofSQID’sto
remove
pollu
tant
s fr
om u
rban
sto
rmw
ater
and
thei
r be
nefitstoim
provingwaterqua
lity,partic
ularly
forretrofi
tting
inexisting
areas.
WQ
2Lo
w3
WQ4.8Und
ertakeanassessmen
tof
urba
n st
orm
wat
er o
utle
ts a
long
the
Brem
erRiverand
majortributaries.
Prioritiseou
tletsfo
rreha
bilitati
onbased
on
cond
ition
,accessibility,and
cost/be
nefit.
WQ
2Med
ium
1
WQ4.9Re
habilitatepriority
stor
mw
ater
out
lets
to re
duce
ban
k erosionan
dsedimen
tatio
n.
Allo
catio
nbu
dgetorsourceexterna
lfun
ding
to
reha
bilitati
onpriority
outlets.
WQ
2Med
ium
On-go
ing
WQ4.10
Develop
anUrban
StormwaterAssetM
ainten
ance
Man
ual.
Dev
elop
a m
aint
enan
ce m
anua
l for
inte
rnal
and
externalstakeho
lders,in
clud
ing:accep
table
solutio
nsand
criteria.Thiswillalignwith
the
region
al‘W
aterbyDesign’W
SUDm
anua
ls.
WQ
2Med
ium
1
WQ4.11
Estab
lishan
infrastructure
char
ging
regi
me
for
urba
n st
orm
wat
er
assets.
Toalignwith
new
statere
gulatio
nsand
Cou
ncil’s
USQ
MP.
WQ
2H
igh
1
66
ACT
ION
SUB-
ACT
ION
DES
CRIP
TIO
NKE
Y O
BJEC
TIV
EPR
IORI
TYST
ART
YE
AR
WQ
5 Fl
oati
ng d
ebri
s an
d litt
er
WQ5.1Develop
and
implem
ent
a po
licy
for
the
man
agem
ent a
nd
removaloffl
oatin
gde
brisand
litteron
Ipsw
ichwaterways.
Coun
cilcurrentlypartic
ipatesin
theHWP
Clea
n-UpProg
ramto
removehu
man
gen
erated
flo
ating
deb
risfrom
thetid
alre
ache
softh
eBrisba
neand
BremerRivers.Floati
ngdeb
ris
isahighlyvisibleim
pactonwaterwayhea
lth,
particularlyinth
eCB
Dre
ach.
WQ
2W
Q4
Med
ium
2
WQ5.2Su
pportthe
SEQ
HWPClea
n-UpProg
ram.
Conti
nuetoprovide
fina
ncialand
technical
supp
orttotheregion
alprogram
,and
investigate
oppo
rtun
itiesfo
rexpa
nsionofclean
uparea
salon
gIpsw
ichwaterways.
WQ
2W
Q4
CE5
Med
ium
On-go
ing
WQ5.3Re
view
thecurren
tstree
tsw
eeping
program
.Investigateth
epo
tenti
alfo
rstreetswee
ping
tobeused
in‘litterhotspots’to
removegross
pollu
tantsfrom
urban
storm
water.
WQ
2Lo
w2
WQ
6 Po
int
Sour
ce P
ollu
tion
M
anag
emen
t
WQ6.1Develop
and
implem
enta
Po
intS
ourcePo
llutio
nMan
agem
ent
Plan
.
Investigateopp
ortunitie
stofu
rthe
rredu
ce
nutrientlo
adsfrom
pointsou
rcedischa
rges,
throug
hpa
rtne
rshipswith
EPA
,recycledwater
entity,in
dustriesand
otherstakeho
lders.
WQ
2WQ3
WQ
4Med
ium
2
67
68
11.
3.2
Them
e 2
- Rip
aria
n Co
rrid
or M
anag
emen
t
ACT
ION
SUB-
ACT
ION
DES
CRIP
TIO
NKE
Y O
BJEC
TIV
EPR
IORI
TYST
ART
YE
AR
RC1
Plan
ning
Mec
hani
sms
RC1.1Develop
aW
aterway
Man
agem
entC
ode.
Develop
and
ado
ptanew
cod
einth
eIPSfor
theprotectio
nan
dacceptab
leuseswith
inth
eripa
rian
corrido
rs.
RC5
Hig
h1
RC1.2Ado
ptth
eSEQStrea
mOrder
Map
asthede
sign
ated
waterways
map
forIpsw
ich.
Review
,upd
atean
dreplacethede
sign
ated
waterwaysmap
inth
eIPS.
RC4
Hig
h1
RC1.3Amen
dtheIPStoado
ptth
ere
com
men
ded
min
imum
rip
aria
n corridorwidthsforallw
aterways.
Minim
umripariancorridorwidthstobeba
sed
onstrea
morder,and
protected
throug
htheIPS.
RC5
Hig
h1
RC2
Wat
er S
ensi
tive
Urb
an
Des
ign
RC2.1En
sureCou
ncil’sWSU
D
guidelinesid
entifyan
dad
dressthe
locatio
nofstorm
waterinfrastructure
so th
at it
has
min
imal
impa
ct o
n ripa
rian
corrido
rs,and
takesinto
considerati
onth
efunctio
noffirsta
nd
second
orderstrea
msinoverlan
dflo
w
movem
ent.
Stormwaterinfrastructureisto
belocated
off-strea
mand
notwith
inth
ede
fined
riparian
corridorfo
rthatstrea
morder.
RC2
RC5
Hig
h1
RC3
Nat
ural
Cha
nnel
Re
stor
ation
Gui
delin
e
RC3.1Develop
and
implem
ent
aNaturalCha
nnelRestoratio
nGuide
line.
Guide
linefortherestorati
onofcon
structed
and
na
tura
l cha
nnel
s th
at in
corp
orat
es b
oth
hard
an
dsofteng
inee
ring
soluti
ons,and
includ
es
stan
darddrawings.
RC1
RC2
CE1
CE3
Hig
h1
RC4
Ripa
rian
Cor
rido
r Po
licy
RC4.1Develop
and
ado
ptaRiparian
CorridorPolicy.
Policyintentfo
rtheprotectio
nan
dm
anag
emen
t of r
ipar
ian
corr
idor
s ac
ross
the
organisatio
n,inform
ingde
cision
-making.
RC2
Hig
h1
69
ACT
ION
SUB-
ACT
ION
DES
CRIP
TIO
NKE
Y O
BJEC
TIV
EPR
IORI
TYST
ART
YE
AR
RC5
Ripa
rian
Cor
rido
r Pr
otec
tion
, Man
agem
ent
and
Enha
ncem
ent
RC5.1Develop
and
implem
enta
Ripa
rian
Corrido
rRe
vegetatio
nGuide
line.
Stan
dardised
revegetatio
ngu
idelineforpu
blic
andprivateland
toguide
reha
bilitati
onofcreek
banksan
dreinstatem
ento
fnati
veriparian
vegetatio
n.
RC1
RC2
CE1
CE2
CE5
Med
ium
2
RC5.2Re
view
thecurren
tEnh
anced
AccesstoW
aterwaysprog
ram.
Review
theWaterside
ParksStrategytofo
cuson
amultip
le-objectiv
eap
proa
chfo
rrecreatio
nal
andwaterwayhea
lthoutcomes.
RC2
CE2
Med
ium
2
RC5.3Iden
tify,assess,prioritise
and
map
rip
aria
n ar
eas
into
thre
e catego
riesofsignifican
ce:h
igh,
med
iumand
low.
Curren
tly,the
rearenoripa
rian
areasdesigna
ted
asbeing
ofH
ighEcolog
icalValue
(HEV
)in
Ipsw
ich.The
rearem
anycriticalareasth
atnee
dtobeiden
tified
and
assessed.Thiswilllink
with
map
ping
inre
gion
alplans,N
CSand
LWMP’s.
RC3
Med
ium
1
RC5.4Und
ertakeriparian
reha
bilitati
onprojectsinpriority
area
s.
On-grou
ndm
anagem
ent,enh
ancemen
tand
mainten
anceofriparianreha
bilitati
onprojects
inpriority
areas.
RC2
On-go
ing
1
RC5.5Investigateopp
ortunitie
sforvegetatio
noff
-setand
carbo
nsequ
estrati
onplanti
ngsinriparian
corridors.
Workinpartnershipwith
stategovernm
ent,
region
alNRM
bod
iesan
dland
holdersto
reinstatena
tivevegetatio
nalon
gIpsw
ich
waterways,id
entifying
priority
areasfo
rreceivingoff
-sets.Thiswillalignwith
the
implem
entatio
nofth
eNatureCo
nservatio
nStrategy.
RC2
RC6
RC7
CE4
CE5
Hig
h1
RC5.6Iden
tifyinternaland
externa
lfund
ingsources.
Iden
tifystan
d-alon
ean
dcomplem
entary
fund
ingop
portun
ities,suchas:d
evelop
er
contribu
tions,m
ajorin
frastructureprojects,
region
alpartnershipsan
dfede
ralgrants.
RC6
CE5
On-go
ing
1
70
ACT
ION
SUB-
ACT
ION
DES
CRIP
TIO
NKE
Y O
BJEC
TIV
EPR
IORI
TYST
ART
YE
AR
RC5
Ripa
rian
Cor
rido
r Pr
otec
tion
, Man
agem
ent
and
Enha
ncem
ent
RC5.7Re
design
theVo
luntary
Land
hold
er P
artn
ersh
ips
Prog
ram
to
targetriparianland
holders.
Review
theVo
luntaryCo
nservatio
nPartne
rships
Prog
ram
to ta
rget
pri
ority
are
as fo
r ri
pari
an
revegetatio
n,in
corporati
ngte
chnicalsup
port
andfin
ancialin
centi
ves,aligning
with
the
NatureCo
nservatio
nStrategyobjectiv
es.
RC7
CE4
Hig
h1
RC5.8Streng
then
partnershipwith
Ip
swic
h Ri
vers
Impr
ovem
ent T
rust
(IR
IT).
Workinpartnershipwith
IRITto
iden
tifyan
dprioritiseprojectsfo
rtheremovalofriparian
wee
ds,and
opp
ortunitie
sforreinstatem
ento
fna
tivevegetatio
n.
RC6
CE5
Med
ium
1
RC5.9Im
proveripa
rian
con
ditio
non
pu
blicland
.Re
mov
al o
f rip
aria
n w
eeds
and
rein
stat
emen
t of
nativ
evegetatio
ntobeinclud
edin
line
arope
nspaceplan
ning
and
mainten
anceprogram
s,and
infrastructurecon
structi
onand
aug
men
tatio
nprojects.
RC2
CE2
Hig
hOn-go
ing
RC5.10
Increa
sem
ainten
ancetimes
forprojectsite
s.Includ
efollo
w-upmainten
anceasacore
compo
nentofrevegetati
onprojects,fo
ra
minim
umofthree
yea
rs.
RC2
Hig
hOn-go
ing
RC5.11
Incorporateen
vironm
ental
asse
ssm
ent i
nto
the
plan
ning
pro
cess
fo
r Co
unci
l’s m
ajor
infr
astr
uctu
re
projects.
Allmajorinfrastructureprojects(eg:trun
ksewerm
ains,roa
dup
grad
es)toinclud
epr
ovis
ions
for
eros
ion
and
sedi
men
t con
trol
and
ripa
rian
vegetati
onprotecti
on/reinstatemen
t.
RC2
RC5
RC6
Hig
h2
71
11.3
.3 Th
eme
3 - C
omm
unit
y A
ppre
ciati
on
ACT
ION
SUB-
ACT
ION
DES
CRIP
TIO
NKE
Y O
BJEC
TIV
EPR
IORI
TYST
ART
YE
AR
CA1
Inte
rnal
St
akeh
olde
r En
gage
men
t
CA1.1Develop
and
implem
enta
nin
tern
al s
take
hold
er W
ater
way
Hea
lth
Man
agem
ente
ngagem
entp
rogram
.
Impr
ove
inte
rnal
sta
keho
lder
cap
acity
to a
ddre
ss w
ater
way
he
althm
anagem
entissue
sinplann
ingan
dop
erati
onal
activ
itieseg:Sed
imen
tand
Erosion
Con
trolAwaren
ess
Prog
ram
CE1
CE3
CE4
Med
ium
1
CA2
Com
mun
ity
Educ
ation
and
A
war
enes
s
CA2.1Re
view
and
upd
ateCo
uncil’s
waterwayhea
lthedu
catio
nan
daw
aren
essmaterial.
Develop
and
implem
enttargeted,up-to-datewaterwayhea
lth
andripa
rian
corrido
rman
agem
ente
ducatio
nan
dinform
ation
material,throug
hprintedan
delectron
icm
ediums,and
topic-
focusedworksho
ps/fo
rums/commun
ityevents.
CE1
On-go
ing
1
CA2.2Develop
and
deliveran
educati
onand
awaren
essprog
ram
forkeystakeh
olde
rs(e
g:develop
ers,
land
holders)onwaterwayhea
lthand
ripa
rian
corrido
rman
agem
ent.
Providetraining
opp
ortunitie
sforkeystakeh
olde
rsto
increa
se
theirkn
owledg
e,cap
acity
and
und
erstan
ding
,toredu
ceth
eim
pactson
waterwayhea
lth.
CE3
CE4
CE5
Med
ium
2
CA2.3Installcatchmen
tand
stormwaterm
anagem
entsigna
ge.
Dev
elop
and
inst
all s
igna
ge to
incr
ease
aw
aren
ess
of
catchm
ents,safetyan
dam
enity
value
sforstormwaterassets
inpub
licspa
ces.
CE1
Med
ium
1
CA3
Acc
ess
to
Wat
erw
ays
CA3.1Im
provean
dincrea
se
com
mun
ity a
cces
s po
ints
to
waterways.
Enha
ncecommun
itywaterwayand
water-based
recreatio
nal
expe
rien
cesthroug
heff
ectiv
ede
sign
ofw
aterside
parksand
placem
ento
fedu
catio
nalsigna
gein
pub
licline
arope
nspace.
CE1
CE2
Med
ium
2
CA4
Part
ners
hips
CA4.1En
couragebu
sine
ssesand
indu
striesto
becom
einvolved
inon-
grou
ndm
anagem
entp
rojects.
Build
partnershipswith
com
mun
itystakeho
lderstopartic
ipate
inwaterwayhea
lthim
provem
enta
ctivitie
s.CE
2CE
5Med
ium
2
CA4.2Streng
then
partnershipswith
stateagen
cies,regiona
lNRM
bod
ies
andlocalN
RMgroup
s.
Conti
nuetobuildand
stren
gthe
npa
rtne
rshipsto
ensure
cong
ruen
ceofide
as,targetsand
objectiv
esfo
rwaterway
healthm
anagem
entinIpsw
ich.
CE5
Med
ium
1
CA4.3Streng
then
partnershipswith
privateland
holders.
Includ
etargeted
edu
catio
nan
daw
aren
essprog
ramsan
dpa
rtne
rshipincenti
vesforripa
rian
land
holders.A
lignwith
the
existin
gVC
Aprogram
deliverymecha
nism
s.
CE1
CE3
CE4
CE5
Hig
h1
72
73
SECTION 6 - ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT
‘I have my own views about nature’s methods,thoughIfeelthatitisratherlike a beetle giving his opinions upon theMilkyWay.’
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
12. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENTThe management framework for waterway healthinIpswichneedstobeadaptive.Thatis,onethathasbuiltintoitthecapacityto learn from management decisions and to change management strategies on the basis ofimprovedknowledge.Thisisnecessarybecause:
our knowledge of waterway •health processes and the causes ofdegradationisincomplete,andcontinuallybeingreviewedandupdated
waterways are highly variable and •their responses to management actionscannotbeeasilypredictedandoftentakeanumberofyearstobe realised
community awareness and desires •for healthy ecosystems is constantly evolving.
12.1 MONITORING AND EVALUATIONThemajorelementsofaneffectiveadaptivemanagement framework for waterway healthinvolveacombinationofplanning,management,researchandmonitoringmechanisms,including:
Highquality,baselineinformation•on waterway health and catchment management processes to be used as the basis for local planning
Understandingofwaterwayhealth•processes and their responses to managementactivities
Performance monitoring to assess •whethertargetsandobjectiveshavebeen achieved
Review processes to incorporate •newinformationintoplansandworksprograms,and
Community commitment and •involvementinlong-termmanagement.
Council will need to review current local and regional monitoring arrangements and determine their relevance for assessing Council’swaterwaystrategicdirectionandimplementationofmanagementactionstoachievestatutoryandnon-statutorywaterqualityobjectives.Monitoringandevaluationofthesetperformanceindicatorswillalsoguidethefuturedirectionofwaterway health management in Ipswich andinformthereviewprocessoftheWHS.
74
GLOSSARYANZECC AustralianandNewZealandEnvironmentandConservationCouncil
ARI Average Recurrence Interval
BAP BremerActionPlan(partoftheSEQHWS)
BCA BremerCatchmentAssociationInc.
CFOC CaringforourCountry(FederalGovernmentfunding)
CoM CouncilofMayors(SEQ)
EHMP EcosystemHealthMonitoringProgram
EPA EnvironmentalProtectionAgency
ERA EnvironmentallyRelevantActivity
EV’s Environmental Values
HWP SEQHealthyWaterwaysPartnership
ICC Ipswich City Council
IRIT Ipswich Rivers Improvement Trust
LID Low Impact Development
MBWCP MoretonBayWaterwaysandCatchmentPartnership(nowknownasHWP)
NAPSWQ NationalActionPlanforSalinityandWaterQuality
NHT NaturalHeritageTrust
NLP NationalLandcareProject
NRM NaturalResourceManagement
NRW DepartmentofNaturalResourcesandWater
QWQG’s Queensland Water Quality Guidelines
SEQC SouthEastQueenslandCatchmentsLtd
SEQHWS SouthEastQueenslandHealthyWaterwaysStrategy2007-2012
SEQRWQMS SouthEastQueenslandRegionalWaterQualityManagementStrategy2001-2006
SOE StateoftheEnvironmentReporting
SWAG SixMile,WoogarooandGoodnaCreekscatchment
WCRWS WesternCorridorRecycledWaterScheme
WQO’s WaterQualityObjectives
WSUD WaterSensitiveUrbanDesign
75
DEFINITIONS Assimilative Capacity-Thecapacityofabodyofwatertoreceivewastewatersortoxicmaterials,withoutdeleteriouseffectsanddamagetoaquaticlifeorhumanswhoconsumethewater.
Average Recurrence Interval (ARI)-Theaverage,orexpected,valueoftheperiodsbetweenexcedencesofagivenrainfalltotalaccumulatedoveragivenduration.
Catchment-Anareaoflandboundedbynaturalfeaturessuchashills,fromwhichdrainageflowstoacommonpoint,usuallyendinginariverorcreekandeventuallythesea.
Catchment Management-Processinvolvingtheassessmentofacatchmentsneeds,appraisalofitsassetsandapplicationofaplantobestmeetindividualneeds.
Designated Waterway-AnywaterwayoranypartofanywaterwaywhichtheAuthorityhasdeclared to be a designated waterway in Queensland
Diffuse Source Pollution-Non-pointsourcesofpollutionsuchassedimentornutrientsfromcatchmentrunoff,groundwaterinputsoratmosphericfall-out.
Ecosystem Health-Ameasureoftheabilityofanecosystemtobeproductive,itsbiologicaldiversityanditsresiliencetochange.
Environmental Value-Particularvaluesorusesoftheenvironmentthatareimportantforahealthyecosystemorforpublicbenefit,welfare,safetyorhealthandthatrequireprotectionfromtheeffectsofcontaminants,wastedischargesanddeposits.Severalenvironmentalvaluesmaybedesignatedforaspecificwaterbody(AWQG,2000).
Environmentally Relevant Activity–ERAsareusuallyindustrialactivitieswiththepotentialtoreleasecontaminantstotheenvironment,forexamplechemicalprocessing,wastetreatment,spraypaintingetc.Someagriculturalactivitiessuchaspiggeries,prawnfarmsandcattlefeedlotsarealsoERAs.
First Flush-Initialsurfacerunofffromarainfallevent.
Organic Carbon-Carbonthathas,atsomestage,beenincorporatedintoanorganism.Inaquaticenvironments,organiccarbonisproducedbyplantphotosynthesisandbacterialgrowth.Leachingofhumicsubstancesanddecompositionofplantsandanimalsarealsonaturalsourcesoforganiccarbontosurfacewaters.Human-relatedsourcesincludeagriculturalrunoffandmunicipalandindustrialeffluents.
Point Source-Asinglepointofpollutantdischarge.Forexample,effluentfromasewagetreatmentplantoranindustrialwastewatertreatmentplant.
Riparian-Oforpertainingtothebankofariver;besideoralongthebankofariver,pondorsmalllake.
Riparian Corridor–Alsoknownastheriparianzone,riparianareaorriparianland,isanylandthatadjoinsordirectlyinfluencesabodyofwater,suchasariver,creek,gully,lakeorwetland.
Riparian Vegetation–Plantcommunitiesexistingalongtheripariancorridor.
Scour-Aformofbankerosioncausedbysedimentbeingremovedfromstreambanksparticlebyparticle.Scouroccurswhentheforceappliedtoabankbyflowingwaterexceedstheresistanceofthebanksurfacetowithstandthoseforces.
Solodic Soil -Soilstypicallyfoundinsemi-aridandsubhumidclimaticzones,tendingtobeverydensesoilswithlowpermeability.
76
Stream Order-Streamorderingisamethodusedtodescribewaterwaysbasedontheconnectivityandhierarchyoftributarieswithinacatchment.Streamorderscommencewithfirstorderstreamsattheheadofacatchment,generallycomprisedofanetworkofsmallperennialgullies.Formostoftheyearthesegulliesaredryandnoteasilyidentifiable.Duringraineventsfirstorderstreamsandgulliesplayanimportantroleinthecollectionanddeliveryofwatertothemainbranchofthewaterway.
Waterway-Achannelorpaththroughwhichwaterflows,eithercontinually,intermittentlyoroccasionally.Atermusedtodescriberivers,creeks,streams,ponds,lakes,drainsandchannels.
Waterway Health–Determinedthrougharangeofquantitativeandqualitativeassessmentssuchaswaterquality,riparianvegetationcondition,surroundinglanduse,channelmodification,andlevelanddiversityofinvertebrateandvertebratelife,inbothfreshwaterandestuarinesystems.
Water Quality Objective-Aquantitativedescriptionofthephysico-chemicalqualityofthewater in a water body that needs to be maintained in order for the water body’s Environmental Valuestobeprotected.Forexample,WaterQualityObjectivesmaybesettoprovidestakeholderswithknowledgeonthelevelofwaterturbidityinwesternMoretonBaythat,ifexceededonasustainedbasis,willresultinthelossofvaluableseagrassmeadows.
77
78
REFERENCESBinning,C.,Young,M.,andCripps,E.(1999)BeyondRoads,RatesandRubbish;OpportunitiesforLocalGovernmenttoconservenativevegetation.NationalR&DProgramonRehabilitation,ManagementandConservationofRemnantVegetation.EnvironmentAustralia,Canberra.
Briggs,L.(2007)SouthEastQueenslandNaturalResourceManagementPlanReview–GapAnalysisofSouthEastQueensland’sNaturalResourceManagementPolicy,TargetsandActivity.SouthEastRegionalCoordinationGroup.
Cooper,S.(2003)EmergingNRMArrangements:PositioningandImplicationsforIpswichCityCouncil(Draft).SinclairKnightMerz,Brisbane.
DepartmentofLocalGovernment,Planning,SportandRecreation,andLGAQ.(2006)AProtocol:EstablishingrolesandresponsibilitiesoftheStateGovernmentintheQueenslandSystemofLocalGovernment.DeptLGPSR,Brisbane.
DepartmentofNaturalResourcesandEnvironment.(2002).HealthyRiversHealthyCommunities&RegionalGrowth:VictorianRiverHealthStrategy.TheStateofVictoria,Melbourne.
DepartmentofPrimaryIndustries,WaterandEnvironment.(2002).TasmanianNaturalResourceManagementFramework.TasmanianGovernment,Hobart.
EnvironmentalProtectionAgency.(2008).ClimateChangeinQueensland:Whatthescienceistellingus.TheStateofQueensland,Brisbane.
EnvironmentACT.(2000).AnIntegratedCatchmentManagementFrameworkfortheACT.PublishingServicesforEnvironmentACT,Canberra.
Harris,C.,Bell,S.,Jordan,L.,Haworth,L.F.J.,Pollard,P.C.andRamsay,I.R.(2003).BremerRiverEstuaryandCatchmentAudit–TechnicalReport.PublishedbytheCRCCoastalZone,EstuaryandWaterwayManagementandMoretonBayWaterwaysandCatchmentPartnership.
Hullick,J.(2002)TheScopingStudy:ReportofScopingStudytoInvestigateLocalGovernment’sRoleinIntegratedCatchmentManagementincludingNaturalResourceManagement.MurrayDarlingBasinAssociation,.
IpswichCityCouncil.(2007)IpswichCityCouncilCorporatePlan2007-2012.IpswichCityCouncil,Ipswich.
LandandWaterAustralia.(2004).RiverLandscapesFactSheetSeries.LandandWaterAustralia,Canberra.
FactSheet1–ManagingRiparianLand•
FactSheet13–ManagingRiparianWidth•
LGAQ(2005)IntegratingnaturalResourceManagementintoLocalGovernmentCorporate,StrategicandOperationalPlans.LGAQ,Brisbane.
LGAQ.(2007a).NaturalResourceManagementManualforLocalGovernmentOperationalStaff.LGAQ,Brisbane.
LGAQ.(2007b).MemorandumofUnderstandingBetweenLocalGovernmentAssociationofQueenslandandQueenslandRegionalNaturalResourceManagementCollectiveLtd.LGAQ,Brisbane.
LowChoy,D.,andMaccheroni,A.(2006)Enhancingtheroleoflocalgovernmentincooperativenaturalresourcemanagement.CRCforCoastalZoneEstuary&WaterwayManagement,Indooroopilly.
79
Miles,Bob.,Marshall,Carmel.,Kinnear,Susan.andGreer,Lindsay.(2008).ClimateChangeandtheImplicationsforLocalGovernment:Ariskassessment.InstituteforSustainableRegionalDevelopment,Rockhampton.
Pollard,P.,Bell,P.,Coombs,S.,Leeming,R.,Chaloupka,M.,Phillips,J.,Hollywood,S.,Cook,P.,Moss,A.andStratton,H.(2001)BremerRiverPilotStudy.CRCforCoastalZoneEstuary,Indooroopilly.
SEQHealthyWaterwaysPartnership.(2007a).SouthEastQueenslandHealthyWaterwaysStrategy2007-2012Volume1.
SEQHealthyWaterwaysPartnership.(2007b).SouthEastQueenslandHealthyWaterwaysStrategy2007-2012Volume2.
SMECAustralia.(2007).ClimateChangeAdaptationActionsforLocalGovernment.AustralianGreenhouseOffice,Canberra.
WBMOceanicsAustralia.(2002).BremerRiverCatchment–ManagementStrategyStage2.WBMOceanicsAustralia,Brisbane.
80
81
APPENDICES
APPENDIX 1. MILESTONES AND ACHIEVEMENTSIpswichCityCouncilhasbeenactivelyinvolvedinnumerouscatchmentmanagementandwaterwayhealthinitiativessince1995,aslistedbelow.
1995
CommencementoftheBremerRiverEnhancementProjectandformationoftheBremerCatchmentAssociationInc.(formallyBremerRiverCatchmentCoordinatingCommittee)–BremerRiverCatchmentManagementStrategy
Stage1&2
1996FundingfortheImplementingCatchmentManagementintotheSixMile,
WoogarooandGoodnaCreekCatchments(Stage1andStage2)
1999 CommencementoftheBremerRiverClean-UpProject
2001CommitmenttoWastewaterTreatmentPlantupgradesthroughtheSEQRegional
WaterQualityManagementStrategy
2001 InitiatepartnershipintheEcosystemHealthMonitoringProgram
2002 InitialfundingfortheWesternCatchmentsGroup
2002 DevelopmentoftheUrbanStormwaterQualityManagementPlan
2002 Jamboree Park Frog Ponds Project
2002
2004
2005
RiverCleanEvent–SixMileCreekWildlifeCorridor
RiverCleanEvent–BlueGumReserve
RiverCleanEvent–JimFinimorePark
2005 ExternalFundingthroughSEQCatchmentsforon-groundprojects
2006 RiverHeart Parklands Project
2006/07CommencementoftheBremerActionPlanintheSEQHealthyWaterways
Strategy
2007/08 BremerRiverBlitzrevegetationprojectwithGreeningAustraliaQld
On-going Enhanced Access to Waterways Program
On-going Assistance to community groups and private landholders
On-going InstallationandmaintenanceofStormwaterQualityImprovementDevices
82
APPENDIX 2. WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES AND GUIDELINES RELEVANT TO IPSWICH
Parameter
EHMP WQO’s – Estuaries
(SEQRWQMS 2001)
Scheduled WQO’s – Bremer
River (March 2006)
Qld Water Quality Guidelines (March 2006)
SEQ Regional guideline values
Mid-Upper Estuary
Mid Estuary Upper Estuary
Level 2 Level 2 Level 2
TN <450μg/L <450μg/L <300μg/L <450μg/L
TP <60μg/L <60μg/L <25μg/L <30μg/L
DO 80-100%sat 80-100%sat 85-100%sat 80-100%sat
Turbidity <20NTU <20NTU <8NTU <25NTU
Chl a <10μg/L <10μg/L <4μg/L <8μg/L
Secchi >1.0m >0.5m
SS <30mg/L <20mg/L <25mg/L
pH 7.0-8.4 7.0-8.4
83
APPENDIX 3. NATIONAL LEGISLATION AND STATE LEGISLATION RELEVANT TO WATERWAY HEALTH MANAGEMENT Nationallegislation
DESCRIPTIONRELEVANCETO
IPSWICHCITYCOUNCIL
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Protectionandconservationofnationallysignificantecologicalcommunities,wetlandsandspecies,including:worldheritageproperties,nationalheritagepropertiesandRamsarwetlands.
Referral agency for development applicationsthatimpactonspeciesorcommunitieslistedunderthe
EPBCAct1999.
Statelegislation,policiesandguidelines.
DESCRIPTIONRELEVANCETO
IPSWICHCITYCOUNCIL
Local Government Act 1993Definesrole’sofLocalGovernmentas:
Law-makingforlocallaws•
Adoptionandimplementationofpolicy•
Administrationoflocalgovernment•
Enforcement of local laws•
The natural environment and waterways are recognised as prioritiesintheIpswichCityCouncilCorporatePlan2007-2012.
Council as a role in the development and enforcement of Local Laws and Policiesrelevanttowaterwayhealth.
Water Act 2000Provides for the sustainable management of water in respect to:worksfortakingorinterferingwithwater;waterallocation;andprotectionandimprovingthephysicalintegrityofwatercourses,lakesandsprings.
TheActcontrolstheremovalofnativevegetationfromnon-tidalwatercoursesthroughtheRiverineProtectionPermit,administeredbyDNR&W.
Includessub-ordinatelegislation:
WaterRegulation2002•
MoretonResourcePlan•
ResourceOperationsPlan•
DroughtManagementPlans•
SystemLeakageManagementPlans•
Council is required to develop and implementoperationalplansthatmeetrequirementsoftheact,suchas:
WaterEfficiencyManagement•Plan’s(WEMP’s)
DroughtManagementPlan•
EnvironmentalProtectionAct1994
ProtectionandcontrolofdegradationandQueensland’senvironment,encompassingtheprinciplesofEcologicallySustainableDevelopment.
Includessub-ordinatelegislationandrequirements,including:
EnvironmentalProtectionPolicy’s•
EnvironmentalValuesandWaterQualityObjectives•
StateoftheEnvironmentReporting•
Council is required to develop plans and address compliance to theAct,through:
UrbanStormwaterQuality•ManagementPlan
Regulatory enforcement of•Environmentally RelevantActivities(ERA’s)
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CoastalProtectionandManagementAct1997Providesfortheprotection,conservation,rehabilitationandmanagementofthecoast,coastalzoneanditsresources.Includes:
RegionalCoastalManagementPlans•
CoastalManagementDistricts•
Restricts the type and amount of development within the Coastal ManagementDistricts.Councilmeets requirements under the Act through referral of relevant developmentapplicationsthatimpactontidalwaterways.
FisheriesAct1994Managementandprotectionforfishresourcesandfisherieshabitats.
Council meets requirements under theActthroughreferralofactivitiesthat impact on freshwater and marinefishhabitatsandtheclearingofmarineplantsintidalareas.
IntegratedPlanningAct1997The purpose of the Integrated Planning Act is to achieve ecologicalsustainabilityandbiologicaldiversitybycoordinatingplanningatlocal,regionalandstatelevelsandtomanagedevelopmentprocessanditsimpactsontheenvironment.
TheIpswichPlanningSchemeidentifiesconstraintsinlandusesto achieve ecologically sustainable developmentoutcomes,fortheprotectionofIpswich’senvironment.
NatureConservationAct1992Providesaframeworkforidentifying,gazettingandmanagingprotectedareastomaintainnaturalconditions,andprovidesalistoffaunalandfloralscheduledspecies.
Council’sNatureConservationStrategysetsthedirectionfortheprotectionandenhancementofIpswich’snaturalareas.
VegetationManagementAct1999Regulatetheclearingofvegetationinawaythat:
Conservesendangered,ofconcernandnotofconcern•regional ecosystems
Vegetationindeclaredareas•
Doesn’tcauselanddegradation•
Prevents loss of biodiversity•
Maintainsecologicalprocesses•
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions•
Providesvegetationmanagementcodesthatquantifyriparianbufferwidthsfordifferentwatertypes.Setsretentionofriparianvegetationandretentionofclumpsorcorridors.
Council meets requirements under the Act through planning codes for assessmentofvegetationclearingunderIDAS.
TheBioregionalCodeundertheActisareferenceguideforpreventingvegetationclearinginripariancorridors.
LandProtection(PestandStockRouteManagement)Act2002Provides a framework for controlling declared plants and animalpests,includingaquaticweeds.
CouncilfulfilsrequirementsoftheActthrough:
ThePestManagementPlan.•Regulatoryinspectionsfordeclared plants and animalsonprivatelands.
Removal/eradicationof•declared plants and animalsfrompubliclands.
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APPENDIX 4. SEQ HEALTHY WATERWAYS PARTNERSHIP MANAGEMENT SCENARIOSManagementinterventionsweredividedintothreekeyareasandruninfivecategories,asfollows:
THREE KEY AREASupgrade of sewage treatment plants and wastewater reuse;•
urbandiffuseloadmitigation;and•
ruraldiffuseloadmitigation.•
FIVE CATEGORIES1. Base Case Scenarios–basedonabusinessasusualapproachwithcurrentorplanned
sewagetreatmentplantupgrades,andexistingurbanandruraldiffuseloadmitigationactivities.Resultsshowedsignificantincreasesinnitrogen,phosphorusandturbidityloadswithanincreaseinpopulationgrowth.WaterqualityintheBremerRiverestuarywouldcontinuetodecline.
2. Wastewater Treatment and Reuse Scenarios–furtherupgradeofsewagetreatmentplantstoachieve5:1mg/Lofnitrogentophosphorusdischarge,andimplementationofmanagementinitiativestoachievea50–100%reuseofdry-weatherflowwastewater.
3. Combined Load Mitigation Scenarios–combinationsofsewagetreatmentplantupgrades,wastewaterreuse,implementationofWSUDingreenfielddevelopmentareasandretrofitofexistingurbanareas,andreductioninruraldiffuseloads.ResultsshowedreducedlevelsofturbiditywithmanagementofdiffuseloadstoachievelimitedcomplianceofWQO’s(turbidity)intheupperreaches,butnotinthelowerreaches.Thereweresignificantimprovementsintotalnitrogenandtotalphosphorus,withincreasesindissolvedoxygenlevels.
4. Minimum Environmental Flow Strategies–twospecificmanagementscenariosfortheBremerRivertoaddincreasedenvironmentalflowsof2cumecsand10cumecstotheimplementationofScenario15.Modellingshowedthatincreasedenvironmentalflowsof10cumecswouldresultinmeetingthewaterqualityobjectivesforTNandTP,turbiditylevelsformostoftheestuarywouldcomply,andimproveddissolvedoxygenlevels.
5. Re-aeration Scenarios–Scenario15plus5g/sand10g/sdissolvedoxygen.ResultsshowedinsignificantchangetoTNandTPandnochangetoturbidity.Therewasasignificantincreaseindissolvedoxygenthroughoutthesystem,with10g/sexceeding100%saturationofdissolvedoxygen.
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APPENDIX 5. STREAM ORDER DIAGRAM
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APPENDIX 6. POTENTIAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS ON IPSWICH WATERWAYSClimate change presents a number of key challenges for Ipswich City Council and the communityforthemanagementofit’snaturalresourcesandwaterways.Themainconcernisthepotentialimpactsofclimatevariabilityandextremeweathereventsonaquaticbiodiversity,environmentalflows,waterquality,water-basedrecreation,infrastructureandhumanhealth.StudieshaveshownthatstreamflowsforcatchmentseastoftheGreatDividingRangeinQueenslandhavegenerallyshowna25%reductioninrainfallequatingtoa50%reductioninstreamflow(Milesetal).Thiswillhavesignificantimpactsonwaterquality,environmentalflowandaquaticbiodiversity.IthasalreadybeenidentifiedthatwaterqualityintheBremerRiverwillcontinuetodeclinewithoutregularflushingfromfreshwaterinflows(WRM).
Potentialimpactsofclimatechangeonwaterwayhealthandmanagementneedsatalocalgovernmentlevel,aredescribedinthefollowingtable.EffectivemanagementandprotectionofourwaterwayspresentsbothchallengesandopportunitiesforCouncil.
Climate Variable
Potential Impact Associated Impacts Potential Response / Adaption
Increased Air temperature
Warming of water•temperature
Reduced dissolved•oxygen levels
Increased•evaporation rates
Increased•distribution ofmosquitoes
Higher incidence•of fish kills
Increased•algal growthand bacterialproduction
Higher probability•of eutrophication
Loss of aquatic•biodiversity
Increased vector•and water-bourndiseases
Increase riparian•revegetation andwaterway shading
Control and•manage invasivespecies
Reduce diffuse•and point sourceinputs of nutrients
Build on current•wastewatertreatmentimprovementprojects
More Intense rainfall with less frequency
Shorter, sharper•peaks in rainfall
Less reliable•groundwaterinflows and run-off
Increased sheet•and gully erosion
Increased stream•bank erosion andcollapse
Higher sediment•levels – increasedturbidity
Increased•concentration ofpollution with lessregular flow
Implement•stormwaterharvesting projects
Achieve water•sensitive urbandesign (WSUD)in all newdevelopments
Progressively•retrofit WSUD inexisting areas.
Improve erosion•and sedimentcontrol practices
Increase•protection ofstream banks
Stabilisation of•stormwater outlets
Reduce pollution•discharges
Higher likelihood of extreme weather events (drought, flood, fire)
Unpredictable•stream flows
Higher risk of•flooding
Less reliable•supply of waterfor domestic andindustrial purposes
Increased risk•of damage toinfrastructure andsocial assets
Increased risk to•stream banks
Higher incidence•of wet weatherdischarges fromWWTP’s
Maintain flood•mitigation
Enhance riparian•corridor protection
Implement•integratedsolutions forurban stormwatermanagement
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APPENDIX 7. POTENTIAL IMPACTS FROM PERI-URBAN AREASAsourceofdiffusesedimentthatisbecomingmoreprominentintheruralsectorisfrom‘lifestyleblocks’or‘peri-urban’developments.Anincreaseindiffusesourcesedimentandpollutantloadsoriginatingfromhousesites,accesstracksandkeepingoflivestockonsmallacreageislikelytoleadtohigherrateserosion,soilmobilisationandnutrientinputs.Thereisalimitedlevelofunderstandingandpracticalexperiencewithsoils,vegetationandgrazingthatcanleadtopoorlandmanagementpracticesintheseareas.
PopulationgrowthinSEQoverthenext20yearsisplacinghigherpressureonnon-urbanareasforresidentialpurposes.Considerationfordevelopmentrequirements(erosionandsedimentcontrol,on-siteseptictreatment,slopeandsoilconstraints)andcommunicationtopropertyownersoneffectivelandmanagementpracticesisrequiredtopreventfurtherimpactonwaterwayhealthfromnon-urbandiffusesources.
APPENDIX 8. HIERARCHY OF ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN WATERWAY HEALTH MANAGEMENT
APPENDIX 9. WATER SENSITIVE URBAN DESIGN AND LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIESThereareanincreasingnumberofinitiativestomanagetheurbanwatercycleinamoresustainableway.Theseinitiativesareunderpinnedbysustainabilityprinciplesofwaterconservation,wasteminimisationandenvironmentalprotection.IntegrationofurbanwatercyclemanagementwithurbanplanninganddesignisknownasWaterSensitiveUrbanDesign(WSUD).WSUDpromotesinnovativeintegrationofurbanwatermanagementtechnologiesintoanurbanenvironment.Itrequiresstrategicplanningandconceptdesigns,underpinnedbysoundengineeringpracticesindesignandconstruction.ThereareanumberofkeyprincipleswhichunderpintheimplementationofWSUD.Theseare:
the principles of integrated catchment management;•
protectingecologicalandhydrologicalintegrity;•
integrationofgoodscienceandcommunityvaluesindecisionmaking;•
management of stormwater as close to source as possible; and•
equitablecostsharing.•
Theseprinciplescanbeachievedbyarangeofmeasuresappliedatbroadscaleandaimedat:
minimisingdisruptiontonaturaldrainages;•
minimising impervious areas;•
reducingthehydraulicconnectivityofthestormwatersystem;•
offsettingtheimpactsofdevelopmentbyincorporatingretentioncapacity;•
minimisingwaterrequirementsandreducingstormwaterrunoff;•
conservingwaterbyinstallingwaterefficientfixturesandappliances;•
harvestingrainwaterwithstorageinrainwatertanks;and•
useofgreywaterandtreatedeffluentfornon-portablepurposes.•
ThematterofcostsharingforbroadscalecatchmentsisbestaccommodatedbytheimplementationofstormwaterscheduleofchargesdevelopedinaccordancewithIntegratedPlanningAct.Thereishoweveraneedforhouseholdsandindividualstoplaytheirpart,tochangeourbehaviourinhowweusewater.ImportantlyStateDevelopmentCodesrespectivelyforresidential,commercialandindustrymandatestheprovisionofrainwatertanks(orotherstoragedevices)forinternal(eg.Toiletflushing,washingmachines)andexternal(gardenirrigationandpoolreplenishment)usesandthereforeneednotbediscussedfurther.
TypicallyconventionalWSUDmeasureshaveadoptedthestormwatermanagementapproachof“collectandtreat”strategy,dominatedbyendoflinesolutionssuchasregionaldetentionandbio-retentionbasins.Notablystormwatermanagementprogramshavestruggledto provide adequate abatement and treatment of stormwater at the current levels of development.Futuredevelopmentwillcreateevengreaterchallengesformaintainingandimprovingwaterqualityintheregionalwaterbodies.Anemergingstormwatermanagementapproachwhendevelopmentoccursisthesimulationofnaturalconditionswhichsignificantlyreducessitedevelopmentcosts,throughlessclearing,earthwork,pipes,drainagecontrolstructures,minimumuseofroadsidekerbandguttering,lessroadpavement,fewerfootpathsandlowerwetland,treeandstreammitigationcosts.ThisapproachisoftenreferredtoasLowImpactDevelopment(LID).Byworkingtomimicthenaturalwatercycle,LIDpracticesprotectdownstream resources from adverse pollutant and hydrological impacts that can degrade streamchannelsandharmaquaticlife.
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LowImpactDevelopment(LID)isastormwatermanagementstrategythathasbeenadoptedinmanylocalitiesacrossthenationandinternationally.Itisastormwatermanagementapproachandsetofpracticesthatcanbeusedtoreducerunoffandpollutantloadingsbymanagingtherunofftoclosetoitssource(s)aspossible.LIDistypicallyusedtoachieveorpursuethegoalofmaintainingorcloselyreplicatingtheredevelopmenthydrologyofthesite.Inareaswheredevelopmenthasalreadyoccurred,LIDcanbeusedasaretrofitpracticetoreducerunoffvolumes,pollutantloadings,andoverallimpactsofexistingdevelopmentontheaffectedreceivingwaterways.
LIDtechniquespromotetheuseofnaturalsystems,whichcaneffectivelyremovenutrients,pathogens,andmetalsfromstormwater.Furtherwaterwaysareprotectedfromtheimpactoffrequentandincreasedflowsbycontrollingrunoffvolumethroughmaximisinginfiltrationandevapotranspiration.SuchLIDtechniquesmayinclude:
Maximisingtreeretention,naturaldrainagecorridors•
Maintainingpredevelopmenttimeofconcentration(Tc),through•
Disconnectingimperviousareas(eg.Disconnectdownspoutsfromdrivewaysandkerbs•
Remove concrete kerb and channel•
Installgrassedorlandscapedswalesincommonareassuchasroads.•
Incorporatingbioretentionareas.•
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LIDpracticescanbegroupedintodifferentcategories,includingconservationdesigns,infiltrationpractices,runoffstoragepractices,runoffconveyancepractices,filtrationpracticesandlowimpactlandscaping.Belowareexamplesforeachofthesecategories.
LID Practice ExamplesConservation Design Cluster development•
Openspacepreservation•
Reducedpavementwidths(streets,footpaths)•
Shareddriveways•
Reducedsetbacks(shorterdriveways)•
Sitefingerprintingduringconstruction•
Infiltration Infiltrationbasinsandtrenches•
Porous pavement•
Disconnected downspouts•
Rain gardens and other vegetated treatment systems•
Runoff Storage Parkinglot,streetandvergestorage•
Rainwater tanks•
Depressionstorageinlandscapeislandsandintree,shruborturf•depressions.
Green roofs•
Runoff Conveyance Eliminatingkerbandchannel•
Creatinggrassedswalesandgrassedlinedchannels•
Rougheningrunoffsurfaces•
Creatinglongflowpathsoverlandscapedareas•
Installingsmallerculverts,pipesandinlets•
Creatingterracesandcheckdams•
Filtration Bioretention/raingardens•
Vegetated swales•
Vegetatedbio-swales/buffers•
Low Impact Landscaping
Plantingnative,droughttolerantplants•
Convertingturfareastoshrubsandtrees•
Reforestation•
Encouraging longer grass length•
Plantingwildflowerbedsratherthanturyalongmediansandinopen•space
Amendingsoiltoimprovefiltration•
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APPENDIX 10. LOCATION OF IDENTIFIED SCHEDULED SPECIES FOUND ALONG IPSWICH WATERWAYS
Native Fauna
Species Common Name Status LocationAccipiter novaehollandiae
Grey Goshawk Rare Woogaroo Creek
Adelotus brevis Tusked Frog Vulnerable Woogaroo CreekBrisbaneRiver(KholoBotanicalGardens)
Anas castanea Chestnut Teal Rare BundambaCreek(SwanbankLagoon)BrisbaneRiver(Chuwar)
Calyptorhynchus lathami
GlossyBlackCockatoo Vulnerable Woogaroo Creek
Delma torquate Collared Delma Vulnerable Woogaroo CreekBremerRiver(TigerSt)
Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
Black-neckedStock Rare BundambaCreek(SwanbankLagoon)BrisbaneRiver(SaplingsPocket)BremerRiver(Bundamba)
Littoria brevipalmata Green-thighedFrog Rare WoogarooCreek(DevonDr)
Lophoictinia isura Square-tailedKite Rare BundambaCreek(SwanbankLagoon)
Melithreptus gularis Black-chinnedHoneyeater Rare Opossum CreekBremerRiver(CribbPark)WarrillCreek(GreensRd)Woogaroo Creek
Nettapus coromandelianus
CottonPygmy-goose Rare BrisbaneRiver(Chuwar)
Ninox strenua Powerful Owl Vulnerable Opossum CreekSixMileCreek
Pachycephala olivacea Olive Whistler Rare BrisbaneRiver(SaplingsPocket)
Podiceps cristatus Great Crested Grebe Rare BundambaCreek(SwanbankLagoon)BremerRiver(CribbPark)
Turnix melanogaster Black-breastedButtonQuail
Vulnerable BrisbaneRiver(SaplingsPocket)Opossum Creek
Native Flora
Alyzia ilicifolia subsp. Magnifolia
Large-leafChainfruit Rare BrisbaneRiver(SaplingsPocket)
Callitris baleyi Bailey’sCyprus Rare BrisbaneRiver(PineMt)
Choricarpia subargentea
Giant Ironwood Rare BrisbaneRiver(PineMt)
Eucalyptus dunnii Dunn’s White Gum Rare BrisbaneRiver(Junction)
Eucalyptus curtisii PlunkettMallee Rare BrisbaneRiver(Junction)BrisbaneRiver(SaplingsPocket)SixMileCreekWoogaroo Creek
Henandia bivalves GreaseNut Rare BrisbaneRiver(PineMt)
Indigofera baileyi Rare Opossum Creek
Marsdenia coronata SlenderMilkvine Vulnerable Opossum CreekSixMileCreek
Melaleuca irbyana Bush-housePaperbark Rare Purga Creek
Plectranthus habrophyllus
Endangered Opossum Creek
Rulingia salviifolia Rare SandyCreek(Camira)
Symplocus harroldii HairyHazelwood Rare Goodna CreekWoogaroo CreekOpossum Creek
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