Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan
Summary Development of this management plan fulfils one of the high priorities identified by the South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan (Western Coastal Board 2002a), and is a step toward meeting Regional Management Action Target 83 in the Glenelg Hopkins Regional Catchment Strategy (RMAT 83: Meet aspirational target for coastal areas through developing and implementing individual Estuary Management Plans in accordance with the South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan ). Development of this estuary management plan also fulfils actions identified in the Glenelg Hopkins CMA River Health Strategy (Glenelg Hopkins CMA 2004).
The Fitzroy estuary is fed by two tributaries, the Fitzroy River and Darlot Creek, and is approximately 13 kilometres long. This Management Plan incorporates both tributaries downstream of the Princes Highway at Tyrendarra, which allows consideration of the relationships between the estuary and the values associated with both the surrounding land and the up-stream catchment.
This Management Plan has been developed in consultation with members of the local community and government agencies and provides a basis for coordinated and targeted investment in the maintenance and enhancement of the values provided by the estuary for future generations.
Development of the Plan has focused on identification of the key assets provided by the estuary and the threats that are degrading, or have potential to degrade, the value of the identified assets. This approach is consistent with the Glenelg Hopkins River Health Strategy. The assets identified in the Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan are: o Habitat The habitat assets provided by the estuary underpin cultural, social and economic values held by the local community, including activities such as recreational fishing and the value of adjacent land. o Fauna The estuary provides habitat to a range of species, including 17 species of fish, and 120 species of birds. o Water quality and quantity Good water quality and sufficient quantity is essential to maintain a healthy estuary and healthy habitats. o Social values Key social values at the Fitzroy estuary include recreational fishing, camping and swimming. o Cultural values The Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape is a key cultural site within the Darlots Creek catchment. The Fitzroy estuary is linked to the various cultural sites in the catchment through the migration of eels. Eels were, and still are, an important resource in these areas and are strongly linked to cultural practices. o Economic values Agriculture is the largest industry in the estuary catchment. Another important economic activity is commercial eel fishing.
The main threats to the estuary’s ongoing health are: o inappropriate artificial river mouth opening o invasion and spread of pest plants and animals o reduced water quality and quantity
Assessment of the threats posed to assets in the management plan area and determination of practical means to halt, reduce or eliminate these threats has allowed formulation of management objectives and actions under a set of key programs that, when implemented, will provide significant benefits in terms of maintenance and enhancement of the values of the estuary. The following table provides a summary of the implementation programs that have been developed within this Estuary Management Plan. It also includes links to actions identified in the Glenelg Hopkins River Health Strategy (GHRHS).
i Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan
Table S1 Management objectives and targets developed for the Fitzroy estuary
Program Management objective Target GHRHS Links Habitat – aquatic and No reduction in the extent or condition Establish the baseline condition and extent RH-P3-4 semi-aquatic of estuarine habitats. of aquatic and semi-aquatic EVCs in the Fitzroy estuary by 2009. RH-P4-3 RH-P4-5 Fish No reduction in indigenous fish Develop an effective methodology for the diversity. periodic assessment of the health of the indigenous fish population by 2010. Water quality and Ensure that estuarine water quality Establish estuary specific water quality RH-P3-2 quantity and quantity meets estuary specific criteria by 2009. guidelines 80% of the time by 2011. RH-P4-6 Recreation Minimal impact on the health of the Appropriate infrastructure, management estuary as a result of recreational policies and management resources by activities. 2010. Cultural Protect the aboriginal and non- Protection of all sites of archaeological and aboriginal heritage of the estuary. heritage significance. Economic To ensure that economic uses of the Economically and environmentally estuary and surrounding area do not sustainable activities in the Fitzroy estuary compromise ecosystem viability. area. Estuary entrance and Implement a management process for Develop a protocol for estuary mouth RH-P3-1 artificial river mouth the estuary entrance that provides the opening using EEMSS by the end of 2009. opening best possible compromise between RH-P4-1 the ecological requirements of the estuary and the social and economic requirements of the local community. Pathogens and parasites Maintain healthy indigenous flora and Rapid response for all reported incidents of fauna populations pathogens and parasites. Pest plants and animals Reduction in the extent of listed weed Establish a baseline understanding of listed RH-P3-5 species. weed species. RH-P3-6 RH-P4-7 RH-P4-8 Soils, erosion and To reduce sediment loads in the Identify all sites of active erosion within the sedimentation waterway. catchment by 2012, and commence remedial works. Inundation Quantify the outcomes of inundation Document the social and economic impacts with regard to the social, economic of inundation. Complete a flood study for and environmental values of the the estuary including the possible impacts estuary of climate change by 2010 Climate change Actively manage risk associated with Ensure that the effects of climate change predicted climate change impacts are incorporated into the Glenelg Shire associated with the Fitzroy estuary. Planning Scheme by 2011. Local government Direct and control development to Adoption of planning policy, zones and planning protect the values of the Fitzroy overlays into the Glenelg Shire Planning estuary and continue economic Scheme that protect and enhance the development within the framework of values of the Fitzroy estuary. ecological sustainability. Monitoring, evaluation Monitor and evaluate the health and Undertake an evaluation of the and reporting functioning of the estuary and effectiveness of implementing actions implementation of the Estuary identified in this Plan by 2011. Management Plan.
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan ii
Acknowledgements Glenelg Hopkins CMA would like to acknowledge those members of the community who participated in the development of this Management Plan.
Members of the Coast and Marine Technical Working Group Graeme Jeffery – Glenelg Hopkins CMA Kylie Bishop – Glenelg Hopkins CMA
Published by: Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority 79 French Street, Hamilton Victoria 3300
Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims any liability for any error, loss or other consequence that may arise from you relying on the information in this publication
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iii Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan
Abbreviations AAV Aboriginal Affairs Victoria ANZECC Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council ASS acid sulphate soil. ARMO artificial river mouth opening. CAMBA China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement. CE Community engagement DCNR former Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, now DSE. DEH Department of Environment and Heritage (Federal Government department). DIMIA Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (Federal Government department). DOI Department of Infrastructure. DPI Department of Primary Industries. DSE Department of Sustainability and Environment. DU Deakin University. DVC Department of Victorian Communities. EVC ecological vegetation class EPA Environment Protection Authority. FAT Framlingham Aboriginal Trust GHCMA Glenelg Hopkins CMA GSC Glenelg Shire Council IPA Indigenous Protected Area ISC Index of Stream Condition IUCN World Conservation Union JAMBA Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement LCC Land Conservation Council MER Monitoring, evaluation and reporting NHT Natural Heritage Trust NTU nephelometric turbidity unit OW On-ground works PV Parks Victoria SAC Scientific Advisory Committee. SEPP WoV State Environment Protection Policy Waters of Victoria. SP Strategic planning SRW Southern Rural Water TFN Trust for Nature WCB Western Coastal Board
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan iv
1. INTRODUCTION...... 1
1.1 PRINCIPLES FOR ESTUARY MANAGEMENT ...... 1 1.2 VISION FOR MANAGEMENT ...... 1 1.3 MANAGEMENT PLAN STATUS ...... 1 1.4 MANAGEMENT PLAN AREA ...... 1 1.5 POLICY FRAMEWORK ...... 3 1.6 MANAGEMENT PLAN DEVELOPMENT AND CONSULTATION PROCESS...... 4 1.7 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FITZROY ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 4 1.8 THE FITZROY ESTUARY ...... 5 1.8.1 Physical form ...... 5 1.8.2 Estuary processes and function...... 5 1.8.3 Flora and fauna ...... 7 Flora...... 7 Fauna...... 7 Birds...... 7 Reptiles and Amphibians ...... 7 Mammals...... 8 1.8.4 Catchment land use...... 8 1.8.5 Catchment waterway condition ...... 8 2. ASSETS ...... 9
2.1 HABITAT – AQUATIC AND SEMI AQUATIC ...... 9 Threats to aquatic and semi aquatic habitat in the Fitzroy estuary ...... 9 Management actions – aquatic and semi aquatic habitat ...... 9 2.2 FISH ...... 10 Threats to the fish diversity, health and abundance in the Fitzroy estuary ...... 10 Management actions – fish...... 11 2.3 WATER QUALITY AND QUANTITY ...... 11 2.3.1 Water quality...... 11 Threats to water quality...... 12 2.3.2 Water quantity...... 12 Threats to water quantity...... 12 Management actions – water quality and quantity...... 12 2.4 SOCIAL VALUES ...... 13 Threats to social values...... 13 Management actions – social values...... 13 2.5 CULTURAL VALUES ...... 14 Aboriginal...... 14 Non-aboriginal...... 14 Threats to cultural values...... 14 Management actions – cultural values...... 14 2.6 ECONOMIC VALUES ...... 14 Threats to economic values...... 14 Management actions – economic values ...... 15 3. THREATS AND THREATENING PROCESSES ...... 16
3.1 ESTUARY ENTRANCE AND ARTIFICIAL RIVER MOUTH OPENING ...... 16 Management actions – estuary entrance and artificial river mouth opening ...... 16 3.2 PATHOGENS AND PARASITES ...... 17 Management actions – pathogens and parasites...... 17 3.3 PEST PLANTS AND ANIMALS ...... 18 Pest plants...... 18 Sea spurge...... 18 Mirror bush ...... 18 Willows...... 19 Gorse...... 19 Boxthorn ...... 19 Apple of Sodom ...... 19 v Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan
Blackberries ...... 19 Coast wattle...... 19 Divided sedge...... 20 Potentially threatening pest plants...... 20 Spartina...... 20 Typha ...... 20 Pest animals...... 20 Rabbits ...... 20 Foxes...... 21 Pest fish...... 21 Gambusia ...... 21 Management actions – pest plants and animals...... 21 3.4 SOILS , EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION ...... 21 Management actions – soils, erosion and sedimentation ...... 22 3.5 POOR WATER QUALITY ...... 22 Nutrients ...... 22 Causes of high nutrients...... 22 Impacts of high nutrient loads...... 22 Turbidity ...... 23 Causes of high turbidity ...... 23 Impacts of high turbidity...... 23 Dissolved oxygen ...... 23 Causes of low dissolved oxygen levels ...... 23 Impacts of low dissolved oxygen levels...... 23 Causes of high dissolved oxygen levels ...... 23 Impact of high dissolved oxygen levels ...... 24 3.6 REDUCED WATER QUANTITY...... 24 3.7 INUNDATION ...... 24 Management actions – inundation ...... 24 3.8 CLIMATE CHANGE AND SEA LEVEL RISE ...... 24 Climate change ...... 25 Sea level rise...... 25 Management actions – climate change and sea level rise...... 25 3.9 LAND USE CHANGE ...... 26 3.10 OFF ROAD VEHICLES ...... 28 4. LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLANNING...... 29
4.1 THE PLANNING SCHEME ...... 29 4.2 LOCAL PLANNING POLICY ...... 29 4.3 ZONES AND OVERLAYS ...... 29 4.3.1 Zones...... 29 4.3.2 Overlays...... 29 4.4 LANDSCAPE VALUES ...... 29 4.5 ‘S EA -CHANGE ’ DEVELOPMENT ...... 30 MANAGEMENT ACTIONS – LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLANNING ...... 30 5. ASSESSING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS MANAGEMENT PLAN - MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING ...... 31
MONITORING ...... 31 EVALUATION ...... 32 REPORTING ...... 32 MANAGEMENT ACTIONS – MONITORING , EVALUATION AND REPORTING ...... 32 REFERENCES...... 32
PERSONAL COMMUNICATIONS ...... 34 GLOSSARY ...... 35 FURTHER INFORMATION ...... 36 APPENDICES...... 37
APPENDIX A RELEVANT LEGISLATION , POLICIES AND STRATEGIES ...... 37
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan vi
APPENDIX B MANAGEMENT PLAN CONSULTATION ...... 39 APPENDIX C CONSULTATION FRAMEWORK FOR DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLANS ...... 40 APPENDIX D VEGETATION ...... 41 EVCs ...... 41 Native vegetation ...... 43 Introduced vegetation ...... 43 APPENDIX E FISH SPECIES ...... 43 APPENDIX F FISH IN ESTUARIES ...... 44 Fish usage of estuaries...... 44 Information on key fish species in the Fitzroy estuary ...... 45 Black bream ...... 45 Estuary Perch ...... 46 APPENDIX G BIRD SPECIES ...... 46 APPENDIX H PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL WATER QUALITY MONITORING ...... 49 APPENDIX I STATE ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION POLICY GUIDELINES OF VICTORIAN ESTUARIES ...... 50 APPENDIX J ARTIFICIAL RIVER MOUTH OPENINGS - PROCESS ...... 50 Works on Waterways Permit...... 51 Coastal Management Act Consent ...... 51 APPENDIX K WORKS ON WATERWAYS PERMIT FOR ARTIFICIAL RIVER MOUTH OPENING OF THE FITZROY RIVER ...... 51 Standard Permit Conditions...... 51
vii Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 1.0 INTRODUCTION
1. Introduction Development of this Management Plan fulfils one of the high priorities identified by the South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan (Western Coastal Board 2002a), and is a step toward meeting Regional Management Action Target 83 in the Glenelg Hopkins Regional Catchment Strategy (RMAT 83: Meet aspirational target for coastal areas through developing and implementing individual Estuary Management Plans in accordance with the South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan .). Development of this Estuary Management Plan also fulfils actions identified in the Glenelg Hopkins CMA River Health Strategy (Glenelg Hopkins CMA 2004).
1.1 Principles for estuary management Guiding principles for the overall approach to estuary management for the Glenelg Hopkins Region have been established by the South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan (Western Coastal Board 2002a). These principles have been adopted with minor revision as follows:
1) The present generations have a basic duty of care, to ensure that the health and diversity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations. 2) Ecosystems (including estuaries), and the individual life-forms and natural processes that underpin ecosystems have by their very nature, value in their own right. 3) The precautionary principle - if there are threats of serious environmental damage, lack of scientific certainty should not be used as a reason to postpone measures to prevent environmental degradation
These principles form the foundation of Glenelg Hopkins CMA’s approach to estuary management, and have been considered in the development of actions for the Fitzroy estuary.
1.2 Vision for management Consultation with the local community in March 2006 revealed a strong desire to see the current values of the estuary maintained for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. This desire can perhaps be best summarised by the following statement:
The Fitzroy estuary is a relatively unknown jewel in the region’s crown, and we need to make sure that it is managed carefully so that future generations can enjoy it as we do now.
1.3 Management Plan status This Management Plan forms a sub-strategy of the Glenelg Hopkins River Health Strategy and has been developed according to provisions of the Water Act 1989 Section 189 (a) to (d).
1.4 Management Plan area This Management Plan covers the Fitzroy River and Darlot Creek downstream from the Princes Highway Bridge and is shown in Figure 1. The focus of the Plan on this area allows consideration of the relationships between the estuary and the values associated with the surrounding land.
Although this Management Plan is focussed on the estuary, it is recognised that up-stream activities and actions and adjacent land-use have a significant influence on the estuary’s health. A number of other strategies and plans are in place, which address broader issues in the catchment area upstream, including the Glenelg Hopkins CMA River Health Strategy and the Glenelg Hopkins Nutrient Management Strategy. This Estuary Management Plan does not repeat the work of other strategies and plans. Reference to actions required outside the boundary of this Management Plan are made only where the influence of factors in the wider catchment has not been adequately dealt with by existing strategies and plans which cover this wider area.
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 1 1.0 INTRODUCTION
Figure 1 ~ Fitzroy estuary Management Plan area
2 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.5 Policy framework The Victorian Coastal Strategy (Victorian Coastal Council 2002) and the South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan (CAP) (Western Coastal Board 2002a) outline a suite of relevant government legislation and policy that directs the management of estuaries and estuarine wetlands.
A range of plans and strategies exist at the regional level that provide for the protection and enhancement of natural and cultural values of estuaries. Victoria has a strong natural resource policy framework and as a result these plans and strategies have a high level of integrated planning and address many aspects of sustainable use (see Figure 2). These plans and strategies, along with relevant legislation are listed in Appendix A.
The Victorian Coastal Strategy (2002) is especially relevant to this Estuary Management Plan. It was endorsed by the State Government in 2002 and establishes the overall framework for the planning and management of the Victorian coast. The aim of this Strategy is to ensure that Victoria’s coastal and marine environment continues to be well managed and used by present and future generations. The Victorian Coastal Strategy (2002) directly impacts on all coastal Crown land.
Implementation of the Strategy is undertaken through Coastal Action Plans (CAPs) which allow for the broad principles and strategies identified at the state level, to be further developed and applied at a regional level. Regional Coastal Action Plans of relevance to the Fitzroy estuary include the Glenelg Coastal Action Plan (Glenelg Shire Council 2002), the South West Victoria Regional Coastal Action Plan (Western Coastal Board 2002b) and the South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan (Western Coastal Board 2002a).
The Glenelg Shire Coastal Action Plan (2002) is consistent with both the South West Regional Coastal Action Plan (2002) and the South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan (Western Coastal Board 2002a) in recommending the development of a management plan for the Fitzroy estuary.
The South West Victoria Regional Coastal Action Plan (2002) includes recommendations for coastal and marine areas between Breamlea and the South Australian border. It also establishes the need for a coastal action plan specific to estuaries, which resulted in the development of the South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan (Western Coastal Board 2002a).
The South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan provides a regional framework to “ facilitate the development and implementation of individual Estuary Management Plans” (Western Coastal Board 2002a). The Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan has been developed according to the principles set down in this CAP, and therefore seeks to address those objectives of the Victorian Coastal Strategy that relate to this estuary.
In addition to fulfilling the strategic direction established by the above documents, the Estuary Management Plan also defines actions, which are consistent with and contribute to the implementation of the Glenelg Hopkins River Health Strategy 2004. The Fitzroy estuary is part of both the P3 and P4 sub-catchments, as defined by the River Health Strategy (GHCMA 2004).
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 3 1.0 INTRODUCTION
Legislation that directly impacts on estuary management Legislation that underpins estuary management plans . Coastal Management Act
1995
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 Victorian Coastal Strategy Water Act 1989 Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 Victorian Biodiversity South West Coastal Victorian River Strategy Health Strategy Action Plan
Glenelg Hopkins Regional Catchment
Strategy Glenelg Hopkins River Health South West Estuaries Strategy Coastal Action Plan
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan
Figure 2 ~ Key legislation and policies that influence management of the Fitzroy estuary 1.6 Management plan development and consultation process Development of this Management Plan commenced in February 2006, utilising funding from the Natural Heritage Trust. Consultation with agency and community stakeholders began in March 2006. Details of the consultation are included in Appendix B. Appendix C shows the various stakeholders, both community and agency, and how they have been involved in the consultation process and their role in development of the Management Plan.
1.7 Implementation of the Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan The effectiveness of implementation of this Plan needs to be regularly assessed using principles of adaptive management. That is, management of the area needs to reflect changes in priorities that may become evident through the availability of improved information.
Implementation of this Plan and investment in the health of the estuary will be governed by three things: • Community attitude towards how use and management of the estuary as a natural resource that should be preserved for future generations • The alignment of priorities for investment identified by this Plan with those established for investment of state and federal funding by the Glenelg Hopkins Regional Catchment Strategy and the Glenelg Hopkins River Health Strategy • The alignment of priorities for investment identified by the Plan with those of the lead agencies identified for individual actions including state government agencies, local government and the community.
4 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.8 The Fitzroy estuary The Fitzroy estuary is located in southwest Victoria, near Tyrendarra. The estuary is approximately 13 kilometres in length (Mondon et al. 2003) extending to just north of the Princes Highway at Tyrendarra and possibly also extending up Darlot Creek, a tributary of the estuary (Barton and Sherwood 2004). The extent of estuarine influence up these waterways is variable, depending on the volume of freshwater inflow and status of the river mouth. In 2005, the limit of estuarine influence was only 7.5km upstream of the river mouth (Fenton 2005 pers. comm.).
It is important to note that although Darlot Creek is a tributary of the Fitzroy estuary, Darlot Creek contributes significantly higher freshwater inflows to the estuary than the Fitzroy River. Flow readings taken as part of the estuarine water quality monitoring program have shown that since 2003, freshwater inflow in Darlot Creek is typically higher than freshwater inflow in the Fitzroy River.
1.8.1 Physical form The Fitzroy River is crossed by the Tyrendarra lava flow, just upstream of the Princes Highway at Tyrendarra (Barton and Sherwood 2004). This creates an effective barrier to any further upstream movement of salty water. The Tyrendarra lava flow is 30,000 years old and extends down an old flow path of Darlot Creek (H.Builth pers comm. 2006). A 1933 survey map of the Fitzroy River and Darlot Creek marks the limit of tidal influence for the Fitzroy River as just downstream of the Princes Highway Bridge at a location referred to as “The Falls”.
The location of the river mouth is dynamic, moving across the sandbar at the mouth. This feature was recorded as far back as 1933 on the survey map referred to above. The estuary is relatively shallow with a maximum recorded depth of 5.5 metres (Barton and Sherwood (2004).
1.8.2 Estuary processes and function The estuary is a seasonally closed, salt wedge type estuary within a drowned river valley. Sand deposition at the estuary mouth during low flow periods forms a barrier (or bar) preventing the exchange of water with the sea. This closure of the river mouth causes water levels in the estuary to rise as freshwater flows into the estuary and/or by overtopping of the bar by seawater. The bar can be breached naturally, by increasing pressure as water level rises, by wave action, or artificially by mechanical means (e.g. shovel or excavator).
At times, water in the estuary can be stratified. This means that layers of different quality water are formed. Differences in relative density between saltwater and freshwater causes this. Estuaries in which this stratification of water occurs are commonly known as salt wedge type estuaries. Stratification occurs when dense, relatively heavy salt water (due to its high salt content), flows into the system and “wedges” beneath the freshwater. Late summer and early autumn, when river discharge is lowest, is generally the period during which the estuary is most severely stratified. Figure 3 provides a diagrammatic representation of the hydrology of estuaries including the process of stratification.
As an estuary is the mixing place of seawater and freshwater that flows off (or through) the land areas of the catchment, the extent of an estuary at a particular point in time is entirely dependent on the relative contribution of freshwater and seawater.
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 5 1.0 INTRODUCTION
Figure 3 - Estuarine hydrology (EEMSS 2006)
6 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.8.3 Flora and fauna The Fitzroy estuary and surrounding area provides home to a range of species. Some of the flora and fauna of the surrounding area is outlined below.
Flora A study of the flora of the Tyrendarra lava flow, some of which occurs within this Management Plan area, has shown that the lava flow supports a diverse range of flora, with a total of 492 plant taxa recorded (Carr, Frood, Roberts and Rosengren 2005).
A number of plants that are considered rare or threatened in Victoria have been found within the management plan area., including the salt paperbark ( Melaleuca halmaturorum ), which is listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1998 . Other species that are considered to be rare or threatened, but are not listed, and are found within the plan area include the helmet orchid ( Corybas sp. aff. diemenicus ), bog gum ( Eucalyptus kitsoniana ) and small sickle greenhood (Pterostylis spp. aff. furcata ) (DSE 2005b). Swamp greenhood ( Pterostylis tenuissima ) occurs within the Management Plan area and is listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as vulnerable. Shrubby glasswort ( Sclerostegia arbuscula) may also occur in the area.
The estuarine habitat mapping project (outlined in more detail in Section 2.1) has discovered a number of rare and threaten plants within the management plan area. A fern species ( Cyclosorus interruptus ) discovered in the management plan area is the only occurrence of the species in Victoria and also the only record of the species south of Sydney (Sinclair pers comm. 2007).
More information on the native vegetation, including distribution maps of the ecological vegetation classes, is included in Appendix D.
Fauna Birds A total of 120 bird species have been identified in the Fitzroy estuary area and are presented in Appendix G. Birds observed within the estuary area include 17 species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and two species listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 . There are six species listed under the China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (CAMBA), three species listed under the Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement (JAMBA), and four species listed under both agreements.
Species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 include the great egret ( Ardea alba ), Lewin’s rail ( Rallus pectoralis ), Baillon’s crake ( Porzana pusilla ), painted snipe ( Rostratula benghalensis ), hooded plover ( Thinornis rubricollis ), Caspian tern ( Sterna caspia ), Australasian bittern ( Botaurus poiciloptilus ), brolga ( Grus rubicunda) , grey goshawk ( Accipiter novaehollandiae ), little tern ( Sterna albifrons ), magpie goose ( Anseranas semipalmata ), white- necked heron ( Ardea pacifica ), rufous bristlebird ( Dasyornis broadbenti broadbenti ) and the orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chyrsogaster ).
The two species listed under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 are the orange-bellied parrot ( Neophema chyrsogaster ) and the painted snipe ( Rostratula benghalensis ). Species listed under the CAMBA and JAMBA include the hooded plover ( Thinornis rubricollis ), Caspian tern (Sterna caspia ), crested tern (Sterna bergii ), red-necked stint ( Calidris ruficollis ) and great egret ( Ardea alba ).
Little tern ( Sterna albifrons ) has been recorded breeding on the estuary beach (Barrand pers. comm. 2006), as has the hooded plover ( Thinornis rubricollis ).
Reptiles and Amphibians There is little information on the reptile and amphibian fauna of the Fitzroy estuary area. Reptiles and amphibians are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 , with species of reptiles or amphibians that are considered to be endangered, threatened or vulnerable listed under the State Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 7 1.0 INTRODUCTION
Mammals Spot-tailed quoll ( Dasyurus maculatus maculatus ), also known as the tiger quoll, has been observed in the management plan area (Barton and Sherwood 2004). This species is listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and is also listed as endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 . Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus ), echidnas ( Tachyglossus aculeatus ), eastern grey kangaroo ( Macropus giganteus) and black wallaby ( Wallabia bicolour) have also been recorded in the area.
1.8.4 Catchment land use The Fitzroy River Coastal Protection Reserve near the mouth of the estuary is a Crown Land area. It covers 8.3 ha and was gazetted in 1958. The reserve is managed by a Committee of Management for the Department of Sustainability and Environment. A management plan is currently being developed for the area. Other Crown Land areas within this Management Plan boundary include the Tyrendarra Flora Reserve, the Narrawong Coastal Reserve, an unnamed reserve at the junction of the Fitzroy River and Darlot Creek, and stream frontage along both watercourses. Crown Land areas within the catchment are subject to a native title claim by the Gunditjmara people.
Within the Fitzroy River and Darlot Creek catchments, plantations occupy a small area, with pine plantations covering 0.8% and bluegum plantations covering 9.3% of the total catchment area (Ierodiaconou et al. 2003). Water and wetlands occupy 1% of the total catchment area (Ierodiaconou et al. 2003).
Agriculture is the main form of land use within both catchments. Dryland pasture is dominant, covering a total of 58.43% (Ierodiaconou et al. 2003). Other agricultural activities include cropland (including hay and silage) 3.14% and irrigated pasture 0.53% of the total land area (Ierodiaconou et al. 2003).
Conservation is another major land use within the catchment, with remnant vegetation covering 26.5% of the total catchment area (Ierodiaconou et al. 2003). This is due in part to a number of parks, reserves and state forests within the catchment. These include a small section of the Lower Glenelg National Park in the west of the catchment, Annya and Narrawong State Forests, Mt Eccles National Park, Mt Napier State Park and Lake Condah. Lake Condah is listed as a wetland of national significance and is a culturally significant place. The Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area also occurs with the catchment, a management plan has been prepared for the area (Builth 2003).
Towns cover 0.3% of the total catchment area, with the main townships including Heywood, Branxholme and Tyrendarra. Other localities within the catchment include Drumborg, Homerton, Milltown, Mt Eckersley, Myamyn, Narrawong East, West Sinclair, Breakaway Creek, Byaduk, Condah, Knebsworth, Wallacedale and Weerangourt.
1.8.5 Catchment waterway condition In 1999, the environmental condition of the Fitzroy River and Darlot Creek was assessed using the Index of Stream Condition (ISC). This process was repeated in 2004. In 2004, three sites were surveyed on the Fitzroy River; one in the upper reaches was found to be in good condition, while the other two sites were in moderate and poor condition (DSE 2005a). Two sites were surveyed on Darlot Creek, with both sites found to be in moderate condition (DSE 2005a).
8 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 2.0 ASSETS
2. Assets 2.1 Habitat – aquatic and semi aquatic Habitats are complex assemblages of biological, geological and sometimes artificial (of human manufacture) components. The conservation of habitat and its associated values is integral to a healthy estuary. Without healthy habitats it is difficult to protect and enhance the species and populations that depend on them. Therefore, the long-term sustainability of systems as a whole depends on the health of habitats.
Very little is known about the aquatic habitat values of the estuary. For example, it is known that seagrasses are present in the estuary but the extent, condition and diversity are unknown (Barton and Sherwood 2004). This lack of knowledge represents a major limitation in our capability to proactively manage the habitat values of the estuary and invest in its future in an effective way.
Mapping of current aquatic and semi aquatic habitat values is therefore a very high priority (see FH 1 below) for investment in the Fitzroy estuary. There will be two major outcomes from investment in this exercise: • It will be possible to develop a proactive investment plan that directs resources to the most important actions for protection and enhancement of habitat/biodiversity values in the estuary. • It will be possible to define meaningful and practical resource condition targets for the estuary’s habitat values and to design an effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting program to track changes in the health of the habitat values and progress towards the resource condition targets.
Mapping of the aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats will also provide valuable information for on-ground works. Information on the vegetation when combined with land tenure and flood levels will enable targeted protection of habitat values in the estuarine area, through activities like fencing.
The preliminary report on the mapping of the riparian vegetation of the Fitzroy estuary has shown that the vegetation in the area is at least of state significance, if not national significance, with many of the vegetation types not occurring anywhere else in the state (Sinclair and Sutter 2007). The Tyrendarra lava flow has a strong influence on the vegetation, making the area unlike anywhere else in the state. Condition of the vegetation varies, with some vegetation types infested with weeds, while other types are in excellent condition. Further work is needed to determine what actions are required to protect and enhance native vegetation at the Fitzroy estuary.
Threats to aquatic and semi aquatic habitat in the Fitzroy estuary Threats to the aquatic and semi-aquatic habitat values include: • Climate change and sea level rise – Section 3.8 • Sedimentation – Section 3.4 • Poor water quality – Section 3.5 • Pest plants – Section 3.3 • Stock access.
Management actions – aquatic and semi aquatic habitat
Habitat Management objective : No reduction in the extent or condition of estuarine habitats.
Management action target : Establish the baseline condition and extent of aquatic and semi-aquatic EVCs in the Fitzroy estuary by 2009.
Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FH 1 Conduct habitat mapping of the estuary including the SP GHCMA VH aquatic and semi aquatic vegetation. Outputs to include: GIS layer showing habitat distribution & bathymetry.
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Digital elevation model of the bathymetry of the estuary. Identification of important habitat zones. Assessment of vegetation condition using the habitat hectares methodology FH 2 Complete flood study mapping for the estuary that takes SP GHCMA VH into account the predicted impact of sea level rise, and increased storm surge. FH 3 Complete a habitat risk assessment based on overlaying SP GHCMA VH the estuarine habitat maps and condition data with flood study mapping, cadastral mapping, development plans and other threat information. FH 4 Develop a prioritised and costed estuarine habitat SP GHCMA VH protection and enhancement investment plan depending on the outputs from FH3 FH 5 Establish habitat reference sites and monitoring program MER GHCMA H to: • Monitor the condition of aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation • Enable reporting against the estuarine habitat Resource Condition Target. FH 6 Develop/identify indicators of condition for aquatic and MER DSE H semi-aquatic estuarine vegetation for use in monitoring progress towards achieving the resource condition target. FH 7 Implement a communications process to convey the CE GHCMA H broad outcomes of the estuarine habitat mapping to the community and other management agencies.
2.2 Fish Fish are one of the most valuable assets of the estuary, and the presence of a wide range of species in large numbers as well as a wide range of age classes, is generally considered to be a good indicator of a healthy system.
A total of 17 species of fish have been recorded in the estuary area and are presented in Appendix E. The Yarra pygmy perch ( Nannoperca obscura ) is listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and as vulnerable under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 , and has been recorded in the estuary (Donnelly and Grieves 1992). A recovery plan for Yarra pygmy perch is currently being prepared by DSE under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 . More information on fish utilisation of estuaries, including information on the key recreational species, is included in Appendix F.
Despite the importance of the Fitzroy estuary for many species of fish, there has been very little scientific work in this estuary on the abundance, distribution and ecology of these species, and in many cases no current information is available. This information is essential to fully understand the current status of the fish and fisheries related assets of the Fitzroy estuary, and is necessary prior to development of any actions or strategies for the protection of these assets.
Effective protection and enhancement of fish stocks in the Fitzroy estuary requires a number of different management approaches. It is essential to not only protect the fish stocks, but to identify and protect key habitats essential for different life history stages. Managing uses of fish stocks, either commercial or recreational, is also important and should be done in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
Threats to the fish diversity, health and abundance in the Fitzroy estuary Fish health and diversity can be impacted on by a number of factors. Threats need to be minimised to ensure that indigenous fish health and diversity remains high. Key threats to fish diversity, health and abundance include: • Artificial river mouth openings – Section 3.1 • Poor water quality – Section 3.5
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• Reduced water quantity – Section 3.6 • Loss of habitat – See threats to habitat Section 2.1 • Pathogens and parasites – Section 3.2
Overfishing may also pose a threat to the health of fish populations. Bag and size limits are in place to ensure that fishing does not irreparably reduce the breeding population to below viable levels. Due to the enforcement of bag and size limits conducted by Fisheries Victoria, the risk of overfishing is considered to be low.
Management actions – fish
Fish Management objective : No reduction in indigenous fish diversity.
Management action target : Develop an effective methodology for the periodic assessment of the health of the indigenous fish population by 2010 Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FF 1 Establish programs to monitor the current condition of SP DPI H key recreational target fish species of the Fitzroy estuary. FF 2 Identify key fish habitat areas within the estuary and SP GHCMA VH develop management actions to protect and improve fish habitat areas considering economic, social and cultural facts as well as environmental. FF 3 Establish an ongoing monitoring program to collect MER DPI VH information on angler visitor numbers to the Fitzroy estuary over time. FF 4 Commence a fish tagging program for recreationally SP, CE, MER FISHCARE H important species involving community groups. FF 5 Develop/identify indicators of condition for indigenous SP, MER GHCMA VH fish diversity for use in monitoring progress towards achieving the resource condition target for fish. FF 6 Undertake literature review of the habitat and SP DPI VH environmental conditions required to sustain the production (spawning, recruitment, survival, growth and movement) of black bream, mulloway and estuary perch. FF 7 Implement the actions relevant to the Fitzroy estuary SP DPI VH from the Glenelg Hopkins Fishery Management Plan
2.3 Water quality and quantity
2.3.1 Water quality Good water quality is essential for a healthy ecosystem. Fish and other organisms require good levels of dissolved oxygen (generally above 5mg/L) for survival, while aquatic plants require good levels of light.
In order to maintain good water quality, the State Environment Protection Policy Waters of Victoria (SEPP WoV) sets out environmental water quality objectives. These water quality objectives recommend a range of values between which water quality can be assumed to be healthy. If water quality within the estuary falls outside of these values, then actions should be undertaken to improve water quality within the estuary. For some water quality parameters, such as turbidity, objectives have not been developed due to a lack of data.
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At present, these guidelines have been prepared at a statewide level, with no consideration for variation across the state. Estuary specific guidelines would allow the variation between individual estuaries to be properly accounted for as well as inform a process for refining the statewide SEPP (WoV) guidelines for estuaries. Both SEPP (WoV) and the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) Guidelines (2000) outline the processes required for establishing site specific water quality guidelines.
Water quality in the Fitzroy estuary has been monitored at three sites on a monthly basis since November 2003. Water quality parameters and monitoring sites are presented in Appendix H. Continuation of monitoring is vital to understand the complex relationships between the state of the river mouth, water quality and the ecology of the system. Furthermore, it is essential for determining seasonal trends and variations and establishing risks associated with eutrophication, stratification and potentially reduced volumes of freshwater inflow. More information on water quality is included in section 3.5. State guidelines (SEPP WoV) for water quality are included in Appendix I.
Threats to water quality There are a number of factors that can influence estuarine water quality. Key threats to water quality include: • Artificial river mouth openings – Section 3.1 • High levels of nutrients, which lead to eutrophication and algal blooms – Section 3.5 • Erosion and sedimentation – Section 3.4 • Reduced freshwater inflow – Section 2.3.2
2.3.2 Water quantity Water quantity is important in the functioning of estuaries and can also influence water quality. Freshwater inflow plays an important role in the movement of the salt wedge and the duration of stratification.
Water quantity, in terms of flooding, is also an important natural process in estuaries. High winter flows within the estuary are essential for effective flushing of the system and maintenance of the environmental, social and economic values of the estuary. Flushing is necessary to remove all traces of stratification from the system and allow the process of the salt wedge formation and stratification to begin again. Flushing acts like a reset button for water quality conditions within the estuary. This is essential as a major spawning cue of recreationally important fish species such as black bream and may also be important in the life cycles of many other estuarine species.
Threats to water quantity Potential threats to the hydrology (water quantity) of the estuary include: • Climate change – Section 3.8 • Water extraction and diversion – Section 3.6 • Land use change – Section 3.9
Management actions – water quality and quantity Investment in water quality and quantity actions for estuarine areas is at present focussed on maintaining current water quality monitoring and the development of estuary specific water quality criteria.
Water quality and quantity Management objective : Achieve a standard of water quality that protects the diversity and abundance of aquatic ecosystems and allows recreational and aesthetic enjoyment of the estuary.
Management action target : Develop and apply water quality criteria specific to the Fitzroy Estuary using the ANZECC Guidelines (2000). Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FWQ 1 Continue monitoring water quality on a minimum monthly MER GHCMA VH basis. FWQ 2 Implement the recommendations of the estuarine water MER GHCMA H
12 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 2.0 ASSETS
quality monitoring review project. FWQ 3 Apply the principles and methods described in chapter 3 MER GHCAM M of the ANZECC Guidelines (2000), using data from the current water quality monitoring program to develop and adopt acceptable water quality criteria for the Fitzroy estuary. FWQ 4 Implement an estuary water quality evaluation and MER GHCMA M reporting process in order to monitor attainment of the resource condition target. FWQ 5 Ensure the feasibility study for the re-flooding of Lake SP GHCMA H Condah adequately considers any potential reduction of flow to the estuary from Darlot Creek.
2.4 Social values The Fitzroy estuary has high social values. It is a highly important recreational fishing location from both shoreline (limited to the Fitzroy River Coastal Reserve) and boats. Camping is also increasingly popular in the area, with a campground located near the estuary mouth on the Fitzroy River Coastal Reserve. This campground is currently the only coastal camping ground in the region where pets are still allowed. Swimming is also a popular activity, especially from the estuary beach, downstream of the camping ground.
Facilities for recreational uses include jetties and a boat ramp. A dry compost toilet facility has been installed. There is no information available on the number of visitors to the area each year.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that visitor numbers to the recreation reserve are increasing. This is bringing increased pressure to bear on the recreation reserve and its facilities. Management of the Reserve is currently overseen by a Committee of Management comprised of community members appointed by DSE. A management plan is currently in preparation for the Fitzroy River Coastal Reserve.
Threats to social values Threats to the social values of the estuary include: • Inadequate facilities at the Fitzroy River Recreational Reserve • Inadequate management of litter, both in the reserve and ocean borne litter • Flooding (see Section 3.7) • Poor water quality, including algal blooms (see Section 3.5).
Management actions – social values
Recreation Management objective: Minimal impact on the health of the estuary as a result of recreational activities
Management action target : Appropriate infrastructure, management policies and management resources by 2010. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FR 1 Determine visitation rate and adequacy of current MER DSE M camping ground facilities to cope with visitation rate. FR 2 Assess the risk to native flora and fauna by allowing pets MER DSE M in the coastal protection reserve. FR 3 Up-grade visitor facilities depending on the outcomes of OW DSE L FR 1 and FR 2.
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2.5 Cultural values Aboriginal The Fitzroy River and Darlot Creek catchments form part of the Gunditjmara nation, with the local clan known as the Kilger gundidj (Victorian Corporation for Aboriginal Languages 2002). Public land areas within the catchment are subject to a native title claim by the Gunditjmara people.
There are many areas of cultural significance within the catchments, including Victoria’s second indigenous protected area that forms part of the Budj Bim National Heritage Landscape. The Budj Bim landscape was listed in July 2004, and includes the Tyrendarra Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) as well as Mt Eccles and Lake Condah. Listing of these areas as National Heritage Landscapes means that those values that qualify the area for listing are protected under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 . These areas have strong cultural significance to the Gunditjmara people, with archaeological investigations revealing a lifestyle strongly linked to both the landscape and the natural resources of the area (Builth 2002; Builth 2004).
The Fitzroy estuary is linked to the various cultural sites in the catchment through the migration of eels. Eels were, and still are an important resource in these areas and are strongly linked to cultural practices. Eels underpin the cultural values of the catchment; therefore the Fitzroy estuary is of vital importance from a cultural significance perspective.
Non-aboriginal The nearby town of Portland was the first European settlement in Victoria. The Fitzroy River was originally named the Second River by early non-aboriginal settlers as it is the second river that you cross after leaving Portland and heading east. Major Mitchell named it the Fitzroy River in 1836, after Lord Fitzroy Somerset (Victorian Corporation for Aboriginal Languages 2002). Darlot Creek is named after J.M. Darlot who rested 500 cattle there in January 1838 while overlanding to Adelaide (Learmonth 1949).
Threats to cultural values Human impacts are the biggest threat to both aboriginal and non-aboriginal cultural assets, especially in the form of development and tourism. Controlling the impacts of tourism to cultural assets is best achieved through raising community awareness of the values of the area, which can be achieved through measures such as interpretive signage if applicable. Other important measures include limiting access to sensitive areas.
Management actions – cultural values Cultural values, particularly aboriginal cultural values, are strongly linked to the natural environment. Protection of environmental values (See sections 2.1, 2.2 & 2.3) will aid the protection of cultural values.
Cultural Management objective: Protect the Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage of the estuary.
Management action target : Protection of all sites of archaeological and heritage significance. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool See sections 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3
2.6 Economic values Agriculture is the largest industry within the catchment, with over half the catchment being used for dryland pasture. The Fitzroy River is an allocated water for the commercial fishing of eels, with a total of four licences able to fish the river and Darlot Creek. The popularity of the estuary as a recreational fishing destination is also a significant economic value. No work has been done to quantify the value of recreational fishing at the Fitzroy estuary. An analysis of recreational fishing on a state wide basis has shown that estuaries are the most important recreational fishing resource in the state. Overall, recreational fishing generates in excess of 390 million dollars per annum on a state wide basis (Henry and Lyle 2003).
Threats to economic values Threats to economic values include: 14 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 2.0 ASSETS
• Inundation of agricultural land – Section 3.7 • Estuary entrance and artificial river mouth opening – Section 3.1 • Pest plants and animals – Section 3.3. • Poor water quality – Section 3.5
Management actions – economic values
Economic Management objective: To ensure that economic uses of the estuary and surrounding area do not compromise ecosystem viability.
Management action target : Economically and environmentally sustainable activities in the Fitzroy estuary area. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FE 1 Determine the value of recreational fishing at the estuary. SP DPI M FE 2 Apply the Estuary Entrance Management Support SP GHCMA VH System to produce revised artificial river mouth opening protocols that fully consider the risks to social, economic and environmental values.
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3. Threats and threatening processes
3.1 Estuary entrance and artificial river mouth opening Seasonal closure of the estuary entrance is a natural process. Reopening of the entrance can occur either naturally, or it can be artificially opened to alleviate flooding. The effects of artificial river mouth opening on the estuary can include: • Reduced sand bar scour when the mouth is opened at lower water levels, leading to more rapid mouth closure, • Disruption to the natural patterns of variation in water quality and biotic distribution and abundance, • Disruption of aquatic faunal migration and reproductive cycles.
This Management Plan does not seek to address the issue of the current artificial river mouth opening protocols; these will be addressed following completion of the Estuary Entrance Management Support System (EEMSS) project funded by the Natural Heritage Trust (NHT). It is intended that revised river mouth opening protocols will be incorporated into this Management Plan when they are developed. Development of such protocols addresses action 1.1.4 from the Victorian Coastal Strategy that states,
“Best practice guidelines for the management of estuarine mouth openings will be developed, incorporating environmental, social and economic issues.”
The most obvious impact of artificial river mouth openings on estuarine fish populations is mass fish kills. Whilst there are no records of any fish kills resulting from artificial river mouth openings at the Fitzroy estuary, this problem is a well- known occurrence at other estuaries. Conducting an artificial river mouth opening when the estuary is stratified has the potential to remove the oxygenated layer, leaving behind deoxygenated water, thereby resulting in a mass mortality of fish and aquatic invertebrates. In order to minimise the impact of artificial river mouth openings, adequate depth of the oxygenated layer is included as a condition on the Works on Waterways permit that must be met prior to an artificial river mouth opening.
Less obvious impacts of artificial river mouth openings on fish diversity may be occurring through alteration of the timing and nature of estuarine hydrodynamics. Disruption of spawning cues and flushing of fish eggs and larvae out to sea are risks associated with river mouth openings that have been identified through research on the Glenelg estuary (Nicholson et al. 2004). These risks need to be properly considered in weighing up the value of artificial river mouth openings.
Regulation of artificial river mouth openings is discussed in detail in Appendix J.
Management actions – estuary entrance and artificial river mouth opening The highest priority for investment in managing the estuary entrance and artificial river mouth openings is to establish revised protocols for artificial river mouth openings using the Estuary Entrance Management Support System (EEMSS). In the short term, EEMSS will need to be applied using the best available data concerning the estuary and the impacts of flooding. In the longer term, projects need to be implemented that will reduce uncertainty associated with information initially used in EEMSS. Such projects might include mapping of fringing vegetation, areas affected by inundation and determination of water levels at which key assets are inundated. Environmentally, inundation may have a positive effect.
Estuary entrance and artificial river mouth opening Management objective : Implement a management process for the estuary entrance that provides the best possible compromise between the ecological requirements of the estuary and the social and economic requirements of the local community.
Management action target : Develop a protocol for estuary mouth opening using the decision support framework by the end of 2007. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FARMO 1 Apply the estuary entrance management support system SP GHCMA VH (EEMSS).
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FARMO 2 Develop and adopt a revised ARMO protocol for the SP GHCMA VH Fitzroy estuary using the EEMSS. FARMO 3 Inform the community of the environmental CE GHCMA VH consequences, public safety issues and the potential liability to prosecution of artificially opening an estuary entrance at inappropriate times. FARMO 4 Whilst the estuary mouth is closed, map the area of SP GHCMA VH inundation for three different water level heights (below the trigger level, at the trigger level, and at as high a water level as possible, so that the area affected by flooding can be accurately determined and the risk posed by water levels meaningfully assessed. FARMO 5 Establish a monitoring program for estuary mouth state MER GHCMA H similar to the community estuary monitoring programs already in place for the Yambuk and Surry estuaries.
3.2 Pathogens and parasites Many pathogens and parasites occur in waterways. Outbreaks of pathogens and parasites in fish may be an indicator of stress, and in particular poor water quality. As fish become more and more stressed they are less able to protect themselves against pathogens and parasites. Stress causes fish to lose the protective film from their skin that acts as a barrier to disease and infection.
Current management of pathogens and parasites focuses on response and control of outbreaks, rather than prevention. The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) have produced a fish kill protocol that outlines the methods for collecting infected specimens and reporting on the fish kill, along with relevant contact details. Investigation into any potential stressors that may have made fish or other aquatic fauna more susceptible to pathogens and parasites also needs to be conducted.
Although to date there have been no reported occurrences of pathogens or parasites in the Fitzroy estuary, there have been instances of poor fish health recorded in other estuaries in the south west. In September 2004 a fish health issue was reported in the Yambuk Lake estuary and wetlands. A small number of black bream that were caught had ulcers and lesions under the scales. Black bream of all sizes and weights were affected, however no other species were observed to be affected. The pathology report on the black bream revealed ulcerative dermatitis and myositis of the skin, which is consistent with Epizootic Ulcerative Syndrome, otherwise known as EUS or Red Spot Disease. Testing of infected samples collected from Yambuk Lake proved inconclusive; the exact cause of these lesions is unknown.
Management actions – pathogens and parasites
Pathogens and parasites Management objective : Maintain healthy indigenous flora, fauna and fish populations
Management action target : Maintain current agency endorsed response plans for all reported incidents of pathogens and parasites. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FPP 1 Ensure any future fish kills are reported, cleaned up, MER EPA VH monitored and assessed according to the EPA Fish Kill Protocol. FPP 2 In event of any outbreaks, water quality analysis to be MER EPA VH carried out as soon as possible at freshwater limits and within the estuary.
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3.3 Pest plants and animals Maintaining healthy habitats and healthy populations of indigenous flora and fauna relies to some extent on preventing the introduction of pest plant and animal species. In many instances these pest plant and animal species have no naturally occurring predators in the environment thus allowing them to outcompete native species.
The aquatic and semi-aquatic pest plants and animals present in the Fitzroy estuary is currently unknown. Two pest plant species, Divided Sedge ( Carex divisa ) and Spartina , have been identified as potentially threatening. Although neither of these two plant species occur within the Fitzroy estuary, they currently occur within other Victorian and regional estuaries. No potentially threatening aquatic or semi aquatic animals have been identified within the Fitzroy estuary or its catchment.
Pest plants can alter habitat values, mainly through competition with native flora species for space and nutrients. Plant species such as Spartina can alter the habitat in estuarine wetlands through trapping of sediment and subsequent alteration of habitat structure and characteristics. This in turn affects native fauna, especially waterbirds, aquatic invertebrates and fish. It also has the potential to take over seagrass flats, which in turn could impact on a variety of fauna species, including juvenile black bream and juvenile estuary perch.
Addressing the threat posed by pest plants is currently considered to be a high priority, due to a lack of information on the current status of pest plant invasion and lack of an on-going monitoring program that will allow for early identification of pest plant incursion and eradication. Investment in such a program is considered a priority. A cost effective way to deliver such monitoring will be to combine monitoring of pest plant infestation with future habitat monitoring investment.
Awareness and education of the high risk that pest plants and animals pose to estuarine habitats and biodiversity, in combination with monitoring is the greatest priority for investment in pest plant and animal control for the Fitzroy estuary. A program of this nature will allow early detection and rapid control response to any reported occurrences of these species.
Control of pest plants is governed by the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 , which requires all private and public land managers to control and prevent the spread of pest plants. Regionally Controlled Weeds are those that are wide spread and considered important in a particular region. There is no funding assistance for Regionally Controlled Weeds, but there is an expectation of landholders to control these species. Under Section 20 of the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 , land owners and managers are required to take all reasonable steps to prevent the growth and spread of Regionally Controlled Weeds
Pest plants
Sea spurge Sea spurge ( Euphorbia paralias ) was introduced into Australia from the Mediterranean, possibly through ballast water. The plant is a small leafy shrub that displaces native species in dune systems. It also can alter the morphology of dunes. It has the potential to negatively affect species such as hooded plover that prefer open sand areas for nesting. Stems and leaves of sea spurge contain a toxic substance that is released when the plant is damaged or broken. This can cause skin irritations and potentially eye damage. Sea spurge is not listed under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994. Sea spurge is quite densely established in the area around the mouth of the estuary.
Mirror bush Mirror bush ( Coprosma repens ), also known as looking glass bush, was introduced into Australia from New Zealand in the 1800s. It was originally introduced as a garden plant, and was used in hedges. Mirror bush is capable of forming dense colonies and displacing native flora through shading. Mirror bush is established in the downstream areas of the estuary around the camping reserve and alongside the access road into the camping reserve.
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Willows Willows were originally introduced into Australia from Europe, and were used to stabilise stream banks and are listed as a Weed of National Significance. Willows are no longer recommended for planting due to the negative impacts that they can have on the health of the waterway. Willows not only overshade areas, but as they are deciduous drop all of their leaves into the stream at one time. This creates an overabundance of organic matter that can be used as a source of food for some species of fish, but also leads to an absence of organic matter throughout the rest of the year. This is particularly the case where the waterway is lined with willows. This excess of organic matter can also lead to high nutrients within the waterway.
Willows spread vegetatively, and can spread from small twigs. Willows can use large amounts of water, and can also reduce the flow in the waterway by trapping sediments and organic matter in their root systems. When removing willows it may be necessary to stage the removal, and incorporate a revegetation program to ensure that there is no erosion of banks due to a loss of vegetation.
Willow infestation is a very large problem along both the Fitzroy River and Darlot Creek up-stream of Tyrendarra. It is important that willow removal projects are undertaken properly to ensure that live cuttings are not distributed further downstream and that follow up revegetation with appropriate indigenous species occurs on riverbanks subject to erosion. At present willows are not a significant problem in the estuary.
Gorse The other regional priority weed within the area is gorse ( Ulex europaeus ). Originally introduced into Australia from Europe or North Africa, it forms large dense thickets if not controlled. These thickets can reduce grazing areas and the sharp thorns can prove dangerous to livestock. The thickets can act as a harbour for rabbits, foxes and feral cats, they may also provide habitat for some native species. Such uses by native fauna need to be identified before thicket removal is undertaken, to allow appropriate native vegetation to be sequentially substituted.
Boxthorn African boxthorn, Lycium ferocissimum , is a Regionally Controlled Weed within south-west Victoria. Boxthorn can form dense thickets, and was widely used in the past as a hedging plant. The plant can provide a safe harbour for rabbits and feral cats and is possibly slightly poisonous to stock and humans (Keith Turnbull Research Institute 1998b). It may also provide habitat for some native species such as the orange-bellied parrot. Dispersal occurs mainly via birds and other animals that ingest the seeds and later deposit them in excrement. In addition to providing rabbit harbour, boxthorn can also be a nesting site for small native animals. The use of thickets by native fauna needs to be identified prior to removal. Ideally, where thickets are being used by native fauna, alternative native habitat should be established prior to the removal of boxthorn.
Apple of Sodom Apple of Sodom ( Solanum linnaeanum ) is a native of South Africa that was first collected in Australia in 1801. The species is a Regionally Controlled Weed in the Glenelg Hopkins CMA region. It competes with indigenous plant species in coastal areas and the fruit is toxic to both animals and humans. The main dispersal method is via seed.
Blackberries Blackberry, Rubus fruticosus agg., is a Weed of National Significance and is listed as a Regionally Controlled Weed in the Glenelg Hopkins CMA region under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 . Blackberry is also identified as a Regional Priority Weed in the Glenelg Hopkins CMA Weed Action Plan (Glenelg Hopkins CMA 2000a).
Blackberry is of European origin, and forms dense thickets capable of degrading or replacing remnant vegetation. The main dispersal methods of the plant include birds and mammals that eat the berries, and by the dispersal of seeds in water. Blackberry infestations can also increase in size vegetatively, through the production of suckers from lateral roots and the production of daughter plants at the end of canes (Keith Turnbull Research Institute 1998a).
Coast wattle Coast wattle ( Acacia sophorae ) is a native plant that has invaded several coastal areas around Portland and South West Victoria. In areas where the plant has been established for long periods, there have been noticeable changes in the floristic community while in some areas the elimination of all indigenous species has been noted (McMahon et al. 1996).
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The plant naturally occurs within the area and, at this stage, it is unknown if it is actually a pest species. Birds, rabbits, and vehicles transport seeds. Fire has been successfully used as a control strategy in an area near Portland (McMahon et al . 1996) and may provide an appropriate means of control. However, this action would need to consider possible impacts on endangered species, such as the hooded plover. Coast wattle also provides habitat for the rufous bristlebird (Dasyornis broadbenti broadbenti ).
Coast wattle is well established along the sand dunes within the boundary of this Management Plan. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the area covered by coast wattle has been steadily increasing for many years.
Divided sedge Divided sedge was introduced into Australia from Europe, and can occur around the edges of marsh habitat. Transportation methods of the species are unknown, but could include livestock, machinery, hay, water and wind. Spread of divided sedge is most likely to occur through transport on vehicles or in hay. Divided sedge has the potential to smother salt marsh habitat and is extremely difficult to remove once established. It also aggressively competes with low lying pasture.
Previously, it was thought that the nearest infestation of divided sedge was at the nearby Surry estuary. Mapping of the aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats in the Fitzroy estuary has shown that divided sedge may have spread and is possibly present in low abundance along the banks of the Fitzroy estuary; however this needs to be confirmed.
Potentially threatening pest plants Spartina Spartina was introduced into Australia in the late 1920s. There are two species of Spartina in Australia. One species, S.townsendii is sterile, reproducing through rhizome expansion . S.anglica produces fertile seed, which can be transported through currents, wading birds and human activities.
Spartina threatens native vegetation in estuarine wetlands through the trapping of sediments and subsequent alteration of habitat structure and characteristics. This in turn affects native fauna, especially waterbirds, aquatic invertebrates and fish. It also has the potential to take over seagrass flats, which in turn could impact on a variety of fauna species, including juvenile black bream and juvenile estuary perch.
This species has not been recorded within the Management Plan area. The nearest recorded location is in the Barwon estuary near Geelong.
The introduction of Spartina , otherwise known as rice or cord grass, is listed as a threatening process under Schedule 3 of the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (SAC 1996). The species is also declared as an aquatic pest plant species under the Fisheries Act 1995 .
Typha There are three species of typha, also known as bulrush or cumbungi, which occur in Victoria, two of which are native. It is not known which of the three species occurs within the Management Plan area. Waterways with high dissolved nutrients and low flows present ideal habitat for all three species of typha.
In some areas typha is considered a problem plant as it can restrict flow and increase sedimentation. However, typha also provides important environmental functions in providing habitat and food for birds and other animals. It can also play an important role in filtering water, and due to the restriction of flow, may also provide a role in protecting stream banks from erosion.
Pest animals Rabbits Rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) are the most serious vertebrate pests in Victoria, with an estimated annual economic impact in the Glenelg Hopkins region alone of about $38 million (Glenelg Hopkins CMA 2000b). This is due to their impact on agricultural production through competition directly with livestock for grasses. Rabbits also contribute significantly to erosion due to their burrowing and overgrazing which, in turn, can contribute to high sediment loads within estuaries and lead to detrimental habitat change. 20 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 3.0 THREATS AND THREATENING PROCESSES
Rabbits are also detrimental to the native flora and fauna of the Tyrendarra region, being identified under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 as a threat to the survival and range of a number of species. In addition, they are considered a major contributor to the declining quality of vegetation surrounding wetlands. Reduction in biomass and biodiversity of native vegetation through grazing by rabbits is listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 as a threatening process.
Foxes Foxes ( Vulpes vulpes ) are another serious threat in the Tyrendarra area, both economically and environmentally. Economically, they are a threat to livestock predating lambs and, to a lesser extent, calves. Foxes may be responsible for the death of 30% of all newborn lambs (Friend et al. 2001). Environmentally, they are a threat to waterbirds and other native species. Species such as the hooded plover ( Thinorinis rubricollis ), listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and considered threatened in Victoria, are at great risk from foxes as they nest on the ground. Foxes also prey on native mammals, although the extent to which this is happening in the area is unknown. Predation of native wildlife by foxes is listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 and Schedule 3 of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 as a threatening process.
Pest fish Gambusia Gambusia holbrooki , commonly known as mosquito fish or gambusia, was introduced to Australia in 1925 from America as a biological control for mosquitos (McKay et al. 2001). To date there has been no scientific evidence that they control mosquitos any better than native fish, and indications are that they may have increased the problem of mosquitos by consuming those native invertebrates that prey on mosquitos (Allen et al. 2002, McKay et al. 2001). Gambusia is present in the Hopkins River and the estuary.
A voracious predator, Gambusia is linked with the decline of a number of frog species. They nip fins of tadpoles and native fish, which often leads to infection and death (McKay et al. 2001). There have been a number of reports of a decline in native fish species following the introduction of gambusia (McKay et al. 2001). In Victoria they are listed as a noxious species under the Fisheries Act 1995 , making it an offence to return this species to the water alive.
Management actions – pest plants and animals
Pest plants and animals Management objective : Reduction in the extent of listed weed species.
Management action target : Establish a baseline understanding of listed weed species in the management plan area.. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FPPA 1 Incorporation of pest plant and animal monitoring as part MER DPI VH of the monitoring, evaluation and reporting program for habitat, flora and fauna. FPPA 2 If threatening species identified, implement an OW DPI H eradication program. FPPA 3 Confirm identification of possible divided sedge MER DPI VH infestation. FPPA 4 If divided sedge is confirmed at the Fitzroy estuary, SP & OW DPI VH develop and implement actions to contain and eradicate the infestations.
3.4 Soils, erosion and sedimentation All estuaries act as sediment traps due to the drop in velocity of inflowing water as it meets the relatively still waters of the estuary (Sherwood 1985). Sedimentation is a natural process in estuaries and occurs as an estuary evolves into a
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 21 3.0 THREATS AND THREATENING PROCESSES
more mature landform comprising terrestrial floodplains, levees and back swamps (Roy et al. 2001). The rate of sedimentation is strongly related to the availability of sediment (Kench 1999), which highlights the importance of controlling erosion within the catchment. Land clearing and land use practices since European settlement have probably increased the rate of sedimentation in the estuary. Erosion of banks through stock access can also be an issue, which may lead to an increase in suspended solids and turbidity.
Although sedimentation in estuaries is a natural process over time, excessive sedimentation can smother habitats. Sedimentation also smothers fish gills and filter feeding organisms.
Management actions – soils, erosion and sedimentation
Soils, erosion and sedimentation Management objective : To reduce sediment loads in tributaries of the Fitzroy estuary.
Management action target : Identify all sites of active erosion within the catchment by 2012, and commence remedial works. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FSES 1 As part of a prioritisation process for riparian fencing and OW GHCMA M revegetation projects, identify sites and map sites of active erosion that are threatening the estuary. FSES 2 Undertake erosion control works in partnership with OW Land M Glenelg Hopkins CMA. managers FSES 3 Monitor success of erosion control works. MER GHCMA L
3.5 Poor water quality See section 2.5 for management actions Poor water quality can have a range of negative impacts on estuarine values. Turbidity and nutrients are two of the water quality parameters that can influence habitat the most. More detail on some of the key water quality parameters is presented below.
Nutrients Nutrients are not currently monitored within the estuary as part of the Glenelg Hopkins CMA’s monthly water quality monitoring program, outlined in Appendix H. Nutrients are monitored at a freshwater site at Tyrendarra, which gives some idea of the input into the estuary, but it does not include any water that may enter the estuary downstream of this point. A previous study (Mondon et al. 2003) found that total nitrogen was in excess of ANZECC guidelines. Ninety percent of samples exceeded the recommended total phosphorus concentrations, while 88% exceed the recommended total nitrogen concentrations (Fenton 2005).
Although there is a need for monitoring the nutrients in the estuary, it may not be practical or cost effective to include nutrients in the current monthly monitoring program. Also, monthly monitoring of nutrients, or any water quality parameter, will not record any of the daily variation that occurs in response to parameters such as rainfall, runoff, stormwater and tidal inflow. As previously mentioned, nutrients within the estuary are strongly linked to rainfall, making event sampling, or sampling more frequently than once a month, more indicative of what is occurring within the estuary.
Causes of high nutrients The main source of nutrient loads into the estuary is from land use practices in the catchment. Loss of nutrients from agricultural land into waterways probably represents the greatest cause of high nutrients.
Impacts of high nutrient loads Although nitrogen and phosphorus are essential to plant growth, excessive levels can contribute to eutrophication of a system. Eutrophication can lead to algal blooms, which can sometimes be toxic. To date there have been no recorded
22 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 3.0 THREATS AND THREATENING PROCESSES algal blooms within the Fitzroy estuary system, however toxic algal blooms have been recorded in one estuary in the region, the Merri estuary (Fenton 2007). Although toxic blooms are of greatest concern from a human and stock health perspective, non-toxic algal blooms can also affect recreational use of the waterway, increase oxygen demand to the detriment of in-stream biota and decrease light penetration.
Turbidity Turbidity is a measure of the clarity of water, which is related to the amount of suspended particles in the water. High turbidity means that water is carrying a large amount of suspended material, which can be an issue in estuaries. Turbidity in the Fitzroy estuary has been found to range between 0.1 and 49.6 NTU. Guideline limits for turbidity in estuaries are yet to be developed for Victoria. More data from the Glenelg Hopkins CMA estuary water quality monitoring program is required, in order to develop specific criteria for acceptable turbidity within the estuary, as per the State Environment Protection Policy Waters of Victoria (SEPP WoV).
Causes of high turbidity High turbidity is generally indicative of a high suspended solids load. This is generally caused by erosion within the catchment.
Impacts of high turbidity Large amounts of suspended material in the water column results in decreased light penetration. This in turn limits photosynthesis of seagrass and phytoplankton, retarding their growth, which can have flow on effects on nutrient cycling and further up in the food chain. High turbidity can also indicate a high sedimentation rate, which is a risk to seagrass beds, which could potentially become smothered.
Dissolved oxygen The EPA State Environment Protection Policy for Waters of Victoria (SEPP WoV) recommends a range between 80 and 110% dissolved oxygen for estuaries. SEPP WoV requires a minimum of 11 data points collected over a 12 month period. Analysis of the data collected so far as part of the Glenelg Hopkins CMA monthly water quality monitoring program shows that surface waters (typically the top metre of water) meet the SEPP WoV criteria. Waters deeper than one metre are generally not meeting the criteria, however this further demonstrates the need for estuary specific criteria, as it is typically stratification, a natural and necessary estuarine process, rather than ‘poor’ water quality that is causing this lack of oxygen. Stratification is primarily a result of lack of mixing of water through the water column, and generally occurs during periods of low freshwater inflow.
Causes of low dissolved oxygen levels Stratification, as outlined above, can cause low levels of dissolved oxygen at the bottom of the estuary. This is a natural process, with the re-oxygenation occurring when freshwater flows increase.
High levels of organic matter can lower dissolved oxygen levels. As organic matter decomposes it requires oxygen, which can lower the dissolved oxygen levels and may even cause hypoxic or anoxic conditions. Hypoxic conditions occur when dissolved oxygen levels are below 2mg/L. Anoxic conditions occur when there is no dissolved oxygen in the water. Sources of organic matter can include decomposing vegetation.
Impacts of low dissolved oxygen levels Even short-term changes in dissolved oxygen levels can have dramatic consequences for water quality and the ecology of the system. Aquatic fauna such as fish and invertebrates require oxygen for survival. Most fish require dissolved oxygen concentrations greater than 5mg/L, although species like the short-finned eel ( Anguilla australis ) can tolerate slightly lower levels.
Low dissolved oxygen levels associated with stratification represent the greatest risk to aquatic fauna when artificial river mouth openings are conducted. Artificial river mouth openings undertaken when the estuary water column is stratified can remove the top layer of oxygenated water leaving behind water with inadequate oxygen to support aquatic life.
Causes of high dissolved oxygen levels Supersaturation of dissolved oxygen can be caused by high energy inputs, for example flow over a spillway, or may be a sign of increased primary production, i.e. an algal bloom.
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 23 3.0 THREATS AND THREATENING PROCESSES
Impact of high dissolved oxygen levels Excessively high levels of dissolved oxygen can also have serious impacts on aquatic fauna, especially fish. High levels of dissolved oxygen can cause gas bubble disease. In extreme cases this can cause death, due to the blockage of blood supply to vital organs.
3.6 Reduced water quantity Reduction in flow causes a reduction in available aquatic habitat, which may have negative consequences for many aquatic species. Other impacts of reduced flow may include a decrease in water quality, which in itself may also have negative impacts.
For example, alteration of the hydrology of the estuary has the potential to have serious implications on the successful spawning of black bream, as this species relies on the hydrological cycle for spawning cues and optimum conditions for hatching success (Sherwood and Backhouse 1982; Newton 1996). Limited flushing of the system will lead to a build up of anoxic waters and potentially also lead to high concentrations of ammonia and sulphide, which may also limit spawning success (Sherwood et al. 1997 cited in Barton 2003). Nicholson et al. (2004) has also drawn attention to the reliance of black bream on the estuary’s hydrologic regime and adequate freshwater inflow.
Water quantity, in particular flow, is an important consideration in artificial river mouth openings.
3.7 Inundation Inundation is a natural process and plays an important role in the life cycle of many species, for example black bream (see Section 3.6). Periodic inundation of wetlands is also necessary to ensure their ongoing health. However, inundation can negatively impact on social and economic uses of the estuary and surrounding land.
Inundation is a threat to social uses of the estuary, in particular recreational fishing and boating. Inundation causes boat ramps and jetties to become submerged, restricting their accessibility. Jetties and boat ramps may also be closed to public access for some time following flooding as inundation can cause a build up of sediment and algal growth on their surfaces, making them dangerous for use. Floating jetties provide an excellent alternative to the fixed structures, mainly by increasing access to the system and reducing the public safety risk.
Inundation is strongly linked to the estuary entrance and artificial river mouth openings (Section 3.1). At present, inundation is one of the main reasons for artificially opening the estuary mouth.
Management actions – inundation
Inundation Management objective : To achieve an inundation regime that does not compromise estuary health while providing for sustainable use of surrounding land .
Management action target : Accurate quantification of the area of land affected by inundation. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FI 1 Complete a flood study for the Fitzroy estuary and SP GHCMA VH surrounding land that takes into account the latest predictions for sea level rise and storm surge.
3.8 Climate change and sea level rise Climate change and sea level rise has the potential to have serious impacts on the habitat values of the Fitzroy estuary. Latest research puts the rate at which sea level rise is occurring at between 0.8 and 8 centimetres every ten years (DSE 2004a).
24 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 3.0 THREATS AND THREATENING PROCESSES
Climate change The implications of climate change for estuarine habitat and associated biodiversity values may be significant. As estuary water level increases, many of the fringing vegetation communities will, where possible, move landwards to avoid inundation and remain viable. If the opportunity for landward migration in response to increases in water level is not available, then there is a very real risk of some vegetation communities and habitat types becoming locally extinct.
Investment in estuarine habitat mapping and flood studies represent a responsible and pro-active response to this threat. The maps and condition data produced from these exercises will enable habitat zones under threat from rising water levels to be accurately located and prioritised for the application of measures to allow for retreat of vegetation communities as water level rises.
Measures that could allow for vegetation community retreat might include: • Fencing of retreat zones combined with vegetation enhancement plantings and controlled grazing or other methods of vegetation removal. • An ecosystem stewardship scheme for private landholders willing to change adjacent landuse practices for the benefit of the ecosystem. • Strategic purchase, covenanting and resale of freehold land. • Strategic purchase and reversion of freehold land to Crown land
Prediction of the impacts of climate change is extremely difficult, as any impacts are likely to be highly complex and dependant on future actions and emission levels. In general, it is thought that climate change in southwest Victoria will result in higher average temperatures, decreased rainfall, decreased streamflow, more frequent storm events and increased storm ferocity (CSIRO 2002).
Implications for the estuary could include: • Alteration of wave energy, which could have a dramatic effect on the estuary entrance and its management, along with changes in species distributions and life cycles (Howden et al. 2003). • An increase in shoreline erosion (Pittock 2003), • Dieback of reeds and other plants due to increased salinity resulting from increased estuarine area, which would also have effects on the aquatic animals (Pittock 2003), • Changes in the mouth opening regime due to changes in the hydrodynamics due to a reduction in streamflow.
Species with longer generational times are likely to be more seriously affected by climate change as they are not able to quickly adapt to an altered environment.
Sea level rise Sea level rise is not a recent phenomenon, CSIRO (2003) states that in the last 100 years sea level has risen between 10 and 20 cm. A number of factors are likely to contribute to an increase in sea level globally, which includes the melting of glaciers and the thermal expansion of seawater as a result of increased temperatures due to global warming. Sea level is predicted to rise between 0.09 and 0.88m by 2100, which equates to a rise of 0.8 to 8.0 mm per year (CSIRO 2002, DSE 2004b)
The effect of such an increase in sea water level on the state, size or location of the sand bar at the estuary mouth is unknown, and would require a detailed study of the geomorphology and hydrodynamics of the mouth. It is extremely difficult to predict what effects an increase in sea level may have on the opening/closing regime of the estuary. Given the importance of sustained streamflow in keeping the river mouth open, changes in hydrology due to climate change may result in longer periods of mouth closure.
Management actions – climate change and sea level rise
Climate change and sea level rise
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 25 3.0 THREATS AND THREATENING PROCESSES
Management objective : Actively manage risk associated with predicted climate change impacts associated with the Fitzroy estuary.
Management action target : Ensure that the effects of climate change are incorporated into the Glenelg Shire Planning Scheme by 2011. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool See Section 2.1
3.9 Land use change Change in land use can influence the amount of water entering rivers. The Water and Land Use Change study (WatLUC 2005) investigated the impact of different land use scenarios on stream flow in rivers in the southwest. This involved determining the likely rates of growth for various industries. This information is presented in Table 2. As can be seen from the table, it is likely that there will be a significant change in land use in both the Darlot Creek and Fitzroy River sub catchments. It is likely that there will be a decrease in broadacre cropping in both sub catchments, which will likely be accompanied by an increase in both native vegetation and hardwood plantations.
Table 2 – Projected changes in land use for both the Fitzroy River and Darlot Creek sub catchments. Darlot Creek Sub-catchment (P4) Fitzroy River Sub-catchment (P3) 1990 2003 2010 2020 2030 1990 2003 2010 2020 2030 agriculture: crop 0.00% 1.00% 1.40% 1.90% 2.50% 0.30% 0.40% 0.40% 0.40% 0.50% agriculture: broadacre 67.20% 52.20% 46.50 42.20% 38.00 42.20% 29.80% 27.00% 24.50% 22.00% % % agriculture: dairy 14.00% 22.20% 22.10 23.30% 24.50 12.30% 22.00% 22.60% 24.30% 25.90% % % horticulture: vegetables 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% horticulture: trees 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% horticulture: grape vines 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.10% 0.10% 0.00% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% native vegetation 14.60% 14.70% 16.10 18.00% 19.90 39.20% 39.20% 39.50% 39.90% 40.30% % % forestry: hardwood (blue 0.00% 5.60% 9.60% 10.10% 10.60 0.00% 2.50% 4.20% 4.40% 4.70% gum plantation) % forestry: sugar gum or other 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% low rainfall farm forestry species forestry: softwood (pine) 0.80% 0.80% 0.80% 0.90% 0.90% 1.90% 2.00% 2.10% 2.20% 2.30% rural residential land use 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% urban residential land uses 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.10% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% commercial land uses 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.30% 0.40% transport 3.30% 3.30% 3.30% 3.40% 3.40% 3.20% 3.20% 3.20% 3.20% 3.20% water 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% mining 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20% 0.20%
Stream flow in the Fitzroy River has decreased by about 3.5 percent between 1990 and 2006 (Figure 4). Future land use change has the potential to further decrease the flows in the river, with a predicted overall decrease of about five to seven percent from the 1990 flow. It is important to note that none of these predictions incorporate the potential impacts of climate change and is based on average rainfalls. That is, these predictions do not include the influence of climatic factors on rainfall, which will also influence the amount of run off.
26 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 3.0 THREATS AND THREATENING PROCESSES
0%
-1%
-2%
-3% Scenario One- BASE CASE
Scenario Two- HIGH CROP -4% Scenario Three- HIGH FORESTRY
Scenario Four- HIGH GRAPE -5% Scenario Five- HIGH DAIRY
Scenario Six- HISTORICAL TRENDS -6% Scenario Seven- IUCN
Scenario Eight - HIGH NATIVE VEGETATION
CHANGE CHANGE IN STREAMFLOW (% of annual streamflow) -7% Scenario Nine - RURAL RESIDENTIAL
Scenario Ten - BROADACRE GRAZING -8% 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 DATE
Figure 4 – Projected decrease in stream flow for the Fitzroy River sub catchment (P3) based on different land use change scenarios
As can be seen from Figure 5, over the last 16 years there has been a substantial decrease in stream flow in Darlot Creek. This decline in stream flow is expected to continue, with a likely total decrease of between 35 and 45 percent possible by 2030.
0%
-10%
BASE CASE -20% HIGH CROP
HIGH FORESTRY
HIGH GRAPE -30% HIGH DAIRY
HISTORICAL TRENDS
IUCN Change in streamflow (%streamflow in Change mean annual flow) -40% HIGH NATIVE VEGETATION
RURAL RESIDENTIAL
BROADACRE GRAZING -50% 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030
Figure 5 - Projected decrease in stream flow for the Darlot Creek sub catchment (P4) based on different land use change scenarios
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 27 3.0 THREATS AND THREATENING PROCESSES
3.10 Off road vehicles The Land Conservation (Vehicle Control) Act 1972 makes driving along the beach without a permit illegal in Victoria. At the Fitzroy estuary, vehicle access is permitted along the edge of the estuary to Blind Creek. However, there may be incidences of off road vehicles ignoring signage and using the area as access to the beach. This should be actively discouraged and enforced, as beaches and dunes are sensitive ecosystems. Species, such as the hooded plover, nest in dune and beach areas. Crushing of their nests, eggs and young represents a significant threat. Aboriginal midden sites and material can also be destroyed by off road vehicles.
Off road vehicles in the dunes and beach area can not only disrupt the nesting or feeding habits of shorebirds, they can also contribute to an increase in erosion, aid in the spread of pest plants, and damage sensitive vegetation and habitats.
28 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 4. LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLANNING
4. Local Government Planning 4.1 The Planning Scheme The Glenelg Shire Planning Scheme contains state and local planning policies, zones and overlays and controls land use and development within the municipality. The scheme indicates if a planning permit is required to change the use of land, to construct a building or make other changes to the land (DSE 2001). The Municipal Strategic Statement focuses on key land use planning and development issues relating to primary production, urban development, infrastructure provision and the environment and is to be reviewed on a three yearly basis.
4.2 Local planning policy Decisions regarding applications for planning permits are made using planning policies (DSE 2001). An appropriate local planning policy is required for the area covered by this Management Plan to ensure control of potential changes in land use and increasing pressure from recreational activities. Future reviews of the Glenelg Shire Planning Scheme represent important opportunities to ensure planning policy forms a strong foundation for the maintenance and enhancement of the significant environmental, economic, social and cultural values of the area.
4.3 Zones and overlays 4.3.1 Zones The planning scheme zones land for particular uses – e.g. residential, industrial, business or other. The scheme lists the zones along with particular requirements and information, such as if a planning permit is required and the matters the council must consider before deciding to grant a permit. The zones also contain information relative to land uses, subdivision of land, construction of new buildings and other land changes (DSE 2001).
The Glenelg Shire Planning Scheme identifies one land use zone, rural zone (RUZ) for the estuary and surrounding land areas. This zone has the purpose of providing for sustainable land use and encouraging an integrated approach to land management.
4.3.2 Overlays Overlays are maps showing special features of land that need to be considered in planning decisions. There are two types of overlays identified by the Glenelg Shire Planning Scheme within the management plan area. These are: • Environmental significance overlay (ESO). • Heritage overlay (HO).
The purpose of an Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO) is to identify areas where the development of land may be affected by environmental constraints and to ensure that development is compatible with identified environmental values.
An Environmental Significance Overlay (ESO1) covers the coastal area, which has the additional purpose of protecting Glenelg Shire’s coastal and marine environments, and preventing inappropriate development in coastal areas that is likely to prejudice the long term environmental values of the coast.
A second ESO (ESO2) covers the both the Fitzroy River and Darlot Creek, including the estuary. This overlay has the objectives of maintaining the environmental diversity and quality of areas that constitute wetlands, swamplands, intertidal areas, lagoons and significant waterways. Other purposes of ESO2 include preventing inappropriate development adjacent to significant wetlands and waterways and preventing pollution and degradation of these areas.
A Heritage Overlay (HO) has the purpose of conserving and enhancing heritage sites of natural or cultural significance and those elements that contribute to the significance of heritage sites. Two sites are protected by the HO within the Management Plan area; these are the Fitzroy River and Tyrendarra Lava Flow (HO152), and Darlot Creek (HO143).
4.4 Landscape values Landscape values are important, as the views to and from the estuary are significant socially, recreationally and economically - for tourists and local residents. While this Plan recognises the importance of landscape values, no specific direction is recommended regarding management of this issue. Appropriate zones and overlays applied by local government represent the primary management tool to prevent development and uses that are not aesthetically pleasing in areas with important vistas.
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 29 4. LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLANNING
The Coastal Spaces Landscape Assessment Study commissioned by DSE in 2004 provides the best framework for protecting and managing landscape values. The landscape value of the Fitzroy estuary is recognised by this report as being of local significance.
4.5 ‘Sea-change’ development Sea-change type development, whilst not a major concern at present, could become a more important consideration in the future as demand for coastal property increases. Appropriate local government planning controls need to be in place to manage this.
Management actions – local government planning
Local government planning Management objective : Direct and control development to protect the values of the Fitzroy estuary and continue economic development within the framework of ecological sustainability.
Management action target : Adoption of planning policy, zones and overlays into the Glenelg Shire Planning Scheme that protect and enhance the values of the Fitzroy estuary. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FP 1 Develop local planning policy for the Management Plan SP GSC H area that is consistent with the objectives of the Estuary Management Plan FP 2 Require that an environmental impact statement be SP GSC H prepared for major planning applications for any area within or adjoining the estuary. FP 3 Identify and develop appropriate zones and overlays for SP GSC M the Management Plan area – consistent with new planning policy FP 4 Undertake notice procedures for amendments and put CE GSC L new policy, zones and overlays on exhibition. FP 5 Amend Planning Scheme including incorporation of new SP GSC L zones and overlays
30 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 5. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING
5. Assessing the effectiveness of this Management Plan - monitoring, evaluation and reporting The mechanism for assessment of the effectiveness of investment in the implementation of this Management Plan has two main components.
1. Short term assessment process This is to be achieved through evaluation of progress towards the implementation of Management Action Targets (MATs). This assessment process will take place on an annual basis through a forum convened by the Glenelg Hopkins CMA in partnership with the Western Coastal Board (see section 1.7 for details). This process forms a component of the reporting requirement for the implementation of the South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan.
2. Long term assessment process This is to be achieved through the evaluation of progress towards the implementation of Resource Condition Targets (RCTs). At present, RCTs are being developed for the Glenelg Hopkins CMA Region. In general, decades represent realistic timeframes for meaningful assessment of progress towards RCTs. The effectiveness of this long term assessment process will rely heavily on the level of investment in establishing baseline condition and extent of key components of estuary health, and then long term monitoring and adaptive management to ensure that the condition of the estuary does not deteriorate from the established baseline condition.
The annual review process outlined in section 1.7 represents a key mechanism for ensuring that the implementation, including monitoring evaluation and reporting, of this Management Plan remains effective and relevant.
Monitoring Management actions identified in this Plan focus on protecting and enhancing the environmental, social and economic values of the Fitzroy estuary. Effectiveness of investment in implementing these actions will be assessed through monitoring the condition of key resources (components) of the estuary that define its overall health. The condition of these key resources will form the focus of Resource Condition Targets (RCTs).
RCTs are the desired physical state (condition and or extent) of particular natural resource assets at a point in time in the future. In general, RCTs establish the long term target for investment in implementation of the Management Plan. RCTs are currently under development for the Glenelg Hopkins Region. As RCTs have yet to be finalised for estuarine environments, they have not been included in the Management Plan. The action tables identify management objectives, which are defined as the desired future state of the estuary, and management action targets (MATs), which represent the ideal state of the resource once all of the actions identified in this plan have been implemented. That is, MATs represent a first step towards achieving the RCTs.
In order to ensure that progress is made towards achieving the MATs, and consequently the management objective, it is necessary to monitor implementation of not only the actions identified in this management plan but also the condition of the estuary. Information on changes, both positive and negative, in condition gives managers a base on which to adapt management actions.
Current monitoring programs include the estuarine water quality monitoring program, which monitors three sites within the Fitzroy estuary and one site above the estuary. This program provides information on water quality conditions on a monthly basis. The advantages of such a program are not only that it provides valuable baseline information and ensures managers have current information on the quality of water within the estuary, but also provides early warning of any changes. The estuary water quality monitoring program is currently being evaluated to ensure that it is meeting all of the objectives required.
In order to improve our understanding of the condition of the estuary, the current monitoring program needs to be expanded. Monitoring is vital to ensuring that we are protecting and enhancing the environmental assets of the estuary. Monitoring programs are also useful in quantifying the progress of implementation, and form part of both short and long term assessment processes.
Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 31 5. MONITORING, EVALUATION AND REPORTING
Evaluation To ensure that management actions are effective it is necessary to critically evaluate the outcomes from actions and understand the contribution that they make to the health of the estuary.
As well as evaluating management actions, it is necessary to evaluate the adequacy of monitoring programs. Monitoring provides the only method of quantifying progress towards a management objective, therefore it is necessary to ensure that the level of monitoring is able to detect change at a level that will be useful in terms of effective management.
Reporting Reporting on the outcomes of current actions will take place as part of the annual review of implementation. Informing the wider community of the outcomes of the annual review meeting will also represent an integral component of reporting. Reporting will identify the actions that have been implemented in the past 12 months, outcomes of those actions as well as new issues or priorities within the Management Plan area.
Management actions – monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Monitoring, evaluation and reporting Management objective : Monitor and evaluate the health and functioning of the estuary and implementation of the Estuary Management Plan.
Management action target : Undertake an evaluation of the effectiveness of implementing actions identified in the Estuary Management Plan by 2011. Action No. Action Key Lead Priority Implementation Agency Tool FMER 1 Develop realistic and measurable resource condition SP GHCMA M targets for the estuarine resources of the Fitzroy estuary. FMER 2 Following development of estuarine RCTs for the Fitzroy SP GHCMA M estuary, develop a monitoring program, including development of a series of indicators, to measure progress towards achieving the desired resource condition target.
References Allen, G.R.; Midgley, S.H.; Allen, M. (2002) Field Guide to the Freshwater Fishes of Australia. Western Australian Museum.
ANZECC (2000) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. Volume 1 – The Guidelines. Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council, Agriculture and Resources Management Council of Australia and New Zealand.
Barton, J. (2003) Estuarine Health Monitoring and Assessment Review. Prepared for State Water Quality Monitoring and Assessment Committee. Victoria.
Barton, J.; Sherwood J. (2004) Estuary Opening Management in Western Victoria: An Information Analysis. Parks Victoria Technical Series No. 11.
Builth, H. (2002) The archaeology and socioeconomy of the Gunditjmara: A landscape analysis from southwest Victoria, Australia. Unpublished PhD thesis, Department of Archaeology, Flinders University, Adelaide. Builth, H. (2003) Tyrendarra IPA Plan of Management. Report for Environment Australia, Winda-mara Aboriginal Corporation: Heywood, Victoria. Builth, H. (2004). "Mt Eccles lava flow and the Gunditijmara connection: a landform for all seasons." Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 116(1): 165-184. Carr, G. W., D. Frood, N. R. Roberts and N. Rosengren (2005) Mt Eccles Lava Flow Botanical Management Plan: Literature Review. Project 05-66 Prepared for Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation. E. Australia.
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CSIRO (2002) Climate Change And Australia’s Coastal Communities. CSIRO Atmospheric Research. Available from: http://www.dar.csiro.au/publications/CoastalBroch2002.pdf CSIRO (2003) Greenhouse: Questions and Answers. CSIRO Atmospheric Research. http://www.dar.csiro.au/publications/gh_faq.htm Donnelly, A.J., Grieves, C.J. (1992) Yarra Pigmy Perch ( Edelia obscura ) in the Fitzroy River, South Western Victoria. Victorian Naturalist. 109(2) p 54. DSE (2001) Planning: A Short Guide. Revised 2003. Department of Sustainability and Environment , Melbourne. Available from: http://www.dse.vic.gov.au DSE (2004a) Climate Change in the Glenelg Hopkins Region. State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. DSE (2004b) Adapting to Climate Change – Enhancing Victoria’s Climate Change – A consultation paper. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. DSE (2005a) Index of Stream Condition: The second benchmark of Victorian river condition. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. DSE (2005b) Advisory list of rare or threatened plants in Victoria – 2005. Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. EEMSS (2006) Estuary Entrance Management Support System (EEMSS). H. Arundel (editor). Report prepared for GHCMA (project manager) Hamilton, Vic, Australia (118pp incl CD). Fenton, C. (2005) Hydrodynamics and Nutrient Status of the Fitzroy River Estuary – Progress Report 5. Deakin University, Warrnambool. Report to the Glenelg Hopkins CMA. Fenton, C. (2007) Hydrodynamics, nutrients and algae in the Fitzroy and Merri estuaries. Draft Masters Thesis. School of Life and Environmental Science, Deakin University, Warrnambool. Friend, G.; Fisher, P.; Loyn, R.; Robley, A. eds. (2001) Control and management of the red fox in Victoria – Workshop proceedings. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne. Glenelg Hopkins CMA (2000a) Glenelg Hopkins Weed Action Plan 2001-2004. Hamilton. Glenelg Hopkins CMA (2000b) Glenelg Hopkins Rabbit Action Plan – Strategic Rabbit Management. Prepared by Brett Harrison and South Pest Plants and Animals Team, Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Glenelg Hopkins CMA (2004) Glenelg Hopkins River Health Strategy 2004 – 2009. Glenelg Hopkins CMA, Hamilton. Glenelg Shire Council (2002) Glenelg Shire Coastal Action Plan. Prepared by Parson Brinckerhoff Pty Limited. Henry, G.W. and Lyle, J.M. editors (2003) The National Recreational and Indigenous Fishing Survey July 2003. Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Canberra. Howell, T., Laurenson, L.J., Myers, J.H, Jones, P.L. (2004) Spatial, temporal and size-class variation in the diet of estuary perch (Macquaria colonorum) in the Hopkins River, Victoria, Australia. Hydrobiologia. 515: 29-37 Howden, M.; Hughes, L.; Dunlop, M.; Zethoven, I.; Hilbert, D.; Chilcott, C. eds. (2003) Climate Change Impacts on Biodiversity in Australia, Outcomes of a workshop sponsored by the Biological Diversity Advisory Committee, 1-2 October 2002. Commonwealth of Australia, Canberra. Ierodiaconou, D; Laurenson, L.; Leblanc, M.; Duff, G. (2003) Regional scale land-use mapping using Landsat ETM+ satellite imagery and GIS in south-west Victoria, Australia. Prepared for the Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority.
Keith Turnbull Research Institute (1998a) Blackberry. Landcare note LC0188. Landcare notes series, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. Keith Turnbull Research Institute (1998b) Boxthorn. Landcare note LC0186 Landcare Notes series, Department of Sustainability and Environment, Melbourne. Kench, P. (1999) Geomorphology of Australian estuaries: review and prospect. Australian Journal of Ecology 24: 367 – 380. Lawrence, E. (1989) Henderson’s Dictionary of Biological Terms. Tenth edition. Longman Group UK. Learmonth, N.F. (1949) Rediscovery of a long-lost fern. Victorian Naturalist 66: 129 – 131.
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McKay, Shanaugh; Clunie, Pam; Gillespie, Graeme; Radik, Tarmo; Saddlier, Stephen; O’Brien, T; Ryan, Tom; Aland, Glynn. (2001) Predation by Gambusia holbrooki : A review of the literature. New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. Arthur Rylah Institute for Environmental Research. Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Melbourne. McDowall, R. (1996) Freshwater Fishes of South-Eastern Australia. Revised edition. Reed Books, Chatswood, New South Wales. McMahon, A.R.G.; Carr, G.W.; Bedggood, S.E.; Hill, R.J.; Pritchard, A.M. (1996) Prescribed fire and control of coast wattle (Acacia sophorae) invasion in coastal heath south-west Victoria. Fire and Biodiversity: The effects and effectiveness of fire management Conference Proceedings. Department of Environment and Heritage, Canberra. Mondon, J., Sherwood, J.E., Chandler, F. (2003) Western Victorian Estuaries Classification Project. Newton, G.M. (1996) Estuarine icthyoplankton ecology in relation to hydrology and zooplankton dynamics in a salt-wedge estuary. Marine and Freshwater Research 47: 99 – 111. Nicholson, G., Sherwood, J., Jenkins, G. (2004) Effects of Environmental Flows on Spawning Success of Resident Black Bream in Estuarine Environments. Report for the Glenelg-Hopkins Catchment Management Authority Project No. 4.2 Pittock, B. ed. (2003) Climate Change: An Australian Guide to the Science and Potential Impacts. Australian Greenhouse Office, Canberra. Roy, P.S.; Williams, R.J.; Jones, A.R.; Yassini, I.; Gibbs, P.J.; Coates, B.; West, R.J.; Scanes, P.R.; Hudson, J.P.; Nichol, S. (2001) Structure and function of south-east Australian estuaries. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 53: 351-384. SAC (1996) Final Recommendation on a nomination for listing: Introduction and spread of Spartina to Victorian estuarine environments (Nomination 312). Scientific Advisory Committee, Flora and Fauna Guarantee. Department of Natural Resources and Environment: Melbourne. Sherwood, J.E. (1985) Hydrodynamics of south-west Victorian estuaries. Research Report 85/1. Faculty of Applied Science and Technology Research Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education. Sherwood, J.E.; Backhouse, G.N. (1982) Hydrodynamics of salt wedge estuaries: implications for successful spawning of black bream ( Acanthopagrus butcheri ). Report 82/3, Faculty of Applied Science and Technology Research Warrnambool Institute of Advanced Education. South West Victoria Branch, Bird Observers Club of Australia (2004) South West Victorian Birdlife Register – Extracts. Thain, M. and Hickman, M. (1996) The Penguin Dictionary of Biology. 9 th Edition. Penguin Books. Victorian Coastal Council (2002) Victorian Coastal Strategy 2002. Melbourne. Victorian Corporation for Aboriginal Languages (2002) Dictionary of Aboriginal Placenames of Victoria – Database of Aboriginal Placenames of Victoria. Compiled by Ian D. Clark Toby Heydon. http://www.vcal.org.au Walsh, C.J., Mitchell, B.D. (1995) The freshwater shrimp Paratya australiensis (Kemp, 1917) (Decapoda: Atyidae) in estuaries of south-western Victoria, Australia. Australian Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research 46: 959- 965.
WatLUC (2005) Water and Land Use Change Study. Stage 2 Community Report. Water and Land Use Change Study Steering Committee and Sinclair Knight Merz.
Western Coastal Board (2002a) South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan 2002. Coastal and Marine Planning Program, Western Coastal Board.
Western Coastal Board (2002b) South West Victoria Regional Coastal Action Plan 2002. Coastal and Marine Planning Program, Western Coastal Board.
Personal communications Barrand, Peter (2006) personal communication 28/3/2006 Builth, Heather (2006) personal communication 27/11/2006 Fenton, Cheree (2005) personal communication 23/5/05 – Deakin University
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Sherwood, John (2004) personal communication 19/4/2004 – Deakin University Sinclair, Steve (2007) personal communication 24/7/2007 – Arthur Rylah Institute
Glossary Actions - what needs to be done to maintain and enhance the values of the area. Algal bloom – a term used to describe the dense growth of planktonic algae which imparts a distinct colour to the water (from Thain and Hickman 1996)
Artificial - man made; not occurring naturally; made in imitation of something natural. Anoxic - waters are anoxic when they contain no oxygen. Australian Height Datum – height relative to sea level - mean sea level is equivalent to zero on the AHD scale. Benthos – the flora and fauna of sea or lake bottom from high water mark down to the deepest levels. (from Lawrence 1989)
Biomass – total weight, volume or energy equivalent of organisms in a given area (from Lawrence 1989) Carapace – a shell or hard covering on the back of some animals, such as a crab or tortoise (from Heinemann 1987).
Diadromous – migrating between fresh and seawater (from Lawrence 1989). Eels are an excellent example – they live in freshwater for most of their life but breed in saltwater. Estuaries are vital for these species, as they need to migrate through estuaries to reach either fresh or saltwater.
Dissolved oxygen - oxygen in water is dissolved. Dissolved oxygen levels in water need to be higher than 5 mg/L to be suitable for fish.
Eutrophication – is the excessive enrichment of a lake, etc. with nutrients, resulting in growth of organisms and depletion of oxygen (from Lawrence 1989).
EVC - Ecological Vegetation Class. Ecological Vegetation Classes provide a guide to the plant communities and individual species that occur (or once occurred) in different parts of the landscape. Maps of the extent of EVCs prior to European settlement and the current extent have been produced by DSE.
Flocculation - the process by which small particles of fine soils and sediments aggregate into larger lumps. Hydrodynamics - this relates to how the water moves within the estuary. In estuaries it is also relates to the movement and changes in freshwater and saltwater.
Invertebrates – animals that do not have a backbone. Karst - an area of irregular limestone in which erosion has produced fissures, sinkholes, underground streams, and caverns
Land managers - are the persons or agencies responsible for managing the land in an area. Littoral - growing or living near the sea shore (from Lawrence 1989). The littoral zone is the zone of shallow water and bottom above compensation depth (the depth at which photosynthesis cannot be supported) in lakes (from Lawrence 1989).
Macroinvertebrates – animals that are large enough to be seen with the naked eye and that lack backbones. Morphology – the form and structure of the estuary. Natural – normal or to be expected; genuine or spontaneous; produced by nature; not created by human beings; not synthetic (from Lawrence 1989).
Objectives – these are the “preferred future” of the estuary i.e. how we would like the estuary to be in the future. Photosynthesis – is the process by which plants use the sun’s energy and carbon dioxide to make energy for growth.
Phytoplankton – plant plankton (from Lawrence 1989) Plankton – usually small marine or freshwater plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) drifting with the surrounding water (from Lawrence 1989)
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PPT – parts per thousand. Usually the measurement of the salt content of water. Sea water has a salt concentration of 35ppt.
Public land managers – are those authorities, agencies or councils that have the responsibility for managing and maintaining public and crown land areas and facilities.
Regionally controlled weeds - are a category of weeds listed under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 , and are those species that are considered to be widespread and considered important in a particular region.
Regionally prohibited weeds – are a category of weeds listed under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, and are those species that are not widely distributed in the region but are capable of spreading further.
Riparian – frequenting, growing on, or living on the banks of streams or rivers (from Lawrence 1989). Saltmarshes – wetland areas that are saline and subject to tidal influences, generally near the estuary mouth. Stakeholders – are those groups or individuals that have an interest, either economic, environmental, social or cultural, in the Management Plan area.
Stratification – occurs in estuaries due to the difference in densities between salt and freshwater. The end result is a layer of freshwater sitting on top of a saltwater layer.
Substrate – a surface on which an organism grows or is attached. Targets – how we would like the estuary to be at the end of a given period. This time period will vary between targets, depending on the length of time required to detect change.
Turbidity – high turbidity is caused by having large amounts of sediment or foreign particles either suspended in the water column or stirred up by some activity. Sediment sources include erosion of land areas as well as erosion of the river’s banks.
Zooplankton – animal plankton
Further Information Aboriginal Affairs Victoria – www.dvc.vic.gov.au/aav.htm China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement. – www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/migratory/waterbirds Department of Environment and Heritage. – www.deh.gov.au Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. www.dimia.gov.au Department of Infrastructure. – www.doi.vic.gov.au Department of Primary Industries. – www.dpi.vic.gov.au Department of Sustainability and Environment. – www.dse.vic.gov.au Deakin University. – www.deakin.edu.au Department of Victorian Communities. – www.dvc.vic.gov.au Environment Protection Authority. – www.epa.vic.gov.au Floating jetties – http://www.thejettyspecialist.com.au/domjet Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority – www.glenelg-hopkins.vic.gov.au Glenelg Shire Council – www.glenelg.vic.gov.au Indigenous Protected Areas – www.deh.gov.au/indigenous/ipa Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement – www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/migratory/waterbirds Land Conservation Council – www.veac.vic.gov.au Natural Heritage Trust – www.nht.gov.au Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Plan – www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/recovery/orange-bel- parrot/index.html Parks Victoria – www.parkweb.vic.gov.au Southern Rural Water – www.srw.com.au
36 Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan
Trust for Nature – www.tfn.org.au Victorian Farmers Federation – www.vff.org.au Western Coastal Board – www.westerncoastalboard.vic.gov.au World Conservation Union – www.iucn.org
Appendices Appendix A Relevant legislation, policies and strategies
Regional Glenelg Hopkins Draft Native Vegetation Plan Prepared by the GHCMA under the state framework for native (2003) vegetation management. Glenelg Hopkins Nutrient Management Plan Prepared by the GHCMA to provide a framework for nutrient (2002) management projects Glenelg Hopkins Rabbit Action Plan (2000) Prepared by the GHCMA for the management of rabbits within the region. Glenelg Hopkins Regional Catchment Strategy Prepared by the GHCMA and provides the primary planning framework 2003 – 2007 for land, water and biodiversity in the region Glenelg Hopkins River Health Strategy (2004) Prepared by the GHCMA and sets out strategies for ecological sustainability and the restoration of environmental condition in the region. Prepared under the Victorian River Health Strategy. Glenelg Hopkins Weed Action Plan (2000) Prepared by the GHCMA for the management of pest plants within the region Glenelg Shire Coastal Action Plan (2002) Provides more detail for the area than the Regional Coastal Action Plan and the Victorian Coastal Strategy South West Estuaries Coastal Action Plan Sets out how and what to consider when preparing individual estuary (2002) management plans. South West Victoria Regional Coastal Action Provides strategic coastal planning for the region. Prepared by the Plan (2002) Western Coastal Board. Provides more detail for the area than the Victorian Coastal Strategy
State Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Provides for the protection of archaeological and aboriginal relics. Preservation Act 1972 Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994 Established the Catchment Management Authorities Coastal Management Act 1995 Provides for the co-ordinated and strategic planning of Victoria’s coastal resources • Established the Coastal Boards • Provides for the preparation of the Victorian Coastal Strategy and Coastal Action Plans • Requires consent for the use and development of Crown Land Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 Provides for the reservation of Crown Lands and the management of those lands Environment Protection Act 1970 Purpose is to create a legislative framework for the protection of the environment in Victoria having regard to the principles of environment protection. Also establishes the Environment Protection Authority. Fisheries Act 1995 Provides for the management and conservation of Victorian fisheries resources, habitats and ecosystems. Also aims to facilitate access to fisheries resources for commercial, Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 37
recreational, traditional and non-consumptive uses. Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 The key piece of Victorian legislation for the conservation of threatened species and communities and for the management of potentially threatening processes Land Conservation (Vehicle Control) Act 1972 Controls vehicle traffic on public land to aid in the prevention of soil erosion and damage. This includes vast areas of the coastal zone. Planning and Environment Act 1994 Established to provide a framework for planning the use, development and protection of land in Victoria. Victoria’s Biodiversity Strategy (1997); Forms a key step in the flora and fauna program, shows how to achieve the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act’s objectives of conserving native species, communities and gene pools, preventing threats and encouraging community involvement. Victoria’s Native Vegetation Management – A The broad purpose of this framework is to achieve a net gain in extent Framework for Action (2002); and quality of native vegetation across the state. Victorian Coastal Strategy (2002); Prepared under the Coastal Management Act 1995 to guide planning objectives on the Victorian Coast. The objectives are: • Sustain • Protect • Direct • Develop Victorian River Health Strategy (2002) The VRHS provides the framework for regional communities to make decisions on river protection and restoration and to find the balance between using our rivers and maintaining their ecological condition. Water Act 1989 Provides for the integrated management of all elements of the terrestrial phase of the water cycle; and to promote the orderly, equitable and efficient use of water resources. Wildlife Act 1975 Provides for the protection and conservation of wildlife; and the prevention of taxa from becoming extinct.
Federal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage Provides for the preservation and protection of places, areas and Protection Act 1984 objects in Australia and Australian waters that are of particular significance to Aboriginals in accordance with Aboriginal tradition. Australian Environment Protection and Provides for the protection of the environment, especially those aspects Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 of the environment that are matters of national environmental significance; and promotes ecologically sustainable development China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement Agreement between China and Australia for the protection of migratory (CAMBA) birds and their environment Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement Agreement between Japan and Australia for the protection of migratory (JAMBA) birds and their environment Native Title Act 1993 Provides for the recognition and protection of native title and also establishes mechanisms for determining claims to native title.
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Appendix B Management plan consultation
Consultation for the development of the Fitzroy estuary Management Plan took place over three days between the 27 th and the 29 th of March 2006. During this time, staff from Glenelg Hopkins CMA were available for individual meetings with interested parties. The process was publicised in both the Portland Observer and the Warrnambool Standard.
Key issues that were raised during the consultation included:
Artificial river mouth openings Inundation Pest plants and animals Land use change Development Overpopulation of koalas Wastewater treatment at Heywood Heywood Pulp Mill Lack of public access to the estuary when water levels are high Erosion
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Appendix C Consultation framework for development and implementation of Estuary Management Plans
South West and Wimmera Recreational Cultural Heritage Program Business users Deakin GHCMA Landholders Cultural groups University
Sporting DSE DPI groups Environmental groups Western Coastal Board Local Government Other individuals and groups.
Including visitors to the Identify : Provide technical and scientific Parks estuary area. • issues guidance. Victoria • management needs Identify:
• opportunities for • issues implementation • management needs
• opportunities for partnerships • opportunities for implementation
• opportunities for partnerships
Estuary Management Plan
Estuary Entrance Management - Decision Support Framework (under development)
CMTWG = Coast and Marine A risk management system for application to artificial river Technical Working Group mouth opening processes.
A scientific foundation for determination of artificial river mouth opening protocols.
(Revised river mouth opening protocols will be added to the management plan once produced through this process)
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Appendix D Vegetation EVCs
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Fitzroy Estuary Management Plan 42
Native vegetation Common name Scientific name DSE FFG EPBC Hymenophyllum cupressiforme Pellaea falcata Microsorium diversifolium Lastreopsis shepherdii Cheilanthes tenuifolia Asplenium flabellifolium Pelurosorus rutifolius Pteris tremula Ophioglossum coriaeceum Asplenium falcatum Anogramma leptophylla Salt paper-bark Melaleuca halmaturorum L Woolly tea-tree Leptospermum lanigerum
Introduced vegetation Native species, which have been introduced to the area outside of their natural range are designated with a
Common name Scientific name Sea spurge Euphorbia paralias Mirror bush Coprosma repens Willow Salix spp Gorse Ulex europaeus Boxthorn Lycium ferocissimum Apple of Sodom Solanum linnaeanum Blackberries Rubus fruticosus agg Coast wattle a Acacia sophorae Marram grass Ammophila arenaria
Appendix E Fish species Abbreviations FFG – Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 L - listed EPBC – Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 Vul - Vulnerable
Action statements for those species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 are available from the Department of Sustainability and Environment website ( http://www.dse.vic.gov.au ). Information on the fish species of the Fitzroy estuary has been compiled from a variety of sources including, Donnelly and Grieves (1992), Barton and Sherwood (2004). Common name Scientific name FFG EPBC Australian salmon Arripis spp Black bream Acanthopagrus butcheri Blue-spot goby Pseudogobius olorum
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Common galaxias Galaxias maculatus Estuary perch Macquaria colonorum Flathead gudgeon Philypnodon grandiceps Long-snout flounder Ammotretis rostratus Mulloway Argyrosomus hololepidotus Pouched lamprey Geotria australis River blackfish Gadopsis mamoratus Short-finned eel Anguilla australis Small-mouthed hardyhead Atherinosoma microstoma Smooth toadfish Torquigener glaber South Australian cobbler Gymnapistes marmoratus Tommy ruff Arripis georgianus Yarra pygmy perch Nannoperca obscura L Vul Yellow-eye mullet Aldrichetta forsteri
Appendix F Fish in estuaries Fish usage of estuaries Estuaries are a unique habitat, with environmental conditions can range from completely fresh to saline. Estuaries can even at times become hypersaline, with a salinity concentration greater than that of seawater. These diverse and varying conditions provide habitat for a variety of species, from marine opportunists that gain access via river mouth openings, to estuarine and freshwater fish. Marine opportunists are usually juveniles of marine species that utilise the benefits provided by estuarine habitats to complete a stage in their life cycle (See Figure 6). Estuarine species are those that complete their entire life cycle within the estuary, while some freshwater species can be found in the upper reaches (See Figure 7). Other species may use the estuary as a migratory route between freshwater and seawater or vice versa. An example is the Short-finned-eel ( Anguilla australis ) that migrates from freshwater to the sea from summer to autumn to breed in the Coral Sea (Allen et al. 2002). Adults die after breeding, but juveniles make their way to the estuary, where they continue to migrate up-stream into freshwater areas, sometime between October and January (Allen et al. 2002).
Other species may enter or “visit” estuaries as adults for short periods, although they are not dependent on estuaries for any specific stage of their life cycle. Mulloway are an example of marine visitor species to the estuaries. (See Figure 8).
One of the most important functions estuaries provide is to act as a ‘nursery’ for juvenile fish. For an area to function efficiently as a nursery there needs to be a low number of predators and a large amount of food. Estuaries and their associated wetlands fulfil these requirements due to their high productivity and relatively shallow nature. This nursery function is particularly useful to marine opportunist species that can enter the estuary as juveniles, or larvae, when the river mouth is open (See Figure 6). The level of predation in an estuary is much lower than in the marine environment, meaning juveniles have a greater survival rate in the estuarine habitat. Once grown to a relatively large size, these fish return to the marine environment where their larger size reduces the risk of predation. Examples of marine opportunists include sea mullet ( Mugil cephalus ), yellow-eye mullet ( Aldrichetta forsteri ) and east Australian salmon ( Arripis trutta ). The species of fish recruited into the estuarine system will depend on the season the mouth is open, and the period of time it remains open. Figure 6 shows the lifecycle pattern for a typical marine opportunist.
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Figure 6 ~ Life cycle of marine opportunists, e.g. mullet (adapted from Swan River Trust, 1999)
Figure 7 - Life cycle of an estuarine species, e.g. black bream (adapted from Swan River Trust, 1999)
Figure 8 ~ Marine visitors (adapted from Swan River Trust, 1999)
Information on key fish species in the Fitzroy estuary Black bream Black bream ( Acanthopagrus butcheri ), though sometimes caught in the ocean, are considered to be a truly estuarine species, completing their entire life cycle within an estuary. Black bream sometimes also venture into freshwater, having been recorded up to 30 km above the salt wedge in the Glenelg estuary (Sherwood and Backhouse 1982) and are a highly important species for recreational fishing.
Sherwood and Backhouse (1982) studied the hydrodynamics of salt-wedge estuaries in relation to spawning of black bream, and in particular focused on the Glenelg and Hopkins river estuaries. They concluded that winter flushing of the estuary is vital, and that the advancement of the salt water wedge back up the estuary following mouth closure is an important spawning cue for black bream. Newton (1996) confirmed this in the Hopkins estuary finding that spawning of species such as black bream and anchovy were related to physical conditions within the estuary.
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Bream eggs are neutrally buoyant at 15 parts per thousand (ppt) salinity, and have been found in salinities ranging to the low 20 ppt (Sherwood pers com. 2004). This means that the eggs float in the water column, just above the dense salt- water layer.
Estuary Perch Estuary perch ( Macquaria colonorum ) are also considered to be an important recreational fishing species. Whilst they haven’t been studied in the Fitzroy, it is known from Hopkins estuary that estuary perch were found to vary their diet according to availability; with the most important food types found to include the atyid shrimp ( Paratya australiensis ), amphipods and the hymenosomatid crab ( Amarinus lacustrine ) (Howell et al. 2004). Species such as the shrimp occur commonly within estuaries with deep channels and stable salt wedges and, in the Hopkins estuary, are most abundant within seagrass beds (Walsh and Mitchell 1995).
Generally, estuary perch prefer deep saline waters, but can be found in fresh or slightly brackish reaches of estuaries (McDowall 1996). In July and August, estuary perch move to the mouths of estuaries to breed (Allen et al. 2002, McDowall 1996). Male estuary perch reach maturity at about 22cm, females at about 28cm (Allen et al. 2002).
Appendix G Bird species Abbreviations FFG – Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 L - listed EPBC – Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 E – Endangered CAMBA – China Australia Migratory Bird Agreement JAMBA – Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement C&J – CAMBA and JAMBA
Action statements for those species listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 are available from the Department of Sustainability and Environment Website ( http://www.dse.vic.gov.au ). Information on the bird species of the Fitzroy estuary has been compiled from a variety of sources including the South West Victoria Birdlife Register (South West Victorian Branch, Bird Observers Club of Australia, 2004); Barton and Sherwood (2004); Barrand (pers. comm.) and the Glenelg Hopkins River Health Strategy (2004) and are presented in taxonomic order.
* introduced species
Family name Common name Scientific name FFG EPBC CAMBA/ JAMBA Phasianidae Stubble quail Coturnix pectoralis Anseranatidae Magpie goose Anseranas semipalmata L Anatidae Musk duck Biziura lobata Anatidae Black swan Cygnus atratus Anatidae Australian shelduck Tadorna tadornoides Anatidae Australian wood duck Chenonetta jubata Anatidae Pacific black duck Anas superciliosa Anatidae Australasian shoveler Anas rhynchotis Anatidae Grey teal Anas gracilis Anatidae Chestnut teal Anas castanea Anatidae Hardhead Aythya australis Podicipedidae Tachybaptus Australasian grebe novaehollandiae Podicipedidae Hoary-headed grebe Poliocephalus poliocephalus
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Family name Common name Scientific name FFG EPBC CAMBA/ JAMBA Procellariidae Short-tailed JAMBA shearwater Puffinus tenuirostris Sulidae Australasian gannet Morus serrator Anhingidae Darter Anhinga melanogaster Phalacrocoracidae Little pied cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos Phalacrocoracidae Pied cormorant Phalacrocorax varius Phalacrocoracidae Little black cormorant Phalacrocorax sulcirostris Phalacrocoracidae Great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo Pelecanidae Australian pelican Pelecanus conspicillatus Ardeidae White-faced heron Egretta novaehollandiae Ardeidae Little egret Egretta garzetta L Ardeidae White-necked heron Ardea pacifica Ardeidae Great egret Ardea alba L CAMBA Ardeidae Intermediate egret Ardea intermedia L Ardeidae Cattle egret Ardea ibis C&J Ardeidae Australasian bittern Botaurus poiciloptilus L Threskiornithidae Australian white ibis Threskiornis molucca Threskiornithidae Straw-necked Ibis Threskiornis spinicollis Threskiornithidae Royal spoonbill Platalea regia Threskiornithidae Yellow-billed spoonbill Platalea flavipes Accipitridae Black-shouldered kite Elanus axillaris Accipitridae Whistling kite Haliastur sphenurus Accipitridae Swamp harrier Circus approximans Accipitridae Grey goshawk Accipiter novaehollandiae L Accipitridae Wedge-tailed eagle Aquila audax Accipitridae Little eagle Hieraaetus morphnoides Falconidae Brown falcon Falco berigora Falconidae Australian hobby Falco longipennis Falconidae Peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus Falconidae Nankeen kestrel Falco cenchroides Gruidae Brolga Grus rubicunda L Rallidae Buff-banded rail Gallirallus philippensis Rallidae Lewin's rail Rallus pectoralis L CAMBA Rallidae Baillon's crake Porzana pusilla L Rallidae Purple swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio Rallidae Dusky moorhen Gallinula tenebrosa Rallidae Eurasian coot Fulica atra Scolopacidae Latham's snipe Gallinago hardwickii Scolopacidae Common greenshank Tringa nebularia Scolopacidae Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos JAMBA Scolopacidae Sanderling Calidris alba CAMBA
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Family name Common name Scientific name FFG EPBC CAMBA/ JAMBA Scolopacidae Red-necked stint Calidris ruficollis C&J Scolopacidae Sharp-tailed sandpiper Calidris acuminata CAMBA Scolopacidae Curlew sandpiper Calidris ferruginea C&J Rostratulidae Painted snipe Rostratula benghalensis L Vu Haematopodidae Pied oystercatcher Haematopus longirostris Recurvirostridae Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus Charadriidae Pacific golden plover Pluvialis fulva Charadriidae Red-capped plover Charadrius ruficapillus Charadriidae Double-banded plover Charadrius bicinctus Charadriidae Black-fronted dotterel Elseyornis melanops Charadriidae Hooded plover Thinornis rubricollis L CAMBA Charadriidae Red-kneed dotterel Charadrius australis Charadriidae Masked lapwing Vanellus miles Laridae Pacific gull Larus pacificus Laridae Kelp gull Larus dominicanus Laridae Silver gull Larus novaehollandiae Laridae Caspian tern Sterna caspia L CAMBA Laridae Crested tern Sterna bergii JAMBA Laridae White-fronted tern Sterna striata Laridae Little tern Sterna albifrons L C&J Laridae Fairy tern Sterna nereis L Yellow-tailed black Cacatuidae cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus Cacatuidae Galah Elophus roseicapilla Cacatuidae Long-billed corella Cacatua tenuirostris Sulphur-crested Cacatuidae cockatoo Cacatua galerita Psittacidae Crimson rosella Platycercus elegans Psittacidae Eastern rosella Platycercus eximius Psittacidae Blue-winged parrot Neophema chrysostoma Psittacidae Orange-bellied parrot Neophema chrysogaster L EN Cuculidae Shining bronze cuckoo Chrysococcyx lucidus Tytonidae Masked owl Tyto novaehollandiae L Halcyonidae Laughing kookaburra Dacelo novaeguineae Halcyonidae Sacred kingfisher Todiramphus sanctus Maluridae Superb fairy-wren Malurus cyaneus Pardalotidae Rufous bristlebird Dasyonris broadbenti L White-browed Pardalotidae scrubwren Sericornis frontalis Pardalotidae Striated fieldwren Calamanthus fuliginosus Pardalotidae Brown thornbill Acanthiza pusilla
Pardalotidae Yellow-rumped Acanthiza chrysorrhoa
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Family name Common name Scientific name FFG EPBC CAMBA/ JAMBA thornbill Meliphagidae Red wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata Yellow-faced Meliphagidae honeyeater Lichenostomus chrysops Meliphagidae Singing honeyeater Lichenostomus virescens White-eared Meliphagidae honeyeater Lichenostomus leucotis New Holland Meliphagidae honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae Meliphagidae White-fronted chat Epthianura albifrons Petroicidae Eastern yellow robin Eopsaltria australis Pachycephalidae Grey shrike-thrush Colluricincla harmonica Dicruridae Magpie-lark Grallina cyanoleuca Dicruridae Grey fantail Rhipidura fuliginosa Dicruridae Willie wagtail Rhipidura leucophrys Artamidae Australian magpie Gymnorhina tibicen Corvidae Forest raven Corvus tasmanicus Corvidae Little raven Corvus mellori Alaudidae Skylark* Alauda arvensis Motacilidae Richard's pipit Anthus novaeseelandiae Passeridae House sparrow* Passer domesticus Passeridae Red-browed firetail Neochmia temporalis Fringillidae European greenfinch* Carduelis chloris Fringillidae European goldfinch* Carduelis carduelis Hirundinidae Welcome swallow Hirundo neoxena Clamorous reed- Sylviidae warbler Acrocephalus stentoreus Syviidae Little grassbird Megalurus gramineus Sylviidae Brown songlark Cinclorhamphus cruralis Golden-headed Sylviidae cisticola Cisticola exilis Zosteropidae Silvereye Zosterops lateralis Muscicapidae Common blackbird* Turdus merula Sturnidae Common starling* Sturnus vulgaris
Appendix H Physical and chemical water quality monitoring
Chemical Monitoring Season Parameters Frequency Sites Comments Winter - Total Nitrogen (TN), Total Monthly 2 sites at Allows for nutrient inputs Spring Phosphorus (TP), Turbidity; Flow freshwater limit from catchment to be rate (Q) (Fitzroy River and approximated June to Darlot Creek) November
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Winter - Turbidity NTU; Total Dissolved Monthly profiles 3 estuary sites Profiles are to be done at Spring Solids, Dissolved Oxygen; each estuary site: a mid Temperature, pH surface layer and a mid June to bottom layer to identify any November occurrence of stratification Summer- Turbidity NTU; Total Dissolved Monthly profiles 3 estuary sites Profiles are to be done at Autumn Solids, Dissolved Oxygen; each estuary site: a mid Temperature, pH surface layer and a mid December bottom layer to identify any to May occurrence of stratification
Monitoring sites
Figure 9 – Estuary water quality monitoring sites in the Fitzroy estuary.
Appendix I State Environment Protection Policy Guidelines of Victorian Estuaries
Total P Total Total N Dissolved Chlorophyll Dissolved Transparency/ Suspended Turbidity inorganic inorganic N a Oxygen PAR Solids P attenuation (µg/L) (µg/L) (µg/L) (µg/L) (µg/L) % M (µg/L) (NTU) 75 TH 75 TH 75 TH 75 TH 75 TH Max Min 75 TH percentile 75 TH 75 TH percentile percentile percentile percentile percentile percentile percentile Estuaries ≤ 30 ≤5 ≤300 ≤30 ≤4 80 110 ≥R25 ≤R75 ≤R75 and Inlets
R75 and R25 means that a single objective value could not be specified due to a lack of data or a variability of data.
Appendix J Artificial river mouth openings - process Before 1995, artificial river mouth openings were unregulated. During 1995, growing public concern regarding inundation of private land, and the lack of knowledge regarding the environmental impacts of un-regulated openings prompted
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Southern Water (now Southern Rural Water) to initiate regulation of openings through Works on Waterways licences, issued under the Water Act 1989 . This followed an investigation of relevant legislation, which found laws relating to works on waterways apply equally to artificial opening of river mouths and, as such, these works should be regulated.
In southwest Victoria, artificial river mouth openings are regulated under the following legislation: • Section 67 of the Water Act 1989 , administered by the Glenelg Hopkins CMA through licences; and • Section 37 of the Coastal Management Act 1995 administered by the Department of Sustainability and Environment through consents.
Works on Waterways Permit Works on Waterways permits provided under the Water Act 1989 expire one year from the date of issue. A copy of the current permit for artificially opening the Fitzroy River mouth, and its attached conditions, is included in Appendix K.
Works on Waterways permits stipulate a number of conditions that must be met prior to undertaking an artificial mouth opening. The principal condition is that the river mouth cannot be opened artificially until the water level in the estuary has reached a certain level. For the Fitzroy estuary, this level has been set at 0.6m, which is measured on the jetty in the Fitzroy Coastal Reserve.
This level is referred to as the “trigger level”. Once the water level in the estuary reaches the trigger level, the holder of the Works on Waterways license, in this case Parks Victoria, can consider the need to artificially open the river mouth. (A common misunderstanding is that the trigger level defines the level at which the river mouth is automatically opened by artificial means - which is not the case.)
Before an artificial opening can proceed, the other conditions of the permit must be met. These conditions have been established to lower the risk of damage to estuarine processes and biodiversity.
Following attainment of the trigger level, assessment of the water quality conditions within the estuary is the next most important consideration in the process of artificial river mouth opening (ARMO). This is due to the often stratified nature of water quality in the estuary. Removal of the oxygenated top layer of water from the system is the most immediate risk to biodiversity when conducting ARMO. This can result in mass fish kills, such as those seen in the Surry River in 1997,1999 and 2005. The degree and extent of stratification in an estuary is controlled by many factors, including tidal inputs, freshwater inputs and weather conditions, which is why assessment of these factors is included in the list of permit conditions.
Coastal Management Act Consent Along with a Works on Waterways License, consent must also be obtained under the Coastal Management Act 1995 for the use and development of those areas that are coastal Crown land. The Coastal Management Act 1995 is administered by the Department of Sustainability and Environment. Coastal Management Act consent for artificial river mouth openings can be given for up to five years.
Appendix K Works on Waterways permit for artificial river mouth opening of the Fitzroy River Standard Permit Conditions
1. The works shall be constructed in accordance with the plans submitted with the application and using sound engineering principles.
2. The waterway shall not be deviated from the natural channel in any manner during clearing of the obstruction, except with the specific approval of Glenelg Hopkins CMA. If necessary, the flow shall be pumped around the construction site or construction undertaken in stages with flow confined to one portion of the waterway.
3. Disturbance of the bed and banks of the waterway and the use of construction plant and equipment is to be kept to a minimum during construction. Removal, destruction or lopping of native vegetation is also to be kept to a minimum. Suitable conservation measures are to be implemented to prevent vegetation, silt, chemicals and
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spillage from clearing activities either entering the waterway or moving downstream. No discharge/dumping of wastewater or other materials to the waterway is permitted, unless specifically authorised by the Authority.
4. Disturbed bank areas shall be graded to remove humps and hollows and top soiled and planted with locally occurring native species of grasses and shrubs.
5. Vegetation that has been cleared for construction purposes and any heaps of excavated soil remaining after the completion of the works shall be removed from site. No material of any sort shall be pushed into the waterway or left in a manner where it can slip or be moved by floodwaters, into the waterway.
6. Any works in the bed of the waterway should be designed and constructed so as not to impede fish passage.
7. Logs and boulders removed from the waterway as a result of clearing activity should be returned to the waterway and randomly distributed.
8. The works shall always be maintained in good order.
9. It is the responsibility of the person issued with this permit to obtain the necessary approval of the works before their commencement: a) from the relevant planning authority; b) from the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) in relation to the Coastal Management Act, Land Act 1958 , Forests Act 1958 the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 , the Conservation, Forests and Land Act 1987 and the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994.
10. That the applicant provide Glenelg Hopkins CMA with the following information prior to each opening: a) Water quality test results as specified under general condition 14 b) Fauna survey results c) Water level d) Proposed date and time of opening
11. That the applicant report in writing to Glenelg Hopkins CMA no later than two weeks from the date of the opening on the success of the River Mouth Opening including: a) Any issues that arise in relation to any of the conditions b) Copy of water quality test results prior and post river mouth opening as specified under general condition 14 c) Timing issues under general condition 12 d) The water level prior to opening e) Any environmental impacts that occurred f) Date and time of opening
12. When considering the appropriate time for the mouth opening works to commence, the applicant should consider the following conditions: a) Whether substantial break or change in the weather has occurred in the upper catchment b) The presence of significant in-stream flows moving towards the river mouth c) Offshore winds d) Tidal conditions e) Time of year f) Social activities on the river g) Possible effects on wildlife values e.g. Nesting water bird survey and fish spawning behavior / habitat h) Water quality (see condition 14 below) i) Long term effects
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13. All works are to be supervised by the Licensee, in consultation with DSE and are to be completed to the satisfaction of Glenelg Hopkins CMA and DSE. In this regard, the following officers are to be contacted in advance of works commencing:
Andrew Gosden Estuary Co-ordinator DSE Glenelg Hopkins CMA 78 Henna Street 79 French Street Warrnambool VIC 3280 Hamilton VIC 3300 Ph: 5561 9956 Ph: 5571 2526
14. Monitoring of water quality (Dissolved Oxygen profile (DO), Electrical Conductivity profile (EC), and temperature) must be done pre and post artificial river mouth opening, dissolved oxygen and conductivity are required to be repeated once, 24-48 hours after artificially opening the river mouth; water level is to be monitored 12 hourly for 48-72 hours post Artificial River Mouth Opening.
15. Should any archaeological relics or evidence be discovered during the course of the works, the person discovering the relics or evidence must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as soon as practicable, and works suspended until advice from Heritage Victoria is received.
16. That works or work access cease immediately upon the discovery of any Aboriginal cultural material, and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria be immediately notified of any such discovery.
17. That works or access to works cease immediately upon the discovery of any suspected human remains, the Police or State Coroner’s Office must be informed of the discovery without delay. If there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the remains are Aboriginal, the discovery must also be reported to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
18. That Officers of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria shall be permitted access to the site at any reasonable time, for the purpose of monitoring adherence to Conditions 15 and 16.
Fitzroy River Artificial Opening Specific Conditions
1. Should any archaeological relics or evidence be discovered during the course of the works, the person discovering the relics or evidence must notify the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria as soon as practicable, and works suspended until advice from Heritage Victoria is received.
2. That the applicant contact Ms Denise Lovett (Cultural Heritage Protection Officer, Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation) on 96162921 and arrange to employ a community representative to monitor the access route across which the equipment travels to the mouth of the Fitzroy River. This community member representative will have the authority to change the access route, to avoid areas of cultural sensitivity.
3. That works or works access cease immediately upon the discovery of any Aboriginal culture material, and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria be immediately notified of any such discovery.
4. That works or access to works cease immediately upon the discovery of any suspected human remains, The Police or State Coroner’s Office must be informed of the discovery without delay. If there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the remains are Aboriginal, the discovery must also be reported to Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
5. That Officers of Aboriginal Affairs Victoria shall be permitted access to the site at any reasonable time, for the purpose of monitoring adherence to Conditions 16, 17 and 18.
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Builth, H. (2002). The archaeology and socioeconomy of the Gunditjmara: A landscape analysis from southwest Victoria, Australia. Department of Archaeology . Adelaide, Flinders University.
Builth, H. (2003). Tyrendarra IPA Plan of Management. Report for Environment Australia, Winda-mara Aboriginal Corporation: Heywood, Victoria.
Builth, H. (2004). "Mt Eccles lava flow and the Gunditijmara connection: a landform for all seasons." Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 116 (1): 165-184.
Carr, G. W., D. Frood, N. R. Roberts and N. Rosengren (2005). Mt Eccles Lava Flow Botanical Management Plan: Literature Review. Project 05-66 Prepared for Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation . E. Australia.
Sinclair, S. J. and G. Sutter (2007). Wetland vegetation mapping: interim report: Fitzroy and Surry Rivers. Report to the Glenelg Hopkins CMA . Arthur Rylah Institute.
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