Tomaga Estuary Management Study & Plan
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Tomaga Estuary Management Study & Plan TOMAGA ESTUARY MANAGEMENT STUDY & PLAN Adopted by Eurobodalla Shire Council July 2005 i Tomaga Estuary Management Study & Plan DOCUMENT ISSUE & DISTRIBUTION Document Number R.2002.J019.0502.002 Document Title Tomaga Estuary Management Study and Plan Client Eurobodalla Shire Council Job Number AC.2002.J019 Job Title Tomaga Estuary Management Study and Plan Copy Number Issue Date Issued Authors Checked Authorised Revision 0 25 February 2005 Dr J.H. Moverley Dr J.B. Hinwood Dr A.E. Potts & Peter Spurway Revision 1 July 2005 Tomaga Estuary C Potter Management Committee REVISION REGISTER Page Rev Date Comments 0 25-02-05 Incorporation of stakeholder comments Addition of Recommended Implementation Actions 1 20-05 -05 Incorporation of submissions from public exhibition ii Tomaga Estuary Management Study & Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 10 1.1 THE MANAGEMENT STUDY 10 1.2 SCOPE OF THE STUDY 10 1.2.1 The Study Area 10 1.3 DESCRIPTION OF TOMAGA ESTUARY 10 1.4 PLANNING PROCESS 12 1.5 ISSUES 14 1.5.1 Boating Concerns 14 1.5.2 Erosion Concerns 14 1.5.3 Water Quality Concerns 14 1.5.4 Ecological Concerns 15 1.6 WATERWAY CHARACTERISTICS 15 2 LAND AND WATERWAY TENURE & USAGE 16 2.1 LAND USES AND ACTIVITIES 16 2.1.1 Urban Development 16 2.1.2 Rural Smallholdings 17 2.1.3 Rural Uses 17 2.1.4 Forested Private Land 18 2.1.5 Recreational Open Space 18 2.1.6 State Forests 18 2.1.7 National Park 19 2.1.8 Landuse Changes 19 2.2 FORESHORE LAND TENURE 20 2.2.1 Categories of Riverfront & Creek Frontage Land 20 2.2.2 Crown Land Grazing Leases 25 2.3 RIPARIAN VEGETATION 26 2.3.1 Changes in Extent 26 2.3.2 Status of Riparian Protection 30 2.4 VEGETATION ECOSYSTEMS 30 2.4.1 Vulnerable Ecosystems 30 2.4.2 SEPP 26 Designated Littoral Rainforest 34 2.4.3 SEPP 14 Designated Wetlands 34 2.4.4 Vegetation Connectivity 35 2.5 SEDIMENT CHARACTERISTICS 37 2.5.1 Soil Regolith Stability 37 2.5.2 Acid Sulphate Soils 38 2.6 WATER USAGE 39 2.6.1 Recreational Waterway Areas 39 2.6.2 Irrigation 40 2.6.3 Oyster Leases 40 2.7 FORESHORE STRUCTURES 41 2.8 CONFLICTS BETWEEN USES 43 3 IMPACTS OF EXISTING USAGE 44 3.1 GEOMORPHIC EVOLUTION 44 3.1.1 Overall Evolution 44 3.1.2 The Entrance Location 44 3.1.3 The Entrance Sandbars 44 3.1.4 The Spit 45 3.1.5 The Lower Estuary 45 3.1.6 Upper Estuary 46 3.2 EXISTING ACTIVITIES 46 3.2.1 Urbanisation 46 3.2.2 Septic Tanks 48 3.2.3 Sports Grounds 48 3.2.4 Boating 49 3.2.5 Recreational Use of The Spit 49 iii Tomaga Estuary Management Study & Plan 3.2.6 Riparian Clearing 50 3.2.7 Grazing 50 3.2.8 Agriculture and Improved Pasture 51 3.2.9 Soil Disturbance 52 4 STATUTORY CONTEXT 53 4.1 STATE GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES 53 4.2 REGIONAL PLANS 54 4.3 LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLANNING CONTROLS 55 4.3.1 Eurobodalla Urban Local Environmental Plan 1999 “Our Towns Tomorrow” 55 4.3.2 Eurobodalla Rural Local Environmental Plan 1987 (Rural LEP) 56 4.3.3 Eurobodalla Development Control Plans 56 4.3.4 Eurobodalla Shire Plan of Management – Natural Areas and Undeveloped Reserves 57 4.4 STATE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING POLICIES (SEPP) 57 4.4.1 SEPP 14 - Coastal Wetlands 57 4.4.2 SEPP 26 - Littoral Rainforests 58 4.4.3 SEPP 35 – Maintenance Dredging of Tidal Waterways 58 4.4.4 SEPP 71 – Coastal Protection 58 4.5 STATE AGENCIES - PRINCIPLES AND POLICY OBJECTIVES RELEVANT TO ESTUARY MANAGEMENT 58 4.6 OTHERS 63 4.7 RELEVANCE TO TOMAGA RIVER ESTUARY 64 4.7.1 Foreshore Land 64 4.7.2 Future Rural Smallholding Area Development Impacts 64 5 REGIONAL SIGNIFICANCE AND VALUES 65 5.1 COMMON VISION 65 5.2 LOCAL SIGNIFICANCE 66 5.3 REGIONAL CONTEXT 68 5.4 NATIONAL CONTEXT 68 5.5 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES 68 5.6 SOCIAL VALUES 71 5.7 CULTURAL HERITAGE 71 5.7.1 Aboriginal Heritage 71 5.7.2 Non-Aboriginal Heritage 71 5.8 ECONOMIC VALUES 72 6 OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES 73 6.1 METHODS 73 6.2 EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION 75 6.2.1 Issues and Goals 75 6.2.2 Objectives 76 6.2.3 Options and Strategies 76 6.2.4 Strategies 79 6.3 WATER QUALITY 80 6.3.1 Issues and Goals 80 6.3.2 Objectives 82 6.3.3 Options and Strategies 82 6.3.4 Recommended Strategies 84 6.4 ECOLOGY 85 6.4.1 Issues and Goals 85 6.4.2 Objectives 86 6.4.3 Options and Strategies 86 6.4.4 Recommended Strategies 88 6.5 WATERWAY USAGE 89 6.5.1 Issues and Goals 89 6.5.2 Options and Strategies 89 6.5.3 Recommended Strategies 901 6.6 CULTURAL HERITAGE 91 6.6.1 Issues and Goals 91 iv Tomaga Estuary Management Study & Plan 6.6.2 Objectives 91 6.6.3 Options and Strategies 91 6.6.4 Recommended Strategies 92 7 DETAILS OF MAJOR STRATEGIES 93 7.1 PRIORITISING THE ISSUES 93 7.2 OBJECTIVE 1: MANAGE THE SPIT SO THAT BREAKTHROUGH DOES NOT IMPACT ON USER EXPECTATIONS OR ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH. 97 7.2.1 Option 1: No intervention 97 7.2.2 Option 2: Allow breakthrough, maintain old channel 98 7.2.3 Option 3: Allow breakthrough, maintain main entrance 99 7.2.4 Option 4: Inexpensive options 100 7.2.5 Option 5: Rock Walling 103 7.3 OBJECTIVE 2: MODERATE EROSION OF RECLAIMED LAND AT JACK BUCKLEY MEMORIAL PARK 104 7.3.1 Option 1: Toe Protection 104 7.3.2 Option 2: Control runoff 105 7.3.3 Option 3: Wave baffle 106 7.4 OBJECTIVE 3: MODERATE EROSION DUE TO STREAM MEANDERING 107 7.4.1 Option 1: Jack Buckley Memorial Park Channel Stabilisation 107 7.4.2 Option 2: Bank Protection near George Bass Drive bridge 108 7.4.3 Option 3: BankProtection Jack Buckley Park to the boat ramp 109 7.5 OBJECTIVE 4: PROTECT FORESHORE HABITAT 109 7.5.1 Option 1: Reduce pedestrian traffic on The Spit 109 7.5.2 Option 2: Provide access to low tide beach near George Bass Drive bridge 110 7.5.3 Option 3: Control stock access to foreshores and wetlands 110 7.5.4 Option 4: Restore riparian vegetation 112 7.5.5 Option 5: Monitor and protect intertidal wetlands 113 7.6 OBJECTIVE 5: MAINTAIN ACCEPTABLE NUTRIENT AND FAECAL COLIFORM INPUTS 114 7.6.1 Option 1: Monitor upper estuary water quality 115 7.6.2 Option 2: Monitor agriculture trends 115 7.6.3 Option 3: Encourage landholders to implement best acceptable practices for grazing 116 7.6.4 Option 4: Public education for reduction of nutrients in urban runoff 117 7.6.5 Option 5: Ensure that for new urban developments storm water is treated off site 118 7.6.6 Option 6: Rehabilitate and widen the riparian zone 118 7.6.7 Option 7: Environmental audits 118 7.6.8 Option 8: Establish catchment sources of faecal coliform bacteria 119 7.7 OBJECTIVE 6: MANAGE THREATENED AND ENDANGERED BIRD SPECIES ON THE SPIT 119 7.8 OBJECTIVE 7: MAINTAIN ACCEPTABLE SEDIMENT INPUTS 121 7.8.1 Option 1: Implement a policy for reporting breaches of EPA sediment input legislation 121 7.8.2 Option 2: Encourage stock exclusion from the bank 122 7.8.3 Option 3: Encourage soil conserving agricultural practices 122 7.8.4 Option 4: Ensure stormwater sediment traps are installed and properly maintained 123 7.9 OBJECTIVE 8: RESOLVE CONFLICTS BETWEEN USERS 124 7.9.1 Option 1: Introduce voluntary code of conduct for Personal Water Craft users 124 7.9.2 Option 2: Maintain discussion between Council, NSW Maritime Authority and boat users 125 7.9.3 Option 3: Reduction of boat speeds in the upper estuary 126 7.9.4 Option 4: Limit pedestrian access on The Spit to fenced walkways 126 7.10 OBJECTIVE 9: MANAGE INVASIVE SPECIES 127 7.10.1 Option 1: Progressively remove Bitou Bush and Prickly Pear from The Spit 127 7.10.2 Option 2: Monitor spread of Bitou 128 7.10.3 Option 3: Minimise risk of introduction of invasive marine species 129 7.10.4 Option 4: Monitor public lands for weeds 129 7.11 OBJECTIVE 10: MINIMISE POLLUTANTS ENTERING THE ESTUARY 130 7.11.1 Option 1: Ensure no pollutants are entering the estuary from the “Koppers Log” site 130 7.11.2 Option 2: Ensure acid sulphate soils do not pollute the estuary. 131 7.12 OBJECTIVE 11: PROTECT SEAGRASS 132 7.12.1 Option 1: Expand existing study 132 7.12.2 Option 2: Set up markers 133 7.12.3 Option 3: Public education 133 7.13 OBJECTIVE 12: MODERATE EROSION DUE TO BOAT WAVES AND PROPELLER WASH 134 v Tomaga Estuary Management Study & Plan 7.14 OBJECTIVE 13: ENSURE WATER QUALITY IS ADEQUATELY MONITORED 135 7.14.1 Option 1: Map water quality requirements 135 7.14.2 Option 2: Encourage Shire Council to monitor water quality after major rainfall events. 136 7.14.3 Option 3: Ensure water quality representative of an upper estuary site is collected 136 7.14.4 Option 4: Ensure appropriate data is collected and analysed 137 7.15 OBJECTIVE 14: MAINTAIN THE UNSPOILT NATURE OF THE TOMAGA ESTUARY 138 7.15.1 Option 1: Non-proliferation of signage 138 7.15.2 Option 2: Protection and restoration of riparian vegetation 139 7.15.3 Option 3: Non-proliferation of rock walling 140 7.15.4 Option 4: Protection of seagrasses 140 7.15.5 Option 5: Protection of intertidal sandbanks 141 8 CONCLUSION 142 8.1 RECOMMENDATIONS 142 8.1.1 Objective 1: Manage the Spit so that Breakthrough does not impact on user expectations or Environmental Health.