State of the Beaches 2011-2012
Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and Partnership Programs
State of the Beaches 2011–2012
Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and Partnership Programs
For technical information about this report contact: Beachwatch, Office of Environment and Heritage NSW 59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232
Phone: (02) 9995 5344 Fax: (02) 9995 5913
Email: [email protected] Web: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach
Published by: Office of Environment and Heritage NSW 59 Goulburn Street, Sydney PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232
Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard) Phone: 131 555 (information and publications requests) Fax: (02) 9995 5999 TTY: (02) 9211 4723
Email: [email protected] Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au
The Office of Environment and Heritage NSW is pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or part, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged.
ISSN 1441–4147 OEH 2012/0897
October 2012
Contents
Summary...... v Chapter 1 Beach monitoring in NSW...... 1 Chapter 2 Sanitary inspections...... 7 Chapter 3 Managing beach pollution...... 13 Chapter 4 Results for 2011–2012 ...... 21 Illawarra region ...... 21 Wollongong City Council...... 24 Shellharbour City Council...... 38 Kiama Municipal Council...... 44 South Coast region ...... 52 Shoalhaven City Council...... 54 Eurobodalla Shire Council...... 67 Bega Valley Shire Council...... 82 Chapter 5 Quality assurance program ...... 99 References...... 105 Glossary...... 109
About this report This report provides a summary of the full State of the Beaches report and detailed results for the Illawarra and South Coast regions. To see the full Beachwatch State of the Beaches report, please visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach/ar1112/
Summary
Beach monitoring in NSW • Shoalhaven City Council The water quality of beaches and other swimming • Eurobodalla Shire Council locations is monitored to provide the community with accurate information on the cleanliness of the water • Bega Valley Shire Council. and to enable individuals to make informed decisions about where and when to swim. Routine assessment The water quality sampling and laboratory analysis also measures the impact of pollution sources, activities are fully funded by each local council. The enables the effectiveness of stormwater and Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) provides wastewater management practices to be assessed, quality assurance support and assistance with and highlights areas where further work is required. community reporting.
A total of 260 swimming locations along the NSW coast were monitored during 2011–2012 under three Health risks programs: Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and the Contamination of recreational waters with faecal Beachwatch Partnership Program (Figure S1). material from animal and human sources can pose significant health problems to beach users owing to Beachwatch the presence of pathogens (disease-causing micro- organisms) in the faecal material. The most common The Beachwatch program was established in 1989 groups of pathogens found in recreational waters are to monitor Sydney’s ocean beaches and was bacteria, protozoans and viruses. expanded to ocean beaches in the Hunter and Illawarra regions in 1996. Exposure to contaminated water can cause gastroenteritis, with symptoms including vomiting, Harbourwatch diarrhoea, stomach-ache, nausea, headache and The Harbourwatch program was established in 1994 fever. Eye, ear, skin and upper respiratory tract to monitor swimming locations in Sydney’s estuarine infections can also be contracted when pathogens waterways, including Pittwater, Sydney Harbour, come into contact with small breaks and tears in the lower Georges River, Botany Bay and Port Hacking. skin or ruptures of the delicate membranes in the ear or nose. Beachwatch Partnership Program Certain groups of users may be more susceptible to The Beachwatch Partnership Program was the threat of microbial infection than others. Children, established as a pilot in 2002 and currently includes the elderly, people with compromised immune 12 local councils along the NSW coast: systems, tourists, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are generally most • Byron Shire Council at risk. • Ballina Shire Council Recreational water quality • Richmond Valley Council guidelines In May 2009, new guidelines for monitoring and • Kempsey Shire Council reporting recreational water quality were adopted for • use in NSW: the National Health and Medical Port Stephens Council Research Council’s Guidelines for managing risks in recreational water (NHMRC 2008). • Newcastle City Council
• Lake Macquarie City Council
• Wyong Shire Council
• Gosford City Council
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page v
Figure S1: Sampling sites and areas monitored under the Beachwatch programs
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page vi
The NHMRC 2008 guidelines have been adopted, that the swimming location is free of signs of and are in use, in all Australian states. The pollution, such as discoloured water, odour or debris guidelines are supported by Guidance Notes in the water, and avoid swimming at all times during developed by the Department of Health Western and for up to three days following rainfall. Australia following a national workshop held in Perth in 2007 (Department of Health, Western Australia Very Poor – Location is very susceptible to faecal 2007). pollution and microbial water quality may often be unsuitable for swimming. It is generally The new guidelines focus on the assessment and recommended to avoid swimming at these sites. management of hazards to minimise health risks. Under the new guidelines, recreational water quality The Beach Suitability Grades are determined from a at swimming sites is no longer reported as combination of microbial assessment (water quality percentage compliance based on microbial data, but measurements gathered over previous years) and as Beach Suitability Grades. sanitary inspection (identification and rating of potential pollution sources at a beach) using the Beach Suitability Grades matrix in Table S1. Beach Suitability Grades provide an assessment of Microbial Assessment Category the suitability of a swimming location for recreation over time. There are five grades: NHMRC (2008) advocates the use of enterococci as the single preferred faecal indicator in marine Very Good – Location has generally excellent waters. These bacteria are excreted in faeces and microbial water quality and very few potential are rarely present in unpolluted waters. Enterococci sources of faecal pollution. Water is considered density in water samples is analysed in the suitable for swimming for almost all of the time. laboratory using method AS/NZS 4276.9:2007.
Good – Location has generally good microbial water The Microbial Assessment Category is determined quality and water is considered suitable for from the 95th percentile of a dataset of at least 100 swimming for most of the time. Swimming should be enterococci data points. The 95th percentiles in this avoided during and for up to one day following heavy report were calculated using a Microsoft® Excel tool rain at ocean beaches and for up to three days at developed by Dr Richard Lugg (Department of estuarine sites. Health, Western Australia). This tool is also used by other state governments (Department of Health, Fair – Microbial water quality is generally suitable for Western Australia 2007). There are four Microbial swimming, but because of the presence of significant Assessment Categories (A to D) (Table S1). sources of faecal contamination, extra care should be taken to avoid swimming during and for up to Sanitary Inspection Category three days following rainfall or if there are signs of pollution such as discoloured water, odour, or debris The aim of a sanitary inspection is to identify all in the water. potential sources of faecal contamination at a swimming site and assess the risk to public health Poor – Location is susceptible to faecal pollution and posed by these sources. It is a qualitative microbial water quality is not always suitable for assessment, and should, to some degree, correlate swimming. During dry weather conditions, ensure with the microbial water quality data.
Table S1: Beach classification matrix
Microbial Assessment Category (MAC)
A B C D (≤ 40 (41–200 (201–500 (> 500 cfu/100mL) cfu/100mL) cfu/100mL) cfu/100mL) Very Low Very Good Very Good Follow Up Follow Up Sanitary Low Very Good Good Follow Up Follow Up Inspection Moderate Good Good Poor Poor Category High Good Fair Poor Very Poor Very High Follow Up Fair Poor Very Poor Source: NHMRC (2008)
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page vii
Sources considered in the sanitary inspection locations monitored during 2011–2012 were graded include: bather shedding, toilet facilities, stormwater as Very Good or Good. While this is an outstanding discharges, sewage treatment plant discharges, result, there were differences in performance sewage overflows, sewage chokes, on-site between ocean beaches, ocean baths, coastal wastewater systems, wastewater re-use, river lakes/lagoons and estuarine. discharges, lagoon/lake discharges, boats and animals. Detailed results for geographical regions in NSW are presented in Tables S2 to S10 of this Summary. Through the sanitary inspection process, beaches are categorised to reflect the likelihood of faecal Ocean beaches contamination. There are five categories, ranging Of the 149 ocean beaches monitored during 2011– from Very Low to Very High (Table S1). 2012, all but five were graded as Very Good or Good. These results indicate that the ocean Results for 2011–2012 beaches monitored in NSW generally have very good microbial water quality which is suitable for High rainfall levels were recorded during 2011– swimming for most, or almost all, of the time. 2012, with NSW experiencing the ninth wettest summer on record. The sustained wet conditions The ocean beaches graded as Very Good were: during summer followed the wet end to spring, and were largely influenced by the La Niña event in the • The Strand, Belongil Beach, Main Beach Pacific Ocean during the season. (Byron Bay), Clarkes Beach, Wategos Beach, Tallow Beach (Byron Bay), Tallow There were several significant rain and flooding Beach (Suffolk Park), Broken Head, Seven events, particularly on the Far North Coast (BOM Mile Beach, Airforce Beach, Main Beach and 2012): Shark Bay on the Far North Coast • A heavy rain event across north eastern • Grassy Head on the North Coast NSW in late November had daily falls as high as 190 mm, triggering significant flooding. • Zenith Beach, Box Beach, Fingal Beach, One Mile Beach, Birubi Beach, South Stockton • Early in December, a heavy rain event in Beach, Nobbys Beach, Newcastle Beach, northern NSW exacerbated existing flooding Dudley Beach, Redhead Beach, Blacksmiths following the November rain. Beach, Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay in the Hunter region • High rainfall in mid January was followed by a very significant rain event across northern • Frazer Beach, Birdie Beach, Budgewoi NSW between the 23rd and 29th of January, Beach, Lakes Beach, Hargraves Beach, with large areas exceeding 100 mm for Jenny Dixon Beach, Cabbage Tree Bay, several consecutive days. This triggered Lighthouse Beach, Gravelly Beach, Soldiers additional flooding in the northern rivers. Beach, North Entrance Beach, The Entrance Beach, Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay, Shelly • Heavy rainfall continued in NSW in early Beach, Blue Lagoon and Bateau Bay Beach February, with continued flooding and on the Central Coast associated poor water quality along the North Coast. During this time localised storms with • Palm Beach, Whale Beach, Avalon Beach, heavy rainfall in western Sydney caused Bilgola Beach, Bungan Beach, Mona Vale flooding of the Hawkesbury River. Beach, Dee Why Beach, South Curl Curl Beach, Shelly Beach (Manly), Maroubra • In southern NSW, a significant rain event Beach, Greenhills Beach, Wanda Beach and developed towards the end of February Oak Park in the Sydney region which resulted in flooding in the region. • Austinmer Beach, Woonona Beach, • An extremely wet period in the Sydney region Wollongong City Beach, Coniston Beach, in mid April triggered flooding of the Fishermans Beach, Warilla Beach, Parramatta River as well as flash flooding Shellharbour Beach, Boyds Jones Beach and throughout the city, particularly in the coastal Werri Beach in the Illawarra region suburbs. • Tilbury Cove, Warrain Beach, Collingwood Despite extremely wet conditions and flooding Beach, Cudmirrah Beach, Rennies Beach, events, 211 (81 per cent) of the 260 swimming
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page viii
Bawley Point Beach, Merry Beach, Cookies • Malabar Beach in the Sydney region. Beach, Caseys Beach, Malua Bay Beach, Broulee Beach, Bengello Beach, Tuross Main Killick, Terrigal and Umina beaches were all Beach, Brou Beach, Narooma Main Beach, previously graded as Good (Office of Environment Camel Rock Beach, Horseshoe Bay, Beares and Heritage 2011), but were downgraded to Poor Beach, Tathra Beach, Short Point Beach, due to elevated enterococci levels measured in Main Beach (Merimbula), Pambula Beach, response to high levels of rainfall over summer Aslings Beach and Cocora Beach on the 2011–2012. South Coast. Killick Beach on the North Coast was generally The ocean beaches graded as Good were: suitable for swimming in dry weather conditions, with elevated levels of microbial contamination • South Beach (Brunswick Heads), Shelly recorded due to pollution from stormwater from Killick Creek after periods of heavy rain. Beach (Ballina) and Lighthouse Beach on the Far North Coast On the Central Coast, Ocean Beach and Umina Beach were impacted by polluted outflow from • Horseshoe Bay, Trial Bay and Hat Head Brisbane Water, as well as floodwaters from the Beach on the North Coast Hawkesbury River in February 2012. Terrigal Beach was impacted by discharge from Terrigal Lagoon • Bar Beach, Merewether Beach, Burwood following rainfall. Microbial water quality at these North Beach, Burwood South Beach, sites is generally suitable for swimming in dry Glenrock Lagoon Beach and Swansea weather conditions but is susceptible to faecal Heads Little Beach in the Hunter region contamination following rainfall and flooding events. It is recommended that swimming at these beaches • Forresters Beach, Wamberal Beach, North be avoided during and up to three days following Avoca Beach, Avoca Beach, Copacabana rainfall or if there are signs of stormwater or Beach, MacMasters Beach, Killcare Beach floodwater pollution such as discoloured water or and Pearl Beach on the Central Coast odour or floating debris.
• Newport Beach, Warriewood Beach, While water quality at Malabar Beach was often Turimetta Beach, North Narrabeen Beach, suitable for swimming during dry weather Collaroy Beach, Long Reef Beach, North Curl conditions, the site was very susceptible to faecal Curl Beach, Freshwater Beach, Queenscliff contamination from the stormwater drain on the Beach, North Steyne Beach, South Steyne northern side of the beach. The drain flowed Beach, Bondi Beach, Tamarama Beach, following light rainfall, and while bacterial levels in Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach, Coogee the discharge are typical of urban runoff (not Beach, Little Bay Beach, Boat Harbour, sewage), they are sufficiently elevated to raise Eleoura Beach, North Cronulla Beach, South levels in the bay to values unsuitable for swimming for around 50 per cent of the time. The drain was Cronulla Beach and Shelly Beach diverted further offshore at the end of July, with (Sutherland) in the Sydney region works due for completion in November 2012. Until • these works are complete, the risk of illness can be Thirroul Beach, Bulli Beach, Bellambi Beach, reduced by carefully following the pollution Corrimal Beach, North Wollongong Beach, advisories on the Beachwatch Bulletin, not Port Kembla Beach, Bombo Beach and Surf swimming during and for at least one day following Beach (Kiama) in the Illawarra region rainfall, and not swimming if there are signs of stormwater pollution, such as discoloured water or • Shoalhaven Heads Beach, Mollymook odour or floating debris. Beach, Racecourse Beach, Surf Beach and Shelley Beach on the South Coast. No ocean beaches were graded as Very Poor.
No ocean beaches were graded as Fair. Ocean baths
Five ocean beaches were graded as Poor. A total of five ocean baths were monitored during 2011–2012 and four were graded as Good or Very • Killick Beach on the North Coast Good, indicating that these locations have very good microbial water quality that is suitable for swimming for most or almost all of the time. • Terrigal Beach, Ocean Beach and Umina Beach on the Central Coast The ocean baths graded as Very Good were:
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page ix
• Newcastle Baths, Merewether Learners Pool • Speers Point and Bolton Point in the Hunter and Merewether Main Pool in the Hunter region region. • Gwandalan, Lake Munmorah Baths, Canton The ocean baths graded as Good were: Beach (Tuggerah Lake), Wamberal Lagoon, Avoca Lagoon, and Cockrone Lagoon on the • Canoe Pool in the Hunter region. Central Coast
No ocean baths were graded as Fair • Narrabeen Lagoon in the Sydney region
Pearl Beach Rockpool on the Central Coast was • Entrance Lagoon Beach in the Illawarra graded as Poor, being downgraded from Good in region. the previous year. High microbial levels were recorded at the site following rainfall, with bather While the water quality at the above ten locations shedding and discharge from Green Point Creek was generally suitable for swimming during dry being possible sources of contamination. weather conditions, all were very susceptible to Floodwaters from the Hawkesbury River in February faecal contamination following rainfall. 2012 may also have impacted water quality at this site. Extreme wet weather events and flooding during 2011–2012 impacted many lake/lagoon swimming The cause of the poor water quality in Pearl Beach locations. Poor water quality associated with these Rockpool is being further investigated by events resulted in some sites (Gwandalan and Lake Beachwatch. Water samples taken from Green Munmorah Baths) on the Central Coast being Point Creek and rockpool during dry weather downgraded from the previous year. While conditions had low levels of bacteria, suggesting a enterococci levels were mostly safe for swimming wet weather source of faecal contamination. Until during summer 2011–2012, the proportion of slightly this investigation is complete, it is recommended elevated results was higher due to the wet that swimming in the baths be avoided during and conditions. Care should be taken to avoid swimming up to one day following rainfall or if there are signs during and for three days following rainfall at these of pollution such as discoloured water or odour or sites. Swimming should also be avoided if there are floating debris. any signs of stormwater pollution, such as discoloured water or odour or floating debris. No ocean baths were graded as Very Poor Terrigal Lagoon on the Central Coast was graded Coastal lagoons/lakes as Very Poor. Elevated enterococci results were measured in wet weather and in dry weather up to A total of 25 swimming sites in lakes/lagoons were three days after light rainfall. Swimming should be monitored during 2011–2012 and thirteen (52 per avoided during this time and at times when there cent) of these locations were graded as Good or are signs of stormwater pollution, such as Very Good. discoloured water, odour or floating debris. Gosford City Council has awarded consultants with research Mogareeka Inlet on the South Coast was graded as grant funding to conduct microbial source tracking Very Good. to identify sources of faecal contamination in Terrigal, Avoca, Cockrone and Wamberal lagoons. Twelve lake/lagoon swimming locations were graded as Good: Eleebana (Lion Park) in Lake Macquarie in the Hunter region was graded as Very Poor. This site • Lake Ainsworth West on the Far North Coast often had poor water quality and significant sources of microbial contamination such as stormwater and • Croudace Bay, Arcadia Vale, Belmont, sewage overflows. Elevated levels of enterococci Swansea, Cams Wharf, Toronto, Kilaben were recorded during both wet and dry weather Bay, Wangi Point (Van Park), Balcolyn and conditions so it is recommended that swimming be Sunshine in the Hunter region avoided at this site due to the unpredictable nature of the contamination. • Chain Valley Bay on the Central Coast The microbial water quality in coastal lagoons/lakes No coastal lagoons or lakes were graded as Fair. is often dependent on whether the entrance to the water body is open or closed to the ocean. When Ten lake/lagoon swimming locations were graded the entrance is open and the lake/lagoon is well- as Poor: flushed by clean ocean water, the microbial water quality is generally of a high standard. When the
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page x
entrance is closed, the lake/lagoon can become a good, but there were significant sources of faecal collection point for stormwater runoff and, as a contamination in the vicinity of the swimming sites. precaution, swimming should be avoided at all times during these periods. Twenty-five estuarine swimming locations were graded as Poor: Estuarine beaches • Simpsons Creek and Shaws Bay East on the A total of 81 estuarine swimming locations were Far North Coast monitored during 2011–2012 and 50 (62 per cent) were graded as Very Good or Good. • Back Creek, Stuarts Point, Korogoro Creek, Killick Creek and Saltwater Creek on the Seven estuarine swimming sites were graded as North Coast Very Good: • Ettalong Channel, Pretty Beach Baths, • Barrenjoey Beach, Elvina Bay, Great Davistown Baths, Woy Woy Baths and Mackerel Beach, Nielsen Park and Jibbon Yattalunga Baths on the Central Coast Beach in the Sydney region • Chiswick Baths, Woolwich Baths, • Wagonga Inlet and Pambula River Mouth on Tambourine Bay, Hayes St Beach, the South Coast. Northbridge Baths, Como Baths, Oatley Bay Baths, Carss Point Baths, Ramsgate Baths, Forty-three estuarine swimming sites were graded Kyeemagh Baths, Frenchmans Bay, as Good: Horderns Beach and Gymea Bay Baths in the Sydney region. • Torakina Beach, The Serpentine and Evans River on the Far North Coast While the water quality at the above twenty-five locations was generally suitable for swimming • Little Beach, Dutchmans Beach, Bagnalls during dry weather conditions, all were very Beach, Georges Reserve, Lemon Tree susceptible to faecal contamination following Passage Tidal Pool and Karuah Tidal Pool in rainfall. Swimming at these locations should be the Hunter region avoided during and for up to three days following rainfall or if there are signs of stormwater pollution, • The Entrance Channel on the Central Coast such as discoloured water, odour or floating debris.
• Paradise Beach Baths, Clareville Beach, Elevated bacterial levels were also occasionally Taylors Point Baths, Bayview Baths, North recorded in Back Creek, Saltwater Creek, Ettalong Scotland Island, South Scotland Island, The Channel, Davistown Baths and Woy Woy Baths Basin, Watsons Bay, Parsley Bay, Rose Bay after low or no rainfall. Swimming should be avoided Beach, Redleaf Pool, Dawn Fraser Pool, at these sites if there are any signs of pollution, Woodford Bay, Greenwich Baths, Clifton such as discoloured water, odour or floating debris. Gardens, Balmoral Baths, Edwards Beach, Chinamans Beach, Forty Baskets Pool, Extreme wet weather events and flooding during Fairlight Beach, Manly Cove, Little Manly 2011–2012 impacted many estuarine swimming Cove, Silver Beach, Jew Fish Bay Baths, locations. Poor water quality associated with these Sandringham Baths, Dolls Point Baths, events resulted in some sites on the Far North Monterey Baths, Brighton-Le-Sands Baths, Coast (Shaws Bay East) and Central Coast Yarra Bay, Congwong Bay and Lilli Pilli Baths (Yattalunga Baths) being downgraded from the in the Sydney region previous year. In the Sydney region, several sites in Sydney Harbour (Chiswick Baths, Woolwich Baths • Bruce Steer Pool and Bar Beach on the and Northbridge Baths), Botany Bay (Ramsgate Baths) and lower Georges River (Como Baths, South Coast. Oatley Bay Baths and Carss Point Baths) were also downgraded from the previous year. Yarra Bay showed improvements in water quality from the previous year, with reduced impacts from It should be noted that Lane Cove Council has stormwater, and was upgraded from Fair to Good. currently closed Tambourine Bay Baths and the long-term future of the site is yet to be determined. Four sites in the Sydney region (Cabarita Beach, Gurney Crescent Baths, Clontarf Pool and Gunnamatta Bay Baths) were graded as Fair, indicating that microbial water quality was generally
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xi
Two estuarine sites in the Sydney region acceptable range, and confidence can be placed in (Foreshores Beach and Davidson Reserve) were the accuracy of water quality results reported under graded as Very Poor. Beachwatch programs. The exception was one council laboratory in the Beachwatch Partnership Foreshores Beach is located in Botany Bay. Program which underestimated all enterococci Enterococci levels are frequently unsuitable for samples, and reported results outside the swimming and the site is affected by sewage acceptable limits. Further investigation of their overflows into Mill Pond Creek, which discharges bacterial analysis revealed issues in their adjacent to the site. Davidson Reserve is located in manufacture of microbiological media. Until this the upper reaches of Middle Harbour. Although issue is resolved results from this council are deemed provisional. However it is possible that microbial water quality was often suitable for errors in bacterial analysis only occurred in samples swimming during dry weather conditions, the site is from the quality assurance program as bacterial very susceptible to faecal contamination from levels at swimming sites during the 2011–2012 sewage overflows and river discharge (poor-quality sampling season did not vary significantly from water flowing down from upstream sources of those reported in previous years, and sanitary pollution). inspections did not detect any significant sources of faecal contamination at any swimming site. To reduce the risk of contracting a swimming related illness at Foreshores Beach and Davidson Data management Reserve, carefully follow the pollution advisories in the Beachwatch daily bulletin Water quality data are electronically forwarded to (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach) and avoid Beachwatch Programs from the contracted swimming during and for up to three days following laboratory, Hunter Water, Sydney Water and light rainfall and at times when there are signs of partnership councils. The water quality data are stormwater pollution, such as discoloured water or uploaded to the Beachwatch water quality database odour or floating debris. (BACTO) for storage and data evaluation. All data are cross checked and anomalous results identified. Quality assurance Community reporting
To ensure that data collected under the Beachwatch Beachwatch Programs provide beach water quality programs is accurate and reliable, quality assurance information through Sydney daily bulletins, weekly of field sampling, laboratory analysis, data star ratings, monthly reports and regional council management and community reporting is reporting. undertaken. Field sampling The Sydney daily bulletins were produced to a high standard with an average of 99 per cent accuracy Auditing of field sampling in the Sydney, Hunter, and timeliness, with only minor formatting errors Illawarra and Beachwatch Partnership regions detected. Weekly star ratings and monthly reports showed an excellent level of compliance with were created by using computer-generated established Beachwatch sampling protocols. All calculations and were approved by a number of sampling officers demonstrated a good individuals and/or agencies to ensure the accuracy understanding of aseptic sampling and storage of information reported before distribution. techniques and a sound local knowledge of potential beach pollution sources and water quality Community reporting in regional areas by issues. One potential issue identified was omitting partnership councils was assessed by Beachwatch the date on sample jar labels, which could prevent staff during field visits. Most regional councils samples being correctly identified. provide information on their websites, and regularly forward results to Beachwatch Programs for weekly Laboratory analysis star rating reporting on the OEH website.
The results from the majority of laboratories used in A number of joint media releases were issued by the three Beachwatch programs had a high level of OEH and councils throughout the summer season precision in their estimation of enterococci densities. to promote councils’ monitoring and reporting This indicates that the results reported are in the activities and to advise on recreational water quality.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xii
Table S2: Beach Suitability Grades in the Far North Coast region, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade
The Strand Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Torakina Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good
Simpsons Creek Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor
South Beach (Brunswick Heads) Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Belongil Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Main Beach (Byron Bay) Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Clarkes Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Byron Shire Byron Council Wategos Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Tallow Beach (Byron Bay) Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Tallow Beach (Suffolk Park) Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Broken Head Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Seven Mile Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Lake Ainsworth West Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good
Shelly Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good
Shaws Bay East Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor
The Serpentine Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Ballina Shire CouncilBallina Shire Lighthouse Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good
Airforce Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Main Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Shark Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Council
Evans River Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Richmond Valley Richmond Valley
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xiii
Table S3: Beach Suitability Grades in the North Coast region, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade
Grassy Head Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Stuarts Point Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor
Back Creek Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor
Horseshoe Bay Ocean beach Low Category B Good
Trial Bay Ocean beach Low Category B Good
Saltwater Creek Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor
Hat Head Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Kempsey Shire Council Kempsey Korogoro Creek Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor
Killick Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category C Poor
Killick Creek Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xiv
Table S4: Beach Suitability Grades in the Hunter region, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade
Zenith Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Box Beach Ocean beach Very Low Category A Very Good Fingal Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good One Mile Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Birubi Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Little Beach Estuarine Low Category B Good Dutchmans Beach Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Bagnalls Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Georges Reserve Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Port Stephens Council Council Stephens Port Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Karuah Tidal Pool Estuarine Moderate Category A Good South Stockton Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Nobbys Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Newcastle Baths Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good Canoe Pool Ocean baths Low Category B Good Newcastle Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bar Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Merewether Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Merewether Learners Pool Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good Merewether Main Pool Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good
Newcastle City Council Council City Newcastle Burwood North Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Burwood South Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Glenrock Lagoon Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Dudley Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Redhead Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Blacksmiths Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Swansea Heads Little Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Caves Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Eleebana (Lion Park) Lagoon/lake High Category D Very Poor Croudace Bay Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Arcadia Vale Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good Belmont Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Swansea Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Cams Wharf Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good Catherine Hill Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Speers Point Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor
Lake Macquarie City Council Council City LakeMacquarie Bolton Point Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor Toronto Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Kilaben Bay Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Wangi Point (Van Park) Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Balcolyn Lagoon/lake Low Category B Good Sunshine Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xv
Table S5: Beach Suitability Grades in the Central Coast region, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade
Frazer Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Birdie Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Budgewoi Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Lakes Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Hargraves Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Jenny Dixon Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cabbage Tree Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Lighthouse Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Gravelly Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Soldiers Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good North Entrance Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good The Entrance Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Blue Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Toowoon Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Wyong Shire Council Shire Wyong Shelly Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Blue Lagoon Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bateau Bay Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Gwandalan Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor Chain Valley Bay Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Lake Munmorah Baths Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor Canton Beach Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor The Entrance Channel Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Forresters Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Wamberal Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Wamberal Lagoon Lagoon/lake Moderate Category D Poor Terrigal Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category C Poor Terrigal Lagoon Lagoon/lake High Category D Very Poor North Avoca Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Avoca Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Avoca Lagoon Lagoon/lake Moderate Category D Poor Copacabana Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Cockrone Lagoon Lagoon/lake Moderate Category D Poor MacMasters Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Killcare Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Pearl Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good
Gosford City CouncilGosford City Pearl Beach Rockpool Ocean baths Moderate Category D Poor Umina Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category C Poor Ocean Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category C Poor Ettalong Channel Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor Pretty Beach Baths Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor Davistown Baths Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor Woy Woy Baths Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor Yattalunga Baths Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xvi
Table S6: Beach Suitability Grades in the Sydney Ocean Beaches region, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade
Palm Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Whale Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Avalon Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bilgola Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Newport Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Bungan Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Mona Vale Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Warriewood Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Turimetta Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good North Narrabeen Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Narrabeen Lagoon Lagoon/lake High Category C Poor Collaroy Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Northern Sydney Sydney Northern Long Reef Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Dee Why Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good North Curl Curl Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good South Curl Curl Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Freshwater Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Queenscliff Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good North Steyne Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good South Steyne Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Shelly Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bondi Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Tamarama Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Bronte Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Clovelly Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Coogee Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Maroubra Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Central Sydney Central Malabar Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category D Poor Little Bay Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Boat Harbour Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Greenhills Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Wanda Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Elouera Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good North Cronulla Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good South Cronulla Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Southern Sydney Southern Sydney Shelly Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Oak Park Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xvii
Table S7: Beach Suitability Grades in Pittwater and Sydney Harbour, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade
Barrenjoey Beach Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Paradise Beach Baths Estuarine Low Category B Good Clareville Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Taylors Point Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Bayview Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Elvina Bay Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Pittwater Pittwater North Scotland Island Estuarine Moderate Category B Good South Scotland Island Estuarine Moderate Category A Good The Basin Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Great Mackerel Beach Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Watsons Bay Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Parsley Bay Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Nielsen Park Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Rose Bay Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Redleaf Pool Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Dawn Fraser Pool Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Chiswick Baths Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Cabarita Beach Estuarine High Category B Fair Woolwich Baths Estuarine High Category C Poor Tambourine Bay Estuarine High Category C Poor Woodford Bay Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Greenwich Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Hayes St Beach Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Clifton Gardens Estuarine Moderate Category B Good
Sydney HarbourSydney Balmoral Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Edwards Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Chinamans Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Northbridge Baths Estuarine High Category C Poor Davidson Reserve Estuarine High Category D Very Poor Gurney Crescent Baths Estuarine High Category B Fair Clontarf Pool Estuarine High Category B Fair Forty Baskets Pool Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Fairlight Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Manly Cove Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Little Manly Cove Estuarine Moderate Category B Good
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xviii
Table S8: Beach Suitability Grades in Botany Bay, lower Georges River and Port Hacking, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade
Silver Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Como Baths Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Jew Fish Bay Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Oatley Bay Baths Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Carss Point Baths Estuarine High Category C Poor Sandringham Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Dolls Point Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Ramsgate Baths Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Monterey Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Brighton-Le-Sands Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Kyeemagh Baths Estuarine High Category C Poor Foreshores Beach Estuarine High Category D Very Poor
Botany Bay and lower Georges River River Georges lower and Bay Botany Yarra Bay Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Frenchmans Bay Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Congwong Bay Estuarine Low Category B Good Jibbon Beach Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Horderns Beach Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Gymea Bay Baths Estuarine High Category C Poor Lilli Pilli Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good
Port Hacking Hacking Port Gunnamatta Bay Baths Estuarine High Category B Fair
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xix
Table S9: Beach Suitability Grades in the Illawarra region, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade
Austinmer Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Thirroul Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Bulli Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Woonona Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Bellambi Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good
Corrimal Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good
North Wollongong Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Wollongong City Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Wollongong City CouncilWollongong City Coniston Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Fishermans Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Port Kembla Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Entrance Lagoon Beach Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor
Warilla Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Very Good City CouncilCity Shellharbour Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Shellharbour
Boyds Jones Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Bombo Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Surf Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Council
Kiama Municipal Kiama Werri Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xx
Table S10: Beach Suitability Grades for the South Coast region, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade Shoalhaven Heads Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Tilbury Cove Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Warrain Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Collingwood Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cudmirrah Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Mollymook Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Rennies Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Racecourse Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Shoalhaven City CouncilShoalhaven City Bawley Point Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Merry Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cookies Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Caseys Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Surf Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Malua Bay Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Broulee Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bengello Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Shelley Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Tuross Main Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Brou Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Eurobodalla Shire Council Eurobodalla Shire Wagonga Inlet Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Narooma Main Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Camel Rock Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bruce Steer Pool Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Horseshoe Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Beares Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Mogareeka Inlet Lagoon/lake Low Category A Very Good Tathra Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Short Point Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bar Beach Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Main Beach (Merimbula) Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Bega Valley Shire Valley Bega Council Pambula Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Pambula River Mouth Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Aslings Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cocora Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xxi
Chapter 1 Beach monitoring in NSW
The water quality of beaches and other sewage effluent. Seventeen ocean beaches are swimming locations is monitored to provide the monitored in the Hunter region, and 17 ocean beaches and one lagoon site are monitored in the community with accurate information on the Illawarra region. cleanliness of the water and to enable individuals to make informed decisions about where and The Harbourwatch program when to swim. Routine assessment also Harbourwatch commenced in November 1994. The measures the impact of pollution sources, program complements the Beachwatch program by enables the effectiveness of stormwater and monitoring and reporting on the water quality at wastewater management practices to be estuarine beaches and swimming baths in Sydney assessed, and highlights areas where further Harbour, Botany Bay, Georges River, Port Hacking and Pittwater. work is required. Water samples are collected by OEH staff every The programs sixth day during the swimming season (October to April) and monthly for the remainder of the year. The There are three main beach monitoring programs in program includes 25 sites in Sydney Harbour, ten NSW: Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and the sites in Pittwater, 15 sites in the lower Georges River monitoring undertaken by local councils as part of and Botany Bay and five sites in Port Hacking. the Beachwatch Partnership Program. The Beachwatch Partnership Program A total of 260 swimming locations along the NSW coast were monitored under these programs during This program provides local councils undertaking the 2011–2012 swimming season. recreational water quality monitoring and reporting programs with technical advice, quality assurance The Beachwatch program and assistance with community reporting. All regional coastal councils in NSW are invited to take Beachwatch was established in 1989 in response to part in the program before the start of the swimming public concern over the level of sewage pollution at season each year. Sydney’s ocean beaches. At that time, more than one billion litres of effluent were discharged to During summer 2011–2012, 12 coastal councils in Sydney’s coastal waters each day. Beachwatch was regional NSW participated in the program: given responsibility to monitor and report on beach pollution levels. Over the last 20 years the program • Byron Shire Council has tracked significant improvements in water quality: Sydney’s beaches are now up to 98 per cent • Ballina Shire Council cleaner than they were two decades ago. • Richmond Valley Council Monitoring of Sydney’s ocean beaches is conducted by Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) staff • Kempsey Shire Council and Sutherland Shire Council lifeguards. Beaches are sampled every six days throughout the year and • Port Stephens Council tested for the bacterial indicator enterococci. Samples are collected from between the flags (or the • Newcastle City Council most commonly used area if the beach is not patrolled). A total of 36 ocean beaches and one • lagoon site are monitored in the Sydney region. Lake Macquarie City Council • Beachwatch was expanded to the Hunter and Wyong Shire Council Illawarra regions in 1996. Monitoring in these areas is conducted by Hunter Water Corporation and • Gosford City Council Sydney Water Corporation as a requirement of their Environment Protection Licences to discharge • Shoalhaven City Council
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 1
• Eurobodalla Shire Council Exposure
• Bega Valley Shire Council. Exposure to water-borne human pathogens at the beach can occur through direct contact with polluted water while swimming, by accidental ingestion of All monitoring and reporting activities are fully funded contaminated water or by inhalation of small water by each local council. A total of 133 sites were droplets in the air. monitored during the 2011–2012 swimming season, including ocean and estuarine beaches and swimming locations in tidal pools, bays, lagoons and Primary contact with contaminated water can cause harbours. a variety of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, collectively known as gastroenteritis. Symptoms of gastroenteritis include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach- Health risks ache, nausea, headache and fever. Contamination of recreational waters with faecal Diseases and conditions that affect the eyes, ears, material from animal and human sources can pose skin and upper respiratory tract can also be significant health problems to beach users owing to contracted when pathogens come into contact with the presence of pathogens (disease-causing micro- small breaks and tears in the skin or ruptures of the organisms) in the faecal material. The most common delicate membranes in the ear or nose. groups of pathogens found in recreational waters are bacteria, protozoans and viruses. Epidemiological studies Bacteria People who contract diseases as a result of swimming in contaminated water do not always There are many thousands of species of these associate their illness symptoms with this contact. As simple single-celled organisms. The vast majority of a result, disease outbreaks are often inconsistently bacteria are harmless and perform a variety of reported. As the incidence of disease among essential roles, including the breakdown of organic swimmers is difficult to determine, numerous studies material, fermentation and nitrogen fixing. Enteric have been conducted in an attempt to establish a bacteria live in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded link between illness and the level of faecal animals and help with digestion. Several groups of contamination. A review of these studies by Pruss bacteria are pathogenic, including Salmonella and (1998) drew two conclusions: Vibrio. • The relative risk of disease from swimming in Protozoans contaminated water ranged from one to three Protozoans are single-celled organisms that live as times above the risk associated with parasites in humans and animals. In the swimming in uncontaminated water. environment, they exist as dormant cysts, enabling them to survive harsh conditions such as high • Symptom rates were higher in individuals with temperatures and salinity. When swallowed by a compromised immune systems. host, the protozoans multiply and are spread through excretion of faeces. At the height of an infection, Certain groups of users may be more vulnerable to there may be between two and ten million cysts in the threat of microbial infection than others. Children, every gram of faeces excreted. Approximately 30 per the elderly, people with compromised immune cent of the 35,000 known species of protozoans are systems, tourists, and people from culturally and pathogenic. Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium linguistically diverse backgrounds are generally most parvum are two of the best known pathogenic at risk. protozoans.
Viruses Recreational water quality These consist of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) guidelines surrounded by a protein shell. Viruses are not able to In May 2009, new guidelines for monitoring and take in food, get rid of waste or reproduce by reporting recreational water quality were adopted for themselves. Viral infection does not always lead to use in NSW: the National Health and Medical disease. In some cases the host will have no Research Council’s Guidelines for managing risks in symptoms; in others the host will become very ill. recreational water (NHMRC 2008). These guidelines Person-to-person contact is the most common supersede the Australian guidelines for recreational transmission route. Viruses that may be transmitted use of water (NHMRC 1990) and the ‘Guidelines for by faecally contaminated water include hepatitis A recreational water quality and aesthetics’ chapter of and E, norovirus, coxsackie, rotavirus and the Australian water quality guidelines for fresh and adenovirus.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 2
marine waters (ANZECC 2000), on which the Provisional Beach Suitability Grades previous Beachwatch guidelines were based. The NHMRC (2008) guidelines recognise that there The NHMRC 2008 guidelines have been adopted in will be occasions when there is a need to issue all Australian states and are supported by guidance advice on the classification of a recreational water notes developed by the Department of Health environment, even though the information required is Western Australia following a national workshop held incomplete because of limited bacterial data or in Perth in 2007 (Department of Health, Western limited information on potential pollution sources in a Australia 2007). beach catchment.
The new guidelines represent a major revision of the As this is the third year of monitoring and reporting previous guidelines by focusing on the assessment under the NHMRC 2008 guidelines, some of the and management of hazards to minimise health Beach Suitability Grades in this report are risks. Under the new guidelines, recreational water provisional, and this is noted in the council summary quality at swimming sites is no longer reported as sections of the report, where applicable. As more percentage compliance based on microbial data, but data become available in following years the beach as Beach Suitability Grades. grades will become final. The information gaps for most sites are minor, and Beachwatch has confidence in the grades presented in this report. Beach Suitability Grades Beach Suitability Grades provide an assessment of Determining Beach Suitability Grades the suitability of a swimming location for recreation over time and are based on a combination of Beach Suitability Grades are determined by using sanitary inspection (identification and rating of the matrix in Table 2. Microbial assessment potential pollution sources at a beach) and microbial categories and sanitary inspection categories are assessment (water quality measurements gathered described in the following sections. over previous years). There are five grades, ranging from Very Good to Very Poor (Table 1).
Table 1: Beach Suitability Grade definitions
Very Good – Location has generally excellent microbial water quality and very few potential sources of faecal pollution. Water is considered suitable for swimming for almost all of the time.
Good – Location has generally good microbial water quality and water is considered suitable for swimming most of the time. Swimming should be avoided during and for up to one day following heavy rain at ocean beaches and up to three days at estuarine sites.
Fair – Microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming, but because of the presence of significant sources of faecal contamination, extra care should be taken to avoid swimming during and for up to three days following rainfall or if there are signs of pollution such as discoloured water or odour or debris in the water.
Poor – Location is susceptible to faecal pollution and microbial water quality is not always suitable for swimming. During dry weather conditions, ensure that the swimming location is free of signs of pollution, such as discoloured water, odour or debris in the water, and avoid swimming at all times during and for up to three days following rainfall.
Very Poor – Location is very susceptible to faecal pollution and microbial water quality may often be unsuitable for swimming. It is recommended to avoid swimming at this site.
Source: Adapted from NHMRC (2008)
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Table 2: Matrix used to determine Beach Suitability Grades
Microbial Assessment Category (MAC) A B C D (≤ 40 cfu/ (41–200 cfu/ (201–500cfu/ (> 500 cfu/ 100mL*) 100mL*) 100mL*) 100mL*) Very Low Very Good Very Good Follow Up Follow Up
Low Very Good Good Follow Up Follow Up Sanitary Inspection Moderate Good Good Poor Poor Category High Good Fair Poor Very Poor
Very High Follow Up Fair Poor Very Poor Source: NHMRC (2008). * See Table 3 for Microbial Assessment Category details
Microbial water quality assessment Under the guidelines, Sydney’s ocean beaches continue to be sampled every six days throughout Faecal indicator bacteria the year. Estuarine sites in the Harbourwatch Program continue to be sampled every six days Direct detection of pathogens in recreational waters during the swimming season (October to May) with is generally not undertaken owing to the difficulty of monthly surveillance sampling undertaken between the analysis. Where reliable laboratory methods May and September, when the swimming sites are exist they generally require the collection of large generally not in use. volumes of water; analysis is costly, and it can take a week or more to obtain a result. In addition, Monitoring under the Beachwatch Partnership decisions need to be made about how many and Program varies among councils. Owing to the which specific pathogens to test for. resource-intensive nature of recreational water quality monitoring, most councils restrict monitoring NHMRC (2008) advocates the use of enterococci as to the swimming season and some councils focus the single preferred faecal indicator in marine their resources on sample collection only during waters. These bacteria are excreted in faeces and those summer months when use is highest. are rarely present in unpolluted waters. Enterococci have shown a clear dose–response relationship to Samples are collected using an aseptic sampling disease outcomes in marine waters in the northern technique, placed on ice and transferred to the hemisphere. In accordance with the NHMRC 2008 laboratory for analysis. In the laboratory, guidelines, Beachwatch tests for enterococci only, enterococci density is analysed using method with faecal coliform analysis discontinued on AS/NZS 4276.9:2007. Sampling undertaken as part 30 April 2009. Enterococci density in water samples of the Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and Beachwatch is analysed in the laboratory using method AS/NZS Partnership programs is checked under the quality 4276.9:2007. assurance program and the results of this are presented in the Quality Assurance section of this Sampling programs report.
The swimming guidelines state that sampling should Microbial Assessment Category calculation cover the range of conditions that occur while the swimming location is in use (NHMRC 2008). For There are four Microbial Assessment Categories most beaches along the NSW coast, the highest (A to D), and each is associated with risks of illness use occurs during the swimming season (October to determined from key epidemiological studies April). For beaches on the North Coast, use can (Table 3). extend throughout the year, whereas at beaches on the South Coast, use is usually restricted to summer The Microbial Assessment Category is determined months. from the 95th percentile of an enterococci dataset of at least 100 data points. The 95th percentile is a Harbour swimming sites in Sydney tend to operate useful statistic for summarising the distribution of only during the swimming season, with many pools enterococci data at a site, because it embodies closed and shark nets removed during the winter. elements of both the location of the distribution (how high/low the enterococci counts are) and the scale of the distribution (how variable the enterococci counts are).
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 4
Table 3: Microbial Assessment Categories
Category 95%ile of Basis of derivation Associated overall enterococci illness rates (cfu/100 mL)
No illness seen in most GI* illness risk: <1% A ≤40 epidemiological studies AFRI** risk: <0.3%
Upper threshold is above the GI illness risk: 1%–5% B 41–200 threshold of illness transmission AFRI risk: 0.3%–1.9% reported in most studies
Represents a substantial elevation GI illness risk: 5%–10% C 201–500 in the probability of adverse health AFRI risk: 1.9%–3.9% outcomes
Above this level there may be GI illness risk: >10% D >500 significant risk of high levels of AFRI risk: >3.9% illness transmission Source: NHMRC (2008). * GI = gastrointestinal illness ** AFRI = acute febrile respiratory illness
The risks of illness shown in Table 3 are not those contamination. There are five categories, ranging associated with the 95th percentile enterococci level, from Very Low to Very High. but are the overall risk of illness associated with an enterococci dataset with that 95th percentile (see The knowledge of the catchment, pollution sources Wyer et al. 1999 for further information). and receiving water processes gained from the sanitary inspection provides beach managers with a The 95th percentile values for each of the four good foundation for investigating pollution incidents, Microbial Assessment Categories were determined prioritising and implementing pollution abatement by the World Health Organization using enterococci measures, and providing sound advice to the data collected from swimming locations across community on where and when to swim. Europe, and so these values will represent different probabilities of illness if the distribution of enterococci data from swimming locations in NSW Reporting beach water quality differs from the European distribution. In recognition of this issue, Dr Richard Lugg (Department of information Health, Western Australia) has developed a Water quality data and results Microsoft® Excel tool for calculating a modified 95th percentile that takes into account the distribution of All data collected as part of the Beachwatch, data. This tool has been used to calculate the 95th Harbourwatch and Beachwatch Partnership percentile values presented in this report and has programs can be downloaded from the Beachwatch been adopted for use by other state governments website (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach). (Department of Health, Western Australia 2007). Daily bulletins Sanitary inspection The Beachwatch and Harbourwatch daily bulletins The aim of a sanitary inspection is to identify all provide the community with advice on the likelihood sources of faecal contamination that could affect a of pollution at Sydney ocean and estuarine beaches. swimming location and assess the risk to public The bulletins are released at 7:30 am every day health posed by these sources. It is a qualitative during the swimming season (October to April). assessment of bacterial water quality at the site and Outside this period, the bulletin is released at should, to some degree, correlate with the bacterial 9:30 am on weekdays, with a weekend forecast water quality results obtained from sampling. issued at 5:00 pm on Friday afternoons. Sanitary inspections are discussed in detail in the following section. The likelihood of pollution is determined from rainfall in the previous 24 to 72 hours and uses the Through the sanitary inspection process, beaches relationship between enterococci levels and rainfall are categorised to reflect the likelihood of faecal at each beach. When the rainfall exceeds the pre-
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 5
determined rainfall threshold for the beach or Media releases waterway, the bulletin indicates that pollution is ‘LIKELY’. Media releases are issued by many local councils participating in the Beachwatch Partnership The daily bulletins are updated during the day as Program, usually at the start of the swimming beach and weather conditions change and in season, at the peak Christmas holiday period and at response to incident reports from council lifeguards the end of the swimming season. The media or Sydney Water. The bulletin is also updated to releases advise on the scope of the council’s include information on beach closures. program and provide a summary of results.
The daily bulletins are available online Annual State of the Beaches report (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach), via a recorded telephone information line (1800 036 677), The State of the Beaches report is issued around the via email subscription, and on Twitter start of the swimming season each year, usually in (@BeachwatchNSW). October or November. The report provides a comprehensive summary of activities and results of Weekly reports – star ratings water quality monitoring for the previous year.
Weekly star ratings were introduced in 1996 as a In previous years, two State of the Beaches reports community information service for beach users in the have been released, one for the Beachwatch and Illawarra and Hunter regions. Star ratings are Harbourwatch programs, covering the Sydney, currently available on the Beachwatch website for Hunter and Illawarra regions, and one for the most sites in the Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and Beachwatch Partnership Program, covering Beachwatch Partnership programs. swimming locations monitored by local councils. Since 2009–2010 a single report combining results Beaches are allocated one to four stars, based on from all three programs has been produced. the Microbial Assessment Categories in the NHMRC 2008 guidelines (Table 4) State of the Beaches reports from 1989–1990 onwards are available on the Beachwatch website Star ratings are based on the latest enterococci (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach). result for a beach. They provide a snapshot of water quality at the site; the result will depend on rainfall Website prior to sampling or any pollution incidents. The star rating for a particular day may not be indicative of Further information about the Beachwatch programs, long-term water quality. including sampling methods, water quality guidelines and working with councils, is available on the Table 4: Star ratings for Microbial Assessment Beachwatch website at Categories www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach. Total visits to the website during 2011–2012 was 53,211, with over half of those being return visitors. The number of Star rating Enterococci result Description visits has increased by 23 per cent from the previous year and includes 184,529 page views. <41 cfu/100 mL* Good Twitter 41–200 cfu/100 mL* Fair Beachwatch programs can be followed on Twitter 201–500 cfu/100 mL* Poor @BeachwatchNSW, and as of August 2012 had 811 followers. Regular tweets include information in the >500 cfu/100 mL* Bad daily bulletin and updates, as well as key messages for safe swimming and tips for reducing stormwater * Based on Microbial Assessment Category ranges pollution. Tweets also include observations by the in Table 3. staff while in the field, such as beach conditions, animal sightings, surf conditions, crowded beaches, Monthly reports events, water temperature, and activity on the The monthly reports summarise the results of water harbour, algal blooms and sampling information. quality analyses, compare these with rainfall, and may also include reported visual pollution or information from telemetered sewage overflows. They are provided for swimming sites in the Beachwatch and Harbourwatch programs and are available on the Beachwatch website.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 6
Chapter 2 Sanitary inspections
The sanitary inspection provides an ‘assessment • sewage chokes and leaks of the area’s susceptibility to influence from • on-site sewage/wastewater treatment human faecal contamination’ (WHO 1999). It is a systems (such as septic tanks) qualitative assessment of bacterial water quality • wastewater re-use at the site, and should, to some degree, correlate with the bacterial water quality results obtained • river discharges through sampling. • lagoon (or coastal lake) discharges The sanitary inspection process • boats • There are four key steps: animals.
1. identify all pollution sources that might affect a While this list is extensive, if other sources are swimming location present at a swimming site they are also included in the sanitary inspection. The pollution sources are 2. determine the likelihood of each source described later in this section. affecting the site Information on pollution sources is gathered from 3. determine the overall likelihood, or Sanitary desktop studies, field inspections, and interviews Inspection Category, for the site with sewerage authorities, local council officers, lifeguards and other stakeholders. 4. review the site’s Sanitary Inspection Category annually. Step 2: Determine the likelihood for each The results of the sanitary inspection for each site pollution source are presented on the beach pages in Chapter 4 of this report. For each identified pollution source, the likelihood of a public health event occurring must be determined. Step 1: Identify pollution sources at a site A public health event can be conservatively defined as an occasion when a pollution source could cause enterococci levels in excess of the illness threshold While a sanitary inspection investigates all sources of 40 cfu/100 mL at a swimming site. The likelihood of faecal pollution affecting a swimming site, a lower categories are defined in Table 5. weighting is given to animal sources. This is because many of the pathogens in animal faeces do not affect Table 5: Likelihood categories for public health human health owing to the ‘species barrier’ (NHMRC events 2008, WSAA 2003). Animal sources are not excluded completely because there are some human Likelihood Definition pathogens found in animal faeces, such as category Cryptosporidium parvum and E. coli (WHO 2003). Event occurs only in exceptional The main sources of faecal pollution affecting Very Low circumstances: about once every ten recreational waters are: bathing seasons Event occurs infrequently: once every five • bather shedding Low bathing seasons • toilet facilities Event occurs occasionally: once or twice Moderate each bathing season • stormwater discharges Event occurs with some regularity: three or High • sewage/wastewater treatment plant four times each bathing season discharges and bypasses Event occurs frequently: several times Very High • sewage overflows each month
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Step 3: Determine the Sanitary Inspection • dilution and tidal flushing are low, for example Category for the site in shallow coastal lakes • bather density is very high The Sanitary Inspection Category is the overall likelihood of a public health event posed by all • small children swim, wade or play at the site identified sources of faecal contamination at a site • and is categorized as Very Low, Low, Moderate, there are no toilet facilities. High or Very High. Toilet facilities As it is not possible to sum qualitative likelihood Leaks from toilet facilities are most likely to be a categories (Very Low, Low, etc.), a quantitative value source of microbial contamination when they are: is assigned to each category to enable likelihood values from a variety of pollution sources to be • located in very close proximity to the added together (Table 6). swimming area (<50 metres) Table 6: Likelihood categories, values and • not connected to the sewer, but rely on on- category ranges site treatment • Likelihood Event Likelihood Category very old and require upgrading category frequency value range • present in high numbers (high flow) 1 in 10 • located at a very popular beach (high use). Very Low bathing 0.1 <0.2 seasons A history of discharges, leaks or odours may also 1 in 5 indicate that toilet facilities are more likely to be a Low bathing 0.2 0.2 to <1 source of contamination. seasons 1 per bathing Stormwater Moderate 1 1 to <3 season Rainwater is removed from urban environments via 3 per bathing High 3 3 to <12 the stormwater system. The runoff can carry a range season of natural and artificial compounds found in, or 12 per derived from, the catchment, including: 12 or Very High bathing 12 greater season • silt and organic or inorganic suspended particles To determine the overall likelihood category, or Sanitary Inspection Category, for a site, the • sewage from overflows and leakages in the likelihood values for all pollution sources at the site sewerage system are summed to give a total value. This total value is • then compared with the category ranges in Table 6 to animal faecal waste (for example, dog determine the overall likelihood category, or Sanitary droppings) Inspection Category. • oils, greases and surfactants from roadways and industrial and domestic sites For example: Site A has four identified sources of pollution with associated likelihoods of Very Low, • plant fertilisers, pesticides and chemicals from Moderate, Moderate and High. The overall likelihood building sites and gardens would be 0.1 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 5.1 = High (range of 3 to • <12). The Sanitary Inspection Category for the site is litter (including rubbish and leaf litter, grass therefore High. clippings and twigs). The amount of runoff is determined by factors such The pollution sources as the volume and intensity of rainfall, the geology and topography, the proportion of impervious Bather shedding surfaces in a catchment, and the soil saturation. A number of studies have found that bathers themselves can be a source of faecal contamination Stormwater drains will have the greatest impact on in recreational waters (NHMRC 2008). The effect is recreational waters when the: greatest at sites where:
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• discharge volume is large because the • level of treatment at the plant is low catchment is large and/or the area receives • high rainfall volume of effluent discharged is high.
• catchment is densely populated Sewage treatment levels are defined in Table 7. • catchment’s sewerage system is old and/or Bypasses from sewage/wastewater poorly maintained treatment plants • drains discharge close to the swimming area. On occasion, sewage entering a sewage/wastewater treatment plant may not receive full treatment before Urban runoff is typified by large volumes of fast- discharge to the environment. This can occur flowing turbid water entering drains within minutes of because of human error, mechanical malfunction or a rain event and eventually draining into the local electrical malfunction. During wet weather it can also creeks, rivers and harbours and onto beaches. occur when the capacity of the plant is exceeded due to large volumes of rainwater in the sewer system. Very high levels of bacteria have been measured in Sewage treatment bypasses will have the greatest stormwater drains at Sydney’s beaches. It is impact on recreational waters where the treatment recommended that all contact with stormwater be plant: avoided, including stormwater pooled on the beach. Swimming in the vicinity of stormwater drains should • bypasses frequently because it is operating also be avoided. close to operational capacity, has no storage capacity and/or is subject to large peaks in Sewage treatment plant discharges flow during wet weather Sewage treatment plants (also know as wastewater • uses older technology without backup or treatment works) are located near most urban warning systems centres and remove pollutants from sewage before discharging it to the environment. Discharges from • is unable to disinfect bypassed effluent. sewage/wastewater treatment plants will have the greatest impact when the: The level of dilution in receiving waters is particularly important when assessing potential impact. The • discharge point is located close to the volume of effluent discharged and the tidal swimming area movement, currents and depth of the receiving water • level of dilution and dispersion available in the are all considered. receiving water is low
Table 7: Levels of sewage treatment
Level Treatment processes
None No treatment – raw sewage discharged.
Preliminary Screen filtration to remove large solid material.
Sewage is filtered through fine screens to remove material like paper, cotton tips and plastic. Heavier particles like sand sink to the bottom and are removed. The sewage then flows into Primary the primary sedimentation tanks where human waste, called sludge, settles to the bottom and oils and grease float to the surface where they are collected.
This step removes dissolved and suspended organic and inorganic solids. Bacteria are used to Secondary naturally break down the material, then particles settle to the bottom of the tank for collection.
This step further removes inorganic compounds, and substances such as the plant nutrients Tertiary nitrogen and phosphorus.
This step can be added to any treatment level to inactivate disease-causing micro-organisms Disinfection such as bacteria, viruses and parasites.
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Sewage overflows On-site sewage treatment systems During wet weather rainwater can enter the On-site systems, such as septic tanks, will have the sewerage system through cracks in the pipes or greatest impact on recreational waters when they illegal connections from the stormwater system. If are: the flow in the pipe increases to beyond the capacity of the sewer, the excess flow (a mix of stormwater • incorrectly designed or located and sewage) will discharge from designed overflow • structures to prevent the sewer backing up and not maintained and/or there is a history of overflowing into houses. leaks or odours • present in large numbers in the catchment Sewage overflows can also occur during dry weather if mechanical and electrical components of the sewer • located close to the swimming area, system, such as those at pumping stations, fail particularly if soils are sandy and porous. because of power outages or other failures. Wastewater re-use Sewage overflow points are built into the system in order to minimise discharges to habitation and the Wastewater re-use, such as irrigation of treated risk to human health. Sewage overflows are either sewage effluent on grazing land or parks or outside direct to receiving waters or enter the stormwater use in residential areas where a dual reticulation system and then flow to receiving waters. system is provided, can be a source of faecal contamination in recreational waters, particularly Sewage overflows will have the greatest impact on when: recreational waters when the: • wastewater is not treated to a high level • overflow point is located close to the before re-use swimming location • the re-use area is located close to the • sewer system is old or poorly maintained, with swimming site and soils are porous or sandy cracks allowing rainwater to enter the pipes • and increase flow beyond the design capacity a large volume of effluent is re-used.
• sewer system is operating at close to capacity River/creek discharges due to increases in serviced population Discharges from rivers and creeks can be a • sewer system serves a large population. significant source of faecal contamination to recreational waters, particularly when: Sewer chokes and leaks • the volume of river/creek discharge is high Sewage chokes occur when sewer pipes become because the catchment is large and/or the blocked by tree roots, oil and grease or debris. region receives high rainfall Sewage builds up behind the blockage, leading to discharge from openings in the sewer, usually at • there are many sources of faecal inspection points or designed overflow structures. contamination in the catchment and the level Sewers may also leak sewage through cracks in the of faecal contamination in the river/creek pipes or areas where the pipe has been damaged. water is high • the river discharges close to the swimming Sewer chokes and leaks will have the greatest site. impact on recreational waters when: It should be noted that, where rivers or creeks were • they are located close to the swimming identified as a pollution source, care was taken to location ensure that sources of faecal contamination affecting • the sewer is operating at close to capacity the river/creek water quality were not double-counted owing to increases in serviced population as pollution sources also affecting the swimming site.
• large trees are planted in the vicinity of sewer Where sewage/wastewater treatment plants pipes. discharge to a river, the impacts of these will be greatest when:
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 10
• the level of treatment at the Animals sewage/wastewater treatment plant is low Animal faeces can affect recreational waters, • there is a large population in the catchment particularly when: and a large volume of effluent is discharged from the plant • large numbers of aquatic birds are present at the site • the flow in the river is low, providing little dilution of discharged effluent. • large numbers of native animals are present at the site Lagoons • domestic animals have direct access to the Many coastal lagoons are open to the ocean only water following large wet weather events. Water quality in • these lagoons tends to be poor due to the low levels domestic animal exercise areas are not of tidal flushing from clean ocean waters. These regularly cleaned of animal faeces. lagoons rarely affect recreational waters during dry weather conditions, but they have significant impacts Effect of rainfall when the entrance is forced open following heavy rainfall. Rainfall has an important effect on flow rates in sewerage systems and stormwater drains. Each beach has a different response, depending on the In some cases, the lagoon entrance (outlet) has catchment area, the extent and stage of been modified and the lagoon is open to the ocean development, and the condition of the sewerage for much of the time. Water quality in these lagoons system. tends to be higher due to tidal flushing. However, discharges can affect recreational waters during dry In general, faecal contamination increases with weather conditions as well as during wet weather increasing rainfall, but some beaches appear to conditions. reach a rainfall threshold above which faecal contamination rises rapidly (for example, North Curl Coastal lagoons/lakes will have the greatest impact Curl Beach in Sydney), whereas others exhibit an on recreational waters when: apparent log-linear response (for example, Tamarama Beach in Sydney). Others appear to be • discharge volumes from the lagoon are high largely unaffected by rainfall (for example, Box due to large catchment area and/or the area Beach in Port Stephens Shire Council area). receives high rainfall Response to rainfall plots are provided for each • the outflow is located close to the swimming swimming site on the beach pages in Chapter 4, with site information on their interpretation provided at the beginning of that chapter. • the lagoon receives urban or agricultural runoff or discharges from the sewerage Step 4: Review the site’s Sanitary system, such as sewage overflows. Inspection Category annually Boats After initial classification, all swimming sites are subject to an annual sanitary inspection review to Disposal of human sewage from boats can determine whether pollution sources or their contribute to faecal contamination in recreational likelihood have changed and to fill in any gaps in waters. information. The review includes: Boats will have the greatest impact when there are: • a visual inspection of potential sources of contamination • a large number of boats in the vicinity of the site • updates to management processes at wastewater treatment plants and abatement • no requirements for holding-tanks or effluent measures for sewer overflows and treatment before disposal stormwater discharges • no or insufficient pump-out facilities for boats • analysis of the most recent microbial data to • no on-shore toilets. investigate the effect of rainfall and impact of stormwater on each swimming site
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• consultation with stakeholders such as lifeguards, beach and recreational water managers, local council, wastewater managers and state government.
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Chapter 3 Managing beach pollution
Management of beach pollution is the joint making those subject to environmental regulation responsibility of state and local governments, aware of government and community expectations about the protection of the environment and the with many non-government and community health of local communities. This is achieved by groups and individuals also making a significant raising general awareness of regulatory contribution to pollution prevention. While many requirements and delivering strong compliance and projects are outlined in detail in the council enforcement programs. The EPA also assesses and pages of this report, a broad overview of some of advises on how to best regulate activities that may the key programs is provided below. have an impact on the environment, including water quality, and designs and delivers regulatory environmental protection programs. NSW Government Environmental Trust Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Funding for sustainability projects is provided under the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust The Protection of the Environment Operations Act $80 million Urban Sustainability Program. Grant 1997 (POEO Act) provides the NSW environmental funding is targeted at local councils working with the regulatory framework and includes a licensing community and business to protect and improve the requirement for certain activities. Section 120 of the urban environment. Some funded projects have POEO Act states that it is an offence to cause or specifically addressed urban water management permit any waters to be polluted. issues, including stormwater management, reducing urban runoff and improving water quality. Environment protection licences are used to control the localised, cumulative and acute impacts of During 2010, $400,000 was provided to partly fund a pollution in NSW. The licences aim to protect, restore collaborate project between Randwick City Council and enhance the quality of the environment in NSW, and Sydney Water Corporation to improve water having regard to the need to maintain ecologically quality at Malabar Beach. The project aimed to move sustainable development and to reduce risks to the existing stormwater discharge point at Malabar human health. A range of activities are licensed from the beach to the cliff face outfall. The drain was under the POEO Act to manage a diverse range of diverted further offshore at the end of July, with water pollutants. For example, unless appropriately works due for completion in November 2012. managed, discharge from sewage treatment plants could have human health impacts due to their In 2008, $30 million in grant funding was made microbial content. available through the Urban Sustainability Major Projects and Urban Waterways Initiative for up to Discharges from sewage treatment plants in NSW three years. The priority catchment areas for the are licensed under the POEO Act. These licences Urban Waterways funding stream were the Cooks cover the entire sewage treatment system and River, Georges River, Hawkesbury Nepean River, include overflows from pumping stations and Central Coast/Lower Hunter catchments and Sydney reticulation systems. These licenses require Harbour. progressive environmental improvements, including the reduction of pollution at source and the From 2006 to 2008 the Environmental Trust provided monitoring and reporting of environmental quality on over $19.8 million for 26 projects to improve the a regular basis. condition of degraded urban waterways through rehabilitation and restoration activities. The projects Environment Protection Authority implemented include initiatives such as stormwater The NSW Government established the Environment re-use schemes, water-sensitive urban design, and Protection Authority (EPA) in February 2012 as a activities to restore streams and creeks in various modernised and independent authority responsible local government areas, improving local water quality for licensing and regulation. The EPA's focus is on and overall catchment health. These projects have
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 13
also included education and engagement programs local community members. The CAPs have been for maintaining the health of urban catchments. helping to direct investment decisions and improve natural resource management across NSW. CMAs, Further information on the Environmental Trust’s government and the community are currently grant programs is available on the OEH website working together to upgrade the existing CAPs to (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/envtrust.htm). ensure catchment management focuses on current priorities and to make effective use of investment. Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy State and federal funding is supporting projects and activities which help communities restore and The NSW Government has developed a state-wide improve the natural resources in their catchments. All Diffuse Source Water Pollution (DSWP) Strategy to this work aims to better protect and restore the reduce diffuse source pollution inputs into all NSW state's native vegetation and biodiversity, land, rivers surface and ground waters (Department of and coastal waterways. Many actions that coastal Environment and Climate Change 2009). Diffuse CMAs fund contribute either directly or indirectly to source water pollution is the contamination of water improved water quality. bodies by pollutants (such as pathogens, sediments, nutrients, chemicals and salinity) arising from a Wastewater re-use guidance multitude of diverse urban and rural land-use activities across a catchment, rather than from Effluent irrigation can make a significant contribution discreet point sources. to reducing the amount of pollutants discharged into our waterways, providing it is appropriately The DSWP Strategy contributes towards the NSW managed. OEH has adopted a policy of encouraging water quality objectives and state-wide natural the beneficial use of effluent where it is safe and resource management targets. The DSWP Strategy practicable to do so and where it provides the best brings together catchment management authorities environmental outcome. The Environmental (CMAs), relevant NSW Government agencies and guidelines: use of effluent by irrigation (Department local councils to jointly manage and address these of Environment and Conservation 2004) and the issues. Australian guidelines for water recycling: managing health and environmental risks (EPHC & NRMMC Estuary Management Program 2006) provide guidance on the beneficial use of effluent and outline how this can be accomplished in The NSW Government’s Estuary Management an ecologically sustainable and socially responsible Program provides support to local councils to way. improve the health of NSW estuaries and to understand the potential risks from climate change. Financial and technical assistance is provided under Water utilities the program to prepare coastal zone management Sydney Water Corporation plans and supporting studies and to implement works to improve coastal environments and estuary Sydney Water Corporation is a statutory state-owned health. corporation responsible for providing water and sewerage services to the Sydney, Blue Mountains More information on the Estuary Management and Illawarra regions (an area of over 12,700 square Program is available on the OEH website kilometres). It is responsible for more than 24,200 (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/coasts/InfoCoastEstFl kilometres of sewerage pipes and operates 11 oodGrants.htm). coastal wastewater treatment plants. Sydney Water Corporation undertakes a range of projects and Catchment Action Plans programs to minimise impacts from the sewage treatment and transport systems; these are in the Catchment management authorities (CMAs) have regional and relevant council summaries in this been established across NSW to ensure that report. regional communities have a say in how natural resources are managed in their catchments. CMAs Sydney Water Corporation also manages five per are working with farmers, Landcare and other local cent of Sydney’s stormwater network, mainly in the groups, Aboriginal communities, local government, lower reaches of catchments where the stormwater industry and state agencies to respond to the key channels are large and cross a number of council natural resource management (NRM) issues facing boundaries. Approximately 70 stormwater quality their catchments. improvement devices, such as litter booms, sediment traps, gross pollutant traps and a wetland have been Catchment Action Plans (CAPs) were developed installed. On average these remove around about five years ago, with direction from a board of
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1700 cubic metres of litter and 1800 tonnes of Integrated planning and reporting sediment from stormwater flows each year. Stormwater management planning and reporting is Hunter Water Corporation integrated across the range of council plans and reports prepared under the integrated planning and Hunter Water Corporation is a statutory state-owned reporting framework in the Local Government Act corporation responsible for providing water and and the Local Government (General) Regulation sewerage services to the Hunter region (an area of 2005. This means stormwater management is over 5300 square kilometres). It is responsible for considered strategically in the long-term community more than 4500 kilometres of sewerage pipes and strategic plan, and operationally in a council’s operates five sewage treatment plants, which delivery program, the resourcing strategy and the discharge to the ocean. Projects and programs to annual operational plans and reports. minimise impacts from these sewage treatment and transport systems are described in the regional and Development relevant council summaries in this report. Local councils regulate the siting and construction of Hunter Water Corporation also manages sections of buildings in their local government areas. the stormwater network in the lower Hunter, Construction sites can be a significant source of consisting of just over 94 kilometres of channel. stormwater pollution, and councils ensure that developments do not overload the stormwater system, causing flooding, and do not contribute to Local councils water pollution. Urban stormwater management On-site sewage treatment systems Local councils have primary responsibility for urban stormwater management. In Sydney alone, they are Local councils are not only responsible for approving collectively responsible for stormwater assets worth the installation of on-site sewage treatment systems more than $1.5 billion. and dealing with complaints about odours and discharges; they are also required to undertake The NSW Government supports councils in their role systematic monitoring and reporting of system in stormwater management by developing and performance to manage risks to the environment and coordinating strategic policy, information, and public health. guidance material. The Urban Stormwater Program built capacity and raised awareness from 1997 to Lifeguard services 2006. It successfully expanded the scope of urban Local councils are responsible for all aspects of stormwater management beyond the focus on flood beach management, including access, waste control, to include, amongst other things, water management and beach safety. Most local councils quality. The program established stormwater provide lifeguard services at popular beaches, in planning frameworks and developed urban addition to the volunteer Surf Life Saving Clubs. stormwater guidance which enables councils to These services may operate year-round or only continue to deliver positive stormwater outcomes, during the summer holiday period. Details of beyond the life of the program. lifeguard services are provided in each council section. The Local Government Act 1993 was amended in 2005 to allow councils the option to levy a stormwater management service charge (SMSC) for Environment and community improved stormwater management. This change was groups made in recognition of councils’ key role in stormwater management and their need for a A great range of commercial and non-profit groups sustainable funding source to support their are also doing their bit to tackle stormwater pollution. stormwater services, following the closure of the These include council, commercial and self-funded Urban Stormwater Program. The additional environment centres, volunteer groups, and stormwater services being delivered using the SMSC stormwater and wastewater associations. are helping to improve the health of urban waterways, reduce the impact of local flooding in These groups are working closely with local communities, promote stormwater harvesting, and business, industry and government agencies on manage stormwater assets. cooperative projects to improve stormwater quality and eliminate pollution, as well as developing ‘leading edge’ technology and approaches to stormwater management and pollution control. They
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also play an important role in community education on water pollution issues. You, your family and friends To help protect your local beach and waterway, there are plenty of community groups to join:
• Get involved in local activities sponsored by Clean-Up Australia and Keep Australia Beautiful.
• Call your local council to find out about Bushcare activities in your local area.
• Join a local conservation group, such as Dune Care, Landcare or Coastcare, or the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers.
For information on how to live more sustainably at home, work and play, visit the Our Environment It’s a Living Thing (www.livingthing.net.au) and Water for Life (www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au) websites.
You can also make a difference at the beach:
• Take litter and leftovers home with you.
• Park cars carefully, preferably on hard surfaces, to avoid damaging grass verges or coastal vegetation.
• Keep beach showers to a minimum.
The community can help prevent beach pollution in lots of ways. Table 8 lists ways you can help to improve stormwater quality and Table 9 lists ways you can ease the load on the sewer system.
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Table 8: Ways to improve stormwater quality
Actions to do more often Actions to avoid Pick up litter in the park or on the street. Washing the car in the street. Sweep gutters and driveways regularly and place the Hosing dirt off hardstand surfaces (roads, paths, driveways) sweepings on the garden or in the compost or green waste into gutters. bin. Clean up pet droppings and dispose of them in the garden, Dropping packaging or cigarette butts on the ground. rubbish bin or toilet. Rake up leaves or lawn clippings and use them as mulch on Leaving rubbish where bins are already full. the garden or place them in the compost. Grass or replant areas of disturbed soil. Piling sand and soil on areas where it can wash into the stormwater system. Purchase water-efficient appliances. Hosing leaves and grass clippings into gutters. Maintain the car, making sure there are no leaks and that the Washing cement mixes into the gutter. fuel is burnt ‘cleanly’ by keeping the vehicle tuned. Use the minimum amount of detergent for cleaning outside. Overuse of chemicals (pesticides, herbicides) in the garden. Wash paint-brushes and rollers over a sand filter on the Using too much fertiliser (follow the instructions). lawn. Take the car to a car wash where the water is treated and Using pesticides and herbicides when rain is forecast the recycled. same day. Make sure sewerage pipes are not connected illegally to Vehicle maintenance where oil and grease may wash into stormwater. gutters. Install a rainwater tank. Pouring paint, solvent or cleaners into the gutter or where they may enter drains. Direct roof runoff from downpipes to the garden (with council Disposing of oil or chemicals into gutters. approval). Replace impermeable surfaces (e.g. concrete) with Covering large areas with impervious surfaces, e.g. concrete, permeable surfaces such as timber decks. bitumen. Plant native gardens that require less water, fertiliser and pesticides. Have a composter or worm farm for garden and household organic waste.
Table 9: Ways to ease the load on the sewer system
Actions to do more often Actions to avoid Install a dual flush toilet. Putting oil down the sink. Get sewer pipes smoke-tested for false stormwater Planting trees near sewer lines, as tree roots are a major connections. cause of pipe damage. Use a sink strainer. Stormwater entering outdoor sewer pits. Use the dishwasher and washing machine only when there is Putting vegetable scraps, tea leaves, coffee grounds or a full load. This not only reduces the amount of detergents eggshells down the sink. These can be composted. entering the sewer system, but also saves water and energy. Using the toilet as a garbage bin by flushing tampons, sanitary napkins, condoms, cotton buds and cigarette butts down the toilet. Place them in a bin instead. Washing hair down drains. This can be composted.
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Chapter 4 Results for 2011–2012
^
Presentation of results High This report includes results from all swimming locations monitored in the Illawarra and South Coast regions of NSW under the Beachwatch and Beachwatch Partnership programs. Results are presented for:
• Illawarra (Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama councils)
• South Coast (Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley councils).
This report includes a general overview, an overview of the council or waterway, and beach pages showing results for individual swimming locations.
Explanation of graphs and Moderate charts on beach pages Firm conclusions about beach water quality cannot be made on the basis of a single bacterial result, Boats owing to the inherent variability in bacterial data. River Discharge However, trends in bacterial density can provide useful information.
Stormwater
Sanitary Inspection Category charts Low The sanitary inspection process is described in Chapter 2 of this document. The results of the Sewage Overflows Toilet Facilities sanitary inspection for each swimming location are Bathers Low presented in a vertical bar chart, such as the one in Very Figure 1. The graph shows the likelihood that each Source: Very Low Low Moderate High identified pollution source will contribute to faecal contamination at a swimming site, as indicated by the size and colour of the components of the bar, Figure 1: Example sanitary inspection chart with the sum of these contributions being the overall likelihood, or Sanitary Inspection Category. In Figure 1, the sanitary inspection identified six possible sources of microbial contamination at the site. Bathers and Sewage Overflows were assessed as having a Very Low likelihood of contamination; Toilet Facilities, River Discharge and Boats were assessed as having a Low likelihood of contamination; and Stormwater was assessed as having a Moderate likelihood of contamination. The sum of these likelihoods (=the overall likelihood or Sanitary Inspection Category) was Moderate.
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Where the bar extends up to a line, this is the start Each part of the box plot represents a significant of the next Sanitary Inspection Category. percentile value of the sample population (Figure 4):
Microbial Assessment Category graphs • 5% of the samples lie below the bottom whisker. The Microbial Assessment Category graphs are simple bar graphs that show the 95th percentile • 25% of the samples lie below the bottom of values at a swimming location over the last five the box years (Figure 2). The 95th percentile value is • half the samples are on each side of the labelled, and thresholds dividing the A, B, C and D middle line of the box (median) categories are marked for reference (see Table 3). • 75% of the samples lie below the top of the 600 box D 500 • 400 95% of the samples lie below the top C whisker. 300 220 195
95th %ile 200 Category 105 95%ile 80 B 100 50 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 75%ile Figure 2: Example Microbial Assessment Category chart
Response to rainfall plots 50%ile Trends in enterococci levels in response to rainfall are shown using a box plot (Figure 3). This graph shows the spread, skew and distribution of the 25%ile enterococci data for each of five rainfall categories.
10000 5%ile
1000 Figure 4: Box plot 100 The enterococci data in the response to rainfall 10 graphs were obtained from the last five years of 1 monitoring. Rainfall data were obtained from rain Enterococci (cfu/100mL) Enterococci 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+ gauges situated close to the sample site. They are 24-hour rainfall (mm) presented as a range and are for the 24 hours to Figure 3: Example response to rainfall plot 9:00 am on the day of sampling.
Box plots are not generated if there are fewer than five enterococci data points in a rainfall category and individual data points are presented instead. At sites where many results are below the detection limit (1 cfu/100 mL), only the upper portion of the box plots will be visible.
Epidemiological studies suggest that enterococci levels above 40 cfu/100 mL indicate an increased health risk to bathers, and levels above 200 cfu/100 mL indicate a substantially increased health risk. These levels are marked on the graphs for comparison, with a green and orange line, respectively. The 40 cfu/100 mL level is referred to as the ‘safe swimming limit’.
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Historical enterococci data graphs Trends in enterococci levels through time are Key to maps presented for each swimming location as a bar Sampling site graph (Figure 5). Each year’s bar is colour coded to show the percentage of enterococci results less Surf lifesaving club than 40 cfu/100 mL, between 41 and 200 cfu/100 Wastewater treatment plant mL, between 201 and 500 cfu/100 mL and greater than 500 cfu/100 mL. These categories reflect the 0 Sewage pumping station Microbial Assessment Category thresholds and are coloured on the graph by dark green, light green, ; Stormwater drain amber and red respectively. Water 100% Baths 80% 60% National park 40% Other park/reserve 20% Built-up area
% Enterococci samples 0%
92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Sand <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Figure 5: Example historical enterococci data Land graph Roads
Rock/cliff/reef Explanation of maps on beach Baths – netted area pages Breakwater/wharf A map of individual swimming locations is presented on each beach page. The scale of the maps is 1:15,000. Each map depicts the location of the Figure 6: Key to maps sampling site, land use, surf lifesaving club and identifies potential pollution sources such as stormwater drains, sewage pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants, lagoons, rivers and creeks, where applicable (Figure 6).
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Figure 29: Councils and sampling locations in the Illawarra region
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 21
Illawarra region
To ensure that the data collected and reported Councils under the Beachwatch Program are accurate and The Illawarra region of NSW extends from the reliable, quality assurance of sampling, microbial southern border of the Royal National Park to analysis and reporting is undertaken. The findings Gerroa. Swimming locations are monitored in all of the quality assurance program are described in three local council areas (Figure 29): the quality assurance section of this report. • Wollongong City Council 2011–2012 results • Shellharbour City Council Of the 18 swimming locations monitored in the Illawarra region, 17 were graded as Good or Very • Kiama Municipal Council. Good (Table 24), making this region one of the best performing on the NSW coast.
The programs Ocean beaches The Beachwatch Program was extended to the Nine of the Illawarra’s ocean beaches were graded Illawarra region in 1996. The program currently as Very Good: Austinmer Beach, Woonona Beach, covers 17 ocean beaches and one lagoon site Wollongong City Beach, Coniston Beach and (Table 23). Fishermans Beach in the Wollongong City Council area; Warilla Beach and Shellharbour Beach in the All sites are sampled by Sydney Water Corporation. Shellharbour City Council area; and Boyds Jones Monitoring at 15 sites is conducted as a Beach and Werri Beach in the Kiama Municipal requirement of the Environment Protection Licences Council area. for wastewater treatment plants in the region. These sites are sampled every sixth day throughout the These beaches had consistently excellent water year and have been tested for enterococci since quality and a low risk of microbial contamination 1996. from pollution sources in their catchments.
Monitoring at the remaining three sites (Austinmer Eight Illawarra ocean beaches were rated as Good Beach, Thirroul Beach and Surf Beach Kiama) is (Table 24), indicating that water quality is suitable conducted as a community service (Table 23). for swimming for most of the time, but there may be These sites are sampled every sixth day throughout impacts following heavy rainfall due to a number of the swimming season only (October to April). potential sources of microbial contamination. Testing for enterococci was introduced in 2006.
Table 23: Monitoring of Illawarra swimming sites
Number of sites Sampling Organisation Ocean Ocean Estuarine Lagoon/ Freshwater Total frequency beaches baths lake river/lake Sydney Water Corporation Every 6 days 14 – – 1 – 15 (EPA licence) (year-round) Sydney Water Corporation Every 6 days 3 – – – – 3 (community service) (October to April)
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Lagoon locations in NSW. Poor water quality associated with these events resulted in several sites being Entrance Lagoon Beach was graded as Poor. downgraded from the previous year. At Entrance Microbial water quality was generally suitable for Lagoon Beach, more than half of the samples swimming during dry weather conditions, with collected during the 2011–2012 swimming season elevated enterococci levels recorded following were associated with rainfall in the preceding 96 rainfall. This site may be susceptible to faecal hours. It is anticipated that an improvement in water contamination from a number of sources, including quality will occur on return to average rainfall outflow from Lake Illawarra and stormwater. It is conditions. recommended that swimming at this location be avoided during and up to three days following The Lake Illawarra Authority has erected signage at rainfall or if there are signs of stormwater such as the site advising that swimming should be avoided discoloured water or odour or floating debris. for up to three days after heavy rainfall. Extreme wet weather events and flooding during 2011–2012 impacted many lagoon swimming
Table 24: Beach Suitability Grades in the Illawarra region, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade
Austinmer Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Thirroul Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Bulli Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Woonona Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Bellambi Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good
Corrimal Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good
North Wollongong Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Wollongong City Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Wollongong City CouncilCity Wollongong Coniston Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Fishermans Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Port Kembla Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Entrance Lagoon Beach Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor
Warilla Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Shellharbour Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good City CouncilCity Shellharbour Boyds Jones Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Bombo Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good
Surf Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Council
Werri Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Kiama Municipal Municipal Kiama
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Wollongong City Council
Figure 30: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the Wollongong City Council area
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 24
The Microbial Assessment Category for 2011–2012 Overview of the area was calculated from the most recent 100 data points Description up until the end of the 2011–2012 swimming season: September 2010 until April 2012 at nine Wollongong City Council stretches from sites, and slightly longer (November 2009 until April Helensburgh in the north to the entrance of Lake 2012) at Austinmer and Thirroul beaches. Illawarra in the south, covering an area of 684 square kilometres. The area had an estimated local Sanitary inspections resident population of 192,418 at the 2011 Census (ABS 2012), showing an average growth rate of Sanitary inspections have been completed for all 0.89 per cent per year since the 2006 Census (ABS monitored swimming locations in the Wollongong 2007). City Council area. These are scheduled for review during 2012–2013. The ocean beaches occupy a 40 kilometre stretch of coastline. The landscape is dominated by the Beach Suitability Grades Illawarra Escarpment, and urban development is concentrated in a narrow coastal strip. Urban All 13 ocean beaches monitored in the Wollongong development is highest in the south of the council City Council area were graded as Good or Very area. Good during 2011–2012 (Figure 30).
Land use in the Wollongong ocean beach Very Good catchments is diverse and includes residential, rural, commercial, parks/reserves, industrial and Five ocean beaches were graded as Very Good: bushland. Austinmer Beach, Woonona Beach, Wollongong City Beach, Coniston Beach and Fishermans Rainfall Beach. There were several significant rain and flooding These sites all had excellent water quality during events in the Illawarra region during 2011–2012 the assessment period (Microbial Assessment (BOM 2012): Category A) and few potential sources of microbial contamination (Sanitary Inspection Categories of • Particularly heavy rainfall in mid October saw Low). Wollongong receiving 126 mm of rainfall in one day. During this event Bellambi received Good 100 mm which is the highest daily rainfall Six swimming locations were graded as Good: ever recorded in this area for October. Thirroul Beach, Bulli Beach, Bellambi Beach, • High levels of rainfall along the east coast in Corrimal Beach, North Wollongong Beach and Port February included a daily total of 98 mm in Kembla Beach. Wollongong which resulted in flash flooding in parts of the region. These sites had mostly good water quality during the 2011–2012 assessment period (Microbial • High levels of rainfall continued in March, Assessment Category A or B) but had several, or with particularly heavy rainfall at Bellambi in more significant, potential sources of microbial the beginning of the month when 88 mm of contamination, such as stormwater drains and rain fell in one day. discharges from creeks or lagoons. Assessment Fair No beaches were graded as Fair. Microbial water quality NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are Poor collected each year, providing 100 data points over No beaches were graded as Poor. a five year period. The sampling frequency in the Wollongong City Council area is higher than this minimum for most sites, with 60 samples collected Very Poor each year at the nine locations monitored under No beaches were graded as Very Poor. Environment Protection Licence and 35 samples collected each year at Austinmer and Thirroul beaches (which are monitored by Sydney Water Corporation as a community service).
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 25
Sydney Water also undertakes dry weather Management monitoring of main stormwater drains to identify Wastewater management sewer leaks. Leaks from public sewers are repaired by Sydney Water and leaks from private sewers are Sydney Water manages the public sewer in the referred to local councils. area, including the Wollongong Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) and two storm sewage Stormwater management treatment plants (SSTP) (EPA NSW 2012). Wollongong City Council has developed a Wollongong WWTP services an estimated stormwater management plan for its coastal population of 199,000. Effluent is tertiary treated catchments, as well as estuary management plans and disinfected and approximately 8.5 billion litres is covering major estuaries in the region. The plans re-used each year by Bluescope Steel, Port Kembla identify issues and appropriate management Coal Terminal, Wollongong Golf Club and actions. Wollongong City Council. The remainder is discharged via a near-shore outfall. A number of projects have already been completed, including the installation of stormwater quality Bellambi SSTP and Port Kembla SSTP store and improvement devices at various locations, with treat excess wastewater flows only during extended drains that flow to Corrimal, North Wollongong and wet weather events, with all dry weather flows Brighton beaches. These devices are designed to transferred to Wollongong WWTP for high-level capture stormwater litter and sediment, preventing treatment. Prior to 2009, these facilities were them from reaching the beaches. This work was WWTPs and discharged treated effluent from partly funded by grants from the Southern Rivers shoreline outfalls. Catchment Management Authority and OEH.
Sydney Water has extended sewerage services to Wollongong City Council has also installed a litter approximately 850 households in Coalcliff, Stanwell boom on Fairy Creek, which drains to Fairy Creek Park, Stanwell Tops and Otford under its Priority Lagoon and, when the lagoon is open, to the Sewerage Scheme. Nearly all eligible properties southern end of Fairy Meadow Beach. The boom have connected to the scheme. collects gross pollutants such as cans, plastic bottles, plastic bags and polystyrene, while To reduce the incidence of wet weather sewage permitting the passage of fish and other aquatic overflows in beach catchments from Austinmer to organisms in the creek. Port Kembla, Sydney Water is amplifying pipes and pumps and including storage tanks. To address poor water quality in Towradgi Creek and Fairy Creek, the council is undertaking a Sydney Water is inspecting, cleaning and repairing foreshore pollutant audit to identify the location and those sewer mains in beach catchments from impact of pollution sources. This information will be Austinmer to Bulli and North Wollongong to Port used to develop remediation options. Kembla that have a high likelihood of discharging sewage to waterways if they become blocked. Lifeguard service When significant tree root intrusion to the public sewer from the private sewer is identified, property Wollongong City Council lifeguards and Surf Life owners are requested to remedy the problem. Saving Australia volunteers provide lifeguard services at 17 beaches in the area.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 26
Austinmer Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good The beach is 250 metres long and backed by a park and picnic area. Swimming can be hazardous because of the strong permanent rips at each end of the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 2006 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 32 28 24 6 8 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bellambi rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
River Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% Sewage Overflows
Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 27
Thirroul Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good The beach is one kilometre long. It is backed by a large, grassy reserve. Swimming can be potentially hazardous because of permanent and shifting rips. A 50 metre ocean pool and wading pool are located midway along the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2006 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category 75 75 B 100 50 22 28 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bellambi rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
River Discharge 20% Low Stormwater
% Enterococci samples 0% Sewage Overflows
Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 28
Bulli Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good The beach is 900 metres long and is backed by sand dunes and a reserve. Beach conditions are safest in the patrolled area at the northern end of the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination, including sewage overflows and discharge from Whartons Creek.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 10 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 115 125 Category B 100 55 20 30 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bellambi rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
Creek Discharge 40%
20% Low
Sewage Overflows % Enterococci samples 0%
Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 29
Woonona Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Woonona Beach is at the northern end of a two kilometre stretch of beach and is backed by sand dunes and a reserve. Beach conditions are safest in the patrolled area at the northern end of the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 28 28 22 26 9 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bellambi rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0% Stormwater
Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 30
Bellambi Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Bellambi Beach is at the southern end of a two kilometre stretch of beach and is backed by a reserve. Beach conditions are relatively safe and lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination, including discharge from Bellambi Creek.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, regularly exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 10 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 1996 and elevated enterococci levels have been recorded in a small percentage of samples in most years. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 115 Category 95 75 B 100 55 55 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bellambi rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60% Creek Discharge 40%
Low 20%
Sewage Overflows % Enterococci samples 0% STP Bypass Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 31
Corrimal Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good The beach is 1.4 kilometres long and is backed by a reserve and caravan park. Several dominant rips are present and beach conditions are safest at the southern end. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 10 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 1996 and elevated enterococci levels have been recorded in a small percentage of samples in most years.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category 80 95 80 B 100 20 26 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bellambi rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80% Creek Discharge
60%
40% Sewage Overflows 20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0% STP Bypass
Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 32
North Wollongong Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good North Wollongong Beach is 500 metres long and is backed by steep bluffs, a reserve and a picnic area. A number of rock and ocean pools are located at the southern end. Lifeguards patrol the beach all year round.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that microbial water quality is suitable for swimming for most of the time, but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but rarely exceeded the safe swimming limit.
The site has been monitored since 1996 (excluding 1997), with some variation in enterococci results among years. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 20 12 6 6 20 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Wollongong WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
Lagoons 20% Low Stormwater
% Enterococci samples 0% Sewage Overflows
Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 33
Wollongong City Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Wollongong City Beach is located at the northern end of a four kilometre stretch of beach. Beach conditions are safest at the patrolled northern end. Elsewhere, swimming is potentially hazardous because of the prevalence of rips. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with very few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but rarely exceeded the safe swimming limit.
The site has been monitored since 1996, with small variations in results among years due to rainfall. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 22 12 5 9 5 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Wollongong WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low Sewage Overflows
% Enterococci samples 0% STP Bypass
Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 34
Coniston Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Coniston Beach is at the southern end of a four kilometre stretch of beach that extends north to Flagstaff Point. It is a steep, narrow beach and is backed by a golf course. Coniston Beach has a mobile lifeguard patrol during daylight-saving months.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of significant faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but rarely exceeded the safe swimming limit.
The site has been monitored since 1996, with small variations in results among years due to rainfall. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 30 20 16 12 7 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Wollongong WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
Animals 20% Low Wastewater Re-use Sewage Overflows % Enterococci samples 0% STP Bypass
STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 35
Fishermans Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Fishermans Beach is 500 metres long and has a low headland at each end. It is backed by a small reserve and residential land. Beach conditions are safe most of the time, but it is not patrolled by lifeguards.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit.
The site has been monitored since 1996. Water quality has improved since 2004, when dry weather discharges from the Port Kembla WWTP ceased. Wet weather discharges still occur following large storm events. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 34 18 12 7 18 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Wollongong WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0%
Sewage Overflows STP Bypass 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 36
Port Kembla Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Port Kembla Beach is backed by sand dunes and a reserve. Beach conditions are safest in the patrolled area at the northern end of the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 20 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 1996, with variation in results due to rainfall.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category 80 80 B 100 50 38 18 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Wollongong WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+ Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
Stormwater 40%
Low 20%
STP Bypass % Enterococci samples 0% Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 37
Shellharbour City Council
Figure 31: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the Shellharbour City Council area
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 38
up until the end of the 2011–2012 swimming season Overview of the area (September 2010 until April 2012). Description Sanitary inspections Shellharbour City Council is located 100 kilometres south of Sydney and covers an area of 147 square Sanitary inspections have been completed for all kilometres. The local government area extends from monitored swimming locations in the Shellharbour the entrance to Lake Illawarra in the north to City Council area. These are scheduled for review Macquarie Rivulet in the south and had an during 2012–2013. estimated local resident population of approximately 63,605 at the 2011 Census (ABS 2012). Beach Suitability Grades The Shellharbour City Council beaches stretch Two of the three swimming locations monitored in along 21 kilometres of coastline. Land use in the the Shellharbour City Council area were graded as beach catchments is diverse and includes Very Good during 2011–2012 (Figure 31). residential, rural, commercial, parks/reserves, industrial and bushland. Very Good
The local government area contains the Two swimming locations were graded as Very Bushrangers Bay Aquatic Reserve, located at the Good: Shellharbour Beach and Warilla Beach. eastern end of Bass Point. The reserve covers the entire bay, including the shoreline and intertidal These sites had very good water quality during the zones. assessment period (Microbial Assessment Category A) and few potential sources of microbial Rainfall contamination. There were several significant rain and flooding Good events in the Illawarra region during 2011–2012 (BOM 2012): No Shellharbour City Council beaches were classified as Good. • Particularly heavy rainfall in mid October saw parts of the region receiving 126 mm of Fair rainfall in one day. No Shellharbour City Council beaches were • In November, heavy rainfall and classified as Fair. thunderstorms resulted in localised flash flooding in Shellharbour. Poor • High levels of rainfall along the east coast in Entrance Lagoon Beach was graded as Poor. February included a daily total of 98 mm Microbial water quality was generally suitable for swimming during dry weather conditions, with which resulted in flash flooding in parts of the elevated enterococci levels recorded following region. rainfall. This site may be susceptible to faecal • High levels of rainfall continued in March, contamination from a number of sources, including with particularly heavy rainfall in the outflow from Lake Illawarra, and stormwater. It is beginning of the month when 88 mm of rain recommended that swimming at this location be fell in one day. avoided during and up to three days following rainfall or if there are signs of stormwater such as discoloured water or odour or floating debris. Assessment Extreme wet weather events and flooding during Microbial water quality 2011–2012 impacted many lagoon swimming NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are locations in NSW. Poor water quality associated collected each year, providing 100 data points over with these events resulted in several sites being a five year period. The sampling frequency in the downgraded from the previous year. At Entrance Shellharbour City Council area is higher than this Lagoon Beach, more than half of the samples minimum, with 60 samples collected each year by collected during the 2011–2012 swimming season Sydney Water Corporation at all three locations. were associated with rainfall in the preceding 96 hours. It is anticipated that an improvement in water The Microbial Assessment Category for 2011–2012 quality will occur on return to average rainfall was calculated from the most recent 100 data points conditions.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 39
The Lake Illawarra Authority has erected signage at Elliott Lake and southern Lake Illawarra Entrance Lagoon Beach advising that swimming catchments. The stormwater strategies incorporate should be avoided for up to three days after heavy review findings of the effectiveness of existing rainfall. stormwater treatment measures. They also provide a strategic approach to implementation of future Very Poor prioritised management initiatives to improve water quality and entrance stability. Since the No beaches were classified as Very Poor. development of the catchment-specific strategies, a number of stormwater improvement initiatives have Management been implemented including the installation of stormwater quality improvement devices in the Wastewater management Shellharbour Village foreshore catchment, the Oakey Creek catchment, Lake Illawarra and the Sydney Water manages the public sewer in the Tongarra Creek catchment, Elliott Lake. A area, including the Shellharbour Wastewater bioretention systems feasibility assessment has Treatment Plant (WWTP) (EPA NSW 2012). recently been completed for select Lake Illawarra catchments, which identifies areas suitable for Shellharbour WWTP services an estimated future stormwater improvements. population of 60,000 and discharges approximately 16 million litres of secondary-treated and disinfected Water quality monitoring is undertaken by Council at effluent each day from a shoreline outfall at Barrack priority locations across the LGA. Monitoring Point. The WWTP was amplified in 2006 to meet locations include Macquarie Rivulet, the entrance to the demands of population growth in the Albion Elliott Lake and its tributaries, several streams Park and Shellharbour areas up to 2025. These draining to Lake Illawarra and a number of artificial works included construction of additional grit and water bodies. The information collected is used to primary tanks, improvements to treatment assess catchment land-use change, performance processes and modifications to the outfall to benchmarks and provide baseline data and insight improve effluent dispersion. into physical, chemical and biological processes. The primary objective of stormwater quality In addition to the reticulated sewerage system, monitoring is to assess the quality of water there are 356 on-site sewage management systems discharging through the stormwater network to in the LGA, most of which are located on rural- receiving waters and the effectiveness of residential developments (Shellharbour City Council stormwater quality treatment. 2009). Shellharbour City Council inspects the systems to ensure they are operating correctly and Water quality actions identified in the Elliott Lake to identify risks to human health or the environment. Estuary Management Plan aimed at assisting with improving water quality and overall catchment Sydney Water undertakes dry weather monitoring of health, remain high priority. Riparian restoration main stormwater drains in the area to identify sewer works continue to be completed along Tongarra leaks. Leaks from the public sewer are repaired by Creek, Elliott Lake and Oakey Creek, Lake Sydney Water and leaks from the private sewer are Illawarra. referred to the local council. Lifeguard service Stormwater management Shellharbour City Council provides a lifeguard Shellharbour City Council's stormwater service at six beaches and at the Shellharbour management is guided by catchment specific Rockpool. stormwater management strategies for both the
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 40
Entrance Lagoon Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Poor This swimming site is located on the southern shore of the entrance to Lake Illawarra and is partly enclosed by a rock breakwater that allows for tidal flushing. It is backed by a large reserve with toilet facilities, a playground and a cycleway. The Beach Suitability Grade of Poor indicates that microbial water quality is susceptible to pollution, particularly after rainfall and occasionally during dry weather conditions, with several potential sources including outflow from Lake Illawarra, stormwater and birds. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit in most rainfall categories, and regularly after 20 mm of rain or more. The site has been monitored since 2007.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: C Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500 380 400 310 290 C 300 220 155 95th %ile 200 Category B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Wollongong WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate Animals 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100% Lagoons
80%
60%
40%
Stormwater 20% Low
% % Enterococcisamples 0%
Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 41
Warilla Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good The beach is backed by a reserve and residential land. Beach conditions are potentially hazardous, with rips dominating the surf. Lifeguards patrol the beach from October to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time, with few potential sources of significant faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 1996. Water quality has been of high standard throughout this period, with some minor variation the result of variations in rainfall patterns. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 28 14 14 8 8 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Wollongong WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low Lagoons
Sewage Overflows % Enterococci samples 0% STP Bypass
STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 42
Shellharbour Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good
Shellharbour Beach is backed by a reserve, with conditions safest in the patrolled area at the southern end, as permanent rips run out along the rocks at either end of the beach during moderate to high wave action. Lifeguards patrol the beach from October to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming for most of the time, with few potential sources of significant faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 1996. Water quality has been of high standard throughout this period. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 12 12 5 18 3 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Wollongong WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low Lagoons Sewage Overflows % Enterococci samples 0% STP Bypass
STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 43
Kiama Municipal Council
Figure 32: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in Kiama Municipal Council area
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 44
The Microbial Assessment Category for 2011–2012 Overview of the area was calculated from the most recent 100 data points Description up until the end of the 2011–2012 swimming season: September 2010 until April 2012 at three Kiama Municipal Council extends from the sites, and slightly longer (November 2009 until April Minnamurra River in the north to Gerroa in the 2012) at Surf Beach Kiama. south, covering an area of 258 square kilometres. The local government area had an estimated local Sanitary inspections resident population of 19,986 at the 2011 Census (ABS 2012) and attracts a large number of tourists Sanitary inspections have been completed for all each year. monitored swimming locations in the Kiama Municipal Council area. These are scheduled for Kiama Municipality’s beaches lie along a review during 2012–2013. 20 kilometre stretch of coastline. Land use in the beach catchments includes residential, industrial Beach Suitability Grades and rural, with small remnants of bushland. All four ocean beaches monitored in the Kiama Rainfall Municipal Council area were graded as Good or Very Good during 2011–2012 (Figure 32). There were several significant rain and flooding events in the Illawarra region during 2011–2012 Very Good (BOM 2012): Two ocean beaches were graded as Very Good: • Particularly heavy rainfall in mid October saw Boyds Jones Beach and Werri Beach. parts of the region receiving 126 mm of rainfall in one day. These sites had excellent water quality during the assessment period (Microbial Assessment Category • In November, heavy rainfall and A) and few potential sources of microbial thunderstorms resulted in flash flooding in contamination (Sanitary Inspection Categories of parts of the region. During this event Kiama Low). received 45 mm of rainfall in one day, which is the highest daily rainfall ever recorded in Good October in the town. Two ocean beaches were graded as Good: Bombo • High levels of rainfall along the east coast in Beach and Surf Beach Kiama. February included daily totals of almost 50 mm of rainfall at Bombo on two days. These sites had excellent water quality during the 2011–2012 assessment period (Microbial • High levels of rainfall continued in March, Assessment Category A or B), but Bombo Beach with particularly heavy rainfall at Kiama in the had several potential sources of microbial beginning of the month when 79 mm of rain contamination, and Surf Beach had a significant fell in one day. potential source of contamination from stormwater. Assessment Fair Microbial water quality No beaches were graded as Fair. NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are Poor collected each year, providing 100 data points over a five year period. The sampling frequency in the No beaches were graded as Poor. Kiama Municipal Council area is higher than this minimum, with 60 samples collected each year at Very Poor the three locations monitored under Environment No beaches were graded as Very Poor. Protection Licences (Boyds Jones Beach, Bombo Beach and Werri Beach). Management Surf Beach Kiama is monitored by Sydney Water Corporation as a community service during the Wastewater management swimming season (October to April), with 35 Sydney Water manages the public sewer in the samples collected at this site each year. area, including the Bombo Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) (EPA NSW 2012).
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 45
Bombo WWTP services an estimated population of repaired by Sydney Water and leaks from the 13,000 and discharges approximately 3.64 million private sewer are referred to councils. litres of secondary-treated, denitrified and disinfected effluent each day from a shoreline outfall Stormwater management on the northern headland of Bombo Beach. Kiama Municipal Council has developed a The Gerringong–Gerroa Sewage Treatment Plant is stormwater management plan to mitigate the operated by Veolia Water under a 20-year design, impacts of stormwater from existing and future build and operate contract with Sydney Water development in the LGA. It has also developed an Corporation. The plant treats effluent to a high entrance management policy for Werri Lagoon. standard, with on-site re-use for agricultural irrigation. Excess effluent is discharged to sand Council is also working on a range of initiatives in dune systems and (if these reach capacity) to the the Minnamurra River estuary, including bank Crooked River at the northern end of Seven Mile stabilisation work as part of the NSW Estuary Beach. Program and a stormwater pollution and riparian management project under a grant from the Sydney Water has extended sewerage services to Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority. Jamberoo under its Priority Sewerage Scheme. Works have included the installation of gross Works included construction of the reticulation pollutant traps in stormwater drains, fencing to system, storage tanks, a pumping station and an protect mangroves, stormwater education in schools eight kilometre transfer pipe to Bombo WWTP. and educational signage. Approximately 98 per cent of eligible properties have connected to the scheme (Kiama Municipal A Catchment Caretakers grant has enabled the Council 2009). council to install 31 stormwater filtration units in the Surf Beach catchment and around Jamberoo. A In addition to the reticulated sewerage system, continuous deflective separation unit has also been there are 857 on-site sewage management systems installed in the Surf Beach catchment to prevent in the LGA. Kiama Municipal Council has gross pollutants, sediments, oil and grease from implemented an inspection program to ensure that reaching Surf Beach. The grant has also been used these are operating correctly and to identify risks to for a range of educational initiatives. human health or the environment. Lifeguard service Sydney Water undertakes dry weather monitoring of Kiama Municipal Council provides a professional main stormwater drains in the area to identify and lifeguard service at seven beaches in the LGA. fix sewer leaks. Leaks from the public sewer are
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 46
Boyds Jones Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Boyds Jones Beach is one kilometre long and backed by dunes and a reserve. Permanent rips occur against each headland. Lifeguards patrol the beach from October to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci increased slightly with increasing rainfall but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 14 18 2 20 20 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bombo WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low River Discharge Stormwater
% Enterococci samples 0% Sewage Overflows STP Bypass STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 47
Bombo Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Bombo Beach is backed by a narrow reserve. There can be persistent rips along the length of the beach, making swimming dangerous for the inexperienced. Lifeguards patrol the beach for six weeks over the summer school holidays. The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that microbial water quality is suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more. The site has been monitored since 1996. Water quality has generally remained constant, with variation among years due to rainfall. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 45 9 26 14 24 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bombo WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40% Animals River Discharge 20% Low Stormwater Sewage Overflows % Enterococci samples 0% STP Bypass
STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 48
Surf Beach Kiama Beach Suitability Grade: Good Surf Beach in Kiama is 250 metres long and backed by a park and surf club. Swimming is potentially dangerous during periods of large swell. There are permanent rips along the rocks at either end. Lifeguards patrol the beach from October to April.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that microbial water quality is suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution after heavy rain, with potential faecal contamination from stormwater.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 10 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 2006. Water quality has generally See page 21 for key to map remained at a high standard. Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 65 65 75 30 40 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bombo WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
Stormwater 40%
20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0% Sewage Overflows
Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 49
Werri Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Werri Beach is 1.7 kilometres long and is backed by a narrow reserve and residential land. An ocean pool is located on the southern rock platform. Swimming is safest at the southern end, where lifeguards patrol for a six week period over the summer school holidays.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 1996.
See page 21 for key to map
Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 50 24 30 20 12 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bombo WWTP rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
Animals % Enterococci samples 0% Lagoons Stormwater OnSite Systems 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Illawarra region Page 50
Figure 33: Councils and sampling locations in the South Coast region
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 51
South Coast region
and January, at 13 swimming locations. Samples Councils have been analysed for faecal coliforms since 2004, The South Coast region of NSW extends from with enterococci analysis commencing in December Gerroa to the Victorian border. All three local 2009. councils in this region participate in the Beachwatch Partnership Program (Figure 33): To ensure that the data collected and reported under the Beachwatch Partnership Program are accurate • Shoalhaven City Council and reliable, quality assurance of sampling, microbial analysis and reporting is undertaken. The findings of • Eurobodalla Shire Council the quality assurance program are described in the • Bega Valley Shire Council. quality assurance section of this report. The programs 2011–2012 results Monitoring in the South Coast region is conducted All 34 sites monitored on the South Coast were under the Beachwatch Partnership Program. In graded as Very Good or Good (Table 26). 2011–2012, 34 swimming sites were sampled (Table 25). Each council fully funds its sample collection Ocean beaches and analysis, with quality assurance and reporting support provided by OEH. A total of 24 of the 29 ocean beaches in the region were classified as Very Good: Shoalhaven City Council has been a part of the Beachwatch Partnership Program since its inception • Tilbury Cove, Warrain Beach, Collingwood in 2002 (as the Beachwatch Pilot Partnership Beach, Cudmirrah Beach, Rennies Beach, Program). Enterococci samples were collected on a Bawley Point Beach and Merry Beach in weekly basis from December to February. Ten ocean Shoalhaven City Council area beaches were sampled during 2011–2012. • Cookies Beach, Caseys Beach, Malua Bay Eurobodalla Shire Council has also been part of the Beach, Broulee Beach, Bengello Beach, Beachwatch Partnership Program since 2002. Tuross Main Beach, Brou Beach and During 2011–2012, enterococci samples were Narooma Main Beach in Eurobodalla Shire collected from 11 swimming sites on a weekly basis Council area from November to March. • Camel Rock Beach, Horseshoe Bay, Beares Bega Valley Shire Council joined the Beachwatch Beach, Tathra Beach, Short Point Beach, Partnership Program in 2004. Samples were Main Beach (Merimbula), Pambula Beach, collected on a weekly basis during the two busiest Aslings Beach and Cocora Beach in Bega months of the summer swimming season: December Valley Shire Council area.
Table 25: Monitoring of South Coast swimming sites
Number of sites Organisation Sampling frequency Ocean Ocean Lagoon/ Freshwater Estuarine Total beaches baths lake river Weekly (December to Shoalhaven City Council 10 – – – – 10 February) Weekly Eurobodalla Shire Council 10 – 1 – – 11 (November to March) Weekly (December to Bega Valley Shire Council 9 – 3 1 – 13 January)
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 52
Five ocean beaches were graded as Good: swimming most of the time, but there may be Shoalhaven Heads, Mollymook, Racecourse, Surf impacts following heavy rainfall owing to a number of and Shelley beaches. While these sites had potential sources of faecal contamination. generally excellent water quality and were suitable for swimming most of the time, they may be Lagoons susceptible to microbial contamination from several potential sources of pollution. Mogareeka Inlet was graded as Very Good. The site had generally excellent microbial water quality but Estuarine several potential sources of minor faecal contamination. All four estuarine sites were classified as Very Good or Good, indicating that water quality is suitable for
Table 26: Beach Suitability Grades for the South Coast region, 2011–2012
Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade Shoalhaven Heads Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Tilbury Cove Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Warrain Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Collingwood Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cudmirrah Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Mollymook Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Rennies Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Racecourse Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good
Shoalhaven City CouncilShoalhaven City Bawley Point Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Merry Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cookies Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Caseys Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Surf Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Malua Bay Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Broulee Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bengello Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Shelley Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Tuross Main Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Brou Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Eurobodalla Shire Council Eurobodalla Shire Wagonga Inlet Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Narooma Main Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Camel Rock Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bruce Steer Pool Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Horseshoe Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Beares Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Mogareeka Inlet Lagoon/lake Low Category A Very Good Tathra Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Short Point Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bar Beach Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Main Beach (Merimbula) Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Pambula Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
Bega Valley Shire Valley Bega Council Pambula River Mouth Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Aslings Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cocora Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 53
Shoalhaven City Council
Figure 34: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the Shoalhaven City Council area
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 54
following years, the beach grades will become final Overview of the area and response to rainfall trends more defined. Description Sanitary inspections Shoalhaven City Council is located on the NSW Sanitary inspections have been completed for all South Coast and extends from Broughton in the monitored swimming locations in the Shoalhaven north to North Durras in the south. The council City Council area. These are scheduled for review covers an area of 4660 square kilometres and during 2012–2013. includes approximately 1000 kilometres of coastline. Beach Suitability Grades At the 2011 Census, the estimated local resident population in the council area was 92,812 (ABS All ten swimming locations monitored in the 2012). During the peak holiday period the Shoalhaven City Council area were graded as Good population in the area can reach more than or Very Good during 2011–2012 (Figure 34). 320,000. Very Good The Shoalhaven area has more visitors each year than any other regional local government area in Seven ocean beaches were graded as Very Good: NSW, and tourism is very important to the local Tilbury Cove, Warrain Beach, Collingwood Beach, economy. Dairy farming, light industry and fishing Cudmirrah Beach, Rennies Beach, Bawley Point are also important commercial activities in the Beach and Merry Beach. region (Shoalhaven City Council 2012). These sites all had excellent water quality (Microbial Rainfall Assessment Category A) and few potential sources of microbial contamination (Sanitary Inspection There were several significant rain and flooding Categories of Low). events on the South Coast during 2011–2012 (BOM 2012): Good
• December was a particularly wet month in the Three ocean beaches were graded as Good: Shoalhaven region with rainfall recorded on Shoalhaven Heads Beach, Mollymook Beach and 19 days. Racecourse Beach. These sites had mostly very good water quality (Microbial Assessment Category B), but had several, or more significant, potential • Towards the end of February a significant sources of microbial contamination. rain event developed in southern NSW, which resulted in flooding in the region in March. Fair • Particularly heavy rainfall was recorded at the No swimming sites were graded as Fair. beginning of March with Ulladulla receiving 101 mm of rainfall in one day. During this Poor event Jervis Bay received 89 mm of rainfall in one day, the highest daily rainfall ever No swimming sites were graded as Poor. recorded in March. Very Poor Assessment No swimming sites were graded as Very Poor. Microbial water quality Management NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are collected each year, providing 100 data points over Wastewater management a five year period. The sampling frequency at sites in the Shoalhaven City Council area is below this Shoalhaven Water is responsible for wastewater recommendation, with only ten samples collected management in the area and operates 12 sewage from each site during 2011–2012. treatment plants (STPs). The STPs are located at Berry, Shoalhaven Heads, Bomaderry, Nowra, As the annual sampling frequency over the last five Callala, Culburra/Greenwell Point, years has been below the recommendation, there Huskisson/Vincentia, St Georges Basin, Sussex are fewer than 100 data points currently available Inlet, Bendalong, Lake Conjola and Ulladulla for analysis. The Microbial Assessment Categories (Shoalhaven Water 2012a). for 2011–2012 are therefore regarded as provisional. As more data become available in
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 55
Treated effluent from Sussex Inlet STP, and Properties in the Currarong area were able to Bendalong/Lake Conjola and Shoalhaven Heads access reticulated sewerage in December 2009 as STPs is generally discharged to the sand dunes via part of the Currarong Sewerage Scheme. trenches. Berry STP discharges to Broughton Mill Creek; Bomaderry STP discharges to the Plans are underway to improve the capacity of the Shoalhaven River; Ulladulla STP discharges to an Sussex Inlet Sewerage Scheme to cater for the ocean outfall north of Racecourse Creek; and future sewerage and reclaimed water management Northern Shoalhaven Reclaimed Water Scheme needs of the area. This includes the construction of (includes Currarong STP, Callala STP, a pipeline to distribute reclaimed water to the Culburra/Greenwell Point STP, Huskisson/Vincentia Thomas St Reserve for sporting grounds irrigation STP, St Georges Basin STP) discharges at Penguin (Shoalhaven Water 2012b). Head, Culburra Beach, and under emergency situations can discharge into Jervis Bay (EPA NSW Bawley Point, Kioloa, Pebbly Beach, Depot Beach 2012). and North Durras townships are unsewered and use on-site sewage management systems. Shoalhaven City Council collects and treats more than 18 million litres of wastewater daily, of which Management plans about 50 per cent is processed by the three largest plants at Nowra, Bomaderry and Ulladulla Shoalhaven City Council has developed a number (Shoalhaven Water 2012a). of management plans for its coastal and estuarine catchments. These include the Mollymook Beach As part of the Northern Shoalhaven Reclaimed Reserve Plan of Management, the Shoalhaven Water Scheme, the Callala, Huskisson/Vincentia, Coastal Management Plan, the Huskisson Beach Culburra/Greenwell Point and St Georges Basin and Moona Moona Reserves Plan of Management, STPs recycle 70 per cent of wastewater. This is the Lake Wollumboola (Warrain Beach) used to irrigate local dairy farms, golf courses and Management Plan and the Shoalhaven River sporting fields. The remaining 30 per cent is Management Plan. The plans identify key issues released at the Penguin Head outfall. Future works and the best management practices to be used in will link the Bomaderry and Nowra STPs to the these catchments. scheme, doubling the amount of reclaimed water by 2012 (Shoalhaven Water 2012b). Lifeguard service Shoalhaven City Council provides a professional The sewerage network in the Milton–Ulladulla beach patrol service at eight main beaches: regions is currently being upgraded, including works Shoalhaven Heads, Crookhaven Heads, Tilbury to improve the minor pumping stations, rising mains Cove, Warrain, Cudmirrah, Narrawallee, North and and gravity sewer upgrades. South Mollymook beaches. Beaches are patrolled during the NSW summer school holidays, typically In 2008, the Conjola Regional Sewerage Scheme mid December to late January (including public connected nine small villages within the vicinity of holidays). Additional beach patrols are provided on Lake Conjola to the reticulated sewerage system. a voluntary basis by members of Surf Life Saving The scheme included the construction of an STP, Clubs. These usually operate from late spring until pumping stations and associated infrastructure. early autumn on weekends and public holidays.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 56
Shoalhaven Heads Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Shoalhaven Heads Beach is located towards the southern end of Seven Mile Beach at Shoalhaven Heads. The sampling site is located in front of the surf club and is popular with the local community and tourists.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of minor sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels remain below the safe swimming limit during dry weather conditions and following light rainfall.
The site has been monitored since 2003 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2007 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 45 45 2 4 4 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Jervis Bay rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0% River Discharge Wastewater Re-use Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 57
Tilbury Cove Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Tilbury Cove is located in the south-eastern corner of Culburra Beach. The waters are sheltered by Penguin Head and are calmer than the patrolled northern end of the beach. The sampling site is located in front of the Ocean Street car park, with amenities and a boat ramp nearby.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored from 2002 to 2004 and since 2006. The microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2007 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 10 8 8 9 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Jervis Bay rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low Stormwater Wastewater Re-use
Sewage Overflows % Enterococci samples 0% STP Bypass
STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 58
Warrain Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Warrain Beach is located north of Lake Wollumboola and south of the Tilbury Cove Headland. A surf club, residential area and car park are located behind the beach. The sampling site is in front of the surf club.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels did not respond to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 2007 and the microbial water quality has been of a very high standard.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2007 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 3 3 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Jervis Bay rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
STP Bypass % Enterococci samples 0%
STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 59
Collingwood Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Collingwood Beach is located in Jervis Bay, adjacent to the town of Vincentia. The beach is approximately two kilometres long and faces the entrance to Jervis Bay.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates levels of enterococci occasionally exceeded the safe swimming limit in response to 10 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 2006. The microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2007 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category 105 B 100 60 45 40 22 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Jervis Bay rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
Animals % Enterococci samples 0% River Discharge Wastewater Re-use STP Bypass 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 60
Cudmirrah Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Cudmirrah Beach is the main surf beach for the township of Sussex Inlet. The beach is approximately three kilometres long and extends to the mouth of Swan Lake in the south. A surf club and car park are located at the northern end of the beach.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored during 2003–2004 and since 2006. The microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2007 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 3 3 7 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Jervis Bay rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low Animals
% Enterococci samples 0% River Discharge
STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 61
Mollymook Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Mollymook Beach is adjacent to the township of Mollymook. The beach is approximately two kilometres long, with a rocky reef in the centre. Samples are collected in front of the surf club at the southern end of the beach. The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories. The site has been monitored from 2002 to 2004 and since 2008. Elevated levels of enterococci were measured in a small number of samples in See page 21 for key to map 2003–2004. Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2008 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 40 45 14 20 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Ulladulla rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low Animals
% % Enterococcisamples 0% Stormwater Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 62
Rennies Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Rennies Beach is located near the town of Ulladulla. The beach is approximately 60 metres long and surrounded by high bluffs. The sampling site is directly in front of the access stairs from Rennies Beach Close. Swimming can be hazardous because of rocks and rips.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit.
The site has been monitored since 2006 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2007 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 22 10 6 12 12 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Ulladulla rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low Animals Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 63
Racecourse Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Racecourse Beach is located near the town of Ulladulla. The beach is approximately one kilometre long, with a small headland close to the centre. The sampling site is located to the south of Racecourse Creek.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination, including STP discharges.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels occasionally exceeded the safe swimming limit in response to 5 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored from 2002 to 2004, and since 2006.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2007 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 45 24 14 16 22 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Ulladulla rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
Animals 60% River Discharge 40%
20% Low STP Discharge
% Enterococci samples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 64
Bawley Point Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Bawley Point Beach is located near the town of Bawley Point. The beach is approximately 300 metres long and is backed by a car park, park and picnic area. The sampling site is approximately 20 metres north of the boat ramp at the southern end of the beach.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels remained below the safe swimming limit during dry weather conditions and occasionally exceeded the safe swimming limit following 10 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 2006. Elevated enterococci results See page 21 for key to map were recorded in a small percentage of samples during 2010–2011. Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2007 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 36 24 22 30 22 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Ulladulla rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low Animals River Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% Stormwater
OnSite Systems 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 65
Merry Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Merry Beach is located just south of the town of Kioloa. The beach is approximately 300 metres long and is backed by a car park, park and caravan park. The sampling site is located directly in front of the walking track that leads to the centre of the beach.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels remained below the safe swimming limit during dry weather conditions and occasionally exceeded the safe swimming limit following 10 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 2006 and microbial water quality has See page 21 for key to map generally been of a very high standard. Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2007 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 3 2 2 3 4 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Ulladulla rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
Animals % Enterococci samples 0% River Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 OnSite Systems <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 66
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Figure 35: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the Eurobodalla Shire Council area
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 67
Message from Eurobodalla Shire Council Rainfall
Eurobodalla Shire Council has participated in the There were several significant rain and flooding Beachwatch Program for 10 years. The program events on the South Coast during 2011–2012 (BOM raises the awareness of beach water quality issues 2012): and increases community access to the information via the data placed on Council’s website. It • Particularly heavy rainfall was recorded in importantly alerts Council to concerns associated mid February with Narooma receiving 80 mm with pollution and enables appropriate actions to be of rainfall in one day. taken to alleviate issues where possible. • Towards the end of February a significant The Eurobodalla Shire covers over one hundred rain event developed in southern NSW, which kilometres of spectacular marine park coastline and resulted in flooding in the region in March. includes 83 beaches. Then beaches are an • High levels of rainfall continued in March, important natural asset to our communities and we with Batemans Bay receiving 272 mm of need to ensure that they are healthy and safe. rainfall during the month, which is more than
The close proximity to major city centres such as three times the average total for March. Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne see the region as • a popular holiday destination with over 700,000 During this event Narooma received 64 mm visitors annually and many identify that going to the of rainfall in one day, the highest daily rainfall beach is a favourite activity. ever recorded in March.
The Navy George Bass Surfboat Marathon is Assessment claimed to be the longest, toughest surfboat race in the world. The biannual 190km event seven day Microbial water quality event, now in its 37 year, starts at Batemans Bay and finishes at Eden and showcases most of the NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are Eurobodalla coastline and a number of our beaches collected each year, providing 100 data points over which attracts entrants and spectators from all over a five year period. The sampling frequency at sites Australia and the world. in the Eurobodalla Shire Council area is higher than this minimum, with approximately 25 samples Council is proud to continue its participation in the collected each year. Beachwatch Program. The Microbial Assessment Category for 2011–2012 was calculated from the most recent 100 data points Overview of the area up until the end of the 2011–2012 swimming season, covering October 2008 until March 2012. Description Eurobodalla Shire is located on the South Coast of Sanitary inspections NSW, between Shoalhaven City Council to the north and Bega Valley Shire Council to the south. It Sanitary inspections have been completed for all has an area of approximately 3402 square monitored swimming locations in the council area. kilometres, with 110 kilometres of coastline. There These are scheduled for review during 2012–2013. are also three major river systems: the Clyde, Deua (Moruya) and Tuross. Beach Suitability Grades
The shire had an estimated local resident All 11 swimming locations monitored in the population of 35,741 at the 2011 Census (ABS Eurobodalla Shire Council area were graded as 2012), showing an average growth rate of 0.4 per Very Good or Good during 2011–2012 (Figure 35). cent per year since the 2006 Census (ABS 2007). The major towns are Batemans Bay, Narooma and Very Good Moruya. Approximately 80 per cent of the land in Nine swimming sites were graded as Very Good: the shire is state forest or national park. Cookies Beach, Caseys Beach, Malua Bay Beach, Broulee Beach, Bengello Beach, Tuross Main The major commercial activities include dairy Beach, Brou Beach, Wagonga Inlet and Narooma farming, forestry, fishing, tourism, and the building Main Beach. and service industries (Eurobodalla Shire Council 2007). These sites all had excellent water quality (Microbial Assessment Category A) and few potential sources
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 68
of microbial contamination (Sanitary Inspection Works include the construction of stormwater Categories of Low). detention ponds, new inlet works, an upgraded return activated sludge and waste activated sludge Good system, an aerobic sludge digester for improved biosolids management, tertiary filter, ultraviolet- Two ocean beaches were graded as Good: Surf disinfection system, a new recycled water pumping Beach and Shelley Beach. station with chlorine-disinfection and improved process control through upgrade to telemetry. These sites had mostly good water quality Wastewater from the plant is now re-used to irrigate (Microbial Assessment Category A or B) but had the Hanging Rock Recreational Reserve and several, or more significant, potential sources of Catalina Golf Course (Eurobodalla Shire Council microbial contamination, such as urban stormwater 2012). runoff or river discharge. Recently completed works to the Batemans Bay Fair STP have directly impacted pathogen levels in the effluent discharged via the ocean outfall adjacent to No swimming sites were graded as Fair. Surf Beach. These works included removing excess sludge from the tertiary pond to improve its storage Poor capacity, leading to a longer detention time for the No swimming sites were graded as Poor. treated effluent to be disinfected. The other upgrades to the sewage treatment plant are due to Very Poor be completed by June 2012. No swimming sites were graded as Very Poor. Sewer relining programs have taken place to improve the performance of the existing earthenware pipelines in areas throughout the shire. Management Relining reduces the quantity of infiltration by Wastewater management groundwater, thereby reducing the quantity of wastewater reaching the STP. Relining also has the Eurobodalla Shire Council operates five STPs in the potential to reduce leakages which may pollute region. These are located at Batemans Bay, groundwater and waterways. Narooma, Moruya, Tomakin and Tuross (EPA NSW 2012). On-site sewage management systems are used in the unsewered townships of Nelligen, South Durras, Batemans Bay STP discharges via an ocean outfall Congo, Mystery Bay, Rosedale, Guerilla Bay, adjacent to Surf Beach; Narooma STP discharges Bodalla, Potato Point, Central Tilba, Moruya Head, via a submerged ocean outfall near Kianga; Moruya Turlinjah, Tilba Tilba and Akolele (Eurobodalla Shire STP discharges to Ryans Creek; Tomakin STP Council 2003). discharges via an outfall pipe at Long Nose Point; and Tuross STP discharges to the sand dunes at Stormwater management Bingie Beach (EPA NSW 2012). Water quality monitoring is undertaken by Council These plants treat and collect more than eight on a monthly basis at major estuaries including million litres of wastewater each day, with the Wagonga Inlet, Tuross Lake, Coila Lake, Moruya volume increasing by approximately 20 per cent River, Tomaga River and Clyde River. In addition, during the peak holiday season in summer. About urbanised creek systems discharging to lagoons 13 per cent of the secondary-treated effluent is used and beaches have been monitored to identify the to irrigate the local golf courses and playing fields. main sources of faecal contamination impacting The remaining effluent is discharged to the ocean. beaches during wet weather events. Extensive investigations were carried out at Surf Beach Creek As part of the Integrated Water Cycle Management and Wimbie Creek catchments during 2011. Strategy in 2003, works were undertaken at Spine Road in the North Batemans Bay and Long Beach Data collected through these monitoring programs, sewerage network areas to divert sewage loads in conjunction with sanitary inspections of affected away from the overloaded sewage pumping stations catchments, have been evaluated under a joint in coastal areas like Batehaven, Caseys Beach and project with OEH to determine appropriate Surf Beach (Eurobodalla Shire Council 2003). management options to improve water quality and ensure public health and the environment are Substantial upgrade works at Batemans Bay STP protected. Recommendations include the production commenced in 2010. These works will improve the of report cards for estuary and public health for treatment processes and the capacity of the plant. major waterways.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 69
Council has undertaken environmental works to improve riparian buffers. This included weed removal and planting of native species alongside creeks and estuaries where funding and resources has allowed.
Eurobodalla Shire Council regularly issues press releases reminding the community to protect its waterways and to avoid bathing in areas impacted by stormwater following heavy rainfall.
Management plans Eurobodalla Shire Council has a number of management plans for its estuarine and coastal catchments. These include estuary management plans for Batemans Bay, Tomaga River, Moruya/Deua River, Tuross River and Wagonga Inlet/Narooma. There is also a coastline management plan and creek management plans for Joes, Wimbie, Short Beach and Surfside creeks. The management plans include case studies of the relevant area, address key issues and give details of targeted management actions.
Lifeguard service Eurobodalla Shire Council’s lifeguard service patrols seven main beaches: Surf, Tuross, Dalmeny, Malua Bay, Broulee, Moruya and Narooma. Beaches are patrolled during the NSW summer school holidays, typically mid December to late January. Additional beach patrols are provided on a voluntary basis by members of Surf Life Saving Clubs on weekends and public holidays, usually operating from late spring to early autumn.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 70
Cookies Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Cookies Beach is located near the town of South Durras. The sampling site is located at the southern end of the beach, adjacent to a caravan park and boat ramp, and north of the Murramurang Resort National Park. The beach is popular with tourists and the local community.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of significant faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels showed little response to rainfall, rarely exceeding the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 2002. Elevated enterococci results were recorded in a small percentage of samples between 2004 and 2007. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2008 to March 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 30 26 10 8 14 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Batemans Bay rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
Animals % Enterococci samples 0% Stormwater
OnSite Systems 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 71
Caseys Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Caseys Beach is approximately one kilometre long and is located south of Observation Point. The beach is not patrolled. It is backed by the village of Batehaven and is a popular swimming location for local residents and tourists. Fishing from the rocks of Observation Point is also popular.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of significant faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels generally increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more.
The site has been monitored since 2002. Elevated enterococci results were recorded in a small percentage of samples between 2005 and 2008. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2008 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category 110 B 55 100 36 38 36 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Batemans Bay rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 72
Surf Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Surf Beach is approximately 300 metres long and backed by a parking area and shops. The beach is patrolled during summer and is considered to be a safe swimming beach. It is popular with local residents and tourists.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to light rain.
The site has been monitored since 2002 with microbial water quality See page 21 for key to map showing some improvement since 2010. Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2008 to March 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 320 290 C 300
170 175
95th %ile 200 150 Category B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Batemans Bay rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60% Stormwater 40%
20% Low Sewer Chokes Sewage Overflows STP Bypass % Enterococci samples 0%
STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 73
Malua Bay Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Malua Bay Beach is approximately 400 metres long and backed by a surf club, picnic facilities and a parking area. The beach is popular with both the local community and tourists.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of significant faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 2002.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2008 to March 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 24 9 7 18 22 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Batemans Bay rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low Animals Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0%
Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 74
Broulee Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Broulee Beach extends from Candlagan Creek to Broulee Island in the south. The sampling site is located at the northern end of the beach, near the mouth of Candlagan Creek. The beach is not patrolled but has an emergency response button for Broulee Surf Club.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of significant faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but rarely exceeded the safe swimming limit.
The site has been monitored since 2002 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard over the last five years. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2008 to March 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 75 14 6 18 22 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Moruya Heads rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 75
Bengello Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Bengello Beach extends from Broulee Head to the mouth of the Moruya River. The sampling site is located adjacent to the surf club. Access is via a sealed road at the northern end of the beach. The location is popular with the local community and tourists.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of significant faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels generally increased with increasing rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 2002 and microbial water quality has varied among years. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2008 to March 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 40 45 34 14 22 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Moruya Heads rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 76
Shelley Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Shelley Beach is situated near the mouth of the Moruya River. It is backed by a well-vegetated council reserve and the Eurobodalla National Park. The beach is protected by a headland and is popular with the local community and tourists. The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination, including discharge from Moruya River. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels showed little response to rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories. The site has been monitored since 2002. Data show that microbial water quality has varied over time. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2008 to March 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 45 40 32 14 14 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Moruya Heads rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
Animals 40%
20% Low
River Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 77
Tuross Main Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Tuross Main Beach is located between Tuross Headland to the north and Tuross Lake to the south. It is approximately 250 metres long and is patrolled in the summer. Swimming conditions can be hazardous. The beach is patrolled over the peak summer holiday period.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels showed little response to rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 2002.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2008 to March 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 55 40 45 30 10 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Tuross Heads rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
River Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Sewage Overflows <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 78
Brou Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Brou Beach is located north of the town of Dalmeny. The beach is approximately 6.5 kilometres long and samples are collected at the southern end near the entrance to Lake Mummuga. The beach is also popular for surfing and fishing.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit in all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 2002.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2008 to March 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 12 12 5 6 22 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Narooma rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
Animals 20% Low Lagoons
Sewer Chokes % Enterococci samples 0% Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 79
Wagonga Inlet Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good The swimming site is a netted section of beach at the mouth of Wagonga Inlet. The town of Narooma is located on the southern side of the inlet. The swimming area is very popular with the local community and visitors.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 2002.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2008 to March 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 55 28 26 5 18 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Narooma rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0%
Boats 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 River Discharge <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 80
Narooma Main Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Narooma Beach is approximately 750 metres long and is used for swimming, surfing and fishing. The sampling site is located at the northern end of the beach, adjacent to the surf club.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with rainfall but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored since 2002. Data show that the microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2008 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 5 3 2 4 10 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Narooma rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time
100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
Lagoons % Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes
Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers
Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 81
Bega Valley Shire Council
Figure 36: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the Bega Valley Shire Council area
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 82
Message from Bega Valley Shire Council Rainfall
Bega Valley Shire Council has supported the NSW There were several significant rain and flooding Environmental Protection Agency’s Beachwatch events on the South Coast during 2011–2012 (BOM program since its inception. Our Council has long 2012): recognised the importance of our beaches not only for their intrinsic environmental values and beauty • Heavy rainfall was recorded in mid February but also for their importance in supporting our local with Bermagui South receiving 56 mm of tourism market and meeting the various needs of rainfall in one day. our local swimmers, surfers, fishers and visitors to • our Shire. Towards the end of February a significant rain event developed in southern NSW, which Beachwatch also supports the framework for resulted in flooding in the region in March. Council’s commitment to recreational coastal and • Particularly heavy rainfall was recorded at the estuarine water quality monitoring, through beginning of March with Bega receiving providing information for the assessment of the 75 mm of rainfall in one day. This event saw potential health risks to swimmers, surfers and other users of Council’s waterways. the Bega River rise four metres in a matter of hours resulting in flooding in surrounding Treated wastewater and runoff from urban, areas. agricultural and industrial areas can contaminate beaches and estuaries, particularly after rainfall and • Particularly heavy rainfall was recorded in it is important for Council to provide timely mid March with Bermagui South receiving information on water quality to allow the local 120 mm of rainfall in one day. community and our visitors to be better informed. • High levels of rainfall continued in March, Anyone reviewing our beaches performances over with Bermagui South receiving 344 mm of the years would note the Shire’s beautiful beaches rainfall during the month, which is more than have consistently score a highly under the three times the average total for March. Beachwatch rating program.
Our Council greatly values our local Beachwatch Assessment program. We will continue to work closely with the Microbial water quality local oyster farmers and others such as local Landcare groups in monitoring and protecting the NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are health of our waterways. collected each year, providing 100 data points over a five year period. The sampling frequency at sites in the Bega Valley Shire Council area is below this Overview of the area recommendation, with approximately 12 samples Description collected each year. Bega Valley Shire is situated on the South Coast of While water samples have been analysed for faecal NSW. It is the largest coastal council in the state, coliforms since 2004, enterococci analysis only covering an area of 6279 square kilometres. The commenced in 2009. In the absence of sufficient council stretches from Wallaga Lake near Bermagui enterococci data, a provisional Microbial in the north, to the Victorian border in the south. Assessment Category has been determined by analysing both recent enterococci and historical Almost two thirds of the shire is either national park faecal coliform data, to create a dataset of around or state forest, with a further 20 per cent used for 50 data points. A correction factor was applied to agriculture. The major industries in the region are historical microbial data, as recommended by the agriculture, tourism, fishing and forestry. NHMRC 2008 guidelines (NHMRC 2008). To determine the approximate enterococci levels for The estimated resident population of the Bega Bega Valley Shire Council swimming sites, faecal Valley Shire at the 2011 Census was 31,950 (ABS coliform data were divided by a factor of five. As 2012). The main towns are Bega, Merimbula, Eden, more enterococci data become available in future Pambula and Bermagui, with numerous small years, the beach grades will become final. villages (Bega Valley Shire Council 2008). While participating in the 2011–2012 laboratory quality assurance program, Bega Laboratory underestimated all enterococci samples, and reported results outside the acceptable limits. This issue was investigated by the laboratory with
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 83
assistance from IFM Quality Services Pty Ltd to Very Poor determine the source of the errors. The investigation determined the laboratory had issues No swimming sites were graded as Very Poor. in the manufacture of microbiological media. This issue is being addressed, but until it is resolved Management results from this council are deemed provisional. It is possible however, that errors in bacterial analysis Wastewater management only occurred in samples from the quality assurance program as bacterial levels at swimming sites Bega Valley Shire Council is responsible for during the 2011–2012 sampling season did not vary wastewater management in the area and manages significantly from those reported in previous years, ten sewage treatment plants (STPs). Six STPs and sanitary inspections did not detect any major service the coastal towns of Bega, Bermagui, Eden, potential sources of faecal contamination at any Merimbula, Tathra and Tura Beach and four STPs swimming site. service the smaller inland villages of Candelo, Cobargo, Kalaru and Wolumla. All STPs are operated by Tenix Pty Ltd under contract. A Sanitary inspections proportion of effluent from each STP is beneficially Sanitary inspections have been completed for all re-used, with the remainder disposed to the monitored swimming locations in the Bega Valley environment (Bega Valley Shire Council 2012): Shire. These are scheduled for review during 2012– 2013. • Merimbula STP effluent was used to irrigate local golf courses with the remainder discharged via an ocean outfall and dune Beach Suitability Grades aquifer at Merimbula Beach. All 13 swimming locations monitored in the Bega Valley Shire Council area were graded as Good or • Bega STP effluent was used to irrigate Very Good during 2011–2012 (Figure 36). farmland with the remainder discharged to the Bega River. Very Good • Eden STP effluent was used to irrigate golf Eleven swimming locations were graded as Very courses with the remainder discharged via an Good: Camel Rock Beach, Horseshoe Bay, Beares ocean outfall on the northern headland of Beach, Mogareeka Inlet, Tathra Beach, Short Point Yallumgo Cove. Beach, Main Beach (Merimbula), Pambula Beach, Pambula River Mouth, Aslings Beach and Cocora • Beach. Bermagui STP effluent was used to irrigate golf courses with the remainder discharged These sites all had excellent water quality (Microbial via an ocean outfall on the rock platform at Assessment Category A) and few potential sources Beares Beach. of microbial contamination (Sanitary Inspection Categories of Low). • Tathra STP effluent was used to irrigate a local golf course and a football field. Good • Tura Beach STP effluent was used to irrigate Two swimming locations were graded as Good: a golf course with the remainder discharged Bruce Steer Pool and Bar Beach. to sand dunes.
These sites had mostly good water quality • Candelo Beach STP effluent was used to (Microbial Assessment Category A) but had several, irrigate the local showground with the or more significant, potential sources of microbial remainder discharged to Candelo Creek. contamination, such as urban stormwater runoff or river discharge. • Cobargo STP effluent was used to irrigate the local showground with the remainder Fair discharged to Narira Creek via a pipe outlet. No swimming sites were graded as Fair. • Kalaru STP effluent was used to irrigate a Poor local racetrack. No swimming sites were graded as Poor. • Wolumla STP effluent was used to irrigate a local football field, horse arena and farm.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 84
The villages of Quaama, North Bega, Tarraganda, Stormwater management plans have been Bemboka, Mogareeka, Wyndham and Wonboyn, developed for the Bega Valley Shire Council and with a combined population of around 3000, are specifically for the Wallaga Lake and Wonboyn currently unsewered and rely on on-site sewage Lake areas. management systems, which are routinely inspected by Bega Valley Shire Council staff. Lifeguard service
Management plans Bega Valley Shire Council lifeguards patrol eight beaches (Camel Rock, Horseshoe Bay, Tathra, Bega Valley Shire Council has a number of Short Point, Main Beach Merimbula, Bar Beach, management plans in place to ensure effective Pambula and Aslings) between Boxing Day and management of coastal and urban catchments. Australia Day. Volunteers from Surf Life Saving These include process studies and management Australia also undertake patrols at Horseshoe Bay, plans for the Bega River, Wallaga Lake, Merimbula Tathra and Pambula. Lake/Back Lake, Lake Curalo and Wonboyn Lake.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 85
Camel Rock Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Camel Rock Beach is located at the northern end of Haywards Beach, which runs south to Bermagui. Much of the beach is cobbled and gravelled, and it is one of the few beaches protected from marine stingers during north-east winds. It is also a popular surfing beach.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bermagui South rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0%
Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 86
Bruce Steer Pool Beach Suitability Grade: Good Bruce Steer Pool is a large netted enclosure located in protected waters near the entrance to Bermagui Harbour, about 200 metres from the ocean. The baths are shallow and popular with children.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution with potential faecal contamination from several sources including river discharge.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bermagui South rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80% Animals Boats 60%
40%
River Discharge 20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0%
Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 87
Horseshoe Bay (Bermagui) Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Horseshoe Bay is approximately 300 metres long and is backed by a park, playing field and car park. The bay faces the north and usually has small surf conditions, ideal for children. It is patrolled during summer.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 14 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bermagui South rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0%
River Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Stormwater <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 88
Beares Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Beares Beach is located just south of the town of Bermagui. The beach is protected from north-east winds during summer and is a popular tourist and surfing beach. Access is via the car park at the northern end of the beach.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bermagui South rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% Sewage Overflows STP Bypass STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 89
Mogareeka Inlet Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Mogareeka Inlet is a popular swimming area located on the northern side of the Bega River estuary, approximately 500 metres upstream of the entrance. The Inlet is intermittently open to the ocean. This area is also well known for water-sports and is popular for picnics.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 3 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bega rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Boats Low River Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% Wastewater Re-use OnSite Systems Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 90
Tathra Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Tathra Beach is the main swimming beach in Tathra and it is approximately five kilometres long. The sampling site is located in front of the surf club at the southern end of the beach. The beach is protected from southerly swells and is popular with the local community and tourists.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bega rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 3 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
Low Animals Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% OnSite Systems Sewer Chokes 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 91
Short Point Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Short Point Beach is located between the towns of Merimbula and Tura. It is patrolled during summer and backed by a car park and caravan park. A large rock platform and rocky reefs can create dangerous swimming conditions. Samples are collected at the southern end of the beach.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bega rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0% Animals Lagoons 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 92
Bar Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Bar Beach is an estuarine swimming site on the northern side of the inlet to Merimbula Lake. The beach is popular with local families during summer and is backed by a car park. The beach is patrolled during the Christmas Holidays and may be subject to strong tidal currents.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination, including outflow from Merimbula Lake.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit after little or no rainfall.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 6 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bega rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
Lagoons 20% Low
% Enterococci samples 0%
Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 93
Main Beach (Merimbula) Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Merimbula Main Beach is patrolled during summer and owing to its proximity to the town centre, it is popular with the local community and tourists. The beach faces south-east and offers calm conditions in the prevailing summer north-easterly winds.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 D High 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bega rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low
Animals % Enterococci samples 0% Lagoons
Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 94
Pambula Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Pambula Beach is patrolled during summer and is popular with the local community and tourists. A car park and caravan park are located behind the beach. The sampling site is located in front of the surf club.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bega rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
Low Animals River Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% Stormwater Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 95
Pambula River Mouth Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good The mouth of Pambula River is a sandy tidal reach that is shallow, calm and protected from ocean swells. The river is well flushed and provides an alternative to the nearby Pambula Beach swimming area for families.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of significant faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bega rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Low River Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% Stormwater Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Bathers Low Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 96
Aslings Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Aslings Beach is the main surf beach in Eden. It is popular with the local community and tourists. The southern end of the beach is patrolled during summer. The beach is backed by a cricket oval, car park and park.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Eden rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20% Animals Low Lagoons
Wastewater Re-use % Enterococci samples 0% OnSite Systems STP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12
Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL
Bathers Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 97
Cocora Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Cocora Beach is a protected ocean beach in the north of Twofold Bay, approximately one kilometre from Eden’s town centre. The sampling site is located near the centre of the beach. The beach is not patrolled but is popular with families with small children in summer.
The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.
The response to rainfall graph indicates that microbial levels remained below the safe swimming limit during dry weather conditions but occasionally became elevated following rainfall.
The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.
See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2006 to February 2012. ^ 600 High D 500
400 C 300
95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 3 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12
Response to rainfall Rainfall from Eden rain gauge 10000
1000
100
10
1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+
Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)
Trends in enterococci data through time 100%
80%
60%
40%
20%
Low Boats Lagoons % Enterococci samples 0%
Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very Very
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: South Coast region Page 98
Chapter 5 Quality assurance program
Introduction Methods To ensure that the data collected and reported The collection of water samples by Sutherland Shire under the Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and Council, Hunter Water Corporation and Sydney Beachwatch Partnership programs are accurate and Water Corporation is audited by Beachwatch reliable, a number of quality assurance (QA) Programs field officers on a quarterly basis processes are included in the programs, covering: throughout the year.
• field sampling (equipment preparation, Audits on Beachwatch Programs field officers are conducted throughout the year by the Beachwatch sample collection, sample storage and Senior Project Officer. sample transport) Field audits are conducted on partnership councils • laboratory analysis at the commencement of the summer season by Beachwatch Programs field officers. • data management Audits include an assessment of the field officer’s • community reporting. performance according to established Beachwatch Programs sampling protocols, including aseptic The results of these assessments are discussed in sampling techniques, sample collection, sample this section. storage and documentation of field observations. These protocols are based on internationally Field sampling recognised methods for the collection of water samples in recreational bathing areas (APHA 1998). Background Percentage compliance is calculated for each of the Water quality sampling for the Beachwatch three components of the audit: sampling technique, programs is undertaken by a number of different sample collection, and storage and field organisations (Table 27). observations. A total compliance is then calculated as the average compliance from each of these three components.
Table 27: Organisations undertaking sampling as part of the Beachwatch programs
Agency Regions Sampling period
Beachwatch (OEH) Northern Sydney Beaches, Central Sydney Beaches, Year-round Pittwater, Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay, lower Georges River and Port Hacking
Sutherland Shire Council Southern Sydney Beaches Year-round
Hunter Water Ocean beaches in Port Stephens, Newcastle and Lake Year-round Macquarie council areas
Sydney Water Ocean beaches in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama Year-round council areas
Partnership Program councils Byron, Ballina, Richmond Valley, Kempsey, Port Stephens, Varied (some year- Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Wyong, Gosford, Shoalhaven, round, most between Eurobodalla and Bega Valley council areas October and April)
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 99
Following the audits, a detailed report describing the knowledge of potential beach pollution sources and findings and highlighting issues of concern is water quality issues. prepared. A copy of the report is provided to the audited organisation for its information and for These results indicate that water quality samples action, if necessary. collected by, and provided to Beachwatch, are of an acceptable and high standard. Results and discussion The results of the field sampling audits conducted Laboratory analysis between May 2011 and April 2012 are summarised in this report. Beachwatch Program
Overall compliance was calculated as the average Background total compliance achieved from the audits. The collection and analysis of blind field replicate Sydney samples is an excellent means by which to evaluate sampling procedures as well as analytical precision. Beachwatch field officers achieved 100 per cent Field replicates are samples collected from the compliance with the established sampling protocols same site at the same time. When the laboratory is for the beach sampling run. Sutherland Shire not informed that the two samples are collected Council lifeguards achieved an overall compliance from a single sample location, these samples are of 98 per cent with the established sampling referred to as blind field replicate samples. protocols. Non-compliance by Sutherland Shire Council lifeguards included not recording the date Beachwatch has regularly sent sets of blind field on sample labels. replicate water samples to a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited Hunter microbiological laboratory in order to determine the Sample collection in the Hunter region complied reliability of routine data provided by the contracted well with established Beachwatch sampling laboratory. protocols. Hunter Water achieved an overall compliance of 100 per cent from the quarterly Methods audits. Replicate samples were collected from a single site Illawarra during each Sydney Harbour, ocean beaches and Botany Bay and Port Hacking sampling run. The Sample collection by Sydney Water in the Illawarra site was randomly selected on each sampling region complied well with established Beachwatch occasion. This ensured the blind field replicates sampling protocols, with a compliance of 100 per submitted to the laboratory were from a variety of cent. sites with a range of enterococci densities. To ensure that the replicate set of samples sent to the Partnership Program councils laboratory were near-identical; the replicate All councils in the program recorded excellent samples were collected in quick succession from compliance with established Beachwatch sampling the same location using aseptic sampling protocols. Some councils were reminded of the techniques. importance of monitoring esky temperatures to ensure water samples tested for bacterial analysis Results and discussion were kept between 2°C and 10°C while in storage and during transportation to the contracted The precision of the contracted laboratory for the laboratory (AS/NZS 2031:2001). All councils were Beachwatch Program was determined over two time reminded to keep information on their websites up periods because of a change in the contracted to date to ensure the community can access the laboratory during the 2011–2012 reporting year. most recent information. Due to the inherent variability found in replicate water samples, results that are within 0.3 log-units Conclusion of each other (equivalent to a halving or doubling of density on a linear scale) are considered to be Auditing in the Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra and acceptable. partnership council regions has shown an excellent level of compliance with established Beachwatch From May 2011 to October 2011 the contracted sampling protocols. The sampling officers laboratory performed well, with most enterococci demonstrated good understanding of aseptic water results from replicate samples within 0.3 log-units of sampling and storage techniques, and a sound local each other. Enterococci results outside this range
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 100
were only just outside the acceptable limit and at Conclusion low bacterial densities (Figure 37). The replicate results from both contracted laboratories used by the Beachwatch Program during 2011–2012 did not differ significantly in their 10,000 estimation of enterococci densities. This indicates a high level of precision with enterococci analysis, and confidence can be placed in the accuracy of 1,000 water quality results reported in the Sydney region.
Beachwatch Partnership Program 100 Background Council laboratories were invited to take part in 10 proficiency testing in November 2011 in order to Laboratory(cfu/100mL) Result determine the reliability of routine data provided. Laboratories with NATA accreditation or which 1 could provide evidence of regular proficiency testing 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 were not included in the program as they already Replicate sample (cfu/100mL) comply with strict assessments. The proficiency Upper Limit Low er Limit testing was conducted by IFM Quality Services Pty Ltd. Figure 37: Distribution of enterococci results for the contracted laboratory, May 2011 to October A feedback report was provided to each council with 2011 an assessment of its in-house or commercial laboratory performance, and an opportunity to take
any action if necessary. The process provides From November 2011 to April 2012 the new confidence that the data reported to local contracted laboratory performed well with the communities is of a high standard. As a result, majority of enterococci results from replicate councils can be confident about results provided by samples within 0.3 log-units of each other. Most laboratories in the Beachwatch Partnership enterococci results outside this range were only just Program. outside the acceptable limit and at low bacterial densities (Figure 38). Methods Three samples labelled A, B and C were dispatched to each laboratory by express national courier 10,000 service. Samples A and C were duplicates containing Enterococcus. Sample B did not contain Enterococcus species. The samples were 1,000 presented in freeze dried form and required reconstitution prior to testing.
100 Data analysis Due to the relatively small number of participants in
10 this program, IFM included additional, comparable result data in order to provide a statistically sound Laboratory(cfu/100mL) Result base for participant assessments. The medians of sample A and sample C were calculated to provide 1 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 a consensus result used to represent the best estimate of the true density of enterococci bacteria. Replicate sample (cfu/100mL) When determining how far away a result can be Upper Limit Low er Limit from the consensus median result (acceptable range of results), the spread of participant results was used. The spread was taken from the middle Figure 38: Distribution of enterococci results for 50% of the submitted results which reduced the the contracted laboratory, November 2011 to effects of outlying and extreme results. April 2012
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 101
A z-score was given to participants which describes However, one laboratory reported results well how close they were to the consensus result. The outside the acceptable range and had issues best z-score is zero and the further away from zero detecting enterococci bacteria within the samples. (positive or negative), the worse the result. Z-scores This issue was investigated by the laboratory with within one unit of zero are excellent, z-scores assistance from IFM Quality Services Pty Ltd to between one and two units of zero are good, and determine the source of the errors. The between two and three units of zero are fair. Z- investigation identified a number of issues including scores greater than three units from zero are a lack of resources to manage the manufacture of considered to be unacceptable and corrective action microbiological media and no system to should be taken. Fail was assigned to results where continuously record temperatures in the incubator. a z-score could not be calculated or which were The laboratory has also been advised to include a determined to be an inappropriate indicator of positive, negative and media control with each performance. batch of bacterial analysis.
The formula for z-score calculations is as follows: Conclusion
Z = result obtained by the participant – median result For the Beachwatch Partnership Program, most NIQR results from the 2011–2012 laboratory proficiency testing were very good, and confidence can be where NIQR is the normalised inter quartile range = placed in the accuracy of data from these 0.7413 x (Q3–Q1). The factor comes from statistical laboratories. However, until the laboratory with poor tables, assuming the results are normally results has resolved its issues with bacterial distributed. analysis results from this council are deemed provisional. Results and discussion The laboratory quality assurance program highlights The results from the five laboratories which took the observation that a single result from any one part in the program are presented in Table 28. laboratory can be substantially different from those reported by other laboratories. Therefore, when Table 28: Evaluation of BPP laboratory monitoring and reporting microbial water quality, it is performance preferable and more reliable to report results as trend analyses to minimise the effect of the Laboratory Sample Z-score Evaluation occasional aberrant result.
1 A -1.0259 Good Data management B (blank) Pass C -1.8646 Good Water quality results for swimming sites in the Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra regions are regularly 2 A -0.0829 Excellent forwarded electronically to Beachwatch Programs B (blank) Pass from the contracted laboratory, and by Hunter Water C -0.0493 Excellent and Sydney Water laboratories. The water quality 3 A -0.0409 Excellent data are uploaded to the Beachwatch water quality B (blank) Pass database (BACTO) for storage and data evaluation.
C -0.3839 Excellent All partnership councils transferred water quality 4 A -1.1798 Good data to OEH on a regular basis, for centralised B (blank) Pass storage on the BACTO database. In some cases, C -2.5905 Fair data were emailed directly from the analysing laboratory. 5 A -9.9260 Outlier B (blank) Pass Quality assurance procedures for the storage of C - Fail data on the centralized database followed a rigorous protocol that was developed as part of the Beachwatch Program. This included data validation There is a high level of certainty for the enterococci procedures to identify anomalous results. results from four laboratories, with reported densities well within the acceptable range (Table Validated data were uploaded to the Beachwatch 28). No laboratories falsely identified enterococci website by Beachwatch staff. This website bacteria in the blank sample (B). (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach) provides online access to water quality monitoring data and
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 102
assists councils to prepare their State of the information can be accessed by the public through Environment reports. the Beachwatch website (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach) and the Beachwatch information line (1800 036 677) and is Community reporting reported on Twitter @BeachwatchNSW. The information is also sent by email to a range of Providing the community with current beach water stakeholders and media. quality information is a core function of the Beachwatch programs, so reporting has been The bulletins are based on telemetered rainfall data incorporated into the QA program. and any reported pollution incidents that could affect beach water quality. The bulletins include a This part of the QA program enables Beachwatch to prediction of the likelihood of pollution at ocean measure the accuracy, consistency of content and beaches and harbour swimming areas, as well as punctuality of all reports released, and evaluates the daily weather, tides and coastal conditions, based reporting undertaken by partnership councils. When on the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s necessary, this information is used to improve the Metropolitan Forecast and Coastal Waters reporting process. Forecast. During summer, bulletin updates are also issued to advise of beach conditions such as This section is divided according to the four main dangerous surf, marine stingers, lagoon openings, forms of reporting beach water quality in NSW. closures and other information reported by council These are: lifeguards.
• Sydney daily bulletins Bulletins are audited weekly to determine the accuracy of the pollution scenarios on the basis of • weekly star ratings rainfall, and the punctuality of emailed distribution. The accuracy and the punctuality of the daily • monthly reports bulletin updates, and the reported rainfall and tidal weather information, are also measured. • regional council reporting. The results from the quality assurance audits are Sydney daily bulletins stored in an electronic database, with a weekly summary of any detected errors distributed to the Beachwatch bulletins are generated daily to report field officers for their attention and action, if on the likelihood of bacterial contamination at necessary. Sydney ocean and harbour swimming areas. This
100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 99 98 98
94 90
80
% Compliance 70
60
50 Sydney Ocean Pittw ater Sydney Harbour Botany Bay Rainfall Correct Tides Correct Timeliness Beaches Scenario Scenario Scenario Scenario
Figure 39: Quality assurance results for the Beachwatch and Harbourwatch daily bulletins during winter 2011 () and summer 2011–2012 ()
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Figure 39 shows a high accuracy in the reported submission to the newspaper. The graphic pollution scenarios during both the winter and the produced by the newspaper is checked and summer season, with 100 per cent accuracy for all approved by Beachwatch prior to publication. scenarios. The bulletins were distributed in a timely manner 94 per cent of the time during winter, and As the star ratings for the Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra 98 per cent of the time during summer. Lateness of and partnership council beaches are quality assured bulletins was usually only by a few minutes and the by different people and/or agencies, any potential result of technical problems. errors in calculations or in the presentation of data were detected prior to publication. No erroneous The rainfall and tide information was accurate to a reports were published in 2011–2012. high level, with the rainfall information complying 99 per cent of the time during winter and 100 per cent Monthly reports of the time during summer. Tide information was accurate 100 per cent of the time and 98 per cent of The Beachwatch monthly reports give details of the the time during winter and summer, respectively. performance of Sydney ocean and harbour beaches for the previous month. These reports are available Weekly star ratings on the Beachwatch website under ‘Reporting’. Before distribution, all computer-generated Each week during the summer season, star ratings calculations are checked manually to ensure for the Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra and partnership accuracy. As a result, all errors are detected before council regions are published on the Beachwatch distribution of the reports. website under ‘Reporting’. The star ratings are based on NHMRC (2008) guidelines, with one star Regional council reporting indicating poor water quality, through to a four-star rating indicating excellent water quality. The star An assessment of the reporting capabilities of ratings are calculated using a spreadsheet, and are partnership councils was made during the field audit approved by the Beachwatch manager prior to visit and periodically throughout the summer publishing on the Beachwatch website. season. Most partnership councils provide their water quality data regularly for the publication of Star ratings are published in the Newcastle Herald star ratings on the Beachwatch website, as and the Port Stephens Examiner newspapers in the mentioned earlier. Hunter region and in the Illawarra Mercury in the Illawarra. These advertisements run from November Visits to partnership councils by Beachwatch field to March. officers identified opportunities to improve community reporting of water quality results. The The star ratings published in the Hunter region are visits revealed that most councils have information calculated by Beachwatch, confirmed by Hunter about their Beachwatch programs on the council Water and then submitted to the newspaper for website, but the information in most cases was not preparation of the graphic. A copy of the graphic is kept current. then supplied to Beachwatch for checking and approval prior to publication. Some regional councils undertook media releases throughout the 2011–2012 summer season with the The same procedure is followed in the Illawarra assistance of Beachwatch field officers. The media region, with Beachwatch calculating the star ratings releases were drafted, edited and approved by and Sydney Water confirming them before Beachwatch Programs and councils to ensure the information released was accurate.
NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 104
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Glossary
Amplification: The modification of a sewage treatment plant to increase capacity so that more sewage can be treated per day. ANZECC: Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council. Although no longer in existence, this organisation provided a forum for coordinated environmental management in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea until 2001. Australian Height Datum (AHD): The datum to which all vertical control for mapping in Australia is to be referred, with mean sea level assigned the value of zero. Bacteria: A diverse group of micro-organisms inhabiting nearly all terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Specific types are found living in conjunction with humans and animals – see Enterococci and Faecal coliforms (below). Beach Suitability Grade (BSG): The grade is a long-term assessment of the suitability of a swimming location for swimming and is derived from a combination of Sanitary Inspection and water quality measurements gathered over previous years (see below). Swimming locations are graded Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor or Very Poor. Beachwatch Partnership Program (BPP): The Beachwatch Partnership Program began as a pilot in 2002 before being established in 2004. The program provides quality assurance and reporting assistance to local councils undertaking beach monitoring programs. Catchment: The area that drains surface runoff from precipitation into a stream, river and/or tributaries or urban stormwater drainage system. Colony forming unit (cfu): A micro-organism propagule (spore or cell) from which a colony has grown. For purposes of analysis, one cfu represents one viable organism. Typically, bacteriological data are reported as the number of these colonies in 100 millilitres of sample water. Contaminant: Any substance, chemical, or micro-organism that makes a medium (water) less suitable for a specific purpose. Criteria: Standards that are based on the analysis of scientific data and provide guidelines for the appropriate use of water. Density, e.g. enterococci or faecal coliform density: The amount of these indicator bacteria present in a standard volume of a water body. The higher the bacterial density the higher the number of cfus (see above) that will be found per 100 millilitres, and hence the greater the contamination. Disinfection: This wastewater treatment process inactivates disease-causing micro- organisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Enterococci: Bacteria of the genus Enterococcus that may be used to determine the extent of faecal contamination of recreational waters. The Enterococcus group is a sub-group of faecal streptococci. It is differentiated from other faecal streptococci by growth at higher temperatures and salt concentrations in the laboratory, and the ability to survive in marine waters under conditions that are unfavourable for most other faecal micro-organisms. Environment Protection Licence: Under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, environment protection licences are enforced to regulate the impacts of pollution to ensure that environmental impacts are minimised. For example, the activities of sewage treatment plants are governed by environment protection licences. Estuary: A partly enclosed coastal water body open to the ocean, characterised by tidal effects and the mixing of fresh water and sea water.
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Fresh water: Water with a low concentration of dissolved salts (salinity less than 0.5 parts per thousand). Faecal coliforms: Mesophilic bacteria that inhabit the intestines of humans and other warm- blooded animals. Faecal coliforms are abundant in bird and animal faeces and are used as indicators of sewage pollution in marine and freshwaters. These organisms have a relatively short life-span in marine waters, and hence indicate the presence of relatively recent sewage contamination. Gross pollutant trap (GPT): A type of stormwater quality improvement device (see below) that is a permanent installation in an urban watercourse and is designed to intercept and retain coarse sediment, litter and debris. Traps usually consist of a combination of floating booms, trash racks and ponds, with provision for access to maintain and clean the trap. Lagoon: A body of water subject to intermittent openings, either naturally or manually. Microbial Assessment Category (MAC): The category is determined from the 95th percentile of a dataset of at least 100 enterococci data points. The four categories (A to D) relate to levels of risk of illness determined from key epidemiological studies. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that MAC be calculated from a rolling five year dataset, with at least 20 samples collected each year during the swimming season. NHMRC: The National Health and Medical Research Council is an independent federal organisation that oversees public health and medical issues on a national scale. On-site sewage management systems (OSMS): These are systems that enable wastewater to be treated and disposed of on-site, usually in the absence of a reticulated sewerage network, for example, septic tanks. Percentile, 95th: The 95th percentile is the value below which 95 percent of the data lie. This statistic is useful for summarising the distribution of data, because it embodies elements of the location of the distribution (how high/low the enterococci counts are) and the scale of the distribution (how variable the enterococci counts are). The 95th percentile is used to determine the Microbial Assessment Category. Pathogens: Micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, that can cause diseases in plants and animals. Pathogens are abundant in sewage and may be present in industrial and other types of discharges. Pollutants: Chemicals, biological substances, particles, or thermal changes that are discharged into bodies of water and are potentially detrimental to the environment. Plume: A stream of water that enters a water body and contains an elevated concentration of suspended materials and/or pollutants (see above). Primary contact recreation: Recreational use of waters that involves bodily immersion or submersion, facilitating direct contact with water; includes activities such as swimming, diving, waterskiing and surfing. Primary sewage treatment: Physical treatment of sewage, designed to remove solids via settling (as sludge) and floatable solids such as oil, fats and grease by first screening and then ponding the effluent. Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC): Procedures and checks used to ensure that accurate and reliable results are obtained from environmental sampling and analysis. Receiving water: The water body into which effluent flows. For example, STPs (see below) or stormwater systems release water into natural waterways such as rivers, estuaries and oceans. Sanitary Inspection Category (SIC): The Sanitary Inspection Category is determined from a sanitary inspection of a swimming location. The sanitary inspection identifies potential pollution sources, assesses the risk posed by each and then determines the overall risk at the swimming site (the SIC) which is categorised as Very Low, Low, Moderate, High or Very High. Secondary contact recreation: Recreational use of waters that involves some direct contact with water, but where the probability of inadvertent swallowing of water is low; includes activities such as paddling, wading, boating and fishing.
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Secondary sewage treatment: Biological and/or chemical treatment of sewage, designed to remove the majority of organic matter and solids through several possible processes by using anaerobic bacteria, chemicals and settling ponds. Sewage overflows: These occur when the capacity of the sewer is exceeded, usually in wet weather when stormwater enters the sewerage system through illegal connections and damaged pipes. To prevent the sewage backing up and overflowing into homes, the sewage is discharged at designed overflows points, which are mostly located close to the stormwater system. Sewage overflows can also occur during dry weather (when they are called sewer chokes) because of blockages in the sewer system from tree roots or debris. Sewage treatment plant (STP): The site of convergence and treatment for household, commercial and industrial sewage via the sewerage system. Sewage is treated at an STP to either primary, secondary, or tertiary level before being discharged as effluent to receiving waters. STPs are also known as Wastewater Treatment Works. SewerFix program: An ongoing program conducted by Sydney Water Corporation to reduce the frequency and severity of sewer overflows by identifying and rectifying damage and the ingress of stormwater to sewers. Sewer chokes: Occur when the sewer pipes become blocked by tree roots, oil and grease or debris. Sewage builds up behind the blockage and discharges at inspection points and designed overflow structures. Stormwater: Any surface water runoff resulting from rainfall can be termed stormwater. In undeveloped catchments, stormwater can be of high quality and captured for drinking water. In urban areas, stormwater is likely to contain a range of contaminants and be of lower quality. Stormwater quality improvement devices (SQIDs): Structures intended to improve the quality of stormwater before it reaches receiving waters by removing solid material, litter and debris carried in the flow. Tertiary sewage treatment: Physical and chemical treatment of sewage, designed to improve secondary treated sewage by removing fine suspended solids, nutrients and pathogens (by disinfection). Treatment to a tertiary level typically involves a combination of filtration methods, chemical additives and ponding. Tidal flushing: The process by which water in an estuary is replaced with oceanic water owing to the flow of water caused by the tides. Wastewater: Any liquid waste discharged from domestic, commercial, industrial and agriculture activities. Wastewater re-use: The re-use of treated wastewater, such as for irrigation of playing fields or agricultural land. Wastewater treatment works (WWTW): See Sewage treatment plant. Water quality: The characteristics of water in regard to its physical, chemical and biological properties.
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