MINUTES TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING

15 August 2019, Woollahra Municipal Council

Contents

Presentations…………………………………………………………………………………………………1 Administrative Matters ...... 2 Member Council Roundtable ...... 4 SCCG Activities Update ...... 7 General Business...... 9

1. Presentations

BA introduced the Presenters: Michele Cassidy, Colin Besley and Nathan Harrison from Water and handed over to Michele to commence the presentation on the Microbial Source Tracking Pilot Study. Key points from the presentation are below and the presentation slides are attached at the end of the minutes.

Sydney Water, Wet Weather Overflow Monitoring Program, Microbial Source Tracking Study

• Wet weather overflow monitoring – working with CSIRO on a 9-step monitoring approach to assess public health risk. • Microbial source tracking pilot study being undertaken to identify DNA markers in water samples to determine sources of water pollution e.g. human/non-human, sewer or stormwater which can assist in managing solutions and prioritising pollution issues and higher risk sites. • This QMRA has more targeted sampling methods than what’s currently used in Beachwatch program. The pilot will develop a threshold value for markers to use alongside Beachwatch enterococci data. • 5x times more effective than caffeine methods of sampling. • is not working with local council at this stage however will approach councils once confident with results of the pilot. Capability is there to apply to other specific council sites once the pilot has been completed. • Opportunity was identified in its usage for making the River a swimmable area. • Public survey component will be observational survey only observing level of user contact, frequency and duration of contact to identify exposure risks. • The 9-step process will have progressed within the next 12 months however the entire framework will take approx. 2.5 years to complete.

Discussion points • In some areas there is an issue of people flushing dog poo down the toilet – is this likely to impact on the microbial source tracking study outcomes? Noted that the small concentration of dog poo in sewer is unlikely to impact on results. • Potential for this study to link to / identify illegal connections • Councils can work with Sydney Water to identify likely causes of pollution in the catchment e.g. dogs/bat colonies. • EPA will be changing Sydney Water’s licence with frequency targets being changed to a point system based on risk-based framework.

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BA introduced the second presenter Hendrik Clasie, General Manager Industry and Environment, NSW Maritime (Transport for NSW). Main points form the presentation are provided below.

Transport for NSW (Maritime)

• Structure:

NSW Maritime Centre for Maritime Safety Port Authority of NSW - Ground Staff i.e. - Strategic - Operate as a business customer service, Safer Systems Framework – - Relates solely to trade environmental integrated with maritime i.e. interests services boats and ramps

• The Environmental services team work 7 days a week 6am-6pm within 5020ha of Sydney Harbour at 211 locations to remove hazards to navigation, litter/waste within navigable waters of Sydney Harbour up to the high tide mark on specific beaches. • Data collected shows the team has visited 23772 sites per year, collecting 2085 cubic metres of rubbish (26% manmade) and 3121 major navigational hazards throughout the year. • Navigational channels and known hotspots are prioritized. Hotspot areas are based on tides/wind etc. • Monitoring of pumping facilities on Sydney Harbour is a responsibility of Maritime. There are three publicly accessible waste pumping stations within Sydney Harbour – , White Bay and Black Wattle Bay. Data shows 12.7 million litres of sewage was recovered from 14583 charter vessels using the public pump out facilities. • Maritime investigating a new location for another pump facility in Sydney Harbour. • Responsible for Maritime Pollution Response (EMPLAN) e.g. oil spills in Sydney Harbour. Port Authority is the combat agency where there is a port and the Foreign Rescue NSW is the authority for inland waterways/rivers. • Transport for NSW work on the basis of ‘polluter pays. If they are required to clean up a pollution event caused by another party, they can legally gain the funds back from the polluter (insurance etc). • Centre for Maritime Safety advocates for safe boating to address user conflicts. Noted that a jetty will be built at La Perouse for boats to moor from to address conflicts with swimmers in the swimming zone. • Data sharing in place with NSW Health to gather information on injuries etc from boating.

Discussion Points • Who controls navigation within Private Marinas? − Best contract is Property Team within Transport for NSW, may also be dependent on the lease agreement with the marina. • Management of sand build up – Woollahra Council − Build-up of sand - entering private properties and blocking storm water outlets, causing flooding. Question of whether TfNSW had received similar reported incidents and if so, how this was managed? E.g. - build-up of alluvial sands create blocks in the waterway.

Presenters were thanked for their presentations.

2. Administrative Matters

2.1 Opening - Welcome

BA welcomed TC delegates to the meeting.

2.2 Attendance and Apologies

Attendance and apologies are listed in the table below.

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Representative Council Attended Apology Mr Enis Ruzdic Bayside Council  Ms Jean Brennan Inner West Council x Ms Lana Frost Inner West Council  Ms Victoria Adair Northern Beaches Council x Ms Ruby Ardren Northern Beaches Council  Ms Niki Carey North Sydney Council x Ms Bronwyn Englaro Randwick council  Ms Julie Nimmo Sutherland Shire Council x Mr Sam McGuinness Waverley Council x Ms Jaime Hogan Waverley Council x Ms Suzanne Dunford Waverley Council  Ms Nicola Faith Willoughby Council  Ms Micaela Hopkins Woollahra Council  Ms Karen Harper Woollahra Council  Ms Michelle Rose Woollahra Council  Ms Sarah Joyce (SJ) SCCG  Ms Belinda Atkins (BA) SCCG  Ms Kate Vitnell SCCG 

2.3 Confirmation of Minutes

Minutes of the Technical Committee meeting held on 9 May 2019 were distributed in electronic form to TC delegates. The Minutes were confirmed at the meeting.

2.4 Business Arising

BA directed TC delegates to the update on actions for the Business Arising from the 9 May 2019 meeting, provided in the Table in the Technical Committee Meeting Agenda.

BA noted that SCCG has commenced a report detailing possible options for signage of risks/breakwaters. The report will be on the member’s login page on the website.

Summary of Actions – 15 August 2019

Actions Lead Due date Status Administrative Matters

• Minutes of Technical Committee meeting held 15 August 2019 were confirmed. All 15 Aug Confirmed

• Thankyou letters be sent to Host council and Presenters SEC 16 Aug Completed

• Councils to email SCCG (BA) if they identify a location in All 10 Sept Sydney Harbour that would be suitable for a public waste pumping station for boats. Update on SCCG Activities and Projects & General Business • BA to provide AUSMAP contact details to BE (Randwick) BA 27 Aug

• SCCG to include Randwick hotspots in the Map SEC 19 Aug Completed

• Delegates to provide any issues/concerns to discuss at the All 6 Sept next Sydney Water meeting on 19 September

• TC Delegates nominate themselves or other relevant All 6 Sept Council staff to sit on the SCCG Grants Committee

• TC delegates to provide further comments on the draft Strategic Plan if required All 6 Sept

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2.5 Meetings

The next Meeting will be held on Thursday 21st November. Northern Beaches Council nominated to host the meeting at Manly Town Hall, including a potential site visit to Cabbage Tree Bay.

3. Member Councils Roundtable

PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES REPORT

• Developing the Local Strategic Planning Statements • Environment Strategy

• Water Management Strategy completed • Foreshore erosion restoration plan - habitat works and updating vulnerability mapping. • Foreshore access strategy – barriers and opportunities. • Working with UNSW on water testing Callum Park for swimability – part of the PRCG masterplan. • Sub-catchment planning at Tempe (water, biodiversity etc) • Creek naturalisation – working with Sydney Water • CMP Scoping Study almost finalised. • Council currently undertaking Geotechnical risk monitoring along cliff slopes and headlands at Manly. This will complete annual monitoring for all cliff slopes and headlands in the LGA from Manly to Palm Beach. • North and Estuarine Planning Level underway. • Hawkesbury River System CMP - collaboration between 6 Councils (including NBC) and managed by Hornsby Council – have engaged a consultant for Scoping Study. • Camera Monitoring project underway for storm surge at Fairy Bower. • Confirmation of a recent discovery of a population of the endangered plant Euphorbia psammogeton (Sand Spurge). This now confirms three separate populations of this species in the NBC LGA. The next nearest population is Wamberal on the Central Coast, NSW. • Council recently completed sand scraping works at Collaroy- and Fishermans Beaches to cover exposed rocks at beach access ways and geobags in front of properties. • Council is planning Manly Lagoon entrance beach scarping and temporary bank stabilisation works. This involves preliminary work for the Manly Lagoon Reserve Masterplan, which includes a permanent seawall to protect the southern bank. • Construction works have begun for the Collaroy-Narrabeen seawall in front of the Council owned Collaroy beach car park. Significant progress made on the coastal protection works, including a rock revetment. • Clontarf Park Landscape Masterplan and Little Manly Landscape Masterplan - out for public comment and submissions have now closed. • Tidal pool works – ongoing at Little Manly Point, 40 Baskets and Manly Cove. Note – significant damage to Little Manly Point tidal pool during ECL from boat collision as vessel came off moorings. • Policy to go to Council on dogs. Issues with dog owners allowing their dogs on the rock platform at cabbage tree bay aquatic reserve. • Coastal Walkway proposing an accessible bridge be built over the entrance /bird habitat at Lagoon – potential environmental concerns. • Council ran 36 sustainability themed workshops, film nights and other events with over 1000 attendees in last 12 months. • 5 school grants awarded in 2019 totalling $12k for projects including co-mingled recycling, composting, food waste recycling, and native bees. • Council is hosting an Electric Vehicles in Apartment Webinar on 19/9/19. Several member Councils are participating. See https://omnovia.redbackconferencing.com.au/landers/page/42fb99 • 20 applications received - Harvest Collective Apartment Food Gardening Program. • Efficiency upgrade at North Sydney Olympic Pool achieving $75000 in savings pa.

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• Draft single-use plastics policy on public exhibition until 21 August for operations, purchases, and community and commercial hirers of Council venues such as building, parks, sportsgrounds and pools. Reusable or compostable alternatives will be used wherever feasible instead of disposable items like cups and lids, straws, bags, cutlery, plates, bottled water, take away containers, single serve sachets and unnecessary packaging. See https://yoursay.northsydney.nsw.gov.au/policies-on- exhibition?tool=survey_tool&tool_id=plastics-policy-submission-form#tool_tab • On 22 July Council declared that we are in a state of climate emergency that requires immediate action by all levels of government. • On 22 July Council implemented a smoking ban in the North Sydney CBD, Council Chambers and Civic Centre consisting of a 6-month awareness raising campaign, followed by enforcement. • The Bushland Management Team will celebrate the 20th anniversary of its innovative urban-rural environmental partnership “Building Bridges to Boorowa”. This initiative sees around 40 volunteers join the Bushland Team for a weekend planting trees on properties around the District – 4 hours south-west of Sydney. Coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Boorowa Landcare, this year’s planting trip will see a renewal of the project MoU and the total number of plantings top 65,000. • Coal Loader Volunteer Guide program up and running with over 30 tours being conducted by volunteer tour guides since April. Also new to the program is a monthly drop in Coal Loader tour for visitors to the Coal Loader, which takes place on the first Saturday of each month. • Coal Loader Artisans Market is back to running 4 times per year with the next one scheduled for August 25. • The Coal Loader Pop up Bar, Sunset Sessions, has been running on the first Sunday of every month since April 2019 and has proved extremely successful. Following an extended trial period, the bar has been given approval to operate for another year. EOI’s for a service provider are now open. • Spring Sounds will return to the Coal Loader Platform on Oct 12th 3pm – 9pm. This free music event, now in its second year, promises to be a musical extravaganza for the whole family with 3 live music stages. • As part of a the 3-Council Regional Environment Program by Randwick, Waverley and Woollahra Councils, successfully commissioned a network of public electric vehicle charging stations across the eastern suburbs. The network includes four charging stations in in Randwick which are located at Coogee Beach; Randwick Community Centre and Silver Street Car Park, Randwick. • Ten local schools have been successful in receiving grants for environmental projects this financial year. Successfully projects have included solar systems, bicycle racks, food or native bush gardens and their own public electric vehicle charging stations. • A comprehensive energy efficiency lighting upgrade at Bowen Library Maroubra Junction involving all floors and tenancies, including the fire stairs, is almost compete and expected to save Council more than $40,000 pa. • Local Strategic Planning Statement and Green Infrastructure Plan to go on exhibition in October. • Completion of the Stage 1 Scoping Study for the Coastal Management Program. The preparation of stages 2-4 of the Coastal Management Program are currently out for Expression of Interest.

• Restoring and revegetating a number of sites including Thomas Hogan Reserve and Gaerloch Reserve. • National Tree Day at Bronte Gully – 800 native seedlings planted, with over 200 participants attending. • Installed EV Chargers at as part of the Regional Environment Program. Tri-Council Public EV Charging Network - officially launched 5 June 2019 – network of 7 public charging stations across region, attracting TV publicity. Co- hosting a free webinar for strata on EV Charging in Apartment Buildings. • Completed major LED lighting upgrade at a number of sites including the Waverley Library, AIF and Margaret Whitlam Pavilion.

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• Implementation of Waste Avoiders program resulting in 38% increase in Council’s recycling diversion rate. Success with reducing bin contamination in multi-unit dwellings. • Draft Local Strategic Planning Statement on exhibition until early August. • From 1 July 2019, Waverley Council is purchasing 35% of large site electricity from a Moree Farm through Origin energy. This Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) was organised by SSROC on behalf of 18 Councils. • Building Futures program: Completed First year with 10 medium-high density strata buildings – achieved on average common area 20% energy reduction, $11k annual savings for participant buildings with 2-year payback. Launched Round 2 with 10 more elected strata buildings. Finalist in Cities Power Partnership Awards. • Solar my School: Working with 90% of schools in eastern suburbs region, with 2MW to be fully installed by end 2019. Winner of 2019 National LG Professionals Federation Award for Environmental Leadership and Sustainability. • Collaborating for impact partnership: Council has been working with 9 out of the 11 active environmental groups working in the Waverley LGA on single-use plastics and littering education programs and projects. Increase of engagement and educational reach of activities o 712 people participated in Plastic Free July activities o 669 people participated in Summerama activities this year • Living Connections Program engaging with Bronte and Tamarama residents – 330 plants delivered to 13 properties to create habitat friendly gardens. • Potential grant program for Climate Refugia in Intertidal Zones. • Embedding Environmental Sustainability at Council through: o new procurement policy/procedures, including mandatory sustainability evaluation for tenders (10 to 30% range), staff training o Purchase of 100% recycled, Carbon Neutral, FSC certified A4 paper o Ban on single-use plastics included in outdoor events guidelines/policy. o Water harvesting system at Waverley Park saving of 7mill L of drinking water • Our Green City Plan 2028 was endorsed by Council in June, the Plan responds to the community priorities required to achieve the Green City outcomes of Our Future Willoughby 2028. • Install of 101 kW PV project at depot starts 23.7.19. Install 68kWh battery at DCC completed June 19 to supplement supplies from 166kW Solar Farm. • The Riverside Scavenge on 4th May welcomed 54 participants, with 65.5 kg of litter and over 3,590 pieces removed from bank of the . • Swaines Creek System Rehabilitation – Council is currently undertaking the design to renew an asset in poor condition in Swaines Creek. As part of this Council is investigating the feasibility of designing and returning the currently piped channel into a more natural creek line. • Macmahon St WSUD – Longstanding ponding / OSD pump out issue, which Council is proposing to use Water Sensitive Urban Design to create a natural absorption / Rain garden which allows for infiltration of water ponding. • July focus on living plastic-free with a book talk by the Rogue Ginger, information stall run by community members & BBP and two beeswax-wrap making workshops. • Better Business Partnership now being hosted by Ku-ring-gai Council. • Launched the #plasticfreewilloughy competition to encourage staff and residents to take their own containers to the markets for food purchases. • WSUD maintenance has been completed to rejuvenate the bio-filtration of our raingardens within Chatswood Mall. • Warners Park GPT and ephemeral wetland tender has been released to market. • Burra Rd and Fleming Park GPTs completed and operational. • Targeted Pollution Reduction has begun with surveillance operations. • Successful National Tree Day event at Artarmon Reserve saw hundreds of locally sourced shrubs, trees and grasses planted and given to enthusiastic residents, including balcony gardeners.

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• A biodiversity monitoring program is be established for the Woollahra LGA, with initial data collection to commence in 2019. • Cooper Park Water Management Study to investigate various catchment management options to increase the water quality of the creek and Double Bay. • Rose Bay Channel naturalisation concept design is being completed to investigate potential construction of a wetland and saltmarsh originally proposed in the Plan of Management. The aim is to increase habitat, improve water quality and increase amenity value. • Woollahra, Waverly and Randwick are in the process of appointing a consultant to complete the Eastern Beaches CMP.

4. Update on SCCG Activities and Projects

4.1 Collaboration

4.1.1 Sydney Harbour Coastal Management Program

SJ provided an update on the development of the Sydney Harbour CMP. The Inaugural Steering Committee Meeting was held on 2 July 2019. Since this meeting, Bruce Thom – NSW Coastal Council has been appointed by Minister Hancock as the Chair of the Sydney Harbour CMP Steering Committee. A Terms of Reference is to be finalised and project governance arrangements workshopped at the next Steering Committee meeting on 19 August 2019.

SCCG and PRCG are representing member councils on the Steering Committee. All 21 Councils within the catchment have been invited to attend the Partners Group on 26 September 2019.

4.1.2 MEMA Workshop

The Marine Estate Management Authority will be presenting at an SCCG member council workshop on 22 August, hosted at Waverley Council. The workshop component will focus on Initiative 1 – Water Quality and Initiative 2 - Coastal habitats and sustainable development and will involve discussion on potential management actions and funding within greater Sydney/Sydney Harbour for Stage 2 of the Marine Estate Management Strategy, as well as opportunities for future collaborations between Councils and MEMA.

4.1.3 AUSMAP

BA provided an update on AUSMAP - the Australian Microplastics Assessment Project, with SCCG being represented on the project Steering Committee. It was noted that samples are being collected from 78 locations around . SCCG council staff have been involved in training days and community days implementing AUSMAP with the community. Councils that have staff certified in the methodology should undertake sampling at least 4 times per year to provide data.

An opportunity to use this program as an educational tool was discussed, for example within the current Harbour Care clean-up program. Another option is within the Summerama program, which may facilitate interest for community to continue sampling and increase data input for AUSMAP. Possible barrier identified in costs as each kit costs approximately $400 (three kits recommended). Kits are available at the Coastal Environment Centre. Woollahra also noted that their kits could be borrowed by other Councils.

4.2 Capacity Building

4.2.1 Get the Site Right

BA provided results from the last Get the Site Right Campaign held in May 2019. It was noted that the program may be run again during October. It was stated that training in compliance is considered a benefit of this program by council compliance staff. BA noted that a webinar had been discussed and should be run out with the next campaign.

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4.3 Advocacy

4.3.1 Water Pollution Hotspots

BA noted that a map was produced from the output of the Water Pollution Hotspot Survey. The intention is for the survey to be sent out annually and the map to be updated with the new information. BA advised that the hotspot information from the survey was provided to Sydney Water at the last quarterly meeting, and Sydney Water were keen to continue with this survey and to extend this to the other ROCS. The map is on the SCCG website member’s login page.

4.3.2 Quarterly Meetings

Sydney Water

It was noted that SCCG are seeking re-commitment from Sydney Water for the MoU at the next quarterly meeting scheduled for 19 September. An opportunity to expand the water pollution hotspot survey was also noted and it will be raised as a standard agenda item to identify whether progress has been made on addressing these hotspots.

Sydney Water has provided some responses/actions regarding the issues/concerns raised at the last meeting from our members. These include: • Recommendation for Sydney Water to meet with individual councils to discuss specific site issues • Presentations to councils on Sydney Water procedures and programs • Provision of information on Sydney Water Stormwater Asset inspections/maintenance schedule (e.g. this has been provided to Waverley Council by BA) • Signage issues/concerns has been forwarded to the correct section/staff within Sydney Water.

TC delegates were invited to raise further issues/concerns for the next meeting in September. Issues raised include: • Key Contacts to be identified • Need to review water pollution signage i.e. current use of words ‘waste water discharge’ misleading for the general public • Issue of leaving water gates in place • Data Sharing (water quality monitoring data, overflows/leakage data, system capacity issues) • Transparency on licence reporting requirements

NSW Coastal Council

It was noted that the main issue Councils wish to raise are related to funding commitments around CMPs.

4.4 Research

4.4.1 Grants

It was noted that SCCG were unsuccessful in the Environmental Research grants. An application has been submitted under the Climate Change Innovation Program using the MyCoast study findings as the basis for a community survey on values, use, understanding of impacts from climate change/hazards and the development of materials to assist community preparedness.

4.4.2 Re-establishment of the Grants Committee

SCCG Grants Committee was in hiatus due to SCCG resourcing, however has been included in the draft Strategic Plan, so the SCCG are asking for member council staff to nominate to sit on the Grants Committee. The Grants Committee’s role is to ensure that SCCG are applying for grants that are relevant to Member Councils. Meetings are scheduled to be held quarterly or on an ‘as needed’ basis.

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The Committee is an effective way to scope for collaborative projects which are more likely to be funded as opposed to initiatives which only benefit one council specifically.

Randwick, Bayside and Waverley Councils have confirmed delegates to sit on the Grants Committee. The remaining Councils are asked to nominate an appropriate delegate to the committee.

5. General Business

5.1 Business Plan Implementation

BA provided an update on the Business Plan and the actions implemented, noting that most actions have been completed. The Business Plan will continue to be in force until the Draft Strategic Plan is adopted at the AGM in November. The final outstanding items relate to the SCCG/Sydney Water MOU/actions which will be discussed at the next quarterly meeting.

5.2 Draft Strategic Plan

It was noted that the draft Strategic Plan was held back by the Executive committee to enable information to be included in the Plan based on the ‘approaching new members and key messages workshop’. The draft Strategic Plan will be endorsed by the Executive Committee on 27 September and will go to the Full Group AGM for adoption on 30 November. The TC delegates have another opportunity to provide further comment on the plan if required.

5.3 Key Messages Survey/Workshop

BA detailed the findings from the ‘Approaching New Members’ Survey completed by TC, Full Group and GM forum delegates. And noted that a Workshop was held with Executive Committee members to develop key messages for new members.

Based on an Options Paper put to previous Full Group/Executive Committee meetings the options to extend membership to Sydney councils as well as central, north and south coast councils was preferred. Another option included the opportunity to approach agencies/other organisations as members. The LGNSW has been invited to be an honorary (non-financial) member. It was raised that well-funded social groups and industry enterprises such as IPWEA and Engineers Australia could be identified as potential members.

It was noted that other organisations such as the previously existing Sydney Harbour CMA used to sit on the Technical Committee as an observer. The issue was raised as to whether the Technical Committee would be open to inviting other organisations to be a part of the Committee? There appeared to be no objections to this option.

5.4 Smart Drumlines Update

BA detailed the findings of the NSW DPI Fisheries ‘Smart Drumlines Trial’ implemented in Northern Beaches Council. It was noted that a community survey undertaken by Fisheries highlighted that the community prefer ‘non-harmful’ methods such as drone surveillance, observation points and personal devices.

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The meeting closed at 1.00pm followed by lunch.

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Wet weather overflow monitoring program

Human health pilot study 15 August 2019

1 Wet weather overflows – a quick history

• Environment Protection Licenses contain frequency targets set in 2000 • Generally range from 20 in 10 years to 40 in 10 years • Spend to date ~$1.5 billion • Frequency targets drive high capital solutions; would require spend > $5.5bn (2012) for limited environmental outcomes • Aim: to deliver sound capital solution planning to improve Sydney’s liveability in a cost effective way EPA proposal

 Change from frequency to a risk- based approach  The risk-based approach assesses waterway ecosystem and public health  Focus: four main coastal systems  Better understand our system and receiving environment through environmental studies and monitoring  Develop skills in technology and methods new to Sydney Water including: Microbial Source Tracking (MST) markers Monitoring approach

Install Compare auto-sampler and passive Ecological method comparison Trash nets Site Public health assessment at four sites sewer and sampler techniques studies assessments rain gauges Phase 1A: conduct dry weather sampling to Conduct four studies of abundance and 1. Test efficacy Year 1: 2017/18 of removal Verify desktop identify stormwater-only sites community structure: physical 1. Review of historic 2018 2. Identify type Understand data - Phase 1B: conduct passive sampler 1. 16S, 18S and CO1 DNA versus of gross characteristics operation of calibration to determine length of morphological taxonomic structure of Category 1 2. Instrument system pollutants deployment and obtain shortlist of 2. CO1 DNA versus ground up and 2 sites installation 2016 compared to chemicals MOUSE macroinvertebrates 3. Assess levels of Pilot monitoring monitoring Pilot pathogens in model Phase 2: refine chemical analysis and 3. 16S and 18S temporal variance in deploy passive samplers for duration community structure untreated determined in Phase 1. wastewater 4. Macroinvertebrate morphological Year 2: 2018/19 collection method improvement 1. Dispersion, dilution and tidal mixing trial Continue Confirm Pending success Confirm Pending 2. Laboratory monitoring of stormwater- of pilot study list of Conduct findings of only sites and chemical widespread pilot study mesocosm die-off sewer and study rain gauges to sites affected Widespread markers ecological Year 3: 2019/20 2018 update by overflows installation of surveys based Install trash MOUSE for passive samples on pilot study nets at key 1. Dispersion over pilotstudies Outcomes ofOutcomes model monitoring findings locations time/recovery period study 2. In-situ- mesocosm die-off study 3. Develop QMRA Targeted monitoring program 2018 - 2021 model 2021

- Weight of evidence Predictive Ecological assessment (WEA) Response Model • Chemical 2018 • Ecotox (WET TIE) PERM and WEA (PERM) • Subsequent ecological Pending findings studies from pilot studies

Waterway ecosystem health Expand public Water quality and health assessment hydrodynamic sites Risk 2021 Aesthetics models Assessment Public health

© Sydney Water 2017. All rights reserved. Commercial in Confidence Davidson Park

Gymea Bay Hen & Chicken Bay Public Health pilot study considerations

To supplement Beachwatch information derived from FIB currently defines illness risk threshold (40 Enterococci) by using Microbial Source Tracking (MST) markers and calibrating those under a QMRA process

Our collaboration with CSIRO proposes an 9 step QMRA process to define human specific MST indicators of sewage contamination of bathing waters that present an illness risk. The current faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) approach does not separate human from animals (dogs, chicken, waterfowl, horses, cow) Davidson Park Gymea Baths MST application findings to date

Freshwater Lake Parramatta expected response observed under dry, and wet weather with brief overflow and another event with more extensive overflow - published

Dual assay developed with Bacteroides HF183 and crAssphage CPQ_056 - published

‘Enhances insights from human and animal host-associated molecular marker genes in a freshwater lake receiving wet weather overflows’ – accepted Human health pilot study framework

• Real world samples from three estuarine locations (dry, stormwater runoff and ‘shandy’ of Field overflows and stormwater runoff) to assess MST markers vs faecal indicator bacteria (FIB)

• Determining the percent recovery of MST marker genes in raw sewage after filtration and Recovery experiment RNA/DNA extraction methods

• To quantify concentrations and ratios of MST markers to pathogens in raw sewage, from 12 WWTP monitoring months study of samples from two wastewater plant inlets

• Laboratory microcosm decay rates of MST marker genes in relation to pathogens and faecal Lab microcosm indicator bacteria

• In-situ (field) microcosm decay rates of MST marker genes in relation to pathogens and In situ microcosm faecal indicator bacteria

• Real world MST marker decay rate study after an overflow event measured on a number of Post event recovery days to verify laboratory and field microcosm decay rates

• Characterising the way visitors use targeted recreational water sites to inform the exposure Public usage survey component of the QMRA

Host • Determining the occurrence and concentrations of MST markers in animal faecal samples specificity

QMRA • Develop a QMRA framework