Narrawallee Inlet Natural Resources Management Strategy
June 2002
NARRAWALLEE INLET
NATURAL RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
As adopted by Shoalhaven City Council On June 25th, 2002
Final Narrawallee Inlet Natural Resources Date: 25 June 2002 Management Plan
FOREWORD
Why A Natural Resources Management Strategy? The Narrawallee Inlet and its catchment are important community assets for environmental, economic, recreational and social reasons. Increasing demands for agricultural, residential and recreational opportunities need to be balanced with protection of the very values that people find attractive. . In response to these demands, Shoalhaven City Council and State Government Agencies have prepared this Natural Resources Management Strategy. This strategy has been developed promote the long- term protection of our environment, and to minimise our impacts on the natural resources of the area
This Management Strategy is accessible at libraries, Council offices and on the Shoalhaven City Council website – www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.
For more information, please contact:
Natural Resources and Floodplain Unit, Shoalhaven City Council PO Box 42 Nowra 2541
Phone: 02 4429 3111 Fax: 02 4429 3175 Email: [email protected] Project supported by:
Final Narrawallee Inlet Natural Resources Date: 25 June 2002 Management Plan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ...... 1
2 NARRAWALLEE INLET, ITS TRIBUTARIES AND CATCHMENT ...... 5
3 KEY ISSUES...... 15
4 MANAGEMENT ISSUES ...... 17
5 MANAGEMENT PLAN ...... 19
6 WATER QUALITY ...... 21
7 EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION...... 30
8 WATER FLOW...... 32
9 NATURE CONSERVATION...... 34
10 ENTRANCE MANAGEMENT ...... 41
11 RECREATION...... 44
12 VISUAL QUALITY ...... 49
13 CULTURAL HERITAGE...... 51
14 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 53
Final Narrawallee Inlet Natural Resources Date: 25 June 2002 Management Plan
The plan has been prepared under the 1 INTRODUCTION following hierarchy of NSW Government policies.
1.1 NARRAWALLEE INLET 1.2.1 NSW Coastal Policy The Narrawallee Inlet is located in the City of Shoalhaven on the New South The NSW Coastal Policy 1997 is the Wales south coast, by road Government's policy for the co- approximately 230 km south of ordinated planning and management Sydney, 60 km south of Nowra and six of the NSW coastal zone. It aims to km north of Ulladulla. The village of guide the management and planning Narrawallee forms the northern end of of the coastal zone by co-ordinating a continuous coastal urban community the various policies, programs and comprising Mollymook and Ulladulla standards that apply at both State and (see Figure 1.1). local government level including the Estuary Management Policy under Narrawallee Inlet has four main which this Estuary Management Plan tributaries – Croobyar, Yackungarrah has been developed. and Currowar Creeks and Garrads Lagoon. The three creeks rise in the The goals of the Coastal Policy escarpment forests within 30km of the establish the overall long term coast and wind through agricultural outcomes for the policy to be lands joining the estuary in a floodplain implemented through specific and wetland complex. objectives and strategic actions for which responsibility is assigned to Most of the land surrounding the government agencies, local councils village is bushland, reserved for public and the wider community. Estuary recreation, environmental protection or management plans are one of the scenic protection. many tools by which the objectives of the Coastal Policy can be met. Narrawallee Inlet's waterways and their catchments are characterised by 1.2.2 Total Catchment Management many environmental, social, Total Catchment Management (TCM) commercial and recreational values is the overlying management approach that make them popular places for a that involves the coordinated use and wide variety of activities. However, the management of land, water, pressure of these uses has sometimes vegetation, ecosystems and other resulted in competition for and resources within a drainage basin. In degradation of the area's natural the Shoalhaven, the Southern resources. Catchment Management Board
manages TCM. In 2002, the Board 1.2 AIM released a draft blueprint for the This Narrawallee Inlet Natural management of natural resources in Resources Management Strategy the region. provides a comprehensive and integrated set of strategies to restore, 1.2.3 NSW Estuary Management protect and conserve the natural Policy resources of the Narrawallee Inlet The NSW Estuary Management Policy its waterways and catchments so as is one of several component policies to ensure that their use is under the umbrella NSW State Rivers ecologically sustainable in the long and Estuaries Policy. The State term. Government has developed the
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St Georges Basin
Sussex Inlet
Swan Lake
Catchment of Narrawallee Inlet Bendalong 80 sq. km.
Narrawallee Inlet Milton Mollymook
Ulladulla Harbour
Burrill Lake N
W E
S Lake Tabourie 02468Kilometers
Figure 1.1. Location of Narrawallee Inlet
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Estuary Management Policy in • Estuary and catchment recognition of the ecological, social management should identify and economic importance of the landcare needs in the catchment. State's estuaries and in response to concern about the long-term No specialised technical investigations consequences of their accelerating or research were undertaken during degradation. This policy forms part of the preparation of this plan. However, a suite of catchment management a number issues which require further policies and ‘provides for the investigation have been identified as assessment of all estuarine uses, the actions arising in the plan. resolution of conflicts and the production of a unified and sustainable 1.4 PLANNING FRAMEWORK management plan for each estuary, There were a range of policies, plans including remedial works and the and strategies that were considered redirection of activities, where during the preparation of this plan. appropriate’ (NSW Government 1992). These included: • NSW State Rivers & Estuaries The goal of the Government’s Estuary Policy Management Policy is to achieve • NSW Wetlands Management Policy integrated, balanced, responsible and • NSW Coastal Policy 1997 ecologically sustainable use of the • Crown Land Foreshore Tenures State’s estuaries, which form a key Policy (non commercial component of coastal catchments. occupations) (1991)
1.3 PLANNING PROCESS Some of the strategies in this plan may This draft plan is a result of research, require amendments to Council discussions and negotiations involving policies, development controls or the Narrawallee Inlet Task Force, consents, permits and/or licences for State Government Agencies, works to repair existing degradation Shoalhaven Council, various (eg bank revegetation) and to prevent community organisations and future damage (eg sediment traps, individual landowners and residents. artificial wetlands). The strategies will The approach has been to examine be taken into account in future the full range of issues and concerns planning for the area. affecting the inlet, its waterways and all of the lands in the catchment. Actions carried out as a result of this plan will have to comply with This approach to natural resource legislation and statutory instruments management is based on the such as: following: • Local Government Act 1993 • The quality of estuaries is largely (Shoalhaven City Council) determined by management of their • Environmental Planning & catchments; Assessment Act 1979 (Dept • It is the policy of government to Planning) integrate the management of • State Environmental Planning natural resources Policy No. 14 - Coastal Wetlands • It is important to increase (Dept Planning) community understanding about • State Environmental Planning how activities in the catchment Policy No. 35 - Maintenance impact the estuary Dredging (Dept Planning) • Community input into planning will • Local Environmental Plan 1985, improve the ways that activities are (SCC) managed in the catchment
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• Crown Lands Act 1989 (Dept Land • Environment Australia and the and Water Conservation) National Oceans Office • Rivers and Foreshores 1.6 CONSULTATION Improvement Act 1948 (DLWC) • Soil Conservation Act 1938 (DLWC) The Narrawallee Inlet Task Force was • Coastal Protection Act 1979 established in 1996 and re-established (DLWC) in 2000 as an advisory committee to • Native Vegetation Conservation Act Shoalhaven City Council. It provides a 1998 (DLWC) forum for resolving conflicting demands on Narrawallee Inlet's • Maritime Services Act 1935 waterways and advises on long-term (Waterways Authority) management strategies. • Fisheries Management Act 1994
(NSW Fisheries) Committee members are drawn from • Protection of the Environment the local community, together with Operations Act 1997 (EPA) Council and State Government • National Parks & Wildlife Act 1974 representatives. The Task Force was (NSW NPWS) established to perform the role of an • Threatened Species Conservation Estuary Management Committee in Act 1995 (NSW NPWS). accordance with the Estuary Management Policy. Task force The information and actions in the plan members have contributed greatly to will be used by Council to develop its the preparation of this plan. Strategic Business Plan that forms part of its internal Management Plan In addition to informal discussions held required under the Local Government with many other people that have an Act. Many outcomes of the strategies interest in Narrawallee Inlet, the and actions in the Plan will be reported broader community has had the in the State of the Environment opportunities to contribute to the Report. preparation of this plan. 1.5 ASSISTANCE A questionnaire was distributed to Shoalhaven City Council and the gauge the Narrawallee Inlet Commonwealth Government (Natural community's opinions on values and Heritage Trust, National Landcare and issues, as well as to provide Coast and Clean Seas) provided information on their use of the natural financial assistance for the preparation resources of the catchment. of this plan. Approximately six hundred were
distributed in November 2000 by In addition, technical assistance has letterbox drop at to all residential areas been provided by: in Narrawallee and Milton and by mail
to all ratepayers with a rural postal • Department of Land & Water address. Conservation (DLWC) • Southern Catchment Management One hundred and forty six responses Board were received before Christmas 2000. • Environment Protection Authority, Results are summarised on pages 15 NSW (EPA) to 18 and 44. • Waterways Authority • NSW Fisheries This plan is the next phase of formal consultation during the preparation of • NSW National Parks & Wildlife the Natural Resources Management Service (NPWS) Strategy for Narrawallee Inlet.
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The inlet is a mature estuarine 2 NARRAWALLEE INLET, ITS complex open to the sea. It has an TRIBUTARIES AND apparently very stable entrance. CATCHMENT A large sand shoal is located on the 2.1 LOCATION AND CHARACTER southern shore, and the channel runs The Narrawallee Inlet is a narrow permanently along the northern side. A water body approx 4km long that is shallow channel extends along the permanently open to the sea. southern side of this shoal.
An estuarine wetland and coastal Storms can send large waves into the forest association surround the inlet inlet, and deposit large volumes of and township. Three major tributaries marine sand. Floods and tides would to the inlet, Croobyar, Yackungarrah rework and redistribute this sand and Currowar Creeks, cross these within the inlet, shoal and beach wetlands into an alluvial floodplain systems. after crossing the rich agricultural soils of the Milton Monzonite. The inlet is a place where marine and terrestrial processes interact to Narrawallee is a residential area produce a particularly sensitive and almost fully developed. It is a popular complex coastal environment. recreational site for both locals and visitors. Though there are few specific This sea level rise six thousand years tourist accommodation or facilities, ago triggered the shoreward transport many houses are holiday residences. of huge volumes of sand that The area receives many day visitors accumulated as beaches, many of and the population of the area which blocked off bays and river increases significantly in holiday mouths. The Narrawallee inlet is the periods. result of one such drowned river valley. The catchment of the inlet includes the Narrawallee suburb, part of the town of The action of tides, storms and floods Milton, large areas of agricultural soils, has resulted in the infilling of most of native forest recently included in the the Narrawallee Inlet, predominantly Morton National Park, native forest in with marine sands. private ownership and significant areas of rural residential development. The wetland complex and the low-lying farmland represent an infilled drowned valley system that developed to this 2.2 THE COAST AND ESTUARY stage prior to human involvement. The Narrawallee Inlet enters the sea Since European settlement, a variety immediately north of Narrawallee of works including weirs, walls, infilling Headland; a 3 ha vegetated outcrop and channels have reduced the extent rising 26m above the surrounding of the estuary to that which exists area. An aquatic reserve has been today. proposed for this rock platform and sub tidal zone. To the south, The estuary in Croobyar Creek ends in Narrawallee Beach extends 1.2 km a weir that restricts saltwater intrusion towards Bannisters Point. To the into the low lying farmland, as well as north, Buckley's Beach extends 5km providing a source of fresh water for north towards the Lake Conjola dairying and grazing purposes. entrance
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Currowar Creek Subcatchment
Yackungarrah Creek P N Subcatchment r i n c Litt e le Fo s rest W E Road H 'w a y S Garrads Croobyar Creek
# Lagoon Subcatchment
# Narrawallee Milton
Figure 2.1. Narrawallee Inlet and its Catchments
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Narrawallee catchment Narrawallee streams # Water Quality sampling points # Property Boundaries 544 SEPP 14 wetlands Narrawallee Groundwater Low Salinity, High Yield 305 # Low Salinity - Low Yield 306 #
570 #
308 # 309 #
307 # N
W E 0 0.8 1.6 2.4 3.2 Kilometers
S
Figure 2.2. Freshwater and Aquatic Features
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Water quality testing at the entrance been due to high inputs of bacteria, consistently shows excellent water sediment and nutrients, particularly quality as a result of the tidal after rainfall events exchange. Yackungarrah Creek was reported as The bed of the inlet is Crown Land and having the lowest water quality result is subject to the Crown Lands Act for any Shoalhaven waterway in the 1989. The Department of Land and 1997/98 State of the Environment Water Conservation have not Report (SCC 1998), indicating the assessed the submerged and intertidal impact of agricultural and rural areas of the inlet. residential uses.
2.3 SURFACE WATER During the 2000/01 monitoring period Croobyar, Yackungarrah and Currowar the Narrawallee Inlet catchment Creeks all rise in the sandstone continued to have poor water quality, escarpment area in the west of the according to the water quality index catchment. In this area, the creeks used in the State of the Environment exhibit a characteristic pool and riffle Reporting. Testing revealed high habit. numbers of faecal coliforms in the upper catchment, and low oxygen Croobyar Creek then flows through the levels, which are indicative of high Monzonite country where the organic loading from surface runoff. character of the creek changes. There Possible sources of these pollutants are few pools in this area, and the are discussed in section 6.3 creek has tended to dry out completely during dry times. The previous Water Resources Commission installed a These results must be kept in context. number of weirs along its length, in The main monitoring site was shifted order to supply water to farms for from near the entrance to Croobyar stock and domestic uses. There are no Creek upstream of the tidal weir fish ladders on any of these weirs. because the testing results in the inlet These weirs still provide some function were consistently excellent. Council in providing water for stock. has chosen to report on the water quality from areas that are largely Yackungarrah and Currowar Creeks cleared and zoned for agriculture and flow directly from the sandstones onto which receives no tidal flushing. These the alluvial soils. Across the alluvial sampling sites provide an indication of floodplain, the creeks flow slowly with the inputs to the system from the main little fall in elevation. On Boolgatta land uses within the catchment. Flat, there are visible relic meanders 2.4 GEOLOGY & SOILS and channels. Towards the inlet, a The Narrawallee Catchment consists constructed drainage channel has of three geological components. replaced the entire original stream.
The farming lands consist of soils The creeks finally flow through an derived from the Milton Monzonite, a alluvial plain of agricultural lands and volcanic laccolith that intruded into fresh and salt water wetland sedimentary layers approximately 255- complexes before entering the inlet. 260 million years ago. The Monzonite
is chemically related to the Gerringong SCC monitoring has revealed a poor Volcanics to the north and the Mount water quality in the lower reaches of Dromedary intrusion in the south. The Croobyar, Yackungarrah and Currowar rock shows large crystals of Creeks during the past 10 years at the plagioclase in a groundmass of ferro- sampling locations. This has largely Final Page 8 Narrawallee Inlet Natural Resources Date: 25 June 2002 Management Strategy
magnesium minerals. The Milton 2.6 NARRAWALLEE INLET Monzonite extends for an area HABITATS approximately 8km in diameter, which Estuarine Ecosystem The includes the bulk of the rich soils of the Narrawallee Inlet represents a clean Milton farming district. The soils are and largely unchanged estuarine eco- derived directly from the breakdown of system involving sea grass beds and the Monzonite. Only the higher points an apparent abundance of aquatic in the district show outcrops. A scree species. It shows only minor slope of monzonite-derived rocks modification of habitat with few water covers a number of steeper sites, quality problems. The banks are where remains of sub-tropical largely stable with only a few instances rainforest persist. (Taken from of undercutting or headcutting. Thompson and Mitchell 1999) According to West et al (1985), the
estuary contains The areas surrounding the Monzonite are conglomerates, siltstones and • 378 Ha of mangroves sandstones of the Conjola Formation, • 14 Ha of seagrass (Zostera spp) laid down in the Permian period. • 91 Ha of saltmarsh These typically have only a shallow soil cover, with a build up of alluvial Freshwater ecosystem. Clearing, on soils along the watercourses. They are the other hand, has changed the support dry sclerophyll eucalypt freshwater system. Much of the forests. riparian vegetation has been removed on the agricultural lands. The creek The flat lands adjoining the estuary banks are largely unfenced and are and the lower reaches of the creeks grazed by cattle. Weirs restrict the are alluvial soils, developed as a movement of species up Croobyar floodplain and in estuarine conditions Creek. No detailed assessment has over the past 5000 years. Extensive been done of the freshwater ecology. wetlands have been drained over the past 150 years, leaving highly Freshwater and estuarine wetlands. productive soils. Regular flooding and The estuarine wetlands in both the drainage limit their use. Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve and on private lands are in a near Some of these alluvial soils are natural state. 196 ha are protected underlain with layers of acid sulfate under SEPP 14.Most of the wetlands material that may cause serious and adjoining buffer areas are zoned environmental problems if they are for environment protection. The disturbed or drained. Acid sulfate soils estuary has well vegetated foreshore when exposed to oxygen produce for most of its length, of grey and river sulfuric acid that can pollute the mangroves, swamp oaks and creeks and estuary and severely bangalay communities. degrade the aquatic ecosystem. Severe development restrictions apply Coastal Eucalypt/Banksia forest to these lands. along dune system This provides a magnificent backdrop to the beach and 2.5 GROUNDWATER to the township, making the beach feel Groundwater resources exist in the very remote from the urban area. sandstones and beach sands along There has been major damage to the the eastern edge of the catchment. dunes from ocean storms, most This provides a high yield of low recently in the 1970s. There has been salinity water with high iron content. some damage to trees along the No assessment of water quality has foreshore, in an attempt to obtain been done. views by some residents. The dune Final Page 9 Narrawallee Inlet Natural Resources Date: 25 June 2002 Management Strategy
system in the nature reserve has well- Local Aboriginal Land Council covers developed parallel dunes with old the area. growth forests. In the past, this provided a good source of Blackbutt The catchment has not been timber. extensively surveyed for Aboriginal sites. The Narrawallee and Conjola Eucalypt and Turpentine Forests silica deposits were an important Remnant eucalypt forests with good source of stone for tools and were fauna populations separate the traded a considerable distance along Narrawallee urban area from the the coast and inland. There are a wetlands and farmland to the west. small number of known middens or These provide a natural backdrop to Aboriginal sites along the foreshore both Narrawallee and Milton urban and in the Narrawallee and areas. These forests have an Yatteyattah Nature Reserves. important visual role from both Milton 2.8 EUROPEAN HERITAGE and Narrawallee. Evidence remains of the silica mining Forest Red Gum Forests The bulk of operation. Ore was taken by rail the Milton farming lands were across the entrance for export from originally covered by forest red gum, Bannisters Point. Remains of this which now survives intact in only a structure still exist in the sand spit and small number of locations. There are are often revealed after storms. scattered copses of old trees on various farms throughout the Milton and the agricultural lands of catchment, for example on either side Boolgatta Flat retain much evidence of of the highway on Boolgatta Flat. the original dairying industry and early European settlement. Milton has a Subtropical Rainforest Moist and significant number of historic buildings dry subtropical rainforest pockets and structures. The pastoral occur at and around the Yatteyattah landscapes around Milton identify the original patterns of land subdivision Nature Reserve, as well as on the th steeper slops around Milton and in from the 19 century. some escarpment gullies. This 2.9 RESOURCE USE rainforest type is described as 2.9.1 Waterways inadequately preserved on the south coast (Robinson and Boefeldt 1997). Narrawallee Beach is very popular for Some assessment of these remnants swimming and surfing. More recently, has been done and they appear to be commercial sea kayaking and the use stable. of personal water craft (PWCs) have become popular in the ocean waters Escarpment eucalypt forests, adjacent to the village. The use of Significant eucalypt forests comprising PWCs may conflict with other passive bloodwood, peppermint and recreational activities within the stringybark occur in both the National enclosed area of the inlet. Park and rural areas in the western portion of the catchment. The estuary is used for fishing, swimming, canoeing and boating. The 2.7 ABORIGINAL HERITAGE upper reaches are less frequently The Narrawallee Inlet catchment is used, and represent a very quiet, located within the lands of the natural narrow waterway of great Wandandian speaking people and beauty. The foreshore reserve is very Budawang/Murramarang tribes of the important for walking and picnics. Dhurga language group. The Ulladulla
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Some recreational fishing and bait included in the Milton Ulladulla collection occurs in the Inlet. The Structure Plan, leading to the release limited commercial fishing in the Inlet of the Milton Ulladulla Strategy in is due to be phased out by the end of 1996. Amendments to the draft LEP 2002. currently on exhibition implement changes arising from this Structure A public boat ramp is located on the Plan. These amendments; southern side of the inlet, although • rezone lands on the western boat access is limited to the top of the fringe of Narrawallee for tidal range. residential uses and for environmental protection; In general, waterway usage increases • expand the scenic protection greatly during the summer months and zoning along the inlet; and holiday periods. Narrawallee Inlet is a • identify the corridor for the popular tourist destination for families. highway diversion to the west Tourist accommodation is restricted to of Milton. the letting of holiday houses and weekenders. However, the area, in The land area for the land use zones particular the surfing beach, is is shown in Table 2-1. Figure 2-3 intensively by both residents of and shows the land use zoning as at visitors staying in the Mollymook and October 2001. Ulladulla areas. The peak tourist seasons are over the summer holiday Table 2.1 Zoning categories and land period and at Easter. areas as at October 2001. Zone Description of zone Area % 2.9.2 Surface Water in ha Are Croobyar, Yackungarrah and Currowar a Creeks are used for rural water supply 1A Agricultural Production 2279 27% Zone for stock and domestic uses. The 1A Agricultural Production 503 6% extent or number of users is not (LE Zone proposed for known. At least two irrigation licences P rural lifestyle use and occur on Croobyar Creek. 127) deferred 1B Rural Zone-Arterial 506 6% 2.9.3 Groundwater and Main Road High yield, low salinity groundwater Protection reserves occur in the dune system in 1C Rural Lifestyle Zone 377 5% the Narrawallee Creek Nature 1D General Rural Zone 1448 17% Reserve. Low yield, low salinity 1G Rural Flood Liable 75 1% groundwater is found in within 3-4km Zone 2 Various Residential 135 2% of the coast and under the wetland Zones system. Narrawallee is serviced by a 3 Various Business 3 0% reticulated water supply, (treated Zones Shoalhaven River water). 5 Various Special Use 8 0% Groundwater is used for watering of Zones gardens in the Narrawallee suburb. 6 Various Open Space – 71 1% Recreation Zones 2.9.4 Land Use 7A Environment 173 2% Protection Ecology Land use in the Narrawallee Inlet area Zone is subject to the Shoalhaven Local 7D Environment 506 6% Environmental Plan (LEP) 1985, as Protection Scenic amended. The area south of the Zone estuary and Croobyar Creek was 7E Environment 183 2%
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Protection Escarpment areas, and that a sharp boundary be Zone maintained between the urban and 7F Environment 30% rural areas. Overall, the potential for Protection Coastal expansion of both Narrawallee and Zone Milton under current planning controls 8 National Park including 2093 25% is quite limited. previous State Forests
The 1996 Settlement and Population A large area of land in the catchment Statistics for Narrawallee Inlet are is agriculture, including dairying, shown in Table 2-2. grazing, horticulture and other uses.
This agriculture is predominantly Table 2.2 1996 Settlement Population located on the Milton Monzonite and Statistics. on the alluvial floodplain. The number Town/Area Population Population of dairies has declined from 3 to 2, 1996 growth, although production on individual 1991-96 farms is intensifying. Appropriate Milton 1030 1.0% infrastructure (bulk milk handling, abattoir and sale yards) exists in the Narrawallee 892 4.4% area to maintain this agriculture. Rural n/a 4.6%
The general rural zone comprises a Most of the foreshore land is zoned for mixture of grazing, forestry and native environmental protection (both ecology vegetation on steeper land in the and scenic protection), flood prone sandstone country. Some residential land or National Park. development exists along Little Forest Road. A significant area of the catchment is National Park. This includes the Three Rural Lifestyle Zones exist, escarpment forests of the Morton along Little Forest Road, Pointers National Park, the rainforests of the Road and Garrads Lane. Four Yatteyattah Nature Reserve and the additional areas were proposed as coastal and estuarine wetlands in the rural lifestyle zones in the Rural Plan Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve. amendments but remain deferred. The Plans of management are underway future of any development in these for the Yatteyattah Nature Reserve (on deferred areas is undecided. The exhibition) and the Narrawallee Creek Structure Plan estimated that one lot Nature Reserve (in preparation). per five hectares would be sustainable Residents and visitors use these areas in these areas, although recent as a recreational resource (especially subdivision approvals have yielded a for walking and nature observation). significantly higher number of lots. The Milton Monzonite represents a Narrawallee and Milton urban areas significant reserve of hard rock for are mostly zoned residential 2A1, with possible use in road building and in a lower density residential zone the construction. The Department of eastern edge of Milton. Most privately Mineral Resources has identified the owned land that is zoned for Little Forest Monzonite Deposit as a residential development has been potential extractive resource. There developed. The Structure Plan are various other hard rock sites that specifies that both townships should are unlikely to be exploited. not expand beyond their current zoned
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Past excavations of drainage channel Disturbed acid layers on Currowar Creek
3 drained areas pose risk
Narrawallee catchment Creeks Property Boundaries SEPP 14 Wetlands ACID SULFATE SOILS Beach High probability at or near surface High probability within 1 m of surface High probability between 1 and 3 m below surface N High probability > 3 m below surface Headcut into High probability in bottom sediments floodplain Low probability at or near surface Low probability within 1 m of surf ace Low probability between 1 and 3 m below surface W E Low probability > 3 m below surf ace Low probability in bottom sediments S Ocean 0 1 2 Kilometers
Figure 2.3. Acid Sulfate Soils Final Page 13 Narrawallee Inlet Natural Resources Date: 25 June 2002 Management Strategy
Narrawallee catchment Creeks 1D Property Boundaries LAND USE ZONES 1A Prime Agricultural Land 1A Prime Agriculture proposed for Rural Residential 1B Rural Main Road Protection 1A 1C Rural residential 1B N 1D General Rural Land 8 1G Rural Flood Liable 1D 8 2 Residential 1D W E 3 Business 7A 5 Special Uses 6 Recreation - Open Space 1C 1D S 7A Environment Protection - Ecology 7D 7D Environment Protection - Scenic 8 7E Environment Protect ion Escarpment 1D 7F Environment Protection-Coastal 8 8 National Park includes ex-forest ry 1A 7E 1D deferred 7A 1D 1B 1A 8 8 1C 7A 1C 1A 1A deferred d 1G e 7D 8 r r e f
e d 1C 7D A
1 1D 1A 7D deferred 8 0 2 4 6 Kilometers 7D
Figure 2.4. Land Use Zoning Summary
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• No cost access, picnic facilities 3 KEY ISSUES and amenities • Passive recreation area including The equitably management of a both the waterway and foreshores; resource requires identification of the • Nature strip behind beach key ecological, social and economic • Safe swimming area; values that people with an interest in • Unique so close to urban area; the area consider important and wish to see preserved into the future. • Fishing still good; Values can be important in a local, • Absence of broken bottles and regional or national sense. syringes; clean beaches; • Sea eagles on North Narrawallee The following statements of what is Headland important about Narrawallee Inlet and • Natural foreshore appearance; its catchment were taken from records • Beautiful approaches to Milton and of public meetings, Task Force Narrawallee meetings and from other research on • Sustainable dairying, recreation the area. A survey of residents was and residential areas undertaken in 1999, and respondents were asked to rate these statements according to whether they considered them to be high, medium or low importance.
The table shows the percentages of responses for each of these value statements.
The priority score was established by creating an index. A score of plus one was attributed to a reply of high importance, and a score of minus one for a reply of low importance. No score was given for replies in the medium importance. For ease of comparison, this value was divided by the total number of questionnaires returned. The index is therefore a number between zero and one. This index aims to take into account scores for all three columns. The categories have been grouped to break up the list a little.
Additional values identified by respondents in the survey included; • Trees on both public and private land • Unique tranquil inlet • Special and beautiful area; • The whole inlet • Coastline • Peace and quiet
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Table 3.1 NARRAWALLEE INLET QUESTIONNAIRE, RANKING OF VALUES, DECEMBER 2000
Score High Medium Low
AQUATIC Water quality of the creeks and inlet 0.97 97% 1% 1% SCENIC The scenic quality of the entrance area, tidal flats, foreshores, beaches & 0.94 95% 4% 1% headlands.
TERRESTRIAL Habitat for threatened and common native animals and birds 0.88 90% 6% 2% AQUATIC Populations of wading birds, fish and other aquatic animals 0.87 88% 8% 1% TERRESTRIAL The small pockets of remnant rainforest 0.84 86% 11% 2% TERRESTRIAL The coastal bushland and heath adjacent to the Narrawallee urban area 0.82 86% 10% 4% TERRESTRIAL The tall forests in the west of the catchment 0.82 86% 10% 4% RECREATION Recreational destination for local families with a safe environment for young 0.80 86% 9% 5% children AQUATIC Seagrass beds, mangroves and foreshore vegetation 0.78 82% 14% 3% AQUATIC The extensive wetlands around the inlet 0.78 83% 10% 5%
TERRESTRIAL Vegetation on the banks of creeks 0.73 77% 19% 3% RECREATION Nature-based recreation, walking, and education in the wetlands and nature 0.71 74% 23% 3% reserve RECREATION A diverse range of recreational activities, in particular boating, fishing and 0.69 72% 25% 3% swimming.
SOCIAL Low key, coastal residential lifestyle. 0.58 64% 28% 6% SCENIC The landscapes of the current and former dairy farms around Milton 0.48 60% 27% 12% HERITAGE Historic buildings and sites of early European settlement 0.36 51% 32% 16% SOCIAL Productive and profitable dairy and grazing industries. 0.32 49% 34% 16% HERITAGE Aboriginal sites around the foreshore areas 0.30 49% 31% 18%
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• A halt to commercial fishing and 4 MANAGEMENT ISSUES illegal fishing; • The noise and nuisance caused by Key issues and conflicts associated power boats and personal water with the area were identified by the craft. community, task force members, • Littering and rubbish dumping Local, State and Commonwealth around the foreshore and Government representatives and from bushland; previous studies and reports. • Dogs on the reserve and foreshore and In the 1999 survey, residents were • Development and subdivision in asked to rate this range of issues, urban and rural areas. according to whether they saw them as a major issue, a minor issue or not New issues raised by respondents an issue at all. included;
These issues are discussed in detail in • speeding cars and the large the management plan section of this volume of traffic in summer strategy and, where appropriate, • sand build up in the inlet management actions are proposed for • poor urban design dealing with them. • poor management of roads, foreshore and natural areas Table 4.1 shows the percentages of • illegal fishing and the catching of responses for each of these issues. undersized fish and lobsters and • signage and overhead wires. The priority score was established by creating an index. To calculate the index, for each questionnaire a score of plus one was attributed to a reply of that the issues was a major issue, and a score of minus one for a reply of not an issue. No score was given for a reply of a minor issue. For ease of comparison, this value was divided by the total number of questionnaires returned. The index is therefore a number between zero and one. This index aims to take into account the differing levels of response. The categories have been grouped to break up the list a little.
Respondents were asked to list any additional issues that they considered to be of importance. 59 respondents (40% of all replies) did so. Many respondents took this an opportunity to highlight the issues that they considered to be the most serious. Issues that were frequently mentioned included;
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Table 4.1 NARRAWALLEE INLET QUESTIONNAIRE, RANKING OF ISSUES, DECEMBER 2000 Score % major % minor % Not an issue
Pollutants in the stormwater run off from urban areas 0.89 89% 6% 1% Introduced animals including foxes, cats, black rats and rabbits 0.87 88% 6% 3% The spread of weeds in native bushland 0.86 86% 9% 3% Powerboat and jet ski usage in the channel 0.84 87% 5% 5% Littering and degrading of natural areas 0.85 84% 12% 1%
Loss of sensitive ecosystems, habitat for native species & rainforest remnants 0.80 81% 12% 3% The threat to fish stocks from loss of habitat 0.76 81% 10% 6% Foreshore erosion 0.72 76% 16% 5% Clearing of foreshore vegetation 0.68 73% 15% 5% Loss of the wildlife corridor linking the coastal and inland natural areas 0.69 73% 16% 7% Public health risks in the Inlet from bacterial contamination 0.68 76% 8% 10%
Increased rural residential development 0.65 66% 26% 3% The threat to fish stocks from recreational and commercial fishing 0.64 68% 21% 7% Damage to wetlands through inappropriate grazing, rural or recreational uses. 0.60 66% 20% 8% Expansion of the urban areas (Narrawallee and Milton) 0.59 64% 25% 8%
Illegal access to and camping on the foreshore 0.51 59% 26% 11% Agricultural practices and grazing of the creek banks 0.49 57% 27% 11% Erosion from driveways in both urban and rural areas 0.49 56% 29% 10% Overcrowding and overuse of the recreational areas of the Inlet 0.45 57% 28% 12% Damage to the remaining Aboriginal sites 0.32 49% 29% 18% Adequacy of the recreational and boating facilities 0.22 45% 27% 23%
Land shortages and restrictions on the dairying industry 0.09 29% 41% 22% Difficulties in launching boats at low tide -0.05 32% 27% 37%
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• monitoring and research. 5 MANAGEMENT PLAN
5.2 IMPLEMENTATION 5.1 MANAGEMENT AREAS, Responsibility for implementation of OBJECTIVES, STRATEGIES AND the Management Plan and its ACTIONS individual components lies with the various organisations and individuals This management plan is grouped into listed in the tables. The Narrawallee eight management areas: Inlet Task Force will monitor and advise on this implementation. 1. Water Quality 2. Erosion and Sedimentation Following this exhibition of the draft 3. Water Flow plan, submissions will be assessed; 4. Nature Conservation changes to the draft plan discussed by 5. Entrance Management the task force and a final plan put to 6. Recreation Council for adoption. Following 7. Visual Quality adoption, the task force will work with 8. Cultural Heritage government departments, community groups, the Southern Catchment Each management area is discussed Development Board and funding in further detail in the following agencies to implement the plan. sections. The issues of concern are documented, as are the actions Timing for implementation of strategies required to manage the concerns and is indicated. Three timeframes for the environmental performance implementation were chosen: short measures necessary for gauging the (present to June 2003), medium (July effectiveness of the actions in 2003 to June 2006) and long term achieving environmental outcomes. (July 2006 to June 2011).
Management objectives were Implementation will depend on cost of developed to ensure that the area's the strategies and available funds. key values are maintained or Consequently, some low priority improved. The objectives developed strategies may be implemented in the address the eight management areas short term because they require little identified. or no additional funding for implementation. Indicative costs of Management strategies have been some actions are given in the tables. written to achieve the management objectives by addressing identified issues. 5.3 FUNDING SOURCES Council will fund many of the actions Actions required to implement the set out in the plan. The level of strategies are detailed for each resources provided by Council will be management area. balanced against all of Council’s other priorities. A range of funding sources The various strategies and actions (both State and Commonwealth) is consist of: available to assist Council with • advice on planning and implementation of the plan. Tables 5- development controls 1 and 5-2 indicate State and • protective and remedial works Commonwealth funding programs. • education programs
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Some of these programs accept grant Industries & Fisheries Research & applications at any time during the Energy Development year whilst others have fixed Corporation submission periods. The Environment Natural Heritage Trust organisations and individuals Australia responsible for implementation of the Department National Ecotourism plan will have to develop and submit of Tourism Program applications for funds in a timely Ecotourism Grants manner. Program Department Work for the Dole Table 5-1 State Funding Sources of Green Corp Employment Jobskills Program Department Program Education Department Estuary Management and Training of Land and Program Water Coastal Management Conservation Program 5.4 ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT - Waterways Program REVIEW Floodplain Management Program The Management Plan will be Rivercare Incentive reviewed on an annual basis. The Scheme success of the plan will be judged Land Management against specific environmental Programs performance measures and targets Native Vegetation developed to assess actions and Conservation Program strategies against objectives. The Public Reserves plan will need to be updated as new Management Fund data and feedback from the Waterways Waterways Asset performance measures become Authority Development and available, as strategies are Management Program implemented and as community Roads & Roadside values or issues change. Traffic Vegetation/Corridors Authority NSW Fishcare Fisheries Recreational Fishing Trust State Fishways Program EPA Environmental Trust Grants Stormwater Trust Program
Table 5-2 Commonwealth Funding Sources Department Program Department Farm Forestry of Primary Rural Access Program
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• Nitrogen and phosphorous 6 WATER QUALITY should remain below .5 and .05 mg/ml respectively; 6.1 VALUES • Turbidity should remain in the very low range. Water quality is one of the key factors • pH should not fall below 6.5; determining the ecological character of and an estuary. It is important to people using the estuary for recreational or • Waters should be free of commercial purposes, for the tourist floating debris and litter industry and for those living on its foreshores and adjacent areas. Different objectives apply to bacterial counts. A lower bacterial level is required for those creeks used for The water quality of Narrawallee Inlet household water supply (zero cfus per is considered to be very good. The 100 ml). Otherwise, the level required entrance is permanently open, and for primary contact recreation would effective flushing occurs along the be the general goal (150 cfus per 100 length of the estuary. However, ml). problems do occur in Croobyar and Yackungarrah Creeks after rainfall The fundamental principles guiding events, particularly with bacterial water quality management should be pollution, elevated levels of nutrients the notion of continual improvement in and finer sediments. the management of activities in the catchment, and the implementation of The health of the biological the National Water Quality communities and habitats of ecological Management Strategy (Australian and value found in the creek as well as the New Zealand Guidelines For Fresh wide variety of recreational and Marine Water Quality, ANZECC opportunities depend upon an 2000). acceptable standard of water quality. Implementation of the new ANZECC guidelines is seen as a long-term objective. The first necessary stage is 6.2 OBJECTIVES to implement changes to the water To ensure that water quality in the quality monitoring program as outlined creeks and inlet meets the NSW in action 23. Governments Interim Water Quality Objectives for the protection of aquatic ecosystems, visual amenity, 6.3 ISSUES secondary and primary contact The most recent State of the recreation, limited household and Catchment Report (1998/2000) livestock water supply and aquatic concludes for the fresh water quality in foods (cooked). the Narrawallee Inlet catchment as follows; The EPA has established Water Quality Objectives for the estuaries The water quality index (for Croobyar and freshwater creeks of the Creek, site 570) was in the poor Shoalhaven. These objectives are category for all four sampling periods. quite lengthy and complex. Those … These results do not reflect the applying to both the Narrawallee Inlet water quality in Narrawallee Inlet, and its creeks are as follows. which is usually excellent.
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Nutrient levels (the concentration of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water) Upstream land management practices at site 570 (Croobyar Creek below the in the catchment that may influence highway. See map on page 7) water quality include (not in order of consistently exceed the EPA importance): dairy and pig sheds; maximum level, and greatly exceed it grazing and degrading of riparian after rainfall events. Chlorophyll-a areas; clearing, residential levels (an indicator of algal growth) are development; increases in the area of also high, most likely in response to hard surfaces; poor road and driveway high nutrients. maintenance and construction. The Milton or Narrawallee urban areas are Bacterial levels regularly exceed the not upstream of the test sites. EPA guideline level at all sites in the tributaries. Turbidity, a measure of the Narrawallee has 650 hectares of soils amount of suspended sediment in the with a high probability of acid sulfate water, is also regularly very high at site layers. These are the farming lands 570. In comparison, turbidity levels and wetlands at the top of the estuary. are very low at sites higher in the There is some potential for acid sulfate catchment (site 307). pollution of the inlet from three areas of farmland that were previously Testing of oxygen levels has wetlands, as well as from drain consistently shown low dissolved maintenance. There is some past oxygen levels in several creeks during evidence of disturbed acid layers on dry periods with low flows (sites 305, Currowar Creek. Some investigation is 306 and 307). required to assess whether acid drainage into the inlet is occurring. All of these indicators can have serious impacts on the aquatic life in Important Water Quality issues ranked the freshwater creeks, and possibly in by the community during the the upper reaches of the estuary. preparation of this plan are included in These may include direct kills as well the following table. Alongside each as the reduction or significant changes issue are some comments regarding in the habitat of native species. the extent of the issues.
Table 6.1 Water Quality Issues Issue Comment Pollutants in the stormwater run off There are no pollution traps below Milton, while from urban areas sediment traps service one third of the Narrawallee urban area. Urban development in Narrawallee has generated significant amounts of fine sediment that has, for example, filled up the drainage line known as Garrads Lagoon. Foreshore erosion Several areas of localised undercutting of the bank exist. Undercutting of the reserve above and below the boat ramp has occurred where there is little foreshore vegetation. An active headcut exist on agricultural lands below Garrads Lane. Public health risks in the Inlet from No evidence of bacterial contamination has bacterial contamination been found in the inlet itself. However, high coliform levels have been found after rain
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events in the tributaries. Increased rural residential Clearing, development works, on site effluent development treatment and increases in hard surfaces are all possible generators of bacteria, sediment and nutrients. The extent of any impact on water quality is uncertain. Damage to wetlands through Some areas of wetlands have been grazed or inappropriate grazing, rural or damaged by vandalism. recreational uses. Agricultural practices and grazing There are now 2 dairies and one piggery in the of the creek banks catchment. Their effluent systems are regularly inspected and subject to government controls. Dairy and beef cattle graze most of the riparian zones though not on a permanent basis. The extent of creek bank fencing has increased. In some flood prone areas, fencing would not be possible. The significance of this issue on water quality is difficult to quantify. Erosion from driveways in both Erosion of driveways is common in both urban urban and rural areas and rural areas. However, it is uncertain how significantly this contributes to sediment and nutrients in the waterways.
available for most sites for bacterial 6.4 EXISTING DATA contamination, dissolved oxygen, pH, The issue that is not well understood is temperature, salinity and turbidity which of the land uses contribute most during this period. Nutrient testing significantly to the water quality was done initially at the entrance (site problems. There is little reliable data 309), and later at Croobyar Creek to identify what actions would most below the highway (site 570). significantly contribute to water quality improvements. Council has completed Water quality testing results for the a study in the neighbouring a study for period 1998-2000 can be found on the Burrill Lake Catchment, aimed at Councils web site at identifying where the most significant www.shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au\soer improvements can be made in water quality. This study concluded that In a bid to simplify the assessment of works to improve riparian management water quality monitoring data, Council would have the most significant impact has adopted a composite water quality on water quality. index. The index for Croobyar Creek below the Highway (site 570) for the Data measuring the physical, chemical period 1999-2001 is shown in table and biological parameters of water 7.4.2. This should be read in quality in Narrawallee Inlet and its conjunction with section 2.3, which tributaries are available for the years explains the monitoring program. 1991 to the present. Testing has occurred at a number of sites over this period (see figure 2.2). Data is
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Water Quality Summary, Croobyar Creek (Site 570).
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Stormwater upgrading proposed b
Sediment traps in place r b
Narrawallee catchment Creeks Property Boundaries b 10m Coutours Stormwater system b Ocean and Estuary
b b b r # b b
r b N
0 0.4 0.8 1.2 Kilometers W E
S Figure 6.1 Urban Stormwater Proposals Final Page 25 Narrawallee Inlet Natural Resources Date: 25 June 2002 Management Strategy
6.5 WATER QUALITY STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS
Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimate Responsibil Performance Target d Cost ity Indicator Upgrade urban 1. Install appropriate sediment and Medium Mediu Uncost SCC Turbidity and 9 outlets stormwater nutrient amelioration measures at m and ed coliform levels upgraded treatment in Milton priority stormwater outlets – 2 in long measured and Narrawallee Milton and 7 in Narrawallee before and after works. 2. Monitor the sediment extracted Low Short No cost SCC Regular reports to from the Leo Drive and Wondalla Task Force Way sediment traps 3. Maintain the vegetated character High Mediu Unkno SCC, Foreshore Character of the ‘Garrads Lagoon’ creek m wn DLWC, vegetation, maintained bed and riparian zone. private weeds, erosion land owner 4. Investigate the need to remove Low Mediu Unkno SCC, Depth of Investigation sediment from Garrads Lagoon. m wn DLWC, additional completed private material land deposited owner Reduce the 5. Maintain grassed road verges in Medium Ongoin Uncost SCC Evidence of Stable roadside generation of the Milton and Narrawallee flats g ed erosion of verges on all pollutants in the areas, with kerb and gutter verges or urban roads. stormwater from construction on the steeper deposition Milton and slopes of Narrawallee and sealed downstream Narrawallee verges in selected areas 6. Maintain Councils street Medium Ongoin No SCC Program sweeping program. g addition maintained al cost
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Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimate Responsibil Performance Target d Cost ity Indicator 7. Implement best practice erosion High Short Variabl Builders, Best No evidence of and sediment controls on all e SCC management sedimentation subdivision and building sites Practices below building within the catchment widely used sites 8. Install rollover diversions on Medium Short Not Owners Education eroding bush tracks and costed programs driveways implemented 9. When necessary, remove Medium Short No SCC Evidence of No data available sediment from drains in sections, addition erosion on to establish leaving time for one section to al cost tracks and targets recover before disturbance of driveways next section 10. Ensure new or remodelled drains Medium Mediu Variabl SCC Strategy adopted are designed with adequate m e and implemented capacity to incorporate by Council vegetation 11. Continue to educate Council field Medium Short $1000 SCC SCC internal staff in best practice for design guideline stormwater management adopted 12. Use best practice sediment Medium Short No SCC Design guideline controls when working in drains extra adopted cost 13. Allow only compatible fill in the Medium Short No cost SCC, Report to Task Narrawallee and Milton urban DLWC Force from areas SCC Promote best 14. Seek native vegetation along all High Short Unkno SCC, Fencing and 3 sites fenced and practice in the foreshore areas of the tidal wn DLWC, foreshore revegetated management of section of the estuary NSW vegetation riparian areas Agriculture , farmers
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Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimate Responsibil Performance Target d Cost ity Indicator 15. Seek incentives and assistance High Short Not SCC, Grants and At least one per to finance improvements in costed DLWC, incentives year. riparian management. Milton gained Rural Landcare 16. Seek farm management of High Short No SCC, Continuing Discussions held grazing areas which minimises public DLWC, changes in with all farmers stock access to foreshore areas cost NSW farm with riparian lands and riparian areas incorporating Agriculture management and management shelter belts away from , farmers, arrangements in watercourses, off stream Milton place watering and fencing where Rural appropriate Landcare Promote best 17. Encourage all intensive High Short No SCC, local On ground Negotiations with practice in the agriculture to implement the and public farmers works in place farmers to management of irrigation of effluent, effective Ongoin cost establish targets rural industries and sediment and nutrient traps g and timeframes. activities below bare or heavily trafficked areas and riparian buffers below areas with intensive use within negotiated time periods 18. Encourage and promote Medium Ongoin Not SCC, On ground Information continual water quality g costed DLWC works in place provided to improvements in the landowners. management of all rural activities 19. Undertake programs to reduce Medium Short Uncost SCC Table drains Works in place. sediment run off from rural roads, ed diverted into traps at regular intervals
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Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimate Responsibil Performance Target d Cost ity Indicator 20. Adopt the objective of no net High Short No SCC Works in Development increase in sediment and nutrient public place. controls in place. export from all new cost Turbidity levels Particular targets developments in rural areas. in creeks to be established. below developments 21. Develop water quality controls Medium Mediu Uncost SCC Works in Development for rural lifestyle developments. m ed place. controls in place. Turbidity levels Particular targets in creeks to be established below developments 22. Liase with owners of lands with Medium Short Uncost SCC PH in Investigation acid sulfate soils and advise on ed watercourses completed. best management practices. below sites. 23. Modify the water quality High Short Uncost SCC Changes monitoring program in order to ed implemented increase the understanding of the impact of particular land uses. Educate residents 24. Implement Stormwater Medium Short Refer SCC Changes in and visitors on Management Plan education Stormw resident stormwater issues initiatives directed at companion ater behaviour. and solutions animals, car washing and Manag bushland friendly parks and ement gardens. Plan
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The foreshore reserve adjoining the 7 EROSION AND urban area has had several stages of SEDIMENTATION stabilisation works. In addition, a revegetation program along the 7.1 VALUES foreshore has been implemented. Stable soils and creek banks mean However, none of these works have that land remains productive, for been fully effective in halting erosion. agriculture, for sustaining ecological Addition works are in train to reinforce communities and for supporting existing works with fill and replanting. human uses. Foreshore and riparian vegetation are a significant component Some foreshore erosion and of stable foreshore areas. undercutting is apparent at a number of locations along the lower reaches of Coastal waterways are subject to the estuary. Storm seas have some natural infilling by sediment dislodged log retaining walls along the transported from the catchment and reserve. There is also some head eroded from banks. Narrawallee is an cutting at the tidal limit of drainage extreme case of this, with significant lines towards Milton. infilling over the past 5,000 years resulting in extensive wetlands and floodplains and a narrow, elongated waterbody.
7.2 OBJECTIVES To minimise the erosion of soil from the catchments and creek banks and to protect Narrawallee Inlet and its creeks from excessive sedimentation.
7.3 ISSUES The sediment load of Narrawallee Inlet is contributed to from erosion of tracks, erosion of unsealed road verges & stormwater drains in Narrawallee and Milton, run off from building sites and newly developed areas & from other disturbed areas. All of these issues are covered in the water quality section and will not be discussed further here.
The sand shoals near the entrance are a significant ecological element of the estuary. They also contribute to restricted boat access from the Normandy St boat ramp. There is some community pressure for dredging in this area. This is discussed in the recreation and entrance management sections.
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7.4 EROSION AND SEDIMENTATION STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimated Responsi Performa Target Cost bility nce Indicator Retain and protect the 25. Stabilise and revegetate foreshore High Short $22,000 SCC, Foreshore vegetated foreshores of areas at and upstream of the DLWC stabilisation the estuary urban area, using appropriate completed means. 26. Monitor bank erosion and Low Ongoing Uncosted DLWC, Rate of Monitoring undercutting in the middle and NPWS, foreshore completed and lower reaches of the estuary – SCC, recession assessed. (This is a possible university student project) 27. Undertake works to halt head Mediu Short Uncosted Landowne Works cutting in drainage lines below m rs completed Milton Minimise input of See actions under Water Quality sediments into the estuary
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Commission to maintain water 8 WATER FLOW supplies to farms during dry periods. It is understood that the creek would dry 8.1 VALUES up entirely during dry periods. The Water flows in Croobyar, lowest weir serves to prevent the tidal Yackungarrah and Currowar Creeks inundation of farmland and to provide are important for the freshwater fresh water for stock and dairy use. ecology and for domestic and farm water supply. Several weirs have Some landowners manage the top four been constructed along Croobyar weirs to hold water during dry periods, Creek for this purpose. and to occasionally supply water to the 8.2 OBJECTIVES weirs further down. They have recently been inspected by NSW To maintain the natural flow patterns Fisheries as barriers to the passage of of the creeks into the estuary fish along the creek. It seems likely
that the cost of their modification or The EPA has established Water Flow removal cannot be justified by the Objectives for all of the coastal ecological improvements. No such estuaries, including Narrawallee Inlet. weirs were built on Yackungarrah or These objectives are: Currowar Creeks. • To maintain wetland and floodplain inundation; Flooding is an issue in the Garrads • To manage groundwater for Lane area, with water draining off the ecosystems; Milton urban area. The increase in • To minimise effects of weirs and hard surfaces in Milton, and the loss of structures; and native vegetation, would be expected • To maintain or rehabilitate to increase the amount and speed of estuarine processes and this run off, increasing local structures. stormwater problems. Subsequently, water flow in the creeks would dry up Water Flow Objectives have also been more quickly, causing longer periods established for unprotected streams of reduced and no flow. (Croobyar, Yackungarrah and Currowar Creeks). Additional Water sensitive design in new objectives relevant to these creeks development and the restoration of include; riparian vegetation, would reduce the • To protect pools in dry times amount and speed of run off during • To protect natural low flows rainfall events, as well as maintain • To mimic natural drying in flows in creeks for a longer period after temporary waterways and rain. • To maintain natural flow variability. Groundwater is widely used on the 8.3 ISSUES Narrawallee flats for watering gardens. No specific issues regarding water More frequent use might be expected flows were surveyed in the community as reticulated water charges increase. in the preparation of the plan. There Natural recharge during rain would be are two irrigation licences on Croobyar expected to more than fully recharge Creek. These appear to be the groundwater supplies. On this infrequently used. basis, it is considered that there is little risk associated with continued patterns Croobyar Creek has a series of five of groundwater use. weirs constructed along its length, built or approved by the Water Resources
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8.4 WATER FLOW STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimate Respo Performa Target d Cost nsibilit nce y Indicator Maintain natural water 28. Implement water sensitive urban Medium Medium Unknown SCC, Number of Development flows as far as possible design in new developments, DUAP developm control into the creeks and incorporating rainwater tanks and ents using procedures in estuary in ground absorption of stormwater water place. as appropriate. sensitive design 29. Review the functioning of the Low Medium Unknown DLWC, Review weirs on Croobyar Creek, and SCC, completed and remove where weirs are no longer Fisheri appropriate justified on economic or es, actions environmental grounds landow implemented ners 30. Restrict future rural residential Medium Medium Unknown SCC, Development development to areas away from DLWC control creeks, so as to limit any increase procedures in in riparian water usage. place Promote riparian See Habitat and Conservation and vegetation along all Water Quality Strategies watercourses in the catchment.
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Council in its Conservation Plan and 9 NATURE CONSERVATION by the Southern Catchment Management Board. The Conservation Plan is in an early stage of 9.1 VALUES preparation. The Southern Catchment Narrawallee Inlet's Creeks and their Management Board has released a catchments support a large variety draft catchment blueprint, setting range of ecological communities, objectives for habitat and vegetation some of which are relatively conservation across the region. undisturbed. These are important from a conservation perspective as Apart from those for threatened well as an attractive attribute of the species under the Threatened Species area for many residents and visitors. Conservation Act 1995, the only relevant objectives for fauna Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve conservation are those in the NSW has been included on the register of Biodiversity Strategy. It is generally the National Estate due to the diversity assumed that conservation of habitat and quality of its habitats including and vegetation should conserve fauna mangroves, high dune forest, salt and populations. freshwater lagoons.
9.3 ISSUES 9.2 OBJECTIVES Important Nature Conservation issues To maintain o r, where necessary, ranked in the survey during the restore the ecological integrity and preparation of this plan are included in biodiversity of the Narrawallee Inlet the following table. Alongside each and its catchment. issue are some comments regarding the extent of the issue. Specific objectives for nature conservation are being developed by
Table 9.1…Nature Conservation Issues Issue Comment Introduced animals including No specific local data on the size of the issue. foxes, cats, black rats and rabbits The spread of weeds in native Privet and lantana are the most significant weeds bushland on the fringes of native bushland. A Caulerpa taxifolia infestation has been identified in the channel upstream of the shoals. Littering and degrading of natural More significant at the more popular locations. areas Loss of sensitive ecosystems, Some populations of threatened and rare habitat for native species & species exist on private lands; only 2 of the rainforest remnants. subtropical rainforest remnants occur in public reserves, while the Forest Red Gum, once widespread across the agricultural lands, is limited in extent. There are small and aging copses scattered across the catchment. The threat to fish stocks from loss Loss of habitat occurs from changes in foreshore of habitat areas and wetlands; from increases in turbidity affecting seagrass distribution; and from barriers (weirs and creek modification) to the movement
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of aquatic species Clearing of foreshore vegetation Some illegal clearing of vegetation on the dune has occurred along Matron Porter Drive. Some foreshore vegetation is being damaged through vandalism. Grazing continues in some foreshore areas. Loss of the wildlife corridor linking The fauna populations of the coastal bushlands the coastal and inland natural have become isolated. Clearing south of Lake areas Conjola Road has disrupted the vegetation corridor to the escarpment forests. Increased rural residential Clearing of the understorey in rural residential development areas removes a large part of the habitat value. Rural residential areas have been proposed for the Little Forest and Pointers Road areas. The threat to fish stocks from Commercial fishing in the inlet has been quite recreational and commercial limited. The current levels of commercial and fishing recreational fishing levels do not seem to be intense enough to threaten fish stocks. Damage to wetlands through Some wetlands are grazed. inappropriate grazing, rural or recreational uses. Expansion of the urban areas The future expansion of Narrawallee suburb takes areas of high habitat value, though the adjoining bushland retains its habitat value. A strip of land 500m wide west of the suburb is zoned environment protection. Illegal access to and camping on Some unauthorised access and camping occurs the foreshore immediately above the shoals, and some littering and damage to vegetation has occurred. Agricultural practices and grazing Creeks through the agricultural lands have either of the creek banks little native vegetation, or only a thin band.
Some data on the rainforest remnants 9.4 EXISTING DATA is available from studies by Mills and SCC has all of the vegetation Associates (1996), Thompson and communities mapped, although this Mitchell (2000) and Robinson and information is not yet available. NPWS Boefeldt (1998). has good information on the animal and plant communities in National Threatened fauna recently recorded in Parks. coastal part of the catchment include; • Powerful Owl Lists of animal and plant communities • Glossy Black Cockatoo in private and public forests and • Hooded Plover bushland proposed for development or • Little Tern otherwise investigated have been • Pied Oystercatcher collated from Council reports and from other reports. Information on the flora • Grey-headed Flying-fox and fauna in the wetlands is available • Southern Brown Bandicoot from the Shoalhaven Wetlands • Osprey Survey.
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Threatened fauna recently recorded in • Riparian and foreshore areas have the western part of the catchment significant infestations of some include; rapidly colonising weeds. Madeira • Masked Owl vine, bridal creeper, moth vine, • Ground Parrot morning glory and turkey rhubarb • Striated Fieldwren are fast growing climbing vines that have become established and Threatened or endangered fauna threaten the biodiversity of species likely or possibly found in the foreshore and riparian areas. catchment include; Privet, asparagus fern and bitou • Little Tern (Recovery Plan finalised bush spread rapidly from the large and being implemented) production of berries, spread by • White-footed Dunnart birds. • Yellow-bellied Glider • Australian Bittern No data is available on fish or aquatic species. Commercial fishing statistics • Sooty Oystercatcher reveal minimal commercial catch. • Superb Fruit Dove Between 1990 and 1996, an average • Olive Whistler of 370 kg of fish per year was recorded caught in the inlet from an One threatened flora species, average effort of 22 fishing days per Budawangia gnidiodies has been year. No threatened species are likely recorded on the western escarpment. to occur in the creeks and estuary, This small herb inhabits sandstone though a number of protected aquatic overhangs on the escarpment. species are likely to occur, including the elegant wrasse and the weedy sea A number of other vulnerable and dragon. threatened fauna species are likely to occur within the catchment, including The invasive algae, Caulerpa taxifolia, • several orchid species in the dry has been recorded immediately sclerophyll coastal forests; upstream of the shoals over the past 2 • several saltmarsh species in the years. This algae has been present in intertidal areas; and Lake Conjola for at least 10 years, and • several herbs and shrubs in the has spread in that lake to the stage forest and heath communities. where is has covered much of the aquatic vegetation and substrate Mainly anecdotal information is around the lake margins and shallow available on weed infestations in the areas. Caulerpa taxifolia has spread catchment. Weeds that are important rapidly and smothered aquatic to note as posing a significant risk to vegetation in many salt water natural and agricultural resources in ecosystems around the world. the catchment include the following. • Blackberries remain a minor The likely impact of Caulerpa taxifolia problem on agricultural lands and on the aquatic ecosystem is not clear. monitoring for fireweed is required Many microorganisms grow on the to ensure that any outbreaks are leaves of seagrass. This is the major controlled at an early stage. source of food in the seagrass beds. • A range of weeds including Caulerpa does not support as much of impatience, cassia and cotoneaster this food source. However, research pose a significant threat as has been inconclusive, showing both escapees from urban areas into minor to significant decline on fish adjoining bushland. numbers, depending on the site.
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NSW Fisheries had expected to remove the initial infestation during the winter of 2001. However, the infestation was larger than expected and hand removal was not possible. Any removal work is now dependent on trials of larger scale control techniques (salt treatment) being undertaken on the Central Coast. It is also dependent on funding being available to implement these control techniques to the South Coast estuaries.
The strategy adopted to address the Caulerpa taxifolia issue in this plan is to promote the education of the local community and visitors regarding the threat posed by this invasive algae and the control actions that individuals need to take; to increase monitoring so that small outbreaks can be controlled while they are still small, and to support efforts to introduce salt treatment on the South Coast.
No data exists on • feral animal populations or impacts; and • impact of domestic animals on wildlife.
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9.5 HABITAT AND SPECIES CONSERVATION STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimate Responsi Performa Target d Cost bility nce Indicator Promote the 31. Implement educational strategy on Medium Short $3000 SCC Strategy understanding of the the foreshore, promoting the role of implemented natural environment vegetation in coastal processes and among residents and habitat conservation, in particular visitors mangroves; Remove artificial Review functioning of weirs on Low Mediu Uncoste Fisheries Review barriers to the Croobyar Creek – see Water Flow m d completed and distribution of native action 29 appropriate species actions undertaken 32. Investigate a vegetated wildlife Medium Mediu $3000 SCC, Investigation corridor linking the Narrawallee m DLWC, completed and Creek Nature Reserve to other NPWS, appropriate native bushland areas. Milton actions Rural undertaken Landcare Protect important 33. Encourage a joint strategy among Medium Short $5000 SCC, Number of Mapping and ecological communities private owners of rainforest Milton owners appropriate on private lands remnants involving mapping, Rural involved actions through a mixture of species identification, fencing and Landcare, undertaken; education and weed control (as appropriate); NPWS assistance;
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Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimate Responsi Performa Target d Cost bility nce Indicator 34. Promote the exclusion of stock from High Short $20000 DLWC, Km of Fencing estuarine wetlands and foreshores Fisheries, foreshore completed and through NHT, Green Corp and SCC, fencing farm fencing assistance. NPWS, management landowner modified; s 35. Maintain the visual buffer between High Ongoin Unknown SCC, DP Viability of Milton and Narrawallee with coastal g coastal forest and in an ecologically forests sustainable manner 36. Maintain the flora and fauna values Medium Short Uncoste SCC in developments in the west of the d catchment, particularly in the rural residential areas. Implement control 37. Educate local fishers and divers High Short Uncoste Fisheries, Educational programs for noxious about Caulerpa taxifolia and the d SCC campaign and feral pests importance for early identification of implemented any outbreaks. 38. Remove infestation of Caulerpa High Short Uncoste Fisheries Outbreak taxifolia from the inlet. d removed 39. Encourage the expansion of the High Short SCC Number of Decline in weed Bushcare Group for coastal and volunteer infestations estuarine areas, focusing on weed hours control
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Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimate Responsi Performa Target d Cost bility nce Indicator 40. Seek joint program of land manager Medium Short $20,000 RLPB, Program and owners in conjunction with landowner implemented Rural Lands Protection Board for s, NPWS, feral animal control (such as foxes Milton and rabbits) throughout the Rural catchment. Landcare 41. Undertake an educational campaign Medium Short $4000 SCC Educational among ratepayers, residents and campaign visitors to reduce the impact of implemented companion animals on native species. 42. Implement education and inspection High Short $ 20,000 SCC Decline in weed program regarding weeds specified infestations in this report.
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occurring. The sand flats and 10 ENTRANCE MANAGEMENT channels represent a dynamic system that are eroded and built up by flood and storm events and by winds and 10.1 VALUES tides. The flats and emerging The entrance area is the most mangroves represent a degree of beautiful part of the Narrawallee Inlet protection for the foreshore against and the most frequently used by storm activity. residents and visitors. Dredging of the entrance to improve flushing for water quality purposes is 10.2 OBJECTIVES not necessary. Narrawallee Inlet, To maintain the Narrawallee Inlet being a small estuary, would still have entrance in a natural state. good flushing even if the entrance were significantly narrower. The entrance has not been known to close. 10.3 ISSUES Important issues ranked by the While there is some flood prone land community during the preparation of in the catchment, this is predominantly this plan included; rural and wetland areas. Localised • powerboat and personal water flooding in the catchment occurs along craft usage in the channel Garrads Lane, at Croobyar, • difficulties in launching boats at Yackungarrah and Currowar Creeks low tide below the highway and in the urban area of Narrawallee. The entrance and the beach are quite exposed to storm activity and can Narrawallee Beach has largely change significantly. Storm events recovered from the effects of can mobilise and rearrange the sands significant storm events, partly as a near the entrance and change the result of dune stabilisation works. The appearance of the beach and the sand dune restoration, in particular, has flats. been undertaken following the severe storms in the 1970s, to provide There is some community pressure to protection to the residential area. dredge the shoals inside the entrance However, the beach is still of the inlet. Most of this pressure is to experiencing recession at a rate improve boat access from the boat estimated at between 0.2m/year and ramp to the deeper water of the 0.4m/year. channel. (See discussion on pages 42- 43) This, however, is not related to the 10.4 EXISTING DATA functioning of the entrance. The There are very few historical entrance is used for access to the sea photographs that indicate the past by sea kayaks and personal water condition of the entrance. An elevated craft. railway bridge was built across the entrance in 1924, to transport silica Some people see the sand flats as from the mines north of the inlet to evidence that the entrance area is export. Some remains of the bridge shallowing and infilling, and may and railway route can still be found at eventually close up. The whole of the the southern end of Buckley’s Beach. Narrawallee floodplain is an infilled barrier estuary. The Inlet has reached Hinwood and MacLean have a mature stage, and large scale researched the impact of storms on infilling is not considered to be the dynamics of the entrance. Final Page 41 Narrawallee Inlet Natural Resources Date: 25 June 2002 Management Strategy
The Narrawallee Inlet has been significantly filled over the past 5000 years, and the present inlet is only a small remnant of a much larger lake. Nichol (19991, 1992) has extensively researched these coastal processes. The research indicates that the filling involved mostly marine materials with little fluvial sediment. There appears to be no capacity for further infilling, and the estuary is believed to be in a stable condition.
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10.5 ENTRANCE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimated Responsi Perform Target Cost bility ance Indicato r Minimise any 43. Adopt an entrance management Medium Medium No cost SCC, Entrance intervention in the policy which specifies nil future DLWC, policy functioning of the intervention in the entrance Task adopted estuary entrance Force 44. Investigate the nature of Medium Medium SCC Investigation sedimentation in the lower section completed of the estuary. (Possible Wollongong University student project)
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• The presence of dogs on the 11 RECREATION beach and foreshore has caused considerable community protest. 11.1 VALUES • The difficulty in boating access outside high tide has brought Narrawallee Inlet entrance area is demands for dredging to improve valued for passive recreation and powerboat access. Other people swimming by both residents and believe that powerboat usage visitors. The most popular activities should be discouraged, and that undertaken by residents are walking canoeing and rowing be promoted. on the foreshore, swimming, fishing • The increase in personal water and canoeing. craft usage has prompted requests
for their use to be banned or The breaks to the north of the restricted. headland are a special surfing location that draws riders from a wide area. • Summer traffic volumes have Narrawallee Inlet is becoming a newly increased significantly, which popular sea kayaking destination, as disrupts the low-key, coastal well as the start of a personal water lifestyle appreciated by many craft route along the coastal beaches. residents.
11.4 EXISTING DATA 11.2 OBJECTIVES To provide a range of nature-based The recreational activities of residents recreational facilities for both locals were surveyed in December 2000, as and visitors. part of the preparation of this Plan. Some results of this survey are shown on page 44. 11.3 ISSUES
Specific recreational issues identified 11.5 BOATING ISSUES during the preparation of this plan were: Some residents have sought improvements in boating access to the • powerboat and jet ski usage in the Inlet, such as dredging the shallow channel channel from the boat ramp to the • littering and degrading of natural main channel, to allow access during areas the mid and lower tidal periods. These • the threat to fish stocks from residents believe that the enjoyment of recreational and commercial the inlet by boaters and fishers is fishing being unnecessarily restricted, and • damage to wetlands through that Council should provide good inappropriate grazing, rural or boating access to all estuaries. recreational uses. • illegal access to and camping on The nature of change in the southern the foreshore channel has not been documented • overcrowding and overuse of the over the longer term. Some accounts recreational areas of the Inlet indicate that boating access has not • adequacy of the recreational and changed significantly in recent years. boating facilities Other sources state that the southern • difficulties in launching boats at low channel was significantly deeper 30 tide years ago. If infilling is occurring, it is possible that the channel could infill to Some conflict exists regarding several such an extent that boating access issues.
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was no longer possible from the Current use of PWCs in the inlet Normandy St ramp. seems primarily to gain access to the ocean. Users appear to want to use Maintaining boat access for a wider their craft in the ocean and on the range of tidal conditions would involve Narrawallee and Mollymook beaches. Council in a regular dredging program If current regulations are adhered to, of a channel approx 300m long. The PWCs should be able to use the existing channel is lined with channel area to access the ocean seagrasses. Dredging would be likely without any risk to swimmers and to to affect the stability of the narrow people crossing the entrance to gain foreshore reserve. access to Buckley’s Beach
Dredging would be expected to generate significantly increased boat usage that might also raise demands for upgrading of the boat ramp and associated parking facilities. This would be difficult to accommodate on the small site currently occupied by the boat ramp.
The survey of resident usage revealed low usage of the inlet by power boats. Only 28 of 146 returned questionnaires reported using power boats in the inlet, with ten reporting weekly or more frequent usage. By way of comparison, 45 reported using canoes or rowing boats (13 weekly or more frequent), while 79 reported fishing in the inlet (30 weekly or more frequently). This low power boat usage may well be result of the difficulty of access. On the other hand, the community may have adjusted well to the situation.
Some residents have proposed that Narrawallee should remain as a low power boating area, promoting the area for swimming and rowed craft.
Considerable concern has also been raised regarding personal water craft. Some residents see these as a danger to swimmers, and that the channel is too narrow for their safe use. The use of PWCs in the middle or upper reaches of the inlet appear to pose a risk to the stability of the bank, as several areas are at risk of erosion.
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Table 11.1 NARAWALLEE INLET, FREQUENCY OF USAGE FOR RECREATIONAL PURPOSES, DECEMBER 2000
Surfing Swimming Fishing Canoeing/ro Powered Foreshore Foreshore Natural area Natural area in Inlet wing boats boats picnics walking biking walking Daily14 7211234517 3-5 times per week5 30002222 Twice weekly3 23121252 Weekly 17 30 25 11 7 11 14 8 7 Summer/Holidays/I 13 102023110 n season All year1 01113413 Often7 109013624 Frequently 5 26302535 Fortnightly2 21202212 Regularly 4 43314312 Monthly 11 9 13 12 6 15 13 2 8 Bimonthly2 50313401 Occasionally4 44108403 Infrequently 1 12201111 Quarterly4 22119304 Twice yearly0 23338202 Annually/Seldom 0 03121010 Total non blank 93 93 79 45 28 78 100 33 63 answers
Average no of 2.5 3.2 2.5 2.3 2.5 5.8 2.6 2.0 3.9 users per time
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11.6 RECREATION STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimated Responsibility Performance Target Cost Indicator Maintain inlet as a 45. Maintain the current 4 knot High Short No cost Task Force, Number of Appropriate passive boating area, speed limit within the estuary Waterway incidents signage encouraging rowed and educate boat users Authority reported by installed. rather than motorised regarding appropriate usage Waterway Satisfactory craft of the estuary Authority reporting from Waterways Authority. 46. Adopt a passive boating Medium Short No cost Task Force, Strategy usage strategy with no SCC, implemented upgrading of the boat ramp. Waterways 47. Develop canoe platform Low Medium Uncoste SCC, DLWC, Works proposal to protect foreshore d Task Force completed and allow easy launching Improve the visitor 48. Develop and implement a Medium Short $3000 SCC, Works facilities at the planting program for the Narrawallee completed Narrawallee foreshore and picnic areas Bushcare, foreshore and beach Task Force 49. Formalise foreshore walkways Medium Medium Uncoste SCC, DLWC, Works along urban foreshore areas. d completed 50. Increase the number of Medium Medium $10,000 SCC, Works formalised beach access - Narrawallee completed routes along the foreshore of $20,000 Bushcare, the inlet 51. Improve picnic a facilities and Medium Short Uncoste SCC, Works visitor infrastructure in the and d completed foreshore and beach reserves Medium
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Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimated Responsibility Performance Target Cost Indicator 52. Evaluate the adequacy and Medium Medium Uncoste SCC Evaluation function of the boat access d completed and and parking facilities. appropriate actions undertaken 53. Connect the foreshore toilet High Short SCC Works block to the sewer. completed 54. Develop and install Medium Short Uncoste SCC Works interpretative signage in high d completed usage areas to increase visitor understanding of the ecological and heritage values of the catchment.
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the upgrading of development controls 12 VISUAL QUALITY in particular areas, and has been incorporated in the development control procedures. This study was used in the 12.1 VALUES development of the Milton Ulladulla The Narrawallee Catchment Structure Plan. incorporates four major areas of visual importance. These are Three areas of the catchment are • the pastoral landscapes and specifically zoned for scenic protection, forested ridgelines as travellers although the protection of scenic values enter and proceed through the rural is provided for in agricultural production areas west of the inlet; and environmental protection zones. Specific scenic protection zones are; • the views from Milton towards the • the forested ridgeline west of coast, across grazing lands to the Boolgatta Flat; coastal forests and the headland • the paddocks and forested hillside and seas beyond; north of Milton; and • the views around the inlet and • the forested ridge immediately to the foreshore area, with both the inlet west of Narrawallee township. and the urban area surrounded by forests; The forested ridges south of the Inlet, and the foreshore west of the urban • the coastal views along Narrawallee area are proposed as scenic protection and Buckley’s Beaches, both to and under the current LEP amendments. from the headland.
12.2 OBJECTIVES To retain and enhance the visual quality of the catchment.
12.3 ISSUES Important visual quality issues ranked by the community during the preparation of this plan included; • foreshore erosion • clearing of foreshore vegetation • expansion of the urban areas
The protection of visual assets of private land is difficult, since visual assessment is not an objective measure. Other objectives may be given priority. Clearing on rural lands largely does not require Council or State Government approval.
12.4 EXISTING DATA Shoalhaven City Council undertook a visual management study of the Milton area in 1992. This study recommended
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12.5 VISUAL QUALITY STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimated Respon Perform Target Cost sibility ance Indicato r Restrict the development 55. Adopt a policy for the Narrawallee Medium Short No cost DLWC, Policy adopted of foreshore structures foreshore generally prohibiting any SCC by SCC and along the estuary new structures on or along the DLWC foreshore, other than public access structures on public reserves 56. Develop and implement a High Short Uncosted SCC Plan adopted sustainable foreshore reserve and landscape plan. appropriate actions undertaken Maintain the visual buffer between High Ongoing Unknown SCC, DP Viability Milton and Narrawallee with of coastal forest and in an coastal ecologically sustainable manner. forests See Habitat and Species Conservation action 35.
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13 CULTURAL HERITAGE 13.4 EXISTING DATA There is considerable local knowledge 13.1 VALUES in the Aboriginal population regarding The catchment contains evidence of natural history, flora and fauna and past past Aboriginal and European heritage. occupation.
13.2 OBJECTIVES The Aboriginal community mined To protect known items of Aboriginal substantial deposits of nearly pure silica and European heritage and to promote near Pattimores Lagoon for thousands the understanding and commemoration of years. Silica mined and traded from of cultural heritage items in the here has been found up and down the community’ and encourage land use coast. Other known archaeological sites activities that are compatible with the include middens, campsites, artefact cultural values of the area scatters and grinding grooves.
13.3 ISSUES The catchment is rich in relics from early Much of this cultural heritage is subject European settlement, due to the early to the pressures of change and settlement on highly productive development affecting many coastal agricultural soils. The pastoral areas. landscapes identify the pattern of this early settlement. The many farm The Inlet is believed to have been a site buildings and public buildings in Milton of intense Aboriginal occupation for over highlight the importance of agricultural 20,000 years and a number of sites are production from the area. Seventy-three likely along the foreshore area and items from Milton are listed on the along frequently travelled routes. Shoalhaven Heritage Study. However, very few of these have been identified. Adequate investigations A European silica mining operation In during the development assessment the 1920s a tramline was built to phase are required to identify and transport silica from the Pattimores assess possible sites. lease area, now part of Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve, across Buildings and sites from early European Narrawallee Inlet to Bannisters Point at settlement may be protected under Mollymook. Evidence of the tramline planning and heritage legislation where across the inlet remains in the form of they are listed in the LEP. The sites wooden pillars that can be seen at low identified in the Heritage Study are tide while the raised tramline route, currently being included in the LEP. cuttings and mounds remain at the northern end of the nature reserve. The pastoral landscapes are under pressure from changes in land use, Early European settlement has been particularly with the changes to the dairy documented in Kendall, Shoalhaven industry. Current zoning of the prime City Council and the Milton-Ulladulla agricultural lands preventing further and District Historical Society. Items of subdivision offers some protection to local and regional significance are listed this landscape. in the Shoalhaven Heritage Study 1995- 1998. The Milton-Ulladulla and District There is considerable potential to use Historical Society holds considerable the cultural heritage of the inlet to show records. The Tabourie Museum holds a visitors the diverse history of the area, considerable collection of items of both Aboriginal and European. European settlement.
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13.5 CULTURAL HERITAGE STRATEGIES AND ACTIONS Strategy Action Priority Timing Estimated Respon Performa Target Cost sibility nce Indicator Ensure the protection 57. Undertake Aboriginal Medium Medium Uncosted NPWS, Survey of all known Aboriginal archaeological survey around the SCC, completed and sites foreshores of the Inlet covering landown appropriate both public and private lands. ers actions undertaken. Promote the 58. Identify scope for incorporation of Medium Medium Unknown SCC Increased role understanding of the heritage into tourism industry for cultural Aboriginal and tourism European heritage among locals and visitors 59. Develop and install educational High Short $3000 SCC, Visible materials highlighting significant DLWC, Aboriginal and items of cultural heritage at NPWS, European appropriate sites, such as the Ulladulla heritage silica railway line Land presence Council Understand and plan 60. Assess likely impact of dairy High Short Unknown SCC, Strategy for for the conservation of deregulation, and issues for the NSW dairy industry the pastoral continuation of the dairy industry Agricultu future landscapes and re, Dairy heritage items Industry group
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14 BIBLIOGRAPHY Allsop, D, Narrawallee Inlet tidal gauging, 30th September, 1993,1994 Anon, Letters to the Kendall Family, 1829-1843, relating to their settlement in the Burrill/Narrawallee Catchments, Anon, Geology of the NSW South Coast-Ulladulla Map, Anon, Species lists for the Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve, Anon, A proposal for a regional forest agreement for Southern NSW.2000 Australian Museum, Database of species list. Bird, E C F, Depositional Features in Estuaries and Lagoons on the South Coast of New South Wales, 1967 Bureau of Meteorology, Meteorological records, Department of Environment and Planning, Illawarra Region Wetlands Study, 1983 Department of Land and Water Conservation, Aerial Photographs, Department of Land and Water Conservation, Parish Maps, Department of Land and Water Conservation, Acid Sulfate Risk Maps, Department of Mineral Resources, Hard rock aggregate resource map-Little Forest, Department of Public Works, Narrawallee Hydrographic Survey Plan Cat # 1987,1993 Downey, J, Entrance and flooding photographs, Edwards, J, A model of NSW Barrier Estuary Evolution.1995 Edwards, J, Coastal Zone Sediments-Inventory of Studies of NSW, 1997 Environment Australia, Endangered Species List, Environment Protection Authority, Water Quality and River Flow Interim Environmental Objectives. Guidelines for River, Groundwater and Water Management Committees. Clyde River and Jervis Bay Catchments.1999 Green, D and King, A South Coast Wetland Survey: Field Data, 1996 Hann, J M, Coastal and Offshore Quaternary Geology of the Ulladulla Region, 1985 Hindle et al, J, Illawarra Region-Agricultural Land Classification Study, 1987 Lugg, A, Shoalhaven Fish Species List, Mac Andrew, A, The Narrawallee story / as gathered by Alex McAndrew, 1988 Mills, K, Ecological Assessment, Narrawallee Creek Wetlands, Draft, 1998 Mills and Associates, Kevin, Flora and Fauna Assessment, Milton Ulladulla Structure Plan, Final Report, 1996 National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS Wildlife Atlas, 2000 Nichol, S, Sedimentology of two wave-dominated, incised valley estuaries, New South Wales south coast -Wapengo Lagoon and Narrawallee Inlet, 1991 Nichol, S, A partially preserved last interglacial estuarine fill-Narrawallee Inlet, NSW, 1992 NSW Fisheries, Recreational fishing in new South Wales, NSW Fisheries, Have your say on the Review of Saltwater Recreational Fishing Laws, undated NSW Fisheries, Status of Fisheries Resources 1996/97,1997 NSW Government, Estuary Management Manual, 1992 Patterson Britton & Partners, Waterways Infrastructure Strategy, SCC, 1999 Pickering, S F, Modelling Changes in Land Use Within the Burrill Lake and Narrawallee Inlet, 1995 Pleaden, R F, Coastal Explorers, 1990 Robinson, M V and Boefeldt, A, Assessment and Management Plan for the Vascular Plant Assemblages at and near the Yatteyattah Nature Reserve, Shoalhaven City Council, SCC Contribution Plan 1993 Shoalhaven City Council, Milton/Ulladulla Structure Plan, 1999b Shoalhaven City Council, Water Quality Data for all waterways, 1991-2000 Shoalhaven City Council, State of the Catchments Report 1997/98, Shoalhaven City Council, Narrawallee Inlet-Estuary Management Plan Brief, 1995b Final Page 53 Narrawallee Inlet Natural Resources Date: 25 June 2002 Management Strategy
Shoalhaven City Council, Shoalhaven Historical Study-Dairy Industry, Shoalhaven City Council, State of the Environment Report 1997/98, Shoalhaven City Council, State of the Environment Report 1996/97 Shoalhaven City Council, State of the Environment Report 1994/95 Shoalhaven City Council, State of the Environment Report, 1992 Shoalhaven City Council, State of the Environment Report, 1991 Shoalhaven City Council, SCC Local Environment Study, Narrawallee Creek, 1993b Short, A D, Beaches of the NSW Coast, 1993 State Forests, State Forests Management Plans, Harvesting Plans and Operational Plans, various Thompson, G and Mitchell, L, Croobyar Road Rainforest Remnants Model Management Plan, 1999 West, R, et al, An Estuarine Inventory for NSW Australia, 1985 Winning, G and Brown, S, South Coast Wetlands Survey: Literature Review, 1994
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