S 1794 AA066873 Local Environmental Study
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77 VA I IIIHIIIIIIIII II liii E!S 1794 AA066873 Local environmental study covering the whole of the Dungog Shire Council area. ,çneraI CZ Environ el"Immtal 'Study •- - V V - V DUNGOG SHIRE COUNCIL 1 3 -rL LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY COVERING THE WHOLE OF THE DUNGOG SHIRE COUNCIL AREA December, 2001 Local Environmental Study - Dungog Shire Council For many years, this Shire has been struggling with inadequate planning regulations that have been overtaken by increased development pressures and legislation. This situation has created difficulties for Council and the community, and there is an urgent need for a new Shire Wide Local Environment Plan (LEP) to control development in this Shire for many years to come. Negotiations with the NSW Department of Urban Affairs and Planning endorsed Council intentions to produce an Issues Paper and a Local Environment Study before developing a Draft LEP. To begin this process, rural planning workshops were held throughout the Shire to seek input from the community before producing the Issues Paper, which was widely circulated. This Draft Local Environmental Study, which has been compiled by Council Staff and Consultants, is an extensive analysis of existing information regarding natural resources, land use patterns and development pressures within the Shire. It will be placed on exhibition for public cormnent and will be followed up by another round of public workshops. The Issues Paper and the Local Environment Study will assist Council in forming the basis for a Draft LEP, which will also be subject to a process of public consultation. Council is seeking the maximum community participation in this process and welcomes your input. S.T.Low AM MAYOR HDB\\Master\c\Myoocumeflts\ouflgQg Local Environmental P!an 2 Local Environmental Study - Dungog Shire Council Acknowledgements The Dungog Local Environmental Study has been prepared by Dungog Shire Council and provides clear links to its 2000 State of the Environment Report. Council extends its appreciation to the many community members and Government Departments, for their co- operation and input into the workshops and the provision of data and information, as well as to Hunter Development Brokerage Pty Ltd (Kerry Nichols, Monica Gibson and Jennifer Nichols) for their valued work. All mapping has been produced from information supplied by Dungog Shire Council and Government Departments. Jt& I anager - Planning DUNGOG SHIRE COUNCII 14th December, 2001 HDB\\Master\c\Myoocuments\oungog Local Environmental Plan 3 Local Environmental Study - Dungog Shire Council 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................13 1.1 Location and Description.....................................................................................14 1.2 History ................................................................................................................. 15 1.2.1 Indigenous History........................................................................................................15 1.2.2 Settlement History ........................................................................................................16 1.2.2.1 Dungog ..................................................................................................................16 1.2.2.2 Clarence Town ......................................................................................................17 1.2.2.3 Paterson ................................................................................................................18 1.2.2.4 Gresford ................................................................................................................18 1.2.2.5 Vacy.......................................................................................................................19 1.2.2.6 Martins Creek ........................................................................................................20 1.2.2.7 Gostwyck...............................................................................................................20 2.0 STUDY OBJECTIVES .........................................................................................................21 3.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................22 3.1. Climate.............................................................................................................22 3.1.1. Temperature .................................................................................................................22 3.1.2. Rainfall and Evaporation...............................................................................................22 3.1.3. Wind..............................................................................................................................24 3.1.4. Severe Weather Conditions ................................. ......................................................... 24 3.2. Topography......................................................................................................25 3.3. Geology............................................................................................................26 3.3.1. General Geology...........................................................................................................26 3.3.2. Mineral Resources ... ..................................................................................................... 26 3.3.2.1. Metallic Minerals .................................................................................................... 27 3.3.2.2. Coal and Petroleum Resources ............................................................................27 3.3.2.3. Construction Materials...........................................................................................28 3.3.2.3.1. Construction Sand .........................................................................................................28 3.3.2.3.2. Hard Rock......................................................................................................................29 3.3.2.4. Zeolifes ..................................................................................................................29 HDB\\Master\c\MyDocuments\oungog Local Environmental Plan 4 Local Environmental Study - Dungog Shire Council 3.3.2.5. Sapphires ..............................................................................................................29 3.3.2.6. Limestone ..............................................................................................................30 3.4. Soils ................................................................................................................. 30 3.5. Hydrology ............................... .......................................................................... 31 3.5.1. Water Quality................................................................................................................33 3.5.1.1. Williams River........................................................................................................33 3.5.1.2. Allyn River .............................................................................................................35 3.5.1.3. Paterson River ................... .................................................................................... 35 3.5.2. Water Usage.. ............................................................................................................... 36 3.5.2.1. Potable Water Supply............................................................................................37 3.5.2.2. Agricultural Water Usage.......................................................................................39 3.5.2.3. Recreational Usage ............................................................................................... 40 3.5.2.4. Environmental Flows .............................................................................................40 3.5.3. Groundwater Resources ...............................................................................................41 3.6. Land Usage ............................... ....................................................................... 42 3.6.1. Agricultural Land Suitability ..........................................................................................44 3.6.2. Riparian Quality ............................................................................................................46. 3.6.3. Existing Land Zonings ..................................................................................................47 3.7. Environment Protection Areas..........................................................................47 3.7.1. Protected Wetlands ......................................................................................................48 3.7.2. Water Catchment Areas ...............................................................................................48 3.7.3. State Environmental Planning Policy No. 44- Koala Habitat ........................................49 3.7.4. National Parks, State Forests and Reserves................................................................50 3.8. Flora.................................................................................................................51 3.8.1. Riparian Flora ...............................................................................................................54