State of the Beaches 2011-2012

Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and Partnership Programs

State of the Beaches 2011–2012

Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and Partnership Programs

For technical information about this report contact: Beachwatch, Office of Environment and Heritage NSW 59–61 Goulburn Street, PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232

Phone: (02) 9995 5344 Fax: (02) 9995 5913

Email: [email protected] Web: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach

Published by: Office of Environment and Heritage NSW 59 Goulburn Street, Sydney PO Box A290, Sydney South NSW 1232

Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard) Phone: 131 555 (information and publications requests) Fax: (02) 9995 5999 TTY: (02) 9211 4723

Email: [email protected] Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au

The Office of Environment and Heritage NSW is pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or part, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged.

ISSN 1441–4147 OEH 2012/0894

October 2012

Contents

Summary...... v Chapter 1 Beach monitoring in NSW...... 1 Chapter 2 Sanitary inspections...... 7 Chapter 3 Managing beach pollution...... 13 Chapter 4 Results for 2011–2012 ...... 21 ...... 21 ...... 25 Council ...... 39 Lake Macquarie City Council ...... 54 Chapter 5 Quality assurance program ...... 77 References...... 83 Glossary...... 87

About this report This report provides a summary of the full State of the Beaches report and detailed results for the Hunter region. To see the full Beachwatch State of the Beaches report, please visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach/ar1112/

Summary

Beach monitoring in NSW • Shoalhaven City Council The water quality of beaches and other swimming • Council locations is monitored to provide the community with accurate information on the cleanliness of the water • Council. and to enable individuals to make informed decisions about where and when to swim. Routine assessment The water quality sampling and laboratory analysis also measures the impact of pollution sources, activities are fully funded by each local council. The enables the effectiveness of stormwater and Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) provides wastewater management practices to be assessed, quality assurance support and assistance with and highlights areas where further work is required. community reporting.

A total of 260 swimming locations along the NSW coast were monitored during 2011–2012 under three Health risks programs: Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and the Contamination of recreational waters with faecal Beachwatch Partnership Program (Figure S1). material from animal and human sources can pose significant health problems to beach users owing to Beachwatch the presence of pathogens (disease-causing micro- organisms) in the faecal material. The most common The Beachwatch program was established in 1989 groups of pathogens found in recreational waters are to monitor Sydney’s ocean beaches and was bacteria, protozoans and viruses. expanded to ocean beaches in the Hunter and Illawarra regions in 1996. Exposure to contaminated water can cause gastroenteritis, with symptoms including vomiting, Harbourwatch diarrhoea, stomach-ache, nausea, headache and The Harbourwatch program was established in 1994 fever. Eye, ear, skin and upper respiratory tract to monitor swimming locations in Sydney’s estuarine infections can also be contracted when pathogens waterways, including Pittwater, Sydney Harbour, come into contact with small breaks and tears in the lower Georges River, Botany Bay and Port Hacking. skin or ruptures of the delicate membranes in the ear or nose. Beachwatch Partnership Program Certain groups of users may be more susceptible to The Beachwatch Partnership Program was the threat of microbial infection than others. Children, established as a pilot in 2002 and currently includes the elderly, people with compromised immune 12 local councils along the NSW coast: systems, tourists, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds are generally most • Council at risk. • Council Recreational water quality • guidelines In May 2009, new guidelines for monitoring and • Council reporting recreational water quality were adopted for • use in NSW: the National Health and Medical Port Stephens Council Research Council’s Guidelines for managing risks in recreational water (NHMRC 2008). • Newcastle City Council

• Lake Macquarie City Council

• Council

• City Council

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page v

Figure S1: Sampling sites and areas monitored under the Beachwatch programs

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page vi

The NHMRC 2008 guidelines have been adopted, that the swimming location is free of signs of and are in use, in all Australian states. The pollution, such as discoloured water, odour or debris guidelines are supported by Guidance Notes in the water, and avoid swimming at all times during developed by the Department of Health Western and for up to three days following rainfall. following a national workshop held in in 2007 (Department of Health, Very Poor – Location is very susceptible to faecal 2007). pollution and microbial water quality may often be unsuitable for swimming. It is generally The new guidelines focus on the assessment and recommended to avoid swimming at these sites. management of hazards to minimise health risks. Under the new guidelines, recreational water quality The Beach Suitability Grades are determined from a at swimming sites is no longer reported as combination of microbial assessment (water quality percentage compliance based on microbial data, but measurements gathered over previous years) and as Beach Suitability Grades. sanitary inspection (identification and rating of potential pollution sources at a beach) using the Beach Suitability Grades matrix in Table S1. Beach Suitability Grades provide an assessment of Microbial Assessment Category the suitability of a swimming location for recreation over time. There are five grades: NHMRC (2008) advocates the use of enterococci as the single preferred faecal indicator in marine Very Good – Location has generally excellent waters. These bacteria are excreted in faeces and microbial water quality and very few potential are rarely present in unpolluted waters. Enterococci sources of faecal pollution. Water is considered density in water samples is analysed in the suitable for swimming for almost all of the time. laboratory using method AS/NZS 4276.9:2007.

Good – Location has generally good microbial water The Microbial Assessment Category is determined quality and water is considered suitable for from the 95th percentile of a dataset of at least 100 swimming for most of the time. Swimming should be enterococci data points. The 95th percentiles in this avoided during and for up to one day following heavy report were calculated using a Microsoft® Excel tool rain at ocean beaches and for up to three days at developed by Dr Richard Lugg (Department of estuarine sites. Health, Western Australia). This tool is also used by other state governments (Department of Health, Fair – Microbial water quality is generally suitable for Western Australia 2007). There are four Microbial swimming, but because of the presence of significant Assessment Categories (A to D) (Table S1). sources of faecal contamination, extra care should be taken to avoid swimming during and for up to Sanitary Inspection Category three days following rainfall or if there are signs of pollution such as discoloured water, odour, or debris The aim of a sanitary inspection is to identify all in the water. potential sources of faecal contamination at a swimming site and assess the risk to public health Poor – Location is susceptible to faecal pollution and posed by these sources. It is a qualitative microbial water quality is not always suitable for assessment, and should, to some degree, correlate swimming. During dry weather conditions, ensure with the microbial water quality data.

Table S1: Beach classification matrix

Microbial Assessment Category (MAC)

A B C D (≤ 40 (41–200 (201–500 (> 500 cfu/100mL) cfu/100mL) cfu/100mL) cfu/100mL) Very Low Very Good Very Good Follow Up Follow Up Sanitary Low Very Good Good Follow Up Follow Up Inspection Moderate Good Good Poor Poor Category High Good Fair Poor Very Poor Very High Follow Up Fair Poor Very Poor Source: NHMRC (2008)

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page vii

Sources considered in the sanitary inspection locations monitored during 2011–2012 were graded include: bather shedding, toilet facilities, stormwater as Very Good or Good. While this is an outstanding discharges, sewage treatment plant discharges, result, there were differences in performance sewage overflows, sewage chokes, on-site between ocean beaches, ocean baths, coastal wastewater systems, wastewater re-use, river lakes/lagoons and estuarine. discharges, lagoon/lake discharges, boats and animals. Detailed results for geographical regions in NSW are presented in Tables S2 to S10 of this Summary. Through the sanitary inspection process, beaches are categorised to reflect the likelihood of faecal Ocean beaches contamination. There are five categories, ranging Of the 149 ocean beaches monitored during 2011– from Very Low to Very High (Table S1). 2012, all but five were graded as Very Good or Good. These results indicate that the ocean Results for 2011–2012 beaches monitored in NSW generally have very good microbial water quality which is suitable for High rainfall levels were recorded during 2011– swimming for most, or almost all, of the time. 2012, with NSW experiencing the ninth wettest summer on record. The sustained wet conditions The ocean beaches graded as Very Good were: during summer followed the wet end to spring, and were largely influenced by the La Niña event in the • The Strand, Belongil Beach, Main Beach Pacific Ocean during the season. (Byron Bay), Clarkes Beach, Wategos Beach, Tallow Beach (Byron Bay), Tallow There were several significant rain and flooding Beach (Suffolk Park), Broken Head, Seven events, particularly on the Far North Coast (BOM Mile Beach, Airforce Beach, Main Beach and 2012): Shark Bay on the Far North Coast • A heavy rain event across north eastern • Grassy Head on the North Coast NSW in late November had daily falls as high as 190 mm, triggering significant flooding. • Zenith Beach, Box Beach, Fingal Beach, One Mile Beach, Birubi Beach, South Stockton • Early in December, a heavy rain event in Beach, Nobbys Beach, Newcastle Beach, northern NSW exacerbated existing flooding Dudley Beach, Redhead Beach, Blacksmiths following the November rain. Beach, Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay in the Hunter region • High rainfall in mid January was followed by a very significant rain event across northern • Frazer Beach, Birdie Beach, Budgewoi NSW between the 23rd and 29th of January, Beach, Lakes Beach, Hargraves Beach, with large areas exceeding 100 mm for Jenny Dixon Beach, Cabbage Tree Bay, several consecutive days. This triggered Lighthouse Beach, Gravelly Beach, Soldiers additional flooding in the northern rivers. Beach, North Entrance Beach, The Entrance Beach, Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay, Shelly • Heavy rainfall continued in NSW in early Beach, Blue Lagoon and Bateau Bay Beach February, with continued flooding and on the Central Coast associated poor water quality along the North Coast. During this time localised storms with • Palm Beach, Whale Beach, Avalon Beach, heavy rainfall in western Sydney caused Bilgola Beach, Bungan Beach, Mona Vale flooding of the Hawkesbury River. Beach, Dee Why Beach, South Curl Curl Beach, Shelly Beach (Manly), Maroubra • In southern NSW, a significant rain event Beach, Greenhills Beach, Wanda Beach and developed towards the end of February Oak Park in the Sydney region which resulted in flooding in the region. • Austinmer Beach, Woonona Beach, • An extremely wet period in the Sydney region City Beach, Coniston Beach, in mid April triggered flooding of the Fishermans Beach, Warilla Beach, Parramatta River as well as flash flooding Shellharbour Beach, Boyds Jones Beach and throughout the city, particularly in the coastal Werri Beach in the Illawarra region suburbs. • Tilbury Cove, Warrain Beach, Collingwood Despite extremely wet conditions and flooding Beach, Cudmirrah Beach, Rennies Beach, events, 211 (81 per cent) of the 260 swimming

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page viii

Bawley Point Beach, Merry Beach, Cookies • Malabar Beach in the Sydney region. Beach, Caseys Beach, Malua Bay Beach, Broulee Beach, Bengello Beach, Tuross Main Killick, Terrigal and Umina beaches were all Beach, Brou Beach, Narooma Main Beach, previously graded as Good (Office of Environment Camel Rock Beach, Horseshoe Bay, Beares and Heritage 2011), but were downgraded to Poor Beach, Tathra Beach, Short Point Beach, due to elevated enterococci levels measured in Main Beach (Merimbula), Pambula Beach, response to high levels of rainfall over summer Aslings Beach and Cocora Beach on the 2011–2012. South Coast. Killick Beach on the North Coast was generally The ocean beaches graded as Good were: suitable for swimming in dry weather conditions, with elevated levels of microbial contamination • South Beach (Brunswick Heads), Shelly recorded due to pollution from stormwater from Killick Creek after periods of heavy rain. Beach (Ballina) and Lighthouse Beach on the Far North Coast On the Central Coast, Ocean Beach and Umina Beach were impacted by polluted outflow from • Horseshoe Bay, Trial Bay and Hat Head Water, as well as floodwaters from the Beach on the North Coast Hawkesbury River in February 2012. Terrigal Beach was impacted by discharge from Terrigal Lagoon • Bar Beach, Merewether Beach, Burwood following rainfall. Microbial water quality at these North Beach, Burwood South Beach, sites is generally suitable for swimming in dry Beach and Swansea weather conditions but is susceptible to faecal Heads Little Beach in the Hunter region contamination following rainfall and flooding events. It is recommended that swimming at these beaches • Forresters Beach, Wamberal Beach, North be avoided during and up to three days following Avoca Beach, Avoca Beach, Copacabana rainfall or if there are signs of stormwater or Beach, MacMasters Beach, Killcare Beach floodwater pollution such as discoloured water or and Pearl Beach on the Central Coast odour or floating debris.

• Newport Beach, Warriewood Beach, While water quality at Malabar Beach was often Turimetta Beach, North Narrabeen Beach, suitable for swimming during dry weather Collaroy Beach, Long Reef Beach, North Curl conditions, the site was very susceptible to faecal Curl Beach, Freshwater Beach, Queenscliff contamination from the stormwater drain on the Beach, North Steyne Beach, South Steyne northern side of the beach. The drain flowed Beach, Bondi Beach, Tamarama Beach, following light rainfall, and while bacterial levels in Bronte Beach, Clovelly Beach, Coogee the discharge are typical of urban runoff (not Beach, Little Bay Beach, Boat Harbour, sewage), they are sufficiently elevated to raise Eleoura Beach, North Cronulla Beach, South levels in the bay to values unsuitable for swimming for around 50 per cent of the time. The drain was Cronulla Beach and Shelly Beach diverted further offshore at the end of July, with (Sutherland) in the Sydney region works due for completion in November 2012. Until • these works are complete, the risk of illness can be Thirroul Beach, Bulli Beach, Bellambi Beach, reduced by carefully following the pollution Corrimal Beach, North Wollongong Beach, advisories on the Beachwatch Bulletin, not Port Kembla Beach, Bombo Beach and Surf swimming during and for at least one day following Beach (Kiama) in the Illawarra region rainfall, and not swimming if there are signs of stormwater pollution, such as discoloured water or • Shoalhaven Heads Beach, Mollymook odour or floating debris. Beach, Racecourse Beach, Surf Beach and Shelley Beach on the South Coast. No ocean beaches were graded as Very Poor.

No ocean beaches were graded as Fair. Ocean baths

Five ocean beaches were graded as Poor. A total of five ocean baths were monitored during 2011–2012 and four were graded as Good or Very • Killick Beach on the North Coast Good, indicating that these locations have very good microbial water quality that is suitable for swimming for most or almost all of the time. • Terrigal Beach, Ocean Beach and Umina Beach on the Central Coast The ocean baths graded as Very Good were:

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page ix

• Newcastle Baths, Merewether Learners Pool • Speers Point and Bolton Point in the Hunter and Merewether Main Pool in the Hunter region region. • Gwandalan, Lake Munmorah Baths, Canton The ocean baths graded as Good were: Beach (Tuggerah Lake), Wamberal Lagoon, Avoca Lagoon, and Cockrone Lagoon on the • Canoe Pool in the Hunter region. Central Coast

No ocean baths were graded as Fair • Narrabeen Lagoon in the Sydney region

Pearl Beach Rockpool on the Central Coast was • Entrance Lagoon Beach in the Illawarra graded as Poor, being downgraded from Good in region. the previous year. High microbial levels were recorded at the site following rainfall, with bather While the water quality at the above ten locations shedding and discharge from Green Point Creek was generally suitable for swimming during dry being possible sources of contamination. weather conditions, all were very susceptible to Floodwaters from the Hawkesbury River in February faecal contamination following rainfall. 2012 may also have impacted water quality at this site. Extreme wet weather events and flooding during 2011–2012 impacted many lake/lagoon swimming The cause of the poor water quality in Pearl Beach locations. Poor water quality associated with these Rockpool is being further investigated by events resulted in some sites (Gwandalan and Lake Beachwatch. Water samples taken from Green Munmorah Baths) on the Central Coast being Point Creek and rockpool during dry weather downgraded from the previous year. While conditions had low levels of bacteria, suggesting a enterococci levels were mostly safe for swimming wet weather source of faecal contamination. Until during summer 2011–2012, the proportion of slightly this investigation is complete, it is recommended elevated results was higher due to the wet that swimming in the baths be avoided during and conditions. Care should be taken to avoid swimming up to one day following rainfall or if there are signs during and for three days following rainfall at these of pollution such as discoloured water or odour or sites. Swimming should also be avoided if there are floating debris. any signs of stormwater pollution, such as discoloured water or odour or floating debris. No ocean baths were graded as Very Poor Terrigal Lagoon on the Central Coast was graded Coastal lagoons/lakes as Very Poor. Elevated enterococci results were measured in wet weather and in dry weather up to A total of 25 swimming sites in lakes/lagoons were three days after light rainfall. Swimming should be monitored during 2011–2012 and thirteen (52 per avoided during this time and at times when there cent) of these locations were graded as Good or are signs of stormwater pollution, such as Very Good. discoloured water, odour or floating debris. Gosford City Council has awarded consultants with research Mogareeka Inlet on the South Coast was graded as grant funding to conduct microbial source tracking Very Good. to identify sources of faecal contamination in Terrigal, Avoca, Cockrone and Wamberal lagoons. Twelve lake/lagoon swimming locations were graded as Good: Eleebana (Lion Park) in Lake Macquarie in the Hunter region was graded as Very Poor. This site • Lake Ainsworth West on the Far North Coast often had poor water quality and significant sources of microbial contamination such as stormwater and • Croudace Bay, Arcadia Vale, Belmont, sewage overflows. Elevated levels of enterococci Swansea, Cams Wharf, Toronto, Kilaben were recorded during both wet and dry weather Bay, Wangi Point (Van Park), Balcolyn and conditions so it is recommended that swimming be Sunshine in the Hunter region avoided at this site due to the unpredictable nature of the contamination. • Chain Valley Bay on the Central Coast The microbial water quality in coastal lagoons/lakes No coastal lagoons or lakes were graded as Fair. is often dependent on whether the entrance to the water body is open or closed to the ocean. When Ten lake/lagoon swimming locations were graded the entrance is open and the lake/lagoon is well- as Poor: flushed by clean ocean water, the microbial water quality is generally of a high standard. When the

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page x

entrance is closed, the lake/lagoon can become a good, but there were significant sources of faecal collection point for stormwater runoff and, as a contamination in the vicinity of the swimming sites. precaution, swimming should be avoided at all times during these periods. Twenty-five estuarine swimming locations were graded as Poor: Estuarine beaches • Simpsons Creek and Shaws Bay East on the A total of 81 estuarine swimming locations were Far North Coast monitored during 2011–2012 and 50 (62 per cent) were graded as Very Good or Good. • Back Creek, Stuarts Point, Korogoro Creek, Killick Creek and Saltwater Creek on the Seven estuarine swimming sites were graded as North Coast Very Good: • Ettalong Channel, Pretty Beach Baths, • Barrenjoey Beach, Elvina Bay, Great Davistown Baths, Woy Woy Baths and Mackerel Beach, Nielsen Park and Jibbon Yattalunga Baths on the Central Coast Beach in the Sydney region • Chiswick Baths, Woolwich Baths, • Wagonga Inlet and Pambula River Mouth on Tambourine Bay, Hayes St Beach, the South Coast. Northbridge Baths, Como Baths, Oatley Bay Baths, Carss Point Baths, Ramsgate Baths, Forty-three estuarine swimming sites were graded Kyeemagh Baths, Frenchmans Bay, as Good: Horderns Beach and Gymea Bay Baths in the Sydney region. • Torakina Beach, The Serpentine and Evans River on the Far North Coast While the water quality at the above twenty-five locations was generally suitable for swimming • Little Beach, Dutchmans Beach, Bagnalls during dry weather conditions, all were very Beach, Georges Reserve, Lemon Tree susceptible to faecal contamination following Passage Tidal Pool and Karuah Tidal Pool in rainfall. Swimming at these locations should be the Hunter region avoided during and for up to three days following rainfall or if there are signs of stormwater pollution, • The Entrance Channel on the Central Coast such as discoloured water, odour or floating debris.

• Paradise Beach Baths, Clareville Beach, Elevated bacterial levels were also occasionally Taylors Point Baths, Bayview Baths, North recorded in Back Creek, Saltwater Creek, Ettalong Scotland Island, South Scotland Island, The Channel, Davistown Baths and Woy Woy Baths Basin, Watsons Bay, Parsley Bay, Rose Bay after low or no rainfall. Swimming should be avoided Beach, Redleaf Pool, Dawn Fraser Pool, at these sites if there are any signs of pollution, Woodford Bay, Greenwich Baths, Clifton such as discoloured water, odour or floating debris. Gardens, Balmoral Baths, Edwards Beach, Chinamans Beach, Forty Baskets Pool, Extreme wet weather events and flooding during Fairlight Beach, Manly Cove, Little Manly 2011–2012 impacted many estuarine swimming Cove, Silver Beach, Jew Fish Bay Baths, locations. Poor water quality associated with these Sandringham Baths, Dolls Point Baths, events resulted in some sites on the Far North Monterey Baths, Brighton-Le-Sands Baths, Coast (Shaws Bay East) and Central Coast Yarra Bay, Congwong Bay and Lilli Pilli Baths (Yattalunga Baths) being downgraded from the in the Sydney region previous year. In the Sydney region, several sites in Sydney Harbour (Chiswick Baths, Woolwich Baths • Bruce Steer Pool and Bar Beach on the and Northbridge Baths), Botany Bay (Ramsgate Baths) and lower Georges River (Como Baths, South Coast. Oatley Bay Baths and Carss Point Baths) were also downgraded from the previous year. Yarra Bay showed improvements in water quality from the previous year, with reduced impacts from It should be noted that has stormwater, and was upgraded from Fair to Good. currently closed Tambourine Bay Baths and the long-term future of the site is yet to be determined. Four sites in the Sydney region (Cabarita Beach, Gurney Crescent Baths, Clontarf Pool and Gunnamatta Bay Baths) were graded as Fair, indicating that microbial water quality was generally

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Two estuarine sites in the Sydney region acceptable range, and confidence can be placed in (Foreshores Beach and Davidson Reserve) were the accuracy of water quality results reported under graded as Very Poor. Beachwatch programs. The exception was one council laboratory in the Beachwatch Partnership Foreshores Beach is located in Botany Bay. Program which underestimated all enterococci Enterococci levels are frequently unsuitable for samples, and reported results outside the swimming and the site is affected by sewage acceptable limits. Further investigation of their overflows into Mill Pond Creek, which discharges bacterial analysis revealed issues in their adjacent to the site. Davidson Reserve is located in manufacture of microbiological media. Until this the upper reaches of Middle Harbour. Although issue is resolved results from this council are deemed provisional. However it is possible that microbial water quality was often suitable for errors in bacterial analysis only occurred in samples swimming during dry weather conditions, the site is from the quality assurance program as bacterial very susceptible to faecal contamination from levels at swimming sites during the 2011–2012 sewage overflows and river discharge (poor-quality sampling season did not vary significantly from water flowing down from upstream sources of those reported in previous years, and sanitary pollution). inspections did not detect any significant sources of faecal contamination at any swimming site. To reduce the risk of contracting a swimming related illness at Foreshores Beach and Davidson Data management Reserve, carefully follow the pollution advisories in the Beachwatch daily bulletin Water quality data are electronically forwarded to (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach) and avoid Beachwatch Programs from the contracted swimming during and for up to three days following laboratory, Hunter Water, Sydney Water and light rainfall and at times when there are signs of partnership councils. The water quality data are stormwater pollution, such as discoloured water or uploaded to the Beachwatch water quality database odour or floating debris. (BACTO) for storage and data evaluation. All data are cross checked and anomalous results identified. Quality assurance Community reporting

To ensure that data collected under the Beachwatch Beachwatch Programs provide beach water quality programs is accurate and reliable, quality assurance information through Sydney daily bulletins, weekly of field sampling, laboratory analysis, data star ratings, monthly reports and regional council management and community reporting is reporting. undertaken. Field sampling The Sydney daily bulletins were produced to a high standard with an average of 99 per cent accuracy Auditing of field sampling in the Sydney, Hunter, and timeliness, with only minor formatting errors Illawarra and Beachwatch Partnership regions detected. Weekly star ratings and monthly reports showed an excellent level of compliance with were created by using computer-generated established Beachwatch sampling protocols. All calculations and were approved by a number of sampling officers demonstrated a good individuals and/or agencies to ensure the accuracy understanding of aseptic sampling and storage of information reported before distribution. techniques and a sound local knowledge of potential beach pollution sources and water quality Community reporting in regional areas by issues. One potential issue identified was omitting partnership councils was assessed by Beachwatch the date on sample jar labels, which could prevent staff during field visits. Most regional councils samples being correctly identified. provide information on their websites, and regularly forward results to Beachwatch Programs for weekly Laboratory analysis star rating reporting on the OEH website.

The results from the majority of laboratories used in A number of joint media releases were issued by the three Beachwatch programs had a high level of OEH and councils throughout the summer season precision in their estimation of enterococci densities. to promote councils’ monitoring and reporting This indicates that the results reported are in the activities and to advise on recreational water quality.

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Table S2: Beach Suitability Grades in the Far North Coast region, 2011–2012

Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade

The Strand Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Torakina Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good

Simpsons Creek Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor

South Beach (Brunswick Heads) Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Belongil Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Main Beach (Byron Bay) Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Clarkes Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Byron Shire Byron Council Wategos Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Tallow Beach (Byron Bay) Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Tallow Beach (Suffolk Park) Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Broken Head Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Seven Mile Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Lake Ainsworth West Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good

Shelly Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good

Shaws Bay East Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor

The Serpentine Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Ballina Shire CouncilBallina Shire Lighthouse Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good

Airforce Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Main Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Shark Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Council

Evans River Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Richmond Valley Richmond Valley

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xiii

Table S3: Beach Suitability Grades in the North Coast region, 2011–2012

Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade

Grassy Head Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Stuarts Point Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor

Back Creek Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor

Horseshoe Bay Ocean beach Low Category B Good

Trial Bay Ocean beach Low Category B Good

Saltwater Creek Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor

Hat Head Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Kempsey Shire Council Kempsey Korogoro Creek Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor

Killick Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category C Poor

Killick Creek Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xiv

Table S4: Beach Suitability Grades in the Hunter region, 2011–2012

Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade

Zenith Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Box Beach Ocean beach Very Low Category A Very Good Fingal Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good One Mile Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Birubi Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Little Beach Estuarine Low Category B Good Dutchmans Beach Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Bagnalls Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Georges Reserve Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Port Stephens Council Council Stephens Port Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Karuah Tidal Pool Estuarine Moderate Category A Good South Stockton Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Nobbys Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Newcastle Baths Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good Canoe Pool Ocean baths Low Category B Good Newcastle Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bar Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Merewether Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Merewether Learners Pool Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good Merewether Main Pool Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good

Newcastle City Council Council City Newcastle Burwood North Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Burwood South Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Glenrock Lagoon Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Dudley Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Redhead Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Blacksmiths Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Swansea Heads Little Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Caves Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Eleebana (Lion Park) Lagoon/lake High Category D Very Poor Croudace Bay Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Arcadia Vale Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good Belmont Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Swansea Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Cams Wharf Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good Catherine Hill Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Speers Point Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor

Lake Macquarie City Council Council City LakeMacquarie Bolton Point Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor Toronto Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Kilaben Bay Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Wangi Point (Van Park) Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Balcolyn Lagoon/lake Low Category B Good Sunshine Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good

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Table S5: Beach Suitability Grades in the Central Coast region, 2011–2012

Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade

Frazer Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Birdie Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Budgewoi Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Lakes Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Hargraves Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Jenny Dixon Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cabbage Tree Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Lighthouse Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Gravelly Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Soldiers Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good North Entrance Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good The Entrance Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Blue Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Toowoon Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Wyong Shire Council Shire Wyong Shelly Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Blue Lagoon Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bateau Bay Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Gwandalan Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor Chain Valley Bay Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Lake Munmorah Baths Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor Canton Beach Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor The Entrance Channel Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Forresters Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Wamberal Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Wamberal Lagoon Lagoon/lake Moderate Category D Poor Terrigal Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category C Poor Terrigal Lagoon Lagoon/lake High Category D Very Poor North Avoca Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Avoca Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Avoca Lagoon Lagoon/lake Moderate Category D Poor Copacabana Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Cockrone Lagoon Lagoon/lake Moderate Category D Poor MacMasters Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Killcare Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Pearl Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good

Gosford City CouncilGosford City Pearl Beach Rockpool Ocean baths Moderate Category D Poor Umina Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category C Poor Ocean Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category C Poor Ettalong Channel Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor Pretty Beach Baths Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor Davistown Baths Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor Woy Woy Baths Estuarine Moderate Category D Poor Yattalunga Baths Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xvi

Table S6: Beach Suitability Grades in the Sydney Ocean Beaches region, 2011–2012

Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade

Palm Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Whale Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Avalon Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bilgola Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Newport Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Bungan Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Mona Vale Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Warriewood Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Turimetta Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good North Narrabeen Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Narrabeen Lagoon Lagoon/lake High Category C Poor Collaroy Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Northern Sydney Sydney Northern Long Reef Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Dee Why Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good North Curl Curl Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good South Curl Curl Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Freshwater Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Queenscliff Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good North Steyne Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good South Steyne Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Shelly Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bondi Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Tamarama Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Bronte Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Clovelly Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Coogee Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Maroubra Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Central Sydney Central Malabar Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category D Poor Little Bay Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Boat Harbour Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Greenhills Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Wanda Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Elouera Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good North Cronulla Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good South Cronulla Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Southern Sydney Southern Sydney Shelly Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Oak Park Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xvii

Table S7: Beach Suitability Grades in Pittwater and Sydney Harbour, 2011–2012

Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade

Barrenjoey Beach Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Paradise Beach Baths Estuarine Low Category B Good Clareville Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Taylors Point Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Bayview Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Elvina Bay Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Pittwater Pittwater North Scotland Island Estuarine Moderate Category B Good South Scotland Island Estuarine Moderate Category A Good The Basin Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Great Mackerel Beach Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Watsons Bay Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Parsley Bay Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Nielsen Park Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Rose Bay Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Redleaf Pool Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Dawn Fraser Pool Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Chiswick Baths Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Cabarita Beach Estuarine High Category B Fair Woolwich Baths Estuarine High Category C Poor Tambourine Bay Estuarine High Category C Poor Woodford Bay Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Greenwich Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Hayes St Beach Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Clifton Gardens Estuarine Moderate Category B Good

Sydney HarbourSydney Balmoral Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Edwards Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Chinamans Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Northbridge Baths Estuarine High Category C Poor Davidson Reserve Estuarine High Category D Very Poor Gurney Crescent Baths Estuarine High Category B Fair Clontarf Pool Estuarine High Category B Fair Forty Baskets Pool Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Fairlight Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Manly Cove Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Little Manly Cove Estuarine Moderate Category B Good

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xviii

Table S8: Beach Suitability Grades in Botany Bay, lower Georges River and Port Hacking, 2011–2012

Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade

Silver Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Como Baths Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Jew Fish Bay Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Oatley Bay Baths Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Carss Point Baths Estuarine High Category C Poor Sandringham Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Dolls Point Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Ramsgate Baths Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Monterey Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Brighton-Le-Sands Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Kyeemagh Baths Estuarine High Category C Poor Foreshores Beach Estuarine High Category D Very Poor

Botany Bay and lower Georges River River Georges lower and Bay Botany Yarra Bay Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Frenchmans Bay Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Congwong Bay Estuarine Low Category B Good Jibbon Beach Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Horderns Beach Estuarine Moderate Category C Poor Gymea Bay Baths Estuarine High Category C Poor Lilli Pilli Baths Estuarine Moderate Category B Good

Port Hacking Hacking Port Gunnamatta Bay Baths Estuarine High Category B Fair

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xix

Table S9: Beach Suitability Grades in the Illawarra region, 2011–2012

Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade

Austinmer Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Thirroul Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Bulli Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Woonona Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Bellambi Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good

Corrimal Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good

North Wollongong Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Wollongong City Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Wollongong City CouncilWollongong City Coniston Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Fishermans Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Port Kembla Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Entrance Lagoon Beach Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor

Warilla Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Very Good City CouncilCity Shellharbour Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Shellharbour

Boyds Jones Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Bombo Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Surf Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Council

Kiama Municipal Kiama Werri Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xx

Table S10: Beach Suitability Grades for the South Coast region, 2011–2012

Sanitary Microbial Beach Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade Shoalhaven Heads Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Tilbury Cove Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Warrain Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Collingwood Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cudmirrah Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Mollymook Beach Ocean beach Low Category B Good Rennies Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Racecourse Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Shoalhaven City CouncilShoalhaven City Bawley Point Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Merry Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cookies Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Caseys Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Surf Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Malua Bay Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Broulee Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bengello Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Shelley Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Tuross Main Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Brou Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Eurobodalla Shire Council Eurobodalla Shire Wagonga Inlet Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Narooma Main Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Camel Rock Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bruce Steer Pool Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Horseshoe Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Beares Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Mogareeka Inlet Lagoon/lake Low Category A Very Good Tathra Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Short Point Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bar Beach Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Main Beach (Merimbula) Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Bega Valley Shire Valley Bega Council Pambula Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Pambula River Mouth Estuarine Low Category A Very Good Aslings Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Cocora Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page xxi

Chapter 1 Beach monitoring in NSW

The water quality of beaches and other sewage effluent. Seventeen ocean beaches are swimming locations is monitored to provide the monitored in the Hunter region, and 17 ocean beaches and one lagoon site are monitored in the community with accurate information on the Illawarra region. cleanliness of the water and to enable individuals to make informed decisions about where and The Harbourwatch program when to swim. Routine assessment also Harbourwatch commenced in November 1994. The measures the impact of pollution sources, program complements the Beachwatch program by enables the effectiveness of stormwater and monitoring and reporting on the water quality at wastewater management practices to be estuarine beaches and swimming baths in Sydney assessed, and highlights areas where further Harbour, Botany Bay, Georges River, Port Hacking and Pittwater. work is required. Water samples are collected by OEH staff every The programs sixth day during the swimming season (October to April) and monthly for the remainder of the year. The There are three main beach monitoring programs in program includes 25 sites in Sydney Harbour, ten NSW: Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and the sites in Pittwater, 15 sites in the lower Georges River monitoring undertaken by local councils as part of and Botany Bay and five sites in Port Hacking. the Beachwatch Partnership Program. The Beachwatch Partnership Program A total of 260 swimming locations along the NSW coast were monitored under these programs during This program provides local councils undertaking the 2011–2012 swimming season. recreational water quality monitoring and reporting programs with technical advice, quality assurance The Beachwatch program and assistance with community reporting. All regional coastal councils in NSW are invited to take Beachwatch was established in 1989 in response to part in the program before the start of the swimming public concern over the level of sewage pollution at season each year. Sydney’s ocean beaches. At that time, more than one billion litres of effluent were discharged to During summer 2011–2012, 12 coastal councils in Sydney’s coastal waters each day. Beachwatch was regional NSW participated in the program: given responsibility to monitor and report on beach pollution levels. Over the last 20 years the program • Byron Shire Council has tracked significant improvements in water quality: Sydney’s beaches are now up to 98 per cent • Ballina Shire Council cleaner than they were two decades ago. • Richmond Valley Council Monitoring of Sydney’s ocean beaches is conducted by Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) staff • Kempsey Shire Council and Council lifeguards. Beaches are sampled every six days throughout the year and • Port Stephens Council tested for the bacterial indicator enterococci. Samples are collected from between the flags (or the • Newcastle City Council most commonly used area if the beach is not patrolled). A total of 36 ocean beaches and one • lagoon site are monitored in the Sydney region. Lake Macquarie City Council • Beachwatch was expanded to the Hunter and Wyong Shire Council Illawarra regions in 1996. Monitoring in these areas is conducted by Hunter Water Corporation and • Gosford City Council Sydney Water Corporation as a requirement of their Environment Protection Licences to discharge • Shoalhaven City Council

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 1

• Eurobodalla Shire Council Exposure

• Bega Valley Shire Council. Exposure to water-borne human pathogens at the beach can occur through direct contact with polluted water while swimming, by accidental ingestion of All monitoring and reporting activities are fully funded contaminated water or by inhalation of small water by each local council. A total of 133 sites were droplets in the air. monitored during the 2011–2012 swimming season, including ocean and estuarine beaches and swimming locations in tidal pools, bays, lagoons and Primary contact with contaminated water can cause harbours. a variety of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, collectively known as gastroenteritis. Symptoms of gastroenteritis include vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach- Health risks ache, nausea, headache and fever. Contamination of recreational waters with faecal Diseases and conditions that affect the eyes, ears, material from animal and human sources can pose skin and upper respiratory tract can also be significant health problems to beach users owing to contracted when pathogens come into contact with the presence of pathogens (disease-causing micro- small breaks and tears in the skin or ruptures of the organisms) in the faecal material. The most common delicate membranes in the ear or nose. groups of pathogens found in recreational waters are bacteria, protozoans and viruses. Epidemiological studies Bacteria People who contract diseases as a result of swimming in contaminated water do not always There are many thousands of species of these associate their illness symptoms with this contact. As simple single-celled organisms. The vast majority of a result, disease outbreaks are often inconsistently bacteria are harmless and perform a variety of reported. As the incidence of disease among essential roles, including the breakdown of organic swimmers is difficult to determine, numerous studies material, fermentation and nitrogen fixing. Enteric have been conducted in an attempt to establish a bacteria live in the intestinal tracts of warm-blooded link between illness and the level of faecal animals and help with digestion. Several groups of contamination. A review of these studies by Pruss bacteria are pathogenic, including Salmonella and (1998) drew two conclusions: Vibrio. • The relative risk of disease from swimming in Protozoans contaminated water ranged from one to three Protozoans are single-celled organisms that live as times above the risk associated with parasites in humans and animals. In the swimming in uncontaminated water. environment, they exist as dormant cysts, enabling them to survive harsh conditions such as high • Symptom rates were higher in individuals with temperatures and salinity. When swallowed by a compromised immune systems. host, the protozoans multiply and are spread through excretion of faeces. At the height of an infection, Certain groups of users may be more vulnerable to there may be between two and ten million cysts in the threat of microbial infection than others. Children, every gram of faeces excreted. Approximately 30 per the elderly, people with compromised immune cent of the 35,000 known species of protozoans are systems, tourists, and people from culturally and pathogenic. Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium linguistically diverse backgrounds are generally most parvum are two of the best known pathogenic at risk. protozoans.

Viruses Recreational water quality These consist of nucleic acid (RNA or DNA) guidelines surrounded by a protein shell. Viruses are not able to In May 2009, new guidelines for monitoring and take in food, get rid of waste or reproduce by reporting recreational water quality were adopted for themselves. Viral infection does not always lead to use in NSW: the National Health and Medical disease. In some cases the host will have no Research Council’s Guidelines for managing risks in symptoms; in others the host will become very ill. recreational water (NHMRC 2008). These guidelines Person-to-person contact is the most common supersede the Australian guidelines for recreational transmission route. Viruses that may be transmitted use of water (NHMRC 1990) and the ‘Guidelines for by faecally contaminated water include hepatitis A recreational water quality and aesthetics’ chapter of and E, norovirus, coxsackie, rotavirus and the Australian water quality guidelines for fresh and adenovirus.

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 2

marine waters (ANZECC 2000), on which the Provisional Beach Suitability Grades previous Beachwatch guidelines were based. The NHMRC (2008) guidelines recognise that there The NHMRC 2008 guidelines have been adopted in will be occasions when there is a need to issue all Australian states and are supported by guidance advice on the classification of a recreational water notes developed by the Department of Health environment, even though the information required is Western Australia following a national workshop held incomplete because of limited bacterial data or in Perth in 2007 (Department of Health, Western limited information on potential pollution sources in a Australia 2007). beach catchment.

The new guidelines represent a major revision of the As this is the third year of monitoring and reporting previous guidelines by focusing on the assessment under the NHMRC 2008 guidelines, some of the and management of hazards to minimise health Beach Suitability Grades in this report are risks. Under the new guidelines, recreational water provisional, and this is noted in the council summary quality at swimming sites is no longer reported as sections of the report, where applicable. As more percentage compliance based on microbial data, but data become available in following years the beach as Beach Suitability Grades. grades will become final. The information gaps for most sites are minor, and Beachwatch has confidence in the grades presented in this report. Beach Suitability Grades Beach Suitability Grades provide an assessment of Determining Beach Suitability Grades the suitability of a swimming location for recreation over time and are based on a combination of Beach Suitability Grades are determined by using sanitary inspection (identification and rating of the matrix in Table 2. Microbial assessment potential pollution sources at a beach) and microbial categories and sanitary inspection categories are assessment (water quality measurements gathered described in the following sections. over previous years). There are five grades, ranging from Very Good to Very Poor (Table 1).

Table 1: Beach Suitability Grade definitions

Very Good – Location has generally excellent microbial water quality and very few potential sources of faecal pollution. Water is considered suitable for swimming for almost all of the time.

Good – Location has generally good microbial water quality and water is considered suitable for swimming most of the time. Swimming should be avoided during and for up to one day following heavy rain at ocean beaches and up to three days at estuarine sites.

Fair – Microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming, but because of the presence of significant sources of faecal contamination, extra care should be taken to avoid swimming during and for up to three days following rainfall or if there are signs of pollution such as discoloured water or odour or debris in the water.

Poor – Location is susceptible to faecal pollution and microbial water quality is not always suitable for swimming. During dry weather conditions, ensure that the swimming location is free of signs of pollution, such as discoloured water, odour or debris in the water, and avoid swimming at all times during and for up to three days following rainfall.

Very Poor – Location is very susceptible to faecal pollution and microbial water quality may often be unsuitable for swimming. It is recommended to avoid swimming at this site.

Source: Adapted from NHMRC (2008)

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Table 2: Matrix used to determine Beach Suitability Grades

Microbial Assessment Category (MAC) A B C D (≤ 40 cfu/ (41–200 cfu/ (201–500cfu/ (> 500 cfu/ 100mL*) 100mL*) 100mL*) 100mL*) Very Low Very Good Very Good Follow Up Follow Up

Low Very Good Good Follow Up Follow Up Sanitary Inspection Moderate Good Good Poor Poor Category High Good Fair Poor Very Poor

Very High Follow Up Fair Poor Very Poor Source: NHMRC (2008). * See Table 3 for Microbial Assessment Category details

Microbial water quality assessment Under the guidelines, Sydney’s ocean beaches continue to be sampled every six days throughout Faecal indicator bacteria the year. Estuarine sites in the Harbourwatch Program continue to be sampled every six days Direct detection of pathogens in recreational waters during the swimming season (October to May) with is generally not undertaken owing to the difficulty of monthly surveillance sampling undertaken between the analysis. Where reliable laboratory methods May and September, when the swimming sites are exist they generally require the collection of large generally not in use. volumes of water; analysis is costly, and it can take a week or more to obtain a result. In addition, Monitoring under the Beachwatch Partnership decisions need to be made about how many and Program varies among councils. Owing to the which specific pathogens to test for. resource-intensive nature of recreational water quality monitoring, most councils restrict monitoring NHMRC (2008) advocates the use of enterococci as to the swimming season and some councils focus the single preferred faecal indicator in marine their resources on sample collection only during waters. These bacteria are excreted in faeces and those summer months when use is highest. are rarely present in unpolluted waters. Enterococci have shown a clear dose–response relationship to Samples are collected using an aseptic sampling disease outcomes in marine waters in the northern technique, placed on ice and transferred to the hemisphere. In accordance with the NHMRC 2008 laboratory for analysis. In the laboratory, guidelines, Beachwatch tests for enterococci only, enterococci density is analysed using method with faecal coliform analysis discontinued on AS/NZS 4276.9:2007. Sampling undertaken as part 30 April 2009. Enterococci density in water samples of the Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and Beachwatch is analysed in the laboratory using method AS/NZS Partnership programs is checked under the quality 4276.9:2007. assurance program and the results of this are presented in the Quality Assurance section of this Sampling programs report.

The swimming guidelines state that sampling should Microbial Assessment Category calculation cover the range of conditions that occur while the swimming location is in use (NHMRC 2008). For There are four Microbial Assessment Categories most beaches along the NSW coast, the highest (A to D), and each is associated with risks of illness use occurs during the swimming season (October to determined from key epidemiological studies April). For beaches on the North Coast, use can (Table 3). extend throughout the year, whereas at beaches on the South Coast, use is usually restricted to summer The Microbial Assessment Category is determined months. from the 95th percentile of an enterococci dataset of at least 100 data points. The 95th percentile is a Harbour swimming sites in Sydney tend to operate useful statistic for summarising the distribution of only during the swimming season, with many pools enterococci data at a site, because it embodies closed and shark nets removed during the winter. elements of both the location of the distribution (how high/low the enterococci counts are) and the scale of the distribution (how variable the enterococci counts are).

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Table 3: Microbial Assessment Categories

Category 95%ile of Basis of derivation Associated overall enterococci illness rates (cfu/100 mL)

No illness seen in most GI* illness risk: <1% A ≤40 epidemiological studies AFRI** risk: <0.3%

Upper threshold is above the GI illness risk: 1%–5% B 41–200 threshold of illness transmission AFRI risk: 0.3%–1.9% reported in most studies

Represents a substantial elevation GI illness risk: 5%–10% C 201–500 in the probability of adverse health AFRI risk: 1.9%–3.9% outcomes

Above this level there may be GI illness risk: >10% D >500 significant risk of high levels of AFRI risk: >3.9% illness transmission Source: NHMRC (2008). * GI = gastrointestinal illness ** AFRI = acute febrile respiratory illness

The risks of illness shown in Table 3 are not those contamination. There are five categories, ranging associated with the 95th percentile enterococci level, from Very Low to Very High. but are the overall risk of illness associated with an enterococci dataset with that 95th percentile (see The knowledge of the catchment, pollution sources Wyer et al. 1999 for further information). and receiving water processes gained from the sanitary inspection provides beach managers with a The 95th percentile values for each of the four good foundation for investigating pollution incidents, Microbial Assessment Categories were determined prioritising and implementing pollution abatement by the World Health Organization using enterococci measures, and providing sound advice to the data collected from swimming locations across community on where and when to swim. Europe, and so these values will represent different probabilities of illness if the distribution of enterococci data from swimming locations in NSW Reporting beach water quality differs from the European distribution. In recognition of this issue, Dr Richard Lugg (Department of information Health, Western Australia) has developed a Water quality data and results Microsoft® Excel tool for calculating a modified 95th percentile that takes into account the distribution of All data collected as part of the Beachwatch, data. This tool has been used to calculate the 95th Harbourwatch and Beachwatch Partnership percentile values presented in this report and has programs can be downloaded from the Beachwatch been adopted for use by other state governments website (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach). (Department of Health, Western Australia 2007). Daily bulletins Sanitary inspection The Beachwatch and Harbourwatch daily bulletins The aim of a sanitary inspection is to identify all provide the community with advice on the likelihood sources of faecal contamination that could affect a of pollution at Sydney ocean and estuarine beaches. swimming location and assess the risk to public The bulletins are released at 7:30 am every day health posed by these sources. It is a qualitative during the swimming season (October to April). assessment of bacterial water quality at the site and Outside this period, the bulletin is released at should, to some degree, correlate with the bacterial 9:30 am on weekdays, with a weekend forecast water quality results obtained from sampling. issued at 5:00 pm on Friday afternoons. Sanitary inspections are discussed in detail in the following section. The likelihood of pollution is determined from rainfall in the previous 24 to 72 hours and uses the Through the sanitary inspection process, beaches relationship between enterococci levels and rainfall are categorised to reflect the likelihood of faecal at each beach. When the rainfall exceeds the pre-

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 5

determined rainfall threshold for the beach or Media releases waterway, the bulletin indicates that pollution is ‘LIKELY’. Media releases are issued by many local councils participating in the Beachwatch Partnership The daily bulletins are updated during the day as Program, usually at the start of the swimming beach and weather conditions change and in season, at the peak Christmas holiday period and at response to incident reports from council lifeguards the end of the swimming season. The media or Sydney Water. The bulletin is also updated to releases advise on the scope of the council’s include information on beach closures. program and provide a summary of results.

The daily bulletins are available online Annual State of the Beaches report (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach), via a recorded telephone information line (1800 036 677), The State of the Beaches report is issued around the via email subscription, and on Twitter start of the swimming season each year, usually in (@BeachwatchNSW). October or November. The report provides a comprehensive summary of activities and results of Weekly reports – star ratings water quality monitoring for the previous year.

Weekly star ratings were introduced in 1996 as a In previous years, two State of the Beaches reports community information service for beach users in the have been released, one for the Beachwatch and Illawarra and Hunter regions. Star ratings are Harbourwatch programs, covering the Sydney, currently available on the Beachwatch website for Hunter and Illawarra regions, and one for the most sites in the Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and Beachwatch Partnership Program, covering Beachwatch Partnership programs. swimming locations monitored by local councils. Since 2009–2010 a single report combining results Beaches are allocated one to four stars, based on from all three programs has been produced. the Microbial Assessment Categories in the NHMRC 2008 guidelines (Table 4) State of the Beaches reports from 1989–1990 onwards are available on the Beachwatch website Star ratings are based on the latest enterococci (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach). result for a beach. They provide a snapshot of water quality at the site; the result will depend on rainfall Website prior to sampling or any pollution incidents. The star rating for a particular day may not be indicative of Further information about the Beachwatch programs, long-term water quality. including sampling methods, water quality guidelines and working with councils, is available on the Table 4: Star ratings for Microbial Assessment Beachwatch website at Categories www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach. Total visits to the website during 2011–2012 was 53,211, with over half of those being return visitors. The number of Star rating Enterococci result Description visits has increased by 23 per cent from the previous year and includes 184,529 page views.  <41 cfu/100 mL* Good Twitter  41–200 cfu/100 mL* Fair Beachwatch programs can be followed on Twitter  201–500 cfu/100 mL* Poor @BeachwatchNSW, and as of August 2012 had 811 followers. Regular tweets include information in the  >500 cfu/100 mL* Bad daily bulletin and updates, as well as key messages for safe swimming and tips for reducing stormwater * Based on Microbial Assessment Category ranges pollution. Tweets also include observations by the in Table 3. staff while in the field, such as beach conditions, animal sightings, surf conditions, crowded beaches, Monthly reports events, water temperature, and activity on the The monthly reports summarise the results of water harbour, algal blooms and sampling information. quality analyses, compare these with rainfall, and may also include reported visual pollution or information from telemetered sewage overflows. They are provided for swimming sites in the Beachwatch and Harbourwatch programs and are available on the Beachwatch website.

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Chapter 2 Sanitary inspections

The sanitary inspection provides an ‘assessment • sewage chokes and leaks of the area’s susceptibility to influence from • on-site sewage/wastewater treatment human faecal contamination’ (WHO 1999). It is a systems (such as septic tanks) qualitative assessment of bacterial water quality • wastewater re-use at the site, and should, to some degree, correlate with the bacterial water quality results obtained • river discharges through sampling. • lagoon (or coastal lake) discharges The sanitary inspection process • boats • There are four key steps: animals.

1. identify all pollution sources that might affect a While this list is extensive, if other sources are swimming location present at a swimming site they are also included in the sanitary inspection. The pollution sources are 2. determine the likelihood of each source described later in this section. affecting the site Information on pollution sources is gathered from 3. determine the overall likelihood, or Sanitary desktop studies, field inspections, and interviews Inspection Category, for the site with sewerage authorities, local council officers, lifeguards and other stakeholders. 4. review the site’s Sanitary Inspection Category annually. Step 2: Determine the likelihood for each The results of the sanitary inspection for each site pollution source are presented on the beach pages in Chapter 4 of this report. For each identified pollution source, the likelihood of a public health event occurring must be determined. Step 1: Identify pollution sources at a site A public health event can be conservatively defined as an occasion when a pollution source could cause enterococci levels in excess of the illness threshold While a sanitary inspection investigates all sources of 40 cfu/100 mL at a swimming site. The likelihood of faecal pollution affecting a swimming site, a lower categories are defined in Table 5. weighting is given to animal sources. This is because many of the pathogens in animal faeces do not affect Table 5: Likelihood categories for public health human health owing to the ‘species barrier’ (NHMRC events 2008, WSAA 2003). Animal sources are not excluded completely because there are some human Likelihood Definition pathogens found in animal faeces, such as category Cryptosporidium parvum and E. coli (WHO 2003). Event occurs only in exceptional The main sources of faecal pollution affecting Very Low circumstances: about once every ten recreational waters are: bathing seasons Event occurs infrequently: once every five • bather shedding Low bathing seasons • toilet facilities Event occurs occasionally: once or twice Moderate each bathing season • stormwater discharges Event occurs with some regularity: three or High • sewage/wastewater treatment plant four times each bathing season discharges and bypasses Event occurs frequently: several times Very High • sewage overflows each month

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Step 3: Determine the Sanitary Inspection • dilution and tidal flushing are low, for example Category for the site in shallow coastal lakes • bather density is very high The Sanitary Inspection Category is the overall likelihood of a public health event posed by all • small children swim, wade or play at the site identified sources of faecal contamination at a site • and is categorized as Very Low, Low, Moderate, there are no toilet facilities. High or Very High. Toilet facilities As it is not possible to sum qualitative likelihood Leaks from toilet facilities are most likely to be a categories (Very Low, Low, etc.), a quantitative value source of microbial contamination when they are: is assigned to each category to enable likelihood values from a variety of pollution sources to be • located in very close proximity to the added together (Table 6). swimming area (<50 metres) Table 6: Likelihood categories, values and • not connected to the sewer, but rely on on- category ranges site treatment • Likelihood Event Likelihood Category very old and require upgrading category frequency value range • present in high numbers (high flow) 1 in 10 • located at a very popular beach (high use). Very Low bathing 0.1 <0.2 seasons A history of discharges, leaks or odours may also 1 in 5 indicate that toilet facilities are more likely to be a Low bathing 0.2 0.2 to <1 source of contamination. seasons 1 per bathing Stormwater Moderate 1 1 to <3 season Rainwater is removed from urban environments via 3 per bathing High 3 3 to <12 the stormwater system. The runoff can carry a range season of natural and artificial compounds found in, or 12 per derived from, the catchment, including: 12 or Very High bathing 12 greater season • silt and organic or inorganic suspended particles To determine the overall likelihood category, or Sanitary Inspection Category, for a site, the • sewage from overflows and leakages in the likelihood values for all pollution sources at the site sewerage system are summed to give a total value. This total value is • then compared with the category ranges in Table 6 to animal faecal waste (for example, dog determine the overall likelihood category, or Sanitary droppings) Inspection Category. • oils, greases and surfactants from roadways and industrial and domestic sites For example: Site A has four identified sources of pollution with associated likelihoods of Very Low, • plant fertilisers, pesticides and chemicals from Moderate, Moderate and High. The overall likelihood building sites and gardens would be 0.1 + 1 + 1 + 3 = 5.1 = High (range of 3 to • <12). The Sanitary Inspection Category for the site is litter (including rubbish and leaf litter, grass therefore High. clippings and twigs). The amount of runoff is determined by factors such The pollution sources as the volume and intensity of rainfall, the geology and topography, the proportion of impervious Bather shedding surfaces in a catchment, and the soil saturation. A number of studies have found that bathers themselves can be a source of faecal contamination Stormwater drains will have the greatest impact on in recreational waters (NHMRC 2008). The effect is recreational waters when the: greatest at sites where:

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• discharge volume is large because the • level of treatment at the plant is low catchment is large and/or the area receives • high rainfall volume of effluent discharged is high.

• catchment is densely populated Sewage treatment levels are defined in Table 7. • catchment’s sewerage system is old and/or Bypasses from sewage/wastewater poorly maintained treatment plants • drains discharge close to the swimming area. On occasion, sewage entering a sewage/wastewater treatment plant may not receive full treatment before Urban runoff is typified by large volumes of fast- discharge to the environment. This can occur flowing turbid water entering drains within minutes of because of human error, mechanical malfunction or a rain event and eventually draining into the local electrical malfunction. During wet weather it can also creeks, rivers and harbours and onto beaches. occur when the capacity of the plant is exceeded due to large volumes of rainwater in the sewer system. Very high levels of bacteria have been measured in Sewage treatment bypasses will have the greatest stormwater drains at Sydney’s beaches. It is impact on recreational waters where the treatment recommended that all contact with stormwater be plant: avoided, including stormwater pooled on the beach. Swimming in the vicinity of stormwater drains should • bypasses frequently because it is operating also be avoided. close to operational capacity, has no storage capacity and/or is subject to large peaks in Sewage treatment plant discharges flow during wet weather Sewage treatment plants (also know as wastewater • uses older technology without backup or treatment works) are located near most urban warning systems centres and remove pollutants from sewage before discharging it to the environment. Discharges from • is unable to disinfect bypassed effluent. sewage/wastewater treatment plants will have the greatest impact when the: The level of dilution in receiving waters is particularly important when assessing potential impact. The • discharge point is located close to the volume of effluent discharged and the tidal swimming area movement, currents and depth of the receiving water • level of dilution and dispersion available in the are all considered. receiving water is low

Table 7: Levels of sewage treatment

Level Treatment processes

None No treatment – raw sewage discharged.

Preliminary Screen filtration to remove large solid material.

Sewage is filtered through fine screens to remove material like paper, cotton tips and plastic. Heavier particles like sand sink to the bottom and are removed. The sewage then flows into Primary the primary sedimentation tanks where human waste, called sludge, settles to the bottom and oils and grease float to the surface where they are collected.

This step removes dissolved and suspended organic and inorganic solids. Bacteria are used to Secondary naturally break down the material, then particles settle to the bottom of the tank for collection.

This step further removes inorganic compounds, and substances such as the plant nutrients Tertiary nitrogen and phosphorus.

This step can be added to any treatment level to inactivate disease-causing micro-organisms Disinfection such as bacteria, viruses and parasites.

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 9

Sewage overflows On-site sewage treatment systems During wet weather rainwater can enter the On-site systems, such as septic tanks, will have the sewerage system through cracks in the pipes or greatest impact on recreational waters when they illegal connections from the stormwater system. If are: the flow in the pipe increases to beyond the capacity of the sewer, the excess flow (a mix of stormwater • incorrectly designed or located and sewage) will discharge from designed overflow • structures to prevent the sewer backing up and not maintained and/or there is a history of overflowing into houses. leaks or odours • present in large numbers in the catchment Sewage overflows can also occur during dry weather if mechanical and electrical components of the sewer • located close to the swimming area, system, such as those at pumping stations, fail particularly if soils are sandy and porous. because of power outages or other failures. Wastewater re-use Sewage overflow points are built into the system in order to minimise discharges to habitation and the Wastewater re-use, such as irrigation of treated risk to human health. Sewage overflows are either sewage effluent on grazing land or parks or outside direct to receiving waters or enter the stormwater use in residential areas where a dual reticulation system and then flow to receiving waters. system is provided, can be a source of faecal contamination in recreational waters, particularly Sewage overflows will have the greatest impact on when: recreational waters when the: • wastewater is not treated to a high level • overflow point is located close to the before re-use swimming location • the re-use area is located close to the • sewer system is old or poorly maintained, with swimming site and soils are porous or sandy cracks allowing rainwater to enter the pipes • and increase flow beyond the design capacity a large volume of effluent is re-used.

• sewer system is operating at close to capacity River/creek discharges due to increases in serviced population Discharges from rivers and creeks can be a • sewer system serves a large population. significant source of faecal contamination to recreational waters, particularly when: Sewer chokes and leaks • the volume of river/creek discharge is high Sewage chokes occur when sewer pipes become because the catchment is large and/or the blocked by tree roots, oil and grease or debris. region receives high rainfall Sewage builds up behind the blockage, leading to discharge from openings in the sewer, usually at • there are many sources of faecal inspection points or designed overflow structures. contamination in the catchment and the level Sewers may also leak sewage through cracks in the of faecal contamination in the river/creek pipes or areas where the pipe has been damaged. water is high • the river discharges close to the swimming Sewer chokes and leaks will have the greatest site. impact on recreational waters when: It should be noted that, where rivers or creeks were • they are located close to the swimming identified as a pollution source, care was taken to location ensure that sources of faecal contamination affecting • the sewer is operating at close to capacity the river/creek water quality were not double-counted owing to increases in serviced population as pollution sources also affecting the swimming site.

• large trees are planted in the vicinity of sewer Where sewage/wastewater treatment plants pipes. discharge to a river, the impacts of these will be greatest when:

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 10

• the level of treatment at the Animals sewage/wastewater treatment plant is low Animal faeces can affect recreational waters, • there is a large population in the catchment particularly when: and a large volume of effluent is discharged from the plant • large numbers of aquatic birds are present at the site • the flow in the river is low, providing little dilution of discharged effluent. • large numbers of native animals are present at the site Lagoons • domestic animals have direct access to the Many coastal lagoons are open to the ocean only water following large wet weather events. Water quality in • these lagoons tends to be poor due to the low levels domestic animal exercise areas are not of tidal flushing from clean ocean waters. These regularly cleaned of animal faeces. lagoons rarely affect recreational waters during dry weather conditions, but they have significant impacts Effect of rainfall when the entrance is forced open following heavy rainfall. Rainfall has an important effect on flow rates in sewerage systems and stormwater drains. Each beach has a different response, depending on the In some cases, the lagoon entrance (outlet) has catchment area, the extent and stage of been modified and the lagoon is open to the ocean development, and the condition of the sewerage for much of the time. Water quality in these lagoons system. tends to be higher due to tidal flushing. However, discharges can affect recreational waters during dry In general, faecal contamination increases with weather conditions as well as during wet weather increasing rainfall, but some beaches appear to conditions. reach a rainfall threshold above which faecal contamination rises rapidly (for example, North Curl Coastal lagoons/lakes will have the greatest impact Curl Beach in Sydney), whereas others exhibit an on recreational waters when: apparent log-linear response (for example, Tamarama Beach in Sydney). Others appear to be • discharge volumes from the lagoon are high largely unaffected by rainfall (for example, Box due to large catchment area and/or the area Beach in Port Stephens Shire Council area). receives high rainfall Response to rainfall plots are provided for each • the outflow is located close to the swimming swimming site on the beach pages in Chapter 4, with site information on their interpretation provided at the beginning of that chapter. • the lagoon receives urban or agricultural runoff or discharges from the sewerage Step 4: Review the site’s Sanitary system, such as sewage overflows. Inspection Category annually Boats After initial classification, all swimming sites are subject to an annual sanitary inspection review to Disposal of human sewage from boats can determine whether pollution sources or their contribute to faecal contamination in recreational likelihood have changed and to fill in any gaps in waters. information. The review includes: Boats will have the greatest impact when there are: • a visual inspection of potential sources of contamination • a large number of boats in the vicinity of the site • updates to management processes at wastewater treatment plants and abatement • no requirements for holding-tanks or effluent measures for sewer overflows and treatment before disposal stormwater discharges • no or insufficient pump-out facilities for boats • analysis of the most recent microbial data to • no on-shore toilets. investigate the effect of rainfall and impact of stormwater on each swimming site

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• consultation with stakeholders such as lifeguards, beach and recreational water managers, local council, wastewater managers and state government.

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Chapter 3 Managing beach pollution

Management of beach pollution is the joint making those subject to environmental regulation responsibility of state and local governments, aware of government and community expectations about the protection of the environment and the with many non-government and community health of local communities. This is achieved by groups and individuals also making a significant raising general awareness of regulatory contribution to pollution prevention. While many requirements and delivering strong compliance and projects are outlined in detail in the council enforcement programs. The EPA also assesses and pages of this report, a broad overview of some of advises on how to best regulate activities that may the key programs is provided below. have an impact on the environment, including water quality, and designs and delivers regulatory environmental protection programs. NSW Government Environmental Trust Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Funding for sustainability projects is provided under the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust The Protection of the Environment Operations Act $80 million Urban Sustainability Program. Grant 1997 (POEO Act) provides the NSW environmental funding is targeted at local councils working with the regulatory framework and includes a licensing community and business to protect and improve the requirement for certain activities. Section 120 of the urban environment. Some funded projects have POEO Act states that it is an offence to cause or specifically addressed urban water management permit any waters to be polluted. issues, including stormwater management, reducing urban runoff and improving water quality. Environment protection licences are used to control the localised, cumulative and acute impacts of During 2010, $400,000 was provided to partly fund a pollution in NSW. The licences aim to protect, restore collaborate project between Randwick City Council and enhance the quality of the environment in NSW, and Sydney Water Corporation to improve water having regard to the need to maintain ecologically quality at Malabar Beach. The project aimed to move sustainable development and to reduce risks to the existing stormwater discharge point at Malabar human health. A range of activities are licensed from the beach to the cliff face outfall. The drain was under the POEO Act to manage a diverse range of diverted further offshore at the end of July, with water pollutants. For example, unless appropriately works due for completion in November 2012. managed, discharge from sewage treatment plants could have human health impacts due to their In 2008, $30 million in grant funding was made microbial content. available through the Urban Sustainability Major Projects and Urban Waterways Initiative for up to Discharges from sewage treatment plants in NSW three years. The priority catchment areas for the are licensed under the POEO Act. These licences Urban Waterways funding stream were the Cooks cover the entire sewage treatment system and River, Georges River, Hawkesbury Nepean River, include overflows from pumping stations and Central Coast/Lower Hunter catchments and Sydney reticulation systems. These licenses require Harbour. progressive environmental improvements, including the reduction of pollution at source and the From 2006 to 2008 the Environmental Trust provided monitoring and reporting of environmental quality on over $19.8 million for 26 projects to improve the a regular basis. condition of degraded urban waterways through rehabilitation and restoration activities. The projects Environment Protection Authority implemented include initiatives such as stormwater The NSW Government established the Environment re-use schemes, water-sensitive urban design, and Protection Authority (EPA) in February 2012 as a activities to restore streams and creeks in various modernised and independent authority responsible local government areas, improving local water quality for licensing and regulation. The EPA's focus is on and overall catchment health. These projects have

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 13

also included education and engagement programs local community members. The CAPs have been for maintaining the health of urban catchments. helping to direct investment decisions and improve natural resource management across NSW. CMAs, Further information on the Environmental Trust’s government and the community are currently grant programs is available on the OEH website working together to upgrade the existing CAPs to (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/envtrust.htm). ensure catchment management focuses on current priorities and to make effective use of investment. Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy State and federal funding is supporting projects and activities which help communities restore and The NSW Government has developed a state-wide improve the natural resources in their catchments. All Diffuse Source Water Pollution (DSWP) Strategy to this work aims to better protect and restore the reduce diffuse source pollution inputs into all NSW state's native vegetation and biodiversity, land, rivers surface and ground waters (Department of and coastal waterways. Many actions that coastal Environment and Climate Change 2009). Diffuse CMAs fund contribute either directly or indirectly to source water pollution is the contamination of water improved water quality. bodies by pollutants (such as pathogens, sediments, nutrients, chemicals and salinity) arising from a Wastewater re-use guidance multitude of diverse urban and rural land-use activities across a catchment, rather than from Effluent irrigation can make a significant contribution discreet point sources. to reducing the amount of pollutants discharged into our waterways, providing it is appropriately The DSWP Strategy contributes towards the NSW managed. OEH has adopted a policy of encouraging water quality objectives and state-wide natural the beneficial use of effluent where it is safe and resource management targets. The DSWP Strategy practicable to do so and where it provides the best brings together catchment management authorities environmental outcome. The Environmental (CMAs), relevant NSW Government agencies and guidelines: use of effluent by irrigation (Department local councils to jointly manage and address these of Environment and Conservation 2004) and the issues. Australian guidelines for water recycling: managing health and environmental risks (EPHC & NRMMC Estuary Management Program 2006) provide guidance on the beneficial use of effluent and outline how this can be accomplished in The NSW Government’s Estuary Management an ecologically sustainable and socially responsible Program provides support to local councils to way. improve the health of NSW estuaries and to understand the potential risks from climate change. Financial and technical assistance is provided under Water utilities the program to prepare coastal zone management Sydney Water Corporation plans and supporting studies and to implement works to improve coastal environments and estuary Sydney Water Corporation is a statutory state-owned health. corporation responsible for providing water and sewerage services to the Sydney, Blue Mountains More information on the Estuary Management and Illawarra regions (an area of over 12,700 square Program is available on the OEH website kilometres). It is responsible for more than 24,200 (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/coasts/InfoCoastEstFl kilometres of sewerage pipes and operates 11 oodGrants.htm). coastal wastewater treatment plants. Sydney Water Corporation undertakes a range of projects and Catchment Action Plans programs to minimise impacts from the sewage treatment and transport systems; these are in the Catchment management authorities (CMAs) have regional and relevant council summaries in this been established across NSW to ensure that report. regional communities have a say in how natural resources are managed in their catchments. CMAs Sydney Water Corporation also manages five per are working with farmers, Landcare and other local cent of Sydney’s stormwater network, mainly in the groups, Aboriginal communities, local government, lower reaches of catchments where the stormwater industry and state agencies to respond to the key channels are large and cross a number of council natural resource management (NRM) issues facing boundaries. Approximately 70 stormwater quality their catchments. improvement devices, such as litter booms, sediment traps, gross pollutant traps and a wetland have been Catchment Action Plans (CAPs) were developed installed. On average these remove around about five years ago, with direction from a board of

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1700 cubic metres of litter and 1800 tonnes of Integrated planning and reporting sediment from stormwater flows each year. Stormwater management planning and reporting is Hunter Water Corporation integrated across the range of council plans and reports prepared under the integrated planning and Hunter Water Corporation is a statutory state-owned reporting framework in the Local Government Act corporation responsible for providing water and and the Local Government (General) Regulation sewerage services to the Hunter region (an area of 2005. This means stormwater management is over 5300 square kilometres). It is responsible for considered strategically in the long-term community more than 4500 kilometres of sewerage pipes and strategic plan, and operationally in a council’s operates five sewage treatment plants, which delivery program, the resourcing strategy and the discharge to the ocean. Projects and programs to annual operational plans and reports. minimise impacts from these sewage treatment and transport systems are described in the regional and Development relevant council summaries in this report. Local councils regulate the siting and construction of Hunter Water Corporation also manages sections of buildings in their local government areas. the stormwater network in the lower Hunter, Construction sites can be a significant source of consisting of just over 94 kilometres of channel. stormwater pollution, and councils ensure that developments do not overload the stormwater system, causing flooding, and do not contribute to Local councils water pollution. Urban stormwater management On-site sewage treatment systems Local councils have primary responsibility for urban stormwater management. In Sydney alone, they are Local councils are not only responsible for approving collectively responsible for stormwater assets worth the installation of on-site sewage treatment systems more than $1.5 billion. and dealing with complaints about odours and discharges; they are also required to undertake The NSW Government supports councils in their role systematic monitoring and reporting of system in stormwater management by developing and performance to manage risks to the environment and coordinating strategic policy, information, and public health. guidance material. The Urban Stormwater Program built capacity and raised awareness from 1997 to Lifeguard services 2006. It successfully expanded the scope of urban Local councils are responsible for all aspects of stormwater management beyond the focus on flood beach management, including access, waste control, to include, amongst other things, water management and beach safety. Most local councils quality. The program established stormwater provide lifeguard services at popular beaches, in planning frameworks and developed urban addition to the volunteer Surf Life Saving Clubs. stormwater guidance which enables councils to These services may operate year-round or only continue to deliver positive stormwater outcomes, during the summer holiday period. Details of beyond the life of the program. lifeguard services are provided in each council section. The Local Government Act 1993 was amended in 2005 to allow councils the option to levy a stormwater management service charge (SMSC) for Environment and community improved stormwater management. This change was groups made in recognition of councils’ key role in stormwater management and their need for a A great range of commercial and non-profit groups sustainable funding source to support their are also doing their bit to tackle stormwater pollution. stormwater services, following the closure of the These include council, commercial and self-funded Urban Stormwater Program. The additional environment centres, volunteer groups, and stormwater services being delivered using the SMSC stormwater and wastewater associations. are helping to improve the health of urban waterways, reduce the impact of local flooding in These groups are working closely with local communities, promote stormwater harvesting, and business, industry and government agencies on manage stormwater assets. cooperative projects to improve stormwater quality and eliminate pollution, as well as developing ‘leading edge’ technology and approaches to stormwater management and pollution control. They

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also play an important role in community education on water pollution issues. You, your family and friends To help protect your local beach and waterway, there are plenty of community groups to join:

• Get involved in local activities sponsored by Clean-Up Australia and Keep Australia Beautiful.

• Call your local council to find out about Bushcare activities in your local area.

• Join a local conservation group, such as Dune Care, Landcare or Coastcare, or the Australian Trust for Conservation Volunteers.

For information on how to live more sustainably at home, work and play, visit the Our Environment It’s a Living Thing (www.livingthing.net.au) and Water for Life (www.waterforlife.nsw.gov.au) websites.

You can also make a difference at the beach:

• Take litter and leftovers home with you.

• Park cars carefully, preferably on hard surfaces, to avoid damaging grass verges or coastal vegetation.

• Keep beach showers to a minimum.

The community can help prevent beach pollution in lots of ways. Table 8 lists ways you can help to improve stormwater quality and Table 9 lists ways you can ease the load on the sewer system.

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Table 8: Ways to improve stormwater quality

Actions to do more often Actions to avoid Pick up litter in the park or on the street. Washing the car in the street. Sweep gutters and driveways regularly and place the Hosing dirt off hardstand surfaces (roads, paths, driveways) sweepings on the garden or in the compost or green waste into gutters. bin. Clean up pet droppings and dispose of them in the garden, Dropping packaging or cigarette butts on the ground. rubbish bin or toilet. Rake up leaves or lawn clippings and use them as mulch on Leaving rubbish where bins are already full. the garden or place them in the compost. Grass or replant areas of disturbed soil. Piling sand and soil on areas where it can wash into the stormwater system. Purchase water-efficient appliances. Hosing leaves and grass clippings into gutters. Maintain the car, making sure there are no leaks and that the Washing cement mixes into the gutter. fuel is burnt ‘cleanly’ by keeping the vehicle tuned. Use the minimum amount of detergent for cleaning outside. Overuse of chemicals (pesticides, herbicides) in the garden. Wash paint-brushes and rollers over a sand filter on the Using too much fertiliser (follow the instructions). lawn. Take the car to a car wash where the water is treated and Using pesticides and herbicides when rain is forecast the recycled. same day. Make sure sewerage pipes are not connected illegally to Vehicle maintenance where oil and grease may wash into stormwater. gutters. Install a rainwater tank. Pouring paint, solvent or cleaners into the gutter or where they may enter drains. Direct roof runoff from downpipes to the garden (with council Disposing of oil or chemicals into gutters. approval). Replace impermeable surfaces (e.g. concrete) with Covering large areas with impervious surfaces, e.g. concrete, permeable surfaces such as timber decks. bitumen. Plant native gardens that require less water, fertiliser and pesticides. Have a composter or worm farm for garden and household organic waste.

Table 9: Ways to ease the load on the sewer system

Actions to do more often Actions to avoid Install a dual flush toilet. Putting oil down the sink. Get sewer pipes smoke-tested for false stormwater Planting trees near sewer lines, as tree roots are a major connections. cause of pipe damage. Use a sink strainer. Stormwater entering outdoor sewer pits. Use the dishwasher and washing machine only when there is Putting vegetable scraps, tea leaves, coffee grounds or a full load. This not only reduces the amount of detergents eggshells down the sink. These can be composted. entering the sewer system, but also saves water and energy. Using the toilet as a garbage bin by flushing tampons, sanitary napkins, condoms, cotton buds and cigarette butts down the toilet. Place them in a bin instead. Washing hair down drains. This can be composted.

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Chapter 4 Results for 2011–2012

^

Presentation of results High This report includes results from all swimming locations monitored in the Hunter region of NSW under the Beachwatch and Beachwatch Partnership programs. Results are presented for:

• Port Stephens, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie councils

This report includes a general overview, an overview of the council or waterway, and beach pages showing results for individual swimming locations. Explanation of graphs and charts on beach pages Firm conclusions about beach water quality cannot

be made on the basis of a single bacterial result, Moderate owing to the inherent variability in bacterial data. However, trends in bacterial density can provide useful information.

Boats Sanitary Inspection Category charts River Discharge The sanitary inspection process is described in Chapter 2 of this document. The results of the sanitary inspection for each swimming location are Stormwater presented in a vertical bar chart, such as the one in Low Figure 1. The graph shows the likelihood that each identified pollution source will contribute to faecal Sewage Overflows Toilet Facilities contamination at a swimming site, as indicated by Bathers Low the size and colour of the components of the bar, Very with the sum of these contributions being the overall Source: Very Low Low Moderate High likelihood, or Sanitary Inspection Category.

Figure 1: Example sanitary inspection chart

In Figure 1, the sanitary inspection identified six possible sources of microbial contamination at the site. Bathers and Sewage Overflows were assessed as having a Very Low likelihood of contamination; Toilet Facilities, River Discharge and Boats were assessed as having a Low likelihood of contamination; and Stormwater was assessed as having a Moderate likelihood of contamination. The sum of these likelihoods (=the overall likelihood or Sanitary Inspection Category) was Moderate.

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Where the bar extends up to a line, this is the start Each part of the box plot represents a significant of the next Sanitary Inspection Category. percentile value of the sample population (Figure 4):

Microbial Assessment Category graphs • 5% of the samples lie below the bottom whisker. The Microbial Assessment Category graphs are simple bar graphs that show the 95th percentile • 25% of the samples lie below the bottom of values at a swimming location over the last five the box years (Figure 2). The 95th percentile value is • half the samples are on each side of the labelled, and thresholds dividing the A, B, C and D middle line of the box (median) categories are marked for reference (see Table 3). • 75% of the samples lie below the top of the 600 box D 500 • 400 95% of the samples lie below the top C whisker. 300 220 195

95th %ile 200 Category 105 95%ile 80 B 100 50 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 75%ile Figure 2: Example Microbial Assessment Category chart

Response to rainfall plots 50%ile Trends in enterococci levels in response to rainfall are shown using a box plot (Figure 3). This graph shows the spread, skew and distribution of the 25%ile enterococci data for each of five rainfall categories.

10000 5%ile

1000 Figure 4: Box plot 100 The enterococci data in the response to rainfall 10 graphs were obtained from the last five years of 1 monitoring. Rainfall data were obtained from rain Enterococci (cfu/100mL) Enterococci 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+ gauges situated close to the sample site. They are 24-hour rainfall (mm) presented as a range and are for the 24 hours to Figure 3: Example response to rainfall plot 9:00 am on the day of sampling.

Box plots are not generated if there are fewer than five enterococci data points in a rainfall category and individual data points are presented instead. At sites where many results are below the detection limit (1 cfu/100 mL), only the upper portion of the box plots will be visible.

Epidemiological studies suggest that enterococci levels above 40 cfu/100 mL indicate an increased health risk to bathers, and levels above 200 cfu/100 mL indicate a substantially increased health risk. These levels are marked on the graphs for comparison, with a green and orange line, respectively. The 40 cfu/100 mL level is referred to as the ‘safe swimming limit’.

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Historical enterococci data graphs Trends in enterococci levels through time are Key to maps presented for each swimming location as a bar Sampling site graph (Figure 5). Each year’s bar is colour coded to show the percentage of enterococci results less Surf lifesaving club than 40 cfu/100 mL, between 41 and 200 cfu/100 Wastewater treatment plant mL, between 201 and 500 cfu/100 mL and greater than 500 cfu/100 mL. These categories reflect the 0 Sewage pumping station Microbial Assessment Category thresholds and are coloured on the graph by dark green, light green, ; Stormwater drain amber and red respectively. Water 100% Baths 80% 60% National park 40% Other park/reserve 20% Built-up area

% Enterococci samples 0%

92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Sand <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Figure 5: Example historical enterococci data Land graph Roads

Rock/cliff/reef Explanation of maps on beach Baths – netted area pages Breakwater/wharf A map of individual swimming locations is presented on each beach page. The scale of the maps is 1:15,000. Each map depicts the location of the Figure 6: Key to maps sampling site, land use, surf lifesaving club and identifies potential pollution sources such as stormwater drains, sewage pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants, lagoons, rivers and creeks, where applicable (Figure 6).

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Hunter region

collected at one ocean beach and six estuarine Councils swimming locations. Samples are collected weekly The Hunter region of NSW extends from Port throughout the swimming season (October to April), Stephens in the north to Budgewoi in the south. and fortnightly between May and September. Port Beach monitoring is conducted in three local council Stephens Council fully funds the sample collection areas in the region (Figure 13): and laboratory analysis.

• Port Stephens Council The City of Newcastle Council joined the Beachwatch Partnership Program in 2005. Samples • City of Newcastle are collected at four ocean baths on a weekly basis throughout the swimming season (October to April). • Lake Macquarie City Council. Newcastle Baths and Merewether Main Pool are also sampled weekly between May and September, The programs whereas Canoe Pool and Merewether Learners Pool remain closed during this time. Enterococci Monitoring in the Hunter region is conducted under analysis commenced in October 2009. The City of the Beachwatch Program and the Beachwatch Newcastle Council fully funds the sample collection Partnership Program. In 2011–2012, 42 swimming and analysis. locations were sampled, covering 19 ocean beaches, four ocean baths, six estuarine and Lake Macquarie City Council joined the Beachwatch thirteen lagoon/lake swimming locations (Table 14). Partnership Program in 2011 but has been monitoring swimming sites in its area since 2002. The Beachwatch Program was extended to the Samples are collected from thirteen swimming sites Hunter region in 1996. Hunter Water Corporation in Lake Macquarie and one ocean beach on a monitors 17 ocean beaches as a requirement of the weekly basis from November to April. Lake Environment Protection Licences for its sewage Macquarie City Council fully funds the sample treatment plants in the region. Most sites are collection and laboratory analysis. sampled every sixth day throughout the year and have been tested for enterococci since 1996. Four To ensure that the data collected and reported sites (Merewether Beach, Bar Beach, Burwood under the Beachwatch and Beachwatch Partnership Beach South and Burwood Beach North) were programs are accurate and reliable, quality monitored every third day from October 2011 to assurance of sampling, microbial analysis and April 2012. reporting is undertaken. The findings of the quality assurance program are described in the quality Port Stephens Council joined the Beachwatch assurance section of this report. Partnership Program in 2004. Samples are

Table 14: Monitoring of Hunter swimming sites

Number of sites Organisation Sampling frequency Ocean Ocean Estuarine Lagoon/ Freshwater Total beaches baths lake river Weekly (October to April) Port Stephens Council 1 – 6 – – 7 Fortnightly (May to September) City of Newcastle Weekly – 4 – – – 4 Council (October to April) Hunter Water Every 6-days 17 – – – – 17 Corporation (year-round) Lake Macquarie City Weekly 1 – – 13 – 14 Council (November to April)

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 21

Figure 13: Councils and sampling locations in the Hunter region

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2011–2012 results Ocean baths Thirty-nine of the 42 swimming locations monitored Three ocean baths monitored in the Hunter region in the Hunter region were graded as Good or Very were graded as Very Good: Newcastle Baths, Good (Table 15), making this region one of the best Merewether Learners Pool and Merewether Main performing on the NSW coast. Pool. These swimming sites had consistently excellent water quality and a low risk of microbial contamination from pollution sources in their Ocean beaches catchments. Thirteen of the 19 ocean beaches monitored in the Hunter region were graded as Very Good: Canoe Pool was graded as Good. This site had mostly good water quality (Microbial Assessment • Zenith Beach, Box Beach, Fingal Beach, One Category B) and few potential sources of significant Mile Beach and Birubi Beach in Port faecal contamination. Stephens Council area Estuarine swimming sites • South Stockton Beach, Nobbys Beach and All six estuarine swimming locations in Port Newcastle Beach in City of Newcastle Stephens were graded as Good, indicating that Council area water quality is suitable for swimming for most of the time. These sites have a number of potential • Dudley Beach, Redhead Beach, Blacksmiths sources of faecal contamination, such as outflow Beach, Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay from the Karuah River and stormwater. in Lake Macquarie City Council area. Lagoon/lake swimming sites The remaining six ocean beaches were graded as Good (Table 15). Ten of the thirteen lagoon/lake swimming sites were graded as Good (Table 15). Microbial water quality Although water quality was of a high standard at at these sites is suitable for swimming most of the Merewether, Bar, Burwood North, Burwood South time but may be susceptible to pollution from and Glenrock Lagoon beaches, a health risk several potential sources of faecal contamination. assessment commissioned by Hunter Water Corporation in 2009 indicated that there was a small The remaining three sites were graded as Poor risk that the effluent plume from Burwood Beach (Speers Point and Bolton Point) or Very Poor Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) could be (Eleebana (Lion Park)). Speers Point and Bolton driven back to the coast under certain combinations Point generally had good water quality during dry of wind and current. This risk was considered as weather conditions but were susceptible to faecal part of the sanitary inspections for these beaches contamination following rainfall. It is recommended and they were assigned Sanitary Inspection that swimming at these sites be avoided during and Categories of Moderate. The WWTP is currently up to three days following rainfall or if there are being upgraded to improve its operational reliability signs of stormwater such as discoloured water or and to cater for population growth. Hunter Water odour or floating debris. Corporation is also planning to disinfect the effluent to address the small health risk identified in the Elevated levels of enterococci were recorded at study, as part of future upgrade works at the plant. Eleebana (Lion Park) during both wet and dry weather conditions so it is recommended that swimming be avoided at this site due to the unpredictable nature of the contamination.

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Table 15: Beach Suitability Grades in the Hunter region, 2011–2012

Sanitary Microbial Beach

Site Site type Inspection Assessment Suitability Category Category Grade Zenith Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Box Beach Ocean beach Very Low Category A Very Good Fingal Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good One Mile Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Birubi Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Little Beach Estuarine Low Category B Good Dutchmans Beach Estuarine Moderate Category A Good Bagnalls Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Georges Reserve Estuarine Moderate Category B Port Stephens Council Port Stephens Good Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool Estuarine Moderate Category B Good Karuah Tidal Pool Estuarine Moderate Category A Good South Stockton Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Nobbys Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Newcastle Baths Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good Canoe Pool Ocean baths Low Category B Good Newcastle Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Bar Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Merewether Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Merewether Learners Pool Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good Merewether Main Pool Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good City ofCouncilCity Newcastle Burwood North Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Burwood South Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Glenrock Lagoon Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good Dudley Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Redhead Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Blacksmiths Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Swansea Heads Little Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good Caves Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Eleebana (Lion Park) Lagoon/lake High Category D Very Poor Croudace Bay Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Arcadia Vale Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good Belmont Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Swansea Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Cams Wharf Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good Catherine Hill Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good Speers Point Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor Lake Macquarie City Council Macquarie City Lake Bolton Point Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor Toronto Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Kilaben Bay Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Wangi Point (Van Park) Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good Balcolyn Lagoon/lake Low Category B Good Sunshine Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 24

Port Stephens Council

Figure 14: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the Port Stephens Council area

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 25

Message from Port Stephens Council Rainfall

Port Stephens Council has been involved in the There were several significant rain and storm Beachwatch Partnership Program since 2004. The events in the Hunter region during 2011–2012 publishing of Beachwatch results has provided our (BOM 2012): community with water quality information for some of the area's most popular swimming beaches. • Heavy rainfall along the east coast in early Visitors and residents alike enjoy our beautiful February included a 72-hour total of almost estuarine and ocean beaches and this program has 150 mm in Port Stephens. highlighted their cleanliness and suitability for swimming. • Heavy rainfall continued in April with Port Stephens receiving more than twice the We monitor seven sites across a broad area average total for the month. stretching from Karuah down to Birubi Beach (Anna Bay) and east to Nelson Bay beaches. Our program complements the Beachwatch sampling Assessment done by Hunter Water at Fingal Beach, One Mile Microbial water quality Beach, Zenith and Box beaches. NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are Having been involved in the Beachwatch Program collected each year, providing 100 data points over for eight years, we have now gathered a substantial a five year period. The sampling frequency at sites amount of information on these locations, and in the Port Stephens Council area is higher than this others monitored through our Cleanwaterways minimum, with 60 samples collected each year at Program. the four locations monitored by Hunter Water Corporation and approximately 40 samples The results show our swimming beaches come up collected each year at sites monitored by Port with a green light and are generally rated "Very Stephens Council. Good" to "Good", which is excellent news for all users of our beautiful coastal environment. The Microbial Assessment Category for 2011–2012 was calculated from the most recent 100 data points Being a focal point in the locality, our beaches are up until the end of the 2011–2012 swimming where many local events and activities are held. season: September 2010 until April 2012 at Hunter These include 'Sensational Seagrass' activities run Water’s sites, and slightly longer (December 2009 by Council, surf lifesaving, Nelson Bay Sculpture until April 2012) at Port Stephens Council’s sites. Festival, Whalefest and Southern Cross Stand Up Paddle Festival. The Beaches are vitally important to our community and we strive to ensure they are Sanitary inspections in very good condition for swimming. Sanitary inspections have been completed for all monitored swimming locations in the Port Stephens Overview of the area Council area. These are scheduled for review during 2012–2013. Description The Port Stephens Council area borders the Beach Suitability Grades Greater Lakes to the north and Newcastle to the All 11 swimming locations monitored in Port south. It covers an area of 979 square kilometres Stephens Shire were graded as Good or Very Good and has an estimated local resident population of during 2011–2012 (Figure 14). 64,807 at the 2011 Census (ABS 2012).

Port Stephens is an important tourist and Very Good recreational destination owing to the natural beauty Five swimming locations were graded as Very of the area, with numerous coastal beaches, Good: Zenith Beach, Box Beach, Fingal Beach, One waterways and rural areas. The area also supports Mile Beach and Birubi Beach. agriculture, manufacturing, fishing and oyster industries (Port Stephens Council 2006). These sites all had excellent water quality (Microbial Assessment Category A) and few potential sources of microbial contamination (Sanitary Inspection Categories of Low or Very Low).

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 26

Good Management programs Six swimming locations were graded as Good: Little Port Stephens Council has a number of ongoing Beach, Dutchmans Beach, Bagnalls Beach, management plans to improve water quality and Georges Reserve, Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool waterway management. These include the Port and Karuah Tidal Pool. Stephens/Myall Lakes Estuary Management Plan; the Port Stephens Foreshore Management Plan; These sites had mostly good water quality the Tilligerry Creek Catchment Management Plan; (Microbial Assessment Category A or B) but had and the Urban Stormwater and Rural Water Quality more significant potential sources of microbial Management Plan. contamination, such as stormwater or river discharge. Port Stephens Council also monitors the quality of waterways throughout the local government area as Fair part of the Clean Waterways Program. In addition to No swimming sites were classified as Fair. the recreational water quality monitoring, Council aims to monitor estuarine health, and to identify Poor pollution sources and strategies to improve the health of waterways. No swimming sites were classified as Poor. Site management Very Poor Port Stephens Council responds to reports of No swimming sites were classified as Very Poor suspected algal contamination and stormwater and sewage pollution by closing swimming areas and Management issuing public notices on the council website and local papers. If sewage or stormwater contamination Wastewater management is suspected, the swimming area is closed and Hunter Water Corporation is responsible for microbial water quality testing is undertaken until wastewater management in the area and operates samples indicate that water quality is suitable for three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the swimming. area (EPA NSW 2012). Port Stephens Council recommends that swimming Boulder Bay WWTP discharges secondary-treated be avoided for up to three days following rainfall effluent via an ocean outfall off Boulder Bay. The owing to the possibility of pollution from stormwater. Karuah WWTP recycles all tertiary-treated effluent under most conditions for use in crop irrigation. The Lifeguard service Tanilba Bay WWTP discharges secondary-treated, disinfected effluent via ex-filtration ponds. Port Stephens Council contracts professional lifeguards from State Surf Lifesaving Services to There are more than 4500 on-site sewage provide patrols at Birubi, Fingal and One Mile management systems in the Port Stephens Council beaches from early October to late April. On area. Most of these systems are located in rural weekends and public holidays the beaches are areas and most are septic tanks with either patrolled by volunteers of the Fingal Bay and Birubi absorption trenches or evapo-transpiration areas, or Point Surf Club. aerated wastewater treatment systems. Council lifeguards are responsible for closing beaches during hazardous beach conditions. Lifeguards erect warning signage during dangerous surf conditions and during the presence of marine stingers.

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 27

Zenith Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Zenith Beach is 400 metres long and is situated within Tomaree National Park. Beach conditions are usually safe, but rips run out against each headland. Zenith Beach is not patrolled by lifeguards.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with very few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 2 2 2 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Boulder Bay WWTP rain gauge

10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) Moderate 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+ 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

Low 20%

% Enterococci samples 0%

River Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 28

Box Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Box Beach is 350 metres long and lies within Tomaree National Park. Beach conditions are usually safe, but rips run out against the headlands during large swells. The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with only one potential source of faecal contamination. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and remained well below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories. The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Very Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 7 2 3 2 4 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Boulder Bay WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

Bathers Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 29

Fingal Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Fingal Beach is approximately 2.7 kilometres long and is situated within Fingal Bay. Beach conditions are generally safe, with the best conditions in the patrolled area or towards the southern end of the beach.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 10 9 8 18 18 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Boulder Bay WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time

100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% Sewage Overflows

Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12

Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 30

One Mile Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good This 1.3 kilometre stretch of beach is situated at the southern end of Anna Bay. Beach conditions are relatively safe and lifeguards patrol the southern end of the beach between late September and mid-April.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 5 2 2 4 6 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Boulder Bay WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time

100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% Animals

Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12

Bathers <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 31

Birubi Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Birubi Beach is situated among rocky outcrops at the northern end of Stockton Bight, which contains over 30 kilometres of beaches and coastal dunes. There are few facilities close by, but the site is adjacent to a surf club and the area is popular with swimmers and surfers.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels showed little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 2004 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 65 38 30 7 10 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Boulder Bay WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Stormwater <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 32

Little Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Little Beach is a netted estuarine beach located on the southern shore of Port Stephens, approximately three kilometres from the ocean. The beach is adjacent to a foreshore park and picnic area and is popular with families with small children.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination, including river discharge.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 2004 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 65 80 100 45 45 32 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nelson Bay WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Boats Low River Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 33

Dutchmans Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Dutchmans Beach (also known as Dutchies Beach) is located on the southern shore of Port Stephens, approximately five kilometres from the ocean. The beach is adjacent to a foreshore park and picnic area and is popular with the local community and tourists. The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination, including river discharge. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, sometimes exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 20 mm or rainfall or more. The site has been monitored since 2005 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 50 50 18 12 5 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nelson Bay WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

Animals Boats 60%

40%

River Discharge 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0%

Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 34

Bagnalls Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Bagnalls Beach is located on the southern shore of Port Stephens, approximately six kilometres from the ocean. The beach is adjacent to a foreshore park and picnic area and is a popular play area for children. It is also a very popular off-leash dog walking area.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming, but the water may be susceptible to pollution from river discharge and stormwater.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 5 mm or more of rain.

The site has been monitored since 2004 and microbial water quality has varied among years. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300 250 185 200

95th %ile 200 Category 105 95 B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nelson Bay WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Animals Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80% River Discharge

60%

40%

20% Low Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 35

Georges Reserve Beach Suitability Grade: Good Georges Reserve is located on the southern shore of Port Stephens, approximately ten kilometres from the ocean. The beach is adjacent to a foreshore park and picnic area. The beach and park are popular with the local community and tourists. The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming, but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination, including river discharge. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rain, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 5 mm or more of rain. The site has been monitored since 2004 and microbial water quality has varied among years.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300 175

95th %ile 200 150 Category 105 85 80 B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nelson Bay WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Boats Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

River Discharge 80%

60%

40%

20%

Low Stormwater

% % Enterococcisamples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12

Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 36

Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool Beach Suitability Grade: Good Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool is a netted swimming enclosure located in a shallow arm of Port Stephens, approximately 15 kilometres from the ocean. The baths are adjacent to a foreshore park, boat ramp and picnic areas and are popular in summer. The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination, including river discharge. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 10 mm or rainfall or more. The site has been monitored since 2004 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category 100 B 60 75 100 50 34 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nelson Bay WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

Animals Boats 60%

40%

River Discharge 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0%

Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 37

Karuah Tidal Pool Beach Suitability Grade: Good Karuah Tidal Pool is a netted swimming enclosure located in the lower reaches of the Karuah River, approximately 25 kilometres from the ocean. The baths are adjacent to a foreshore park and picnic area and are popular with local residents and tourists with small children. The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination, including river discharge. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more. The site has been monitored since 2004 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 55 60 60 30 14 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Boulder Bay WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

Boats 80%

60%

River Discharge 40%

20% Low

Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0%

Sewer Chokes 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12

Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 38

City of Newcastle Council

Figure 15: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the City of Newcastle Council area

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 39

Message from City of Newcastle Council • Heavy rainfall along the east coast in early February included daily totals of 72 mm and Newcastle has a reputation for being one of the best 73 mm at Merewether, and more than twice surfing locations in Australia. It is the home of the average total rainfall was received for the renowned surfing competition Surfest, held every month. year in March, and Newcastle’s southern most beach, Merewether, has been gazetted as one of only five National Surfing Reserves. Assessment

Newcastle is in a unique situation whereby all the Microbial water quality facilities provided along the coastline are NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are undergoing major facelifts. We are improving the collected each year, providing 100 data points over Bathers Way, a 5km walk that hugs the coast. We a five year period. The sampling frequency at sites are building new beachside facilities like restaurants in the City of Newcastle Council area is higher than and cafes. And of course we are working closely this minimum, with 60 samples collected each year with surf clubs to make sure they are at their best. at locations monitored by Hunter Water Corporation and approximately 30 samples collected each year The real jewel in our coastal crown is the how clean at the four ocean baths monitored by the City of our beaches are. Both on the sand and in the water Newcastle Council. our beaches are some of the best in the country and this is something we are really proud of as a The Microbial Assessment Category for 2011–2012 community. was calculated from the most recent 100 data points up until the end of the 2011–2012 swimming Overview of the area season. This period was September 2010 until April 2012 at sites monitored by Hunter Water Description Corporation. The City of Newcastle Council covers an area of At the ocean baths monitored by the City of 183 square kilometres and has an estimated local Newcastle Council, enterococci analysis began in resident population of 148,535 at the 2011 Census October 2009. Less than 100 data points are (ABS 2012). The 15 kilometres of coastline are a currently available for analysis for Canoe Pool and highly valued recreational, social and economic Merewether Learners Pool which are not sampled resource for the community and include sandy when closed between May and September. The beaches, rock platforms, coastal lagoons and Microbial Assessment Categories for these sites are Newcastle Harbour. therefore regarded as provisional. As more data become available in following years, the beach Land uses within the region are varied and include grades will become final and response to rainfall residential, rural, commercial, recreational, industrial trends more defined. and bushland reserves (City of Newcastle Council 2008). Sanitary inspections Rainfall Sanitary inspections have been completed for all monitored swimming locations in the City of There were several significant rain and storm Newcastle Council area. These are scheduled for events in the Hunter region during 2011–2012 review during 2012–2013. (BOM 2012):

• Heavy rainfall in July included 198 mm over 4 Beach Suitability Grades days in Merewether, with almost three times All 11 swimming locations monitored in the City of the average total rainfall received for the Newcastle Council area were graded as Good or month. Very Good during 2011–2012 (Figure 15). • Heavy rainfall in early October included a Very Good daily total of 54 mm in Merewether; more than twice the average total rainfall was Six swimming locations were graded as Very Good: received for the month. South Stockton Beach, Nobbys Beach, Newcastle Beach, Newcastle Baths, Merewether Learners • An extended wet weather period towards the Pool and Merewether Main Pool. end of November resulted in the Newcastle region receiving almost twice the average These sites all had excellent water quality (Microbial rainfall for the month. Assessment Category A) and few potential sources

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 40

of microbial contamination (Sanitary Inspection overflow into the Newcastle City region. During such Categories of Low). extreme wet weather events the overflow discharged at this point would be highly diluted. Good In the City of Newcastle Council area, there are Five swimming locations were graded as Good: approximately 324 septic tanks with absorption Canoe Pool, Bar Beach, Merewether Beach, trenches or evapo-transpiration areas, and 134 Burwood North Beach and Burwood South Beach. aerated wastewater treatment systems. Most are located well away from beach catchments. These sites also had excellent water quality (Microbial Assessment Category A or B) but had Coastal management more significant potential sources of microbial contamination, such as discharge from the Burwood In December 2008, the City of Newcastle Council, Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) or, in the NSW Government (through the Land and the case of Bar Beach, toilet facilities. Property Management Authority) and Hunter Surf Lifesaving signed a memorandum of understanding It should be noted that Burwood Beach WWTP is to develop a long-term strategy for managing the currently being upgraded to improve its operational coastline. reliability and to cater for population growth. Planning is also underway for a new effluent A master plan has been developed to provide a disinfection system, to address the small health risk strategic framework for more detailed planning, identified in a health risk assessment undertaken in resource allocation and decision-making. The plan 2009. Once these works are completed, the sanitary will ensure that coastal resources are managed in a inspections for Bar, Merewether, Burwood North coordinated way to ensure the expectations of and Burwood South beaches will be revised. current and future beach users are met. It covers the city’s 15 kilometres of coastline from Glenrock Fair Lagoon (behind Burwood Beach) to Fern Bay, and includes actions to effectively manage the social, No swimming sites were graded as Fair. economic, cultural, recreational, ecological, aesthetic and tourism values of the coastline. Poor In partnership with the NSW Government and the No swimming sites were graded as Poor. Newcastle Port Corporation, the council completed the Stockton Beach Coastal Zone Management Very Poor Study. This study identified and modelled a range of No swimming sites were graded as Very Poor. potential management options to address long-term erosion issues. In addition, Council will coordinate a scoping study to identify suitable sand sources for Management the future nourishment of Stockton Beach. Both of these studies will inform the revision of the Wastewater management Coastline Management Plan. Hunter Water Corporation is responsible for wastewater management in the region. The Estuary management Burwood Beach and Shortland WWTPs service the majority of Newcastle City and surrounds. Burwood Newcastle City Council, in partnership with the Beach WWTP treats effluent to a secondary level NSW Government, Port Stephens Council and and discharges it via an ocean outfall off Burwood Maitland Council, completed the Hunter Estuary South Beach (EPA NSW 2012). Effluent from Management Plan in 2009. Under the guidance of Shortland WWTP is disinfected and discharged to the Hunter Estuary Technical Working Party, the the Hunter River. Hunter Estuary Management Plan will guide the planning and management activities for the Hunter The majority of Newcastle’s wastewater system is Estuary. located in stormwater catchments that discharge into Newcastle Harbour. There are only two small Stormwater management catchments where overflows may potentially Council has prepared a Stormwater Management discharge directly to the ocean. Plan which identifies priority actions to improve the quality of stormwater draining to ocean beaches There is an emergency relief structure (ERS) for the and the Hunter River, as well as actions to manage Newcastle sewerage network located on the flows and flooding. headland between Merewether Beach and Burwood beach. During extreme wet weather events the ERS is used as a discharge point to prevent sewage

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 41

Lifeguard service Water Corporation and the Compliance Services section of Council report suspected pollution at all Newcastle beaches are patrolled year round Newcastle swimming areas. Monday to Saturday by a professional lifeguard service. Council also provides a roving mobile Cleaners at the ocean baths in Newcastle monitor professional service on Sundays over the swimming conditions every day and report the results to the season to assist volunteer club lifeguards. Patrolled Compliance Services Division of Newcastle City beaches include Newcastle, Stockton, Dixon Park, Council. The ocean baths are closed and emptied Merewether, Merewether Ocean Baths, and when contamination is evident. The baths are then Newcastle Ocean Baths. cleaned, tested again, and clarified prior to re- opening. Council lifeguards are responsible for closing beaches during hazardous beach conditions. Hunter Water Corporation is obliged under licence Lifeguards erect warning signage during dangerous conditions to report any sewage overflows to the surf conditions, when marine stingers are present, stormwater system or recreational swimming areas. or when there is suspected algal contamination, If there is any doubt of water quality, the swimming stormwater pollution or sewage pollution. area is closed, with temporary on-site warning signs. Notification is made on the council website Risk management and media releases are issued when it is deemed appropriate. Stormwater pollution warning signs The council has a risk management procedure to have been permanently erected at swimming areas ensure that facility cleaners, lifeguards, Hunter susceptible to stormwater pollution.

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 42

South Stockton Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good South Stockton Beach is located at the southern end of a 32 kilometre stretch of beach that extends north to Birubi Point. Beach conditions are generally safe and lifeguards patrol the beach year round.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, sometimes exceeding the safe swimming limit after 20 mm of rainfall or more.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 22 34 22 3 6 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nobbys (Newcastle) rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

River Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% Stormwater Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 43

Nobbys Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Nobbys Beach is one kilometre long. Swimming conditions are safest at the southern end. Lifeguards patrol the beach all year round.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored for enterococci since 1996. Microbial water quality has been of a consistently high standard throughout this period.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 7 12 2 2 14 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nobbys (Newcastle) rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low River Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 44

Newcastle Baths Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Newcastle Ocean Baths are located at the northern end of Newcastle Beach, adjacent to Canoe Pool. Council inspectors patrol the pool from October to April. The baths are emptied, cleaned and filled weekly throughout the year.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is February 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 28 5 22 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nobbys (Newcastle) rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0%

Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 45

Canoe Pool Beach Suitability Grade: Good Canoe Pool is located on the rock platform at the northern end of Newcastle Beach and adjoins Newcastle Ocean Baths. Lifeguards patrol the pool from October until April. The pool is emptied, cleaned and refilled each week during the summer season. The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories. The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009. Water quality has been of a very high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 45 45 2 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nobbys (Newcastle) rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0%

Stormwater 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 46

Newcastle Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Newcastle Beach is approximately 650 metres long. Swimming can be dangerous as there are three permanent rips along the length of the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach all year round.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 12 14 6 4 10 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nobbys (Newcastle) rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0%

Stormwater Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 47

Bar Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Bar Beach is approximately 500 metres long and is bordered by rock platforms. Conditions can be hazardous, as it is an open beach with numerous rips. Lifeguards patrol the beach all year round.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit after 5 mm of rainfall or more.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is March 2011 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 36 20 14 18 28 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Nobbys (Newcastle) rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80% Stormwater Sewer Chokes 60%

40%

WWTP Discharge 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilets <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 48

Merewether Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Merewether Beach is located at the southern end of a 900 metre stretch of beach that extends north to Dixon Park Beach. There are two ocean pools on the southern rock platform. The beach is patrolled year round.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit after 5 mm of rainfall or more.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is March 2011 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 38 55 18 14 22 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Burwood Beach WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80% Stormwater

Sewage Overflows 60%

40%

WWTP Discharge 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 49

Merewether Pool (Learners) Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Merewether Learners Pool is located at the southern end of Merewether Beach, adjoining Merewether Main Pool. Council inspectors patrol the pool from October to April. The baths are emptied, cleaned and refilled on a weekly basis throughout the whole year. The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories. The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009 and microbial water quality has been of a high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2009 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 50 22 40 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Burwood Beach WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

Low Stormwater

Sewer Chokes % Enterococci samples 0% WWTP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 50

Merewether Pool (Main) Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Merewether Main Pool is located at the southern end of Merewether Beach, adjoining Merewether Learners Pool. Council inspectors patrol the pool from October to April. The baths are emptied, cleaned and refilled twice weekly throughout the bathing season, and on a weekly basis for the remainder of the year.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard. See page 21 for key to map

Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is March 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 24 30 5 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Burwood Beach WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

Low Stormwater

Sewer Chokes % Enterococci samples 0% WWTP Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 51

Burwood North Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Burwood North Beach is located toward the northern end of an 800 metre stretch of beach. It is backed by Glenrock State Recreation Area and Burwood Sewage Treatment Plant.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is March 2011 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 40 32 7 7 16 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Burwood Beach WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Lagoons Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80% Sewage Overflows

60%

40%

20% Low WWTP Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 52

Burwood South Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Burwood South Beach is located towards the southern end of an 800 metre stretch of beach. It is backed by Glenrock State Recreation Area and Burwood Sewage Treatment Plant.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water can be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is March 2011 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 30 28 14 12 14 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Burwood Beach WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Lagoons Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80% Sewage Overflows

60%

40%

20% Low WWTP Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 53

Lake Macquarie Council

Figure 16: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the Lake Macquarie City Council area

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 54

Message from Lake Macquarie Council • Heavy rainfall along the east coast in early February resulted in many parts of Lake The City of Lake Macquarie is blessed with Macquarie receiving almost twice the spectacular natural scenery including some average total rainfall for the month. eighteen kilometres of coast with a variety of features enjoyed by many. A highly attractive • Heavy rainfall continued throughout the Lake landscape, with high cliffs, sea caves, wide rock Macquarie region in April. Morisset received platforms, fossil forests, long sandy beaches, small 105 mm of rainfall in one day which is the coves, and sheltered lagoons, there is something highest daily rainfall ever recorded in April. for everyone in this constantly changing zone.

Many groups are based on, or attracted to our Assessment coast. These include surf clubs, fishermen, off road vehicle users, surfers, swimmers, and beach Microbial water quality walkers, all who enjoy the natural and constantly NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are changing environment. collected each year, providing 100 data points over a five year period. The sampling frequency at sites This combination of cultural, social, economic and in the City of Lake Macquarie Council area is higher environmental values means that healthy, than this minimum, with 60 samples collected each functioning natural systems in the coastal landscape year at locations monitored by Hunter Water are very important to the sustainable prosperity and Corporation and approximately 22 samples wellbeing of the city. collected each year at the sites monitored by Lake Macquarie Council. Once again, Lake Macquarie beaches have received high ratings and I am very pleased that the The Microbial Assessment Category for 2011–2012 health of our coast is in good shape. was calculated from the most recent 100 data points up until the end of the 2011–2012 swimming Overview of the area season. This period was September 2010 until April 2012 at sites monitored by Hunter Water Description Corporation. Lake Macquarie City Council covers an area of 787 At the sites monitored by Lake Macquarie City square kilometres and has an estimated local Council, enterococci analysis began in November resident population of 189,006 at the 2011 Census 2010 and less than 100 data points are currently (ABS 2012). available for analysis. The Microbial Assessment Categories for these sites are therefore regarded as The ocean beaches run along a 28 kilometre stretch provisional. As more data become available in of coastline from Glenrock Lagoon in the north to following years, the beach grades will become final Catherine Hill Bay in the south. The area boasts a and response to rainfall trends more defined. wide range of shorelines, including rocky headlands, bluffs, sandy beaches, rock platforms and coastal lagoons. Sanitary inspections Sanitary inspections have been completed for all Lake Macquarie is Australia's largest coastal salt monitored swimming locations in the Lake water lake, covering an area of 110 square Macquarie City Council area. These are scheduled kilometres. It is connected to the ocean by Swansea for review during 2012–2013. Channel and Lakes Entrance. A number of creek systems discharge into the lake including Dora and Cockle creeks. Recreational fishing, boating, Beach Suitability Grades kayaking and water skiing are all popular activities Seventeen of the 20 swimming locations monitored on the lake. in the Lake Macquarie City Council area were graded as Good or Very Good during 2011–2012 Land use within the catchments includes residential, (Figure 16). commercial, recreational, rural, industrial and bushland. Very Good Rainfall Five ocean beaches were graded as Very Good: Dudley Beach, Redhead Beach, Blacksmiths Beach There were several significant rain and storm Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay. events in the Hunter region during 2011–2012 (BOM 2012): These sites had excellent water quality (Microbial Assessment Category A) and few potential sources

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 55

of microbial contamination (Sanitary Inspection Creek WWTP was connected via pipeline to Categories of Low). Belmont WWTP in 2010–2011 to enable any surplus treated effluent to be directed to Belmont Good WWTP. This has resulted in WWTP becoming a zero discharge plant. Two ocean beaches (Glenrock Lagoon Beach and Swansea Heads Little Beach) and ten lake sites Management programs (Croudace Bay, Arcadia Vale, Belmont, Swansea, Cams Wharf, Toronto, Kilaben Bay, Wangi Point Lake Macquarie City Council, in collaboration with (Van Park), Balcolyn and Sunshine) were graded as Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Good. Authority (CMA), Hunter Water Corporation and Eraring Energy, supports programs including water These sites had mostly good water quality quality monitoring by Waterwatch groups and ‘Adopt (Microbial Assessment Category A or B) but more a SQID’, promotion of biannual macroinvertebrate significant potential sources of microbial surveys and ‘Phosphorus Day’. contamination, including discharges from coastal lakes/lagoons. The Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Action Plan (CAP) (HCRCMA 2007) is a guide to protecting and Fair improving the region’s natural resources over a ten year period and supports efforts made by the CMA No beaches were graded as Fair. to secure funding from the Australian Government.

Poor During 2009–2010, the Ecosystems Operations Coordinator facilitated approximately $2.5 million on Two sites in Lake Macquarie (Speers Point and projects that led to environmental improvements to Bolton Point) were graded as Poor. These sites Lake Macquarie. These works included stream bank often had poor water quality following rainfall and rehabilitation, foreshore stabilisation, construction of significant sources of microbial contamination such stormwater quality improvement devices, wetland as discharge from Cockle Creek and stormwater. and saltmarsh rehabilitation activities, water quality monitoring, biological monitoring, education and Very Poor community reporting. Eleebana (Lion Park) was graded as Very Poor. This site often had poor water quality (Microbial In April 2010, Council adopted the Integrated Assessment category D) and significant sources of Foreshore Management Strategy for Lake microbial contamination such as stormwater and Macquarie. The purpose of the strategy is to sewage overflows. Elevated levels of enterococci develop policies to best manage the foreshore for were recorded during both wet and dry weather community enjoyment and the protection of conditions so it is recommended that swimming be environmental values and the interests of property avoided at this site due to the unpredictable nature owners. The strategy complements the $20 million of the contamination. invested by Council and the NSW Government in recent years to restore the environmental health of Management the lake. Wastewater management Stormwater management Hunter Water Corporation is responsible for The Lake Macquarie Stormwater Management Plan wastewater management in the area and operates (SMP) was released in 1999 as a strategic four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs): framework for the sustainable management of Belmont, Dora Creek, Toronto and Edgeworth (EPA stormwater in the lake and coastal catchments. NSW 2012). Significant achievements include construction of wetlands at Cardiff, and on-ground stormwater Each year the Belmont WWTP discharges improvement with water-sensitive urban design approximately 22,000 million litres of secondary- principles. treated wastewater (including secondary-treated effluent transferred from Toronto and Edgeworth Lifeguard service WWTPs) from an outfall between Redhead and Lake Macquarie City Council lifeguards patrol Blacksmiths Beach. Redhead, Blacksmiths, Caves, and Catherine Hill Bay beaches from the September/October school Dora Creek WWTP is small and preferentially sends holidays through to April. Volunteer Surf Life Saving secondary-treated effluent to Club lifeguards patrol on Sundays. for re-use as industrial water at the station. Dora

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 56

Glenrock Lagoon Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Glenrock Lagoon Beach is 300 metres long and is located at the southern end of Burwood Beach. The beach is backed by Glenrock State Conservation Area.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including outflow from Glenrock Lagoon.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996. A small percentage of elevated enterococci results have been recorded in most years. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 45 30 26 10 24 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Burwood Beach WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

Lagoons 40%

20% Low

WWTP Discharge % Enterococci samples 0% 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 57

Dudley Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Dudley Beach is one kilometre long. It is situated in the Glenrock State Conservation Area and is backed by bushland.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 24 22 8 9 4 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Burwood Beach WWTP rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0%

Lagoons 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 OnSite Systems <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 58

Redhead Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Redhead Beach is located at the northern end of a ten kilometre stretch of beach and is backed by extensive sand dunes and a grassy reserve.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 34 32 20 28 20 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Belmont rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% Stormwater Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 59

Blacksmiths Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Blacksmiths Beach is located toward the southern end of a ten kilometre stretch of beach. A sea wall along the southern end protects the beach from outflow from Lake Macquarie.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has been of a consistently very high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 7 3 4 7 3 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Belmont rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% Lagoons 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 60

Swansea Heads Little Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good Swansea Heads Little Beach is 60 metres long and is located directly south-east of the entrance to Lake Macquarie. It is bounded by a small sea wall to the north-west and by a rock platform backed by steep vegetated bluffs to the south-east.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from the outflow from Lake Macquarie.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996. A small percentage of elevated enterococci results has been recorded in most years. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 140 Category 105 B 55 100 50 32 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Belmont rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% Lake 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

Bathers Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 61

Caves Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Caves Beach is located at the southern end of a 1.8 kilometre beach that runs south from Swansea Heads.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996. Water quality has generally been of a very high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 10 4 9 5 5 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Belmont rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 62

Eleebana (Lion Park) Beach Suitability Grade: Very Poor Eleebana is located at the northern end of Lake Macquarie in Warners Bay. The adjacent foreshore reserve has toilet and picnic facilities.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Poor indicates that the microbial water quality is highly influenced by faecal pollution and swimming should be avoided at all times.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with elevated levels of enterococci recorded in up to 30 per cent of samples in 2010–2011.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: High Microbial Assessment: D Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 1200 High 1200 1000 800 600 540 D 95th %ile 400 C Category 200 B Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Toronto rain gauge 10000

1000

Animals 100

10 Lake Macqaurie 1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time

Stormwater 100%

80%

Sewer Chokes 60%

40%

Sewage Overflows 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0%

Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 63

Croudace Bay Beach Suitability Grade: Good Croudace Bay is a netted swimming enclosure located near Sheppard Creek on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie. Picnic tables and a car park are located in the immediate foreshore of the baths.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including outflow from Sheppard Creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, sometimes exceeding the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with improvements in water quality in 2011–2012. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

170

95th %ile 200 140 Category B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Belmont rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Animals Enterococci (cfu/100mL) Boats 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time Lake Macquarie 100%

80%

60%

40% Crrek Discharge 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes Sewage Overflows Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 64

Arcadia Vale Beach Suitability Grade: Good Arcadia Vale is situated on the western side of Lake Macquarie. There is a playground, toilets and picnic tables in the adjacent park.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with improvements in water quality in 2011–2012.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category 80 B 100 6 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Swansea rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100% Animals 80% Lake Macquarie

60%

40% Stormwater 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes Sewage Overflows Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 65

Belmont Beach Suitability Grade: Good Belmont is located on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie. Access to the sample site is from Belmont Lions Park along Brooks Parade, Belmont. The sample is collected at the baths, from the jetty. The site is adjacent to toilet facilities and residential and commercial properties. The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall and sometimes exceeded the safe swimming limit after little or no rain. The site has been monitored since 2010, with improvements in water quality in 2011–2012. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 280 C 300

95th %ile 200 140 Category B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Belmont rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time Animals Boats 100%

Lake Macquarie 80%

60%

Stormwater 40%

20% Low

Sewer Chokes % Enterococci samples 0% Sewage Overflows

Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 66

Swansea Beach Suitability Grade: Good Swansea is located on the eastern edge of Lake Macquarie near Swansea Channel and Lakes Entrance. A caravan park is located nearby with a small creek discharging close to the site.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater discharge from a nearby creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall and occasionally exceeded the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with improvements in water quality in 2011–2012. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500 420 400 C 300

160

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Swansea rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

Animals 80% Lake Macquarie 60%

40%

Stormwater 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0%

Sewer Chokes

Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 67

Cams Wharf Beach Suitability Grade: Good Cams Wharf is a netted swimming enclosure on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie. A foreshore reserve, toilet amenities, car park and boat ramp are located in the immediate vicinity of the site.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater discharge from a nearby creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall and occasionally exceeded the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with improvements in water quality in 2011–2012. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 145 Category B 100 36 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Swansea rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100% Animals Lake Macquarie 80%

60%

Stormwater 40%

20% Low

OnSite Systems % Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes Sewage Overflows Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 68

Catherine Hill Bay Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good Catherine Hill Bay is located at the southern end of a two kilometre long stretch of ocean beach. The beach is patrolled by council lifeguards from September to April.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels showed little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 2010. Water quality has generally been of a very high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 2 10 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Swansea rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20% Low

Animals % Enterococci samples 0% River Discharge

OnSite Systems 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 69

Speers Point Beach Suitability Grade: Poor Speers Point is located in Cockle Bay at the northern end of Lake Macquarie. The sample is collected from the end of the public jetty. A playground, sporting fields, swimming centre and car park facilities are located in the adjacent foreshore. The Beach Suitability Grade of Poor indicates that the microbial water quality is susceptible to faecal pollution, particularly after rainfall, with a number of potential sources of faecal contamination including discharge from Cockle Creek. The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 20 mm rainfall or more. The site has been monitored since 2010, with elevated enterococci levels recorded in up to ten per cent of samples. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: C Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300 220 170

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bolton Point rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Animals Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Lake Macquarie Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

Creek Discharge 40%

20% Low

Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes

Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 70

Bolton Point Beach Suitability Grade: Poor Bolton Point is a netted swimming enclosure located on the north-western side of Lake Macquarie. There is a foreshore and car park in the immediate vicinity of the baths.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Poor indicates that the microbial water quality is susceptible to faecal pollution, particularly after rainfall, with a number of potential sources of faecal contamination including stormwater discharge from a nearby creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 20 mm of rainfall or more.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with elevated enterococci levels recorded in up to ten per cent of samples. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: C Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300 250 210

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bolton Point rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

Animals 1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) Boats 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time Lake Macquarie 100%

80%

60%

40% Stormwater 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes Sewage Overflows Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 71

Toronto Beach Suitability Grade: Good Toronto is a netted swimming enclosure located on the western side of Lake Macquarie. The sample is collected near the jetty at the baths.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater from a nearby drain.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 10 mm of rainfall or more.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with improvements in water quality in 2011–2012.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 135 Category 95 B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Toronto rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Animals Enterococci (cfu/100mL) Boats 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time Lake Macquarie 100%

80%

60%

40% Stormwater 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes Sewage Overflows Toilet Facilities 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 72

Kilaben Bay Beach Suitability Grade: Good Kilaben Bay is located on the western side of Lake Macquarie. The sample is collected from the baths which are adjacent to Kilaben Park.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, sometimes exceeding the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with elevated enterococci levels recorded in up to ten per cent of samples.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300 230

95th %ile 200 150 Category B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Toronto rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100% Animals 80% Lake Macquarie

60%

40% Stormwater 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0% OnSite Systems Sewer Chokes

Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 73

Wangi Point (Van Park) Beach Suitability Grade: Good Wangi Point is located on the western side of Lake Macquarie and access to the site is from Watkins Road. The samples are collected near the jetty, opposite Wangi Point Lakeside Holiday Park.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall and often exceeded the safe swimming limit after 20 mm of rainfall or more.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with improvements in water quality in 2011–2012. See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 145 Category 100 B 100 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Morisset rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

Animals 80% Boats Lake Macquarie 60%

40%

Stormwater 20% Low

% Enterococci samples 0%

Sewer Chokes 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Sewage Overflows <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 74

Balcolyn Beach Suitability Grade: Good Balcolyn is located on the western side of Lake Macquarie. The sample is collected from the boat ramp.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater from Dora Creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall and often exceeded the safe swimming limit after 20 mm of rainfall or more.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with improvements in water quality in 2011–2012.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Low Microbial Assessment: B Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 280 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 50 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Morisset rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40%

20%

Low Animals

Boats % Enterococci samples 0% Lake Macquarie

Creek Discharge 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL Toilet Facilities Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 75

Sunshine Beach Suitability Grade: Good Sunshine is a netted swimming enclosure located along the western side of Lake Macquarie. There are toilet facilities located close to the site.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 2010. Water quality has generally been of a very high standard.

See page 21 for key to map Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Microbial Assessment: A Source: Very Low Low Moderate High Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012. ^ 600 High D 500

400 C 300

95th %ile 200 Category B 100 14 8 Microbial Assessment Enterococci cfu/100mL 0 A 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Morisset rain gauge 10000

1000

100

10

1 Enterococci (cfu/100mL) 0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+

Moderate 24-hour rainfall (mm)

Trends in enterococci data through time 100%

80%

60%

40% Animals Boats 20%

Low Lake Macquarie

Stormwater % Enterococci samples 0% Sewer Chokes

Sewage Overflows 92-93 93-94 94-95 95-96 96-97 97-98 98-99 99-00 00-01 01-02 02-03 03-04 04-05 05-06 06-07 07-08 08-09 09-10 10-11 11-12 Toilet Facilities <=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

Bathers Low Very

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 76

Chapter 5 Quality assurance program

Introduction Methods To ensure that the data collected and reported The collection of water samples by Sutherland Shire under the Beachwatch, Harbourwatch and Council, Hunter Water Corporation and Sydney Beachwatch Partnership programs are accurate and Water Corporation is audited by Beachwatch reliable, a number of quality assurance (QA) Programs field officers on a quarterly basis processes are included in the programs, covering: throughout the year.

• field sampling (equipment preparation, Audits on Beachwatch Programs field officers are conducted throughout the year by the Beachwatch sample collection, sample storage and Senior Project Officer. sample transport) Field audits are conducted on partnership councils • laboratory analysis at the commencement of the summer season by Beachwatch Programs field officers. • data management Audits include an assessment of the field officer’s • community reporting. performance according to established Beachwatch Programs sampling protocols, including aseptic The results of these assessments are discussed in sampling techniques, sample collection, sample this section. storage and documentation of field observations. These protocols are based on internationally Field sampling recognised methods for the collection of water samples in recreational bathing areas (APHA 1998). Background Percentage compliance is calculated for each of the Water quality sampling for the Beachwatch three components of the audit: sampling technique, programs is undertaken by a number of different sample collection, and storage and field organisations (Table 27). observations. A total compliance is then calculated as the average compliance from each of these three components.

Table 27: Organisations undertaking sampling as part of the Beachwatch programs

Agency Regions Sampling period

Beachwatch (OEH) Northern Sydney Beaches, Central Sydney Beaches, Year-round Pittwater, Sydney Harbour, Botany Bay, lower Georges River and Port Hacking

Sutherland Shire Council Southern Sydney Beaches Year-round

Hunter Water Ocean beaches in Port Stephens, Newcastle and Lake Year-round Macquarie council areas

Sydney Water Ocean beaches in Wollongong, Shellharbour and Kiama Year-round council areas

Partnership Program councils Byron, Ballina, Richmond Valley, Kempsey, Port Stephens, Varied (some year- Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Wyong, Gosford, Shoalhaven, round, most between Eurobodalla and Bega Valley council areas October and April)

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 77

Following the audits, a detailed report describing the knowledge of potential beach pollution sources and findings and highlighting issues of concern is water quality issues. prepared. A copy of the report is provided to the audited organisation for its information and for These results indicate that water quality samples action, if necessary. collected by, and provided to Beachwatch, are of an acceptable and high standard. Results and discussion The results of the field sampling audits conducted Laboratory analysis between May 2011 and April 2012 are summarised in this report. Beachwatch Program

Overall compliance was calculated as the average Background total compliance achieved from the audits. The collection and analysis of blind field replicate Sydney samples is an excellent means by which to evaluate sampling procedures as well as analytical precision. Beachwatch field officers achieved 100 per cent Field replicates are samples collected from the compliance with the established sampling protocols same site at the same time. When the laboratory is for the beach sampling run. Sutherland Shire not informed that the two samples are collected Council lifeguards achieved an overall compliance from a single sample location, these samples are of 98 per cent with the established sampling referred to as blind field replicate samples. protocols. Non-compliance by Sutherland Shire Council lifeguards included not recording the date Beachwatch has regularly sent sets of blind field on sample labels. replicate water samples to a National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) accredited Hunter microbiological laboratory in order to determine the Sample collection in the Hunter region complied reliability of routine data provided by the contracted well with established Beachwatch sampling laboratory. protocols. Hunter Water achieved an overall compliance of 100 per cent from the quarterly Methods audits. Replicate samples were collected from a single site Illawarra during each Sydney Harbour, ocean beaches and Botany Bay and Port Hacking sampling run. The Sample collection by Sydney Water in the Illawarra site was randomly selected on each sampling region complied well with established Beachwatch occasion. This ensured the blind field replicates sampling protocols, with a compliance of 100 per submitted to the laboratory were from a variety of cent. sites with a range of enterococci densities. To ensure that the replicate set of samples sent to the Partnership Program councils laboratory were near-identical; the replicate All councils in the program recorded excellent samples were collected in quick succession from compliance with established Beachwatch sampling the same location using aseptic sampling protocols. Some councils were reminded of the techniques. importance of monitoring esky temperatures to ensure water samples tested for bacterial analysis Results and discussion were kept between 2°C and 10°C while in storage and during transportation to the contracted The precision of the contracted laboratory for the laboratory (AS/NZS 2031:2001). All councils were Beachwatch Program was determined over two time reminded to keep information on their websites up periods because of a change in the contracted to date to ensure the community can access the laboratory during the 2011–2012 reporting year. most recent information. Due to the inherent variability found in replicate water samples, results that are within 0.3 log-units Conclusion of each other (equivalent to a halving or doubling of density on a linear scale) are considered to be Auditing in the Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra and acceptable. partnership council regions has shown an excellent level of compliance with established Beachwatch From May 2011 to October 2011 the contracted sampling protocols. The sampling officers laboratory performed well, with most enterococci demonstrated good understanding of aseptic water results from replicate samples within 0.3 log-units of sampling and storage techniques, and a sound local each other. Enterococci results outside this range

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 78

were only just outside the acceptable limit and at Conclusion low bacterial densities (Figure 37). The replicate results from both contracted laboratories used by the Beachwatch Program during 2011–2012 did not differ significantly in their 10,000 estimation of enterococci densities. This indicates a high level of precision with enterococci analysis, and confidence can be placed in the accuracy of 1,000 water quality results reported in the Sydney region.

Beachwatch Partnership Program 100 Background Council laboratories were invited to take part in 10 proficiency testing in November 2011 in order to Laboratory(cfu/100mL) Result determine the reliability of routine data provided. Laboratories with NATA accreditation or which 1 could provide evidence of regular proficiency testing 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 were not included in the program as they already Replicate sample (cfu/100mL) comply with strict assessments. The proficiency Upper Limit Low er Limit testing was conducted by IFM Quality Services Pty Ltd. Figure 37: Distribution of enterococci results for the contracted laboratory, May 2011 to October A feedback report was provided to each council with 2011 an assessment of its in-house or commercial laboratory performance, and an opportunity to take

any action if necessary. The process provides From November 2011 to April 2012 the new confidence that the data reported to local contracted laboratory performed well with the communities is of a high standard. As a result, majority of enterococci results from replicate councils can be confident about results provided by samples within 0.3 log-units of each other. Most laboratories in the Beachwatch Partnership enterococci results outside this range were only just Program. outside the acceptable limit and at low bacterial densities (Figure 38). Methods Three samples labelled A, B and C were dispatched to each laboratory by express national courier 10,000 service. Samples A and C were duplicates containing Enterococcus. Sample B did not contain Enterococcus species. The samples were 1,000 presented in freeze dried form and required reconstitution prior to testing.

100 Data analysis Due to the relatively small number of participants in

10 this program, IFM included additional, comparable result data in order to provide a statistically sound Laboratory(cfu/100mL) Result base for participant assessments. The medians of sample A and sample C were calculated to provide 1 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 a consensus result used to represent the best estimate of the true density of enterococci bacteria. Replicate sample (cfu/100mL) When determining how far away a result can be Upper Limit Low er Limit from the consensus median result (acceptable range of results), the spread of participant results was used. The spread was taken from the middle Figure 38: Distribution of enterococci results for 50% of the submitted results which reduced the the contracted laboratory, November 2011 to effects of outlying and extreme results. April 2012

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 79

A z-score was given to participants which describes However, one laboratory reported results well how close they were to the consensus result. The outside the acceptable range and had issues best z-score is zero and the further away from zero detecting enterococci bacteria within the samples. (positive or negative), the worse the result. Z-scores This issue was investigated by the laboratory with within one unit of zero are excellent, z-scores assistance from IFM Quality Services Pty Ltd to between one and two units of zero are good, and determine the source of the errors. The between two and three units of zero are fair. Z- investigation identified a number of issues including scores greater than three units from zero are a lack of resources to manage the manufacture of considered to be unacceptable and corrective action microbiological media and no system to should be taken. Fail was assigned to results where continuously record temperatures in the incubator. a z-score could not be calculated or which were The laboratory has also been advised to include a determined to be an inappropriate indicator of positive, negative and media control with each performance. batch of bacterial analysis.

The formula for z-score calculations is as follows: Conclusion

Z = result obtained by the participant – median result For the Beachwatch Partnership Program, most NIQR results from the 2011–2012 laboratory proficiency testing were very good, and confidence can be where NIQR is the normalised inter quartile range = placed in the accuracy of data from these 0.7413 x (Q3–Q1). The factor comes from statistical laboratories. However, until the laboratory with poor tables, assuming the results are normally results has resolved its issues with bacterial distributed. analysis results from this council are deemed provisional. Results and discussion The laboratory quality assurance program highlights The results from the five laboratories which took the observation that a single result from any one part in the program are presented in Table 28. laboratory can be substantially different from those reported by other laboratories. Therefore, when Table 28: Evaluation of BPP laboratory monitoring and reporting microbial water quality, it is performance preferable and more reliable to report results as trend analyses to minimise the effect of the Laboratory Sample Z-score Evaluation occasional aberrant result.

1 A -1.0259 Good Data management B (blank) Pass C -1.8646 Good Water quality results for swimming sites in the Sydney, Hunter and Illawarra regions are regularly 2 A -0.0829 Excellent forwarded electronically to Beachwatch Programs B (blank) Pass from the contracted laboratory, and by Hunter Water C -0.0493 Excellent and Sydney Water laboratories. The water quality 3 A -0.0409 Excellent data are uploaded to the Beachwatch water quality B (blank) Pass database (BACTO) for storage and data evaluation.

C -0.3839 Excellent All partnership councils transferred water quality 4 A -1.1798 Good data to OEH on a regular basis, for centralised B (blank) Pass storage on the BACTO database. In some cases, C -2.5905 Fair data were emailed directly from the analysing laboratory. 5 A -9.9260 Outlier B (blank) Pass Quality assurance procedures for the storage of C - Fail data on the centralized database followed a rigorous protocol that was developed as part of the Beachwatch Program. This included data validation There is a high level of certainty for the enterococci procedures to identify anomalous results. results from four laboratories, with reported densities well within the acceptable range (Table Validated data were uploaded to the Beachwatch 28). No laboratories falsely identified enterococci website by Beachwatch staff. This website bacteria in the blank sample (B). (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach) provides online access to water quality monitoring data and

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 80

assists councils to prepare their State of the information can be accessed by the public through Environment reports. the Beachwatch website (www.environment.nsw.gov.au/beach) and the Beachwatch information line (1800 036 677) and is Community reporting reported on Twitter @BeachwatchNSW. The information is also sent by email to a range of Providing the community with current beach water stakeholders and media. quality information is a core function of the Beachwatch programs, so reporting has been The bulletins are based on telemetered rainfall data incorporated into the QA program. and any reported pollution incidents that could affect beach water quality. The bulletins include a This part of the QA program enables Beachwatch to prediction of the likelihood of pollution at ocean measure the accuracy, consistency of content and beaches and harbour swimming areas, as well as punctuality of all reports released, and evaluates the daily weather, tides and coastal conditions, based reporting undertaken by partnership councils. When on the Australian Bureau of Meteorology’s necessary, this information is used to improve the Metropolitan Forecast and Coastal Waters reporting process. Forecast. During summer, bulletin updates are also issued to advise of beach conditions such as This section is divided according to the four main dangerous surf, marine stingers, lagoon openings, forms of reporting beach water quality in NSW. closures and other information reported by council These are: lifeguards.

• Sydney daily bulletins Bulletins are audited weekly to determine the accuracy of the pollution scenarios on the basis of • weekly star ratings rainfall, and the punctuality of emailed distribution. The accuracy and the punctuality of the daily • monthly reports bulletin updates, and the reported rainfall and tidal weather information, are also measured. • regional council reporting. The results from the quality assurance audits are Sydney daily bulletins stored in an electronic database, with a weekly summary of any detected errors distributed to the Beachwatch bulletins are generated daily to report field officers for their attention and action, if on the likelihood of bacterial contamination at necessary. Sydney ocean and harbour swimming areas. This

100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 99 98 98

94 90

80

% Compliance 70

60

50 Sydney Ocean Pittw ater Sydney Harbour Botany Bay Rainfall Correct Tides Correct Timeliness Beaches Scenario Scenario Scenario Scenario

Figure 39: Quality assurance results for the Beachwatch and Harbourwatch daily bulletins during winter 2011 () and summer 2011–2012 ()

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 81

Figure 39 shows a high accuracy in the reported submission to the newspaper. The graphic pollution scenarios during both the winter and the produced by the newspaper is checked and summer season, with 100 per cent accuracy for all approved by Beachwatch prior to publication. scenarios. The bulletins were distributed in a timely manner 94 per cent of the time during winter, and As the star ratings for the Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra 98 per cent of the time during summer. Lateness of and partnership council beaches are quality assured bulletins was usually only by a few minutes and the by different people and/or agencies, any potential result of technical problems. errors in calculations or in the presentation of data were detected prior to publication. No erroneous The rainfall and tide information was accurate to a reports were published in 2011–2012. high level, with the rainfall information complying 99 per cent of the time during winter and 100 per cent Monthly reports of the time during summer. Tide information was accurate 100 per cent of the time and 98 per cent of The Beachwatch monthly reports give details of the the time during winter and summer, respectively. performance of Sydney ocean and harbour beaches for the previous month. These reports are available Weekly star ratings on the Beachwatch website under ‘Reporting’. Before distribution, all computer-generated Each week during the summer season, star ratings calculations are checked manually to ensure for the Sydney, Hunter, Illawarra and partnership accuracy. As a result, all errors are detected before council regions are published on the Beachwatch distribution of the reports. website under ‘Reporting’. The star ratings are based on NHMRC (2008) guidelines, with one star Regional council reporting indicating poor water quality, through to a four-star rating indicating excellent water quality. The star An assessment of the reporting capabilities of ratings are calculated using a spreadsheet, and are partnership councils was made during the field audit approved by the Beachwatch manager prior to visit and periodically throughout the summer publishing on the Beachwatch website. season. Most partnership councils provide their water quality data regularly for the publication of Star ratings are published in the Newcastle Herald star ratings on the Beachwatch website, as and the Port Stephens Examiner newspapers in the mentioned earlier. Hunter region and in the Illawarra Mercury in the Illawarra. These advertisements run from November Visits to partnership councils by Beachwatch field to March. officers identified opportunities to improve community reporting of water quality results. The The star ratings published in the Hunter region are visits revealed that most councils have information calculated by Beachwatch, confirmed by Hunter about their Beachwatch programs on the council Water and then submitted to the newspaper for website, but the information in most cases was not preparation of the graphic. A copy of the graphic is kept current. then supplied to Beachwatch for checking and approval prior to publication. Some regional councils undertook media releases throughout the 2011–2012 summer season with the The same procedure is followed in the Illawarra assistance of Beachwatch field officers. The media region, with Beachwatch calculating the star ratings releases were drafted, edited and approved by and Sydney Water confirming them before Beachwatch Programs and councils to ensure the information released was accurate.

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012 Page 82

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WHO (1999). Health-based monitoring of recreational waters: the feasibility of a new approach (the Annapolis Protocol). WHO.SDE/WSH/99.1, Protection of the Human Environment, Water Sanitation and Health Series, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

WHO (2003). Guidelines for safe recreational water environments. Vol. 1. Coastal and fresh waters. World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.

WSAA (2003). Best practice environmental management. Catchments for recreational water: conducting and assessing sanitary inspections. Occasional Paper No. 8 – May 2003. Water Services Association of Australia, Melbourne, VIC.

Wyer, MD, Kay, D, Fleisher, JM, Salmon, RL, Jones F, Godfree, AF, Jackson G and Rogers, A (1999). ‘An experimental health related classification for marine waters’. Water Research 33(3):715–722.

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Wyong Shire Council (2007). State of the Environment Report 2006/07 – Wyong Shire. Wyong Shire Council, Wyong, NSW.

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Glossary

Amplification: The modification of a sewage treatment plant to increase capacity so that more sewage can be treated per day. ANZECC: Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council. Although no longer in existence, this organisation provided a forum for coordinated environmental management in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea until 2001. Australian Height Datum (AHD): The datum to which all vertical control for mapping in Australia is to be referred, with mean sea level assigned the value of zero. Bacteria: A diverse group of micro-organisms inhabiting nearly all terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Specific types are found living in conjunction with humans and animals – see Enterococci and Faecal coliforms (below). Beach Suitability Grade (BSG): The grade is a long-term assessment of the suitability of a swimming location for swimming and is derived from a combination of Sanitary Inspection and water quality measurements gathered over previous years (see below). Swimming locations are graded Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor or Very Poor. Beachwatch Partnership Program (BPP): The Beachwatch Partnership Program began as a pilot in 2002 before being established in 2004. The program provides quality assurance and reporting assistance to local councils undertaking beach monitoring programs. Catchment: The area that drains surface runoff from precipitation into a stream, river and/or tributaries or urban stormwater drainage system. Colony forming unit (cfu): A micro-organism propagule (spore or cell) from which a colony has grown. For purposes of analysis, one cfu represents one viable organism. Typically, bacteriological data are reported as the number of these colonies in 100 millilitres of sample water. Contaminant: Any substance, chemical, or micro-organism that makes a medium (water) less suitable for a specific purpose. Criteria: Standards that are based on the analysis of scientific data and provide guidelines for the appropriate use of water. Density, e.g. enterococci or faecal coliform density: The amount of these indicator bacteria present in a standard volume of a water body. The higher the bacterial density the higher the number of cfus (see above) that will be found per 100 millilitres, and hence the greater the contamination. Disinfection: This wastewater treatment process inactivates disease-causing micro- organisms such as bacteria, viruses and parasites. Enterococci: Bacteria of the genus Enterococcus that may be used to determine the extent of faecal contamination of recreational waters. The Enterococcus group is a sub-group of faecal streptococci. It is differentiated from other faecal streptococci by growth at higher temperatures and salt concentrations in the laboratory, and the ability to survive in marine waters under conditions that are unfavourable for most other faecal micro-organisms. Environment Protection Licence: Under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, environment protection licences are enforced to regulate the impacts of pollution to ensure that environmental impacts are minimised. For example, the activities of sewage treatment plants are governed by environment protection licences. Estuary: A partly enclosed coastal water body open to the ocean, characterised by tidal effects and the mixing of fresh water and sea water.

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Fresh water: Water with a low concentration of dissolved salts (salinity less than 0.5 parts per thousand). Faecal coliforms: Mesophilic bacteria that inhabit the intestines of humans and other warm- blooded animals. Faecal coliforms are abundant in bird and animal faeces and are used as indicators of sewage pollution in marine and freshwaters. These organisms have a relatively short life-span in marine waters, and hence indicate the presence of relatively recent sewage contamination. Gross pollutant trap (GPT): A type of stormwater quality improvement device (see below) that is a permanent installation in an urban watercourse and is designed to intercept and retain coarse sediment, litter and debris. Traps usually consist of a combination of floating booms, trash racks and ponds, with provision for access to maintain and clean the trap. Lagoon: A body of water subject to intermittent openings, either naturally or manually. Microbial Assessment Category (MAC): The category is determined from the 95th percentile of a dataset of at least 100 enterococci data points. The four categories (A to D) relate to levels of risk of illness determined from key epidemiological studies. The National Health and Medical Research Council recommends that MAC be calculated from a rolling five year dataset, with at least 20 samples collected each year during the swimming season. NHMRC: The National Health and Medical Research Council is an independent federal organisation that oversees public health and medical issues on a national scale. On-site sewage management systems (OSMS): These are systems that enable wastewater to be treated and disposed of on-site, usually in the absence of a reticulated sewerage network, for example, septic tanks. Percentile, 95th: The 95th percentile is the value below which 95 percent of the data lie. This statistic is useful for summarising the distribution of data, because it embodies elements of the location of the distribution (how high/low the enterococci counts are) and the scale of the distribution (how variable the enterococci counts are). The 95th percentile is used to determine the Microbial Assessment Category. Pathogens: Micro-organisms, such as bacteria, viruses and fungi, that can cause diseases in plants and animals. Pathogens are abundant in sewage and may be present in industrial and other types of discharges. Pollutants: Chemicals, biological substances, particles, or thermal changes that are discharged into bodies of water and are potentially detrimental to the environment. Plume: A stream of water that enters a water body and contains an elevated concentration of suspended materials and/or pollutants (see above). Primary contact recreation: Recreational use of waters that involves bodily immersion or submersion, facilitating direct contact with water; includes activities such as swimming, diving, waterskiing and surfing. Primary sewage treatment: Physical treatment of sewage, designed to remove solids via settling (as sludge) and floatable solids such as oil, fats and grease by first screening and then ponding the effluent. Quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC): Procedures and checks used to ensure that accurate and reliable results are obtained from environmental sampling and analysis. Receiving water: The water body into which effluent flows. For example, STPs (see below) or stormwater systems release water into natural waterways such as rivers, estuaries and oceans. Sanitary Inspection Category (SIC): The Sanitary Inspection Category is determined from a sanitary inspection of a swimming location. The sanitary inspection identifies potential pollution sources, assesses the risk posed by each and then determines the overall risk at the swimming site (the SIC) which is categorised as Very Low, Low, Moderate, High or Very High. Secondary contact recreation: Recreational use of waters that involves some direct contact with water, but where the probability of inadvertent swallowing of water is low; includes activities such as paddling, wading, boating and fishing.

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Secondary sewage treatment: Biological and/or chemical treatment of sewage, designed to remove the majority of organic matter and solids through several possible processes by using anaerobic bacteria, chemicals and settling ponds. Sewage overflows: These occur when the capacity of the sewer is exceeded, usually in wet weather when stormwater enters the sewerage system through illegal connections and damaged pipes. To prevent the sewage backing up and overflowing into homes, the sewage is discharged at designed overflows points, which are mostly located close to the stormwater system. Sewage overflows can also occur during dry weather (when they are called sewer chokes) because of blockages in the sewer system from tree roots or debris. Sewage treatment plant (STP): The site of convergence and treatment for household, commercial and industrial sewage via the sewerage system. Sewage is treated at an STP to either primary, secondary, or tertiary level before being discharged as effluent to receiving waters. STPs are also known as Wastewater Treatment Works. SewerFix program: An ongoing program conducted by Sydney Water Corporation to reduce the frequency and severity of sewer overflows by identifying and rectifying damage and the ingress of stormwater to sewers. Sewer chokes: Occur when the sewer pipes become blocked by tree roots, oil and grease or debris. Sewage builds up behind the blockage and discharges at inspection points and designed overflow structures. Stormwater: Any surface water runoff resulting from rainfall can be termed stormwater. In undeveloped catchments, stormwater can be of high quality and captured for drinking water. In urban areas, stormwater is likely to contain a range of contaminants and be of lower quality. Stormwater quality improvement devices (SQIDs): Structures intended to improve the quality of stormwater before it reaches receiving waters by removing solid material, litter and debris carried in the flow. Tertiary sewage treatment: Physical and chemical treatment of sewage, designed to improve secondary treated sewage by removing fine suspended solids, nutrients and pathogens (by disinfection). Treatment to a tertiary level typically involves a combination of filtration methods, chemical additives and ponding. Tidal flushing: The process by which water in an estuary is replaced with oceanic water owing to the flow of water caused by the tides. Wastewater: Any liquid waste discharged from domestic, commercial, industrial and agriculture activities. Wastewater re-use: The re-use of treated wastewater, such as for irrigation of playing fields or agricultural land. Wastewater treatment works (WWTW): See Sewage treatment plant. Water quality: The characteristics of water in regard to its physical, chemical and biological properties.

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