MINUTES TECHNICAL COMMITTEE MEETING

22 February 2018

Contents Administrative Matters ...... 1 Update on SCCG Activities and Projects ...... 3 Member Council Roundtable ...... 5 General Business...... 8 Presentations ...... 8

1. Administrative Matters

1.1 Opening - Welcome

BA welcomed TC delegates to the meeting.

1.2 Attendance and Apologies

Attendance and apologies are listed in the table below.

Representative Council Attended Apology Ms Judith Betts (JB) Bayside Council  Ms Jean Brennan (JB) Inner West Council X Ms Victoria Adair (VA) Northern Beaches Council  Ms Ruby Ardren (RA) Northern Beaches Council X Ms Jodie Crawford (JC) Northern Beaches Council  Ms Amy Croucher (AC) Mosman Council  Ms Niki Carey (NC) North Sydney Council X Ms Bronwyn Englaro (BE) Randwick Council  Ms Beth Noel (BN) Sutherland Shire Council X Ms Jaime Hogan (JH) Waverley Council  Mr Andrew Reefman (AR) Willoughby Council X Ms Micaela Hopkins (MH) Woollahra Council  Mr Kevin Fernando (KF) Northern Beaches Council  Mr Geoff Withycombe (GW) SCCG  Ms Belinda Atkins (BA) SCCG  Ms Molly O’Halloran (MO) SCCG  Dr Mitchell Harley (Guest Presenter) UNSW, Water Research Laboratory  Dr Michael Kinsela (Guest Presenter) Office of Environment and Heritage 

Page 1 of 9 1.3 Confirmation of Minutes

Minutes of the Technical Committee meeting held on 7 December 2017 were distributed in electronic form to TC delegates. The Minutes were confirmed at the meeting.

1.4 Business Arising

BA directed TC delegates to the update on actions for the Business Arising from the 7 December 2017 meeting, provided in the ‘Summary of Resolutions, Actions, and Outcomes Table’ in the 22 February 2018 Technical Committee Meeting Agenda.

BA noted that the SCCG Letter sent to DPI Fisheries compliance unit in August/September 2017, regarding spearfishing and safety issues, has been sent to the Director for follow up. BE provided a background to the spearfishing issues that occurred in Randwick LGA.

It was noted that SCCG are still waiting for LGNSW to provide information on coastal hazard signage. Once this information is received SCCG may contact the EDO for further advice.

GW noted as an action that he would contact Department of Industry (Crownlands) and Office of Environment and Heritage (NSW NPWS) regarding signage information/guidelines.

GW asked JB (Bayside) whether SCCG could obtain a copy of legal advice held by Bayside regarding coastal hazards/drowning.

1.5 Meetings The next Technical Committee Meeting is: Thursday 17 May 2018.

The proposed meeting dates for the remainder of 2018 are provided below. Please put these dates in your diaries.

• Thursday 23 August 2018 • Thursday 29 November 2018

Actions: (a) The next TC Meeting will be held on Thursday 17 May 2018. (b) The next meeting to be hosted by Randwick Council (pending confirmation). (c) The Minutes of the TC Meeting held on 7 December 2017 were confirmed. (c) Representatives to suggest agenda items for the next Technical Committee meeting at least four weeks prior to the next meeting. (d) GW to contact Dpt of Industry (Crown Lands) and Office of Environment and Heritage (NPWS) regarding coastal hazard signage. (e) Bayside Council to provide legal advice on Coastal hazards (drowning) to SCCG, if permitted.

Page 2 of 9 Summary of Actions – 22 February 2018

Due Status Lead Actions date Administrative Matters Confirmation of Minutes • Minutes of Technical Committee meeting held 7 December 2017 - - were confirmed. Business Arising GW 16/5/18 • GW to contact Dpt of Industry (Crown Lands) and Office of Environment and Heritage (NPWS) regarding coastal hazards signage (information/guidelines/advice). • JB (Bayside Council) to provide SCCG with legal advice pertaining to JB 16/5/18 coastal hazards/drowning, if permitted.

Administration SEC 23/2/18 Completed • Thank you letters to be sent to the Presenters, Mitchell Harley, Michael Kinsela, and Emma Bombonato.

Next meetings SEC 17/5/18 • The next TC meeting to be held on Thursday 17 May 2018. • Randwick Council to confirm availability of meeting room to host next BE / 13/4/18 meeting on 17 May. BA

Update on SCCG Activities and Projects • SCCG to obtain an update on the Operation Crayweed project. SEC 16/5/18 • SCCG to write to Councils requesting a response regarding Councils SEC 28/3/18 interest in participating in CoastSnap.

2. Update on SCCG Activities and Projects

2.1 Collaboration

2.1.1 Get the Site Right

BA provided an update on the Get the Site Right campaign. BA thanked Councils for their participation and contribution to a successful campaign. The recorded 40% non-compliance rate of the 891 sites inspected, was an improvement on the May 2017 blitz. The campaign provided an opportunity to educate and inform developers/builders and DIYers of compliance requirements. The erosion and sediment control training was a successful component of the program. In 2018 a webinar will be provided as a refresher for compliance staff, with further training later in the year to be determined.

The campaign will be run again during May and October 2018. The first planning meeting will be held in March, and after that date, formal letters will be issued inviting our member councils to be involved in the next campaign.

Page 3 of 9 2.1.2 SPLASH BA noted that the SPLASH Planning forum was held on 12 December 2017. At this forum SCCG indicated that they would become an ‘in-kind ‘member of SPLASH, which still entitles SCCG a place on the advisory committee. A SPLASH product information day will be held on 28 February 2018 and can be attended by individual councils to gain information about SPLASH.

2.1.3 Summerama Program BA thanked the eight participating member councils for making Summerama 2018 a success, noting that a total of 75 events were held, with most fully booked. BA noted that the two events hosted by SCCG were well received by the community, the Chinese speaking community for the Long Reef Walk and the GSLLS who provided support in promoting the events and funding for the Coastal Explorer bus tour. The Summerama Outcomes Report will be provided once completed.

2.2 Capacity Building

2.2.1 Adapting Priority Coastal Recreational Infrastructure for Climate Change GW delivered an update. GW gave a brief overview of the project for new committee members present. The tool is used to evaluate the condition and vulnerability of coastal and recreational infrastructure in relation to climate change. The tool will enable councils to assess assets and provide a cost-benefit analysis. The next step is to trial and test the tool to refine and ascertain usability. The tool will take the form of a spreadsheet with the longer-term goal to integrate the tool into existing asset management modules used by councils. The tool will be trialled across five categories and will include assets such as wharves, beaches, boat ramps, parks, pathways, pools and promenades. Northern beaches and Sutherland will pilot the tool as they provide good representation of both open coast and estuarine assets. Other smaller case studies on specific issues such as heritage may be undertaken within some of our member councils.

2.2.2 Flying Fox Approach Taken as read as per agenda item.

2.2.3 Pollution Notification Protocol An action under the SCCG / Sydney Water MOU is to develop a Pollution Notification Protocol. A recommended action from both the Pollution Interagency Meeting and Healthy Waterways workshop previously held by SCCG, is to provide Member Councils with a Pollution Incident Response template and pollution notification protocol for consistent use and guidance across the SCCG region. The MPP is currently working on these documents with a scheduled completion date of June 2018.

2.3 Advocacy

2.3.1 SCCG Submissions

BA gave a brief overview of the most recent SCCG submissions. GW mentioned the NSW Marine Estate Management Strategy noting that he had taken part in an interview with Treasury regarding the strategy/actions and potential funding. Submissions can be viewed on the SCCG website.

2.3.2 Have your say Other items taken as read as per agenda item.

Page 4 of 9 2.3.3 Reform Updates GW delivered an update on coastal reforms, noting that the reforms were very imminent. Councils will be asked to consider draft maps in the SEPP.

GW mentioned the Climate Change Fund, noting that this had not yet been passed by cabinet. Sydney Morning Herald Environment Editor Peter Hannam wrote an article on 17 February 2018 regarding the underspend of the over the past 3 years to a sum of $250 million.

BA noted that the amended Environmental Planning and Assessment Act is scheduled to commence on 1st March. The Act will commence in stages to enable councils to prepare for the new requirements. It was noted that Councils will be required to prepare ‘community participation plan’ and a ‘local strategic planning statement’ in 2019. For more information click here.

GW noted that the Act has been renumbered and that there will be a 10-year transition period to the new number system (e.g. 149 will now be known as a new number under the amended Act.

2.4 Research

2.4.1 Community Understanding of Coastal Erosion Project

Item taken as read as per the agenda.

3. Member Councils Roundtable

Delegates discussed their updates and relevant issues and needs. PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES REPORT

• Council Report - Summary of Coastal Erosion submitted 14 February 2018. • Council considering off leash dogs areas on the beachfront. • Commencement of development of a water management strategy – end goal Bayside is a water sensitive city. • Participating in development of a Cooks River Coastal Management program. • Submitted grant applications of Coastal Estuary grants – vegetation restoration and sand nourishment for Ramsgate Baths. • Preparing grant application Coastal Estuary Grant –detailed planning and design for future works at Lady Robinson’s Beach. • Master Planning for Balmain Baths and Elkington Park initiated by Urban Design Team • Submission on the MEMA Strategy • Participation in Scoping Study for Sydney Harbour Coastal Management Program • Feasibility Study and Assessment for Swim Site in lower Parramatta River • Rethink Rubbish Pop-up Beach Series at Balmoral • HarbourCare – charity work days with business/corporates. • Living Mosman 2018 sustainability community education program • Mattress recycling • E-waste community collection event • Summerama events were successful, particularly the Seaside Scavenge event. Approx. 500 people were engaged in the Summerama activities.

• • Northern Beaches Council hosted four teenagers from Brewarrina who enjoyed the experience of urban coastal living as a part of Council’s Youth Exchange Program. • As a part of the Collaroy Precinct Masterplan, Council will upgrade the southern end of Collaroy Beach with improvements to include a new amenity

Page 5 of 9 building alongside Collaroy Rock Pool, a rooftop viewing platform and a new section of the northern Beaches Coastal Walkway. • Ten new portable water fountains will be made available at future Council events in an effort to tackle the wasteful and environmentally damaging proliferation of single use plastic water bottles. • Council has established six new Strategic Reference Groups to involve the community in helping to shape the future of the Northern Beaches. Themes include the environment, places for people, community services, local economy, transport and civic leadership. • Collaroy court case regarding private property and beach protection/maintenance. • A dunes condition assessment is being undertaken for all beaches (GIS/Desktop analysis) including identifying vegetation types and weeds. Green Army and Bushlink Groups have been working on sites within Northern Beaches. • Partnering with DPI and SIMS in the Operation Crayweed project to reintroduce Crayweed to sites within Sydney. Crayweed is an indicator of water quality and was thought to have disappeared in Sydney Harbour due to Sewage issues prior to the 1990’s. Planting has been undertaken at Freshwater and Whale Beach and will potentially be undertaken at Cabbage Tree Bay. • North Sydney Council picked up the award for best Local Government Sustainable Procurement initiative at the end of last year at the Local Government Procurement Awards. The Awards recognise excellence and best practice in the field of procurement within the local government sector. • 8 new water refill stations are currently being installed in Council parks and public spaces in partnership with Sydney Water. The new water refill stations make it easier to refill reusable water bottles to help the community reduce, reuse and recycle. • Council has completed waste composition audits and a bin reconciliation ahead of the upcoming waste services tenders. Council conducted a community consultation program seeking input/comments from its residents. • The North Sydney Community Recycling Centre continues to prove popular. The EPA notes the facility as one of the top three busiest centres. • Council is working with the Network Operator, TOMRA Cleanaway, to find suitable positions for Reverse Vending Machines in the North Sydney LGA, under the Container Deposit Scheme. • Councils Smart Energy Future program has now commenced- with the aim of accelerating the uptake of renewable heat and electricity in the North Sydney community. The fact sheets on a mix of housing types to identify the best renewable options for all residential and commercial occupancy types have been completed and a renewable energy expo is being planned for 12 April. • The Coal Loader Platform is set to open in March 2018 as North Sydney Councils newest public open space and we’re having a picnic to celebrate! Picnic on the Platform will take place on Sat 24 March, 3pm – 9.30pm and will include live music, food, tours, interactive art, workshops, children’s activities and more. Then it’s lights out at 8.30pm for Earth Hour. Join us and enjoy the stunning view and learn more about our sustainability initiatives. • NSC Bushland Team ran a successful program of school holiday activities as part of our Bushcare Adventures/Summerama initiative. Activities included pavement painting; spotlight walks; kayaking in Sydney Harbour and an interactive theatre show about litter pollution in the marine environment. • During 2017, NSC Bushcare volunteers contributed over 2,100 hours of bushland rehabilitation work; produced more than 11,000 local native tubestock plants and reported 1,200 wildlife sightings. • 2018 will be celebrated as the 25th anniversary of Bushcare in North Sydney. 1993 marks the year that Council received grant funding from the State Government to employ a bush regenerator and commence formalising the Bushcare Program.

Page 6 of 9 • Council’s Best Gift Christmas campaign held a local artisan market day at Randwick Community Centre where more than 40 local artisans brought their locally made, environmentally friendly goods to sell to local residents. • Voltage optimisation is currently being installed at Des Renford Leisure Centre and Bowen Library – with expected energy savings of 10-15 percent. • Quotations are underway to install electric vehicle charging facilities at 5 Council locations during 2018. • Malabar headland western walking track construction has been completed to provide continuous access to the headland site and an Eastern Beaches Coastal Walkway link between Malabar and Maroubra beaches and was opened by the Mayor on 17 February. • Question to the group – asking if anyone had worked with Take 3 previously. Other delegates provided responses. • Issue of concern – proposal to expand the cemetery onto the foreshore of Botany Bay. None of the existing legislation applies. Have asked the consultant to provide council with information addressing contamination, erosion and heritage. • Exhibition of Camellia Gardens Draft Flying-fox Camp Management Plan https://jointheconversation.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/the-camellia-gardens- draft-grey-headed-flying-fox-camp-management-plan • Australia’s second largest pump track has been built at Barden Ridge http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Council/News/Sutherland-Shire-Now- Home-to-Second-Biggest-Pump-Track-in-the-Country • Council has partnered with local schools in a trial to encourage kids to cycle http://www.sutherlandshire.nsw.gov.au/Council/News/Cycle-to-School- Project-Starts-The-Year-On-A-%E2%80%98roll%E2%80%99 • Received an Environmental Trust grant, “Living Connections” aimed to engage and help local residents in the Bronte habitat corridor increase biodiversity through improved and increased habitat on their properties. This will be measured using two key bird species. • Will launch the Building Futures program to improve energy and water efficiencies in large strata properties in the Bondi Junction area. • Preparing our Environment Plan as part of the IP&R process. • Part of the Regional Environment Program with Woollahra and Randwick - setting up an EV charging network in 3 locations in the eastern suburbs. • The Solar my school program is having success with 3 private schools and 6 public schools to install solar in the next 4 months. • Council internal staff waste behaviour change program to launch in March to improve recycling rates. • MUDs Bulky Waste Management Program SSROC Dumping is Rubbish Campaign – “Get Rid of it Right” posters displayed on the back of bus and social media campaign • Litter Prevention Program “Unpacking our Future” – Engaging stakeholders, installing new infrastructure and signage, implementing a cleaning regime at litter hotspots, and patrols by Rangers to enforce littering offences • Sustainable Packaging Program for Businesses – Toolkit being developed.

• Produced the 2018 Environmental Workshops and Activities Brochure (to June) • Pet Waste Composting Trial to try to divert pet waste and plastic bags from landfill. • Content added to the ‘Willoughby Walks’ app, featuring audio and visual interpretive material to enrich the experience of bushwalking in Willoughby. • Harbourcare program successful – community and corporate involvement. • Net monitoring for Seahorse at parsley bay. • Rosebay sand movement issues – to be surveyed mid-March. Working party set up (involving the Local Government/Environment Minister) to deal with water pollution and loss of seagrass etc. question on who is responsible for opening and closing beaches/putting up signage, and at what point this is done? – noted links to the Pollution Notification Process and need for a risk assessment to be incorporated.

Page 7 of 9 4. General Business

4.1 SCCG Draft Business Plan

GW provided an update on the draft Business Plan providing a brief background on the process and consultation in developing the business plan. GW noted that Member Councils have agreed to membership for the next 12 months period. The agreement was for the SCCG operating budget of $300,000, down $85,000 from the previous financial year, which will provide funding for 2 full time staff instead of the 3 full time staff previously employed in the SCCG Secretariat. This will have some implications for resourcing and project implementation. Other outcomes include: • Executive committee has been consolidated into the Full Group. • Member Council Senior/Executive staff have agreed to meet with SCCG twice a year. • Move to include estuarine environments in the SCCG vision, mission, tag line.

TC delegates were provided with a copy of the draft Business Plan. A workshop was facilitated by BA in order to prioritise themes and actions within the business plan.

Results – Theme 1- Catchment Management was considered to be a main priority.

Withi n each theme priority actions were identified as: Theme 1: Action 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 and 1.4 Theme 2: Action 2.3, 2.2, 2.1 and 2.4 Theme 3: Action 3.4, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 When priorities are averaged across all themes based on responses at the workshop the following order of prioritised actions are: Actions 1.1, 3.4, 3.1, 2.3, 2.2, 1.2, 2.1, 1.3, 2.4, 3.2, 1.4, 3.3.

4.2 Upcoming Awards, Events and Grants

Taken as read as per the agenda.

5 . Guest Presentation

Mitchell Harley, UNSW Water Research Laboratory, and Michael Kinsela, Office of Environment and Heritage

Mitchell Harley and Michael Kinsela presented to the TC on CoastSnap. Notes are provided below. The presentation will be attached to these minutes. • CoastSnap is a citizen science project where community members take a photo of a specific beach from a photo-point fixture. The photos can be uploaded via social media or e-mail. • There are also 32 fixed cameras in place across NSW and Queensland taking an image of the beach every 30 minutes. Stationary cameras measure the shoreline to an accuracy of 1-2m. Can include vandalism challenges depending on location. • The shoreline monitoring has shown 1cm per year erosion rate at Narrabeen. • Solution to stationary fixed cameras – using the community and smart phone technology. • Two pilot monitoring stations in Sydney – North Narrabeen and Manly. Manly experiences high visitation. North Narrabeen is more isolated but does have more local visitation. • Image stabilisation algorithms are applied to the CoastSnap photos to ensure like for like. • Quantitative information from images derived from controlled points (e.g. light or building in image). Image then developed where geographical coordinates can measure changes at the beach. Can then track changes through time. • Photo sites require at least one fixed control point to stabilize the image and provide context.

Page 8 of 9 • Citizen science is an American tern which can be misunderstood in Australia – could use ‘community science’ terminology. • A recent survey undertaken in January showed that: 81% of those taking photos were local with 14% from interstate or overseas. • ¾ of those people submitting photos do so by e-mail, with only ¼ using social media. • Repeat contributions are at approximately 37% - need to engage with the community to monitor regularly. • Pros: easy to use, enjoy contributing to community research, empowered by participation, • Improvements: increase sites, signage (at entrance to park etc.), easier to upload, people want to see results of study and lift communication, interest in more technical side of things. • Future of CoastSnap: technical aspects proven – developed and demonstrated. Next step is future locations – upscale sites and lift community engagement. Pilot project finalised. Next site will be Tallow Beach in Byron Bay. Monitoring to be upscaled to cover beaches owned/managed by OEH/NPWS. • Buzz generated internationally – UK, Netherlands, Portugal, etc. using same branding and tools to develop worldwide network. • Set up and monitoring costs – model hasn’t been developed yet. Customisation to poles may increase cost. Standard costs $1,400-$3,000 including signage. • Processing of data options need to be investigated as upscaling occurs. Possible to produce 6-montly to yearly. Seeking grant opportunities to automate and reduce costs and time. • BE suggested this project would work for Randwick as part of their coastal management program. MH potential to incorporate schools and produce education package. Use Facebook community to inform of weather events where photographs will be most useful. Storm warnings and flooding events result in spike of images. • VA enquired about the possibility of the CoastSnap signage being displayed in various languages to engage missed demographics. Response – In Brazil they have CoastSnap signs in three languages – so it can be applied here. • Question - What is the application for estuarine areas? – response that the technology would work better in estuarine areas due to minimal waves. Data would be more accurate. • Noted that shoreline monitoring is a good proxy for beach volume (although not for changes to sand dunes). • Noted that it would be possible to use a fixed camera to do a visitation algorithm to note number of visitors to beaches. This would not be accurate using Citizen photos. • Noted that the program could be used to see changes in seagrass cover over time provided the photo angle covered the seagrass area. • Noted that there is now technology that can be used on the smart phone to detect rips – this could be applied to CoastSnap. • UNSW/OEH do not need to monitor every beach but are looking for representative sites on a local/regional scale. • Noted that each council participant could promote CoastSnap on their own websites through individualised council CoastSnap pages. • Question as to whether UNSW has approached Coastal Watch re sharing of data etc. Noted that the algorithms used by UNSW are more advanced. • Potential to apply for an education grant for CoastSnap implementation across SCCG region.

6. Site Visit

Following the meeting, TC delegates met with Emma Bombonato, Manager Sustainability at the Sydney Opera House for a tour and talk on the sustainability features of the Sydney Opera House, the SEALs (sustainability champions), and how the actions and targets in the Sydney Opera House Environmental Sustainability Plan will be achieved (including a 5 Star Green Star rating). The tour included viewing the site of the artificial reef, the self-cleaning tiles on the Opera House Sails, and back stage including a first hand look at the waste and recycling process in place.

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