The Adelaide Coastal Waters Study Final Report, Volume 1 Summary of Study Findings November 2007 Prepared for : South Australian Environment Protection Authority Authors Fox, D.R., Batley, G.E., Blackburn, D., Bone, Y., Bryars, S., Cheshire, A., Collings, G., Ellis, D., Fairweather, P., Fallowfield, H., Harris, G., Henderson, B., Kämpf, J., Nayar, S., Pattiaratchi, C., Petrusevics, P., Townsend, M., Westphalen, G., Wilkinson, J. Enquires should be addressed to: PMB 2, Glen Osmond SA 5064 http://www.clw.csiro.au/acws © CSIRO, 2007 ISBN 1 921125 20 9 Limitations and Disclaimer The sole purpose of this report and the associated services performed by CSIRO and its subcontractors is to provide scientific knowledge about Adelaide’s coastal marine environment in support of on-going and future management. Research work was carried out in accordance with the scope of services identified in the head agreement dated 14th October 2002, between the South Australian Minister for Environment and Conservation (‘the Client’) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Under this agreement, CSIRO’s role was to devise and oversee a program of research to be undertaken by a number of individuals and organisations. The findings and recommendations presented in this report are derived primarily from information and data supplied to CSIRO by the Client and from the field investigations and research conducted by sub consultants. The passage of time, manifestation of latent conditions, or impacts of future events may require further exploration and subsequent data analysis, or re-evaluation of the findings, observations, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this report. This report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of the Client, and is subject to and issued in connection with the provisions of the agreement between CSIRO and the Client. CSIRO accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report by any third party. FOREWORD I am pleased to present the Final Report of the Adelaide Coastal Waters Study. In 2001, the Government of South Australia announced that the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) would manage the Study which sought to develop the understanding needed to redress the issues of seagrass loss, seafloor instability and poor water quality along Adelaide’s metropolitan coast. This important work has delivered the ability to establish the targets that need to be achieved to manage our coast in a sustainable manner. The Final Report of the ACWS integrates a large amount of knowledge derived iii through the Study, most of it delivered through local areas of expertise - original work that discovered important relationships between Adelaide’s coastal ecosystem and its range of inputs. The report is underpinned by 20 Technical Reports, published during the course of the study and a Volume 2 report that summarises much of this work. We established a partnership with CSIRO to ensure that the science associated Adelaide with the study was rigorous and well focussed. I am indebted to Professor David > Coastal Fox who directed the study and David Ellis who managed the project for CSIRO. Waters The quality of the work reflects their skill and perseverance and that of the scientific Study: team whose work underpins this study. FINAL REPORT VOLUME 1 The ACWS Steering Committee, Technical Review Group and EPA officers including STUDY FINDINGS a former EPA employee, Dr John Cugley, put considerable time and effort into the guidance of this study, ensuring that the focus remained on developing a body of high quality knowledge about the key issues. The findings of the report represent a challenge to all South Australians – but we always knew it would, and the different stakeholders have been getting on with implementing this new knowledge as the story began to unfold through the publishing of the technical reports and discussion about findings as they came to light. Even so, the sustainable management of Adelaide’s coast and its range of contaminant inputs will take some time to achieve. While it is crucial that the State Government takes a lead role in providing direction for the sustainable management of our coastal waters, it is equally important for the whole community to recognise that, collectively and individually, we all have a role to play. We must all take responsibility for Adelaide’s coast and for its condition when future generations take over their management. I encourage government, business and industry, peak bodies, academic and research institutions, community groups and individuals to consider and develop actions addressing the findings and suggested responses in this report. Through collaborative efforts we can generate positive change for a sustainable and valued coastal environment along Adelaide. Dr Paul Vogel CHIEF EXECUTIVE Environment Protection Authority ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This report draws from and synthesises the results of a number of scientific investigations undertaken during 2003–2005 that defined the Adelaide Coastal Waters Study. We are indebted to the critical role played by our own Scientific Committee and the Client’s independent Technical Review Group in ensuring the scientific integrity of the study and of its outputs. This study could not have been undertaken without the significant contributions made by the researchers listed below who were part of the ACWS scientific research program. The dedication and commitment at both an individual and organisational level to the delivery of quality scientific outcomes is reflected in the pages of the iv ACWS task reports (listed below). We are indebted to Alan Butler and his team at CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research who undertook the preliminary scoping study that provided invaluable background material and helped identify the research requirements of the present study. The ACWS Steering Committee provided valuable input throughout the study. > Adelaide Their contributions at all stages of the project were greatly appreciated. Coastal Waters We are most appreciative of the resources committed by the study Stakeholders to Study: enable this study to proceed: FINAL REPORT VOLUME 1 STUDY FINDINGS ▪ South Australian Environment Protection Non–funding ACWS Steering Authority Committee members include: SA Water Corporation ▪ Conservation Council of SA Torrens Patawalonga and Onkaparinga ▪ ▪ SA Fishing Industry Council Inc Catchment Water Management Boards ▪ Local Government Association Department for Transport Energy ▪ ▪ Department of Water Land and and Infrastructure ▪ Biodiversity Conservation Mobil Refining Australia Pty Ltd ▪ Planning SA. ▪ AGL Torrens Island ▪ ▪ South Australian Coast Protection Board ▪ Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) ▪ Ports Corporation. We are particularly appreciative of the assistance provided by the Client’s representatives, Dr John Cugley and Mr Peter Pfennig of the South Australian EPA. ACWS Scientific Committee: Independent Technical Review Group: ▪ Dr Graham Harris (Chair) ▪ Dr Des Lord (Chair) ▪ Prof. David Fox (Study Director) ▪ Dr Dennis Steffenson ▪ Dr Graeme Batley (CSIRO Land and Water) (SA Water) ▪ Dr Simon Bryars (SARDI Aquatic Sciences) ▪ Dr Rod Connolly ▪ Prof. Anthony Cheshire (Science to Manage (Griffith University) Uncertainty Pty Ltd) ▪ Dr Dean Patterson ▪ Prof. Howard Fallowfield (Flinders University) (WBM Oceananics) ▪ Prof. Peter Fairweather (Flinders University) ▪ Mr Doug Fotheringham ▪ Prof. Chari Pattiaratchi (The University of (SA DEH). Western Australia) ▪ Dr Murray Townsend (SA Department for Environment and Heritage, Coastal Protection Branch) Research Teams: Stage 2 Research Task Researcher Organisation Ecological Processes (EP 1) Anthony Cheshire SARDI Aquatic Sciences Simon Bryars SARDI Aquatic Sciences David Miller SARDI Aquatic Sciences Greg Collings SARDI Aquatic Sciences Sasi Nayar SARDI Aquatic Sciences Jodi Lill SARDI Aquatic Sciences Emma O’Loughlin Adelaide University / SARDI Aquatic Sciences Peter Fairweather Flinders University Amanda Gaetjens Adelaide University Milena Fernandes SARDI Aquatic Sciences Jason Tanner SARDI Aquatic Sciences Dennis Gonzalez Flinders University v Bronwyn Gillanders Adelaide University Yvette Eglinton SARDI Aquatic Sciences Grant Westphalen SARDI Aquatic Sciences Genevieve Mount SARDI Aquatic Sciences Rachel Wear SARDI Aquatic Sciences Input Studies (IS 1) Howard Fallowfield Flinders University Jeremy Wilkinson Flinders University Meryl Pearce Flinders University Nancy Cromar Flinders University Erick Bestland Flinders University John Hutson Flinders University Corinne Le Gal La Salle Flinders University Craig Simmons Flinders University Lynn Smythe Flinders University Nicholas White Flinders University Julianne James-Smith SA Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Nikki Harrington SA Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Andrew Love SA Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation Anthony Smith CSIRO Land and Water Gary Hancock CSIRO Land and Water Sébastien Lamontagne CSIRO Land and Water Physical Processes and Modelling (PPM 1) Yvonne Bone Adelaide University Sally Edwards Adelaide University Elizabeth Campbell Adelaide University Linda Deer Adelaide University Physical Processes and Modelling (PPM 2) Peter Fairweather Flinders University Chari Pattiaratchi The University of Western Australia, School of Environmental Systems Engineering John Newgard The University of Western Australia, School of