CHAPMAN RIVER FORESHORE ASSESSMENT WRM 23 2001 WRATER AND IVERS COMMISSION CHAPMAN RIVER FORESHORE ASSESSMENT WATER AND RIVERS COMMISSION WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT SERIES REPORT NO WRM 23 OCTOBER 2001 i Acknowledgments This report has been jointly funded by the Natural Many other members of the community and landholders Heritage Trust and the Water and RIvers Commission. within the catchments provided valuable input and assistance with the field surveys. The report was prepared by Nicole Siemon, Environmental Manager, Ecosystem Management Digital map production by Melanie Webb, Banksia Services (EMS). Environmental Mapping. Extensive field and technical support was provided by Voluntary assistance was also provided by Grazyna Tony Rebola, partly on a voluntary basis. Paczkowska (plant identification) and Heather Siemon (compilation of draft report). Reference Details The recommended reference for this publication is: Water and Rivers Commission 2001, Chapman River Foreshore Assessment. Water and Rivers Commission, Water Resource Management Report WRM 23. We welcome your feedback A publication feedback form can be found at the back of this publication, or online at http://www.wrc.wa.gov.au/public/feedback ISBN 0-7309-7520-7 ISSN 1326-6934 Text printed on recycled paper October, 2001 Cover photograph: Fringing vegetation on the Chapman River [Taken by Nicole Siemon, 2000] ii Contents Acknowledgments......................................................................................................... ii Summary ..................................................................................................................... v 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Need for the study ....................................................................................................................4 1.2 Community involvement process ................................................................................................5 1.3 This report ................................................................................................................................5 2. The study area ....................................................................................................... 6 2.1 The physical environment .......................................................................................................... 6 2.1.1 Geology, geomorphology and soils .................................................................................. 6 2.1.2 Climate ........................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.3 Hydrology ....................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.4 Bathymetry ...................................................................................................................... 6 3. Methodology ......................................................................................................... 7 3.1 Implementing the survey ............................................................................................................ 7 3.1.1 Undertaking foreshore surveys ......................................................................................... 7 3.1.2 Environmental parameters of foreshore condition .............................................................. 7 3.1.3 Collating the results ......................................................................................................... 9 4. Summary results .................................................................................................. 11 5. Site reports .......................................................................................................... 16 5.1 Specific site reports..................................................................................................................16 6. Common issues ................................................................................................. 124 6.1 Rights and responsibilities of owning land adjoining the river and foreshores............................ 124 6.2 Foreshore reserves ................................................................................................................124 6.3 Bank stability ........................................................................................................................125 6.4 Salt ......................................................................................................................................125 6.5 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................126 6.5.1 Tax incentives for protecting vegetation .........................................................................126 6.6 Weeds ..................................................................................................................................128 6.7 Pest fauna .............................................................................................................................130 iii 6.8 Farm plans ........................................................................................................................... 130 6.9 Fire ...................................................................................................................................... 130 6.10 Cropping .............................................................................................................................. 131 6.11 Fence alignment ................................................................................................................... 132 6.12 Stock access.......................................................................................................................... 132 6.13 Grazing ................................................................................................................................133 7. General recommendations ................................................................................. 135 7.1 Planning ............................................................................................................................... 135 7.2 Site preparation ....................................................................................................................135 7.2.1 Weed control ............................................................................................................... 135 7.2.2 General site preparation .............................................................................................. 135 7.3 Planting out .......................................................................................................................... 136 7.4 Maintenance .........................................................................................................................136 7.5 Monitoring ............................................................................................................................ 136 7.6 General management suggestions for each foreshore rating ................................................... 137 8. Working with government ................................................................................... 138 8.1 Liaison with government agencies .......................................................................................... 138 8.1.1 Water and Rivers Commission ...................................................................................... 138 8.1.2 Local government authorities ........................................................................................ 138 8.1.3 Department of Environmental Protection ....................................................................... 138 8.1.4 Ministry for Planning .................................................................................................... 139 8.1.5 Main Roads WA........................................................................................................... 139 8.1.6 Department of Conservation and Land Management ..................................................... 139 8.1.7 Agriculture WA ............................................................................................................139 8.1.8 Fire and Emergency Services ........................................................................................ 139 8.2 Further information ............................................................................................................... 140 9. References and recommended reading................................................................ 141 Tables 1. Chapman River catchment selected sites ............................................................................................5 2. Stream Condition Index ..................................................................................................................... 9 3. The summary conditions of the environmental parameters assessed to determine foreshore health...... 10 iv Summary The Chapman River is a regionally significant waterway is terms of biodiversity, habitat provision, aesthetic values, cultural values and recreation in the Mid West region. The Chapman River commences near Yuna approximately 60 kilometers north east of Geraldton, Western Australia. To protect and enhance the ecological integrity and social values of the Chapman