HORNSBY SHIRE COUNCIL BEROWRA CREEK ESTUARY MANAGEMENT STUDY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN January 2000 HORNSBY SHIRE COUNCIL BEROWRA CREEK ESTUARY MANAGEMENT STUDY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN January 2000 Webb, McKeown & Associates Pty Ltd Prepared by: ___________________________ Level 2, 160 Clarence Street, SYDNEY 2000 Telephone: (02) 9299 2855 Facsimile: (02) 9262 6208 Verified by: ____________________________ 98122:BerowraEMSWord:M6 BEROWRA CREEK ESTUARY MANAGEMENT STUDY AND MANAGEMENT PLAN TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AND ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN i to xxvii 1. INTRODUCTION....................................................................................................................1 1.1. This Management Study............................................................................................................. 1 1.2. The Estuary Management Program.......................................................................................... 1 1.3. The Wider Planning Management Context.............................................................................. 2 1.4. Statement of Joint Intent............................................................................................................ 2 1.5. Community Consultation ........................................................................................................... 4 2. FEATURES OF THE STUDY AREA ....................................................................................6 2.1. Catchment.................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.1. Location ................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.1.2. Topography and Soil Landscapes ............................................................................................................ 6 2.1.3. Climate and Climate Change ................................................................................................................... 7 2.1.4. Vegetation................................................................................................................................................ 7 2.1.5. Existing Development.............................................................................................................................. 7 2.1.6. Future Development................................................................................................................................. 8 2.1.7. Sewage Treatment.................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2. Estuary......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.1. Description............................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2.2. Hydrodynamics...................................................................................................................................... 10 2.2.3. Sediment Dynamics ............................................................................................................................... 13 2.2.4. Water Quality......................................................................................................................................... 15 2.2.5. Ecology.................................................................................................................................................. 17 2.2.6. Human Development ............................................................................................................................. 18 2.2.7. Human Use ............................................................................................................................................ 20 3. EXISTING CATCHMENT MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL ........................................22 3.1. Management and Control Authorities .................................................................................... 22 3.1.1. Local Government ................................................................................................................................. 22 3.1.2. State Government .................................................................................................................................. 23 3.1.3. Commonwealth Government ................................................................................................................. 24 3.1.4. Other Statutory Bodies........................................................................................................................... 24 3.2. Specific Council Estuary Management Plans......................................................................... 25 3.2.1. Berowra Creek Water Quality Management Strategy............................................................................ 25 3.2.2. Berowra Catchment Stormwater Management Plan ..............................................................................26 3.2.3. Berowra Waters Plan of Management ................................................................................................... 26 3.3. Other Estuary Use and Control Plans..................................................................................... 28 3.3.1. Local Environmental Plan...................................................................................................................... 28 3.3.2. Development Control Plans ................................................................................................................... 29 3.3.3. Berowra Catchment Management Committee Strategic Plan ................................................................ 31 3.3.4. Sewage System Management Process ................................................................................................... 32 3.3.5. Berowra Valley Regional Park Plan ...................................................................................................... 33 3.3.6. National Park and Nature Reserve Plan of Management .......................................................................35 3.3.7. Hawkesbury-Nepean River System Habitat Protection Plan ................................................................. 36 3.3.8. Berowra Creek Waterway Boating Map................................................................................................ 37 4. ISSUES ASSESSMENT AND OBJECTIVES.....................................................................38 4.1. General....................................................................................................................................... 38 4.2. Estuary Management................................................................................................................ 38 4.2.1. Data Collection Co-ordination............................................................................................................... 38 4.2.2. Human Health and Safety ...................................................................................................................... 39 4.2.3. Estuary Management ............................................................................................................................. 39 4.3. Water and Sediment Quality ................................................................................................... 40 4.3.1. Catchment Sourced Pollution................................................................................................................. 40 4.3.2. Freshwater Inputs................................................................................................................................... 40 4.3.3. Boat Sourced Pollution .......................................................................................................................... 41 4.3.4. River Settlement Sourced Pollution....................................................................................................... 41 4.3.5. Heavy Metal Accumulations.................................................................................................................. 41 4.3.6. Oil Spills ................................................................................................................................................ 41 4.4. Human Use ................................................................................................................................ 42 4.4.1. Estuary Recreation Facilities ................................................................................................................. 42 4.4.2. Estuary Tourism Facilities ..................................................................................................................... 42 4.4.3. Boat Moorings ....................................................................................................................................... 43 4.4.4. Sedimentation/Navigation...................................................................................................................... 43 4.4.5. Commercial and Recreational Fishing ................................................................................................... 44 4.4.6. Aquaculture...........................................................................................................................................