Dunoon Dam Aquatic Ecology A s s e s s m e nt Aquatic Ecology Assessment Proposed Dunoon Dam Prepared for Rous Water 9 November 2012 Dunoon Dam Aquatic Ecology Assessment DOCUMENT TRACKING ITEM DETAIL Project Name Environmental and Aquatic Flows Assessment – Dunoon Dam Project Number 09ARMENV-0005 File location S:\Synergy\projects\09ARMENV\09ARMENV-0005 Dunoon Dam Environmental Flows & Aquatic Assessment\Report\Aquatic Ecology Reports\Final Reports Prepared by Ian Dixon Daniel Magdi Nathalie van der Veer Emma Garraway Internal project team review by Dr Darren Ryder, Dr Paul Frazier External Review Prof Martin Thoms, Prof Terry Hillman by Approved by Dr Paul Frazier Status FINAL Version Number 1 Last saved on 9 November 2012 Cover photo L: Riffle downstream of proposed Dunoon Dam wall; Top R: Large pool in Rocky Creek, downstream of proposed dam wall; Bottom R: Little Rocky Creek This report should be cited as „Eco Logical Australia 2012. Aquatic Ecology Assessment for the proposed Dunoon Dam. Prepared for Rous Water.‟ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document has been prepared by Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd with support from Rous Water. The input and comment from the Future Water Strategy Project Reference Group is also recognised. Professor Martin Thoms, Professor Terry Hillman and Dr Keith Bishop are also gratefully acknowledged for their assistance in the preparation of this assessment. Disclaimer This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the contract between Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd and Rous Water. The scope of services was defined in consultation with Rous Water, by time and budgetary constraints imposed by the client, and the availability of reports and other data on the subject area. Changes to available information, legislation and schedules are made on an ongoing basis and readers should obtain up to date information. Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any use of or reliance upon this report and its supporting material by any third party. Information provided is not intended to be a substitute for site specific assessment or legal advice in relation to any matter. Unauthorised use of this report in any form is prohibited. © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA P T Y L T D i Dunoon Dam Aquatic Ecology A s s e s s m e nt Contents Contents ................................................................................................................................................... ii List of Figures ......................................................................................................................................... vi List of Tables ......................................................................................................................................... vii Abbreviations.......................................................................................................................................... ix Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 1 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................. 4 1.1 Background................................................................................................................................... 4 1.2 Aims & Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 4 1.3 Legislative Context ....................................................................................................................... 5 1.3.1 Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 .................................................... 5 1.3.2 Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 ........................................................................ 6 1.3.3 Fisheries Management Act 1994 .................................................................................................. 7 1.3.4 Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 ................................................................................ 7 1.3.5 Water Act 2007 ............................................................................................................................. 8 1.3.6 Water Management Act 2000 ....................................................................................................... 8 1.3.7 Native Vegetation Act 2003 .......................................................................................................... 8 2 Site Background & Physical Setting ........................................................................................ 9 2.1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2 Climate ........................................................................................................................................ 12 2.3 Hydrology .................................................................................................................................... 12 2.4 Landform & Topography ............................................................................................................. 13 2.5 Geology & Soils .......................................................................................................................... 15 2.6 Geomorphology .......................................................................................................................... 15 2.7 Vegetation................................................................................................................................... 18 2.8 Aquatic Habitat ........................................................................................................................... 18 3 Methods ..................................................................................................................................... 19 3.1 Literature & Data Review ............................................................................................................ 19 3.1.1 Data Audit ................................................................................................................................... 19 3.1.2 Literature Review ........................................................................................................................ 20 3.2 Field Survey ................................................................................................................................ 20 3.2.1 Site Selection .............................................................................................................................. 20 © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA P T Y L T D ii Dunoon Dam Aquatic Ecology A s s e s s m e nt 3.2.2 Survey Regime ........................................................................................................................... 22 3.3 Field Survey Methods ................................................................................................................. 26 3.3.1 Riparian & Aquatic Vegetation.................................................................................................... 26 3.3.2 Water Quality .............................................................................................................................. 26 3.3.3 Aquatic Macroinvertebrates ........................................................................................................ 26 3.3.4 Fish ............................................................................................................................................. 27 3.3.5 Amphibians ................................................................................................................................. 27 3.3.6 Wetland & Migratory Birds .......................................................................................................... 28 3.3.7 Platypus ...................................................................................................................................... 28 3.4 Laboratory Methods .................................................................................................................... 28 3.4.1 Water Quality .............................................................................................................................. 28 3.4.2 Aquatic Macroinvertebrates ........................................................................................................ 29 3.5 Data Analysis .............................................................................................................................. 29 3.5.1 Water Quality .............................................................................................................................. 29 3.5.2 Aquatic Macroinvertebrates ........................................................................................................ 30 4 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 31 4.1 Database Searches .................................................................................................................... 31 4.1.1 Threatened Species ................................................................................................................... 31 4.1.2