Tasmanian Coastal Works Manual A best practice management guide for changing coastlines Leah Page and Veronica Thorp ISBN: 978-0-7246-6558-7 (printed manual) ISBN: 978-0-7246-6559-4 (pdf) Title: Tasmanian Coastal Works Manual: A best practice management guide for changing coastlines Author(s): Leah Page and Veronica Thorp Publisher/place: Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment - Tasmania Publication date: December 2010 Design and layout: ILS Design Unit, DPIPWE Editor: Janice Bird Disclaimer Any representation, statement, opinion or advice, expressed or implied in this publication is made in good faith, but on the basis that the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment its agents and employees are not liable (whether by reason of negligence, lack of care, or otherwise) to any person or for any damage or loss whatsoever which has occurred or may occur in relation to that person taking or not taking (as the case may be) action in respect of any representation or advice referred to herein.. This project was funded through the Australian Government’s ‘Caring for Our Country’ program and supported by the Tasmanian Government. Acknowledgements Letitia Lamb, Rosemary Cross, Luke Newman, Phil Thompson and Karen Steinhuis (CLS). This manual has been completed by Leah Page, Local Government staff who assisted include Bridget based on a draft written by Veronica Thorp Jupe, Dan Meldrum and Johannes May (Kingborough in 2006. Veronica died in July 2008 and was Council), Kerry Ford (Sorell Council), Polly Buchorn (Break O’ Day Council), Haylee Alderson and Phil unable to participate in the completion of the Barker (Central Coast Council), Andrew Drenen manual. However her substantial contribution (Tasman Council), Richard Greenhill and Lynda Bonar (Hobart City Council), Alli Coombe (Glenorchy City provided a major part of the work on which Council), Mel Kelly (Glamorgan Spring Bay Council) this manual is based. and Mary McParland (Clarence City Council). Other contributors included Eric Woehler (Birds The writers would like to thank all those who Tasmania), Oliver Strutt (Understorey Network), contributed to this manual, especially the Steering Ruth Eriksen (Aquatic Science), Ursula Taylor and Committee: Lynne Sparrow (Parks and Wildlife John Chrispijn (Derwent Estuary Program), Jill Service), Kathleen Broderick (NRM South), Phil Pearson (NRM South), Anna Wind (Cradle Coast Watson (Clarence City Council), Leanne Brown (EPA, NRM) Chris and Sally Johns (Southern Beaches DPIPWE) and Christine Materia (Local Government Landcare & Coastcare), Sandy Leighton (Southern Association of Tasmania); and the staff of the Coastal Tasmanian Councils Authority), Frances Mowling and Marine Branch, Chris Rees (Manager and Steering (consultant), Christine Corbett (Greening Australia), Committee Chair), Jocelyn Phillips, Kathy Noble, Kristy Kristy Blackburn (Southern Coastcare Association of Blackburn and Diana Williams. Tasmania), Vishnu Prahalad (University of Tasmania), Many other specialists and stakeholders contributed Peter Hopkins and Jim Caulfield (Marine & Safety to the Manual. In some case considerable amounts Tasmania), Sharon Sherman (State Emergency of material were provided by these contributors. The Service), Peter McGlone (Tasmanian Conservation chapter list on page 3 acknowledges contributors Trust), Emma Williams (NRM North), Neil Taylor who provided significant amounts of material or (Geofabric Australia), John Easton (Conservation consultation for a particular chapter. Volunteers Australia), Richard Mount (University of Tasmania), Moya Sharpe (Sorell School), Luke Chiu Many other State Government staff contributed to (Sport and Recreation Tasmania) and Kaylene Allen the Manual and/or commented on various drafts. (NRM South). These include Carolyn Knight, Michael Pemberton, Jason Bradbury, Tim Rudman, Rosemary Gales, Thanks is also due to consultant Chris Sharples Anthony Reid, Alistair Morton, Rob Moreton, Mike (coastal geomorphologist) for technical information Askey-Doran, Karen Stewart, Janet Smith, Tim and advice on climate change and coastal Chappell, Andrew Wagg, Jennifer Burdon, Elizabeth geomorphology. Tew, Ester Guerzoni, Mike Nash, Pip Gowen, Stuart Special thanks to Jill Pearson (NRM South) Dudgeon, Sandra Whight, Stephen Gallagher, Chris for reviewing the document and providing Grose, Regan Parkinson, Pete Smith, Peter Voller, comprehensive insights prior to editing. Stewart Blackhall, Brian Campbell, Andrew Smith, ii Acknowledgements Tasmanian Coastal Works Manual Contents Acknowledgements . ii 5 Cultural heritage management . 1 Introduction . 1 5.1 Aboriginal heritage. 2 Purpose of the Manual . 2 5.2 Historic and maritime heritage. 8 How to use the Manual . 3 5.3 Climate change and cultural heritage. 11 5.4 Tools and resources. 11 1 Working on the coast . 1 1.1 Tasmania’s coastline. 2 6 Coastal landscape management . 1 1.2 Coastal processes. 3 6.1 Legislation and approvals . 2 1.3 Managing conflicting uses of coastal areas. 6 6.2 Coastal dune systems. 2 1.4 Legislation . 8 6.3 Beaches, spits, sandbars and river mouths. 10 1.5 Assessments and approvals . 13 6.4 Estuaries, coastal wetlands and saltmarsh. 16 1.6 Working with contractors . 15 6.5 Rocky shores. 29 1.7 Before work starts . 16 6.6 Soft-rock shores. 30 1.8 Monitoring and evaluation. 21 6.7 Offshore islands . 33 6.8 Tools and resources. 34 2 Climate change and the coast . 1 2.1 Adapting to climate change. 2 7 Vegetation management . 1 2.2 Predicted climate and sea level rise 7.1 Conservation of coastal vegetation. 2 changes and consequences . 3 7.2 Plant and vegetation community identification 3 2.3 Managing the coast for climate change. 6 7.3 Revegetation. 5 2.4 Tools and resources. 13 7.4 Plant propagation. 16 7.5 Landscaping with native plants. 18 3 Coastal hazards . 1 7.6 Stock management. 20 3.1 Planning for hazard management. 2 7.7 Vegetation removal. 23 3.2 Storm surges, erosion and other 7.8 Vegetation management and climate change 25 coastal hazards. 3 7.9 Tools and resources. 26 3.3 Remediation after storm events. 11 3.4 Oil and chemical spills on the coast. 12 8 Weed and disease management . 1 3.5 Tools and resources. 15 8.1 Weed management. 2 8.2 Methods of weed control. 11 4 Community values . 1 8.3 Monitoring weed management works. 14 4.1 Recreation and social values of the coast . 2 8.4 Phytophthora root rot. 14 4.2 Working with community. 14 8.5 Weed and disease hygiene. 15 4.3 Tools and resources. 23 8.6 Climate change and weeds and disease in Tasmania. 17 8.7 Tools and resources . 18 Tasmanian Coastal Works Manual Contents iii 9 Fire management . 1 13 Access management . 1 9.1 Bushfires. 2 13.1 Roads, vehicle tracks and car parks. 2 9.2 Fire hazard reduction. 4 13.2 Tracks and trails. 10 9.3 Ecological burns . 7 13.3 Boardwalks, steps, sand ladders and 9.4 Climate change and fire. 9 viewing platforms. 18 9.5 Tools and resources. 10 13.4 Fences and other access control measures . 25 13.5 Signage. 32 10 Wildlife and pest management . 1 13.6 Tools and resources. 37 10.1 Conservation of coastal wildlife and marine animals . 2 14 Structures and facilities . 1 10.2 Seabirds. 9 14.1 Legislation and approvals. 2 10.3 Shorebirds. 14 14.2 Construction work in coastal areas. 2 10.4 Injured and orphaned wildlife. 20 14.3 Launching ramps and other boating facilities . 8 10.5 Feral animals and introduced pests. 24 14.4 Buildings, toilets and other amenities. 16 10.6 Climate change, wildlife management 14.5 Tools and resources. 20 and pests. 29 10.7 Tools and resources. 30 15 Shoreline modification . 1 15.1 Shoreline protection works. 2 11 Soil management and earthworks . 1 15.2 Reclamation and dredging. 17 11.1 Soil and water management . 2 15.3 Climate change and shoreline modification. 24 11.2 Excavation and ground disturbance. 5 15.4 Tools and resources. 25 11.3 Extraction . 10 11.4 Acid sulfate soils. 11 Appendices, glossary and references . 1 11.5 Tools and resources. 16 1 Summary of Legislation and policy requirements for activities. 1 12 Stormwater and crossings . 1 2 Legislation. 5 12.1 Drainage and stormwater management. 2 3 Where to obtain more information. 9 12.2 Crossings – bridges, causeways and culverts 12 4 Community organisations. 13 12.3 Tools and resources. 20 5 Tools and key resources. 17 Glossary. 27 List of Acronyms. 43 References and further reading. 47 Guidelines iv Contents Tasmanian Coastal Works Manual List of figures 1.1 South coast track in the World Heritage Area. 2 1.2 Beaches and foredunes undergo major cycles of change. 4 1.3 Saltmarsh at Duckhole Rivulet, Pitt Water-Orielton Lagoon Ramsar site. 7 1.4 Key state coastal legislation. 9 2.1 Storm surge increases the height of the tide and wind pushes the waves further onshore. 4 2.2 Tidal waters of the Hunter River submerging residential areas in Newcastle . 8 2.3 A TASMARC monitoring site is identified by a simple fixed marker. 11 3.1 The risk management process . 2 3.2 Recent erosion scarp exposing old soils at North Beach on Perkins Island. 3 3.3 Evidence of flood tide levels on the banks of the Leven River in north-west Tasmania . 4 3.4 Excavator cleaning up flood debris in the Leven River in Ulverstone in north-west Tasmania. 5 3.5 Coastal inundation event associated with king tide in NSW in January 2009. 6 3.6 It may be useful to understand the history of a site by looking at a time sequence of aerial photos. 9 3.7 Agencies responsible for oil and chemical spills in Tasmania. 12 3.8 The sunken vessel in the Tamar River in Launceston. 14 4.1 Tasmanians have a strong affinity with the coast. 2 4.2 Pacific gull entangled and drowned in fishing line.