Katherine Potter
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Dear Katherine
SUBMISSION ON THE TUROSS ESTUARY AND COILA LAKE ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN DECEMBER 2004
In general, the Coastwatchers Association supports this Draft Estuary Management Plan. The Plan recognises that, for these two estuaries, it is important to maintain the balance between a sustainable environmental habitat along with a viable recreational and commercial resource. The detailed schedule of activities, performance measures and costing should go a long way to achieving the long-term sustainability of both Tuross Estuary and Coila Lake.
However, there are some aspects that we believe need further consideration:
a) Jet-ski access: Coastwatchers has called for the total exclusion of jet-skis on these two waterways. Both waterways are designated as having a very high natural sensitivity risk and a high conservation value. Jet-skis have a detrimental impact on the ecology of these lakes as well as the amenity of others following more passive recreational water pursuits. There are also important safety and liability issues that remain unresolved where jet-skis are operating on enclosed waterways.
b) The Waterway Usage Management Plan: The ability to carry out a variety of recreational activities is of prime importance to the community and tourists. Each year a growing number of people use the lakes for a variety of recreational activities. Some of these activities are incompatible and conflicts are already occurring. Should this continue it will compromise the peaceful and tranquil aspects of the estuaries that are so highly valued at present. Restrictions on spearfishing, water skiing, jet-skiing and anchoring are already outlined in the draft Waterway Usage Management Plan (Strategy 8/28, Table 5.7) and need to be implemented and enforced as soon as possible.
In parts of the Tuross Estuary banks are also being severely eroded by wave action caused by the many boats using the area. New speed limits and no wash zones are also already outlined in the draft Waterway Usage Management Plan. However, the timeframe for their implementation is 2007 (Strategy 15/28, Table 5.7). Waiting another 2 to 3 years for new speed restrictions will only lead to a lot more damage from erosion. If the final Water Usage Management Plan is approved during 2005, then signage and enforcement of the new restrictions should be scheduled for 2006 at the latest.
c) Environmental flow for the Tuross River: In addition to supplying water for farm irrigation and stock, the Tuross River is an important source of Eurobodalla's water supply. If the proposed new off-stream dam goes ahead, the river will become the major source of supply for the southern part of the Shire. Under these circumstances, the importance of the volume of the environmental flow to be set aside for the Tuross River needs to be emphasised in the Estuary Management Plan. It is a key factor affecting water quality in the Tuross Estuary.
d) Monitoring of Environmental Flow: At present the gauge for measuring the Tuross River surface flow is situated upstream of the agricultural withdrawal sites. As a consequence there is currently no accurate record of the surface flow into the Tuross Estuary. The management plan for the Tuross Estuary needs (i) strategies to monitor the visible surface flow just upstream of the tidal limit and (ii) details of the performance indicators needed to establish a minimum flow that is adequate to preserve the environmental health and water quality of the Tuross Estuary. Collection of this data needs to start as soon as possible, and be made available on a regular basis to members of the Estuary Management Committee.
e) Development of the Water Sharing Plan for the Tuross River: Members of the Estuary Management Committee need to be kept informed of details of the Water Sharing Plan and have the opportunity for input as the plan is developing . This liaison needs to be scheduled to start earlier than 2009, as suggested in the timeframe for the plan. (Strategy 22/28, Table 5.4)
f) Water Quality Monitoring: Coastwatchers understands that there has been a change in the number of monitoring sites currently in use. Successful water quality outcomes from the implementation of the plan rely on continued detailed monitoring in both estuaries
g) New boat ramps:
Upstream, the Creek is important for biodiversity with the spawning area for Black Bream and proposals are in hand to declare the Creek off-limits at certain times of year. It is also close to sensitive SEPP-14 wetlands and a significant salt marsh that has recently been listed as an Endangered Ecological Community. Instead of building new boat ramps on Coila Lake (Figure 4.7), we would prefer an upgrade of existing boat ramps at Foam Street and the Sports Area. These ramps are currently only accessible by four- wheel drives when the water is low and in their current state may contribute to sediment input. Access roads and ramps need to be paved and proper drainage systems included.
The Tuross Estuary and Coila Lake Estuary Management Committee was established in 1993. It has taken a very long time and a large amount of money to get to the draft Plan stage. Many studies have been done but as yet there has been little action. It is of the utmost importance that a plan be endorsed by Council, and specified actions started, as soon as possible.
Successful implementation of the Plan requires the co-ordination of various committees and government bodies, and relies on the finalisation of several other management plans. Funding is critical to achieve successful outcomes within the specified timeframes. Coastwatchers urges Council to speedily expedite the necessary processes and funding
With management plans for a number of estuaries in Eurobodalla Shire soon to be endorsed by Council, we believe there is a need for staff time to be dedicated solely to the implementation of estuary management plans. This would appear to be the most efficient way of dealing with the demanding and time-consuming tasks of co-ordination and applications for funding that are required for the implementation of plans of this nature.
Yours sincerely,