eastern golf club - department of the environment golf club limited project no. 962 ... position /...
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Melbourne Sydney Mid North Coast
Eastern Golf Club Environmental Improvement Plan
Report Prepared for: Eastern Golf Club Limited
Project No. 962 August 2011
Prepared by: STORM CONSULTING PTY LTD
SUSTAINABLE WATER STORMWATER & RUNOFF STREAMS & WATERWAYS ENVIRONMENTAL
Melbourne Office Suite 7, 84 Church Street Richmond Vic 3121 T: (03) 9208 0111 F: (03) 9208 0199 www.stormconsulting.com.au
Melbourne Sydney Mid North Coast
Document Verification Project title Eastern Golf Club
ACN 080 852 231 ABN 73 080 852 231
Document title Environmental Improvement Plan – Draft, Eastern Golf Club Limited Project number
962
Description Environmental Improvement Plan for use of recycled water via irrigation
Client Contact Robert Luxmore (Project Managers)
Name Signature Issue: Date
Prepared by Rod Wiese/ Georgia de Biasi E 6 Sep 11
Checked by Mal Brown
Issued by Jamie Tainton
Filename \962 Eastern Golf Club EIP issue E.docx
Document History
Issue B Issue C Issue D Issue E
Issue to: Date No. Date No. Date No. Date No.
EGC Subs. – all 20/07/11 PDF 6/9/11 PDF
Yarra Valley Water 02/10/09 PDF 20/07/11 PDF 6/9/11 PDF
DEWHA 26/05/10 PDF 20/07/11 PDF 6/9/11 PDF
Melbourne Water 6/9/11 PDF
Commercial in Confidence
All intellectual property rights, including copyright, in designs developed and documents created by STORM CONSULTING Pty Ltd remain the property of that company. Any use made of any such design or document without the prior written approval of STORM CONSULTING Pty Ltd will constitute an infringement of the rights of that company which reserves all legal rights and remedies in respect of any such infringement.
The information, including the intellectual property, contained in this document is confidential and proprietary to STORM CONSULTING Pty Ltd. It may only be used by the person to whom it is provided for the stated purpose for which it is provided, and must not be imparted to any third person without the prior written approval of STORM CONSULTING Pty Ltd. STORM CONSULTING Pty Ltd reserves all legal rights and remedies in relation to any infringement of its rights in respect of its confidential information.
© 2011 STORM CONSULTING Pty Ltd
Disclaimer
This report is prepared by STORM CONSULTING Pty Ltd for its clients' purposes only. The contents of this report are provided expressly for the named client for its own use. No responsibility is accepted for the use of or reliance upon this report in whole or in part by any third party.
This report is prepared with information supplied by the client and possibly other stakeholders. While care is taken to ensure the veracity of information sources, no responsibility is accepted for information that is withheld, incorrect or that is inaccurate. This report has been compiled at the level of detail specified in the report and no responsibility is accepted for interpretations made at more detailed levels than so indicated.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 1
1.1. Project description .............................................................................................................. 1
1.2. Purpose and Scope .............................................................................................................. 1
1.3. Environmental heads of consideration .................................................................................. 2
1.4. User agreements and responsibilities ................................................................................... 2
1.5. Links to other reports or plans ............................................................................................. 3
1.6. Planning context.................................................................................................................. 3
1.6.1. Acts and regulations............................................................................................................ 3
1.6.2. Policy .................................................................................................................................. 4
1.6.3. Guidelines ............................................................................................................................ 4
2.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT .......................................................................................... 5
2.1. Site locality plan.................................................................................................................. 5
2.2. Site overview ...................................................................................................................... 5
2.3. Surface water ..................................................................................................................... 6
2.4. Groundwater ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.4.1. Regional Hydrogeology ........................................................................................................ 7
2.4.2. Groundwater investigations ................................................................................................. 7
2.4.3. Groundwater quality ............................................................................................................ 8
2.5. Landform ............................................................................................................................. 8
2.6. Soils and geology ................................................................................................................ 9
2.6.1. Geology ............................................................................................................................... 9
2.6.2. Soils .................................................................................................................................... 9
2.7. Climate.............................................................................................................................. 11
2.8. Yarra River ........................................................................................................................ 11
3.0 WATER SUPPLY ........................................................................................................ 12
3.1. Description of the reuse scheme ........................................................................................ 12
3.1.1. Recycled water for construction period ............................................................................. 12
3.1.2. Recycled water quality ...................................................................................................... 12
3.1.3. Recycled water quantity ................................................................................................... 14
3.1.4. Outline of proposed operations and maintenance ............................................................... 15
3.2. Site Environmental Plan ..................................................................................................... 15
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3.3. Treatment and water distribution ...................................................................................... 16
3.3.1. Yarra Valley Water responsibilities ..................................................................................... 16
3.3.2. Eastern Golf Club responsibilities ....................................................................................... 16
4.0 IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT .................................................................................... 18
4.1. Site selection and risk identification .................................................................................. 18
4.2. Buffer distances ................................................................................................................ 18
4.3. Irrigation scheduling .......................................................................................................... 20
4.4. Irrigation demands ............................................................................................................. 20
4.5. Irrigation method ............................................................................................................... 21
4.6. Winter storage .................................................................................................................. 21
4.7. Summary ........................................................................................................................... 22
5.0 LAND CAPABILITY .................................................................................................... 23
5.1. Nutrient loading rates ........................................................................................................ 23
5.2. Salt loading rates .............................................................................................................. 23
6.0 SITE MANAGEMENT ................................................................................................. 25
6.1. General.............................................................................................................................. 25
6.2. Summary of risks and management measures ................................................................... 25
6.3. Pesticide use ..................................................................................................................... 29
6.4. Drainage and stormwater .................................................................................................. 29
6.5. Public and stock access .................................................................................................... 30
6.6. Signage ............................................................................................................................. 30
6.7. Crop management ............................................................................................................. 30
7.0 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY ....................................................................... 31
7.1. OH&S Controls .................................................................................................................. 31
7.2. Training program ............................................................................................................... 31
8.0 CONTINGENCY AND EMERGENCY PLANS & PROCEDURES .................................. 32
9.0 MONITORING AND REPORTING ............................................................................... 33
9.1. Introduction....................................................................................................................... 33
9.2. Responsibilities ................................................................................................................. 33
9.3. Community liaison ............................................................................................................. 33
9.4. YVW monitoring of recycled water .................................................................................... 34
9.5. Inspection and maintenance .............................................................................................. 34
9.6. Receiving environment monitoring ..................................................................................... 34
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9.6.1. Golf Course Soil ................................................................................................................ 34
9.6.2. Surface water quality ........................................................................................................ 34
9.6.3. Groundwater quality .......................................................................................................... 35
9.6.4. Terrestrial ecology / native vegetation areas ..................................................................... 35
9.7. Reporting .......................................................................................................................... 36
9.8. Auditing ............................................................................................................................ 36
10.0 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................. 37
APPENDIX A
Site plans
APPENDIX B
Extract from Douglas Partners
- Geotechnical
- Agronomy
- Water Quality and STP
APPENDIX C
Water Balance Calculations
APPENDIX D
Phillips Agribusiness Report 2011
APPENDIX E
Nutrient Loading Calculations
APPENDIX F
OH&S Policy
APPENDIX G
Proposed monitoring
APPENDIX H
Yarra Valley Water suggested Auditing and review schedule
APPENDIX I
EGC Best Practice Commitments & SOP
APPENDIX J
Yarra Valley Water Declaration
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Contact details
Proponent
Eastern Golf Club PO Box 17, Doncaster, VIC 3187 Phone: 03 9840 1881 Fax: 03 9848 3096
Key Personnel Site General Manager Mr Ben Telley Course Superintendent Clayton Howell
Address of Site Address: 215-217 Victoria Road, Yering Approx. 5km south east of Yarra Glen
Project Managers
Robert Luxmoore Level 1 11A Newton Street Richmond Vic 3121
Emergency contacts
Position / Company / Authority Name Phone Mobile
Project Management Contacts
Project Manager John Eggleston 03 9421 2600 0414 188 342
Project Engineer Graham Rule (WBCM) 03 9699 3688 0425 784 302
Project Environmental Advisor/Engineer
Rod Wiese (STORM CONSULTING) 03 9208 0102 0411 880 128
Contractors Contacts
Contractor
Environmental Officer
First Aid Officer
Emergency Services / Authorities
Fire Brigade / Police / Ambulance 000
Environment Protection Authority Pollution watch line (03) 9695 2777
Melbourne Water General Enquires (03) 9235 7100
After Hours Emergency (03) 9316 2826
Yarra Valley Water 13 2762
Southern Rural Water (03) 5139 3100 0412 860 250
Department of Human Services General Enquires (03) 9637 4697
Poisons Information Centre 13 1126
Wildlife Victoria (24 hr wildlife rescue)
0500 540 000
Electricity SP Ausnet 13 17 99 (elec) 13 67 07 (gas)
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Definitions
Term Definition 1 ML/d One mega litre per day. Equivalent to 1,000,000 litres per day.
Average year A 50th percentile (average) rainfall year. Fifty percent of rainfall measurements taken over a specified period are lower than the prescribed value. This is an average rainfall year.
BOD Biochemical oxygen demand. A measure of the amount of oxygen used in biochemical oxidation of organic matter.
Dry year A 10th percentile rainfall year. Ten percent of rainfall measurements taken over a specified period are lower than the prescribed value (i.e. Rainfall in this year is in the lowest ten percent of rainfall figures of all other years contained in the dataset).
Controlled Access The limitation of public or livestock access to a site for defined periods of time so as to minimise the likelihood of direct physical contact with recycled water and, where required, to ensure adequate reductions in pathogen levels.
Crop Factor A factor relating crop water use to pan evaporation or potential evaporation over the same time. Disinfection The process that destroys, inactivates or removes micro-organisms. E.Coli Escherichia coil. A bacterium found in the gut of warm blooded animals that indicates faecal
contamination. EIP Environment Improvement Plan. A plan covering the use of recycled water that manages the identified
risks and thereby ensures protection of the environment and human health. Furrow Irrigation A method of irrigation whereby water is applied via small ditches or furrows that lead from the supply
channel, thus wetting only part of the ground surface. HACCP Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point. An industry recognised risk management system that
identifies, evaluates and controls hazards including those aspects of food quality and production significant for food safety.
Non-potable water Water that is not fit for drinking or human consumption. Recycled water is considered to be non-potable. Online / Offline Refers to the hydraulic connectivity to the site drainage. Offline means that site drainage is not
connected to this storage. Pathogens Organisms capable of causing disease. In untreated sewage, the key potential pathogens are bacteria,
viruses, protozoans and helminths. Potable water Water that is fit for drinking and human consumption. There is no class of recycled water that may be
used for this purpose. Recycled water Water that has been derived from sewerage systems or industry processes and treated to a standard
that is appropriate for its intended use. Reuse The utilisation of recycled water for some further beneficial purpose. SS Suspended solids. Uncontrolled access Members of the public have unrestricted access to areas where recycled water is in use. Wet year A 90th percentile rainfall year. Ninety percent of rainfall measurements taken over a specified period are
lower than the prescribed value (i.e. Rainfall in this year is in the highest ten percent of rainfall figures of all other years contained in the dataset).
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1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1. Project description Eastern Golf Club (EGC) is proposing a 27-hole golf course with extensive practice facilities and an adjoining new turf farm at Yering, which is approximately 5km southwest of Yarra Glen.
The site comprises an area of approximately 240 Ha and is currently occupied by the Windsor Park Equestrian Centre, the Yering Gorge Cottages, pasture land for cattle and horses, and a residential property.
The golf course will be irrigated with a total irrigated area of approximately 54 Ha. This will be provided largely by reclaimed water from Lilydale Sewerage Treatment Plant owned by Yarra Valley Water (YVW).
This EIP is based on typical golf course and turf farm proposals which are essentially agricultural enterprises in support of providing leisure opportunities.
Table 1-1 provides a summary of the proposal.
Table 1-1: Summary of proposal
List of major components
27 hole golf course Driving range Par 3 practice range Turf farm Refer site Master Plan for details.
Area of disturbance (including access)
160 Ha approximately (existing and proposed)
Operating hours: - during construction - business operating hours
Construction: 7am – 7pm Operation/Maintenance: 5am – 9pm Clubhouse: 6am - 11pm (Sun-Thurs + public holidays); 6am – 1am (Fri – Sat)
Solid waste management
Waste materials taken to landfill.
Water supply Source: Maximum daily requirement: Maximum annual requirement:
Recycled Class B water from Yarra Valley Sewerage Treatment Plant; existing surface runoff collection – dam licence; future purchase of water access rights for Yarra River Average daily 0.91ML 332ML
1.2. Purpose and Scope This Environmental Improvement Plan (EIP) document is intended to accompany development application documentation to enable assessment of the proposal’s impact on the environment.
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It provides an assessment at a planning stage, noting there will be further and more detailed environmental plans prepared to manage environmental impacts at both the construction and operational stages of the development. Specifically, a Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) has been prepared to mitigate environmental risks during construction, and an Operational Environment Management Plan (OEMP) will guide the ongoing management of the environment into the future.
Therefore, this EIP provides an overview of environmental considerations from across these stages. It identifies the heads of consideration in relation to environmental impacts, and provides assessment and mitigation measures, including reference to how some impacts will be mitigated in the subsequent environmental plan documents.
1.3. Environmental heads of consideration The key environmental issues relevant to the proposal are outlined as shown in Table 1-2. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of potential impacts, rather the key ones that need addressing.
Table 1-2. Environmental heads of consideration
Planning stage - addressed in this Environmental Improvement Plan
Is there adequate water supply available to meet the required demands? i.e. the viability of the golf course is dependent on the security of supply of water resources, even in drought conditions. Is the water supply of suitable quality to ensure ongoing public and operator health? i.e. the presence of pathogens in the Class B recycled water constitutes an ongoing health risk. Is the land capable of supporting the proposed irrigation regime? e.g. soil types and slopes and the application rates of water with associated contaminants such as salt.
Can receiving waters be protected from the addition of pesticides and fertilizers to the course?
Construction stage – addressed in a Construction Environment Management Plan
How will environmental and heritage features, resources and values be adequately protected from construction impacts? e.g. vegetation clearing and disturbance, erosion and subsequent sedimentation of waterways, protection of heritage features, etc. How will disruption to the public be effectively mitigated during construction, e.g. noise and traffic disruption?
Operational stage – primarily addressed in EGC Best Practice Commitments
How will receiving waters be protected from the addition of biocides (pesticides and herbicides) and fertilizers to the course? How will clubhouse and depot/workshop operations effectively manage their potential environmental impacts? e.g. sewage discharges, storage and handling of chemicals, etc. How will recycled effluent be irrigated while protecting receiving waters and public health?
1.4. User agreements and responsibilities EGC will establish a formal User Agreement with Yarra Valley Water for the use of treated reclaimed water for golf course irrigation.
EGC also plan to build and operate a sewerage treatment plant similar to that at Croydon Golf Course. This will be done with the relevant approvals and licences from EPA. The details of this are not within the scope of this report, however, a Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment has been prepared considering the existing and proposed uses.
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1.5. Links to other reports or plans This report is linked to other site environment and management reports in particular:
EGC Best Practice Commitments – Pesticide and Fertilizer use (e-par 2010) (Appendix I) Agricultural Report (Phillips Agribusiness 2011) (Appendix D) Construction Environmental Management Plan (WBCM, 2011) Tier 2 Pesticide Risk Assessment (Ecos Environmental, Atura and STORM CONSULTING, 2011) Flood Response Plan (Michael Cawood & Associates, 2011) Targeted Aquatic Survey (Ecology Partners, 2010) Clubhouse Sustainability Statement (Ark Resources, 2009) Geotechnical Assessment (Douglas Partners, 2009) (Extract in Appendix B) Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (GHD, 2011)
1.6. Planning context
1.6.1. Acts and regulations All activities carried out during the operation of Eastern Golf Club shall comply with the relevant provisions of all Victorian and National legislation. The extensive list below covers a broad range of potential site management issues, although there may be additional items.
Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Heritage Protection Act 1984
Archaeological and Aboriginal Relics Preservation Act 1972 and Regulations 1992
Catchment and Land Protection Act 1970
Conservation Forests and Lands Act 1987 (Amended 1998)
Dangerous Goods Act 1985 (Amended 1995)
Dangerous Goods (Storage and Handling) Regulations 2000
Environment Protection & Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
Environment Protection Act 1970, incorporating all later amendments
Environment Protection (Liveable Neighbourhoods) Act 2001
Environment Protection (Prescribed Waste) Regulations 1998 (Amended 2000)
Environment Protection (Resource Efficiency) Act 2002
Environment Protection (Scheduled Premises and Exemptions) Regulations 1996
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Amended 2000)
Heritage Act 1995
Heritage Rivers Act 1992
Industrial Waste Management Policy (Prescribed Industrial Waste), 2000
Industrial Waste Management Policy (Control of Ozone-Depleting Substances), 1990
Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works Act 1958
National Environment Protection Measures (Implementation) Act 1998
National Environment Protection (Ambient Air Quality) Measure (1998)
National Environment Protection (National Pollutant Inventory) Measure (1998)
Occupational Health and Safety Act 1995
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Occupational Health and Safety (Asbestos) Regulations 2003
Planning and Environment Act 1987
Water Act 1989
Wildlife Act 1975 (Amended 2002).
1.6.2. Policy The Minister for Planning’s Direction No.1 “Potentially Contaminated Land”, 1992
State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) 1988 incorporating the Variation to State Environment Protection Policy (Waters of Victoria) 2003 and Schedule F7 (Waters of the Yarra Catchment) 1999
State Environment Protection Policy (Groundwaters of Victoria), 1997
State Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality Management) 2001
State Environment Protection Policy (Control of Music Noise from Public Premises), No. N-2, 1989
State Environment Protection Policy (Prevention and Management of Contamination of Land), 2002
1.6.3. Guidelines This report has been prepared in accordance with the following:
Yarra Valley Water (undated) Recycled water customer EIP requirements.
Vic EPA (2003) Guidelines for Environmental Management – Use of reclaimed water (No. 464.2)
Vic EPA (1991) Guidelines for Wastewater Irrigation (No. 168)
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2.0 EXISTING ENVIRONMENT
2.1. Site locality plan The site locality is shown in Figure 2-1.
Figure 2-1. Site locality
A site plan showing the location and elements of the site operations is included with this plan (Figure 3-1, see also Appendix A).
2.2. Site overview Table 2-1 summarises information pertinent to the site.
Table 2-1. Key site information
Site location, address 215 Victoria Road, Yering
Life of project Continual operation – long term
Total land area of site 240 Ha approx
Surrounding land uses
North: Pasture, private property East: Victoria Road, rural residential properties, Yering Equestrian Park, Yarra Park Vineyard and Yering Grange Vineyard, Yering Meadows Golf Course (north east) South: Henley Road, pasture, private property, rural residences West: Yarra River, Melbourne Water pumping stations & substation
Important features Yarra River is part of Melbourne and surrounds drinking water supply
Site Location
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General landform Flat to gently undulating floodplain with relief <15 m. Elevations range 60-80m. Land slopes west / north west to Yarra River. Southern portion of site drains south then west to Yarra River. Low hill, elevation 140m in south west of site.
Prior land uses Agriculture, farmland & horse agistment, race track, tourism (cottages)
Any subsurface developments, identify
Seven permanent groundwater monitoring bores (established August 2009), 5.5 to 12 metres depth. All wells are finished 0.5m above ground level and have permanent lockable covers.
Water table depth Varies. 1.48 m to 5.75 m below ground level. Refer Geotechnical report (Douglas Partners, 2009)
2.3. Surface water The Yarra River forms the western boundary of the site. There is a low hill crest aligned approximately east-west that divides site drainage into north-flowing and southwest flowing water. Drainage depressions characterise the site draining westwards towards the river, which in places have been formalised into surface drains, particularly around the existing racetrack to maintain surface flows to the Yarra River. A portion of the site is prone to flooding from the river. One large dam and three small dams are currently located across the site in the east. The major drainage line enters the property from the south-east and is intercepted by an existing catchment dam (to be moved during site redevelopment) with a current estimated storage capacity of 20ML the dam overflows towards the racetrack and northern portion of the site.
As part of the SEPP (Waters of Victoria) VicEPA produced supporting documentation for Nutrient and water quality objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection (2003) which describes regional nutrient objectives for bioregions in Victoria. The regional objectives are designed for ecosystem protection. They define concentrations above which there exists a potential risk that adverse ecological effects will occur. A potential risk will trigger either further investigation or implementation of management actions.
These values may be employed as a guide for water quality monitoring as water leaves the site and flows to the Yarra River.
The EGC site at Yering was interpreted as being within the Coastal Plains region (Nutrient Region N5 / Cleared Hills and Coastal Plains). The objectives for rivers and streams – ecosystem protection are shown in Table 2-2.
Table 2-2. Water quality objectives (ecosystem protection) for rivers and streams (EPA 2003)
Parameter Ecosystem protection objectives
Comment
Total Phosphorus 45 µg/L 75th percentile water quality objectives from annual monitoring data sets
Total Nitrogen 600 µg/L
Dissolved Oxygen % saturation
85-110% 25th percentile and maximum (trigger values for further investigation)
Turbidity (NTU) 10 75th percentile water quality objective and trigger value
Electrical conductivity (s/cm)
500 75th percentile water quality objective and trigger value
pH 6.4 – 7.7 25th – 75th percentile objective and trigger values (i.e. not more than 25% of samples to be over or under these values)
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2.4. Groundwater
2.4.1. Regional Hydrogeology According to the Victorian Groundwater Beneficial Use Map Series – South Western Victoria Water Table Aquifers map sheet (Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 1995), the aquifer underlying the site is a bedrock aquifer comprising pre-Tertiary siltstone, mudstone, sandstone and granite. With reference to this map, groundwater underlying the site is likely to be classified within Segment B of the groundwater environment in terms of salinity. For segment B, groundwater salinity (TDS) is expected to be between 1,001 to 3,500 mg/L. The protected beneficial uses for Segment B under the SEPP (Groundwaters of Victoria) are:
Irrigation.
Stock water.
Industrial water use.
Ecosystem protection.
Buildings and structures.
The closest surface water body is the Yarra River which is located adjacent to the site in the west. Groundwater appears to be at a consistent level of approximately 60 m AHD for wells GW1, GW2, GW4 and GW5 located within the flood plain. From the flood plain, the inferred groundwater flow direction in a westerly direction towards the Yarra River (Douglas Partners 2009).
2.4.2. Groundwater investigations Groundwater investigations were undertaken in July-August 2009 by Douglas Partners. Seven permanent groundwater monitoring wells were installed in August 2009 to allow groundwater sampling during the site planning and assessment stages. The location of the permanent monitoring wells is shown on the site plan in Appendix A. Three wells did not yield groundwater thus wells were not developed at those locations.
Details of groundwater wells, reduced levels (RL) from top of casing (TOC) and standing water levels (SWL) are in Table 2-3. Ground water quality field data after installation is in Table 2-4.
Table 2-3. Summary of SWL data, survey data and RWL data (source: Douglas Partners, 2009)
Well Coordinate Location RL August 2009 Comment
Easting Northing (TOC) SWL (m below
TOC) RWL
GW1 353072 5827089 63.18 3.57 59.61 Permanent –monitoring well
GW2 353642 5827031 63.34 3.74 59.60 “
GW3 354128 5826794 67.32 6.24 61.08 “
GW4 353379 5826534 63.00 3.32 59.68 “
GW5 352774 5826884 62.06 1.99 60.07 “
GW7 353722 5826049 66.84 2.40 64.44 “
GW8 352150 5826210 61.81 5.06 56.75 “
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2.4.3. Groundwater quality Groundwater quality was measured in-situ for field parameters at well equilibrium (Table 2-4). Samples were also submitted to a NATA-accredited laboratory for further analysis – for detailed data on groundwater chemistry, refer to Douglas Partners (2009) or an extract in Appendix B.
pH for all sampled remained within the neutral range (5.8 to 7.6).
TDS ranged from 330mg/L to 6,900 mg/L (in-field EC measurements were comparable) – this confirms the predicted Section B salinity for most samples, as discussed in Section 3.2.1.
Where certain analytes were detected in groundwater e.g. zinc, nickel, this data will be used as a baseline reference point for future analyses.
Arsenic was detected in baseline monitoring although was below all ANZECC criteria. Arsenic has natural and man-made sources. It can occur naturally in groundwater and has been observed in groundwater monitoring in parts of Central Victoria (Heislers, 1993).
Table 2-4. Field monitoring data at well equilibrium August 2009 (source: Douglas Partners 2009)
Field Monitoring Data at Equilibrium – August 2009
Borehole Location Dissolved Oxygen
(ppm)
Electrical Conductivity
(μS/cm) pH (units)
Redox Potential (Eh)
Temperature (deg
C)
GW1 0.11 2540 6.90 -38 15.7
GW2 0.22 640 6.99 -34 15.9
GW3 6.72 9310 6.99 102 14.7
GW4 4.74 8990 6.97 83 13.9
GW5 2.96 1599 6.97 -25 15.1
GW6 No groundwater present
GW7 3.39 12080 7.00 85 15.1
GW8 1.13 6060 7.01 95 15.6
GW9 No groundwater present
GW10 Groundwater well not installed at GW10
2.5. Landform Landform is shown on the site plan in Figure 3-1 / Appendix A. The property comprises three land classes which are described as Rolling Hills, Yarra Floodplains and Forested Hills. They form part of three land systems namely Chateau Yering, Yarra Floodplain and Paul Range. These are fully documented in a Soil Conservation Authority Study conducted in 1976 (Phillips Agribusiness 2011).
Land relief is relatively low and remains within elevations of 60m to 80m AHD within the operational area. Outside the operational area the high point at the site is a hill at 140m AHD elevation.
There are no rock outcrops or steep slopes within the study area, other than a forested hill at the west of the site which is not proposed to be a part of site operations. This area is assessed in the site’s ecological assessment in a separate report.
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Site gradients in operational areas range from 16% to flat; the majority of the irrigated site area is below 5% gradient with some isolated locations up to 10%. The steeper slope within the site is towards the middle of the property. The northern portion of the site generally comprises low lying land and is part of the Yarra River floodplain. A ridge line crosses the site in a general northwest to southeast direction through the south western area of the site. South of this ridge line, land also slopes southwards / south west to a flood plain area which has a similar elevation to the northern floodplain.
2.6. Soils and geology
2.6.1. Geology The Melbourne Geological Survey of Victoria’s 1:63,360 Scale Yan Yean Map Sheet indicates that the Yarra Fault runs in a general north-south direction through the western end of the site. The area to the east of the Yarra Fault is underlain by Quaternary Age river alluvium comprising sand, silt, clay and minor gravel within the low lying Yarra River floodplain and the Devonian Age Humevale Formation comprising siltstone with minor sandstone in the area surrounding the floodplain. All investigation works (by Douglas Partners) were conducted within the area of the site located east of the fault line. For further information refer to the Douglas Partners (2009) (extract located in Appendix I).
Bedrock was siltstone or mudstone varying from medium to high strength and was encountered at depths greater than 5-6m below ground level, with one borehole continuing to 7-8m depth without encountering bedrock.
2.6.2. Soils Soil investigations at the site were undertaken in July-August 2009 by Douglas Partners taking environmental soil samples at ten borehole locations at depths to 1.0m below ground level (for land capability assessment) when permanent groundwater monitoring bores were created. Refer to Tables 1 and 2 in Douglas Partners (2009) for graphical comparison of soil profiles encountered and borehole locations (refer also to Table 2-3). Detailed soil analysis data is in Appendix B.
Soils are predominantly alluvial origin and are dominated by a silty clay texture, varying from very stiff to stiff silts and silty clays. Permeability is inferred as moderate and decreasing with depth as clay content increases.
Samples were generally collected at 0-0.15 m, 0.15-0.3 m, 0.3-0.5 m and 0.7-0.9 m. Below 1m depth, representative samples were collected from each soil horizon encountered.
Topsoil was interpreted uniformly across the site as a silt. Clay content increased with depth and below approximately 0.7m the soil profile was generally silty clay.
A description of soil textures is in Table 2-5 and soil chemistry in Table 2-6.
Table 2-5. Soil texture to 1m depth
Sample ID Sampling
Date Sample
Depth (m) Strata – Soil features
GW1-1 3/08/2009 0.01-0.15 SILT: very stiff, grey, grey brown, moist, trace fine grained sand
GW3-1 6/08/2009 0.01-0.15 SILT: very stiff, grey, dark grey, moist to wet, with some clay
GW5-1 4/08/2009 0.01-0.15 SILT: very stiff, grey, dark grey, moist to humid, trace fine grained sand and some clay
GW8-1 5/08/2009 0.01-0.15 SILT: stiff, dark grey, orange brown, grey, moist to wet
GW9-1 6/08/2009 0.01-0.15 SILT: very stiff, dark grey, pale grey, grey, orange brown, moist to wet, trace fine grained gravel
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Sample ID Sampling
Date Sample
Depth (m) Strata – Soil features
GW7-2 5/08/2009 0.15-0.25 SILT: very stiff, pale grey, grey, orange brown, humid to moist
GW10-2 4/08/2009 0.15-0.3 SILT: very stiff, grey, pale grey, pale grey brown, humid, trace fine to coarse grained sand and fine grained siltstone gravel
GW6-2 7/08/2009 0.15-0.3 SANDY SILT: medium dense, grey, pale grey, humid, fine to coarse grained quartz sand, trace fine grained quartz gravel and some bands of hard clay
GW4-2 3/08/2009 0.2-0.3 SILTY CLAY: hard, dark grey, orange brown, moist, trace fine to medium grained sand
GW2-2 3/08/2009 0.2-0.35 SILT: very stiff, grey, dark grey, orange brown, moist, slightly clayey, with some fine grained sand
GW9-2 6/08/2009 0.2-0.35 SILTY CLAY: hard, brown, pale brown, orange brown, moist
GW1-3 3/08/2009 0.3-0.5 SILTY CLAY: very stiff, pale brown, orange brown, grey, moist
GW7-3 5/08/2009 0.3-0.5 SILTY CLAY: hard, pale brown, brown, grey, orange brown, moist, bands of pale grey silt and fine grained ferruginous gravel
GW3-3 6/08/2009 0.35-0.5 SILT: very stiff to hard, pale grey, pale yellow brown, moist to humid, trace fine grained ferruginous gravel
GW6-3 7/08/2009 0.55-0.65 GRAVELLY SANDY SILT: pale grey, yellow orange, red brown, humid, fine to medium grained quartz gravel, fine to coarse grained sand
GW2-4 3/08/2009 0.7-0.9 SILTY CLAY: very stiff, orange brown, dark grey, moist, trace fine grained sand
GW4-4 3/08/2009 0.8-0.9 SILTY CLAY: very stiff, orange brown, moist, trace fine to medium grained sand
GW10-4 4/08/2009 0.8-0.95 SILTY CLAY: hard, orange brown, pale brown, humid to moist, trace fine grained ferrugionous gravel
GW5-4 4/08/2009 0.8-0.95 SILTY CLAY: very stiff, orange brown, pale grey, moist
GW8-4 5/08/2009 0.8-0.95 SILTY CLAY: hard, pale brown, orange brown, pale grey, moist to humid, some bands of clayey silt and silt
Table 2-6. Soil physico-chemical data
Sample ID Sample
Depth (m) pH
EC (S/cm)
Organic Matter(%)
Exch Ca (mg/kg)
Exch K (mg/kg)
Exch Mg (mg/kg)
Exch Na (mg/kg)
Avail P (mg/kg)
SAR
GW1-1 0.01-0.15 5.4 48 8 670 140 290 140 63 1.3
GW3-1 0.01-0.15 5.8 25 8 1000 110 270 70 26 0.77
GW5-1 0.01-0.15 5.5 49 12 810 120 590 190 27 2
GW8-1 0.01-0.15 5.7 24 9 800 130 280 100 18 1.7
GW9-1 0.01-0.15 6.3 31 7 740 190 150 73 24 1.1
GW7-2 0.15-0.25 5.7 430 3 390 40 270 370 9 4.3
GW10-2 0.15-0.3 5.6 56 3 350 170 210 58 8 0.83
GW6-2 0.15-0.3 6.4 35 <2 490 40 99 38 10 0.46
GW4-2 0.2-0.3 5.9 52 5 970 120 1400 1100 <2 6.5
GW2-2 0.2-0.35 5.8 18 3 490 82 400 110 7 1.5
GW9-2 0.2-0.35 6.6 63 5 1000 200 1100 390 3 1.2
GW1-3 0.3-0.5 6.2 170 3 120 120 730 720 10 4.7
GW7-3 0.3-0.5 4.9 1400 3 640 100 260 110 3 8.5
GW3-3 0.35-0.5 6.1 17 <2 220 52 230 75 4 1.6
GW6-3 0.55-0.65 7 69 <2 670 49 130 30 9 0.28
GW2-4 0.7-0.9 5.2 45 5 370 60 370 99 4 2.5
GW4-4 0.8-0.9 5.2 610 3 590 94 570 380 8 6.7
GW10-4 0.8-0.95 6.6 150 <2 290 130 930 610 <2 2.9
GW5-4 0.8-0.95 4.5 410 3 390 99 810 590 3 6.2
GW8-4 0.8-0.95 7.5 110 <2 300 110 1200 820 <2 1.4
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2.7. Climate All climate data from the Bureau of Meteorology was sourced from Station 086050 (Healesville – Badger Creek Sanctuary) other than for evaporation data (Station 086142, Mount St Leonard). Climate characteristics for the local area were taken into account in the site water balance (Appendix C).
Table 2-7. Climate data for the Yering region (Source BOM 2009)
Element Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ann.
Mean maximum temperature (Degrees C)
26 26.4 23.9 19 15.9 12.3 12.2 13.4 16 18.9 22.1 24 19.2
Mean minimum temperature (Degrees C)
11.2 11.7 10.6 8.5 6.4 4.4 4.2 5.2 6.2 7.8 9.4 10.6 8
Mean rainfall (mm) 56.9 67.7 64.1 90.5 96 81.6 86.5 99.1 93 106.
3 90.2 85.5
1018.7
Decile 1 monthly rainfall (mm) for years 1927 to 1990
11.2 7.2 18.3 29.7 36.5 43.1 53.9 54.1 53.7 45.2 29.2 37.1 799
Decile 5 (median) monthly rainfall (mm) for years 1927 to 1990
50.2 54.4 52.4 73.2 86.7 73 81 94.4 93.7 101.
3 86.2 80.6
995.5
Decile 9 monthly rainfall (mm) for years 1927 to 1990
109.6
135.8
123.4
188.6
173.6
124.6
125.2
152 139.
1 169.
6 144
134.9
1210.2
Mean daily evaporation 4.7 4.3 3.5 2.3 1.5 1.1 1.2 1.6 2.2 3.1 3.8 4.2 2.8
2.8. Yarra River The site fronts the Yarra River adjacent to the gorge, however, the proposed golf course comprises approximately 200m of river frontage. Within the gorge area Melbourne Water extracts river flows to supply Sugarloaf Reservoir.
This stretch of river is also considered habitat for Macquarie Perch, Australian Grayling and to a lesser extent, Murray Cod which are nationally threatened under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC Act). Refer to the Targetted Aquatic Survey report by Ecology Partners.
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3.0 WATER SUPPLY
3.1. Description of the reuse scheme Recycled water obtained from YVW’s Lilydale STP will supply 65-100% of the water for irrigating a 27-hole golf course, and adjoining turf farm. The actual percentage is dependent on the season with dry summers requiring some water to supplement the recycled effluent. The total irrigated area is approximately 54 Ha. The only receiving vegetation is turf on the golf course and turf farm, with occasional irrigation of roughs (more densely vegetated areas) adjacent to the golf course fairways.
The STP is located on 83-89 Nelson Road near Anderson St, approximately 5km south east of the site. Water is to be received from the STP via a metered pipe and valve which connects to a 50ML open recycled water storage dam on the site. From this point the site water needs are drawn from the dam.
EGC understands that the treated water supply pipeline becomes EGC responsibility beyond the meter within the property boundary, and that this is to be clarified in the user agreement.
No groundwater supply potential exists as the local aquifer is fully committed through existing bores as well as forming part of the Yarra River recharge system (Phillips Agribusiness 2011).
If required, the existing 70ML dam licence on site and future proposed Yarra River access entitlement will be utilised as available for top-up of the recycled water supply with fresh water.
3.1.1. Recycled water for construction period Yarra Valley Water (email from Trevor Pearson dated 09/09/09) states that Class B water is suitable for dust suppression subject to the EPA guidelines and the end user providing an approved EIP.
3.1.2. Recycled water quality This facility will use recycled “Class B” water sourced from Yarra Valley Sewerage Treatment Plant (YVSTP) at Lilydale. This is subject to a separate User Agreement.
The sewer catchment is primarily residential, thus it is assumed that the likelihood of industrial wastewater substances in the source water is low. YVW analyses various parameters of treated wastewater quality from the plant typically on a weekly basis and Douglas Partners undertook further sampling as part of investigations for this scheme.
The two elements of the reuse scheme are identified according to VicEPA guidelines (2006) as follows:
Golf Course: Municipal with controlled public access (Urban – Non-Potable Reuse)
Turf Farm: Agricultural crops not for consumption (including turf). Table 2 on page 30 of the VicEPA guidelines (2006) shows that the use of Class B water is generally acceptable for agricultural crops not for consumption (including turf), and with restricted public access. Reuse for agricultural crops not for consumption (turf) has a minimum Class D water quality.
The reuse scheme is likely to adopt a typical golf-course irrigation arrangement of fixed above-ground (pop-up) sprinklers at locations to be determined by the irrigation designer (Paul F. Jones and Associates Pty Ltd).
The turf farm will adopt appropriate irrigation methods to deliver the required irrigation depths and maintain site controls to eliminate potential off-site impacts.
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Key elements of recycled water quality are identified in Table 3-1. Further analysis for agronomic assessment is in Section 5.
Microbiological notification limits by Yarra Valley Water for Class B water are 100 organisms/100ml water quality limit, and ≥400organisms/100ml notification limit (EPA 2006 and YVW).
EGC understands that Class B water quality criteria are as follows.
Class Water quality objectives -
medians unless specified 1, 2, Treatment processes
a
Range of uses– uses include all lower class uses
B <100 E.coli org/100 mL pH 6 – 95
< 20 / 30 mg/L BOD / SS8
Secondary and pathogen (including helminth reduction for cattle grazing) reduction 7
Agricultural: e.g. dairy cattle grazing Industrial: e.g. washdown water
(source: VicEPA 2006)
Note: Notes accompanying this table can be read in the EPA 2006 guideline (Table 1).
Table 3-1. Treated sewer water quality analysis results
Analysis Units Results (18/08/09)
(Ecowise)
Average July 08 – Aug 09
(YVW sampling)
Data range – selected STP WQ data 2008-
2009
pH -- Approx 6.7 6.4-7.0
TDS mg/L 330 338 280-390
EC s/cm 550
Alkalinity – Bicarbonate as CaCO3
mg/L 65
Alkalinity – Carbonate as CaCO3
mg/L <2
Alkalinity – Hydroxide as CaCO3
mg/L <2
Alkalinity – Total as CaCO3 mg/L 65
Calcium mg/L 13
Magnesium mg/L 3.8
Potassium mg/L 18
Sodium mg/L 73
Adj SAR (calculated using Vic EPA 1991 method)
-- 3.6
E. Coli orgs/100mL 0 0 – 98
Nitrite (NO2) mg/L 0.01 0 – 0.12
Total N (mostly NO3) mg/L 5.8 1 – 9.3
Total P mg/L 0.07 0 – 0.37
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3.1.3. Recycled water quantity As this is an international-standard golf course, irrigation management will be closely controlled by the course superintendent.
Minimum volumes to be supplied by YVW are to be confirmed in the user agreement. The anticipated delivery rate is 0.97 ML/day @ 18L/s over 15 hours, to 200ML per year. There are times when the daily irrigation volume applied will likely exceed the daily supply in the summer months.
The turf farm will follow best management practices for irrigation application, soil moisture monitoring and collection of any run-through water as described in Agricultural Report (Phillips Agribusiness 2011).
STORM CONSULTING established rates of application for golf course areas for three climate scenarios (dry year with low rainfall, average year and wet year with high rainfall). The results for modelled annual water consumption across the golf course are shown in Table 3-2. As stated in Section 3.1, the recycled water supply may at times be topped up with water from the Yarra River via an existing access licence.
As the modelled irrigation demands may require >1ML / day irrigation of recycled water over the peak demand summer period (December to February – March), this EIP may require review and auditing by Vic EPA or an accredited auditor, prior to approval and on an ongoing annual basis.
Table 3-2. Modelled irrigation volume (ML/month)
Rainfall scenario Year 1 Month
Annual 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Dry (10th %ile) 1981 73.8 56.1 34.8 29.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 16.5 29.8 19.3 72.4 332
Average (50th %ile) 1988 50.2 57.2 40.7 25.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.3 28.8 24.6 26.7 254
Wet (90th %ile) 1993 52.5 47.3 13.9 21.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.2 14.0 22.0 40.0 212
1. Climate data sourced from Bureau of Meteorology. Data from the identified “source year” is deemed reasonably representative of dry / median / wet climate scenarios respectively.
Modelled areas across the golf course were established in discussion with Greg Norman Golf Course Designers (GNGCD) and its subcontractors. Areas used in the water balance model are in Table 3-3.
Table 3-3. Modelled irrigation areas
Play area Area (m2)
Greens 21,300
Tees 23,600
Fairway + short roughs 419,750
Driving range + Par 3 69,500
Turf Farm 10,000
Total 544,150
Note: Minor design amendments of the golf course has been made since the irrigation modelling resulting in the overall irrigation area decreasing by 1.4%.
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3.1.4. Outline of proposed operations and maintenance Typical operations and maintenance procedures for irrigated areas will include the maintenance of suitable exclusion methods for public and personnel during and for a set period following irrigation, signage for recycled water warnings, water quality monitoring (on-site and off-site surface water, and groundwater), soil health testing, complaints monitoring and asset maintenance.
Key operational management practices to protect human health and prevent off-site impacts will include:
Prohibiting public access to the course during and for a set period after application of recycled water; Use appropriate signage, labelling & communication around the plant to minimise accidental exposure; Regular staff training and reminders for correct procedures for managing recycled water; Eliminate spray drift away from the site of application by using irrigation low- or no-spray irrigation; Environmental monitoring of water bodies on site (condition, water quality) and maintain
communication with Yarra Valley Water.
The typical irrigation cycle for the golf course is in a window between 9.00pm and 6.00am and will be confirmed with the superintendent, if necessary taking into account any site withholding periods that may required for irrigation with Class B water.
Other than different types of playing areas (such as greens and fairways), water needs vary across the course depending on topography and minor variations in soil type, moisture retention, shading, etc. Like any irrigated area that requires close management, knowledge and understanding of the site-specific landscape features plays an important role in golf course irrigation management. Fine-tuning of daily irrigation rates is to be undertaken by further detailed analysis of site-specific needs and a visual check of the course during daily operations by greenkeeping staff.
3.2. Site Environmental Plan Figure 3-1 shows the site’s main environmental features. A proposed site plan is in Appendix A.
Figure 3-1. Existing Site plan with main environmental features (extract from Phillips Agribusiness 2011)
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3.3. Treatment and water distribution This section refers to Section 5 of the EPA Use of Reclaimed Water Guidelines.
3.3.1. Yarra Valley Water responsibilities Yarra Valley Water is responsible for supplying recycled water to Class B quality, as defined in Section 4.6 of the EPA guidelines. EPA licences and EIPs for the Yarra Valley Water’s sewage treatment plants outline process controls and quality monitoring programs to ensure recycled water supplied meets the appropriate requirements.
The level of treatment and disinfection provided by Yarra Valley Water is consistent with the requirements of Class B quality recycled water and in accordance with the EPA guidelines. Transport and distribution of recycled water is undertaken in accordance with best practice.
If EPA’s microbiological notification limit for Class B water (>400 E.Coli organisms/100ml) is exceeded Yarra Valley Water will:
Notify Eastern Golf Club;
Promptly re-sample; and
Commence investigations into the cause of the problem;
If notification limits continue to be exceeded based on 2 consecutive test results, YVW will:
Temporarily cease supply until the corrective action resolves the problem
Notify EPA of the continuing non-compliance
Resume supply when the problem is rectified
Record the incident and all corrective measures undertaken, and report this to EPA annually.
3.3.2. Eastern Golf Club responsibilities As per Section 5.2 of VicEPA guidelines (2006), EGC will ensure that the measures suggested to meet performance objectives (listed below), are adopted.
Design
The reclaimed water system will not be connected into the potable supply system.
Install reclaimed water distribution systems in accordance with AS/NZS 3500 National Plumbing and Drainage Code - Parts 1.2 and 2.2.
Identify all piping and conduits in accordance with AS 1345 Identification of the Contents of Piping, Conduits and Ducts.
Ensure above-ground distribution systems are not laid closer than 100 millimetres from potable water pipes and below ground distribution systems are not laid closer than 300 millimetres from potable water pipes.
Ensure above-ground and buried facilities and water hose tap outlets in areas of public access are distinctively colour-coded (deep purple) and/or marked with the words: WARNING: RECLAIMED WATER — NOT FOR DRINKING.
Install an approved registered air gap or backflow prevention device meeting the requirements of AS 3500 -AS/NZS 3500-1.2 where potable water is supplied into the reclaimed water system as make-up water.
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For dual potable and reclaimed water distribution systems, where practical use different materials and pipe sizing to distinguish the supplies.
Where there are cross connections with potable (or other critical) water supply systems, operate the reclaimed water system at a lower pressure than the potable system or install back flow prevention devices complying with AS 2845.1 1995 Water Supply -Back Flow Prevention Devices
Identify distribution systems in accordance with AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.
Design reclaimed water irrigation piping systems in accordance with AS 2698.2 Plastic Pipes and Fittings for Irrigation and Rural Applications.
Operation
Implement a field test and maintenance program of back flow prevention devices in accordance with AS 2845.3 1993 Water Supply – Backflow Prevention devices. Field Testing and Maintenance.
Implement an inspection program for non-potable supply systems to residential areas in accordance with National Plumbing and Drainage Code - Part 1.2.
Ensure that environmentally acceptable provisions are made for the cleaning and disinfection of the distribution pipe work to control biological solids and bacterial re-growth.
Appropriate provisions for cleaning and disinfection of distribution pipe work will be determined at later design and specification stages of the project.
It is also noted that EGC propose to construct and operate an STP to treat effluent from the clubhouse and associated facilities. The system will be similar to that used on Croydon Golf Course and is proposed to achieve class B standard (same as Lillydale STP). The treated effluent will be directed to the class B storage and used for irrigation. The volumes generated are very low compared the treated effluent volumes required from Lillydale STP for irrigation so they have not been included in the water balance calculations for conservatism. Also refer to the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment prepared by GHD (2011).
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4.0 IRRIGATION MANAGEMENT This section describes site selection and management for the irrigation scheme. Measures listed here and in other sections of this document aim to meet the requirements listed in the EPA’s site controls checklist in its 2006 guideline.
4.1. Site selection and risk identification Given that the use of recycled Class B effluent is proposed, there is the possibility water containing pathogens or other contaminants may cause environmental or human health risks. The following are pathways for potential contamination:
Overwatering causing runoff to receiving waters
Overwatering causing excessive drainage to groundwater
Heavy rainfall after irrigation causing washoff to receiving waters
Irrigation drift causing exposure to humans on or off the facility
Table 6- covers general risk identification for the site. Refer also to Section 3.0 for site environmental descriptions.
Table 4-1. Site risk identification – general
Element Preferred range Discussion
Soil profile and hydraulic conductivity
Moderate permeability
Soil texture is acceptable and poses low risks. Topsoil is predominantly silt, becoming silty clay at approximately 0.7-1.0 m depth.
Field observations were that the soils were stiff to very stiff, which may be a result of historical land use (including possible soil compaction) or a function of long term dry conditions.
Irrigation rates will be determined to ensure that runoff does not occur
Slope <10% Site slopes range from 0-16%. Steeper areas have minimum operational activities that would require irrigation. There is a small portion of golf course playing area where gradients are 6-10% and the remainder is generally 0-6% gradient.
These are generally acceptable conditions for irrigation.
Groundwater No impacts on site activities or groundwater
Groundwater levels were recorded at 1.48-5.75m below ground level. Seasonal variations may occur. Wells were developed in August thus depths may indicate seasonal (winter) high water tables.
Irrigation management will be coordinated to apply only the required amount for turf maintenance and any salts flushing.
Climate Refer Section 4.5 and agronomist report (Phillips Agribusiness, Appendix D)
4.2. Buffer distances The Yarra Valley Water buffer requirement s for irrigation of Class B water requires the following:
buffer zones along site boundaries or around environmentally significant or susceptible features
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buffers should be considered for surface waters and sensitive developments, such as residential areas, with a suggested buffer of at least 50m from edge of wetted area to the nearest sensitive development
buffer distances may be reduced if best practice measures are implemented to reduce spray drift, including restricted times of watering, and low mist irrigation systems/methods.
Buffer distances as addressed in the EPA guidelines have been carefully considered for the site. There are various factors to be considered, as follows:
The site drains to the Yarra river – receiving water considerations
Site partially grades towards property boundary to the south (i.e. surface drains off site) – minor offsite drainage considerations
The site grades away from neighbouring properties to the east and north (i.e. drains onto site) – retain runoff within site
The site is in a rural area with limited neighbours and exposure risks adjacent to the site boundaries – lower risk for human health
Neighbours are limited to residences. No school, health facility, commercial areas or other types of sensitive uses are present at site boundaries
Low site gradients at the boundaries and across most of the site – limited opportunities for runoff generation
Class B water is to be used, lowering the risks to human and environmental health – low levels of pathogens (as E. coli), salts and very low key nutrients
This Class B water is also to be ‘shandied’ with fresh water from on-site storage, further diluting dissolved materials e.g. salt
Alternative irrigation methods can be employed close to the site boundaries as needed.
Thus, some variation from the recommended buffers is proposed as presented in Table 4-2 and the remainder of this section
Table 4-2. Recommended buffer distances to water resources and public areas (Source VicEPA)
Irrigation type Buffer for surface waters (Vic EPA)
Proposed buffer distance Comment
Flood/high pressure spray
100 metres n/a This irrigation method is
currently not proposed for use on site
Low pressure spray 50 metres 0m (Zero) – site boundaries
50m variable, Minimum 30m – Yarra River
Best practice measures to be employed. See notes below.
Trickle or subsurface irrigation
30 metres 0m (Zero) – site boundaries
30m – Yarra River Best practice measures to be employed. See notes below.
It is proposed to maintain the recommended buffer adjacent to the Yarra River at 50m in most locations. The buffer width of 30m is expected to be limited to a stretch adjacent to one fairway where the distance to the river bank is approximately 30m.
EGC proposes to reduce some recommended buffer distances for the following reasons:
1. Water quality – Effluent is lower environmental risk with very low levels of nutrients, salts and pathogens (as Class B water);
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2. Restricted access at times of watering – irrigation is scheduled for hours outside golf course operation, that is very early mornings and late evenings, meaning that activity related to adjacent properties and any nearby pedestrian (or other) traffic is much lower at these times;
3. Vegetation screens and buffers – The golf course will include vegetated buffers (e.g. tree/shrub planting) at site boundaries and an undisturbed area between the site operations and the Yarra River;
4. Irrigation systems – The golf course irrigation layout is to be designed to ensure that irrigation water remains within the golf course, where it is needed;
5. Irrigation systems – The irrigation system will be designed so where the reticulation system is close to property boundaries, spray drift does not occur. The use of irrigation equipment such as that recommended by YVW will be adopted (irrigation systems that prevent the generation of fine mist, such as subsurface / trickle irrigation, low rise sprinklers, small throw / micro sprinklers and part circle sprinklers);
6. Site management – EGC is not irrigating to dispose of wastewater (as for some effluent irrigation schemes) but rather to make use of it as a replacement for potable water used in irrigation; therefore there it is not in the club’s interest to over-irrigate, create a nuisance for neighbours or course users, nor affect turf quality;
7. Site operational needs – The golf course needs to be irrigated evenly and gaps in irrigation due to buffer areas may result in undesirable course appearance in un-irrigated areas.
Site management will also include following the relevant Codes of Practice and according to the Pesticide Risk Assessment for the use of pesticide and other chemical spraying. This would include methods such as spot spraying, spray at times when there is no wind, and when no rain is predicted for a reasonable time, use the appropriate chemicals for the location (e.g. lowest toxicity available).
4.3. Irrigation scheduling Irrigation scheduling encompasses timing and quantity determination. It is important for scheme sustainability that the loading rates of water, nutrients and salts are balanced with the site’s ability to safely convert, absorb, use or store the nutrients and salts over the long term (nominally 100 years).
Irrigation scheduling will be determined at detailed project design stages, however, the irrigation timings will generally fall outside of significant rainfall and playing hours. The irrigation control system is expected to be comprehensive to ensure that over-watering does not occur resulting in runoff or leaching.
4.4. Irrigation demands The water balance provides a picture of what irrigation volumes should be applied in various climate conditions and for turf for the scheme to be sustainable in the long-term (i.e. to avoid damaging the soil structure through excessive water logging).
Water balance calculations are undertaken to present indicative water usage for average, 10th and 90th percentile rainfall years. The water balance takes into account total water applied, plant consumption, application rates per hectare and seasonal differences over the course of the year. Any irrigation from other water sources is included.
The spreadsheet in Appendix C of this EIP is a template and an example based on irrigation guideline. The spreadsheet contains the relevant rainfall and evaporation data and enables the calculation of maximum allowable irrigation rates for pasture irrigation. The spreadsheet considers average, dry (10th percentile) and wet (90th percentile) years.
The methodology and assumptions for the water balance are as follows.
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Daily climate data was used.
The water balance model consisted of two independent systems; irrigation and pond top-up. Each of these systems had separate supplies, storages and demands.
Supplies consisted of Class B water, river extraction and stormwater runoff (where permitted). Class B and river extraction water were used for irrigation and were limited by a maximum pumping/supply rate as well as a maximum annual volume. Stormwater runoff was used for pond top-up and inflows were calculated from local rainfall data, runoff coefficients and catchment area.
A number of storages are proposed to retain water from the various sources. The storages were modelled as open dams and therefore evaporation losses needed to be accounted for. These were calculated by applying a factor to convert local pan evaporation data into dam surface evaporation. The storages were assumed to be lined and therefore had negligible infiltration losses.
Irrigation demand was calculated by tracking the soil moisture store. Losses from the soil included evapotranspiration and percolation to groundwater. An irrigation trigger was defined based on the characteristics of the soil. When the soil moisture fell below the trigger level, irrigation was applied until the soil moisture recovered to an acceptable level. If sufficient soil moisture was present on a particular day then no irrigation was applied.
Pond evaporation losses were calculated in the same way as losses from storage dams. A maximum allowable drawdown was then defined for the wetland ponds and top-up was applied when the water level fell below the acceptable level
Refer to Table 3-2 and spreadsheets in Appendix C for the water balance summary.
4.5. Irrigation method Details of the irrigation methods will be determined at detailed project design stage. They will address:
Irrigation type – the mixture of spray and drip irrigation proposed, and their respective locations and how they are sympathetic to topographical and soil conditions.
The operational procedure of irrigation including scheduling and application rates, with pump sizing and delivery rates included
Soil moisture monitoring to aid in determining application rates to prevent over irrigation.
linking the operational procedures with the water balance. Specifically, describing how the delivery rates and timing (i.e. hours per day) match up with the water balance
4.6. Winter storage The recycled water storage dam has water loss control as a feature of the design. An impermeable liner will be used to ensure that the system does not leak and to ensure that water available for reuse is maximised.
The dam will be designed to ensure that it does not overflow onto the site. The potential for overflows from the recycled water storage dam will be eliminated by diverting all surface flows via cut-off drains and contouring around the dam to ensure that no overland flows reach the dam.
As recycled water is expected to be available on a ‘turn on – turn off’ basis within the limits of supply and the user agreement, there are no further considerations for winter withholding periods and wet weather storage scenarios as the only inflows will be from the EGC package treatment plant.
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4.7. Summary Table 4-3 is based on EPA (2006) and presents the reclaimed water uses, required minimum class, monitoring requirements and summary of management controls.
Table 4-3. Summary of monitoring requirements and site management controls recommended by VicEPA (2006)
Reuse Options
Min. Class
Reclaimed water quality monitoring*
Summary of site management controls (refer Chapters 6 and 7 EPA 2006 for full details
Comment
Urban (non potable) (golf course and related areas)
Municipal with controlled public access Irrigation of parks, sports grounds; Water for contained wetlands or ornamental ponds.
C pH, BOD, SS (4) , E.coli, monthly
Disinfection system daily (1)
Nitrogen and phosphorus (2)
Environment Improvement Plan This document
Restrict public access during irrigation period and for a period of 4 hours after irrigation or until dry (5)
Restricted access during irrigation proposed for site
If off-site discharge is likely reclaimed water of Class A or B quality and nutrient reduction may be required
Direct offsite discharge not likely. Class B water and treatment wetlands are proposed
Application rates controlled to protect groundwater, soils and surface water quality
Assess in irrigation demand analysis. Irrigation control to be refined.
Appropriate signage in accordance with AS 1319 – Safety Signs
To be detailed during detailed design
Monitoring and auditing programs (refer Chapter 9)
This document
Agricultural (turf farm)
Non-Food Crops and Aquaculture Turf, woodlots, forestry, flowers etc Aquaculture (not for human consumption eg. Orna-mental fish)
D pH, BOD, SS (4) monthly
E.coli weekly
Nitrogen, phosphorus (2)
Environment Improvement Plan This document
Restrict public access or harvesting during irrigation period and for a period of 4 hours after irrigation or until dry (5)
Restricted access during irrigation proposed for site.
Application rates controlled to protect groundwater, soils and surface water quality
Assess in irrigation demand analysis. Irrigation control to be refined.
Appropriate signage in accordance with AS 1319 – Safety Signs
To be detailed during detailed design
Monitoring and auditing programs (refer Chapter 9)
This document
Notes to Table 4-3 1. Disinfection systems refer to chlorination, UV or other chemical/physical disinfection systems. Monitoring requirements include checking chlorine
residual or operational checking of equipment. Inspection frequency does not apply to lagoon-based systems. 2. The need for nutrient monitoring will depend on whether specific nutrient management such as tertiary, is needed due to the risks of run-off or
the nature of the scheme (for example, toilet flushing). 3. Refer to section 9 for recommended monitoring requirements 4. Suspended solids are not used for monitoring the performance (water quality) of lagoon systems. 5. Public access restrictions do not cover on-site workers. On-site worker access should be restricted as far as it does not impede on their duties and
to ensure compliance with any occupational health and safety guidelines. * coupled with uses that do not require high quality reclaimed water (for example, Class C).
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5.0 LAND CAPABILITY
5.1. Nutrient loading rates At this stage of the project, designs are at a concept stage. Specification of fertiliser rates and nutrient management planning is to be determined at project detail design stage. Specific turf species are not yet determined although may be for the final version of this report.
A nutrient balance has been undertaken to reflect the total nutrient application, both from the recycled water (YVW have provided nutrient content data for recycled water) and other sources such as fertilisers. The nutrient uptake and absorption of the turf is sufficient to ensure there will be no build up of nutrients within the environment.
Nutrient loading calculations were undertaken in accordance with the example calculations in Appendix C of YVWs Customer EIP requirements. Calculations are shown in Appendix E of this plan.
Nitrogen - Calculations show that a maximum total Nitrogen application in a dry rainfall year (i.e. greater volume of recycled water applied) is 1,473 kg N/ year, or 27 kg/Ha/year. This is based on an average Total N application of 5.8mg/L (refer Table 3-1). YVW suggests 200 kg/Ha/year is typically required for plant growth.
Phosphorus - Calculations show that a maximum total Phosphorus application in a dry rainfall year (i.e. greater volume of recycled water applied) is 17.8 kg P/ year, or 0.4kg/ha/year. This is based on an average Total P application of 0.07mg/L (refer Table 3-1). YVW suggests 50 kg/Ha/year is typically required for plant growth.
The nutrient loading values are based on the assumption that irrigation occurs uniformly across the site. In practice, greens typically require higher irrigation rates than other site areas. However, at this preliminary stage it can be seen that there is a substantial shortfall in required N and P for a maintained turf environment. An appropriate fertiliser would be required; quantities and application rates are to be determined at later stages of the project in consultation with the site agronomist.
Operational procedure of irrigation including scheduling and application rates are discussed in Section 4 of this Plan. During operation of the course, the scheduling will be tailored to updated nutrient balance calculations.
Monitoring of soils during course operations will provide the feedback required to apply correct (balanced) fertiliser amounts and thus to prevent over-fertilising of the soil.
5.2. Salt loading rates Descriptions of the soil physico-chemical analysis and field observations are included in Section 2.6. Soil analysis data is also presented in table format in Appendix B.
The EPA guidelines (2006) state that Reclaimed water with a salinity of up to 500 milligrams per litre can generally be used without significant risk to the environment and/or the crop provided an appropriate amount of leaching occurs.
Additionally, Neylan (2005) states that irrigation water with an EC of <0.75dS/m is of a low salinity hazard and is not expected to have detrimental effects on plants or experience build-up in soil.
As impacts are expected to be minimal to low, recycled water salinity and soil impacts are discussed briefly below.
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Salinity class
Total dissolved salts (TDS) measured in the treated recycled water was on average 300mg/L. This places the source water in the middle of Salinity Class 2 (EPA Guidelines 1991 & 2006), which defines Class 2 irrigation water salinity as having a TDS range of 175-500mg/L. The guidelines state: Can be used if a moderate amount of leaching occurs. Plants with moderate salt tolerance can be grown, usually without special practices for salinity control. Sprinkler irrigation with the more saline waters in this group may cause leaf scorch on salt-sensitive crops, especially at high temperatures in the daytime and with low water application rates.
Sodium adsorption ratio
The data values below were derived from recycled water quality analysis from STP treated water sample collected 18/08/09.
Adjusted SAR 1 3.6 2
1. Adjusted SAR allows estimation of the amount of calcium remaining in soil after irrigation and allowing for salinity and precipitation or dissolution. Calculated using method described in VicEPA (1991), page 27.
Figure 3 in EPA (1991) depicts the risk of soil permeability loss in relation to the salt content of irrigation waters. Based on soil salinity class, the recycled water quality data and adjusted SAR, the risk to soil permeability is slight to moderate.
Salt management
It is not anticipated that the salt content in irrigation water will need specific management. If required, however, salt management will include the use of leaching events in dry periods and selecting less salt-sensitive turf species. Soil monitoring of salinity will be undertaken.
Mitigating factors
Recycled water will most of the time be ‘shandied’ with approximately 30% fresh water collected in the licensed site dam. This will reduce the concentration of dissolved salts in the recycled water supply and will assist in leaching any salts remaining in the soil profile. This practice is supported in the 2006 EPA Guideline (Section 4.7) as follows:
Supplementing reclaimed water quantities with other primary water sources (such as potable, bore water, irrigation, stream or drainage channel water) is an acceptable practice to dilute elevated TDS concentrations or to supplement volumes. This practice is acceptable because other than reverse osmosis, current treatment processes do not significantly decrease TDS concentrations.
Specific management measures for turf needs, e.g. application of calcium, gypsum or other soil ameliorants is to be determined by the site agronomist at detailed site design stages and on ongoing basis in response to site observations.
Soil monitoring
It is in the Club’s interest to maintain excellent soil condition for plant growth. Therefore salt accumulation within and below the root zone will be monitored via regular soil analysis.
Soil monitoring schedules and target analytes are to be confirmed at later stages of project development, however, parameters and frequencies have been suggested in Appendix G.
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6.0 SITE MANAGEMENT 6.1. General
Site management will adhere to EPA’s Specific Reuse Application Control Checklist. An amended version of this checklist is shown in the following table (activities that do not apply to the site have been deleted) with comment in brackets at the end.
Performance Objective
To ensure appropriate control measures are implemented for defined reuse applications to minimise the specific risks to the environment, public health and stock health.
Suggested measures to meet the performance objective
Agricultural schemes
Ensure reclaimed water meets the relevant treatment and quality measures specified for agricultural applications listed in Table 1 (YES).
Implement specific controls listed in Table 3 (Section 3.1.2, this document) and generic site management controls listed in Table 5 .4, this document).
Unless product end-use can be confirmed, ensure labelling is present on products irrigated with reclaimed water that have sales restrictions.
Urban non-potable schemes
Ensure reclaimed water meets the treatment and quality measures recommended for urban non-potable applications listed in Table 1 (YES)
Implement relevant site controls listed for urban non-potable applications in Table 5.
Implement public and stock access controls where Class B, or C reclaimed waters are used.
6.2. Summary of risks and management measures
Table 6-1 lists the potential environmental impacts and pathways for contamination associated with site operations. Some items listed are not directly related to this EIP and management of recycled water but have been identified for completeness. Management measures would be selected from this list unless other options were agreed as suitable at a later date.
Table 6-1. Summary of potential risks and suggested management measures
Segment Type of risk
impact Site operations with potential environmental risks or impacts and their management
measures
Surface water
Sedimentation of water bodies or
waterways
Sediment from the erosion of exposed ground surfaces.
Sediment from earthworks.
Sediment and leachate runoff from stockpiles of topsoil, organic materials, or other materials utilised in maintenance activities.
Sediment runoff and disturbance to creeks and drainage lines during maintenance works near or within drainage lines or Yarra River.
Sediment runoff from road areas / hardstand (tracked materials, dust etc)
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Sediment runoff from soil scarifying / ripping works.
Surface runoff from unsealed working areas undergoing maintenance or unsealed roads.
Management:
This is most relevant during construction and therefore the CEMP will apply.
In general, employ erosion, sediment and stockpile controls as per EPA recommended management practices.
Train all ground staff, contractors and maintenance personnel to be competent in selecting and using appropriate ESC methods and that everyone understand the reasons for this
Create a culture that everyone is responsible for protection of waterways.
Spills reaching soil,
waterways
Spills from on-site fuel tanks or chemicals storage.
Spills from machinery, maintenance materials, herbicides, pesticides, soil improvers, fertilizers.
Management:
This will be addressed to a greater extent in the OEMP. The CEMP addressed the construction period.
In general, install and maintain suitably equipped spill kits at all liquid or hazardous materials storage areas.
All permanent fuel and chemical storage areas are to be in a sealed and bunded area.
Ensure bunds are sized appropriately (size of the largest storage vessel plus 10%, unless advised otherwise)
Train all ground staff, contractors and maintenance personnel to be competent in using spill kits and temporary bunds and that everyone understand the reasons for this
Use permanent or temporary bunded areas for maintenance activities, mechanical work and all chemicals handling, and always work on sealed surfaces / hardstand areas.
Ensure that spills are attended to immediately
Ensure that spills are documented in designated report or database, and reported to other agencies where mandated
Create a culture that everyone is responsible for protection of site environment.
Contaminated site runoff
Runoff from turf and landscaping maintenance activities (e.g. pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, soil improvers, sediment, sand, grass clippings).
Run-off or spillage of reused water (e.g. in the event of over irrigation, pipe leakage, or storage reservoir overflow.)
Contaminants (e.g. oil, grease, metals) from wash down of vehicles and machinery, plant and vehicle maintenance activities, machinery / plant compounds, roadways and parking areas.
Management:
Store, apply and dispose of all site chemicals responsibly and in accordance with industry Codes of Practice and Materials Safety Data Sheets and according to the Pesticide Risk Assessment. Note the OEMP is to be developed.
Maintain healthy buffer vegetation around water bodies on site and adjacent to Yarra River using agreed buffer distances
Train all relevant ground staff, contractors and maintenance personnel to be competent in the use and management of all site chemicals and that everyone understand the reasons for this – e.g. annual training and / or induction for new employees, contractors etc
Notify site manager or superintendent if there is a concern about substances reaching site water bodies particularly those connected to Yarra River. Ensure that spills are documented in designated report or database
Create a culture that everyone is responsible for protection of site environment.
Gross pollutants
Litter from site activities
Management: Maintain secure rubbish bins, storage areas and collection points.
Ensure site staff and members are aware of responsible waste management
Wastewater
Vehicle, plant and equipment washdown.
Management: Maintain trade waste / sewer connection as required on on-site treatment plant.
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Groundwater
Reclaimed
water
Infiltration of reclaimed water due to over irrigation. Nitrate, nitrite leaching to groundwater.
Leakages from underground pipes e.g. carrying wastewater for irrigation from the Yarra Valley Sewerage Treatment Plant.
Management
Maintain close control of irrigation depths as per turf needs for water and nutrients.
Minimize fertilizer applications
Install and maintain all recycled water infrastructure as per EPA guidelines. Refer Section 3.3
Hazardous materials
Spills or leaks from onsite fuel tanks or chemical storage areas.
Spills during works (e.g. spills from machinery, construction materials, turf farm maintenance and weed control products).
Contaminated leachate from site landscape, turf, golf course maintenance (e.g. pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, soil improvers) e.g. via spraying near GW bores or over-application
Management
This will be addressed to a greater extent in the OEMP. The CEMP addressed the construction period.
Install and maintain suitably equipped spill kits at all liquid or hazardous materials storage areas.
All permanent fuel and chemical storage areas are to be in a sealed and bunded area.
Train all ground staff, contractors and maintenance personnel to be competent in using spill kits and temporary bunds and that everyone understand the reasons for this
Use permanent or temporary bunded areas for maintenance activities, mechanical work and all chemicals handling, and always work on sealed surfaces / hardstand areas.
Ensure bunds are sized appropriately (size of the largest storage vessel plus 10%, unless advised otherwise)
Ensure that spills are attended to immediately
Store, apply and dispose of all site chemicals responsibly and in accordance with industry Codes of Practice and Materials Safety Data Sheets and according to the Pesticide Risk Assessment.
Train all relevant ground staff, contractors and maintenance personnel to be competent in the use and management of all site chemicals and that everyone understand the reasons for this – e.g. quarterly training and / or induction for new employees, contractors etc
Notify site manager or superintendent if there is a concern about substances spilt on open ground or potentially reaching site water bodies particularly those connected to Yarra River. Ensure that spills are documented in designated report or database
Everyone is responsible for protection of site environment.
Vandalism Damage to groundwater bores
Management Ensure monitoring wells remain capped and padlocked
Air
Dust Dust from exposed surfaces, stockpiles, and turf maintenance Greenhouse
gases Plant and vehicle exhaust emissions / greenhouse gas
Chemicals Site maintenance e.g. chemical spraying
Odour Odours from stockpiled materials or products (e.g. fertilizers and soil improvers).
Management
This will be addressed to a greater extent in the OEMP. The CEMP addressed the construction period.
Use stored dam water or recycled water as dust suppression spray. Where Class B water to be used, ensure that OHS and environmental controls are followed.
Maintain site vehicles and machinery as required.
Chemical spraying: Use and manage all site chemicals responsibly and in accordance with industry Codes of Practice and Materials Safety Data Sheets. This includes not spraying on windy days, notification of site neighbours, keeping required distances from site waterways.
Monitor odours and minimize exposure time to the public and site neighbours. Consider notifying neighbours as a courtesy before undertaking activities that are likely to have a strong unpleasant odour.
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Noise and Vibration
Mechanical noise
Plant and machinery operation. Traffic and car park noise
Noise from air conditioners and cooling towers.
Entertainment noise
Clubhouse and accommodation facility noise (e.g. music and entertainment)
Golf competitions e.g. loudspeakers, crowds
Management Refer acoustic report.
Land
Capability Land capability for irrigation – long term acceptance rates for reclaimed water (nutrient and salt balances)
Buffers Buffer zones for management of various environmental issues
Storage Storage of stockpiled materials – controlled / contained areas
Contamination Contamination hot-spots from spills or leaks from on-site fuel or chemical storage and handling
Earthworks Bulk earthworks and soil movement
Waste Litter and waste management
Management
Refer site description and land capability assessments (Sections 2.0 & 6.0)
Refer buffer information (Section 4.2)
Refer entries in this table for Surface Water (and ‘Sedimentation’), Groundwater and Gross Pollutants.
Flora & Fauna
Aquatic ecology
Discharge (diffuse or point source) of turbid or contaminated water to river and / or drainage lines.
Fauna Disturbance to fauna including wildlife corridors
Weeds Weed management with relation to adjoining land uses e.g. native vegetation areas
Management Refer ecology report.
Heritage
Indigenous Impacts to indigenous archaeological relics.
Non-indigenous Impacts to any non-indigenous heritage items
Impacts to archaeological relics associated with other issues
Management Heritage assessment and management plan is to be completed.
Refer heritage report.
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Human Health
Illness
Ingestion of recycled water via inhalation of aerosols
Contact with RW – oral ingestion (maintenance work, accessing golf course during irrigation periods, spills, poor hygiene) Primary contact with RW – fall into or otherwise access RW storage dam, swallow or ingest recycled water
Management
Ensure all staff are trained and remain up to date on the necessary OHS procedures
Ensure all new staff and contractors receive training during induction
Remain in contact with Yarra Valley Water for any water quality alerts and to receive regular monitoring data
Use appropriate signage, fencing and other notification and/or exclusion methods for site users and members of the public
Establish response procedures in cooperation with YVW for primary contact with recycled water
6.3. Pesticide use The use of pesticides is necessary to maintain a quality golf course. Pesticides include herbicides, insecticides, fungicides and growth regulators. Entomopathogenic (Insect Killing) Nematodes – EN’s are also widely used as a preventative to minimise application of insecticides. This is biological control developed by DR Robin Bedding of CSIRO. It attacks the eggs and larvae of insects and has been successfully used on courses for decades. EN’s have no mammalian toxicity and therefore are safe to humans, aquatic life, ducks and birds.
All pesticides are proposed only to be used according to the label for turf application. Some pesticides are only used when constructing the golf course, some are preventative and others are applied when required. Typically pesticides will only be applied to a particular asset such as greens only or fairways and tees.
To assess the potential impact of pesticide application, a Tier 2 Pesticide Assessment has been prepared examining the reasonable worst case scenarios of pesticide being applied to the course just prior to rainfall and washing into the Yarra River. The assessment focuses on environmental impact on the river as well as drinking water impacts in Sugarloaf Reservoir.
6.4. Drainage and stormwater Site management practices and proposed irrigation water balance are intended to minimise the possibility of reclaimed water leaving the site either via surface runoff or excessive leaching to groundwater.
The proposed surface water management strategy is shown schematically in Appendix A. Runoff from both within the site, and in the local catchments upstream, flow through a series of wetlands prior to discharging to the Yarra River.
Mitigating factors are the use of Class B reclaimed water and introduction of further nutrient reduction via treatment wetlands (and supported in EPA 2006 guideline) with a buffer allowance adjacent to the Yarra River. The reclaimed water shows low nutrient, pathogen and salt concentrations and is unlikely to cause ongoing risks to other water bodies.
As the site has an existing dam storage entitlement, surface storm run-on will continue to be allowed to reach the site for collection. Run-on will also be used to reduce site irrigation demand through an existing licence.
The irrigation water storages are offline and therefore do not receive stormwater runoff other than the rain falling directly on the storages.
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All surface runoff will be prevented from reaching the recycled water storage dam on site via contouring and installing cut-off drains up-gradient of the recycled water storage dam.
Potential risks associated with the use of chemicals on site will be managed by ensuring all staff follow the relevant industry and EPA Codes of Practice, environmental management measures set out in this EIP and any other relevant steps.
Impacts on groundwater are expected to be low or negligible given that both water and nutrient application will be in balance with the requirements of the turf.
6.5. Public and stock access In order to limit exposure to recycled water, EGC will restrict public access during irrigating with recycled water by way of scheduling at night and use of appropriate signage.
There will be established withholding periods of 4 hours after irrigation ceases and play can commence on any part of the course.
Stock will be excluded from golf course areas.
6.6. Signage Signage will be in place at points where people can access the site. The wording on signage should be similar to “Warning! Recycled water - do not drink.”
Signage will be erected in compliance with AS 1319 Safety Signs for the Occupational Environment.
Details and design of proposed signage and site fencing, with respect to preventing both human and stock access, will be included in later versions of this document.
6.7. Crop management The Turf Farm will follow Best Management Practices for soil and water management.
Proposed turf species will be investigated for appropriate selection of species (refer to the Phillips Agribusiness 2011, Appendix D).
Details are to be determined at later stages of the project.
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7.0 OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH & SAFETY
7.1. OH&S Controls EGC has in place an OH&S Policy that links with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985 and Victorian Workcover Authority Guidelines. This is included in Appendix F.
Standard Operating Procedures have also been developed as part of EGC Best Practice Commitment – Fertilisers and Pesticides.
The following best practice measures will be implemented to minimise the exposure of on-site workers to risks associated with the use of reclaimed water:
education of on-site workers as to the risks associated with exposure to reclaimed water (ingestion and inhalation of reclaimed water droplets and mist);
appropriate immunisations;
installation of wash basin;
no consumption of food or drink while working directly with reclaimed water
Washing hands before eating, drinking or smoking and at end of work day;
using protective equipment appropriate to the tasks being undertaken; and
avoiding high exposure to, and inhalation of, reclaimed water spray by limiting access to irrigation areas to a minimum during irrigation periods.
Minimise access of onsite workers to the irrigation site during irrigation.
7.2. Training program Specific training requirements will be developed in line with the Occupational Health and Safety Act 1985 and Victorian Workcover Authority Guidelines.
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8.0 CONTINGENCY AND EMERGENCY PLANS & PROCEDURES
The beginning of this EIP contains a list of emergency contacts. Standard Operating Procedures have been developed for incidents relating to fertilisers and pesticides and they are located in EGC Best Practice Commitments – Fertilisers and Pesticides. This will inform the majority of the Emergency Plans & Procedures.
Minor incidents will be handled by EGC and would include small contained spills, temporary spray drift onto adjoining property, temporary algal blooms in storage and minor public complaints.
Major incidents are to be reported to YVW, EPA, Melbourne Water or DSE depending on the incident. Such incidents may include spills that flow into nearby waterways (with reference to Section 7.2 of the EPA 2006 Guidelines), serious algal blooms (e.g. blue green algae), serious land degradation and direct human exposure to recycled water.
A Flood Response Plan has also been developed for the site.
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9.0 MONITORING AND REPORTING
9.1. Introduction In general, the monitoring expected for application of Class B irrigation water and pesticides in relation to golf course operations is as follows:
Soil Monitoring (as per normal golf course operations)
Surface Water Monitoring
Groundwater Monitoring
Pest Fish Monitoring; and
Sediment Sampling for Chemical Accumulation.
Theses monitoring and reporting requirements are described below with further details in Appendix B.
Note that the proposed EGC STP is not specifically addressed in this report but will be subject to relevant approvals, licences, monitoring and associated reporting.
9.2. Responsibilities Management responsibilities referred to in this EIP are applicable to the operation and maintenance of Eastern Golf Club. These will be determined at more detailed project development stages.
Responsibility allocations are abbreviated in this section as follows:
M = Site Manager,
OM = Golf Course Operations Manager,
AM = Accommodation Facility Manager,
CM = Clubhouse Manager
Numerous procedures in this plan have more than one allocated responsible position. Responsibilities generally apply as follows:
The golf course operations manager is responsible for activities and issues associated with the golf course and maintenance compound, and general grounds maintenance;
The clubhouse manager is responsible for activities and issues associated with the clubhouse operations;
The accommodation facility manager is responsible for activities and issues associated with the accommodation facilities operations; and
The site manager is responsible for overall site management and ensuring the implementation of this EIP and any accompanying OEMP (which includes EGC Best Practice Commitments) at later stages.
9.3. Community liaison Objectives: (1) Ensure community is adequately informed about the project and has the opportunity to comment. (2) EGC maintains good relationship with local community.
EGC has:
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Written to residents on Victoria Rd, Macintyre Lane and Benson Drive as discussed with Council.
Held an on-site public information session (30th September 2009) attended by EGC’s General Manager and project managers to talk about the plan and engage in a Q&A session with the attendees.
Formal public notification and third party rights will be maintained in accordance with the Planning and Environment Act applying to the planning permit application.
Further information about community liaison and related outcomes will be included in later versions of this report.
The golfing community will also be informed of activities on the course through contact with course staff, and through memberships, etc.
9.4. YVW monitoring of recycled water Recycled water quality is monitored by YVW in accordance with its EPA licence. Annualised results will be communicated to the Customer. YVW will alert the Customer if recycled water quality does not meet the requirements.
YVW expects to release an annual statement confirming Class B standards have been maintained throughout the year, and commits to supply of Class B water in accordance with Vic EPA requirements.
The YVW procedure for such an instance is described in Section 3.3.1 of this document.
9.5. Inspection and maintenance Eastern Golf Club will establish and implement inspection and maintenance programs for all its assets. A key focus will be to identify and react to potential threats to the environment and public health. As a minimum, the following items will be a focus of inspection and maintenance - all recycled water equipment and piping, dams (clay liner cracking), irrigation systems, signage, fencing, etc.
9.6. Receiving environment monitoring The recommended program for pesticides and use of Class B water is included in Appendix G.
9.6.1. Golf Course Soil It is in the Club’s interest to maintain the soil for optimum growing conditions. The monitoring required for this is quite standard however there are specific parameters recommended for sites that apply effluent. This is described in Appendix G.
9.6.2. Surface water quality Objectives
Prevent pollution of surface waters that are within or external to the site boundaries.
Management
Recycled water
Use buffer zones to protect sensitive environmental areas (Yarra River, bushland)
Monitoring and control of irrigation water quality.
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Ensure irrigation management practices maximise efficiency
o No over-irrigation
o All irrigation water use is contained within designated irrigation areas
Site stormwater runoff
Use Vic EPA guidelines for management of erosion and sedimentation of any exposed soil on site, whether stockpiles, landscaping, earthworks, unsealed roads etc.
Use landscaping techniques to contain, manage and treat site runoff close to its source.
Apply pesticides according to the Best Management Practices and Pesticide Risk Assessment.
Monitoring, reporting and responsibilities
Surface water monitoring is described in Appendix G and is subject to approval from Melbourne Water, YVW and possibly Vic EPA during the review period.
Collection of samples, if required, is to be undertaken by suitably trained / qualified personnel. Laboratory analysis of surface water is to be undertaken by a NATA-accredited laboratory.
Results are to be stored in a way that allows ready access by the site superintendent, environment manager or other authorised staff.
9.6.3. Groundwater quality Seven permanent groundwater monitoring wells were installed in August 2009 to allow groundwater sampling during the site planning and assessment stages to evaluate initial or baseline groundwater quality. The location of these monitoring wells is shown on the site environment plan in Appendix G.
Objectives
Prevent pollution of ground water. Develop and maintain long-term groundwater monitoring records if required.
Management
Monitoring and control of irrigation water quality.
Maintain appropriate irrigation rates,
Monitoring, reporting and responsibilities
Groundwater monitoring is described in Appendix G and is subject to approval from Melbourne Water, YVW and possibly Vic EPA during the review period.
Collection of samples, if required, is to be undertaken by suitably trained / qualified personnel. Laboratory analysis of surface water is to be undertaken by a NATA-accredited laboratory.
Results are to be stored in a way that allows ready access by the site superintendent, environment manager or other authorised staff.
9.6.4. Terrestrial ecology / native vegetation areas Annual inspections are proposed for the existing bushland - refer to Bushland Management Plan for details. Annual monitoring of the water bodies for pest fish species is proposed and is described in Appendix G.
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9.7. Reporting EGC Best Practice Commitments document describes the scope and methods of maintaining records and subsequent reporting. Eastern Golf Club will maintain records for the time period required by Melbourne Water and YVW for all monitoring, inspection and maintenance. These may be required for auditing purposes by Melbourne Water, EPA or Yarra Valley Water.
Records may include (as applicable):
analysis of trends in monitored parameters,
incidents and exceedances of quality limits and corrective actions taken,
inspection and maintenance reports,
monitoring and flow data for Class B water.
Non-compliance with this document must be reported to Melbourne Water, EPA and YVW immediately (refer contact details tables at the beginning of his document).
Melbourne Water / YVW will notify Eastern Golf Club in the case of non-compliance of water quality.
9.8. Auditing Use and application of pesticides is auditable and is described in the Tier 2 Pesticide Risk Assessment. Melbourne Water is expected to be the key authority in this matter. EGC Best Practice Commitments document describes an audit framework applicable to EGC for pesticide and fertiliser delivery, storage and use.
The recycled water use scheme will also include a regular site audit and EIP review program. Re-use schemes using over 1ML/day at any one time must be audited every year to verify compliance with the EIP (Note: The recycled water agreement includes a clause requiring the audit to be undertaken by a third-party EPA appointed auditor).
Appendix H contains a template used by Yarra Valley Water to evaluate EIPs. This form has been included to allow EGC to perform their own internal audits if required.
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10.0 REFERENCES Ark Resources (2009) Club House Sustainability Statement
Douglas Partners (2009) Geotechnical Assessment
Environment Protection Authority (Victoria) (1991). Guidelines for Wastewater Irrigation. Publication 168.
Environment Protection Authority (Victoria) (2006). Guidelines for Environmental Management – use of Reclaimed Water. Publication 464.2.
E-par (2010). EGC Best Practice Commitments – Pesticide and Fertilizer use
Heislers, D., (1993) Groundwater in the Central Victorian Highlands, Report no. 87, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Water Division, Melbourne.
GHD (2011). Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment
Neylan, J (2005). Golf Course Water Quality released under Best practice golf water management fact sheet No. 3. Autralian Golf Course Superintendents Association.
Phillips Agribusiness (2011). Agricultural Report, Eastern Golf Club, Victoria Road, Yering
Ecology Partners (2010). Targeted Aquatic Surveys
Ecology Partners (2009). Bushland Management Report
Ecos Environmental Consulting Pty Ltd, Atura Pty Ltd & Storm Consulting Pty Ltd. Eastern Golf Club Development Tier 2 Pesticide Risk Assessment
