final pipe clay lake estuary management planx...figure 1-1 location of pipe clay lake 2 figure 1-2...

A part of BMT in Energy and Environment

Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan

R.N1401.001.04

September 2011

Q:\SURVDSGN.ENG\COAST_ESTUARY_FLOOD\ESTUARY\PIPECLAY\FINAL PIPE CLAY LAKE ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN.DOCX

Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan

Prepared For: Coffs Harbour City Council and the Department of Environment and Climate Change

Prepared By: BMT WBM Pty Ltd (Member of the BMT group of companies)

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DOCUMENT CONTROL SHEET

Document :

Project Manager :

R.N1401.001.03.docx

Michelle Fletcher

BMT WBM Pty Ltd BMT WBM Pty Ltd 126 Belford Street BROADMEADOW NSW 2292 Australia PO Box 266 Broadmeadow NSW 2292 Tel: +61 2 4940 8882 Fax: +61 2 4940 8887 ABN 54 010 830 421 003 www.wbmpl.com.au

Client :

Client Contact:

Client Reference

Coffs Harbour City Council

Martin Rose

Title : Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan

Author : Michelle Fletcher, Dr Philip Haines

Synopsis : This report is a combined Estuary Processes Study, Estuary Management Study and Estuary Management Plan for Pipe Clay Lake

REVISION/CHECKING HISTORY

REVISION

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DATE OF ISSUE CHECKED BY ISSUED BY

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11 December 2008

23 March 2009

11 June 2009

7 May 2010

September 2011

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DISTRIBUTION

DESTINATION REVISION

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CHCC

BMT WBM File

BMT WBM Library

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CONTENTS I


CONTENTS

Contents i

List of Figures iv

List of Tables vi

Foreword vii

Acknowledgements vii

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Pipe Clay Lake 1

1.2 Why do we need an Estuary Management Plan? 1

1.3 Estuary Management Planning 1

1.4 Structure of this Report 4

2 CONSULTATION 6

3 ASSESSMENT OF ESTUARY PROCESSES 8

3.1 Information Collation 8

3.1.1 Review of available environmental data 8

3.1.2 Site investigations 8

3.2 Climate 8

3.3 Tides 9

3.4 Groundwater 9

3.5 Sediment Processes 11

3.5.1 Soil landscapes 11

3.5.2 Acid Sulfate Soils 13

3.5.3 Impacts of catchment development on the sediment balance 13

3.5.4 Sediment quality 13

3.5.5 Entrance dynamics 13

3.5.6 Impacts of catchment activities on entrance dynamics 14

3.6 Water Quality 17

3.6.1 Sources of water pollution 17

3.6.1.1 Stormwater 17

3.6.1.2 Sewerage 17

CONTENTS II


3.6.2 Measured water quality results 19

3.6.3 Water quality objectives 23

3.6.3.1 Appropriate indicators for safe harvesting of wild resources 23

3.6.3.2 Recommendations for future monitoring 24

3.6.4 Estuary morphology impacts on water quality 24

3.6.5 Summary of water quality processes 24

3.7 Ecology 25

3.7.1 Vegetation 25

3.7.1.1 Mangroves 25

3.7.1.2 Saltmarsh 25

3.7.1.3 Vegetation Communities 25

3.7.2 Shorebirds 29

3.7.3 Fish 29

3.7.4 Wild Resource Harvesting 29

3.7.4.1 Regulation of traditional harvesting of wild resources 31

3.7.5 HRC Coastal Lakes Assessment 31

4 LAND USE AND PLANNING 33

4.1 Land Development 33

4.1.1 Corindi Shores Estate 33

4.1.2 Local Environmental Study 33

4.1.3 Our Living City Settlement Strategy 36

4.1.4 Implications of landuse planning for estuary health 36

4.2 Solitary Islands Marine Park 36

4.2.1 Conservation Planning for the ‘Special Purpose Zone’ 37

4.3 Crown Land 37

5 SIGNIFICANCE, VALUES AND ISSUES 39

5.1 Literature review 39

5.2 Cultural and Heritage Significance 40

5.2.1 History 40

5.2.2 Aboriginal cultural significance 41

5.2.2.1 Specific Aboriginal sites 41

5.2.2.2 Custodial role 42

5.2.2.3 Non-Aboriginal history 42

5.3 Estuary Values 43

5.3.1 Solitary Islands Marine Park 43

5.3.2 Recreation 43

CONTENTS III


5.3.3 Ecology 43

5.3.4 Ongoing cultural use 43

5.4 Issues 44

5.4.1 Stormwater pollution 44

5.4.2 Catchment development 44

5.4.3 Protection of nonregistered sites 44

5.4.4 Lack of environmental data 46

5.4.5 Inadequate knowledge of Aboriginal significance 46

5.4.6 Disjointed management 46

5.4.7 Misunderstanding regarding purpose and objective of boardwalk 46

5.4.8 Inappropriate use of the boardwalk 46

5.4.9 Weed invasion 46

5.4.10 Use of herbicides and pesticides in the catchment 46

5.4.11 Safety of wild resources from human health perspective 47

5.4.12 Erosion and subsequent loss of old casuarinas and banksias 47

5.4.13 Appreciation of catchment processes and impacts by Corindi Beach community 48

5.4.14 Legacy of DA approvals from Pristine Waters Council 48

5.4.15 Dilapidated state of natural spring and former dam adjacent to caravan park 48

5.4.16 Crown Land 49

5.4.17 Fire Management 49

6 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES 50

7 OPTIONS FOR FUTURE MANAGEMENT 51

7.1 Strategy 1: Implement a Monitoring Program to Impro ve Confidence in Wild Resource Harvesting 51

7.2 Strategy 2: Implement a Monitoring Program to Deter mine Environmental Health 52

7.3 Strategy 3: Interactive Tour of Estuary for Council staff 53

7.4 Strategy 4: Develop a Checklist for Council Staff w hen Assessing DAs around Pipe Clay Lake and Corindi Village 53

7.5 Strategy 5: Register all Known Sites of Cultural Si gnificance under Heritage Law 54

7.6 Strategy 6: Rehabilitate the Freshwater Spring Adja cent to the Caravan Park 54

7.7 Strategy 7: Maintain and Increase the Custodial Rol e in Estuary Management of the Local Aboriginal Community 55

LIST OF FIGURES IV


7.8 Strategy 8: Implement a Community Education Program within the Catchment 56

7.9 Strategy 9: Improve Stormwater Management of Existi ng and New Development 57

7.10 Strategy 10: Ensure zonings and future developments within the catchment adequately reflect the environmental sens itivity of the lake 57

7.11 Strategy 11: Introduce an Environmental Planning Re quirement for All New Development to Achieve No Net Increase in Pollu tant Runoff Loads, through Best Practice Stormwater Management 58

7.12 Strategy 12: Upgrade the BBQ Facilities and Picnic Tables 59

7.13 Strategy 13: Restrict non-pedestrian access to the bushtucker boardwalk59

7.14 Strategy 14: SIMP Schools and Buddies Education Pro ject 60

7.15 Strategy 15: Identify reasons for sewer overflows and upgrade the system accordingly to minimise occurrences in the f uture 61

7.16 Strategy 16: Opportunities to increase the role of the Aboriginal Community in managing the land surrounding Pipe Cla y Lake 61

8 ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN 62

8.1 Costs and Funding Opportunities 67

8.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Review 69

9 REFERENCES 71

APPENDIX A: WATER QUALITY AND SEDIMENT SAMPLING RESULTS 1

APPENDIX B: EXAMPLE PLANNING CHECKLIST 1

APPENDIX C: RELEVANT COASTAL CONFERENCE PAPER 1

APPENDIX D: CROWN LAND 2

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1-1 Location of Pipe Clay Lake 2

Figure 1-2 The NSW Estuary Management Process (Sour ce: NSW Government, 1992) 3

Figure 1-3 Generalised structure of this document 5

Figure 2-1 Work on the bush tucker boardwalk around Pipe Clay Lake being undertaken by an Aboriginal Work Crew (July, 2008) 7

Figure 3-1 Mean monthly rainfall for Coffs Harbour (Source: BOM, 2008) 9

LIST OF FIGURES V


Figure 3-2 Tidal and mangrove limits for Pipe Clay Lake as determined by visual inspections in June 2006 (Source MHL pers. comm.) 1 0

Figure 3-3 Soil Landscapes in the Pipe Clay Lake Ca tchment 12

Figure 3-4 Locations of sediment sampling undertake n for this study 14

Figure 3-5 Pipe Clay Lake Entrance in 1999 (Source: Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation 2000b) 15

Figure 3-6 Pipe Clay Lake Entrance in 2004 15

Figure 3-7 Pipe Clay Lake Entrance in 2008 15

Figure 3-8 The bridge on the north arm, circa 1999 (Source Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation, 2000) 16

Figure 3-9 The bridge on the north arm, February 20 04 16

Figure 3-10 The bridge on the north arm, July 2008 16

Figure 3-11 Concrete drain – main point source to P ipe Clay Lake 18

Figure 3-12 Site of present development- large scal e clearing providing a ready supply of sediment to the estuary 18

Figure 3-13 Locations of WQ bottled samples – refer results in Table 3-5 and Appendix A 21

Figure 3-14 Locations of WQ probe sampling – refer results in Table 3-6 and Appendix A 22

Figure 3-15 Avicennia marina displaying extended pneumatophores within Pipe Cla y Lake (Source: Taffs) 26

Figure 3-16 Avicennia marina displaying submerged pneumatophores during the fie ld visit in July 2008 26

Figure 3-17 Vegetation community mapping for the ca tchment 27

Figure 3-18 Endangered Ecological Communities aroun d Pipeclay Lake (Source: CHCC) 28

Figure 4-1 Oblique aerial perspective of the Corind i Shores Development area (source: Domain web site) 34

Figure 4-2 Development pressure adjacent to the est uary 34

Figure 4-3 Mapped areas of residential investigatio n (3) and Investigation area future hotel (2) for the catchment from the Settlement Str ategy 36

Figure 4-4 Land ownership around Pipeclay Lake (Sou rce: CHCC) 38

Figure 5-1 The location of the “no mans land” fence (source Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation et al 2000) 40

Figure 5-2 Development pressure in the Pipe Clay La ke catchment 45

Figure 5-3 Site of bank erosion near the BBQ area, note stump from large Casuarina (July 2008) 47

Figure 5-4 The BBQ area in 2004, note the large Cas uarina, which is gone in 2008 48

Figure 5-5 Natural spring and historic dam located adjacent to caravan park 49

LIST OF TABLES VI


LIST OF TABLES

Table 3-1 Tidal limit observation field notes recor ded by MHL in June 2006 10

Table 3-2 Mangrove limit observation field notes re corded by MHL in June 2006 10

Table 3-3 Soil Landscapes in the Pipe Clay Lake Cat chment 11

Table 3-4 Water Quality Data (SKM, 1997) 19

Table 3-5 Nutrients and Bacteria, BMT WBM sampling, July 2008 20

Table 3-6 Physico-chemical parameters, BMT WBM samp ling, July 2008 20

Table 3-7 Results of fish sampling by DPI (unpublis hed) 29

Table 3-8 Wild Resources known to be harvested in r ecent times 30

Table 4-1 Planning recommendations from the LES rel evant to Pipe Clay Lake 35

Table 8-1 Implementation Schedule for Pipe Clay Lak e Estuary Management Plan63

Table 8-2 Funding opportunities linking Aboriginal cultural maintenance and heritage to estuary management 68

Table 8-3 Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan Au dit and Review Schedule 69

FOREWORD VII


FOREWORD

This Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan has been prepared on behalf of Coffs Harbour City

Council and the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water. Its preparation has

been overseen by the Coffs Coast and Estuary Management Advisory Committee, which contains

representatives from various government agencies as well as stakeholder groups and community

individuals.

The Estuary Management Plan has been developed in accordance with the State Government’s

Estuary Management Program to satisfy the objectives of the NSW Estuary Management Policy

(1992) and the NSW Coastal Policy (1997).

The purpose of the Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan is to provide strategic direction and

specific focus for the short and long term sustainable management of Pipe Clay Lake. The Plan

should be used to inform other strategic documents that aim to manage and rationalise human

activities and development within the catchment, such as Regional Strategies, Urban Structure Plans,

Development Control Plans (DCPs) and the review of the Coffs Harbour Local Environmental Plan

(LEP).

A presentation and technical paper on this project was given at the 2008 NSW Coastal Conference in

Wollongong. A full copy of the paper is included as Appendix C (Fletcher et al., 2008).

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Many community members provided input to the plan and supported its development through sharing

their local knowledge and expressing their concerns for the future management of the estuary.

Special appreciation is extended to Dee Murphy and Milton Duroux for their considerable time and

input.

INTRODUCTION 1


1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Pipe Clay Lake

Pipe Clay Lake is a small estuary located in the traditional lands of the Gumbaynggirr people on the

mid north coast of NSW (refer Figure 1-1). The estuary is an Intermittently Closed and Open Lake or

Lagoon (ICOLL) meaning that its entrance connection to the ocean is sometimes open and

sometimes closed. In recent times it has been mostly closed, typically opening to the sea about 5

times per year for just 2 - 5 days at a time (Milton Duroux, 2008 pers. comm.).

The total waterway area of the estuary is about 2.7 hectares (0.27 square kilometres). The

catchment is about 270 hectares. Riparian vegetation along the estuary includes coastal dune

species, saltmarsh, mangroves, Casuarina, and Melaleuca swamp forest.

A key aspect for consideration throughout this Estuary Management Plan is the on-going link

between the estuary and the local Aboriginal people. The history of the estuary in relation to this

aspect is discussed in more detail in Section 5.2.2.

1.2 Why do we need an Estuary Management Plan?

An Estuary Management Plan is needed for Pipe Clay Lake to provide strategic direction and

guidance on short and long term management of the system and its catchment. This includes

consideration and management of existing development within the catchment (and associated

stormwater runoff for example) as well as plans for future development (including controls, buffers,

setbacks etc.). An Estuary Management Plan should be used as a platform for conservation and

protection of existing values, and for future rehabilitation works that aim to redress issues associated

with past and present development around the estuary and within the catchment.

1.3 Estuary Management Planning

In 1992, the NSW State Government introduced the Estuary Management Policy, aimed at managing

the growing pressures on estuarine ecosystems. The Policy is implemented through an Estuary

Management Program, which is co-ordinated by the Department of Environment, Climate Change

and Water (DECCW), in co-operation with local government and the community. The Estuary

Management Program also implements actions of the Coastal Policy 1997 insofar as they relate to

the estuarine components of the NSW Coastal Zone. The Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan

has been prepared in accordance with the Estuary Management Program.

The process of managing an estuary is documented in the Estuary Management Manual (NSW

Government, 1992). State Government is in the process of reviewing and updating this manual, and

combining it with the Coastline Management Manual (NSW Government, 1990) to produce a new

Coastal Zone Management Manual. The general estuary management process, as established by

the NSW Government, is shown in Figure 1-2.

Given the relatively small scale of this project, the various steps of the Estuary Management Program

(Figure 1-2) have been combined, and are documented within this report.

INTRODUCTION 2


Figure 1-1 Location of Pipe Clay Lake

(Satellite location map sourced from Google maps, Language Boundaries map sourced from

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation, et al 2000)

INTRODUCTION 3


ESTUARY MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

ASSEMBLY OF EXISTING DATA

Discover and assemble relevant data

ESTUARY PROCESS STUDY

Hydraulics: tidal, freshwater, flushing, salinity, water quality & sediment behaviour, etc

Biology: habitats, species, populations, endangered species, etc

Impacts: impact of human activities on hydraulics and biology

ESTUARY MANAGEMENT STUDY

Essential Features: physical, chemical, ecological, economic, social & aesthetic

Current Uses: activities, land tenure & control, conflicts of use

Conservation Goals: preservation, key habitats

Remedial Goals: restoration of economic quality

Development: acceptable commercial & public works & activities

Management Objectives: identification & assessment

Management Options: implementation of options

Impacts: impact of proposed management measures

ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN

Management objectives

Description of how the estuary will be managed

Recommendations

Schedule of activities to implement recommendations

PLAN REVIEW

Public & Government

IMPLEMENTATION

Local Government Planning Controls

State Government Planning Controls

Remedial Works

Monitoring Programs

Education Programs

Community Services

Monitoring

Figure 1-2 The NSW Estuary Management Process (Sour ce: NSW Government, 1992)

THIS PROJECT

INTRODUCTION 4


1.4 Structure of this Report

This Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan is structured systematically in a manner that accords

with the Estuary Management Process, as presented in Figure 1-3.

Chapter 1 provides an introduction to the estuary and the NSW Government’s Estuary Management

Program.

Chapter 2 outlines the consultation that was carried out as part of this project.

Chapter 3 presents an overview of the Estuary Processes . This describes all the physical,

chemical and biological processes occurring within the estuary.

Chapter 4 describes the landuse planning relevant to Pipe Clay Lake.

Chapter 5 presents the Existing Values of the estuary, as established by the scientific assessment,

the community and stakeholders. This chapter also details the Key Management Issues that need to

be addressed when providing management responses, in order to effectively maintain a healthy and

sustainable estuarine environment into the future.

Chapter 6 defines specific Management Objectives for Pipe Clay Lake. These objectives

essentially relate to the key management issues.

Chapter 7 presents and assesses a range of Possible Management Options that could be used to

address the management objectives.

Chapter 8 contains Implementation Schedules for the Proposed Strategies. It provides details of

specific actions, who are responsible for implementation of the various strategies, and relevant

timeframes for implementation. It also provides details on potential funding sources.

Chapter 9 presents details of references cited in the Plan.

Additional information, where necessary, is also provided in the Appendices to this document,

including a copy of the technical paper on this project presented at the 2008 NSW Coastal

Conference in Wollongong.

INTRODUCTION 5


Figure 1-3 Generalised structure of this document

CONSULTATION 6


2 CONSULTATION

Consultation with the local Gumbaynggirr community was a crucial step in the development of this

Estuary Management Plan. Contact was made via telephone, email and post with the Yarrawarra

Aboriginal Corporation and selected individuals nominated by the Coffs Coast and Estuary

Management Advisory Committee. Face to face informal consultation with representatives of the

Aboriginal community over a period of a week was undertaken on a flexible basis during early July

2008.

Over the course of the week conversations were held on-site with around 15 different representatives

of the Aboriginal community. During this time a range of information was shared with the study team.

The conversations included, but were not limited to:

• a guided cultural tour of the estuary by Milton Duroux (Gumbaynggirr Elder);

• numerous discussions about estuary processes, linkages (e.g. between ecological indicators),

stories and resource use, estuary values, estuary issues and management suggestions;

• sampling of a range of bush foods and medicines found adjacent to Pipe Clay Lake;

• a tour of recent rehabilitation works and ideas on future opportunities by an Aboriginal work crew

(for example, see Figure 2-1 ); and

• assistance with field investigations such as water quality sampling.

Further consultation with elders unable to meet with the study team was undertaken by the

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation. Telephone based consultation following personal meetings was

also undertaken.

The consultation with the Aboriginal community resulted in a genuine transfer of knowledge, with both

parties learning together and from each other. All time contributed by the Gumbaynggirr

representatives was on an absolute voluntary basis, demonstrating the strong commitment to the

estuary and willingness to support the principles of estuary management. The enthusiasm and input

by the Gumbaynggirr representatives demonstrates the importance of maintaining links between local

Aboriginal culture and the Pipe Clay Lake estuary to provide the best opportunities for future on-going

and integrated sustainability.

Other consultation undertaken with the wider community and government departments included:

• Mailing a brochure to all residents of Corindi Beach Village and extending an invitation to meet

with the project manager on-site to discuss values, issues and options for future management;

• Telephone discussions with relevant staff from a range of state government organisations

including the NSW Food Authority, DPI Fisheries, Solitary Islands Marine Park Authority,

Department of Lands, Department of Environment and Climate Change; and

• Attendance at a Coffs Coast and Estuary Management Advisory Committee Meeting.

CONSULTATION 7


Figure 2-1 Work on the bush tucker boardwalk around Pipe Clay Lake being undertaken by

an Aboriginal Work Crew (July, 2008)

Almost 500 brochures were mailed to the residents of Corindi Beach Village. A range of

representatives from the wider Corindi Beach community made contact with the study team, while

five residents met with the study team personnel on-site. Another ten follow up phone calls from

residents were also received.

The rapid development of Corindi Beach, along with the ‘Sea Change’ trend experienced in recent

years throughout NSW, has resulted in many ‘new locals’. Many were not aware of the extent of

significance of the Pipe Clay Lake estuary from an Aboriginal cultural perspective. As well as an

informal educational opportunity, the focus of these community meetings was to determine the

community’s perspectives on important values, threats and opportunities for the estuary.

ASSESSMENT OF ESTUARY PROCESSES 8


3 ASSESSMENT OF ESTUARY PROCESSES

3.1 Information Collation

3.1.1 Review of available environmental data

An extensive search and review of all available scientific data confirmed that there has been very little

data collected at Pipe Clay Lake. Existing environmental data is essentially limited to:

• One-off sampling of fish by DPI in February 2002 (DPI unpublished); and

• Limited water quality sampling between 1992 and 1996 as part of Environmental Impact

Assessment for the Sewerage Scheme (SKM 1997).

Recent implementation of the sewerage scheme in Corindi Beach Village is likely to have resulted in

a decline in faecal contamination of the estuary, however, there is no available data to support this

assertion. No tidal information is available for the estuary.

3.1.2 Site investigations

Given the dearth of relevant scientific data, site investigations were necessary to provide an

understanding of the various estuary processes occurring within Pipe Clay Lake. The site

investigations included a catchment inspection to determine sources of potential pollution, and a walk

over of the site to determine other values, issues and opportunities. A one-off “snap-shot” water

quality monitoring exercise was also undertaken to provide an indication of the physico-chemical and

microbial condition of the estuary (at that particular time). This included collecting physical

parameters along the length of the estuary using a multi-parameter water quality sonde, and also

collecting bottled samples, which were then tested for nitrogen and phosphorus as well as Faecal

Coliforms by a NATA approved laboratory. Representatives of the Gumbaynggirr community

assisted in the water quality sampling. Water quality sampling was carried out during dry weather

conditions with no antecedent rainfall.

A second guided walk over of the site was undertaken, which was also attended by a senior strategic

planner from Coffs Harbour City Council.

3.2 Climate

The climate of the Coffs Harbour coastal area is described as subtropical with warm to very warm wet

summers and cool to mild dry winters (BoM 2008). Early in the year, warm humid conditions

associated with the easterly trade winds are experienced. By July, rainfall and water vapour in the air

have significantly reduced. This is associated with the northward migration of the anticyclone belt

(high-pressure system), which is associated with fairer and dryer conditions (BoM, 2008). As a result,

the driest period is between July and September - a time of clear skies and light winds. In November,

the humid conditions return and rainfall increases. Mean monthly rainfall for Coffs Harbour is

presented in Figure 3-1. The averages are based on data collected from 1943 to November 2008.



Figure 3-1 Mean monthly rainfall for Coffs Harbour (Source: BOM, 2008)

3.3 Tides

There is no record of formal tidal monitoring or gauging in Pipe Clay Lake (David Allsop, MHL, pers.

comm. 2008). As part of the NSW tidal limits mapping project (unpublished), personnel from Manly

Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL) visited Pipe Clay Lake and made brief notes, based on their

observations and experience with similar systems along the NSW coast. The entrance was closed at

the time of the visit.

The tidal and mangrove limit information available from MHL is presented in Table 3-1, Table 3-2 and

Figure 3-2.

3.4 Groundwater

The subsurface geology around Corindi Beach consists of Jurassic Shale and basalt belonging to the

Mallanganee Coal Measure. The Jurassic sediments are overlain by Quaternary alluvial, paludal and

estuarine deposits, mainly sands, silts and gravels (NSW Geological Survey 19710, 1:125, 000 map

of Coffs Harbour). In 1997, six bores were operating in Corindi Beach for watering gardens (SKM

1997). While water quality sampling was not undertaken, the groundwater was assumed to have a

low salinity based on its suitability for gardening (SKM 1997). At each of these boreholes the aquifer

was at least six metres deep and was contained in a shale layer, which is overlain by 4 - 9 metres of

dense clay (SKM 1997).

Freshwater springs are a feature throughout the Corindi Beach Village and Pipe Clay Lake catchment

area. This is evident by the occurrence of Swamp Mahogany on ridgelines, the old dam near the

caravan park and anecdotal information from the local community.

Hydrogeologic studies were carried out in the vicinity of Lot 12, DP624929 for an assessment of the

capacity of these coastal sands to accommodate a sewerage exfiltration scheme. The studies

allowed for the mapping of the sand aquifer, which was found to be generally within one metre of the

ground surface (Rust PPK, 1994).



Table 3-1 Tidal limit observation field notes recor ded by MHL in June 2006

Location Date Map Map reference

Distance from

ocean (km)

Comments

Pipe Clay Lake (North Branch) 28/6/02 Woolgoolga 56 519909 6679078 0.38 Tide would probably get to this vicinity

375m upstream from ocean

Pipe Clay Lake (South Branch) 28/6/02 Woolgoolga 56 519594 6678323 0.85 Heavy reed and grass growth would

stop tide 10m upstream from footbridge

Table 3-2 Mangrove limit observation field notes re corded by MHL in June 2006

Location Date Map Map reference

Distance from

ocean (km)

Comments

Pipe Clay Lake (North Branch)

28/6/02 Woolgoolga 56 519894 6678943 0.25 Left bank 2.5m high 250m upstream from entrance

Pipe Clay Lake (South Branch)

28/6/02 Woolgoolga 56 519794 6678528 0.55 Centre channel 1m high 550m upstream from entrance

Figure 3-2 Tidal and mangrove limits for Pipe Clay Lake as determined by visual inspections

in June 2006 (Source MHL pers. comm.)



3.5 Sediment Processes

3.5.1 Soil landscapes

Soil landscape mapping is available for the catchment. There are six different categories of soil

landscapes mapped. These are described briefly in Table 3-3 and are mapped in Figure 3-3.

Table 3-3 Soil Landscapes in the Pipe Clay Lake Cat chment

Soil Landscape

code

Process Description*

bc Residual Residual Soil Landscapes are dominated by sites where deep soils have formed from in situ weathering of parent materials. Residual soil landscapes typically have level to undulating elevated landforms. Landform elements include some summit surfaces, plateaux, terrace plains, peneplains and old ground surfaces. Stream channels are usually poorly defined.

lo Erosional Erosional Soil Landscapes have been sculpted primarily by erosive action of running water. Streams are well-defined and competent to transport their sediment load. Soil depth is usually shallow (with occasional deep patches) and mode of origin is variable and complex. Soils may be either absent, derived from water-washed parent materials or derived from in situ weathered bedrock. In many instances, subsoils have formed in situ while topsoils have formed from materials washed from further up-slope. Erosional soil landscapes usually consist of steep to undulating hillslopes and may include tors, benches and areas of rock outcrop. Evidence of mass movement is rare.

np Swamp Swamp Soil Landscapes are dominated by ground surfaces and soils that are at least seasonally wet. Soil parent material includes large amounts of accumulated decayed organic matter. Watertables are frequently close to the surface. Landform elements may include swamps and some relic oxbows, abandoned channels, lagoons and swales

go beach Beach/Barrier Soil Landscapes have ground surfaces and soil parent materials that have been deposited by wave action, including accumulation of sand-sized coastal sediments during sea level changes. They typically occur near sandy coastlines or close to lake edges. Typical landform elements include bars, beaches, berms, beach ridges, dunes, swales, foredunes and some sandplains.

rr aeolian Aeolian Soil Landscapes have accumulated by deposition of sand-sized particles by wind action. Aeolian soil landscapes include dunefields, dunes, blowouts, sand sheets, lunettes and barrier ridges.

*From the NSW Government Natural Resources Website:

http://www.naturalresources.nsw.gov.au/care/soil/ssu/termsdef.htm#Beach/Barrier



Figure 3-3 Soil Landscapes in the Pipe Clay Lake Ca tchment



3.5.2 Acid Sulfate Soils

Acid sulfate soils (ASS) are potentially present around Pipeclay Lake. The impact on Pipeclay Lake

of disturbance of ASS in the past (eg during development of Corindi Shores) is unknown.

3.5.3 Impacts of catchment development on the sediment balance

Catchment development continues to modify the sediment dynamics of Pipe Clay Lake. Increased

rates of sediment being delivered to the estuary are likely to have occurred during the 1970s in

response to residential development within Corindi Beach Village. Following this, a stage of relative

catchment stability may have followed, during which lower rates of sedimentation were experienced.

In more recent times, in response to land clearing and the commencement of the Corindi Shores

Estate, a significant increase in the quantity of sediment being delivered to the estuary may be

occurring. While actual modelling or monitoring of this rate has not been undertaken, site inspections

indicated a lack of sediment control on the development site and a high level of turbidity in the

stormwater and estuary downstream of the site.

3.5.4 Sediment quality

Based on the land uses within the catchment, possible contaminants to sediments include

Polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from roads, pesticides from both domestic and council sources

and heavy metals from residential roof tops. The data search did not find any previous sediment

quality monitoring results. During the site inspection, two (2) sediment samples were collected and

tested for a range of PAHs, organophosphate (OP) pesticides and organochlorine (OC) pesticides.

One sample was taken at the stormwater drain near the shops and the second sample was taken in

the lower estuary below the boardwalk opposite Taylors Camp (refer Figure 3-4). All parameters

tested were below detectable levels for PAHs, OP and OC pesticides at both sampling locations

(refer Appendix A for laboratory results).

The lack of replication of these sediment samples over spatial and temporal scales means that

interpretation of this data in terms of the overall sediment quality for Pipe Clay Lake is limited. The

information is provided for reference only and will need to be supported in the future by a more

comprehensive sampling strategy.

3.5.5 Entrance dynamics

The lack of development immediately surrounding Pipe Clay Lake allows the entrance to meander

freely with the prevailing conditions. It also means that the practice of artificially managing the

entrance (ie breakout) has not been pursued. An example of the variability of the entrance location is

available by comparing available photography. Figure 3-5 to Figure 3-7 show the entrance state in

1999, 2004 and 2008, respectively.



Figure 3-4 Locations of sediment sampling undertake n for this study

As with all ICOLLs, the state of the entrance has large implications for conditions throughout the

estuary. This includes water depths and inundation areas, physio-chemical conditions (including

salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen) and fauna assemblages. A visual example of the

different conditions that result from different entrance states is provided by photos comparing the

north arm of Pipe Clay Lake in the vicinity of the footbridge in 1999, 2004 and 2008 (refer to Figure

3-8 to Figure 3-10).

3.5.6 Impacts of catchment activities on entrance dynamics

Development within the catchment is likely to have impacted on entrance dynamics to some degree.

The volume of runoff reaching the estuary is likely to have increased due to catchment clearing and

channelization of flowpaths. The likely impact of increased catchment runoff may include more

frequent openings than would otherwise be experienced, and/or a more rapid response time by the

entrance to large rainfall events.

Increased sediment supply from the catchment may also be influencing entrance condition.



Figure 3-5 Pipe Clay Lake Entrance in 1999 (Source: Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation

2000b)

Figure 3-6 Pipe Clay Lake Entrance in 2004

Figure 3-7 Pipe Clay Lake Entrance in 2008



Figure 3-8 The bridge on the north arm, circa 1999 (Source Yarrawarra Aboriginal

Corporation, 2000)

Figure 3-9 The bridge on the north arm, February 20 04

Figure 3-10 The bridge on the north arm, July 2008



3.6 Water Quality

Water quality processes of estuarine systems are complex and vary considerably with time

depending on freshwater flows, tidal dynamics, human influences and seasonal and longer term

trends. In the absence of detailed long term data, it is difficult to draw definitive conclusions about the

water quality of an estuary. There are, however, a number of commonly used indicators that give

some insight into the degree to which human activities are impacting upon water quality. The most

significant factor influencing estuarine water quality is likely to be catchment land use. An indication

of water quality can therefore also be inferred by the condition of the catchment.

Suitable water quality for the purpose of the harvesting of wild resources by the Gumbaynggirr

community is considered to be an important aspect of the Estuary Management Plan.

Water quality information made available for this study, or collected as part of on-site investigations,

is discussed in the following sections.

3.6.1 Sources of water pollution

3.6.1.1 Stormwater

Stormwater from Corindi Beach Village is likely to be a significant pollutant input to Pipe Clay Lake.

The catchment inspection confirmed the primary catchment input is delivered to the estuary via a

concrete drain near the Corindi Beach Village shops (refer to Figure 3-11). This drain travels across

privately owned land to enter the south arm of the lake. The drain is concrete along most of its

length. The urban runoff input to this drain has increased significantly through past and on-going

construction of residential development within the village (in particular, the Corindi Shores estate)

(refer Figure 3-12).

A one-off dry weather water quality sample was collected from the drain at Pacific Street during the

site investigations. The results of this sampling are reported in Section 3.6.2.

3.6.1.2 Sewerage

The Corindi Beach Sewerage Scheme was implemented in 2004. The system collects, transports,

treats and reuses wastewater from Corindi Beach Village. It comprises the following major

components:

• Gravity reticulation sewers,

• Pump stations and rising mains,

• Sewage treatment plant

• Effluent storage pond and

• Irrigation reuse facilities.

An Operational Environmental Management Plan was prepared in 2003 to prescribe guidelines that

are to be followed during the operation of the scheme.



Figure 3-11 Concrete drain – main point source to P ipe Clay Lake

Figure 3-12 Site of present development- large scal e clearing providing a ready supply of sediment

to the estuary



There is a Sewage Pump Station located on Pacific Street adjacent to the concrete drain. In the

event of pump failure, an alarm sounds and maintenance teams have about four hours storage time

to repair the pump before overflow occurs, in dry weather conditions. If overflows do occur these will

travel via the stormwater system to Pipe Clay Lake. An emergency response procedure (P-002) for

such occurrences is included in the Operational Environmental Management Plan (Hughes Truman

2003). This includes instructions for contacting the EPA (now DECC), DPI and SIMP in the event of

an overflow occurring. It would be beneficial to the safe harvesting of wild resources if this procedure

were to include a mechanism for contacting the local Gumbaynggirr Community (possibly the

Caretaker at Yarrawarra) to report such incidences.

The reuse areas for the treated sewage are all outside the catchment area for Pipe Clay Lake.

3.6.2 Measured water quality results

It is likely that there was an improvement in the water quality of the estuary following implementation

of the Corindi Beach Sewerage Scheme in 2004. Unfortunately there is no monitoring data available

to demonstrate this. The initial bacteriological water quality monitoring undertaken prior to the

implementation of the schemes was assisted by the Yarrawarra community.

Before the implementation of the Corindi Beach Sewerage Scheme, limited monitoring of selected

physical, chemical and bacteriological parameters was undertaken and reported (SKM, 1997). Data

were collected between 1992 and 1996 and are presented in Table 3-4. Note that the data are

divided into pre and post January 2006 as SKM reported some concerns about the data collected

prior to this. It is understood that the SKM water quality data were collected from the concrete drain

downstream of the shops, and adjacent to the BBQ area.

Table 3-4 Water Quality Data (SKM, 1997)

Analyte 1992-1996 Water Quality Data

1996 Water Quality Data Only

Total Nitrogen (mgL-1)

Mean Range

n

1.41 0.15 - 3.4

13

2.66 1.8 - 3.4

5

Total Phosphorus (mgL-1)

Mean Range

n

0.16 <0.01 – 0.79

11

0.035 <0.01 - 0.06

5

pH Mean

Range n

6.88 5.7 - 7.8

10

- - -

Suspended Solids (mgL-1)

Mean Range

n

6.7 2 - 12

9

7.2 4 - 11

5

Chlorophyll-a (µgL-1)

Mean Range

n

5.2 <1 - 9

3

6.7 - 1

Faecal coliforms (CFU / 100 mL-1)

Mean Range

n

26 <2 - 1200

15

79 10 - 1200

5



During the BMT WBM field investigations in July 2008, a ‘snap shot’ water quality monitoring exercise

was also undertaken. This included collecting physical parameters along the length of the estuary

using a multi-parameter water quality sonde, and also collecting three bottled samples tested for

nutrients and bacterial counts. The samples were collected between 7:30 am and 9:30 am on Friday

July 4th 2008. There had been no rainfall in the catchment for at least seven days preceding the

sampling. The results are presented in Table 3-5 and Table 3-6. Locations of the bottled sampling

sites are shown in Figure 3-13, while the locations of the in-field probe analysis are shown in Figure

3-14. Full analytical results for water and sediment samples are provided in Appendix A.

Table 3-5 Nutrients and Bacteria, BMT WBM sampling, July 2008

Ammonia Nitrogen

Oxidised Nitrogen

TKN TN TP Faecal coliforms

Site mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L counts/100mL 1 0.15 0.06 0.45 0.51 < 0.03 172 2 < 0.05 0.10 0.34 0.44 < 0.03 184 3 0.33 < 0.05 0.93 0.93 < 0.03 2

Table 3-6 Physico-chemical parameters, BMT WBM samp ling, July 2008

Temp Specific Cond. Salinity DO pH Turbidity

Site Deg C mS/cm ppt mg/L NTU 1 12.28 9.46 5.24 10.48 6.82 5.7 2 11.47 11.6 6.42 10.54 6.81 3.7 3 14.18 18.21 10.08 9.38 6.77 13.9 4 14.12 14.34 7.94 2.97 6.64 11.2 5 14.09 14.18 7.85 2.03 6.61 14.4 6 16.2 22.59 12.50 7.48 6.9 18 7 17.37 22.16 12.27 2.31 6.59 37.1 8 17.4 24.88 13.77 1.26 6.56 10.1 9 13.91 0.77 0.43 10.56 6.7 2.2

10 21.07 30.85 17.08 3.91 6.56 1.2 11 18.13 26.73 14.80 4.27 6.81 2.9 12 14.19 20.73 11.48 5.49 6.94 14.8 13 21.44 33.47 18.53 2.71 6.65 0.6 14 23.8 37.74 20.89 2.99 6.83 11.7 15 13.79 20.32 11.25 5.52 7.12 8.3 16 13.27 19.47 10.78 7.7 7.21 4.5 17 12.15 18.89 10.46 7.2 7.24 3.9

Minimum 11.47 0.77 0.43 1.26 6.56 0.6 Maximum 23.8 37.74 20.89 11.09 7.24 37.1 Median 14.12 19.47 11.25 5.52 6.77 5.7 Mean 15.42 18.23 11.28 6.26 6.74 8.67

std dev 3.56 10.69 5.02 3.49 0.29 8.88



Figure 3-13 Locations of WQ bottled samples – refer results in Table 3-5 and Appendix A



Figure 3-14 Locations of WQ probe sampling – refer results in Table 3-6 and Appendix A



Highlighted cells within Table 3-5 and Table 3-6 indicate the data that is considered to potentially

compromise the environmental and/or human values of the estuary. Most notably, many locations

appear to exhibit low dissolved oxygen values, suggesting there is a large oxygen demand imposed

onto the estuary. The reason for this oxygen demand is not fully understood, however, small

intermittently open estuaries such as Pipe Clay Lake typically exhibit low DO given their natural

tendency for accumulation of organics and sediment, and limited potential for tidal flushing.

Given that only a snapshot of water quality data is provided, it is impossible to provide detailed

context on the result, or provide explanations on particular values. Further investigations should be

conducted before drawing any conclusions from water quality data. The data has thus been provided

primarily for reference purposes only.

3.6.3 Water quality objectives

Water quality monitoring can be carried out to address one or more objectives, including for example:

• Assess compliance with guideline values for public health concerns e.g. harvesting of wild

resources;

• Assess whether a water body is suitable for particular uses;

• Assess the ecological health status of a waterbody;

• Assess performance of management actions to improve water quality; and

• Educate and promote awareness of water quality issues in the community and stakeholder

groups.

Given the connection between Pipe Clay Lake and the local Aboriginal community, of particular

importance is the objective of ensuring water quality within the estuary is suitable for the harvesting of

wild resources.

3.6.3.1 Appropriate indicators for safe harvesting of wild resources

The primary indicator for measuring the appropriateness of safe harvesting of wild resources relates

to the microbiological condition, and in particular, the indicator thermotolerant coliforms. The NSW

Food Authority operates the NSW Shellfish Program, which applies to all bivalve molluscs

commercially grown and harvested in NSW waters. While the responsibilities of the NSW Food

Authority do not extend to non-commercial harvesting, the principles of the program may be generally

applied to traditional harvesting of shellfish and other wild resources in Pipe Clay Lake.

The principles of the NSW Shellfish program are outlined in the Operations Manual (Safe Food NSW,

2001). The classification of an area and subsequent conditions for harvesting are determined

through a process of a comprehensive sanitary survey. This involves a shoreline survey, which

identifies and classifies pollution sources, and a program of monitoring (random sampling and event

based) over a three year period. The classifications are then reviewed annually, based on on-going

monitoring results. While the NSW Food Authority conducted much of the sampling over the initial

three year period, many commercial operators are now trained to be accredited samplers and

undertake the on-going sampling.



As outlined in Section 7.1, a similar sampling and accreditation processes is recommended for Pipe

Clay Lake.

3.6.3.2 Recommendations for future monitoring

Water quality is a key concern for Pipe Clay Lake. The results of water quality monitoring activities

should be used in an on-going and adaptive manner to inform future management and decision-

making.

Development of a suitable monitoring program to assist Council and others with planning and landuse

management decisions is necessary. This is considered a challenge as many water quality

parameters show large natural variations, which often respond within hours or days to inputs or

events and then return to ‘background’ or typical levels. Traditional water quality monitoring

programs that collect samples on consistent periodic timescales (eg monthly) rarely capture events

that generate extreme conditions, including lagoon entrance breakouts.

The NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water is currently implementing the

Monitoring, Evaluation and Review Strategy approach to water quality monitoring of NSW estuaries

(Scanes et al 2008). The sampling will focus on three primary ecological outcomes, being: algal

abundance, fish assemblages and macrophyte abundance. This will be supported by collection of

salinity and turbidity data. The sampling has been designed on the basis that ambient water quality

data is frequently collected but often not used.

Although water quality per se is an important issue, poor water quality is indicated by changes in the

ecology of waterways such as growth of nuisance and toxic algae. Therefore a program to monitor

waterway health should incorporate measures of loads and inputs and ecological indicators as well

as measures of water quality parameters.

3.6.4 Estuary morphology impacts on water quality

The shape of an ICOLL can potentially have a significant impact on the hydrodynamic processes, and

associated follow-on effects such as water quality. Pipe Clay Lake is considered to be “displacement

dominated”, based on classification by Haines et al. (2006). Catchment runoff that enters the ICOLL

tends to push out, or displace, the resident water in the system. Following significant catchment

runoff, the water quality of a “displacement dominated” ICOLL, starting in the upstream extremities of

the waterway, can more reflect the quality of the inflowing runoff rather than the antecedent

conditions in the ICOLL prior to the event. This means that the lagoon is particularly sensitive to

catchment changes and future development around the ICOLL should therefore be considerate of

this natural sensitivity. According to Haines (2006), Pipe Clay Lake is one of the most sensitive

ICOLLs in NSW to human inputs.

3.6.5 Summary of water quality processes

A lack of long-term water quality data significantly limits our understanding of chemical and

biophysical processes within Pipe Clay Lake. The Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan

recommends a program of long term monitoring to assist in future management. Nonetheless, the



following general statements regarding water quality have been made based on the information

available.

• A significant source of water pollution to the estuary is stormwater via the concrete drain near the

shops. Future stormwater management, such as naturalisation of the channel, bioretention,

stormwater harvesting and community education may potentially improve water quality within the

Lake.

• Implementation of the Corindi Beach Sewerage Scheme is likely to have significantly improved

the water quality of the Lake, particularly in respect to bacteria and nutrients.

• The recent Corindi Shores Estate development is likely to have increased the quantity and

decreased the quality of stormwater entering the estuary.

3.7 Ecology

3.7.1 Vegetation

3.7.1.1 Mangroves

Taffs (unpublished) collected information on mangroves throughout the Solitary Islands Marine Park.

For Pipe Clay Lake, Taffs notes that both the north and south branches of the estuary have Avicennia

marina (grey mangrove) growing upstream from just inside the entrance. It is also noted by Taffs

(unpublished) that Avicennia exhibits extremely long pneumatophores (in excess of 1 metre), which

have been described as an adaptation to fluctuating water levels within ICOLLs (Haines, 2006) (refer

Figure 3-15).

At the time of the site visit (July 2008), Pipe Clay Lake was very full, and only the tips of

pneumatophores were visible (Figure 3-16), highlighting just one of the significant variations in

environmental conditions of the estuary to which the ecology has had to adapt.

3.7.1.2 Saltmarsh

Marine vegetation including seagrass, mangroves, saltmarshes and macroalgae occurring within the

estuary are protected under the Fisheries Management Act 1994, with saltmarsh also declared as an

Endangered Ecological Community under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

There are areas of saltmarsh around Pipe Clay Lake, however, mapping of these areas has not been

undertaken. Species present included Saltwater couch (Sporolobus virginicus), sedges and rushes

(particularly Juncus spp.).

3.7.1.3 Vegetation Communities

The lake is surrounded by coastal heath and forest communities, including several Endangered

Ecological Communities (EECs); Saltmarsh, Subtropical Coastal Floodplain Forest, Swamp

Sclerophyll Forest and Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest. Vegetation mapping to community level is

shown in Figure 3-17, while Endangered Ecological Communities are shown in Figure 3-18. The

extent of groundtruthing to support aerial photograph interpretation is not known.



Figure 3-15 Avicennia marina displaying extended pneumatophores within Pipe Cla y Lake

(Source: Taffs)

Figure 3-16 Avicennia marina displaying submerged pneumatophores during the fie ld visit in

July 2008



Figure 3-17 Vegetation community mapping for the ca tchment



Figure 3-18 Endangered Ecological Communities aroun d Pipeclay Lake (Source: CHCC)



3.7.2 Shorebirds

Pipe Clay Lake would potentially provide habitat for threatened shorebirds. While there are no

records for the Pipe Clay Lake estuary, the beach to the south has records for both Pied Oyster

Catchers and little terns (Geoff Thomas, pers. comm.). The lake may be a potential feeding site for

either of these species.

3.7.3 Fish

DPI Fisheries undertook a fish survey in Pipe Clay Lake in February 2002. The samples were

collected using seine nets dragged through the water and the species counted and listed (refer Table

3-7). The sampling is reported to have occurred about two days after the system opened to the

ocean, so the results are likely to be biased towards this entrance state. Representatives from the

Gumbaynggirr community assisted with this sampling.

In recognition of the cultural connections to Pipe Clay Lake, the Marine Parks Authority (MPA) has

zoned the lagoon as Special Uses (Zone 3) under the Solitary Islands Marine Park. This zone has

been established for rehabilitation, cultural use and research activities in the area.

Table 3-7 Results of fish sampling by DPI (unpublis hed)

Scientific name Common name

Anguilla reinhardtii* Long-fin eel

Gambusia holbrooki Mosquitofish

Pseudomugil signifer Southern blue-eye

Myxus elongatus* Sand mullet

Favonigobius tamarensis Tamar River goby

Pseudogobius olorum Blue-spot goby

Gobiomorphus australis Striped gudgeon

Hypseleotris sp. Gudgeon sp.

Philypnodon grandiceps Flathead gudgeon

Philypnodon sp. Dwarf flathead gudgeon

Macrobrachium intermedium Grass shrimp

Macrobrachium novaehollandiae long armed prawn

3.7.4 Wild Resource Harvesting

A list of wild resources known to be harvested from the estuary during recent times has been

compiled. This is based extensively on a research project undertaken by the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service (now DECCW) and the Gumbaynggirr people to undertake mapping and

assessing places associated with the use of wild resources by the Gumbaynggirr people, both in the



past and present (English 2002). The study primarily focused on the experiences of living people,

effectively mapping use from about 1950 to the present day. Other sources of information for

compiling this list included cultural publications by the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation (Yarrawarra

Aboriginal Corporation et al 1999) and consultation with elders and other representatives of the

Gumbaynggirr community.

A list of wild resources harvested from Pipe Clay Lake and surrounds is given in Table 3-8. The most

sensitive of these species, from a human health perspective, would be the shellfish (or bivalve

molluscs). These are filter feeders, which extract phytoplankton, bacteria and suspended organic and

inorganic particles from the surrounding water as their food supply. These organisms bioaccumulate

pathogens and toxins derived from contaminated waters, and are often eaten raw or only lightly

cooked with the gastrointestinal tract intact. As such, shellfish have been associated with outbreaks

of human disease (Safe Food NSW, 2001).

Table 3-8 Wild Resources known to be harvested in r ecent times

Common name Species name Primary Use Ecology related to water quality Source

Prawns e.g. Macrobrachium novaehollandiae Eating

Crabs (assume mud crabs?)

Eating English 2002 &

Pers. comm.

Shellfish (including wild oysters) various Eating

Bivalve filter feeders – bioaccumulation of pollutants.

English 2002 & Pers. comm.

Fish various Eating Perkins and

Murphy 2002 & Pers. comm.

Pipe Clay White washing walls in huts at the old camp

“The Old Camp”

Rainforest patch - Geebungs, Five Corners, parsnips & Three Fingered Grape.

Flax Lilly Dianella Laevis

Making baskets, eating and as a dye.

Educational purposes for the bush tucker walk

English 2002

Blood Wood Healing wounds and cuts, education on the bush tucker walk

English 2002

* Note that as well as the primary use given, all resources have the potential to play an important role

in cultural maintenance.



3.7.4.1 Regulation of traditional harvesting of wild resources

Recreational bag limits outlined in the Saltwater Fishing Guide apply to traditional harvesting. DPI

Fisheries routinely approve permits for increasing these bag limits for cultural purposes (Gippel, pers.

comm. 2008). A recreational fishing licence exemption applies to any aboriginal person fishing in

freshwater or saltwater, an Aboriginal person who is a party to a registered native title claim, or is

taking part in a traditional cultural activity as a member of a local land council, or in the company of a

member of the local land council (DPI 2008).

The following food safety recommendations for collecting and eating shellfish are included in the

Saltwater Fishing Guide (DPI, 2008): Under Section 47-48 of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act 1983,

access permits and agreements for hunting, fishing and gathering can be obtained.

Do not collect shellfish:

• After rainfall. Periods after rainfall are especially high risk for shellfish collection. Waiting several

days after the water clears (the muddy look has gone) following rainfall will reduce the risk of

bacterial and viral contamination.

• From water affected by algae blooms. Algae can appear as red water discolorations, including

green, yellow, brownish and an oily or milky appearance. Other blooms can show no

discoloration but be highly toxic at low levels. Always check signs and local media for information

on algal alerts.

• If the area is closed to fishing by NSW DPI. For example, it is prohibited to collect shellfish from

Sydney Harbour and various other waterways.

3.7.5 HRC Coastal Lakes Assessment

An Independent Inquiry into Coastal Lakes was carried out by the Healthy Rivers Commission (HRC)

in 2002. HRC placed all NSW coastal lakes into one of the four classes, based on a range of

vulnerability and sensitivity factors (HRC, 2002). Pipe Clay Lake was placed in the category of

“targeted repair”, which is the lowest category, suggesting that the system is currently in a

significantly degraded state (with limited natural values). Sustainability Assessment and

Management Plans (SAMPs) were recommended for each coastal lake by HRC (2002). It was

viewed that the SAMPs would define what activities can and cannot be carried out within the lake and

catchment, given the capability and limitations of the lake to sustain existing and likely future human

activities.

The lake-specific sustainability assessments would be based on more detailed information about

individual coastal lakes, and would build on existing information, such as Estuary Processes Studies

and soil maps, wherever possible. HRC (2002) indicated that lake-specific assessments should

consider, as a minimum:

• Key ecosystem processes and thresholds;

• Catchment processes;

• Environmental and ecosystem values;

• Indigenous values;



• Sustainable resource usage;

• Resident values;

• Public health implications; and

• Existing and possible future mechanisms for implementing strategies.

HRC (2002) suggested that the nature and scope of the sustainability assessments should be

influenced by the management orientation (or class) of the lake. For example, assessments for

Comprehensive Protection lakes (ie the highest level of protection) would focus on identifying actions

required for restoring and preserving natural processes, whereas assessments for Targeted Repair

lakes may be focused on mitigating adverse effects, such as algal blooms.

LAND USE AND PLANNING 33


4 LAND USE AND PLANNING

4.1 Land Development

The Pipe Clay Lake catchment was transferred from the former Pristine Waters Local Government

Area to Coffs Harbour Local Government Area in May 2005. Land use zonings under the Pristine

Waters Local Environmental Plan 1992 (LEP) were reviewed and modified to fit with the Coffs

Harbour LEP 2000 framework through LEP amendment No 32. This amendment was gazetted by

the state government in July 2009 and established new environmental zonings enabling protection of

the current habitat and water quality values. The heritage assessment by Kayandel Archaeology,

described in Section 5.2.2.1, contributed to the LES process.

4.1.1 Corindi Shores Estate

At the time of the field visit (July 2008), the construction of the Corindi Shores Development was well

underway in accordance with existing consent provided under provisions of the Ulmarra Local

Environmental Plan. The consent allows for a further 226 lots and has resulted in the clearing of

about ten hectares of land, including some swamp forest. The development, known as Corindi

Shores Estate, includes very large houses that contrast with the existing village atmosphere. The

present development footprint covers the areas bound by Coral Street to the west, Pacific Street to

the south, Park Street and Burns Crescent to the North and Kelly Street and the Public Reserve to

the east. An oblique aerial perspective of the site is shown in Figure 4-1.

There are a number of development applications expected to be determined in the near future that

may also have the potential for significant impacts on the estuary (as well as cultural heritage

impacts). This includes land to the north of the estuary, adjoining the north arm and land across the

road from Corindi Beach shops. Across from the shops there is existing consent for commercial

premises and a desire for residential development has been expressed by owners.

4.1.2 Local Environmental Study

The Corindi Red Rock Local Environmental Study was prepared in June 2008. The study reports on

investigations into a broad range of environmental (including social and economic) issues associated

with the land. It identifies future uses and associated land use planning issues. Under the

Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, a LES must be prepared prior to the preparation

of an LEP.

While the LES has including vegetation mapping of EECs and a cultural heritage assessment, it does

not specifically mention or directly consider Pipe Clay Lake. Planning recommendations relevant to

the estuary’s catchment, and therefore those that have potential to impact upon Pipe Clay Lake have

been identified and are listed in Table 4-1.



Figure 4-1 Oblique aerial perspective of the Corind i Shores Development area (source: Domain web

site)

Figure 4-2 Development pressure adjacent to the est uary



Table 4-1 Planning recommendations from the LES rel evant to Pipe Clay Lake

Land Description Previous zone under Ulmarra

LEP 1992

Recommended zone in accordance with Coffs Harbour City LEP 2000

Potential implications for estuary processes and

management?

Land subject to previous provisions enabling rural residential subdivision within two kilometres of villages

1 (a) General Rural

Rural 1A Agricultural Zone

Land Previously identified for future urban investigation in the Ulmarra LEP

1 (e) Rural “E” Urban Investigation

Rural 1A Agriculture Zone, except where EECs have been mapped, then zoned 7A.

Improved conservation

All residential land in the villages of Corindi Beach and Red Rock

(v) Village Residential 2A Low Density Zone

No notable change

Lot 6 DP214981 being 17 McDougall Street Corindi Beach (“to correct mapping anomaly”)

7(fl) Environmental Protection – Coastal Lands Protection

Residential 2A Low Density Zone

Any increase in development in the catchment has potential to impact on the estuary.

Lots 1 and 2 DP730305, and Lot 44, DP1059403 at Pacific Streets (bounded by Tasman Street and Golden Panda Drive, Corindi Beach

3 (b) Business Business 3F Neighbourhood Zone

Land owned by the Department of Education, Corindi Public School at the corner of Coral Street and Red Rock Road, Corindi Beach (Lots 128, 152, 159, 160, 161 & 162, DP 752820 and Lot 182 DP 821089)

1 (a) General Rural

Special Uses 5A Community Purposes (Public School)

The Corindi Reserve (Racecourse and Sportsgrounds) at Lot 2 , DP 1021768

Portion of Lot zoned 1 (a) General Rural

Open Space 6A Public Recreation with mapped high value vegetation being zoned Environmental Protection 7A Habitat and Conservation

Improved conservation

Land unzoned (between mean high water mark and mean low water mark)

unzoned Remain unzoned consistent with lands north of Muttonbird Island and adjacent to the Solitary Islands Marine Park for resolution in the standard LEP review

No change

EEC mapped area, any areas of high or medium aboriginal cultural landscape heritage and lands generally east of Red Rock Road

For example, 7f(1) Environmental Protection 7(A)

Re-zoning of the recently sold land adjacent to the north arm (refer Figure 5-2 and Section 5.4.2). This means that residential dwellings are changed from a development allowed with consent to one allowed without consent. Any increase in development in the catchment has potential to impact on the estuary.



4.1.3 Our Living City Settlement Strategy

The Our Living City Settlement Strategy was adopted by Coffs Harbour City Council in July 2007, and

endorsed by Department of Planning In November 2007. The strategy maps areas for future urban

development over a period of 24 years. While the Department of Planning has endorsed some of the

recommendations within the document, this does not include the zones for Corindi Beach Village

(mapped in Figure 4-3).

Figure 4-3 Mapped areas of residential investigatio n (3) and Investigation area future hotel

(2) for the catchment from the Settlement Strategy

4.1.4 Implications of landuse planning for estuary health

Planning decisions within the catchment have essentially had, and will continue to have, the biggest

influence on the environmental condition of Pipe Clay Lake. This, in turn, will determine the degree to

which cultural practices, including the getting of wild resources, can continue. The Estuary

Management Plan will therefore have a large focus on planning recommendations. A good

suggestion made by a representative of the Gumbaynggirr community was for a walk over of the

estuary and its surrounds by the Coffs Harbour City Council planning department, guided by

representatives of the local Aboriginal community. This would give planners a better understanding

of what is at stake when planning decisions are made and a chance to experience the living nature of

culture and how it relates to environmental health.

4.2 Solitary Islands Marine Park

The Solitary Island Marine Reserve was proclaimed in 1991, and following community lobbying, was

upgraded to the Solitary Island Marine Park in 1997. The marine park has multiple zones, with



varying activities permitted. Pipe Clay Lake is one of two Special Purpose Zones within the marine

park that allow for Aboriginal cultural use, research or rehabilitation. The other cultural site within the

Park is at Arrawarra Headland.

4.2.1 Conservation Planning for the ‘Special Purpose Zone’

A specific Conservation Plan for the Yarrawarra Headland “Special Uses” zone within the Solitary

Islands Marine Park was adopted in 2006. This Conservation Plan was developed through extensive

discussion, story-telling and co-operation between the NSW Marine Parks Authority, the Garby Elders

and Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation. This Conservation Plan for the Arrawarra Headland zone

outlines the activities that will be undertaken by local Indigenous persons and research groups. The

Conservation Plan specifies the regulatory framework for resource use under the Marine Parks Act

1997 and identifies who has access, on what occasions, species to be taken and methods of use. It

also addresses on-going use for educational and research purposes.

A Conservation Plan of this nature is intended to be developed for Pipe Clay Lake in the near future.

This Conservation Plan will build on the work of the present Estuary Management Plan and will focus

on traditional harvesting and involvement by local Indigenous groups.

4.3 Crown Land

The land surrounding Pipe Clay Lake is Crown Land: Corindi Beach Reserve which covers an area of

approximately 53 hectares and includes approximately one third of the land within the Pipe Clay Lake

catchment including most of the core estuary precinct.

Corindi Beach Reserve has an extensive coastal frontage that encompasses a range of eco-systems.

It supports a wide variety of public use including sporting fields, pony club activities, public hall,

nature-based passive recreation activities and the Corindi Beach Holiday Park. (Further information

see Appendix D)

Land ownership around Pipeclay Lake is presented in Figure 4-4.



Figure 4-4 Land ownership around Pipeclay Lake (Sou rce: CHCC)

SIGNIFICANCE, VALUES AND ISSUES 39


5 SIGNIFICANCE, VALUES AND ISSUES

5.1 Literature review

A background literature review of the significance and values of Pipe Clay Lake was undertaken prior

to field visits. Published material in both Australian and international journals in the field of inter-

cultural studies relating specifically to Pipe Clay Lake and this small pocket of Gumbaynggirr culture

is abundant. This is in distinct contrast to the dearth of environmental data. In particular, the

University of New England and the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation have worked together on

research in the inter-cultural field.

A review of other relevant NSW Estuary Management Plans was also undertaken (particularly in

respect to cultural management), as well as other documents beyond the coastal management

discipline.

Relevant Estuary Management Plans where aboriginal cultural heritage maintenance has been

incorporated, included:

• Wallaga Lake (Bega Valley and Eurobodalla Shire Councils, 2000);

• Shoalhaven River (Umwelt 2006); and

• Clarence River (Umwelt, 2003).

While the need for increased inclusion of Aboriginal people in Natural Resource Management was

recognised by each of the Estuary Management Plans reviewed, specific details of how the

Aboriginal community should be included in estuary management were generally not given. Some

examples of typical actions to involve Aboriginal communities are in the design and management of

foreshore reserves, completion of cultural heritage studies, and inclusion of Aboriginal people in

natural resource management committees. The Shoalhaven Estuary Management Plan (Umwelt

2006), in particular, had clearly integrated considerations related to the Aboriginal community

throughout the document.

Interestingly, none of the previous Estuary Management Plans specifically addressed the safe

harvesting of wild resources, which is an important aspect for Pipe Clay Lake.

Key findings of research conducted in northern Australia under the “Healthy Country, Healthy People”

Program (Putnis et al 2007) indicated that people taking part in customary and contemporary land

and sea management practices are much healthier, with reduced rates of diabetes and

cardiovascular disease than non-participants. This may also indicate potential for funding and

opportunities beyond the natural resources arena (eg state and federal health departments).

The literature review reiterated the abundance of published information linking living culture to Pipe

Clay Lake Estuary. To have access to this level of information is unusual for a NSW estuary and

represents a real opportunity to manage living culture through the estuary management framework.



5.2 Cultural and Heritage Significance

5.2.1 History

Information regarding the lifestyle of Aboriginal people prior to the arrival of non-Aboriginal people is

extremely limited. It is known that the local Aboriginal populations were semi-sedentary, living in

coastal base camps in areas of dense vegetation that afforded greater protection from the elements

(McFarlane 1934:5, Belshaw 1978; cited in Kayandel 2007). Occupation of the study area by

Aboriginal people is at least as old as the present day coastline itself, as the lowest layer of Seelands

Rock shelter has been dated at approximately 6400BC.

As with the rest of the state, conflict and murder of Aboriginal people was a feature of the

dispossession of Aboriginal people in the greater Corindi area. For example, a well documented

massacre of Aboriginal people occurred at Red Rock, where many Aboriginal people were herded

over the cliff by men on horses.

The history of land ownership and Aboriginal occupation for the site differs from other areas in NSW

and has resulted in an ongoing living cultural link between the estuary and the local Aboriginal

community. Beach front land was reserved for ‘Roadway and other purposes’ in 1884 and during the

20th century Aboriginal people lived on the lands under permissive occupancies, which also allowed

for grazing and vegetable gardens. Exclusion of Aboriginal people from the white settlement was

emphasised by the “No mans land fence”. However, this also allowed self sufficiency outside the

reservations and missions that operated elsewhere in NSW. The Aboriginal community survived with

a combination of traditional knowledge and introduced European skills.

Figure 5-1 The location of the “no mans land” fence (source Yarrawarra Aboriginal

Corporation et al 2000)



5.2.2 Aboriginal cultural significance

A research project was undertaken by the NSW National Parks

and Wildlife Service (now DECC) and the Gumbaynggirr people

to undertake mapping and assessment of places associated with

the use of wild resources by the Gumbaynggirr people, both in

the past and present day (English 2002). The study primarily

focused on the experiences of living people, effectively mapping

use from about 1950 to the present day.

As described in English (2002), the values that Aboriginal people

ascribe to their environment are many and complex. Fishing,

plant food collecting, hunting and the utilisation of wild medicines

are some examples of how contemporary Aboriginal identity and

culture is linked to Pipe Clay Lake estuary.

English (2002) emphasises that environmental change brought

about by recent European development has had an impact on Aboriginal people’s culture that

extends well beyond the loss of archaeological sites. It has affected geographical spaces that have

been utilised by Aboriginal people, both in the recent past and during pre-European times, for a range

of land uses, from single food trees to areas of beach and woodland where community members

continue to carry out a range of activities, including passing on cultural knowledge, and places linked

to stories and beliefs.

Of particular significance at Pipe Clay Lake is the “old camp”, where the Gumbaynggirr people were

relocated to in the 1920s, and remained until the late 1980s.

The Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation was established in the late 1980s as a training, employment

and cultural centre. It conserves and interprets local Aboriginal sites while developing significant

cultural education and eco-tourism facilities. The Corporation is located close to Pipe Clay Lake,

which forms an important part of the local cultural heritage scenery (including an educational bush-

tucker walk).

5.2.2.1 Specific Aboriginal sites

Pipe Clay Lake and its surrounds are abundant in both registered and unregistered archaeological

sites and special places. Unregistered sites include both known and unknown sites. In order to

protect these sites strong planning controls need to be adopted and enforced.

Kayandel (2007) considered both European and Aboriginal cultural heritage sites as part of an

assessment for the Local Environment Study (refer to Section 4.1.2) and planned Local

Environmental Plan Amendment. While the study maps and lists sites in the vicinity of Pipe Clay

Lake, it does not provide any details on the extent or integrity of the site. A reproduction of these

maps in the current report is not appropriate. Recommendations for the future management of sites

are included. This includes the need to register previously unregistered sites with relevant regulatory

authorities.



An important issue is the number of significant cultural heritage sites that are not protected under

existing Heritage Law, as they are not specific archaeological locations (English, 2002). Kayandel

(2007) identified 73 unregistered sites in the Corindi Red Rock area. Management strategies to be

included in the Estuary Management Plan explore opportunities for preserving areas of cultural

significance using existing, or new, planning instruments, such as the Local Environment Plan (LEP)

or Development Control Plans (DCPs), and land tenure of areas of special interest.

5.2.2.2 Custodial role

It was made known to the study team during consultation that members of the Gumbaynggirr

Aboriginal community would like to have an active custodial role in the management of Pipe Clay

Lake. Opportunistic involvement in estuary management is already significant. For example:

• Over the past ten years, Indigenous Green Teams from the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation

have contributed to estuary management through the construction and maintenance of the bush

tucker boardwalk and bush regeneration works.

• Water quality samples have been collected by Aboriginal people as part of the limited sampling

that has taken place.

• During the fish sampling undertaken by DPI Fisheries, representatives from Yarrawarra provided

on-boat assistance.

• The existence of a caretaker at the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation may act as a deterrent to

vandals.

• During the present field investigations, many interested community members provided

assistance and advice.

This custodial role is considered a significant asset that should be maintained and enhanced to

provide the best chance for future sustainability.

5.2.2.3 Non-Aboriginal history

The following summary has been modified from the recent report by Kayandel (2007).

The first reported visual contact between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people occurred in 1770

during Captain Cook’s voyage. During this visit, Cook named the Solitary Islands. The first

documented non-Aboriginal association with the Red Rock / Corindi area was the establishment of a

public house by Major Oakes in 1841. This official district centre included the Commissioner’s

quarters, the police station, the Courts and the punishment area.

Kayandel (2007) describes a number of structures of heritage value in the Corindi area, however,

none of these are directly associated with the estuary itself.



5.3 Estuary Values

5.3.1 Solitary Islands Marine Park

In recognition of the cultural connections to Pipe Clay Lake, the Marine Parks Authority (MPA) has

zoned the lagoon as Special Uses (Zone 3). This zone has been established for rehabilitation,

cultural use and research activities in the area.

5.3.2 Recreation

The recreational value of the estuary was recognised by everyone consulted with for this project.

Many people from Corindi village enjoy walking along the boardwalk, although some were unsure if

they should seek permission from Yarrawarra before doing so. The boardwalk was considered by

many as a key feature of the area and somewhere to take visitors.

5.3.3 Ecology

As discussed in Section 3.7, the estuary includes saltmarsh and swamp forest, both of which are

listed as endangered ecological communities. More detailed information on the ecology and

associated values is not available.

5.3.4 Ongoing cultural use

A significant value of Pipe Clay Lake is the fact that it has been utilised continuously for a wide range

of cultural purposes by the Gumbaynggirr people (English, 2002). This is unusual along the NSW

coast as many Aboriginal Groups were relocated and prohibited from accessing lands that they

traditionally inhabited. In the book ‘No Mans Land’ (Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation et al 1999),

Tony Perkins explains that this particular group ‘never got under the Welfare Protection Board or the

Churches’ allowing the group to maintain their freedom. In the 1880s, the ‘no mans land’ fence

became the defining line leaving a strip of land behind the beach still available for regular use by

Aboriginal people. This area includes Pipe Clay Lake and was the site of a number of camps

including semi-permanent houses in use up till the late 1980s (Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation et

al 1999). The area is still utilised today by Aboriginal people for a range of purposes (English 2002,

Beck et al 2002 and personal observations).

Pipe Clay Lake has “played an important role in survival and cultural maintenance during the 20th

century” by facilitating the telling of traditional stories, acting as a site for harvesting of wild resources,

and fulfilling other cultural roles (Perkins et al, 2002). The estuary and its surrounds are rich in both

registered and unregistered archaeological and cultural sites (Kayandel, 2007). The Gumbaynggirr

community wish to have an active custodial role in estuary management for Pipe Clay Lake.

The health of waterways and the land is central to Aboriginal heritage. Archaeological and cultural

sites are extremely important and their on-going protection should be a very high priority. An equal

priority should be placed on protecting and enhancing the living cultural link between Pipe Clay Lake

and the local Aboriginal population. This is of utmost importance for a number of reasons, including:

• The benefits for estuary health resulting from a dedicated population of people - estuaries need

champions!;



• A unique opportunity to maintain a coastal culture which is at least 6000 years old by providing a

resource for the passing on of knowledge and practices;

• Social benefits, including health benefits for indigenous populations at a time when this is a

national priority.

5.4 Issues

A number of issues to be considered in the development of an Estuary Management Plan for Pipe

Clay Lake have been identified. These are briefly described in the following sections.

5.4.1 Stormwater pollution

Perhaps the key issue for Pipe Clay Lake is the quality and quantity of water entering the system

directly from the stormwater system that drains most of Corindi village. The drain is concrete and

does not allow for any treatment of stormwater before it reaches the estuary. For more information

on this aspect, refer to Section 3.6.1.1.

5.4.2 Catchment development

Urban development within the catchment began impacting on Pipe Clay Lake in the 1970s (Perkins

et al, 2002). This was at a time when Gumbaynggirr people were still relying on the Lake for a range

of resources (Perkins et al 2002). Implementation of the Corindi Beach Sewerage Scheme in recent

years has reduced the impact of urban development, however, in recent times (Feb, 2009) the sewer

pump station overflowed during a storm, with the system still nowhere near design capacity. The

catchment is currently experiencing another period of significant urban growth and additional

development pressure, so further sewer overflows appear inevitable unless the system is remediated.

The recent clearing for the Corindi Shores estate resulted in the loss of around six hectares of swamp

forest to make way for 226 houses (refer to Section 4.1.1). The cleared land was a known wildlife

corridor and contains a series of natural springs which feed the estuary. The land is also likely to

have had a water quality filtering role. Sediment control for the Corindi Shores Development is

unlikely to have complied with development controls. Some of the key pressures on the estuary from

a development perspective are shown in Figure 5-2.

Further development pressure in the catchment is evident. For example a large parcel of land

adjacent to the north arm of the estuary recently sold to a private developer. Consultation with this

developer during the site visit indicates an intention to develop the site for a personal residence and

tourist development (refer to red parcel of land in Figure 5-2).

5.4.3 Protection of nonregistered sites

Non-registered archaeological sites and places of Aboriginal significance are particularly vulnerable.

In the recent assessment for Coffs Harbour City Council, Kayandel (2007) identified 73 previously

unregistered sites in the Corindi and Red Rock Area. Predictive modelling indicated that the

likelihood of finding further sites is very high. There is some concern that these may not receive

adequate consideration through the development assessment process.



Figure 5-2 Development pressure in the Pipe Clay La ke catchment



5.4.4 Lack of environmental data

The background data review showed that environmental data on Pipe Clay Lake is very limited. This

implies that the conditions and processes of the estuary are not well understood. Future changes in

ecological and water quality conditions, particularly in response to current and future development

activity within the catchment, are not being be monitored and therefore are not being used to inform

environmental management and landuse decision making.

5.4.5 Inadequate knowledge of Aboriginal significance

This issue has been documented in previous reports (e.g. English 2002, Kayandel 2007 and

Somerville 2005). It was also an issue expressed by some members of the Gumbaynggirr

community during the consultation.

5.4.6 Disjointed management

The history of Council changes and amalgamations has resulted in disjointed management of the

estuary. For example, locating environmental data collected during the Corindi Beach Sewerage

scheme was particularly difficult as it had been managed by a previous, now disbanded, Council.

5.4.7 Misunderstanding regarding purpose and objective of boardwalk

Members of the Corindi Beach Village consulted during the site visit were unsure of the status of the

boardwalk and whether it was available for public use. The boardwalk has been constructed by

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation for the purpose of a bush tucker cultural walk. Dee Murphy of the

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation was present at one meeting where this issue was raised and

advised that the boardwalk is located on Public land and is therefore available for use by the general

public. The reason that the boardwalk has not been well sign posted primarily relates to attempts to

minimise vandalism.

5.4.8 Inappropriate use of the boardwalk

Inappropriate uses of the boardwalk are damaging the structure. These uses include people on

horses, motorbikes and pushbikes.

5.4.9 Weed invasion

The Yarrawarra Indigenous Green Teams have already undertaken significant bush regeneration and

weed removal works around the estuary. Weed invasion, however, remains a threat and is an issue

that will require on-going works.

5.4.10 Use of herbicides and pesticides in the catchment

There is some concern within the community that herbicides being used in the catchment are

impacting on wetlands and the estuary. Council would be the main user of herbicides and pesticides

as part of land management protocols. Very limited sampling and assessment of pesticides in

estuary sediments was undertaken during the present field investigations, however, more detailed

monitoring is required to assess this issue.



5.4.11 Safety of wild resources from human health perspective

A key issue expressed by individuals from the Gumbaynggirr community was the safety of wild

resources from the estuary from a human health perspective. Pollutants of concern include human

specific pathogens, heavy metals and pesticides. This issue relates directly to many other issues

including the lack of environmental data (refer to Section 5.4.4), stormwater pollution (refer to Section

5.4.1) and catchment development (refer to Section 5.4.2).

5.4.12 Erosion and subsequent loss of old casuarinas and banksias

Bank erosion is evident in the lower estuary in the vicinity of the barbeque area. Of particular concern

is the loss of old trees including both casuarinas and banksias. The rate and impact of bank erosion

over a four year period can be seen by comparing photos taken in 2008 and 2004 (see Figure 5-3,

Figure 5-4).

Figure 5-3 Site of bank erosion near the BBQ area, note stump from large Casuarina (July 2008)



Figure 5-4 The BBQ area in 2004, note the large Cas uarina, which is gone in 2008

5.4.13 Appreciation of catchment processes and impacts by Corindi Beach community

The consultation with the Corindi Beach community revealed that a number of locals had very limited

knowledge of catchment processes and how these impact on the estuary. Three different people

spoken to during the course of the site visit were not even aware of the existence of the estuary. This

may in part be attributed to the pattern of “sea change” throughout NSW and also recent residential

developments, resulting in an influx of ‘new locals’ to the area. This issue identifies an opportunity to

improve catchment runoff through community education.

5.4.14 Legacy of DA approvals from Pristine Waters Council

This issue is related to the legacy of disjointed management attached to transfer of responsibility

between Councils following recent amalgamations. As a consequence, Coffs Harbour City Council is

now bound by development approvals granted by the former Pristine Waters Council. The Corindi

Shores development falls into this category, as does an activated DA for 3 shops opposite the

present shop in the vicinity of the stormwater drain (refer to yellow parcel of land on Figure 5-2).

5.4.15 Dilapidated state of natural spring and former dam adjacent to caravan park

Adjacent to the caravan park is a water hole approximately 6 metres long by 3 metres wide that was

initially the site of a freshwater spring utilised by Aboriginal people and subsequently used as the

water supply for Corindi Beach Village (refer Figure 5-5). A former timber water tower remains on the

site. The fence surrounding the dam is in a state of disrepair and the area is being invaded by

weeds. The site is considered a safety issue and also represents an opportunity for rehabilitation of

an important historical site.



While the spring is not tidal, it would have historically supplied freshwater to the estuary and its

proximity to the estuary means it has potential to form a valuable vegetation link.

Figure 5-5 Natural spring and historic dam located adjacent to caravan park

5.4.16 Crown Land

Land surrounding Pipeclay Lake needs to provide greater security of protection, and more scope for

formal management agreements with the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation.

5.4.17 Fire Management

Deliberately and accidentally lit fires are an issue in the area surrounding Pipe Clay Lake. The

impacts of this have included damage to the boardwalk structure (as was apparent at the time of the

field visit). Other impacts relevant to estuary processes and management include impacts on native

flora and fauna, encouragement of weed invasion and potential increased pollutant loads from runoff

into the lake.

MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES 50


6 MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES

The following Management Objectives have been derived based on the estuary processes

assessment and consultation with community and government authorities. The objectives are listed

in no particular prioritised order.

1. To facilitate the traditional harvesting of wild resources with confidence

2. To reduce sediment and nutrient loads entering the estuary

3. To maintain the boardwalk

4. To manage weed invasion along the estuary

5. To strengthen and protect the existing association between the local Gumbaynggirr people and the Pipe Clay Lake estuary.

6. To ensure that implications for Pipe Clay Lake are fully considered during landuse planning and development assessment processes.

7. To collect a range of environmental data to help understand the important processes and overall condition of Pipe Clay Lake.

8. To manage Crown lands in a manner that maximises protection and opportunity for Aboriginal management

OPTIONS FOR FUTURE MANAGEMENT 51


7 OPTIONS FOR FUTURE MANAGEMENT

This chapter outlines a range of potential options for improving and enhancing the future

management of Pipe Clay Lake. These options attempt to address the specific Management

Objectives defined in the previous chapter.

Of particular importance for future management of Pipe Clay Lake is the support, encouragement and

enhancement the on-going role of the local Aboriginal people in the management of the estuary,

building on the strong traditions and practices for looking after country. As described by English

(2002), culture is increasingly being recognised as a continually evolving phenomenon – the key to

preserving the cultural significance of the estuary therefore lies in encouraging and enhancing the

relationship between new generations of Aboriginal people and Pipe Clay Lake. An important aspect

of maintaining this close connection will be the protection of culturally important resources, places

and sites. Documentation of these aspects has a good base through the work undertaken by English

(2002) and Kayandel (2007). Communicating the significance of these places to land use planners

will be crucial to ensuring their protection.

The Australian State of the Environment Committee (ASEC) reports on indigenous involvement in

environmental and heritage management in the five yearly State of the Environment Reports. ASEC

(2006) describes the challenges of this as including the degraded state of lands and waterways being

returned to indigenous control and cultural barriers in sharing technical language, methods and

information with indigenous knowledge.

Potential management options for Pipe Clay Lake are described below.

7.1 Strategy 1: Implement a Monitoring Program to Improve Confidence in Wild Resource Harvesting

Principles of monitoring described in the Shell Fish Program Operations Manual (Safefood NSW,

2001) should be adapted to Pipe Clay Lake for the purpose of managing food safety risks. The

monitoring should focus on faecal coliforms and include both random sampling and adverse

conditions monitoring. The random sampling should be planned sufficiently in advance to stop

conditions influencing sample collection.

The key factor for success for this management option will be co-ordination and ownership of

responsibility. During the on-site consultation, a number of local Aboriginal people expressed interest

in being involved in such monitoring. This local, and increasingly skilled, resource was utilised in the

past during monitoring related to the impact assessment process for the Corindi Beach Sewerage

Scheme and considerable benefits for the estuary are possible through future utilisation of Aboriginal

people in a technical capacity. Possible organisations to co-ordinate this include the MPA and

Council.

The primary medium term (3 year) target would be to have in place clear guidelines of when the

system is likely to be suitable for harvesting (e.g., long term monitoring to determine rainfall

conditions and number of no harvest days as per NSW Safefood, 2001).



As well as the bacteriological monitoring, a range of other parameters of concern to human health,

such as heavy metals, could be incorporated into the monitoring program (including both water and

flesh sampling and analysis).

This option needs to include the provision of support to the Aboriginal community to participate such

as training, resources and financial support.

This management option addresses the following Management Objectives:


5. To strengthen and protect the existing association between the local Gumbaynggirr

people and the Pipe Clay Lake estuary

This management options addresses the following specific management issues:

• Safety of wild resources from human health perspective (refer Section 5.4.11).

7.2 Strategy 2: Implement a Monitoring Program to Determine Environmental Health

An environmental monitoring program should be introduced to increase the understanding of the

condition of the estuary and to inform management and assist with decision-making into the future.

This may include:

• A water level monitoring exercise (eg through the DECC/MHL NSW estuary tide monitoring

program) to give some information on the way the system responds to rainfall in the catchment

and tidal intrusion when the entrance is open. It could be complemented by water quality probes

to give simple information on physio-chemical conditions such as salinity and turbidity.

• Monitoring ecological outcomes. In the first instance this could focus on the indicators

recommended by the DECC MER (Monitoring Evaluation and Reporting) Strategy for NSW

estuaries. These are algal abundance, fish assemblages and macrophyte abundance. DECC

has expressed an interest in Councils and regional bodies being involved in the roll out of this

program in 2009, giving an opportunity to build capacity within Council or the CMA to monitor

and interpret these parameters. This could also be a good opportunity to include the local

Aboriginal community (eg through the existing environmental cadetship program run by the

Department of Environment and Climate Change).

• Standard nutrients and other physio-chemical parameters that can be used in the future for

calibrating catchment / receiving water models and to relate ecological response to catchment

activities. This could be co-ordinated by Council, and may be included in future conditions of

development consent.

• This option needs to include the provision of support to the Aboriginal community to participate

such as training, resources and financial support.






7. To collect a range of environmental data to help understand the important processes

and overall condition of Pipe Clay Lake


• Lack of environmental data (refer Section 5.4.4).

7.3 Strategy 3: Interactive Tour of Estuary for Council staff

This tour was first suggested during the community consultation by Jane Gardener. The idea of the

tour is to facilitate a working relationship between Council (particularly the planning department) and

the Gumbaynggirr community and to assist staff to get a better understanding of the values that are

under threat by future landuse changes, many of which do not translate well to paper reports. Staff

responsible for auditing the implementation of sediment control measures for new developments

could also attend the tour.

It is proposed that the interactive tour could be conducted by Milton Duroux and / or other local

elders, and assisted by as many interested members of the Aboriginal community as possible.



6. To ensure that implications for Pipe Clay Lake are fully considered during landuse

planning and development assessment processes

This management option addresses the following specific management issues:

• Catchment development (refer Section 5.4.2);

• Disjointed management (refer Section 5.4.6).

7.4 Strategy 4: Develop a Checklist for Council Staff when Assessing DAs around Pipe Clay Lake and Corindi Village

A ‘quick reference’ checklist should be developed as a tool to assist Council staff assess the likely

impacts of future development proposals on the environmental processes and values of Pipe Clay

Lake. The checklist could be used to consider future development proposals, potential management

strategies and other landuse activities proposed within or around the estuary and its catchment.



The checklist should be designed to give a basic level of understanding of potential impacts. It is

hoped that the simple nature of the document will allow a rapid method for assessing proposals

against known processes, issues and values.

In order for the checklist to be effective, it should sit within a new or existing Development Control

Plan (DCP). An example of the type of information that may be included in the checklist is presented

in Appendix B.







• Disjointed management (refer Section 5.4.6).

7.5 Strategy 5: Register all Known Sites of Cultural Significance under Heritage Law

Kayandel (2007) and English (2002) both recommend registering all unregistered sites under existing

Heritage Law provisions. It is important that sites are mapped so that they are not inadvertently

destroyed before being formally recognised, however, consideration needs to be given to the rights of

Aboriginal people as traditional knowledge holders. There have been some issues in the past with

the accuracy of GIS mapping and the inappropriate distribution of mapping of site. This is an on-

going issue that will need to be resolved in discussions with the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation,

appropriate elders and Jalumbo.







• Protection of non-registered sites (refer Section 5.4.3).

7.6 Strategy 6: Rehabilitate the Freshwater Spring Adjacent to the Caravan Park

This strategy is designed to be a joint venture between the Corindi Beach Caravan Park and the

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation. The spring has an important history as it originally provided water



to the local Gumbaynggirr community and went on to be the main water supply for the growing

township of Corindi Beach. It is now overgrown with weeds and represents a safety risk to caravan

park visitors and others. The surrounding fence is dilapidated. There remains some infrastructure at

the site that maybe of heritage significance, in particular, the wooden frame of the old pump house.

The present care taker of the caravan park has a strong history with land care and has expressed an

interest in assisting in rehabilitation works. The approach and objectives of the works would need to

be further negotiated with the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation and other interested Gumbaynggirr

representatives. This would be a good opportunity to utilise Indigenous Green Teams, such as those

already operating through Yarrawarra.







• Dilapidated state of natural spring and former dam adjacent to caravan park (refer Section

5.4.15).

7.7 Strategy 7: Maintain and Increase the Custodial Role in Estuary Management of the Local Aboriginal Community

Actions to potentially maintain the custodial link include:

• Bush regeneration and rehabilitation projects;

• Involvement of the Aboriginal community in environmental monitoring;

• Supporting indigenous university based research projects;

• Employment of local Aboriginal environmental cadets in local and state government;

• Facilitating the harvesting of wild resources through monitoring and environmental management

to assure health standards are met.

The Northern Rivers CMA is active in supporting Indigenous Green Teams within the catchment. The

Department of Environment and Climate Change and the Department of Health both routinely employ

Aboriginal cadets in the field of environmental management and environmental health. Employment

of a cadet of this nature in the Coffs Harbour area to help implement a cultural maintenance program

directly related to Natural Resource Management for estuaries including Pipe Clay Lake would be of

significant benefit.

This option needs to include the provision of support to the Aboriginal community to participate such

as training, resources and financial support.













• Inadequate knowledge of Aboriginal significance (refer Section 5.4.5).

7.8 Strategy 8: Implement a Community Education Program within the Catchment

This strategy is designed to improve the water quality of stormwater and catchment inputs to improve

estuary health and to reduce the percentage of time that harvesting of wild resources is not safe (e.g.,

reduction in pathogen inputs to the system as determined by bacteriological indicators). This will

include, for example, gutter stencilling, signage and bins for dog owners, general rubbish bins,

information packs for existing and new residents and articles in the community newsletter. There is

high potential for this to improve stormwater quality (in terms of nutrients, sediments and other

pollutants as well as bacteriological indicators) as a number of interested community representatives

from Corindi Beach were not aware that stormwater was not treated and that town stormwater

ultimately flowed to the estuary. An annual update on water quality monitoring could also be

distributed.





• Inadequate knowledge of Aboriginal significance (refer Section 5.4.5);

• Misunderstanding regarding purpose and objective of boardwalk (refer Section 5.4.7);

• Weed invasion (refer Section 5.4.9);

• Use of herbicides and pesticides in the catchment (refer Section 5.4.10);



• Appreciation of catchment processes and impacts by Corindi Beach community (refer Section

5.4.13).

7.9 Strategy 9: Improve Stormwater Management of Existing and New Development

Stormwater management within the catchment should be improved to reduce the quantity of runoff

and most importantly to improve the quality of water entering the estuary.

As a first step, the development of a small catchment model would assist in understanding the

catchment loads and flow on hydrodynamic and water quality processes of Pipe Clay Lake. This

would assist in the determination of the most appropriate stormwater management options.

Two possible approaches to improving stormwater management include stormwater harvesting and

bioretention. Irrigation of the racecourse may provide an opportunity for re-use of harvested

stormwater, while bioretention should be considered in the vicinity of the stormwater outlet near the

shops. Bioretention typically involves retention of stormwater with vegetation to reduce downstream

flow enabling sediments to settle out of the water taking along with it some pollutants (e.g. nutrients).

Consideration should also be given to installing end of pipe treatment measures (such as a Gross

Pollutant Trap) on the east side of Pacific Street.

An expected benefit of this strategy is an improvement to environmental conditions to increase the

abundance and health of wild resource populations (e.g., improved environmental health).

In addition to this strategy, it is essential that existing sediment control requirements for the

development stage are enforced.





• Stormwater pollution (refer Section 5.4.1).

7.10 Strategy 10: Ensure zonings and future developments within the catchment adequately reflect the environmental sensitivity of the lake

Whilst it is impossible for Council to overrule development consents granted previously by Ulmarra

Council, any future rezoning and/or development applications around Pipeclay Lake should be

subject to strict environmental controls.

Prior to any future rezoning within the catchment, environmental modelling and assessment should

be carried out and incorporated into the Local Environment Studies. The assessment should



investigate the increased sensitivity of the environment due to the 1) periodic opening of the lake

entrance, and 2) cultural landuses surrounding the lake, which may require:

• the development of a catchment model (i.e. strategy 9) in addition to other planning

requirements,

• an investigation into ICOLL breakout berm heights;

• environmental and water quality monitoring;

• consideration of appropriate environmental guidelines (eg ANZECC); and

• consideration of future climate change, including specifically sea level rise.

Future rezoning and development consent will then be subjected to strict WSUD targets to help

achieve environmental guidelines and minimise impacts on any downstream environments.






• Legacy of DA approvals from Pristine Waters Council (refer Section 5.4.14).

7.11 Strategy 11: Introduce an Environmental Planning Requirement for All New Development to Achieve No Net Increase in Pollutant Runoff Loads, through Best Practice Stormwater Management

Principles associated with this Environmental Planning Requirement (eg Water Sensitive Urban

Design Policy) could include:

• To facilitate the installation and use of best management practices to improve water quality

discharging from development sites of varying densities and scale within the catchment.

• To retain nutrients on site and/or to filter stormwater flows to remove nutrients prior to

discharging of stormwater from development sites into any constructed drains or local

waterways.

• The maintenance and use of vegetation on development sites be used to its best advantage in

minimising pollutant generation and managing nutrients on site.

Existing Council stormwater runoff / WSUD guidelines, plans and policies would need to be modified

(or new policies prepared as required) stipulating all new development to achieve either no net

increase in pollutant loads, or a reduction in TSS / TP / TN of 85% / 65% / 45% compared to no-

treatment scenario, whichever is the more stringent (excluding exempt and complying development).



The Policies should stipulate that modelling be used by developers to demonstrate compliance.

Council should become familiar with appropriate models to help assess the development

applications, or should outsource this review.






• Stormwater pollution (refer Section 5.4.1);


• Legacy of DA approvals from Pristine Waters Council (refer Section 5.4.14).

7.12 Strategy 12: Upgrade the BBQ Facilities and Picnic Tables

Erosion of the barbecue facilities and picnic tables adjacent to Pipe Clay Lake has been identified as

an issue. The area is highly utilised by local and visiting Aboriginal people. The facilities should be

upgraded in consultation with the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation, Land and Property

Management Authority, Corindi Beach Reserve Trust. This would be a good opportunity to utilise the

local Indigenous Green Teams such as those managed by the Yarrawarra Cultural Corporation.





• Erosion and subsequent loss of old casuarinas and banksias (refer Section 5.4.12).

7.13 Strategy 13: Restrict non-pedestrian access to the bushtucker boardwalk

Local promotion of the Pipe Clay Lake bushtucker boardwalk is considered to potentially increase the

likelihood of vandalism, however, the boardwalk already suffers from inappropriate use, including

horses, motorbikes and pushbikes. It is recommended that bollards / barriers be constructed at the

entry to the boardwalk that would make it difficult for access by horses and motorbikes. It is

important, however, that access for prams be maintained. The need for maintaining wheelchair

access along the boardwalk is expected to be low, given the generally rough terrain that needs to be

traversed in order to initially get to the boardwalk.



Once again, this would be a good opportunity to utilise the local Indigenous Green Teams such as

those managed by the Yarrawarra Cultural Corporation.






• Inappropriate use of the boardwalk (refer Section 5.4.8).

7.14 Strategy 14: SIMP Schools and Buddies Education Project

The Solitary Islands Marine Park has a School Excursion Kit which contains a range of information on

the Marine Park. Excursions are targeted at primary school age children, and include fact sheets,

project sheets and identification sheets relevant to each excursion. In the past, visitation to culturally

specific sites has also utilised the idea of a buddy system, where an Aboriginal child can invite a non-

Aboriginal buddy for an excursion. This would be useful for Pipe Clay Lake to maintain and enhance

the cultural link between Aboriginal people and the estuary and also would increase knowledge of the

estuary and its cultural significance amongst the wider Corindi Beach community. This could be

supported by the development of educational resources specific to Pipe Clay Lake (for example fact

sheets and project sheets). School excursions could include water quality monitoring and a range of

ecology-based educational outcomes.








• Inadequate knowledge of Aboriginal significance (refer Section 5.4.5);

• Misunderstanding regarding purpose and objective of boardwalk (refer Section 5.4.7);

• Appreciation of catchment processes by Corindi Beach community (refer Section 5.4.13).



7.15 Strategy 15: Identify reasons for sewer overflows and upgrade the system accordingly to minimise occurrences in the future

Storms around 18th February 2009 resulted in effluent from the sewer pump station overflowing into Pipe Clay Lake. Concern has been raised regarding the failure of the system, particularly given there is still a significant number of additional connections to come once Corindi Shore Estate becomes fully developed.

Increased flows to the sewerage system during storm events are usually the result of illegal connections and/or infiltration from stormwater. This strategy involves undertaking the necessary investigations to identify causes for the recent sewer overflow event. This may include smoke testing of individual properties to identify locations of illegal connections and infiltration.

Once identified, this strategy should then address the issues of concern. If it is found that the pump

station is simply under-designed, then the system should be upgraded to ensure minimal overflow

discharges, even when the whole urban catchment comes on-line.








• Appreciation of catchment processes by Corindi Beach community (refer Section 5.4.13).

7.16 Strategy 16: Opportunities to increase the role of the Aboriginal Community in managing the land surrounding Pipe Clay Lake

Opportunities to increase the role of the Aboriginal Community in managing this area should be

investigated including, but not limited to:

• A greater role in the reserve trustee group (such as the primary management role)

• A greater recognition through a revised plan of management,

This management option addresses the following Management Objectives.

8. To manage Crown lands in a manner that maximises protection and opportunity for

Aboriginal management


• Crown Land (refer Section 5.4.16).

ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN 62


8 ESTUARY MANAGEMENT PLAN

A program for implementation of the Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan has been developed

with tasks spanning an indicative timeframe of 5 years. The implementation details for each separate

estuary management strategy are provided in Table 8-1. Within this implementation table, key details

including implementation order, time frames and responsibilities are provided.

Strategies that are of relatively low cost and that require minimum resources and funding have been

identified for “Immediate” implementation. These strategies are designed to be implemented in the

first year following adoption of the Plan.

“Short Term” strategies will require a longer lead time and securing of greater resources and funding.

The Short Term strategies have been given an implementation time frame of approximately two to

three years. The “Medium Term” strategies are nominated for implementation within the next five

years. These strategies either require significant funding or are likely to have a less immediate

impact on the Management Objectives.

In addition to the strategies outlined below, it is imperative that Coffs Harbour City Council

implements and enforces environmental controls to prevent ongoing discharge of sediment and

pollutants from new developments upstream of the Pacific Street drain.



Table 8-1 Implementation Schedule for Pipe Clay Lak e Estuary Management Plan

Approximate

Implementation

order

Time Frame Strategy Description Implementation

responsibility

Costs Further

details

Measurable outcome

1 / 16 Immediate Strategy 15: Investigate and remediate cause of

sewer overflows from pump station into estuary

Coffs Harbour City Council $20,000 for investigation

Unknown costs for

remediation of problem

Refer

Section 7.15

Reduction / elimination of

sewer overflows from pump

station in future

2/16 Immediate Strategy 11: Introduce an environmental planning

requirement for all new development to achieve

no net increase in pollutant runoff loads, or pre-

determined reductions in runoff compared to no-

treatment scenario. This strategy, and others,

would benefit from a catchment model

Coffs Harbour City Council Staff time

Refer

Section 7.11

No net increase in pollutant

loads

3/16 Immediate Strategy 3: Organise an interactive cultural tour of

Pipe Clay Lake for Councils staff

Coffs Harbour City Council Staff Time plus

contribution to

Yarrawarra Cultural

Organisation

Refer

Section 7.3

Level of staff participation

(proportion of planning group

that attend)

4/16 Immediate Strategy 8: Implement a community stormwater

education program within the catchment. This

may be linked to other Council education

initiatives, particularly in respect to stormwater

management.

Coffs Harbour City Council Staff time plus printing

costs ($10,000)

Refer

Section 7.8

Improved community

awareness

5/16 Immediate Strategy 5: Include un-registered sites of

Aboriginal significance onto register to ensure

Coffs Harbour City Council,

DECCW (P&W), and local

Staff Time Refer

Section 7.5

Inclusion of previously

unlisted sites



Approximate

Implementation

order


responsibility

Costs Further

details

Measurable outcome

protection under Heritage Law Aboriginal community

6/16 Immediate and

ongoing

Strategy 7: Maintain and increase the custodial

role in estuary management of the local

Aboriginal community

Coffs Coast and Estuary

Management Committee

Variable in respect to

implementation of other

strategies, plus on-going

land management

maintenance costs

Refer

Section 7.7

Increased custodial role as

determined through

discussions with elders

7/16 Short Term

(within 2-3

years)

Strategy 1: Implement a monitoring program to

increase confidence in wild resource harvesting.

Monitoring focussing on faecal coliforms, with

both periodic and event-based sampling.

Coffs Harbour City Council

and the Solitary Islands

Marine Park Authority

$5,000 per year for

laboratory analysis.

Labour costs additional

(or voluntary)

Refer

Section 7.1

Monitoring data used to

advise community of

appropriate times for

harvesting (and not

harvesting) of wild resources

8/16 Short Term

(within 2-3

years)

Strategy 13: Restrict non-pedestrian access to

the bushtucker boardwalk through construction of

bollards or similar at the boardwalk entry.

Crown Lands Division $5,000 for material plus

labour

Refer

Section 7.13

Bollards etc constructed and

reduced incidence of

boardwalk damage

9/16 Short Term

(within 2-3

years)

Strategy 4: Develop a checklist for Council staff

to consult when assessing development

applications in and around Pipe Clay Lake and its

catchment (refer Appendix B for example)

Coffs Harbour City Council Minimal Refer

Section 7.4

Checklist being used –

development assessment

sympathetic to estuary

management

10/16 Short Term

(within 2-3

years)

Strategy 2: Implement an environmental

monitoring program, covering a range of

parameters, at a range of sites, and over

appropriate timescales. A pilot monitoring


DECCW

$10,000 per year Refer

Section 7.2

Environmental data actively

informing management

decisions



Approximate

Implementation

order


responsibility

Costs Further

details

Measurable outcome

program should be implemented for at least 12

months to determine feasibility and

appropriateness of monitoring regimes.

11/16 Short Term

(within 2-3

years)

Strategy 14: Pipe Clay Lake to be specifically

included in SIMP schools and buddies education

project

Solitary Islands Marine Park

Authority

Mainly staff time plus

printing of materials (say

$5,000)

Refer

Section 7.14

Number of children visiting

Pipe Clay Lake under formal

and informal education

programs

12/16 Short Term

(within 2-3

years)

Strategy 9: Improve stormwater management of

existing and new development. Consider

stormwater harvesting and bioretention, with

potential reuse on the racecourse. This would

require further investigations, including a

feasibility assessment (considering water

balance, demand, soil type, groundwater etc),

consultation, environmental assessment and

design.


Crown Lands Division

Total lifecycle costs for

bioretention and

stormwater harvesting

within the catchment

would be approximately

$50,000/ha of upstream

development

Refer

Section 7.9

Improved stormwater quality

entering Pipe Clay Lake.

13/16 Medium Term

(within 5 years)

Strategy 12: Upgrade the BBQ facilities and

picnic tables, with a focus on remediation of

eroded banks in vicinity of amenities

Crown Lands Division $10,000 for materials

plus labour costs

Refer

Section 7.12

Completion of works

14/16 Medium Term

(within 5 years)

Strategy 6: Rehabilitate the freshwater spring

adjacent to the caravan park, including bush

regeneration and restoration of heritage structure

Crown Lands Trust and

Yarrawarra Aboriginal

Corporation

$20,000 for material,

labour costs additional

Refer

Section 7.6

Rehabilitation works complete



Approximate

Implementation

order


responsibility

Costs Further

details

Measurable outcome

15/16 Medium Term

(within 5 years)

Strategy 10: Ensure zonings and future

developments within the catchment adequately

reflect the environmental sensitivity of the lake

through detailed environmental modelling and

assessment as part of future LESs

Coffs Harbour City Council Staff time

Refer

Section 7.10

No incompatible development

occurring within the

catchment

16/16 Medium Term Strategy 16: Opportunities to increase the

role of the Aboriginal Community in

managing Pipe Clay should be investigated

Crown Lands Division,

DECCW, Coffs Harbour

City Council, Yarrawarra

Aboriginal Corporation

Staff time Refer

Section 7.16

Lands under appropriate

tenure arrangements and

management agreement with

YAC.



8.1 Costs and Funding Opportunities

Costs for the Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan are considered modest. Excluding

stormwater management and sewer remediation works, costs total approximately $70,000, with an

additional $15,000 per year for monitoring. Most of these costs exclude labour costs, as it is

envisaged that a considerable component of the Plan can be implemented using the volunteer

services of Indigenous Green Teams (funded under external programs) and the local Aboriginal

community (as a way to increase their custodial role in estuary management). Additional funding

would be necessary should a catchment model be developed and if retrospective stormwater

management measures were to be pursued for existing development within the catchment (eg

stormwater harvesting and bioretention basins).

Implementation of the Estuary Management Plan is expected to be funded through a variety of

mechanisms, including government and non-government grant schemes, and in-kind contributions.

The availability of funds for the Plan will depend on relevant government programs. The

identification, application and success of grants will be an important component of the implementation

of this Plan.

The NSW Estuary Management Program provides 50/50 funding for most strategies included in an

adopted Estuary Management Plan prepared according to the NSW Estuary Management Manual

(eg. this Plan). Council’s are required to submit funding applications to DECCW (Coasts &

Floodplains), who administer the Estuary Management Program. All applications for grants across

the state are assessed and approved subject to their merit (including consistency with an adopted

Plan) and available annual funding.

Funding may be available through the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority. From 1st

July, 2008, most natural resource management funds allocated through the CMA will fall under the

Caring for our Country Program (which replaces the previous NHT programs). This current program

is expected to provide funding up to 2013.

Funding may be available through local government for environment-related projects, however, there

is typically strong competition for the limited funds available. Councils have the ability to introduce

levies for special funding under the provisions of the Local Government Act 1993. Historically,

Councils have used this to collect monies for a range of purposes, including environmental works,

sustainability works, stormwater management works and so on. These levies, however, are not

perpetual, and therefore cannot be relied upon in the future for on-going revenue demands.

A number of private sector companies periodically offer environmental grants that could be applied

for to assist in implementing the Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan.

For options directly related to maintaining and enhancing Aboriginal culture and heritage a range of

funding opportunities additional to the usual estuary management sources may also be available.

These include those listed in Table 8-2.



Table 8-2 Funding opportunities linking Aboriginal cultural maintenance and heritage to estuary

management

Initiative / Objective Relevant Department

Web site

Caring for our Country – National Reserves Systems

- to buy high priority land to be turned into a protected area, establish a private protected area on high priority land already owned by Aboriginal groups and to develop cooperative arrangements between Indigenous groups and nature conservation agencies for the management of protected areas

C’th Dept Environment, Water, Heritage & Arts

http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/nrs.html

Caring for our Country – Working on Country

- builds on Indigenous knowledge of protecting and managing land and sea country. It provides funding for Indigenous people to deliver environmental outcomes to the Australian Government.

C’th Dept Environment, Water, Heritage & Arts

http://www.nrm.gov.au/funding/open.html

Various CMA Programs

- Coordinate natural resource management by helping land managers improve and restore natural resources

Catchment Management Authorities

http://www.cma.nsw.gov.au/

Elsa Dixon Aboriginal Employment Program

- encourage the permanent employment and professional mobility of Aboriginal people in the public service and local government sector, with special incentives for the employment of Aboriginal people with a disability; promote innovation in achieving vocational outcomes for Aboriginal people; and enhance the career prospects of Aboriginal people undertaking higher levels of education and training.

NSW Dept of Education & Training

https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/eas/acomm/elsa/about.html

Research Program

- Improved systems of managing land, water, plants and animals in ways which will enhance the productivity and quality of food, fisheries, plants and forests, while simultaneously conserving the natural environment, preserving biodiversity, avoiding pollution of soils and water, and enhancing human health and welfare.

Hermon Slade Foundation

http://www.hermonslade.org.au/guidelines.html

Conservation Grants

- Fostering the protection of Australia’s native animals and plants and cultural heritage

Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife

http://www.fnpw.org.au/



Initiative / Objective Relevant Department

Web site

NSW Heritage Grants Program

- To assist owners and managers of state significant heritage items, Aboriginal heritage and local government heritage management in NSW

Heritage Office NSW

http://www.heritage.nsw.gov.au/02_subnav_01.htm

Heritage Grants

- to assist the identification, assessment and listing of heritage items across NSW

Royal Australian Historical Society

http://www.rahs.org.au/grants.html

8.2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Review

Implementation of the Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan should be monitored by the Coffs

Coast and Estuary Management Advisory Committee on an on-going basis. A thorough audit and

review of plan implementation should be undertaken after five years. A plan for the evaluation and

review is presented in Table 8-3.

Table 8-3 Pipe Clay Lake Estuary Management Plan Au dit and Review Schedule

Review Period

Review tasks Responsibility

Annual • Are strategies being implemented within given time frames?

• What has been achieved through the strategies implemented so far?

• What has been achieved compared to the planned measurable outcome? (refer to Table 8-1)

• Review funding arrangements and allocations for current and future management strategies

• Review resourcing and staffing allocations for current and future management strategies

• Provide report on progress of Estuary Management Plan implementation, results of annual review, and any modifications required to the Plan coming out of the review

• Present and where possible, interpret any environmental monitoring / research undertaken as part of the EMP

• Provide newsletter for posting on Council web sites, disseminated via email and other avenues to community and stakeholder contacts

To be coordinated through Council

Officers and reported to Councils, CEMAC, relevant stakeholders

and government agencies

After 5 years • Consider appointing an external consultant to undertake review

• Review latest information to determine potential changes to the condition or understanding of the Estuary Processes;

To be coordinated through Council

Officers and reported to Councils, CEMAC, relevant stakeholders



Review Period

Review tasks Responsibility

• Determine changes to community values, issues and aspirations;

• Assess the consistency of the plan with contemporary government policies and plans;

• Assess the continuing relevance of the objectives;

• Determine the appropriateness of the implementation plan to meet these objectives;

• Assess the overall effectiveness of each management strategy implemented to date;

• For strategies requiring on-going commitment, assess the value in maintaining implementation of those strategies;

• Assess the overall effectiveness of each management strategy implemented to date.

• Consider either completely revising the document or simply updating some aspects of the existing EMP

and government agencies

REFERENCES 71


9 REFERENCES

Anita Smith and Wendy Beck (2003) ‘The Archaeology of No Man's Land: Indigenous Camps at

Corindi Beach, Mid-North Coast New South Wales’ Archaeology in Oceania, Vol. 38, 2003

Beck, W and Somerville, M (2002) ‘Embodied Places in Indigenous ecotourism: the Yarrawarra

research project’ Journal of Australian Aboriginal Studies 2002/2

Bega Valley and Eurobodalla Shire Councils (2000) ‘Wallaga Lake Estuary Management Plan’.

BOM (2008) Bureau of Meteorology Website (www.bom.gov.au )

Domain Website www.domain.com.au accessed August 2008

DPI Fisheries (unpublished) ‘Fish Survey of Pipe Clay Lake’ January 2002

DPI Fisheries (2008) ‘NSW Saltwater Fishing Guide 2008’

English, A. (2002) ‘The Sea and The Rock Gives us a Feed: Mapping and Managing Wild Resource

Use and Places’ Report prepared for the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service

Food Standards Australia and New Zealand (2006) ‘NUTTAB 2006 food composition tables’

Haines PE, Tomlinson R, Thom BG (2006) ‘Morphometric assessment of intermittently open/closed

coastal lagoons in New South Wales, Australia’ Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science 67(1-2) 321-

332

Haines PE (2006) ‘Physical and chemical behaviour and management of ICOLLs in NSW’ PhD

thesis, Griffith University

Hughes Truman (2003) ‘Corindi Beach Sewerage Scheme Operational Environmental Management

Plan’.

HRC (2002) ‘Healthy Rivers Commission Independent Inquiry into Coastal Lakes’

Gippel, T (pers comm) (2008) telephone based communication with Tim Gippel of DPI Fisheries

Kayandel (2007) ‘Heritage Report and Mapping for the Final Local Environment Plan Amendment of

Red Rock and Corindi’ Prepared for Coffs Harbour City Council

MHL (pers. comm.) (2008) Telephone and email base communication with David Allsop of Manly

Hydraulics Laboratory

National Health and Medical Research Council, the Environment Protection and Heritage Council and

the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council (2008) ‘Australian Guidelines for Water

Recycling Stormwater Harvesting and Reuse’ Draft for Public Comment, May 2008, Canberra.

REFERENCES 72


Putnis, A, Josif, P and Woodward, E (2007) ‘Healthy Country, Healthy People: Supporting Indigenous

Engagement in the Sustainable Management of Northern Territory Land and Seas’ Report to the

Australian Government October 1997, Canberra.

Rust PPK (1994) ‘Corindi Beach Sewerage Scheme Hydrogeological Studies Report’ Prepared for

NSW Public Works.

SafeFood NSW (2001) ‘The New South Wales Shellfish Program (NSW SP) Operations Manual’

Scanes, P, Haine, B., dela-Cruz, J., Coade, G. (2008) ‘Testing and implementing MER Water

Indicators’ 17th Annual NSW Coastal Conference

SKM (1997) ‘Corindi Beach Sewerage Scheme Environmental Impact Statement’

Somerville, M and Perkins, T (2003) ‘Border Work in the Contact Zone: thinking Indigenous / non-

Indigenous collaboration spatially’ Journal of Intercultural Studies, Vol. 24, No. 3, 2003

Somerville. M. and Perkins, T. (2005) ‘Remembering in the Contact Zone: Telling and Listening to a

Massacre Story’ Altitude vol. 6, 2005.

Taffs (unpublished) ‘Mangroves of the Solitary Islands Marine Park’

Umwelt (2003) ‘Pathways to a Living Estuary – Clarence River Estuary Management Plan’ Report

prepared for the Clarence River County Council, Toronto.

Umwelt (2006) ‘Sustaining the Shoalhaven: A Natural Resource Management Plan for the

Shoalhaven River Estuary’ Draft report for Public Exhibition, Toronto.

Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation and University of New England (2000) ‘Yarrawarra Place Stories’

Books 1-5, Armidale.

WATER QUALITY AND SEDIMENT SAMPLING RESULTS 1


APPENDIX A: WATER QUALITY AND SEDIMENT SAMPLING

RESULTS

EXAMPLE PLANNING CHECKLIST 1


APPENDIX B: EXAMPLE PLANNING CHECKLIST

The following checklist has been modified from the Brooklyn Estuary Management Plan as an

example of the style of checklist that CEMAC and Council planning staff could use to assess the

likely impacts of future proposals on the processes and valued aspects of Pipe Clay Lake. It could be

used to consider future development proposals, management strategies and other activities proposed

within or around the estuary.

The checklist is designed to give a basic level of understanding of potential impacts. The simple

nature of the document should allow a rapid method for assessing proposals against known

processes, issues and values.

The checklist is not exhaustive and should be developed further prior to implementation.

Assess Pollutant and Contaminant Inputs Criteria Examples Impact Assessment Action

Required Does the proposal involve a change in land use, or a significant change in development footprint?

• Low density housing to medium or high density housing

• Small cottage to large house

• Subdivision of single or multiple lots

If yes, then the proposal may increase the overall pollutant loads to the estuary, including TN, TP, sediments, metals etc

The proposal should provide information on predicted pollutant generation (including surface runoff) and present mitigative measures, such as WSUD, buffer strips etc, to ensure that there is no net increase in pollutant loads to the receiving waters

Does the proposal involve industrial or commercial activities?

• Tourist development

If yes, then there is a potential for additional pollutants to be discharged to the estuary associated with these activities, including metals, petro-chemicals and litter

The proposal should provide information on the likely pollutant generation from the proposed activities and methods proposed to mitigate these pollutant to ensure that they are not released to the estuary

Does the proposal incorporate appropriate sediment erosion and control measures for construction?

• Sediment basins • Filter strips • Silt curtains /

booms

If no, then additional sedimentation of the receiving waters may result

The proposal should provide details of how sediment erosion is to be controlled on-site during construction so that there is no release of sediment to the downstream receiving water

EXAMPLE PLANNING CHECKLIST 2


Consider Social issues Criteria Examples Impact Assessment Action

Required Will the activity encroach on an area of potential cultural significance?

• Residential development

• Tourism facilities

If yes, the development may impact on cultural values of the estuary, including the ability for Aboriginal people to access important places

The proposal should consider the cultural significance of the development site and provide details on measures to ensure that heritage items are retained and preserved, ongoing, access to Aboriginal people and no impact on cultural estuary use.

Will the activity increase visitation to the estuary or boardwalk



If yes then the development may impact on cultural values of the estuary

The proposal should consider the cultural significance of the estuary and potential increases in inappropriate uses including horse riding.

Will the activity increase pollutant loads to the estuary?



If yes then the development may impact on cultural values of the estuary including the ability for resource harvesting

The proposal should provide information on predicted pollutant generation (including surface runoff) and present mitigative measures, such as WSUD, buffer strips etc, to ensure that there is no net increase in pollutant loads to the receiving waters

Assess likely biological impacts Criteria Examples Impact Assessment Action

Required Will the proposal result in the introduction of animals or plants from outside the area into the estuary

• Landscaping • Residential

development • Tourism

If yes, then the proposal could possibly result in the introduction of invasive species or disease into the estuary

The proposal should consider the use of indigenous plants for rehabilitation and landscaping aspects. In the case of the introduction of aquatic animals or plants, the proposal should demonstrate that the risk of disease introduction has been addressed.

Does the proposal encourage the harvesting of wild species

• Tourism If yes then the proposal may impact on food chain and ecosystem dynamics

The proposal should demonstrate that impacts on wild stocks and harvesting rates will be adequately monitored

Does the proposal involve the removal of existing vegetation

• Clearing of trees and shrubs for construction or access

If yes the proposal may result in the loss of native plants and animals.

The proposal should outline specific trees to be removed and rehabilitation plans for revegetation if appropriate.

.

RELEVANT COASTAL CONFERENCE PAPER 1


APPENDIX C: RELEVANT COASTAL CONFERENCE PAPER

CROWN LAND 2


APPENDIX D: CROWN LAND The Crown Lands Division is responsible for the administration and management of Crown land in NSW. A key role of the Division is the management of Crown reserves in partnership with Trusts appointed by the Minister for Lands. A Crown reserve is Crown land retained by the State and set aside for a notified public purpose/s, under Part 5 - Crown Lands Act 1989 (CLA). The Crown reserve network is an extraordinary natural, cultural and open space system comprising over 33,000 Crown reserves across NSW. It is a major State asset characterised by its diversity and significance to the people of NSW. The formal gazettal of reservation or dedication notifies the public purposes for which a reserve may be used. Management and planning of Crown land is based on the Principles of Crown Land Management (Section 11 – CLA). These are; • That environmental protection principles be observed in relation to the management and administration of Crown Land. • That the natural resources of Crown land (including water, soil, flora, fauna and scenic quality) be conserved wherever possible. • That public use and enjoyment of appropriate Crown land be encouraged. • Where appropriate, multiple use of Crown land is encouraged. • Where appropriate, Crown land should be used and managed in such a way that the land and its resources are sustained in perpetuity. • That Crown land be occupied, used, sold, leased, licensed, or otherwise dealt with in the best interests of the State consistent with the above principles. A Reserve Trust is an autonomous body established under the Act and charged with the care, control and management of a Crown reserve. The Trust holds a legal interest in the land under its stewardship and is a separate body from State and Local Government. The affairs of a Trust may be managed by a community-based board of trustees, an incorporated non-profit body (often a local council), an Administrator or the Minister for Lands. The Lands Administration Ministerial Corporation is a statutory body representing the Crown and managed by the Minister that may also be appointed as a Trust manager. The Trust system provides a unique opportunity for the community to actively participate and be directly involved in management and custodianship of the Crown reserve system. 4.3.2 Corindi Beach Reserve The Corindi Beach Reserve has an area of approximately 53 hectares and covers approximately one third of the land within the Pipe Clay Lake catchment including most of the core estuary precinct. The reserve comprises the following Crown lands; • Reserve 55008 for Public Recreation notified 9 December 1921 • Reserve 87401 for Public Recreation notified 26 September 1969, and • Reserve 87400 for Parking notified 26 September 1969. Corindi Beach Reserve has an extensive coastal frontage that encompasses a range of eco-systems. It supports a wide variety of public use including sporting fields, pony club activities, public hall, nature-based passive recreation activities and the Corindi Beach Holiday Park.

CROWN LAND 3


4.3.3 Trust Management Management of Corindi Beach Reserve is in two parts; (1) The North Coast Accommodation Trust (NCAT) is responsible for the management of the Corindi Beach Holiday Park precinct of the reserve. NCAT is managed by an Administrator appointed by the Minister. (2) The Corindi Beach Reserve Trust is responsible for the balance of the reserve area. The affairs of the Trust are currently administered by the Lands Administration Ministerial Corporation through Crowns Land Division. 4.3.4 Community-based Management Committee As part of the management arrangements for the Corindi Beach Reserve Trust, a formal community-based management committee has been established (Section 97(a) – CLA) with delegated responsibility to assist with the operational affairs of the Trust. The management committee provides a practical means for local community representatives to participate directly in reserve management and stewardship in partnership with Crown Lands Division. The special significance of Pipe Clay Lake to the local Aboriginal community is recognised and Aboriginal representation on the Corindi Beach Reserve management committee is encouraged. Other opportunities exist for voluntary involvement in reserve stewardship and custodial activities. There has also been a long standing partnership with the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation in various operational activities on the reserve. It is important that the Pipe Clay Lake EMP acknowledges the management structure of Corindi Beach Reserve and that appropriate liaison and collaboration with the responsible Reserve Trusts takes place in conjunction with Crowns Land Division during the implementation process. 4.3.5 Reserve Management Corindi Beach Reserve has significant scenic, conservation, recreation, cultural, tourism and economic values and these factors combine to create an outstanding public asset. A plan of management for Corindi Beach Reserve was adopted by the Minister on 16 August 1991. A Management and Improvement Strategy for Corindi Beach Reserve was completed in 2007. The Strategy forms the basis for the current reserve management structure and sets in place a comprehensive development and improvement program for Corindi Beach Reserve. It is important that the recommendations of the Pipe Clay Lake EMP are considered and incorporated in any review of the plans of management for Corindi Beach Reserve and Corindi Beach Holiday Park.

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final pipe clay lake estuary management planx...figure 1-1 location of pipe clay lake 2 figure 1-2...

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