THANKS FOR MAKING YOUR VOTE COUNT
at the Central Coast Council elections held on Saturday 14th September 2024.
Since the April/May 2024 flood, several groups of residents in the northern ward have tried to have a "lessons learnt” discussion with Central Coast Council on why they didn’t get the beach berm opened until 8th May.
And why they have not adopted what they did that eventually worked as standard operating procedure going forward.
The duration of this flood was unprecedented and despite a high level meeting with Council management no response has been forthcoming.
With Council exiting years of financial administration and a new set of Councillors, these resident groups are calling for Council to be more transparent and accountable - and that facts will become available!
And not just with respect to flooding, which has seen insurance costs soar for tens of thousands of residents in postcodes throughout the Central Coast along with other costs.
With respect to flooding, Independent advice has been sort from coastal engineer Angus Gordon OAM whose previous appointments have been General Manager Pittwater Council and General Manager Manly Hydraulics Laboratory (MHL). Angus was commissioned by CCC in April 2021 to review Council’s policies and procedures for entrance management of Tuggerah Lakes and the other lagoons.
One of his recommendations was that "the entrance be maintained in a flood ready condition” ... "This flood ready condition should be a key outcome from the MHL study” and “before an Entrance Management Policy is finalised it be placed on public exhibition for community input”.
Recently Angus has provided the same advice in a document titled "Key Fundamentals in Maintaining the Entrance in a Risk Managed Break Out Ready State”, as well as a meeting with David Mehan (MP - The Entrance) and in a video title “Bring Back Our Channel” on the Tuggerah Lakes Care Facebook page.
Gordon suggests the single most effective action would be to dredge a funnel shaped channel from Pelican Island west of the Entrance bridge to the berm.
When Council’s Dredge became unusable in 2020, a contract Dredge was used in September 2020 and since then there has been no more plans to dredge.The closest Council has come to having a Dredging Policy was 27 April 2020 when they voted to have another cost benefit analysis to be undertaken by another consultant to produce another recommendation that is similar to GHD who did a Dredging Feasibility Study and cost benefit analysis in 2019.
Council Resolution dated 27 April 2020 “318/20 - That Council seek an independent financial cost benefit analysis of owning and operating a dredge in comparison with a contract dredge." GHD Dredging Feasibility Study dated 1 August 2019 "It is recommended that Council progress the following options:
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Undertake an entrance adjustment trial in conjunction with emergency berm clearing operations with land based equipment
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Engage a contractor to undertake trial dredging works
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Purchase a new dredge".
Channel Update
The Entrance June, 2016 showing the second channel made when heavy seas broke through the sandbar after the big storm.
Tuggerah Lakes Coast, Estuary and Floodplain Committee Meeting –April 2016
Coastal Zone Management Reforms
A new Coastal Management State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) is being developed to divide the Coastal Zone into 4 Coastal Management Areas rather than the existing single zone.
The Areas are: - Coastal Vulnerability Areas
Coastal Wetlands and Littoral Rainforests
Coastal Environmental Areas
Coastal Use Areas
Council Engineers attended an OEH workshop to formulate strategies. The draft plans are expected to be exhibited later in the year for public comment.
- Soldier’s Beach Restoration Plan - Haskoning Australia will undertake preliminary surveys and designs and community consultation. The works are scheduled for delivery in the 16/17 year.
- Aerial survey of WSC Coastlines. A UAV survey report has been completed. It is available on Council’s Website and shows the high resolution details that are available using UAV as a very cost effective solution.
- Wrack and Algae Collections.
Approximately 1000cm were collected in the Killarney Vale – Long Jetty areas, as well the contractor moved to the Budgewoi and Gorokan areas early this month.
- GPT’s The open GPT at Spring Valley Ave Gorokan was cleaned out on 23rd March – 3.6 tonne of waste was removed approx. 1% litter 5% vegetation and 94% fine and coarse sediment.
- Tuggerah Lakes Clean Up Project which is responsible for constructing GPT’s, Saltmarsh construction and Streambank Stabilisation is on schedule – details ae available on WSC Website.
- Black Ooze removal investigation and feasibility study is continuing. A site has been chosen at Berkeley Vale at the end of Wombat Street at large stormwater outlet site. The benefit of using this site is to study the effect of removal on the sediment plume in the hope that the enriched stormwater will flow into the deeper lake which should assist the reduction of ooze formulation along the nearshore zone. The full Black Ooze Report is available on WSC Website.
- Buff Point restoration plans are progressing for the eroded shoreline along Edgewater Park and South to Marmong Point.
- Go with the Flow Estuary Education event was a great success, 21 people attended, being bussed around various sites – Evaluation results are on WSC Website
- Water quality reporting shows for construction and maintenance of GPT’s is a positive initiative. WSC will complete the analysis of nearshore water quality data collected by OEH over the last 5 years.
Tuggerah Lakes Coast, Estuary and Floodplain Committee Report, March 2016
Wrack and Algae Collection Operations
The Council harvester came back into operation on 18th February, primarily working in the Long Jetty area.
The contractor’s harvester has been tasked on hot spots around the lakes. Approximately 200 cm were removed in February.
SQID Cleaning (GPTs)
Council Staff are measuring the components of waste collected from GPTs. The components are litter, vegetation and sediment. In the open GPTs the components averages are litter 13%, vegetation 37%, and sediment 50%. Closed GPTs litter is 7%, vegetation 7% ad sediment 84%. The differences can be attributed to differing locations of the 2 types and their ability to collect. Open GPTs are usually in significant drains in close proximity to Tuggerah Lakes. Closed GPTs tend to be in residential and commercial areas, set back from the Lakes. A February cleanout of a GPT at the end of Tuggerah Parade, Long Jetty yielded 3.8 tonnes of waste after 3 months of collection.
The GPT Planning and Construction Program was reported in detail to TLC in February. Progress is continuing – specific details are available on request.
The black ooze trial is 95% complete, preliminary reports should be available in April.
Following publication of the Community survey, Council is pursuing an update of the Save our Tuggerah Lakes website.
6 Tuggerah Lakes Coast, Estuary and Floodplain Committee Report, February, 2016
WRACK AND ALGAE COLLECTION OPERATIONS
At the end of December 2015, the volume of wrack removed from the Tuggerah Lakes Estuary in the 2015/16 financial year was 3,857 cubic metres. As at 20 January 2016, the total wrack removed for 2015/16 had increased to 4,061 cubic metres.
During January, the contract wrack harvester has primarily been tasked to locations that were expecting high utilisation such as Canton Beach as part of Australia Day celebrations.
A mechanical breakdown took Council’s harvester offline during mid-January but was expected to be back operational in late January.
With the elevated lake levels associated with the high rainfall in the first half of January, more wrack was deposited onto shore areas allowing collection where possible.
THE ENTRANCE CHANNEL DREDGING PROGRAM
The Entrance Channel Dredging program was concluded prior to Christmas for the 2015/16 year. A final survey has been completed and it is estimated that 20,000 cubic metres of material was pumped out of the channel across to The Entrance North spit since the program commenced.
The survey has also indicated that nearly 9,000 cubic metres of sand was placed onto The Entrance beach prior to Christmas. The beach above the mean high water mark in the vicinity of the surf club building accumulated approximately 1.5 metres in depth of extra sand since mid-October. As at the 11 January, the heavy weather has meant that some rocks below the mean high water mark were exposed causing life guards to close the beach.
Despite significant amounts of sand being moved with the dredging program, the mouth of the channel continued to narrow up until the higher rainfall event of early January. The width of the channel widened slightly in the second half of January with the higher lake levels and increased outflow through the channel.
STORMWATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT DEVICE (SQID) CLEANING
From 1st June 2015 to end December 2015
The cumulative monthly breakdown of waste tipping data from SQID’s is shown in Figure 4 and recorded by SQID type. As at end of December 2015, 494 tonnes of total gross pollutants have been taken from gross pollutant traps to landfill as well as 228 tonnes from constructed wetlands.
BLACK OOZE STUDY
An amount of $100k has been identified in the 2016/17 draft budget for the black ooze / sediment plume dredging. This amount will limit works to small pilot scale project/s.
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TUGGERAH LAKES ESTUARY HEALTH AND WATER QUALITY REPORTING
At the October 2015 committee meeting it was noted that a draft report would be presented on ways of demonstrating the performance of GPT devices by measuring improvements in water quality, including physical, chemical and biological composition. Staff are assessing the suitability of the available and potential data sets including:
• OEH AusRivAs riverine monitoring data,
• Council’s catchment maintenance team monitoring data of constructed wetlands,
• OEH nearshore water quality data,
• Community Waterwatch program data,
Current Construction Program of Gross Pollutant Traps
Construction Tender Package #1
3. Myrtle Brush Park, Berkeley Vale New (off-line)
4. Oleander Street, Canton Beach Upgrade
Status:
• Draft report to Council 27 January 2016 meeting to appoint contractor for the lump sum amount of $383,638.60
• Construction period February to April 2016
Construction Tender Package #2
5. Murrawal Road, Wyongah New (off-line) – Fed Grant
Status:
• Tenders due 28 January 2016
• Report to Council 24 February 2016 to appoint contractor
• Contractor to procure precast concrete components March-April 2016
• Construction period April-June 2016
Construction Tender Package #3
6. Cresthaven Ave, Bateau Bay Upgrade (off-line)
7. Buff Point Ave, Buff Point Upgrade (off-line)
8. Lentara Walk, The Entrance New (at outlet)
Status:
• Designs, Geotechnical & Environmental assessments all complete
• Tender documentation being prepared
• Open-tender period February 2016
• Report to Council 23 March 2016 to appoint contractor
• Construction period April-June 2016
Construction by Council
9. Lakedge Avenue, Chittaway Bay Upgrade Design 100%
10. Nicholson Crescent, Noraville New (in-line sump) Design 100%
Status:
• Designs, Geotechnical & Environmental assessments all complete
• Acid sulfate soil management plans complete
• Discussions being held with Roads & Drainage to secure a Construction or General Works crew to carry out these works to reduce contractual risk and deliver most efficiently.
Closure of The Entrance Beach and NSW Government Groyne Construction Project
The Entrance Beach has been closed since 11th January 2016 due to submerged rocks being exposed.
Investigation works associated with the NSW Government’s proposed rock groyne at The Entrance Beach commenced on the 19 January 2016. The design and geotechnical investigations are being undertaken by Royal Haskoning Australia Pty Ltd and Coffey Geotechnics Pty Ltd. An excavator was onsite digging test pits in order to define the bedrock elevation under the sand (see photo at Figure 2). The site investigation will provide geotechnical input data for the design of the groyne proposed to be located at the northern end of The Entrance Beach. Further information on the proposed design and timeframe for construction will be sought from NSW Crown Lands for reporting to the committee.
The survey of Community attitudes conducted by Micromex prompted much comment, particularly regarding the Council’s Audio Visual “Love our Living Lakes”. Members were critical that the AV implored people to collect their lawn clippings and prunings and deposit them in their green bin whereas Council mow accessible areas around the lake without catching the clippings. This is particularly evident at times of prolific growth. Another member commented about fertilising and how much he believed Council used.
Tuggerah Lakes Coast, Estuary and Floodplain Committee Report, October 2015
Wrack collection has ceased owing to the contractor’s machine being under repair. Council Staff have been asked to check progress of repair and consider other arrangements if the delays continue.
The raft of microalgae has been check off The Corso. Lake depth and surrounding seagrass beds make it particularly difficult to access when the harvester resumes. There is also a raft of microalgae in Colongra Bay Lake Munmorah.
The Entrance Channel dredging is 50% complete. Extra pipes to deliver sand to The Entrance Beach have been delivered and will be installed following the long weekend.
Design, construction and installation of Gross Pollution Traps are continuing and 10 completions are on target for 2015/16.
Federally funded projects to clean up and improve the amenity of Tuggerah Lakes are proceeding.
The design for the Long Jetty project was presented to the meeting and is available for perusal at the October TLC meeting along with the complete list of 14/15 & 15/16 Projects.
Coastal Zone Management Staff have received a number of expressions of interest from contractors regarding regular aerial surveys of the coastal erosion hot spots. A contract is expected to be in place by end October. Identified locations include Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay, Cabbage Tree Harbour, Hargreaves Beach, North Entrance, The Entrance Beach, Shelly Beach and Lakes Beach.
Planning has commenced to restore degraded dunes from Soldiers Beach headland to Pelican Point. The dominant Bitou Bush will be removed and planting to encourage ecological diversity similar to restoration at Budgewoi Beach, largely undertaken by local Landcare Groups.
At each TLEC&FP management meeting, this year staff presented their report on the volume of material removed from Gross Pollutant Traps. These devices are now referred to as Storm Water Quality Improvement Devices (SQID”S). The Committee asked if it was possible to measure water quality improvements. This led to seeking suppliers of such information. The Office of Environment & Heritage supplied details of their annual report card since 2010. The report is very broad; measurements are taken in the middle of the Lakes in several locations. Council Staff have agreed to follow up other sources of testing including Water Watch and report at the November meeting. The objective is continuous monitoring of water quality o that the effectiveness of improvement works can be measured.
Studies of options available to mitigate the problems of Black Ooze are continuing The OE&H Estuary and Catchment Science Team advised that, to their knowledge, Chemical/biological had not been trialled elsewhere. They did provide Council Engineers contact details of an Associate professor at Southern Cross University who specialises in the geochemical characteristics of Wetland Soils. Council Staff have commenced discussions with him.
Wyong Lakes Festival. The inaugural Wyong Lakes Festival is being held
7 - 15 November. It will be used as another opportunity to promote Communities looking after our lakes. Full details of events are on Council’s website.
Tuggerah Lakes Coastal & Estuary & Flood Plain Committee Meeting Report
This report starts from April 2015 when I attended the unveiling of Wyong Shire Council’s “Smart City Vision” Project.
The project is situated around Warnervale. It is ambitious and forward thinking. Mayor Doug Eaton in his opening remarked about the need for his children to leave the shire to undertake tertiary education. The comment levered my mind from comfy retirement to consider the needs of the children living in the Shire. Statistics showed that band levels to which our young population were educated were significantly below national levels. In fact the only statistic above national levels was youth unemployment.
Having studied the vision in some depth, I believe that, subject to meeting environmental and optimum clean energy targets, the project has merit.
There is an opportunity to contribute to the inevitable sustainable energy industry at the research and development phase and to showcase the Warnervale Precinct as the benchmark city of the future. Complementing our view that there is no better place to live, work and play than the Central Coast.
My predominant reservation is about sewer reticulation treatment and disposal. Should the vision become a reality I believe the projected population growth to be conservative. I also believe that around 90% of pollutants that enter the lakes stay in the lakes and no channel surgery or additional openings will make much difference. Accordingly I have concluded any capital expenditure on our sewerage system should include an ocean outfall some distance from shore as well as power backup for pumps or complete re design.
I am also concerned about the capital cost of an airport, even a grade 3 airport at a time when the technology of travel is heading more to ground and water based mediums.
It is early days and the project proposal is a start of a conversation for developing a design for growth that is financially viable and accessible to the vast majority and sustainable
TLECFP Meeting 2nd July 2015
A review of the Coastal Zone Management has commenced to update the existing plan. The update will take into account coastal reform, current Council’s policies and newly released legislation.
Flood Plain Risk Management Studies include revision of the Porter’s Creek Study and completion of the Lakes Urban Catchments Flood Study.
Flood Studies of Wallarah Creek, Ourimbah Creek and Wyong River are continuing.
A brief for Tuggerah Lakes Southern Catchments overland Flood Study is being prepared and completion of the study is expected in June 2016.
April flooding in North Entrance occurred largely in Coogee Avenue. It was caused by the rain falling in North Entrance itself which commenced on 20th April. The flooding was not severe and was 70mm lower that the level reached in the Lake. The higher level of the Lake was prevented from entering the area by the backflow prevention valves that run underneath Wilfred Barret Drive.
Wrack and Algae removal for the financial year exceeds 8000cubic metres.. A Wrack collection tender was awarded to Australia Environmental Services on 27th May 2015.
Recent Wrack collection has focussed on the northern foreshores of Tuggerah Lake. Fragments of Alligator Weed have been found in the Wrack washed into the area and must be removed urgently.
The Entrance Channel Dredging program has begun. Details of this project and others included in this report are available on the WSC Website.
Gross Pollutant Traps (GPTs). Council have awarded the contract for the cleaning of enclosed GPTs. The Contactor is required to gather data including volumes removed how full each GPT is plus pre and post cleaned and the types of waste removed. This information will assist with frequency of cleaning developing more effective servicing schedules and maximising water flow through the traps.
This year to date 744 tonnes from open GPTs, 94 tonnes from enclosed GPTs and 941 tonnes from constructed wetlands have been tipped at Buttonderry Waste Facility.
Tuggerah Lakes Clean Up Project funded by the Federal Government is continuing. Following the successful completion of Lake Munmorah swimming area, Canton Beach Foreshore Restoration and The Entrance Road, The Entrance Foreshore Reinstatement.
Construction and upgrade of GPTs has seen eight completed in the 14/15 financial year and three nearing completion. Next Year a further 10 are targeted for construction or upgrade.
Gross Pollution Traps are an effective way of trapping rubbish before it enters the lake. Unfortunately small items get through because smaller meshed traps would quickly block water flow and cause flooding. A better way is to trap rubbish in your hand and take it to a bin.
Venice Street Long Jetty Constructed Wetland Project, Black Ooze Removal Investigations and Feasibility Study, In ground GPT Installation at Erin Ave Berkeley Vale, Cooranga Road Tuggerawong GPT installation are underway.
Regards, Bob Davies