Brisbane Water Foreshore
The Trust responded vigorously to the recent granting of a permit to remove mangroves from the Hardy’s Bay foreshore. While not fundamentally opposed to appropriate mangrove removal, the committee feels that permits should only be granted after serious consultation with all the stakeholders including the community, Fisheries, Waterways and Council and only for the purposes of ecological health and not view enhancement.
The Coastal Zone Management Plan for Brisbane Water Estuary was prepared for Gosford Council by consultants and released in 2012. The plan specifically recognised the importance of preserving estuarine habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses and saltmarsh. These are associated with high rates of diversity and abundance of fish, birds and invertebrate fauna and identified as protected habitats by the Fisheries Management Act 1994.
It did however recommend that mangrove growth should be controlled where they are affecting key drainage channels. This should be undertaken (where permissible) under the relevant permit or licence. For instance it was proposed to deepen and widen the outlets of Mudflat and RSL Creeks in Hardys Bay so that both creeks restore tidal flushing. The efficacy of this option in improving flushing should be assessed prior to undertaking the works.
Other key recommendations included rehabilitate the eroding eastern foreshores of Hardys Bay with vegetation. The eastern shore of Hardy’s Bay near Hardys Bay Parade is currently affected by shoreline erosion and local residents have observed trees falling into the water. This action seeks to stabilise the foreshore via the establishment of vegetation. The implementation process is:
The Coastal Zone Management Plan for Brisbane Water Estuary was prepared for Gosford Council by consultants and released in 2012. The plan specifically recognised the importance of preserving estuarine habitats such as mangroves, seagrasses and saltmarsh. These are associated with high rates of diversity and abundance of fish, birds and invertebrate fauna and identified as protected habitats by the Fisheries Management Act 1994.
It did however recommend that mangrove growth should be controlled where they are affecting key drainage channels. This should be undertaken (where permissible) under the relevant permit or licence. For instance it was proposed to deepen and widen the outlets of Mudflat and RSL Creeks in Hardys Bay so that both creeks restore tidal flushing. The efficacy of this option in improving flushing should be assessed prior to undertaking the works.
Other key recommendations included rehabilitate the eroding eastern foreshores of Hardys Bay with vegetation. The eastern shore of Hardy’s Bay near Hardys Bay Parade is currently affected by shoreline erosion and local residents have observed trees falling into the water. This action seeks to stabilise the foreshore via the establishment of vegetation. The implementation process is:
- Provide information to the local residents on the project and its objectives
- Conduct an assessment of the foreshore condition and assess processes causing erosion.
- Select suitable locally endemic species.
- Work with volunteers (e.g. Bushcare group) to plant the vegetation.
- Provide for ongoing maintenance and replanting of the vegetation as required.
- Brief Council’s parks maintenance staff on suitable vegetation management techniques for this site, including guidance on acceptable mowing practices.
- Investigate and implement measures to address the eroding seawall located near Araluen Drive on the southern side of Hardys Bay. Preferred options include re -establishment of native vegetation or an environmentally friendly seawall.
- Deepen and widen the entrance to Hardys Bay to permit greater tidal flushing. The efficacy of this action in improving flushing should be assessed prior to undertaking the works. In addition, the environmental aspects must also be considered.
- Install and maintain as required sediment traps targeting stormwater flows draining from the escarpment at Hardys Bay.
- Dredge to improve access to the boat pump-out and other facilities in Hardys Bay. The dredging should be sufficient to permit access over the full tidal cycle. Advertise and provide signage for boat pump-out facilities.
- Reinstate a vegetated, sandy shoreline at Pretty Beach similar to that present prior to the construction of Pretty Beach Road. The use of mangroves for re vegetation works is discouraged due to their potential to out compete and displace saltmarsh up.