Lake_wollumboola.jpg (109510 bytes)Estuary Management Planning Lake Wollumboola - 2004

 

Home | Water | Coast and Estuaries | Lake Wollumboola | 2004

Indicator description

Lake Wollumboola

Environmental Overview

Environmental attributes

Environmental issues

Environmental Pressures

Estuary Management Programs

Environmental Overview 

Lake Wollumboola’s catchment and foreshore are relatively undisturbed.  Jervis Bay National Park covers around 50% of the catchment, while another 20% is a forestry reserve.  Development around the lake includes the town of Culburra on the north-eastern shore, and areas which support grazing. 

The township of Culburra is sewered and connected to the Regional Effluent Management Scheme (REMS).

The lake’s catchment is around 40 sq km and has a resident population of approximately 4,000.  The lake itself is around 6 sq km.  Both the lake and its catchment are of major conservation significance and are valuable recreational resources.

Lake Wollumboola has an intermittently open entrance and is acknowledged as a unique system in terms of its maturity, trapping efficiency, height above sea level and the complexity of ecological processes occurring within the lake.

Estuary and entrance management at Lake Wollumboola is now the responsibility of NSW National Parks and Wildlife Services. 

Environmental attributes

  • Lake Wollumboola has been listed on the 'Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia' and is listed on the Register of the National Estate;

  • The lake is not only of regional significance for fauna, but also of international significance as it provides important habitat for 23 internationally protected species; and 

  • The catchment includes several wetlands protected under Coastal Wetlands State Environmental Planning Policy No 14.

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Environmental issues

  • The lake itself experiences occasional episodes of excessive aquatic plant growth, poor water quality and generation of strong odours, as a result of hydrogen sulphide release.  Localised and less severe odours also occur as a result of decay of organic material.  These odours affect nearby residents and visitors to the lake.  There is a perception amongst some local residents and expressed in local community meetings that the problems are worsening.  Studies to date indicate odour experienced is due to natural phenomena, rather than changes induced by European settlement. 

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Environmental Pressures

  • Potential for deterioration in water quality would accompany any significant development within the catchment;

  • The lake is thought to normally have a moderate to low nutrient loading.  This makes it susceptible to changes in nutrient loadings which may result from future urban or agricultural development in the catchment;

  • Lake turbidity could be expected to increase with clearing of the catchment for agricultural uses, urban development or any other purpose if no sediment erosion / pollution controls are put into place;

  • Recreational and boating activities within the catchment impact on foreshore stability and bird habitat quality.  Where these activities are invasive they may alarm birdlife to such an extent that their feeding and nesting may be affected and spontaneous abortions may occur;

  • Recreational fishing undertaken within the lake has the potential to result in a decline in fish and prawn abundance if not well managed;

  • Introduced animals, including foxes, domestic and feral cats and dogs, black rats and rabbits, threaten native animal and plant populations;

  • Weeds, although scarce overall, are prevalent in some areas where they threaten native plant communities;

  • Dumping of garden refuse and other material causes damage to bushland and continues to be an issue;

  • There is some damage and clearance of vegetation on foreshores and other areas; and

  • There is a risk that the invasive marine seaweed Caulerpa taxifolia could be introduced to the lake.  This presents a threat to the biological diversity, amenity and economic viability of local tourist industries that depend on healthy coastal lakes in the Shoalhaven.

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Estuary Management Programs

Key implementation actions in progress or completed in partnership with Shoalhaven City Council and Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources (DIPNR) and funded under the following programs include:

Estuary Program

  • 2003-2004 implementation of Bushfire Asset Protection Zones for the village

  • 2003 Geoscience Lake Odour Processes investigation  completed $20,000

  • 2003-2005 Foreshore Reserve Walking Track and Public Education signage installation design and implementation $30,000

  • 2003-2005 NPWS Design of Management Plan

Flood Program

  • Flood Study programmed for 2004-2005

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Surface Water Quality Lake Wollumboola

 

Home | Water | Coast and Estuaries | Lake Wollumboola | 2004