Estuary Management Planning Lake Tabourie - 2005

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Indicator description

What does the Data tell us for 2005

Environmental Overview

Environmental attributes

Environmental issues

Environmental Pressures

Estuary Management Plan

UoW Environmental Science Research Projects

Environmental Overview

Tabourie Lake is a small lake covering an area of 1.4 sq km, while its catchment is 43 sq km.  Most of the catchment (98%) is undeveloped and either forested (State Forest owned) or grazed.  Much of the agricultural lands, particularly at the lake foreshore, remain uncleared.  Residential population of the township was around 550 in 2001.  Lake water quality is considered to be generally good.  The Tabourie township is unsewered, however, the Ulladulla Sewerage plant upgrade is due for completion in December 2005 and funding is available for the connection into the system in 2006-2007.

The lake entrance is often closed to the sea and is more frequently opened mechanically than naturally.  Some low lying properties may be affected by flooding during times of elevated lake levels.  An Entrance Management Plan has been developed with the intension of alleviating flooding impact to adjoining areas of the township.

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Environmental attributes include:

• Undisturbed and largely unmodified lake and foreshore;

• Diverse aquatic flora and fauna.  Various wetlands around the lake are protected under Coastal Wetlands State Environmental Planning Policy No 14;

• Availability of a variety of high quality recreational activities; and

• A high level of visual amenity.

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Environmental issues include:

• Water quality issues are indicated by elevated levels of nutrients and faecal coliforms in specific areas of the lake.  Some concern has also been raised about algal crusts on the lake bed and algal scum on the water surface;

• The Tabourie township remains unsewered.  This leads to general water contamination problems associated with seepage and overflowing of effluent disposal systems.  This may be exacerbated during times of elevated lake levels or flooding, if the rising water table breaches septic tanks.  It is the impetus for the entrance opening regime;

• The visual qualities of the area have been harmed by unauthorized clearing and removal of native vegetation; and

• The lake suffers from some localised bank erosion and siltation associated with stormwater drains and tributary deltas.  There may be some evidence that the lake is shallowing as a result of this.

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Environmental Pressures

• Continuing growth and development of the village and catchment of Tabourie Lake potentially results in ongoing environmental pressures.  Tabourie Lake has a small area / volume, relative to its catchment.  This means that it has limited ability to dilute any pollutant load from catchment runoff;

• Sewage and other pollutants have ongoing potential to impact upon the lake’s water quality;

• Any degradation in water quality may lead to degradation of the estuary’s ecology, diminished visual and aesthetic appeal and recreational appeal.  Additionally there could be potential for an impact on local industry through declining tourism, smaller fish catches etc;

• Both commercial and recreational fishing are undertaken within the lake.  There is potential for a decline in fish and prawn abundance if fishing is not managed;

• Recreational and boating activities within the catchment may impact on foreshore stability and bird habitat quality.  Informal boat launching sites may decrease bank stability and may harm aquatic vegetation and its associated ecological community;

• There is potential for increased erosion from development, recreation and agriculture.  An increase in sediment and nutrient export from new developments could impact upon water quality and the health of aquatic and semi-aquatic ecological communities;

• Current entrance opening policy may affect lake ecology and entrance dunes;

• Tourism and recreational lake usage have the potential to impact upon such things as habitat and flora and fauna abundance;

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

• Tabourie Lake’s weed problem is still minor, but has been increasing in recent years;

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

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

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Estuary Management Plan

Key implementation actions in progress or completed in partnership with SCC and DIPNR and funded under the

Estuary Program include:

• 2002: Interim Entrance Management Policy;

• 2002: Stormwater Management Plan Review $10,000;

• 2002 Septic Tank inspection completed and monitoring ongoing;

• 2002-2003 Stormwater Management Plan Implementation Stage 1;

• 2002-2004 Erosion Remediation Project concept design $15,000;

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

• 2005 Erosion Remediation project implementation $80,000 ( Quotations invited);

• 2003-2004 Foreshore Reserve Rehabilitation Plan design $10,000 ( final draft stage);

• 2003-2004 Design of Reticulated Sewerage scheme commenced, construction scheduled for 2006-2007; and

• 2005 Entrance Management Policy commenced $10,000 ( final draft stage)

Flood Program

• Flood Study proposed for 2004-2005

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University of Wollongong Environmental Science Research Projects

Sedimentary Processes and Reasons for Shallowing in an Intermittently Opening /Closing Tidal Inlet:  Lake Tabourie, New South Wales.  Author:  Nick Fenely

Monitoring estuarine wetlands in six coastal lakes in southern NSW. Ocean and Coastal Research Centre Report Series No. 2002/2.  Author:  Meehan, A.J. and West, R.J.

To obtain a full copy of these reports or more information contact Environmental Science, University of Wollongong.

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Surface Water Quality Lake Tabourie

Home | Water | Coast and Estuaries | Lake Tabourie | 2005