 Estuary
Management Planning Lake Wollumboola - 2005
Home | Water |
Coast
and Estuaries |
Lake
Wollumboola | 2005 Indicator description
What does the Data tell us for 2005
Environmental Overview
Environmental attributes
Environmental issues
Environmental Pressures
Estuary Management Plan
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.
TOP
Environmental attributes include:
-
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.
TOP
Environmental issues include:
-
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.
TOP
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.
TOP
Estuary Management Plan
Key
implementation actions in progress or completed in partnership with SCC, NPWS
and DIPNR and funded under the
Estuary
Program include:
-
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
-
2004-2005
Enviro fund project completed in partnership with the Bushcare Group to
undertake primary Bitou control in one of the SEPP 14 wetlands fronting East
Crescent
Flood
Program
TOP
Surface Water Quality Lake Wollumboola
Home | Water |
Coast
and Estuaries |
Lake
Wollumboola | 2005 |
