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- bird habitat destruction or serious decline of quality habitats?
- how to improve habitats for birds?
- bird population trends?
- bird systematics?
- anything birdy at all?
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Monday, 2 November 2009
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ReplyDeleteMangrove clearing along one side of Saltwater Creek through a Nature (Fisheries Habitat) Reserve contiguous with the Centenary Lakes area.
As of today, 2/3 of the proposed mangroves are already cleared!
Without any public discussion input as far as we know.
At a peak nesting time for birds.
On our monthly birdwalk through this area yesterday the general reaction to this complete removal of mangroves from one bank was,
"Environmental vandalism!"
Andrew P Anderson, Birding Cairns.
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ReplyDelete2ND EMAIL
From Brian Venables
Subject Re: Saltwater Ck drainage works
To Lowry Margie, Cairns Regional Council
Dear Margaret,
There a couple of maters for which I seek information.
With respect to the breeding Rufous Owls; has there been or will there be a "permit to damage" application made to the Environmental Protection Agency with regard to disturbing their breeding habitat ?
If and when such an application is lodged and assuming it is successful will there be public notification of it similar to the notices depicting the Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries permit No. 2009CA0359 ?
Could you please tell me the species (or suite of species) of mangrove is proposed for the replanting of Saltwater Creek?
Thanking you,
Brian
Brian Venables
527 McCormack Street
Edge Hill 4870
Mob: 0427607197
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1ST EMAIL
The average bed width of Saltwater Creek drain below Greenslopes Street is now about a third of GHD's optimum of 33m. With overhanging vegetation it is even less. To drain out the extensive ponded flood water from across the Behan Street/McCormack Street areas on the 12 January 2009, the flood levels had to build up back at the extremities of the ponded area. That is where the houses and commercial premises were flooded, some claimimg for the first time (in recent years anyway). The restricted outlet also prolonged the flooding and then caused similar problems again three hours later as the area was still trying to drain when the high tide further restricted outflow.
ReplyDeleteThe damage was quite significant - community disruption, damage to public infrastructure, personal and commercial loss at 200 properties.
The majority of the benefit from the mangrove management planned by Council will result from clearing the waterway area between the levels of RL 0.93 (MHWS) and RL 2.5 over that 33m width. Ground levels around Saltwater Creek lie in that range of levels. Flood water ponds away from the drain in the Centenary Lakes area but that is acceptable. The temporary storage there does not benefit the houses and commercial areas. It is the outlet that has to work and the work Council is doing at the moment that enables that to happen.
Council's Natural Resource Management Unit will undertake to revegetate the areas where mangroves have been removed. Under the guidance of Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries (QPIF), Council will trial a range of propagation techniques using a variety of mangrove species. This trial will provide invaluable information for future mangrove restoration projects. Additionally, Council's mangrove nursery is currently being upgraded which will further increase Council's capacity to undertake mangrove revegetation projects.
The re-instated mangroves at Saltwater Creek will then be managed (hedged) so that future routine maintenance can be undertaked without having to impact or remove mangroves. Further plantings will also involve Melaleucas and ground covers on top of the banks.
Council is consulting with Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services (QPWS) regarding measures to address a Rufous Owl nesting site which was brought to Council's attention late last week. QPWS has given the approval to proceed with works in areas away from the site whilst negotiations are conducted on measures and conditions for works to occur in areas adjacent to the nesting site. All Council works will be undertaken in accordance with any conditions that are placed on Council by QPWS.
These actions demonstrate that Council are sensitive to our environment whilst providing some assurance to residents within the flood prone areas. These actions will also ensure that any environmental impacts are minimised and that natural values will be restored to this area as the vegetation re-establishes.
Kind regards,
Margaret
Margaret Lowry | Public Consultation and Communications Officer
Works and Services | Cairns Regional Council
P: 07 4044 3303 | F: 07 4044 3830
W: cairns.qld.gov.au
Mail: PO Box 359, Cairns Q 4870 | Office: 119-145 Spence Street , Cairns Q 4870
From: Lowry Margie
ReplyDeleteTo: Brian Venables
Sent: Thu, 22 October, 2009 4:41:35 PM
Subject: Saltwater Ck drainage works
Dear Brian
The January and February 2009 flooding incidents in Cairns affected about 200 houses and commercial premises in the area shown on the attached aerial photograph.
Problems worsen in this area as the outlet through to Collins Avenue is restricted. At the moment it is seriously restricted by vegetation in and overhanging the drain, and to a lesser extent by siltation. The clearance of the vegetation will provide the greatest benefit to people flooded in Edge Hill, Manoora and Manunda. In this area, adequate width of a clear waterway is essential for proper drainage - a clear waterway from a level of 0.93m Australian Height Datum (AHD) Mean High Water Spring (MHWS) to about 2.5m. At the moment, that waterway area is about 60% blocked.
In 1994, GHD produced the Cairns Drainage Master Plan for the then Cairns City Council. At that time, GHD reported that this section was in "relatively good hydraulic condition" and it was. GHD referred to the earlier Master Plan prepared in 1972 and advised that this section of the drain had been upgraded in accordance with the previously adopted minimum of 1 in 5 year flow. That was a tailwater level of MHWS (RL 0.93m AHD). The bed width recommended by GHD in the report was 33m below the bridge. Photo's show the width to be in that in that order in 1994.
Laura,
ReplyDeleteI have a question with respect to the breeding habitat of the Rufous Owls in the Saltwater Lake. In the case of a "permit to damage" being issued to council will there be a permit number allotted and is there any requirement for council to publicly display this permit number? I sight the signage for the removal of mangroves" Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries permit No. 2009CA0359"
Thank you
Brian
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Brian Venables
----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Lowry Margie
To: Brian Venables
Sent: Mon, 2 November, 2009 4:09:49 PM
Subject: RE: Saltwater Ck drainage works
Hello Brian
Yes, Council is working with DERM as discussed and is conducting an ecological assessment of the area. If there is a requirement to advertise notices then Council will comply.
Council will replant with a variety of mangrove species in order to establish which are most successful and also to avoid obtaining a monoculture. Species will include, at this stage, Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina), Holly Mangrove (Acanthus ilicifolius), River Mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum), Blind-Your-Eye Mangrove (Exocoecaria agallocha), Black Mangrove (Lumnitzera sp), Spider Mangrove (Rhizophora stylosa), Cedar Mangrove (Xylocarpus mekongensis), Orange Mangrove (Bruguiera gymnorrhiza), Small-leafed Orange Mangrove (Bruguiera parviflora) and other species including Seablite (Suaeda arbusculoides, S. australis), Sea Purslane (Sesuvium portulacastrum) (common) and Rusty Sedge (Fimbristylis ferruginea, F. polytrichoides.
Regards
Margaret
I must confess I found the mangrove removal shocking when i first saw it. If they intend to replant, then if flooding is an issue once more, are they going to wait for the replanting to mature before ripping the whole lot out again? I don't get it...
ReplyDeleteTony K.
Brian Venables to Tony K
ReplyDeleteTony on 15 October we were told a "select set" of mangrove would be used to manicure a hedge row at 1.5 m height and a width sufficient to allow a swing arm excavator to work over the top. I asked how they intended to keep out unwanted species and was told they did not know. This select set now seems to have blown out to the suite of species given me on 2 November which is basically what is there now with a couple of important absentees. I don't believe the council has the plant material to reforest the area cleared and will have to rely on natural recruitment. The question I will be asking Fisheries is; does this permit to remove mangroves allow for the perpetual removal naturally recruited plant material in the dredging regime which must be implemented. Brian Venables Edge Hill
A brighter note: I understand from Mayor Val Schier from her statement to me in response to a question about the proposed development of the Botanic Gardens and Centenary Lakes; "I think it’s important that we do a fauna survey of that area. It is also important that Council is quite clear about possible flooding before new infrastructure is put in place" and with respect to the Rufous Owls "no work will occur along Saltwater Cr. in proximity to the Rufous Owls whilst they are nesting".
ReplyDeleteWhilst this is positive on one front, it is still not a good environmental out come when council finishes replacing a mangrove forest with a hedge row.
A new Master Flood Plan is needed and then an honest appraisal and statement from Council as to whether or not it can protect the environment.
The comment 11 November 2009 8:12 PM is by Brian Venables Edge HIll
ReplyDelete