ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT GOALS for TASMANIAN …

DEPARTMENT of PRIMARYINDUSTRIES, WATER andENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENTALMANAGEMENT

GOALSfor TASMANIAN

WATERS

DERWENT RIVER CATCHMENT

April, 2003

CENTRALHIGHLANDS

COUNCIL

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Environmental Management Goalsfor Tasmanian Waters:

During 2001/2002 ProtectedEnvironmental Values (PEVs) were setfor the catchments in the DerwentRiver Catchment. The Derwent EstuaryCatchment and Derwent Estuary werecovered in separate discussion papers..A discussion paper was prepared tofacilitate public participation in settingthe PEVs. This discussion paper wasintended as a basis for community andstakeholder participation in the processof developing environmentalmanagement goals for the catchmentarea being all of the Derwent Rivercatchment except the Derwent Estuary,the Derwent Estuary catchment and thearea of the catchment that is within theSouthern midlands municipal areawhich were the subject of separatepapers.

This paper was prepared by theEnvironment Division in consultationwith Central Highlands Council,Derwent Valley Council, MeanderValley Council, Brighton Council andthe Tasmanian Parks and WildlifeService. Words and expressions used inthe paper have, unless the contraryintention appears, the same meaning asdefined in the State Policy on WaterQuality Management 1997 and theEnvironmental Management andPollution Control Act 1994. Ecosystem

refers to physical, chemical andbiological aspects of the aquaticenvironment.

This paper has been modified into itscurrent form to reflect that the processfor setting PEVs for the Derwent RiverCatchment is now complete. It wasconsidered, however, that much of theinformation included in the discussionpaper should remain as a record of thePEV setting process.

This paper is divided into six mainsections:

• The first part discusses waterreform in general.

• The second part gives a briefdescription of the waterways in theDerwent River Catchment.

• Part three discusses the State Policyon Water Quality Management.

• The fourth part discusses theProtected Environmental Values forcatchments in the Derwent RiverCatchment.

• Water quantity values are discussedin part five.

• Part six discusses the communitywater values for the catchments.

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1 INTRODUCTION................................................................................................... 41.1 WHY DO WE NEED WATER REFORM?..................................................................... 41.2 WHAT ARE THESE REFORMS?................................................................................ 41.3 WHAT DID WE WANT THE PUBLIC TO DO? ............................................................. 51.4 HOW WAS THE PUBLIC INPUT BE USED? ................................................................ 5

2 CATCHMENT OVERVIEW ................................................................................ 62.1 CATCHMENT BOUNDARIES.................................................................................... 62.2 CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION.................................................................................... 62.3 INDUSTRIES AND WATER USES............................................................................. 82.4 WATER QUALITY ISSUES....................................................................................... 92.5 COMMUNITY WATER VALUES ............................................................................. 11

3 WATER QUALITY: PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES............ 123.1 SETTING PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES ............................................... 123.2 PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES CATEGORIES......................................... 123.3 COMMUNITY INPUT ............................................................................................ 13

4 WATER QUALITY: PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES FORTHE DERWENT RIVER CATCHMENT ................................................................. 14

5 WATER QUANTITY VALUES.......................................................................... 295.1 OVERVIEW.......................................................................................................... 295.2 WATER QUANTITY VALUES................................................................................. 29

6 COMMUNITY WATER VALUES FOR THE DERWENT RIVERCATCHMENT .............................................................................................................. 31

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2 INTRODUCTION

2.1 Why do we need water reform?

A good supply of fresh, clean water isan essential requirement for human life,a healthy environment and a productiveeconomy.

We need water for drinking, forrecreational activities like fishing,swimming and boating, to provide thefood we eat and export, to generateclean electricity, and to support miningand other industries.

We also expect our rivers and lakes tolook healthy, and provide a healthyenvironment for a wide range of aquaticplants and animals.

We sometimes take for granted that ouruse of water resources is sustainable;that our hard-working water will still bethere in a healthy state to provide thesame benefits for future generations.

Tasmanian rivers range from relativelyshort, swiftly flowing rivers fed frommountain sources to slowly flowingrivers which may be reduced to a seriesof pools during dry periods. Ourwaterways are not immune fromproblems, however, and many of ourriver systems are showing signs ofstress.

River health, and the health of theeconomies that depend upon them, isclearly linked to the way we use thewaters; the degree of regulation weimpose; the quantity of water we takeout; and the quality of water we return.

In response to a general recognitionacross the community of the importanceof having clean water and appropriateriver flows, the Tasmanian Governmentis currently finalising a range of reformsdesigned to ensure that these values areprotected for the future of the State.

2.2 What are these reforms?Two major aspects of the water reformsare water quality management andwater quantity management.

(a) water quality management

The State Policy on Water QualityManagement 1997 is designed tomaintain or enhance the quality ofTasmanian surface waters. Principalobjectives of the Policy include:

• Move on from reliance on ‘end ofpipe’ controls to take intoconsideration the number ofdischarges into a given water body,or the sensitivity or currentcondition of the water body.

• Ensure that diffuse source and pointsource pollution does not endangerthe achievement of water qualityobjectives and that pollutantsdischarged to waterways arereduced as much as possible by theuse of best practice environmentalmanagement.

• Facilitate and promote integratedcatchment management.

• Focusing on overall water qualitymanagement strategies byidentifying those water qualityvalues and uses which areconsidered worthy of protection.

The first purpose of this paper is toexplain how the water quality valueshave been identified and could be used.Local communities have a key role inidentifying these values in their areas.

(b) water quantity management

The introduction of the WaterManagement Act 1999 to replace theWater Act 1957 provides for:

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• Major changes to the institutionalarrangements for water management;

• The ready transfer of water rightsbetween different users;

• Enhanced stakeholder andcommunity input into water allocationand management; and

• A more transparent and equitablewater allocation system, includingformal allocation of flows to maintaina healthy river environment;

• The development of watermanagement plans.

The second purpose of this discussionpaper was to canvas your views on whatis valued in the water resources from awater quantity perspective.

2.3 What did we want the public todo?

Local communities have a valuableunderstanding of their regionalwaterways. The following questions ofthe catchment stakeholders were asked.What uses or values do you have forsurface waters in this area that rely uponmaintaining or enhancing water quality?Which of your activities rely uponmaintaining or enhancing the flow ofwater into catchment waterways? Arethere certain places on your rivers thatyou traditionally use for swimming orother recreational activities? Do youfish in them? Are there specificfeatures of your rivers and streams thatare recognised scenic attractions, suchas rapids or waterfalls? Do you usewater for livestock watering? Do youknow of rare or endangered animals orplants in, or adjacent to, specific areasof your rivers or streams? Does yourriver supply the local town watersupply?

Do you draw water from it to irrigateyour farm?

The catchment stakeholders/publicsanswers to these questions then helpedto develop the community water valuesfor regional wetlands and waterways.People had different views on thesequestions. What was needed to do wasto try to think about the "big" picture,and how our own objectives mayimpact on the whole catchment and thewider community.

Planning to ensure sustainable use ofthese waters and protection of riverhealth requires sound knowledge oflocal water quality and quantity issues.Therefore the public submissionsproviding local knowledge wasimportant.

2.4 How was the public input beused?

Information from the public on valuesparticularly relating to water qualityassisted the Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control andthe councils to finalise the range ofProtected Environmental Values for thesurface waters of the regionalwaterways. These values will be shownin management plans for the region.

Information from communitystakeholders, catchment groups and thepublic on water quantity values will beutilised to better plan the waterresources of the catchments. Watermanagement planning will be closelylinked with overall catchmentmanagement planning to put waterresource management on a sustainablefooting for the State. Watermanagement planning will beundertaken on a priority basis, withstressed rivers in the State beingtargeted initially.

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4 CATCHMENTOVERVIEW

4.1 Catchment boundaries

The Derwent River has its origins in theCradle Mountain-Lake St. ClairNational Park at Lake St. Clair. Fromthere it flows 150-200 km in a south-easterly direction to New Norfolk. Thesouthern boundary of the DerwentRiver, for the purposes of this paper isapproximately 2 km north of the NewNorfolk bridge. This paper also includesthe part of the Jordan River catchmentwhich lies within the BrightonMunicipal Area (see attached Map)..The Derwent Estuary and the DerwentEstuary catchments are covered in aseparate paper.

The catchment of the Derwent Riverabove New Norfolk covers a large areaof central Tasmania, approximately7800 km2. When the Jordan Rivercatchment and the areas immediatelyadjacent to the estuary below NewNorfolk are included the total catchmentarea is 8900 km2, or approximately 1/5th

of Tasmania. The major tributaries areNive River, Florentine River, BroadRiver, River Dee, Ouse/Shannon River,Clyde River, Tyenna River, Styx River,Plenty River and Jordan River. Thecatchment areas and mean historicalflows of the Derwent and its majortributaries are shown in Table 1. All ofthe Derwent River catchment aboveNew Norfolk is covered in this paperwith the exception of the Great Lakearea and the part of the catchment thatlies within the Southern MidlandsMunicipal Area. These areas arecovered in separate papers.

Table 1. Catchment Areas (km2) and MeanHistorical Flows (m3/sec) for the DerwentRiver and its major tributaries*

River Area (km2) Flow(m3/s)

Derwent 7764 @ New Norfolk

123

Nive 1277above Wayatinah

57

Florentine 436above Derwent

11.2

Broad 140@ bridge

4.2

Dee 355above Derwent

0.8

Ouse 1896above Ouse

3.7

Clyde 1109above Hamilton

2.2

Tyenna 284@ Westerway

6.1

Styx 347@ Glenora

8.4

Plenty 204@ Salmon Ponds

2.1

Jordan 742@ Mauriceton

0.8

*(from Coughanowr, C. 2001. Nutrients in theDerwent Estuary Catchment. Final Report to theNatural Heritage Trust)

4.2 Catchment descriptionThe Derwent River drops from anelevation of 735m at Lake St. Clair onthe plateau to sea level at New Norfolk.The catchment encompasses areas ofhigh rainfall in the north-west and someof the driest areas in the State in thesouth-east. Examples of mean annualrainfalls in the catchment are 1511 mmat Lake St. Clair, 943 mm at BrontePark, 545 mm at Bothwell and 579 mmat Bushy Park1. Major landformsinclude the Central Plateau, Mt.Olympus, Mt. Ida, Mt. Rufus, Mt. KingWilliam I, the Tiger Range, Mt. Field,and the Wellington Range. There aremany lakes in the region, particularly onthe plateau. Larger lakes include LakeEcho, Lake St. Clair, Lake KingWilliam, Lake Sorell and LakeCrescent. The geology of the catchment 1 Australian Bureau of Meteorology

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is dominated by Jurassic dolerite. Othermajor rock types are tertiary basalt,sediments in the ParmeneerSupergroups and pleistocene glacialdeposits near Lake King William andLake Augusta. The Junee-Florentinekarst is one of the most important inAustralia. This karst is the mostextensive underground drainage systemin Tasmania and contains the deepestcaves known in Australia. Thelimestone of this region is part of theGordon Group and it is possible thatthere is a karstic leakage between theFlorentine River and the westward-flowing Gordon River2. The area of theJunee-Florentine karst is over 23, 500ha. Approximately 7,500 ha is withinthe Mount Field National Park JuneeCave State Reserve, while the majorityof the remaining area is within stateforest3.

The Derwent River catchment includes3 of Tasmania’s biogeographic regions:Central Highlands, Southern Rangesand South East4. The native vegetationin these areas include peatlands,marshlands, buttongrass moorlands, andother alpine and sub-alpinecommunities at higher altitudes andeucalypt forests in the lower altitudesthat contain many of Tasmania’sendemic species. The wet forests inhigh rainfall areas are dominated byEucalyptus obliqua, E. delegatensis andE. regnans. Forests in drier areas aredominated by E. amygdalina, E.pulchella, E. tenuiramis, E. obliqua and

2 Kiernan, K. 1995. An Atlas of Tasmanian KarstAreas Volume 2. Tasmanian Forest ResearchCouncil, Hobart.

3 Eberhard, 1996. Inventory and Management ofKarst in the Florentine Valley, Tasmania. Report ofForestry Tasmania funded through the DistrictConservation Fund.

4 Peters, D. and Thackway, R. 1998. A NewBiogeographic Regionalisation for Tasmania. Reportprepared for the National Reserve ProgramComponent of the National Heritage Trust.

E. delegatensis. Rainforest occurs onsome mountain hillslopes and valleyfloors.

The Clarence River catchment, atributary of the Nive River, is home ofthe endangered freshwater fish Galaxiasjohnstoni (Clarence galaxias). Otherendangered animals in the Derwentcatchment are Galaxias tanycephalus(Saddled galaxias – Woods Lake), theswift parrot, orange-bellied parrot, thegrey goshawk and the wedge-tail eagle.Also in this catchment are the green andgold frog, the ptunarra brown butterfly,and Paragalaxias dissimilis (Shannonparagalaxias) which are listed asvunerable and the great crested grebeand Galaxias auratus (golden galaxias)which are listed as rare in theTasmanian Schedule of threatenedspecies. There are 89 plant species inthe Derwent catchment which are listedas either endangered(9), vulnerable(10)or rare(70) including Barbareaaustralis, the native watercress, whichwas rediscovered at Wadammana in1986 and has since been recorded fromthe Ouse, Shannon and Clyde rivers.The mid-Derwent Catchment Landcaregroup is investigating a variety ofAcacia mucronata which may be a newand rare variety (pers. comm., A.Lawson).

There are a number of wetlands in thecentral highlands region which havebeen identified as significant because oftheir notable flora and fauna. TheInterlaken Lakeside Reserve is awetland of international importancelisted under the Convention onWetlands (the “Ramsar Convention”).Wetlands at Allwrights Lagoons,Clarence Lagoon, Kemps Marsh, andShadow Lake Sphagnum are of nationalsignificance and two other wetlands atLake Sorell (Robinson Marsh, and an

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unnamed wetland) are of statesignificance5.

The main reserved areas in the Derwentcatchment are Mt Field National Parkand parts of the Cradle Mt.–Lake St.Clair, Walls of Jerusalem, Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers and SouthwestNational Parks, Central PlateauConservation Area, the Great WesternTiers Conservation Area andWellington Park. With the exception ofMt Field National Park, all the nationalparks and the Central PlateauConservation Area in the catchment arewithin the Tasmanian WildernessWorld Heritage Area.

4.3 Industries and Water Uses

The main industries in the catchmentare hydro-electricity generation,agriculture, forestry, aquaculture andtourism. In the eastern part of thecatchment the predominant land tenureis private property, and much of theselowlands have been cleared foragriculture. In the western part of thecatchment the predominant land tenuresare National Parks, Conservation Areas,and State Forest, and to a lesser extentprivate property and Hydro-ElectricCorporation land.

Much of the water in the Derwentcatchment is utilised for electricitygeneration. Flows in the Derwent, Nive,Dee and Ouse/Shannon rivers have beenmodified for this purpose. Waters inthese rivers are dammed or diverted toseveral water reservoirs. There are 10hydro-power stations in the catchment.Their average total output is 272 MW,

5 ANCA (Australian Nature Conservation Agency),1996, Directory of Important Wetlands in AustraliaSecond Edition. ANCA, Canberra.

which is 25% of the electricitygenerated in Tasmania6.

Much of the privately held land in thecatchment is utilised for agriculture.Water is taken from a number of riversand streams for irrigation and stockwatering. Agricultural activities in thecatchment include grazing of sheep andcattle, crops and dairies. Crops includeoil crops (pyrethrum, peppermint, dill,fennel), poppies, hops, currants andvegetables. Discharges from LakeSorell and Lake Crescent into the ClydeRiver have been controlled for irrigationsince the 1830’s7.

A significant proportion of timberharvesting from native forests in theState occurs in the Derwent catchment.In 1996/97 approximately 90,000 m3 ofeucalypt sawlogs and veneer logs andapproximately 300,000 m3 of pulpwoodwere harvested from the Derwent Rivercatchment. Plantation forestry is anotheractivity in the Derwent Rivercatchment. In 1998 there were 14,000ha of plantations in the Derwent ForestDistrict (n.b. this district includes someEast Coast areas in addition to theDerwent River catchment) and forecaststhat this will increase to 23,000 by20088.

Salmon hatcheries which producejuvenile salmon (smolts) for the State’sAtlantic salmon industry are located inthe catchment and take water from theDerwent, Florentine and Tyenna riversfor their operations. Water is taken fromLondon Marsh Creek to provide privatefishing waters. Fishing is a major 6 Hydro Tasmania website –http://www.hydro.com.au

7 Hudspeth, A., Scipps, L. and Clark, J. 1991.Hamilton, The Way to the West: a History of theHamilton District.

8 Forestry Tasmania (1999). Derwent Forest DistrictForest Management Plan – June 1999. ForestryTasmania.

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recreational activity in the catchment,and an important element of the tourismindustry in this region.

The Derwent catchment is an importanttown water supply. In addition tosupplying the small towns throughoutthe catchment, the Derwent Rivercatchment is the largest source of waterto Hobart Water, which supplies 8councils in southern Tasmania. Water issourced from the Derwent river andtreated at the Bryn Estyn treatmentplant above New Norfolk. Water is alsocollected from the Lake Fenton/LadyBarron Creek catchment. In 1999/200065% of the water supplied by HobartWater was taken from the DerwentRiver, and 17% was from the LakeFenton/Lady Barron Creek catchment9.Part of the Lake Fenton/Lady BarrenCreek catchment is within the Mt FieldNational Park and the remainder is inState forest. Protected environmentalvalues (PEVs) for the part of the LakeFenton/Lady Barron Creek catchmentwithin the Mt Field National Park havebeen proposed in the Draft ManagementPlan for the park10. The majority of thearea within State forest has beenclassified by Forestry Tasmania as aninformal reserve with no plans forharvesting operations, and theremaining area has been classified as aSpecial Management Zone for watervalues. A draft management plan for theLake Fenton/Lady Barron catchmenthas been developed to protect the highquality of water in this catchment frompotential impacts, particularly turbidity

9 Hobart Water Annual Report 2000

10 Mt Field National Park, Marriot Falls StateReserve & Junee Cave State Reserve DraftManagement Plan, January 2000. Tasmanian Parksand Wildlife Service. Department of PrimaryIndustries, Water and Environment.

arising from unnatural sources oferosion11.

4.4 Water quality issues

While many activities in the Derwentcatchment depend on good qualitywater, human activities and naturalphenomena in the region have impactson water quality. Water qualitymonitoring was undertaken on theDerwent and near the down stream endof 9 major tributaries between 1996 and200012. More detailed monitoring wasundertaken of the Tyenna River and theClyde River as these tributaries hadrelatively high levels of nutrients butquite different land uses in theircatchments.

Overall the Derwent River had highwater quality with low levels ofnutrients, turbidity and total suspendedsolids (TSS) under a wide range of flowconditions. Temperature, pH andconductivity were typically low tomoderate. The median dissolved oxygenwas above 90% saturated in theDerwent River as it was in all thetributaries.

The water quality of the majortributaries was variable and reflectedimpacts from human activities as wellas from natural phenomena. Waterdraining from Lake King William andthe Nive catchment had high waterquality characterised by low pH(between 6 and 7), low conductivity,low TSS and low concentrations ofdissolved and total nutrients. The Nivecatchment contributes over 60% of theDerwent's flow.

11 Draft Lake Fenton/Lady Barron Creek DrinkingWater Catchment Management Plan. January 2000.Hobart Water.

12 Coughanowr, C. 2001. Nutrients in the DerwentEstuary Catchment. Final report to the NaturalHeritage Trust.

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The tributaries that flow from the East(Dee, Ouse, Clyde and Jordan) weremostly characterised by moderatetemperatures, pH and conductivity,elevated TSS and turbidity, andrelatively high concentrations of totalnutrients. These rivers are impacted byagricultural activities. These impactsinclude stock access, willow infestationand the clearance of native vegetationalong streams and rivers in addition tothe extraction of water for irrigation.The pressure of these impacts on waterquality has been greater in recent yearsdue to the very low rainfall experiencedin the region. The Jordan flows througha region of naturally high salinity andhad substantially higher conductivitiesthan any of the other tributaries with amedian of 800 µS, compared with amedian of less than 50 µS in the Nivesystem and Lake King William and amedian of less than 250 µS in theClyde, Ouse and Dee Rivers. The Clydeis also impacted by high levels oforganic nitrogen and phosphorousdischarged from Lakes Sorell andCrescent. These lakes are naturally richin organic matter as they were notcleared out in the last glaciation.

A detailed study of the Jordan River hasbeen underway since February 1999 aspart of the national “State of the Rivers”project13. The Jordan River is a riverunder stress because of the combinedeffects of irrigation and lowprecipitation. The flow is very low andin some areas the river has been reducedto a series of ponds. In these conditionsthe salinity of the river reflects that ofthe groundwater, with higher salinitiesoccurring in its tributaries. The highestaverage conductivity of 3230 µSoccurred in Tea Tree Rivulet. In themain body of the river the highestaverage conductivity was 1888 µS at a 13 Berry, K. Water Quality in the Jordan catchment,Third Progress Report, (February 2001). DPIWE.

site near Pontville. The dissolvedoxygen levels at most sites were abovethat required to support a healthysystem, except at the tidal limit in themonths of January and February. Asnapshot of E. coli levels in 2000, found9 of 16 sites had levels above theguidelines for primary contact insummer, and 5 of 16 sites had levels ofthese bacteria above the primary contactlevel in winter.

There was some variation in the westerntributaries of the Derwent River(Tyenna, Styx, Plenty and Florentine),but in general they had moderate pH(between 7 and 8) and moderateconductivities with median levels in therange 50 to 250 µS. The lowestconductivities were recorded in thePlenty, and increasingly higher levels inthe Styx, Tyenna and Florentine.Elevated levels of ammonia (NH3) andphosphate (PO4) were recordeddownstream of fishfarms. Higher levelsof nitrates (NO3) in some of these riverswere attributed to the limestone geologyof the karst systems in the catchments12.

The hydro water storages in thecatchment may affect the water qualityof the rivers by acting as sinks forsuspended solids but their role is poorlyunderstood. Seven reservoirs on theDerwent River (St. Clair, King William,Wayatinah, Catagunya, Repulse, Clunyand Meadowbank), three reservoirs inthe Nive system (Bradys, Pine Tier andBronte) and seven in the south-east ofthe Central Plateau (Crescent, Dee,Echo, Little Pine, Lagoon of Islands,Penstock and Sorell) are monitored bythe Inland Fisheries Commission onbehalf of the HEC. Chlorophyll-a waslow in all lakes with the exception ofLakes Crescent and to a lesser extentLake Sorell. Total phosphorous, totalnitrogen and turbidity were low in thereservoirs on the Derwent River and inthe Nive system, but were elevated in

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the lakes of the south-eastern CentralPlateau, particularly in Lakes Crescentand Sorell 12.

4.5 Community water values

A survey of uses and issues ofwaterways in the Derwent catchmenthas been undertaken by the DerwentCatchment Management Group. Themost commonly cited uses were fishing,stock watering, swimming, homesteaduse, irrigation, aesthetic-recreational(camping/walking), drinking water andwater-skiing at Meadowbank Lake.Swimming locations noted wereMeadowbank Lake, the Tyenna River atWesterway, Wayatinah Lagoon, BroadRiver, Derwent River between ClunyDam and Meadowbank, Derwent Riverat New Norfolk, Lake St. Clair,Molesworth, Bronte and the Nive Riverat Tungatinah. The major issues ofconcern in the catchment were rural tree

decline/dieback, availability of waterfor town water supplies, weeds, soilerosion, pollution from sewage/stormwater, planning for agriculturaluse, environmental flows in rivers andwater availability for irrigation.

Issues and values were identified for theClyde River in a workshop held in 1998as part of water management planningfor that river (see section 6, table 2),and also for the Jordan River in aworkshop held in 1999 when ProtectedEnvironmental Values and CommunityWater Values were determined forsurface waters in the Southern MidlandsMunicipal Area (see section 6, table 3).

Public meetings were also held at NewNorfolk, Westerway, Ouse, Gagebrookand Bothwell in September and earlyOctober 2001 for the setting theProtected Environmental Values (seesection 6, tables .

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5 WATER QUALITY: PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTALVALUES

5.1 Setting ProtectedEnvironmental Values

The first step in the implementation ofthe State Policy on Water QualityManagement 1997 is the identificationof Protected Environmental Values(PEVs) of the surface waters in yourregion. PEVs are the values or uses ofthe water body for which it isdetermined that any given area ofthat water body should be protected.These values and uses should be clearlyin evidence at the time of theimplementation of the Policy.

The Policy specifies a range of PEVswhich may be applied to a given waterbody. More than one PEV may beapplied to a water body. The PEVs are:

A. Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems

B. Recreational Water Quality andAesthetics

C. Raw Water for Drinking WaterSupply

D. Agricultural Water Use

E. Industrial Water Supply

These values are described in moredetail in Section 3.2.

The Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control willthen specify a range of pollutant limitscalled Water Quality Objectives. Thesewill be designed to ensure the quality ofwater in that water body is maintainedat a level which will allow the chosenvalues to be protected.

The Policy then sets out a range ofstrategies which are aimed at ensuringthat waste water discharges from pointsources (such as industrial or sewagetreatment plant discharges) and diffusesources (such as runoff from highways,urban areas, farms, forest harvesting

etc.) will not endanger the achievementof the Water Quality Objectives.

The Board and local planningauthorities will use these strategies inland use planning and approvalsprocesses, and in ongoing regulation, toensure that the PEVs for a given waterbody are maintained or enhanced overtime.

5.2 Protected EnvironmentalValues Categories

The Policy lists a range of PEVs whichare used to describe the identifiedvalues and uses of a given water body.These are:

A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems(i) Pristine or near pristine ecosystems;

(ii) Modified (not pristine) ecosystems:

(a) from which edible fish, crustaceaand shellfish are harvested, or

(b) from which edible fish, crustaceaand shellfish are not harvested.

What does pristine mean?

"Pristine" means waters not subject tohuman interference through dischargesor other activities within the catchment(Australian Water Quality Guidelines1992).

B: Recreational Water Quality &Aesthetics(i) Primary contact

(ii) Secondary contact

(iii) Aesthetics

‘Primary contact’ means recreationinvolving bodily immersion /submersion where there is direct contact

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with water, & includes swimming,diving, surfing, water skiing.

‘Secondary contact’ means activitieswhere there is some direct watercontact, but it is unlikely that water willbe swallowed (e.g. paddling, boating,and fishing).

‘Aesthetics’ means visual appearance ofthe water, being free from oil, grease,floating debris, unnatural colour, algalblooms etc.

C: Raw Water for Drinking Supply

(ii) Subject to coarse screening anddisinfection.

This PEV applies to water used as theintake source for public use (townwater supply, in other words) and toregistered private water supplies.

It does not apply to the taking of waterfrom surface waters by individuals forprivate use for the purposes of drinkingetc.

The Director of Public Healthrecommends that raw water from anysurface waterbody should be boiledbefore use.

D: Agricultural Water Uses(i) Irrigation

(ii) Stock watering

E: Industrial Water SupplyThe actual industry type must bespecified in order to identify appropriateguidelines.

3.3 Community Input

We asked the public to examine andprovide comment on some water qualityPEVs which the Board and regionalplanning authorities had, as a startingpoint, suggested may be suitable forsurface waters in the Derwent RiverCatchment.

We wanted the community to tell usabout specific areas of rivers that mayneed different or additional PEVs(traditional fishing areas, for example).Are there rare or endangered species inspecific locations which need to beacknowledged? Are there specificlocations or stretches of river whichneed different PEVs (traditionalswimming holes, for example)? Otherquestions were whether existing valuesand uses are under threat fromdeteriorating water quality, or whetherthere is the potential for improvingwater quality to support new uses.

The Board and the regional planningauthorities considered and took intoaccount all submissions before comingto a decision on PEVs for thesewetlands and waterways.

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WATER QUALITY: PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUESFOR THE DERWENT RIVER CATCHMENT

In 2001-2002 the State Governmentthrough the Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control inassociation with the Derwent Valley,Central Highlands, Brighton andMeander Valley Councils, the Directorof National Parks and Wildlife, and theWellington Park Management Trust setProtected Environmental Values (PEVs)for surface waters for the Derwent Rivercatchment as required by the StatePolicy on Water Quality Management1997 (the Policy).

The Discussion Paper – ProposedEnvironmental Management Goals forTasmanian Surface Waters: DerwentRiver Catchment – was developed byDPIWE in association with councils andthe Derwent Catchment ManagementGroup and approved for release tostakeholders and the public in August2001. This paper explained the Policyand how the environmental values forwater quality (PEVs) are identified andused.

The catchment area is all of theDerwent River catchment except theDerwent Estuary, the Derwent Estuarycatchment and the area of the catchmentthat is within the Southern MidlandsMunicipal Area which are the subject ofseparate discussion papers.

The discussion paper was sent to 125stakeholders who were invited to publicmeetings at New Norfolk, Westerway,Ouse, Gagebrook and Bothwell inSeptember and early October 2001.

These meetings were advertised twicein the Public Notices section of TheMercury and in the Derwent ValleyGazette. The meetings were alsoadvertised online in the local and ruraldiary sections on the ABC web site. Atthe meetings background informationon Protected Environmental Values andthe State Policy on Water QualityManagement was provided andCommunity Water Values for the regionwere collected from the participants.Attendances at the meetings were asfollows: New Norfolk – 12, Westerway– 6, Ouse – 6, Gagebrook – 2 andBothwell - 12. No written submissionswere received. An extensive list ofCommunity Water Values wascompiled from information collected atthe meetings. The significant changes tothe PEVs arising from the consultationwas the identification of swimminglocations on or adjacent to private landin the Derwent Valley and CentralHighlands Municipal Areas. No sitessuitable for primary contact recreationalactivities were identified in the BrightonMunicipality. The amended PEVs andcompiled Community Water Valueswere forwarded to all the stakeholdersand others who attended the meetings toensure that their values had beenrepresented satisfactorily. No commentswere received.

Community Water Values should beincorporated into the futuredevelopment of water management andcatchment management plans.

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Table 2: PEVs for the Derwent River Catchment* (see note on page 28)

Land Tenure Proposed Protected Environmental Values

Surface Waters inWellington Park

A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems

(i) Pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics

(i) Primary contact water quality (where permitted)

(ii) Secondary contact water quality

(iii) Aesthetic water quality

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristineor near pristine aquatic ecosystem; which will allow people to safelyengage in primary contact activities (e.g. swimming) and secondarycontact recreation activities (e.g. paddling or fishing) in aestheticallypleasing waters, where those activities are permitted under theWellington Park Management Plan.

16



Surface Waters onPrivate Land inthe CentralHighlands andDerwent ValleyMunicipal Areas

(including foreston privateproperty)


(ii) Modified (not pristine) ecosystems

(a) from which edible fish are harvested


(i) Primary contact water quality - Railway crossing at Hayes, nearcliff at Magra, in Styx River upstream of bridge near Glenora school,Styx River in Bushy Park showground, 500m stretch of the Broad Riverabove bridge, bridge at Bothwell, below bridge at Hamilton (n.b.sometimes signed as unsuitable for swimming), below bridge at Ouse,bottom end of Lake Meadowbank near the ski-club, Wayatinah Lagoon,Salmon Ponds at Plenty, in the Tyenna River at Tyenna, Lake Dobson, inthe Tyenna River opposite the Westerway Primary School, in the Tyennariver at the Bridge near the camping grounds at the entrance to NationalPark.** (see note on page 28)



C. Raw Water for Drinking Water Supply

(ii) Subject to coarse screening plus disinfection(Town water intakes at Bothwell, New Norfolk-Illa Brook, DerwentRiver-Bryn Estyn, Gretna, Ouse, Ellendale, Hamilton)

D: Agricultural Water Uses

(i) Irrigation

(ii) Stock watering

E: Industrial Water Supply (Aquaculture, pulp and paper mill, hydro-electricity generation)

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek to providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, but modified aquaticecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; that is suitable for raw water fordrinking water supplies at offtakes for town water supplies, subject to coarse screeningplus disinfection (Bothwell, New Norfolk-Illa Brook, Derwent River-Bryn Estyn,Gretna, Ouse, Ellendale, Hamilton); that is acceptable for irrigation and stock wateringpurposes; which will allow people to safely engage in primary contact recreationactivities such as swimming (at specific sites) and secondary contact recreationactivities such as paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; and which issuitable for aquaculture, pulp and paper mill production and hydro-electricitygeneration.

17



Surface Waters onPrivate Land inthe BrightonMunicipal Area

(including foreston privateproperty)





(i) Secondary contact water quality

(ii) Aesthetic water quality

D: Agricultural Water Uses

(i) Irrigation

(ii) Stock watering

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy,but modified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may beharvested; that is acceptable for irrigation and stock watering purposes;which will allow people to safely engage in primary contact recreationactivities such as swimming (at specific sites) and secondary contactrecreation activities such as paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasingwaters.

18



Surface waters inForest Reserveswith theirheadwaters withinForest Reserves orNational Parksadjacent to ForestReserves.



having regard for the management objectives for forest reserves outlined inSchedule 3 of the Forestry Act, 1920.





E: Industrial Water Supply (hydro-electricity generation)

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristineor near pristine aquatic ecosystem; which will allow people to safelyengage in recreation activities such as swimming, paddling or fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters; and which is suitable for hydro-electricpower generation.

19



Surface watersflowing throughForest Reservesfrom Private Land,State Forest,UnallocatedCrown Land orHEC Land.


(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems


having regard for the management objectives for forest reserves outlined inSchedule 3 of the Forestry Act, 1920.






That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy,but modified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may beharvested; which will allow people to safely engage in recreationactivities such as swimming, paddling or fishing in aestheticallypleasing waters; and which is suitable for hydro-electric powergeneration.

20



Surface Waters inNational Parks,State Reserves,Nature Reservesor Historic Siteswith theirheadwaters withinthose NationalParks, StateReserves, NatureReserves orHistoric Sites.



having regard for the management objectives for National Parks, StateReserves, Nature Reserves & Historic Sites outlined in Schedule 1 of theNational Parks and Reserves Management Act, 2002.





C: Raw Water for Drinking Water Supply

(ii) Subject to coarse screening plus disinfection(Lake Fenton/Lady Barron Creek catchment)


That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristineor nearly pristine ecosystem; that is suitable for raw water for drinkingwater supply, subject to coarse screening plus disinfection (LakeFenton/Lady Barron Creek catchment); which will allow people tosafely engage in recreation activities such as swimming, paddling orfishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; and which is suitable for hydro-electric power generation.

21



Surface Watersflowing throughNational Parks,State Reserves,Nature Reservesand Historic Sitesfrom Private Land,State Forest,UnallocatedCrown Land orHEC Land.


(ii) Modified (not pristine) ecosystem


having regard for the management objectives for National Parks,State Reserves, Nature Reserves & Historic Sites outlined inSchedule 1 of the National Parks and Reserves Management Act,2002.






That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support amodified ecosystem from which edible fish maybe harvested; whichwill allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such asswimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; andwhich is suitable for hydro-electric power generation.

22



Surface Waters inNatureRecreation Areas,ConservationAreas and GameReserves withtheir headwaterswithin thoseNature RecreationAreas,ConservationAreas and GameReserves oradjacent NationalParks.



having regard for the management objectives for Nature Recreation Areas,Conservation Areas and Game Reserves outlined in Schedule 1 of theNational Parks and Reserves Management Act, 2002.






That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristineor near pristine aquatic ecosystem; and which will allow people tosafely engage in recreation activities such as swimming, paddling orfishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; and which is suitable for hydro-electric power generation.

23



Surface Watersflowing throughNatureRecreation Areas,ConservationAreas and GameReserves fromPrivate Land, StateForest,UnallocatedCrown Land orHEC Land.


(ii) Modified (not pristine) ecosystem


having regard for the management objectives for Nature RecreationAreas, Conservation Areas and Game Reserves outlined in Schedule1 of the National Parks and Reserves Management Act, 2002.






That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support amodified ecosystem from which edible fish maybe harvested; whichwill allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such asswimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; andwhich is suitable for hydro-electric power generation.

24



Surface waters inPublic Reservesthat have theirheadwaters withinthose PublicReserves or theirheadwaters inWellington Park,where the PublicReserve is adjacentto WellingtonPark.



having regard for the management objectives for public reserves outlined inSchedule 4 of the of the Regional Forest Agreement (Land Classification)Act, 1998.






That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristineor near pristine aquatic ecosystem; which will allow people to safelyengage in recreation activities such as swimming, paddling or fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters; and which is suitable for hydro-electricpower generation.

Surface watersflowing throughPublic Reserves(under the CrownLands Act 1976)from Private Landin the BrightonMunicipal Area.




having regard for the management objectives for public reservesoutlined in Schedule 4 of the of the Regional Forest Agreement(Land Classification) Act, 1998.




That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support amodified, but healthy aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish areharvested; and which will allow people to safely engage in recreationactivities such as swimming, paddling or fishing in aestheticallypleasing waters.

25



Surface watersflowing throughPublic Reserves(under the CrownLands Act 1976)from Private Land,State Forest,UnallocatedCrown Land orHEC Land in theCentral Highlandsand DerwentValley MunicipalAreas.



(b) from which edible fish are harvested

having regard for the management objectives for public reservesoutlined in Schedule 4 of the of the Regional Forest Agreement(Land Classification) Act, 1998.






That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support amodified, but healthy aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish areharvested; which will allow people to safely engage in recreationactivities such as swimming, paddling or fishing in aestheticallypleasing waters; and which is suitable for hydro-electric powergeneration.

26



Surface waters onUnallocatedCrown Land


(ii) Modified not pristine ecosystem







That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support modified(not pristine) ecosystem from which edible fish are harvested; whichwill allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such asswimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; andwhich is suitable for hydro-electric power generation.

Surface Waters onHydro ElectricCorporationLand








E. Industrial Water Supply (hydro-electricity generation)

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support modified(not pristine) ecosystem from which edible fish are harvested; andwhich will allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such asswimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; andwhich is suitable for hydro-electric power generation.

27



Surface waters onCommonwealthLand







That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support modified(not pristine) ecosystem from which edible fish are harvested; andwhich will allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such asswimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters, wherethose activities are permitted.

28



Surface waterswithin StateForests

(managed underthe Forestry Act1920)




having regard for Forestry Tasmania’s Management DecisionClassification System





C: Raw Water for Drinking Water Supply

(ii) Subject to coarse screening plus disinfection(Lake Fenton/Lady Barron Creek catchment)


That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seekto provide water of a physical and chemical nature to support modified,but healthy aquatic ecosystems from which edible fish may beharvested; that is suitable for raw water for drinking water supply,subject to coarse screening plus disinfection (Lake Fenton/Lady BarronCreek catchment); which will allow people to safely engage inrecreation activities such as swimming, paddling and fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters; and which is suitable for hydro-electricpower generation.

* In general, diffuse source pollution can be managed to protect the PEVs by compliance withapproved codes of practice, or by development and implementation of best practiceenvironmental management guidelines where codes are not available. In general, point sourcepollution should be managed to protect the PEVs by implementation of best practiceenvironmental management, and by compliance with emission limits set by the regulatoryauthority. This may also require the setting of a mixing zone by the Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control. For specific details refer to Part 4 of the State Policy onWater Quality Management, 1997.

** The following locations for primary contact activities are subject to monitoring by the CentralHighlands Council and where necessary advisory signage will be displayed: Broad River abovebridge, bridge at Bothwell, below bridge at Hamilton, below bridge at Ouse, Lake Meadowbanknear the ski club, Wayatinah Lagoon and the Tyenna River opposite the school.

29

7 WATER QUANTITY VALUES 7.1 Overview

While water quality is a very importantpart of any water management regime,the issue of how much water a river orstream carries, and how that flow ismanaged, is of equal importance.Water quality and quantity are closelylinked.

The State Government proposes to re-organise the way water flow in ourrivers and streams is managed, and oneof the key understandings is that thereneeds to be a specific allocation ofwater for the river or stream itself. Thisis necessary not only to protect theaquatic life of the river, but also tomaintain basic "river health". If there isinsufficient flow at crucial times of theyear, the overall quality of theremaining water may be badly affected.This will very likely have a negativeeffect on human uses of the water, aswell as on the environment.

In some instances there may becompeting uses for the availableresource, and there may need to betrade-offs to ensure a balanced sharingarrangement between human uses andthe needs of the river environment.

The allocation of water for theenvironment must be based on scientificinformation, and on legitimatecommunity values and uses.

7.2 Water quantity values

Five broad categories of water quantityvalues have been identified, and as withthe water quality PEVs, it is likely thatmost rivers will attract more than onevalue/use category. The categories are:

• Ecosystem values;

• Physical landscape values.

• Consumptive and non-consumptiveuse values;

• Recreation values;

• Aesthetic landscape values;

The information from the publics inputand gathering water management valuesfrom stakeholders, community groupsand government agencies will beutilised when water managementplanning for the catchment isundertaken.

An appraisal of water quantity valueswill be undertaken in order to developwater management goals for thecatchment. This will be undertakenduring the water management planningprocess.

An explanation of the water quantityvalue categories and examples ofspecific values are given below:

Ecosystem values: The term is used toidentify those values which are to beprotected and/or enhanced in the currentstate of aquatic and adjacent landecosystems. Specific water valuesassociated with the ecosystem valuecategory may be:

• protection of an endangered species(plant or animal);

• protection or improvement in nativefish populations;

• protection of riverine vegetation;

• provision of adequate water forstream habitat for flora and fauna;

• provision of water for wetlandand/or estuary ecosystems.

30

Physical Landscape Values: Thesevalues are closely related to the physicalnature of the catchment. This includesthe nature and constitution of channels,the frequency of floods and droughts,soil and rock types, and vegetationcoverage. These values are also closelyassociated with ecosystem function, andmay overlap with the protection ofecosystem values. Specific water valuesassociated with physical landscapevalues may include:

• provision of variable flows;

• prevention of artificial erosionwhilst maintaining whereappropriate natural processes oferosion and deposition;

• protection or improvement ofriparian zone.

Consumptive and Non-ConsumptiveUse Values: These are related to thecurrent and potential human uses ofwater bodies. Consumptive use refersto the extraction of water from thewater body, with no return of it to thewater body. Examples may include:

• provision of water for irrigation;

• provision of water for town supply;

• provision of water for industry.

Non-consumptive use refers toextraction or use of water, where thewater is eventually returned to the river.Examples may include:

• use of water for hydro-electricitygeneration;

• use of water for fish farming.

Recreational Values: These include therange of direct human uses of water

bodies for purposes such as kayaking,canoeing, sailing, swimming, fishingetc. This type of value is difficult toquantify, but is an essential part of ourway of life in Tasmania. Water qualityissues are also important, especiallywhere primary contact occurs(swimming for example), or where therecreational activity relies on a base ofgood quality water, such as arecreational fishery. Examples mayinclude:

• maintenance or improvement of thequantity (and quality) of water forrecreational fishery (trout, blackfishetc);

• provision of sufficient water forwhitewater rafting;

• provision of sufficient water (ofadequate quality) for swimming.

Aesthetic Landscape Values: Thesevalues relate to human appreciation ofwater and adjacent environments. It isoften extremely difficult to addressthese types of values, or work out theflow requirements to ensure theirprotection. They are, however,legitimate values which must beacknowledged in any good managementprocess. Examples may include:

• maintenance or improvement offlow through gorges or overwaterfalls;

• protection of scenic features in ariver.

The Community Water valuesidentified through the PEVs process cantherefore be considered when makingmanagement decisions for waterquantity.

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8 Community Water Values for the Derwent River Catchment

Table 3: Water Values for the Clyde River (Workshop held on the 17/8/98- BothwellCouncil Chambers)

BROAD WATERVALUECATEGORIES

SPECIFIC WATER VALUES

1. Ecosystem • Improve water quality.• Maintain and improve habitat for aquatic fauna.• Stop sewage outflows into river.• Improve fish habitat.• Selectively eradicate willows.• Remove cumbungi.• Maintain and improve trout spawning areas.• Maintain and improve habitat for macroinvertebrates.• Improve natural seasonality of flows.• Improve status of endangered species.• Maintain carp free status of river.• Maintain eel habitat.• Maintain and improve fish habitat.

2. Consumptiveand non-consumptiveuse

• Security of supply of town water supply.• High security of riparian water.• High security of water for irrigation.• Provision of water for power generation.• Allow for increased irrigation through various methods.• Improve efficient regulation of water flows.• Provision of water for fish farms.

3. Recreational • Maintain and improve spawning areas for trout.• Improve trout fishery.• Improve for swimming.• Maintain access to river for disabled fishermen.

4. PhysicalLandscape

• Control or eradication of crack willow.• Improve the riparian zone.• Preservation of Bothwell Falls.• Maintenance of critical barriers to stop invasion of undesirable species.• Maintain stability of river.• Allow for flood mitigation.

5. Aesthetic • Improve visual quality and access to Bothwell Falls.• Improve visual access of Croakers Alley.• Maintain or improve Clyde River Walk at Hamilton and Showgrounds.• Reduce turbidity of river.

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Table 4: Water Values for the Jordan River (Workshop held on the 15/6/99- KemptonCouncil Chambers)

BROAD WATERVALUECATEGORIES

SPECIFIC WATER VALUES

1. Ecosystem • Control of exotic fauna.• Control of exotic weed infestations.• Maintain/improve trout populations.• Maintain/improve eel populations.• Protect native riparian vegetation.• Maintain/improve frog populations as indicators of health.• Protect, preserve and control native animal populations.• Control of Azolla weed.• Re-establish native riparian vegetation.• Maintain and improve the health of the ecosystem.• Maintain and improve biodiversity within the system.• Maintain important habitat zones.• Maintain variability of flow.• Address increasing salinity.• Control of pollution inputs to the river.• Maintain suitable water for the environment.

2. Consumptiveand non-consumptiveuse

• More efficient use of water extraction.• Appropriate timing of water offtakes.• Maintain suitable water for irrigation.• Improve efficiency of water storage.• Reduce evaporation loss.

3. Recreational • Better management of the water resource.• Improve water quality and quantity for swimming, fishing and duck

shooting.• Improvement of riparian zone.• Improve access to stream through removal of riparian weed species.• Improve conditions for canoeing and kayaking.• Stock management on riparian zone.• Improve flows in Bagdad Rivulet for irrigating the golf course.• Improve water quality in Jordan below Cove Hill.

4. PhysicalLandscape

• Improvement of erosion zones.• Revegetation of native species after willow removal.• Identify source and location of silt build-up.• Improve riparian vegetation quality.• Stock management on river courses.

5. Aesthetic • Protect sandstone cliffs in upper catchment.• Improve access and facilities around Pontville bridge.• Enhancement and protection of landscape at Blackrush and

Broadmarsh road junction.• Improve landscape around Bagdad Rivulet behind the school.• Improve bird habitat in the catchment.

33

• Improve landscape values for historical purposes around oldresidences.

• Establishment of wildlife corridors into riparian zones.• Maintain and/or establish sequence of pools in river.

Table 5: Community Water Values for the Derwent River Catchment Collected at a PublicMeeting Held in the New Norfolk Council Offices on 25/9/01.

Water ValueCategories

Specific Water Values

1. Ecosystemvalues

• Platypus habitat• Diverse and healthy ecosystem• Habitat for fish and other fauna• Native riparian vegetation• Maintain weed-free areas• Stream and river banks not impacted by un-natural erosion• Intact natural ecosystems• Waterways support threatened species local to the Derwent River e.g. Discardia

pubescens, Acacia riceana, Spiridium sp., Epacrais sp. and a possible new acaciaspecies

• Wetlands• Tannins• Waterways free of carp, redfin perch and tench• Swampy areas• Tall forests in the Styx Valley• Trident tree in the Florentine• Minor species

2. PhysicalLandscape Values

• Diversity of habitats – riffles, pools, bends, riverbanks• Sound of running water at rapids and waterfalls• Views in general, but notably the large/long views of the Derwent Valley showing

the complete system from the mountains• Importance of mountains as a backdrop• Junee Cave karst system• Glacial rock formations at Mt. Field National Park and Lake St. Clair• Contribution to the economic value through tourism• Rapids• Lakes• Steep mountains• Russell Falls• Bothwell Falls• Diversity of landscapes from rain forest to dry woodlands

3. Consumptiveand Non-ConsumptiveValues

• Bulk Drinking Water Supply• Domestic use• Waysiders use water from the Lake Fenton/Lady Barron line for domestic use and

irrigation• Irrigation• Riparian – stock watering and household gardens

34

• Norske Skog ( water is treated to a drinking water standard except from a minorintake close to the mill)

• Fish farming• Swimming pools• Power generation• Open-cut coal mine at Hamilton• Golf course• Maintenance of public reserves• Fire-fighting• Salmon Ponds near Plenty (also has cultural, heritage and tourism values and fish

are bred for dams)4. RecreationalValues

• Swimming holes: Railway crossing at Hayes, near cliff at Magra, Styx Riverupstream of bridge near Glenora school, Styx River in Bushy Park showground(n.b. no swimming is allowed in the Derwent River 750 m upstream anddownstream of the Bryn Estyn intake)

• Rafting at the Plenty Bridge• Canoeing and kayaking• Fishing• Boating• Picnics• Watching flora and fauna• Blackberry collecting• Water-skiing e.g. Lake Meadowbank• Camping• Grubs from wattles used for fishing• 4 Wheel Driving and Car Rallies• Bushwalking• Open fires on riverbanks

5. AestheticLandscape Values

• Clear, clean looking water• Value willows in the Derwent Valley (seasonal colours)• Colours of natural landscape• Hopfields at Bushy Park• Dense forest in National parks• Power generation schemes/hydro villages

Other values • Supports economic activity• Historic/cultural values for settlers; preservation of cultural and heritage values

rated highly in a community survey on the catchment• Bush tucker in the riparian zone• Spiritual connotations• Sounds of birds and animals

Issues/concerns • The loss of a diverse and healthy ecosystem was the 2nd major concern in acommunity survey on the catchment

• Weeds• Control of salinity• Nutrients (reduce and control)• Turbidity• E. coli levels are a serious concern• Stormwater, untreated sewage, and gross solids (e.g. litter, carcasses)

35

• Riverbank erosion• Excessive aquatic blooms (vegetation and algae) due to low flows and high

nutrients• Oxygen levels impacted by storages upstream/other activities• Temperature fluctuation due to removal of vegetation shading• Turbidity affecting fish hatcheries, fish life, and the treatment of water for drinking

water• Impact on ecosystems of rapid and dramatic changes in water quantity fluctuations• Impacts of introduced species such as carp and salmon on natural ecosystems e.g.

bank modification• Use of potable water for showering• Need more toilets at recreational spots• Dumping of household rubbish• Need more education re: use of waterways• Open fires on riverbanks• Tree dieback

36

Table 6: Community Water Values for the Derwent River Catchment Collected at a PublicMeeting Held in the Ouse Town Hall on 27/9/01.



1. EcosystemValues

• Frogs• Riparian vegetation• Value environmental flows for a healthy river• Areas free of algal blooms• Water temperatures to support a healthy ecosystem• Huge diversity of plants• Remnant native vegetation on riverbanks (should be recorded)• Water birds• Freshwater crayfish• Platypus• Wetlands e.g. Lakes Crescent and Sorell, and the Father of Marshes in the Dee

River catchment2. PhysicalLandscape Values

• Some very deep holes and gorges • River is more than its water content, it is its whole surroundings• Two waterfalls on Kenmere Creek (a tributary of the Ouse River)• Waterfall on the Jones River (a tributary of the Derwent)• Cooma Falls on the Black Bobs Rivulet• Wetlands at Ouse• Lake Meadowbank• Russell Falls• Ouse River flows through a number of spectacular gorges which have associated

rare plants3. Consumptiveand Non-ConsumptiveValues

• Irrigation• Drinking Water• Fish farms• Stock watering• HEC power generation• Household use (either via town water or by direct take)

4. RecreationalValues

• Swimming at the bridge on the Broad River• ‘Over the Back’ tourist accommodation• Water skiing on Meadowbank Lake• Fishing• Kayaking, canoeing and rowing• Birdwatching• Swimming • Camping• Environment for landscape painters• Photography• Seasonal wild fowl shooting• Rafting


• Areas free of clear-felling• Autumn-time tones

Other values • Archaelogical values – aboriginal stone flints found on the Jones River

37

Issues/concerns • Managing recreational use of the environment• Need for tree-planting in gullies and around waterholes• Stock access• Excessive water extraction• Lack of water over the last 2 years• Odour from the River at Ouse can be bad due to stagnation – it needs flushing• Lack of environmental flow due to Hydro diversions• Introduced weeds e.g. cumbungi, willows, Azolla, pond weed• Pine plantation monoculture• Acidification of water by run-off from pine plantations• Loss of access to river for fishing due to use by too many people and anti-social

behaviour in some areas• Storage of water and diversion impacting on the environment• Concern that Basslink will result in violent variation in water flows• Flow fluctuations during hydro maintenance periods – want to minimise induced

fluctuations• Contamination by inappropriately located septic tanks/effluent treatment plants• Crops planted up to riverbanks• Introduction of exotic pests into waterways• Consumption of water by willows and pine plantations• Inappropriate access to streams by 4WDs• Growth of woody weeds such as hawthorns, elderberries, briars, blackberries and

broom in areas where stock have been fenced out – creates a habitat for rabbits,vermin and wallabies

• Erosion from clear-felling of forests

38

Table 7: Community Water Values for the Derwent River Catchment Collected at a PublicMeeting Held in the Bothwell Town Hall on 4/10/01



1. EcosystemValues

• Habitat• Frogs, birds and other species including endangered species• Endemic species• NW corner of Lake Crescent is a Ramsar site• Wetlands• Endemic communities e.g. Gondwanan communities in Central Plateau – made up

of a number of animal and plant species including Pencil Pines and sphagnum moss• Riparian vegetation• Fish jumping & platypus swimming


• Water in rivers• Flow of water through historic sites such as the flour mill at Bothwell and in some

of the old irrigation channels such as the tunnel at Sherwood• Highland lakes• Waterfalls• Water available for the Shannon Rise


• Town water• Irrigation• Stock watering• Fish farming• Power generation• Norske Skog paper mill• Riparian extraction for watering gardens and domestic use• Bulk water supply (Hobart Water at Bryn Estyn)• Washing gravel and sand• Saw mills – keeping logs wet as part of the seasoning process


• Swimming locations: Under bridge at Bothwell; Below bridge at Hamilton (n.b.sometimes signed as unsuitable); a 500m stretch of the Broad River above thebridge; below bridge at Ouse, bottom end of Meadowbank near ski-club,Wayatinah Lagoon, Salmon Ponds at Plenty, in the Tyenna River at Tyenna, LakeDobson

• Water-skiing on Lake Meadowbank• Fishing, especially angling for trout throughout the catchment• Boating• Canoeing• Wind-surfing• Camping • Bushwalking• Duck shooting• Bird watching• Walking dogs• Horse riding

39


• Clear water• Riparian vegetation• Tourism values

Other values • Tourism values linked to water• Historic values linked to water systems e.g. early raceways associated with

irrigation; HEC; Lake SorellIssues/concerns • Consumption of water by willows is an environmental threat

• Environmental flows for aesthetics and river health v.s. the cost of losing water forother uses

• Decline of commercial values from the decline of Lakes Sorell and Crescent• Carp in Lakes Sorell and Crescent• There should be less forestry in the upper catchment, particularly around lakes• Access to value aesthetics• Concern that anglers have difficulty getting access on private land because of

liability issues

40

Table 8: Community Water Values for the Derwent River Catchment Collected at a PublicMeeting Held at Westerway Hall on 26/9/01



1. Ecosystemvalues

• Biodiversity• Platypus• Native riparian vegetation• Rivers free of carp and many other introduced species such as blackfish and tench• Pristine water quality• Maintaining flows


• Waterfalls• Rapids near railway bridge• Doesn’t flood too often


• 20% of the annual supply by Hobart Water to 8 southern municipalities comes fromthe Lady Barron – Lake Fenton catchments (this water is low cost as it requiresonly treatment by chlorination and there is low energy consumption due to 200mhead pressure), waysiders taking water from this line may get lower quality waterduring periods of high rainfall; 60% of Hobart Water’s supply is taken from theDerwent River at Bryn Estyn which requires treatment to remove sediments,followed by chlorination

• Fish farms• Irrigation• Homestead use for gardening and domestic• Livestock watering• Hydro power generation• Fire-fighting


• Swimming in the river opposite Westerway Primary School, and at the Bridgeacross the Tyenna River near the picnic & camping grounds at the entrance toNational Park

• Fishing at Westerway – “highest number of fish per 100 m in Tasmania”• Rafting• Canoeing; canoe training at old Plenty bridge• Watching animals• Parks and picnic areas on the river• Walkway access along river• Jet-boating at New Norfolk• Water skiing• Rowing• The river attracts tourists• Spring and autumn festivals at New Norfolk• Triathalon (includes a canoeing leg)• Tourism at National Park


• Scenic

Other values • Educational value

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• Emotional/spiritual links• Intrinsic value – knowing its there• River defines the road network and community development

Issues/concerns • Introduced plants and weeds

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Table 9: Community Water Values for the Derwent River Catchment Collected at a PublicMeeting Held in the Brighton Council Chambers on 3/10/01



1. Ecosystemvalues

• Birdlife – swans and ducks


•


• Irrigation


• Fishing• Recreation areas at the Ford at Pontville and the Andrew St Bridge at Brighton• Secondary contact activities in the Jordan, but no swimming (council puts up signs)• Walking


•

Other values • School does nature studies on the JordanIssues/concerns • Septic tanks around Brighton and Pontville are a problem

• Lack of environmental flows are a concern, as water is caught in farm dams andthere isn’t much natural run-off into the river

• 6 stormwater outflows into the lower Jordan

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