for TASMANIAN SURFACE WATERS€¦ · Tasmanian rivers range from relatively short, swiftly flowing...

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DEPARTMENT of PRIMARYINDUSTRIES, WATER andENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT

GOALS

for TASMANIAN

SURFACE WATERS

MERSEY RIVER

CATCHMENT

March 2001

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Proposed Environmental Management Goals

For Tasmanian Surface Waters:

Mersey River Catchment

This discussion paper was used as a basis forcommunity and stakeholder participation in theprocess of developing environmental managementgoals for the waterways that are located within theMersey River Catchment and has been modified toreflect the outcomes of the community consultationprocess.

The paper was prepared by the Environment Division,in association with the Land and Water ManagementBranch, of the Department of Primary Industries,Water and Environment. The paper was initiated as anoutcome of a workshop held with council officers fromthe Devonport City, Latrobe, Kentish, CentralHighlands and Meander Valley Councils in late 1998.

Words and expressions used in this paper have, unlessthe contrary intention appears, the same meaning asdefined in the State Policy on Water QualityManagement 1997 and the EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control Act 1994.Ecosystem refers to physical, chemical and biologicalaspects of the aquatic environment.

This paper is divided into four main sections:

1. The first part discusses water reform in general, theState Policy on Water Quality Management andgives some general information relating to the areaincluded in the discussion paper (Sections 1-3).

2. The second part discusses the proposed ProtectedEnvironmental Values for individual catchments.(Section 4).

3. The third part discusses water quantity and waterquantity values (Section 5)

4. The fourth part shows the Community WaterValues obtained at workshops held in July 1999(Section 6).

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1 INTRODUCTION..............................................................................................................................5

1.1 WHY DO WE NEED WATER REFORM? .......................................................................................51.2 WHAT ARE THESE REFORMS? ...................................................................................................51.3 WHAT WILL THIS COMMUNITY INPUT ACHIEVE? ...................................................................61.4 WHAT DID WE WANT THE COMMUNITY TO DO?.....................................................................61.5 HOW WILL YOUR INPUT BE USED? ...........................................................................................6

2 MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT OVERVIEW ............................................................................8

2.1 CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION .......................................................................................................82.2 WORLD HERITAGE VALUES ......................................................................................................92.3 CHARACTERISTIC WATER QUANTITY AND QUALITY.............................................................92.4 CATCHMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.................................................................................10

3 WATER QUALITY : THE STATE POLICY ON WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT .....12

3.1 SETTING PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES................................................................123.2 PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES CATEGORIES.........................................................12

4 WATER QUALITY : PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES FOR THE MERSEYRIVER CATCHMENT............................................................................................................................15

4.1 UPPER MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT................................................................................174.2 MIDDLE MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT.............................................................................224.3 LOWER MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT..............................................................................31

5 WATER QUANTITY VALUES FOR THE MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT .......................33

5.1 OVERVIEW.................................................................................................................................335.2 WATER QUANTITY VALUES ....................................................................................................33

6 COMMUNITY WATER VALUES FOR THE MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT ..................36

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 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.Our waterways are not immune fromproblems, however, and many of ourriver systems are showing signs ofstress.

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.

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 reforms

designed to ensure that these values areprotected for the future of the State.

1.2 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 that are consideredworthy of protection.

The first purpose of this discussionpaper is to explain how the waterquality values will be identified andused. Local communities have a keyrole in identifying these values in theircatchments.

(b) water quantity management

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The Government has recently finalisednew water management legislation toreplace the Water Act 1957. The WaterManagement Act, 1999 provides for:

• major changes to the institutionalarrangements for water management;

• the ready transfer of water rightsbetween different users;

• enhanced stakeholder and communityinput into water allocation andmanagement; and

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

The second purpose of this discussionpaper is to canvas your views on whatyou value in your water resources froma water quantity perspective. To thiseffect you will be asked what you valuein relation to water quantity. Yourcomments will be of assistance to theDepartment in undertaking waterquantity planning in your catchment.

1.3 What will this community inputachieve?

The objective is to identify WaterManagement Goals for the catchmentswithin your region. These WaterManagement Goals will includeProtected Environmental Values (PEVs)as defined under the State Policy onWater Quality Management, andidentified water quantity values.

1.4 What did we want thecommunity to do?

Local communities have a valuableunderstanding of their regional water-ways. What uses or values do you havefor surface waters in this area that relyupon maintaining or enhancing waterquality? Which of your activities rely

upon maintaining or enhancing the flowof water 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 recognized scenic attractions, suchas rapids or waterfalls? Do you knowof rare or endangered animals or plantsin, or adjacent to, specific areas of yourrivers or streams? Do you use water forlivestock watering? Does your riversupply the local town water supply?Do you draw water from it to irrigateyour farm? How often do you need todraw water from it, and when?

Answers to these questions wererecorded as ‘Community WaterValues’. These values are summarisedin part 6 of the document.

Planning to ensure sustainable use ofthese waters and protection of riverhealth requires sound knowledge oflocal water quality and quantity issues.Community input to this process isimportant. Many of the communitywater values raised at the meetingwould be best managed throughintegrated catchment management.

1.5 How will your input be used?

Information from the community onwater values particularly relating towater quality assisted the Board ofEnvironmental Management andPollution Control and your council tofinalise the range of ProtectedEnvironmental Values for the surfacewaters of your regional waterways.These values should be used in regionalmanagement planning. Further detailsof what this means is given in Section 4below.

Information from you on water quantityvalues will be utilised along with advicefrom stakeholders, catchment groups

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and the public to better plan the waterresources of your catchment. Watermanagement planning will be closelylinked with overall catchmentmanagement planning to put waterresource management on a sustainablefooting for the State. Water

management planning will beundertaken on a priority basis, withstressed rivers in the State beingtargeted initially.

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MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT OVERVIEW

2.1 Catchment description

The Mersey catchment experiences atemperate maritime climate with anannual rainfall increasing from 900 mmon the coast to 2700 mm in thehighlands1.

Catchment geology is characterised byPre-Cambrian age outcrops in the uppercatchment; limestone in the middlecatchment; and Tertiary basalt, Jurassicdolerite and Permian sedimentarysequences in the lower catchment. Thedominant topographic features of theregion are the Western Tiers and MountRoland in the middle catchment.

There is a transition from wet to drysclerophyll eucalypt forest from theupper catchment to the coast. Much ofthe natural vegetation has been clearedfor agriculture. Pine plantations are alsocommon in the middle catchment.

Over 27,000 people live in the MerseyCatchment with the majority living inDevonport (22,660), Latrobe (2,550)and Railton (1,000). The remainder livein smaller settlements and farms.

Land tenure is predominantly privatefreehold with substantial areas of StateForest between Parangana and DynansBridge. Alum Cliffs State Reserve islocated in the middle catchment, alongwith several karst related reserves(limestone caves) near Mole Creek.

Major catchment developments include:

− Diversion of the upper MerseyRiver into the Forth Catchment bythe construction of Parangana Dam.

1 Catchment description and environmentaldetails from Mersey River Flow and CatchmentAssessment Report produced by the MerseyRiver Working Group. December 1997.

− The Mersey River Catchmentsupports extensive agriculturalactivities – grazing, piggeries,dairying and commercial cropping.There are 137 licences currentlyallocated for water extraction forirrigation or commercial use. Peakuse is just under 50 ML per dayover the summer months. There issome demand, particularly fromirrigators, to increase waterallocations.

− Drinking water for major populationcentres in the region are supplied bythe North-West Regional WaterAuthority. Water is piped from theForth River catchment and there isno direct abstraction of towndrinking water from the MerseyRiver. Mole Creek is the only majorcentre which draws drinking waterfrom a Mersey River tributary.

− Sewage treatment facilities arelocated at Devonport (coastaldischarge); Sheffield (discharge intoDodder Rvt. running to DasherRiver); Railton (Redwater Ck.); andLatrobe (Mersey River). TheLatrobe, Sheffield and Railtonplants are currently being upgradedto ensure full compliance withenvironmental regulations.

− The Dulverton Regional Landfill,located in the Caroline Creekcatchment utilises a range of runoffcontrol measures to minimise off-site impacts. Old landfill sites atSpreyton, Sheffield and Railton arecurrently being rehabilitated.

− Goliath Cement Works is alsolocated on Caroline Creek and hashad Water Management Planoperating since 1990 to minimiseimpacts on water quality.

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− The catchment has a number ofsmall quarries and gravel pits.

− There are eight industrial takes fromthe Mersey Catchment. By far thelargest user is the Wesley Vale PulpMill (located outside the catchment)which uses about 30 ML per day.The remaining industrial off-takestotal less than 3 ML per day.

The region’s waterways are amongst themost popular in the state forrecreational fishing.

2.2 World Heritage Values

The World Heritage listing of a largeportion of the upper Mersey Rivercatchment is recognition of the uniquenatural and cultural values of theregion. These features and other specialvalues – recreational, economic,scientific, educational and inspirational– are identified in the TasmanianWilderness World Heritage AreaManagement Plan2. These values arebriefly detailed below.

The region is characterised byoutstanding landform features; aprofusion of threatened, rare andendemic plants within a mosaic of plantcommunities; a unique assemblage ofwildlife; and pristine catchments largelyfree of human impacts. There are alsosignificant cultural sights both in termsof Aboriginal habitation and morerecent activities since Europeansettlement. The wide range ofrecreational opportunities within theregion is also seen to have economicimportance as a basis for sustainablenature-based tourism.

2.3 Characteristic water quantityand quality

2 Tasmanian Wilderness WHA ManagementPlan 1999. Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife Service.

The main impacts on water flow arediversion of the upper Mersey Riverwaters at Parangana Dam for powergeneration and water abstraction foragriculture and other industries acrossthe catchment.

Construction of the Parangana Dam isestimated to have reduced median andmean flow on the Mersey River at Lienaby a ten-fold order of magnitude, withconsequent reduction in summer baseflows and annual flood flows.Agricultural demand also peaks atnearly 50 ML per day over the summermonths. Industrial off-takes of over 30ML per day place additional waterquantity demands.

Water quality assessment of rivers inthe Mersey Catchment3 indicate thatwhile most water quality parametersshow a gradual deteriorationdownstream they are diluted by mainstream flows. Tributaries of the Mersey,in particular Coilers Ck. and RedwaterCk. in the middle catchment andParramatta and Kings creeks in thelower catchment, appear to be muchmore degraded than the Mersey.Nitrogen and phosphorus levelssufficient to cause algal blooms areevident in Coilers Ck. and RedwaterCk. These high concentrations appear tobe related to intensive animal industriesand sewage treatment plant effluent.The origins of pollutant inputs intoParramatta and Kings creeks are,because of their proximity to Latrobe,more complex due to the greater varietyof catchment activities.

Microbiological results were also worsein Mersey Catchment tributaries than inthe main stream. Six out of eighteen

3 Mersey River Experimental Study TechnicalReports – Incorporating Mersey State of RiverReport. For the Mersey River Study Committee.December 1997. The report acknowledges thatconclusions are often based upon limited data.

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sites exceeded ANZECC guidelines forprimary contact. Stock access towaterways may underline these results.

Turbidity results, particularly duringflood events, show that the majority ofsuspended material in the Merseyoriginates from the catchment betweenLiena and Kimberley. This indicatesrelatively severe erosion and loss of soilin the contributing subcatchments –Mole Creek, Lobster Rivulet, MinnowRiver and the Dasher River.

While dissolved oxygen levels weregenerally healthy across the catchment,large variations were evident in CoilersCreek (possibly due to high nutrientloads) and in Parramatta Creek duringlow flow periods.

Macroinvertebrate communities in theregion’s waterways appear to be inreasonable health although subject tosome impacts arising from degradedwater quality, habitat degradation fromboth forestry and agricultural practicesand water diversion. Changes in flowand habitat below the Parangana Damhas had some impact on streaminvertebrates, and there is a detectableimpact in the lower Mersey, possiblydue to degraded water quality.Tributaries in the lower catchment –Kings, Parramatta and Bonneys creeks,the lower Dasher River and CoilersCreek - are of major concern, withreduced species richness probably dueto degraded water quality and habitatalteration. Loss of habitat also appearsto be a problem in some reaches of theupper Minnow River and the upperLobster Rivulet.

A limited survey of native fish in theMersey System found a range ofcommon native fish typical ofTasmanian streams. Concerns regardingthe trout fishery focussed on lowabundance in the Mersey River atLatrobe, Kimberley and downstream ofLake Parangana. There also appears to

be poor recruitment of trout at Latrobe,Lovetts Flats, Liena, Croesus CaveReserve and downstream of LakeParangana. Low flows and lack ofsuitable habitat may underlie theseproblems.

2.4 Catchment environmentalissues

As stream conditions are determinedboth by in-stream activities andsurrounding land-use activities,waterways act as a touchstone ofcatchment health. Healthy waterwaysare indicative of sustainably managedcatchments. There are a number ofenvironmental issues relating towaterways in the Mersey RiverCatchment.

− Reductions in flow due to hydrodevelopments.

− Nitrogen and phosphorus levelssufficient to cause algal blooms insome tributaries.

− High microbiological results insome tributaries.

− Relatively severe erosion and lossof soil in the some catchments.

− Some impacts on macroinvertebratecommunities arising from degradedwater quality, habitat degradationand water diversion.

− Willow infestation causing changesin runoff patterns, alteration ofinstream habitat, choking ofwaterways, and reductions inphotosynthesis.

− Severe erosion due to destruction ofstreamside vegetation zones.

− Uncontrolled stock access tostreams.

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− Impacts on waterways of dischargefrom sewage treatment plants

− Pollutant inputs from surroundingland use activities such as farmingand forestry.

− Low abundance and recruitment oftrout in some areas.

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3 WATER QUALITY : THE STATE POLICY ON WATERQUALITY MANAGEMENT

3.1 Setting ProtectedEnvironmental Values

The first step in the implementation ofthe State Policy on Water QualityManagement 1997 is the identificationof Protected Environmental Values(PEVs) for the surface waters in yourregion. PEVs are the current valuesand uses of a water body for whichwater quality 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 EcosystemsB. Recreational Water Quality and

aestheticsC. Raw Water for Drinking Water

SupplyD. Agricultural Water UseE. Industrial Water Supply

These values are described in moredetail in Section 5.2.

The Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control willthen specify a range of Water QualityObjectives. These will be designed toensure the quality of water in that waterbody is maintained at a level which willallow the chosen PEVs to be protected.

The Policy also 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.

3.2 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 nearly pristineecosystems;

(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 water quality

(ii) Secondary contact water quality

(iii) Aesthetics water quality

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

(i) Subject to coarse screeningonly;

(ii) Subject to coarse screening anddisinfection.

Under the current Policy this PEVapplies to water used as the intakesource for public use (town watersupply, in other words) and toregistered private water supplies. It doesnot apply to the taking of water fromsurface waters by individuals for privateuse for the purposes of drinking etc.

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

Water used for domestic purposes suchas washing and cleaning is known as‘homestead use’ has been recognised asa community water value (Table 4). A‘homestead use’ does not include waterfor drinking. There was a strongcommunity desire to have a homesteaduse PEV category included in thePolicy. This option is currently underconsideration.

D: Agricultural Water Uses

(i) Irrigation

(ii) Stock watering

E: Industrial Water Supply

The actual industry type must bespecified in order to identifyappropriate guidelines.

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have used them for, and whether youstrongly believe that they should beimproved to support those uses again.

For example, are there waters that youswam in as a child that you no longerare able to?

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4 WATER QUALITY : PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES FORTHE MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT

The Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control, andlocal government (Kentish, Latrobe,Central Highlands, Meander andDevonport Councils) and theTasmanian Parks and Wildlife Servicesuggested, as a starting point, waterquality PEVs that may have beensuitable for surface waters of theMersey River catchments. Theseproposed PEVs were presented at aworkshop with the Mersey CatchmentSteering Committee in July 1999. Theproposed PEVs were amended as aresult of feedback following thisworkshop.

We divided the Mersey catchment intothree broad zones – upper, middle andlower catchment (Figure 1).

Figures 2 - 4 illustrate principal landtenure or land use categories in thethree zones, along with towns andvillages. The PEVs for water quality aregrouped under the land tenurecategories. These proposed PEVsprovided the basis for discussion withregional stakeholders and interestedgroups at workshops at public meetingsto allow the opportunity for widerpublic input. These meeting wereadvertised in the Advocate newspaper.These meetings were held at Sheffield(13 December 1999) and Spreyton (14December 1999). These meeting werefollowed by an extended period forcomment until January 14th.

The PEVs detailed in this documenthave been endorsed but the Board ofEnvironmental Management andPollution Control, local government(Kentish, Latrobe, Central Highlands,Meander and Devonport Councils) and

the Tasmanian Parks and WildlifeService.

The PEVs chosen from the Policy arethose values and uses that are currentlyin evidence and apply only for surfacewaters within the Mersey Catchment.

The PEVs apply to all surface waterswithin each land tenure category, otherthan4:

• privately owned waters that are notaccessible to the public and are notconnected to, or flow directly into,waters that are accessible to thepublic; or

• waters in any tank, pipe or cistern.

“Privately owned waters” means anysurface waters confined within theboundary of privately owned landand which do not flow into, or do notcommunicate with:(a) the sea or arm or creek of the

sea;

(b) a source of supply for a waterdistrict or irrigation water district;

(c) any river, stream, watercourse,lake, pond or marsh.

Management of all surface waterswithin the catchment shall focus on theachievement of water qualityobjectives.

The water quality objectives will bedetermined by the Board ofEnvironmental Management and

4 State Policy on Water QualityManagement 1997

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Pollution Control in accordance withthe State Policy on Water QualityManagement 1997.

Achievement of these water qualityobjectives will maintain or enhance thewater quality of those surface waters toensure the protection of all of thefollowing values and uses applying toeach land use category. These valuesand uses are derived from the formalPEVs listed in Clause 7 of the Policy.

In general, diffuse source pollution canbe managed to protect the PEVs bycompliance with approved codes ofpractice, or by development andimplementation of best practice

environmental management guidelineswhere codes are not available.

In general, point source pollutionshould be managed to protect the PEVsby implementation of best practiceenvironmental management, and bycompliance with emission limits set bythe regulatory authority. This may alsorequire the setting of a mixing zone bythe Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control. Forspecific details refer to Part 4 of theState Policy on Water Quality.

Protected Environmental Valuesreflect current values and uses of awater body but do not necessarilyimply that the existing water qualitywill support these values and uses.

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PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES FOR THE MERSEYCATCHMENT

4.1 UPPER MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT

Table 1: Protected Environmental Values for the Upper Mersey River catchment

Land Tenure Protected Environmental Values (*see note on page 20)

Surface Waters onPrivate Land

(including forest onprivate land)


(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems

(a) from which edible fish are harvested

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics


(iii) Aesthetic water quality


(i) Irrigation

(ii) Stock watering

E: Industrial Water Supply – Hydro-electricity power generation

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; that isacceptable for irrigation and stock watering purposes; which will allow peopleto safely engage in secondary contact recreation activities such as paddling orfishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; and which is suitable forhydroelectricity power generation following impoundment

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Surface Waters inState Forest




having regard for Forestry Tasmanias’ ‘Management DecisionClassification System’.






That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; whichwill allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming,kayaking, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters and which issuitable for hydroelectricity power generation following impoundment

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Surface Watersflowing throughForest Reservesfrom State forest,private land or un-allocated crown land

Surface waterswithin ForestReserves that havetheir headwaterswithin the reserve




having regard for the management objectives for forest reservesoutlined in Schedule 3 of the Forestry Act, 1920.






That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; whichwill allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming,kayaking, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters and which is alsosuitable for hydro-electric power generation following impoundment


(i) Protection of pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems







That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine or nearpristine aquatic ecosystem, which will allow people to safely engage inrecreation activities such as swimming, kayaking, paddling or fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters and which is also suitable for hydro-electricpower generation following impoundment

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Surface Waters inNational Parks


(i) Protection of Pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems

having regard for the management objectives for national parksoutlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1970and the World Heritage Area Management Plan.






That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine or nearpristine aquatic ecosystem, which will allow people to safely engage inrecreation activities such as swimming, kayaking, paddling or fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters and which is also suitable for hydro-electricpower generation following impoundment

Surface Waters inConservationAreas


(i) Protection of Pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems

having regard for the management objectives for conservation areasoutlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1970and the World Heritage Area Management Plan.






That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine or nearpristine aquatic ecosystem, which will allow people to safely engage inrecreation activities such as swimming, kayaking, paddling or fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters, and which is also suitable for hydro-electricpower generation following impoundment

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Surface Waters onHydro ElectricCorporation Land





(i) Primary contact water quality (where permitted)



E: Industrial Water Supply – Hydro Electric Power Generation

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; whichwill allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming,kayaking, paddling or fishing (where such activities are permitted) inaesthetically pleasing waters; and which is also suitable for hydro-electricpower generation following impoundment.

* In general, diffuse source pollution can be managed to protect the PEVs by compliance with approvedcodes of practice, or by development and implementation of best practice environmental managementguidelines where codes are not available.

In general, point source pollution should be managed to protect the PEVs by implementation of bestpractice environmental 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 on Water Quality Management, 1997.

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4.2 MIDDLE MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT

Table 2: Protected Environmental Values for the Middle Mersey River catchment

Land Tenure Protected Environmental Values(*see note on page 29)

Surface Waters inState Forest




having regard for Forestry Tasmanias’ ‘Management DecisionClassification System’.





That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; andwhich will allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such asswimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For stateforests within the Mole Creek karst system, water quality managementshould also have particular regard to the values associated with that systemthrough implementation of Part D, section 6 of the Forest Practices Code,1993.

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Surface Watersflowing throughForest Reservesfrom State forests,un-allocated crownland or private land.

Surface waterswithin ForestReserves that havetheir headwaterswithin the reserve









That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; whichwill allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming,kayaking, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For forestreserves within the Mole Creek karst system, water quality managementshould also have particular regard to the values associated with that system








That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine or nearpristine aquatic ecosystem and which will allow people to safely engage inrecreation activities such as swimming, kayaking, paddling or fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters

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Surface watersflowing throughNational Parks andState Reservesfrom state forest, un-allocated crown landor private land

Surface waterswithin NationalParks and StateReserves, that havetheir headwaterswithin the Parks orReserves




having regard for the management objectives for national parks andstate reserves outlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parks andWildlife Act, 1970





That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; andwhich will allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such asswimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For reserveswithin the Mole Creek karst system, water quality management should alsohave particular regard to the values associated with that system.


(i) Pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems

having regard for the management objectives for national parks andstate reserves outlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parks andWildlife Act, 1970



(ii) Secondary contact quality

(iii) Aesthetics quality

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine ornearly pristine aquatic ecosystem and which will allow people to safelyengage in recreation activities such as swimming, paddling or fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters. For reserves within the Mole Creek karstsystem, water quality management should also have particular regard to thevalues associated with that system.

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Surface watersflowing throughRegional Reservesand ConservationAreas from stateforest, un-allocatedcrown land or privateland

Surface waterswithin RegionalReserves andConservationAreas, that havetheir headwaterswithin the reserves




having regard for the management objectives for regional reservesand conservation areas outlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parksand Wildlife Act, 1970





That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; andwhich will allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such asswimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For reserveswithin the Mole Creek karst system, water quality management should alsohave particular regard to the values associated with that system.


(i) Pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems

having regard for the management objectives for regional reservesand conservation areas outlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parksand Wildlife Act, 1970





That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine ornearly pristine aquatic ecosystem and which will allow people to safelyengage in recreation activities such as swimming, paddling or fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters. For reserves within the Mole Creek karstsystem, water quality management should also have particular regard to thevalues associated with that system.

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Surface Waters onUn-allocated CrownLand








E: Industrial Water Supply - water for mining and chemical works on theMersey River (See location on Figure 3)

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; whichis suitable for mining and chemical works in specified location; and which willallow people to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming,paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For un-allocated crownland within the Mole Creek karst system, water quality management shouldalso have particular regard to the values associated with that system.

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Surface watersflowing throughPublic Reservesfrom private land,state forest or un-allocated crownland.

Surface waterswithin PublicReserves that havetheir headwaterswithin the Reserves



a. from which edible fish are harvested

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





That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a modified, buthealthy aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish are harvested; which willallow people to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming,kayaking, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For publicreserves within the Mole Creek karst system, water quality managementshould also have particular regard to the values associated with that system



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





That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine or nearpristine aquatic ecosystem and which will allow people to safely engage inrecreation activities such as swimming, paddling or fishing in aestheticallypleasing waters. For reserves within the Mole Creek karst system, waterquality management should also have particular regard to the valuesassociated with that system.

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Surface Waters onHydro ElectricCorporation Land








That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; andwhich will allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such asswimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For hydro-electric corporation land within the Mole Creek karst system, water qualitymanagement should also have particular regard to the values associated withthat system.

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Surface Waters onPrivate Land

(including forest onprivate land)

In addition: Watersupply for MoleCreek town drinkingwater (see map forlocation)

In addition: watersupply for industryon Caroline Creek,Redwater Creek andthe Mersey River(see locations onFigure 3)





(i) Primary contact water quality (Mersey River - at UnionBridge; adjacent to Bridle Track Road Kimberley Bridgepicnic area, at Olivers Road Bridge, at Liena Road Bridge, atMerseylea Bridge and from Lovetts Flats to Bells Pde)

(ii) Secondary contact water quality for all other surface waters


C: Raw Water for Drinking Water Supply (Unnamed creek with co-ordinates448 500 E 5 394 800 N – Mole Creek town water supply)

(ii) Subject to coarse screening plus disinfection


(i) Irrigation

(ii) Stock watering

E: Industrial Water Supply - Wesley Vale Pulp Mill off-take at Big Bend,Mersey River; water for mining and chemical works on Redwater Creek andMersey River and for brick production on Caroline Creek

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; that isacceptable for irrigation and stock watering purposes; is suitable for industrialsupply in specified areas (pulp and paper production, mining and chemicalworks and brick production); for town drinking water supply (subject to coarsescreening and disinfection) in specified area; and which will allow people tosafely engage in recreation activities such as swimming (in specified areas),paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For private land (includingforest on private land) within the Mole Creek karst system, water qualitymanagement should also have particular regard to the values associated withthat system.

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Surface Waters inHigh Density UrbanAreas - Latrobe.

(consistent with theobjectives of theclosed residentialzone as detailed inthe Latrobe Section46 – PlanningScheme Number 1 –1994)





(i) Primary contact water quality (Mersey River - Bells Pde)



That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which fish may be harvested and providesfor recreational activities such as swimming (in specified locations), fishingand paddling in aesthetically pleasing waters.




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4.3 LOWER MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT

Table 3: Protected Environmental Values for the Lower Mersey River catchment

Land Use Protected Environmental Values(*see note on page 31)

Estuarine Waters A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems


(a) from which edible fish and crustacea, but notshellfish, are harvested





That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish and crustaceans but notshell fish may be harvested (but not consumption of raw seafood); whichallows people to safely engage in activities such as swimming, boating andfishing in aesthetically pleasing waters for up to one kilometre off-shore.

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Table 3: Protected Environmental Values for the Lower Mersey River catchment

Land Use Protected Environmental Values(*see note on page 31)

Surface Waters inHigh Density UrbanAreas

(consistent with theDevonport andEnvirons PlanningScheme – 1984.







That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which fish may be harvested and which willallow people to safely engage in secondary contact recreation activities suchas paddling in aesthetically pleasing waters.

Surface Waters inLow DensityUrban/RuralResidential Areas

(consistent with theobjectives of ruralzones in theDevonport andEnvirons PlanningScheme – 1984, theLatrobe Section 46 –Planning SchemeNumber 1 – 1994 orthe the Municipalityof Kentish S.46Planning SchemeNo.1 1993)







D: Agricultural Water Uses (where permitted)

(i) Irrigation

(ii) Stock watering

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should seek toprovide water of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, butmodified aquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; that isacceptable for irrigation and stock watering purposes (where permitted); andwhich will allow people to safely engage in secondary contact recreationactivities such as paddling in aesthetically pleasing waters.




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5 WATER QUANTITY VALUES FOR THE MERSEY RIVERCATCHMENT

5.1 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. Waterquality and quantity are closely linked.

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 needed to ensure a balancedsharing arrangement between humanuses and the needs of the riverenvironment.

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

The community water values presentedin Table 4 take into consideration bothwater quantity and water quality values.We want you to tell us if there areany other water quantity values anduses you want for your rivers andstreams.

5.2 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;

From your input, specific watermanagement objectives can bedeveloped for your catchment, andincorporated into a regional orcatchment-based water managementplan.

In most cases, the government willweigh up the identified objectives withany available scientific data. Additionaldata may need to be obtained, andeconomic analyses done to determinewhat impact attempting to protect allthe identified values may have. It ispossible that, in some cases, there maysimply not be enough water to goaround, and a trade-off in values maythen be necessary.

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 be

34

protected and / or enhanced in thecurrent state of aquatic and adjacentland ecosystems. 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.

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 watervalues associated with physicallandscape values may include:

• provision of variable flows;

• prevention of erosion;

• protection or improvement ofriparian zone.

Consumptive and non-consumptive usevalues: These are related to the currentand potential human uses of waterbodies. Consumptive use refers to theextraction of water from the water body,with no return of it to the waterbody.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 waterbodies 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;

35

• protection of scenic features in ariver.

In 1996 the Mersey River WorkingGroup called for public submissionsregarding water flow, water quality andgeneral catchment issues within theMersey River Catchment. Twenty foursubmissions were received from localgovernment, industry, communitygroups and individual members of thecommunity5. The submissions identifiedtwo predominant areas of concern,namely low flows in the Mersey Riverand poor water quality and streamphysical condition in the Mersey Riverand its tributaries. Since that timeseveral technical studies have occurredand a report outlining recommendationsand future directions for the MerseyRiver Catchment has been produced6

The Community Water Valuesworkshop held in July 1999 once againraised the values and issues associatedwith water quality and quantitymanagement that are important to theMersey River Catchment (Table 4).

From your input, specific watermanagement objectives can bedeveloped for your catchment, andincorporated into a regional orcatchment-based water managementplan that will be developed in closeconsultation with the community. Theseplans will be developed on a prioritybasis, with the most stressed rivers inthe State being targeted initially.

5 Mersey River Working Group – InterimReport (November 1996) Prepared for theTasmanian Government by the MerseyRiver Working Group.

6 Mersey River Working Group (1998)Mersey River Flow and CatchmentAssessment. Report andRecommendations on Catchment and FlowManagement Issues in the Mersey Riverand its Tributaries.

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6 COMMUNITY WATER VALUES FOR THE MERSEY RIVER CATCHMENT

During July 1999 a workshop was held with the Mersey Catchment Steering Committee to determine the Community Water Values for the catchment. These‘Values’ are presented in Table 4. More Community Water Values were added to the list as a result of two public meetings held in December 1999.

Table 4: Community Water Values – Mersey River Catchment

Aquatic Ecosystem / Basic RiverHealth

Recreational Aesthetic Consumptive & Non Consumptive Use Other

Giant Freshwater Crayfish: allstreams under 400m

Fishing (entire length). Safe to eat atestuary?

Healthy waterways to allow bird-watching

Town water supply: Mole Creek and Latrobe(via Forth River). Still to determine if there areany registered Private Water Supplies.

Cultural aspects of Kimberley HotSprings

Environmental flows Rafting in upper catchment Attractive waterways to allow painting,photography, sketching and for tourism(includuing scenic driving)

Drinking Water (individual users, unboiled).Although some workshop participantsindicated that this is a current use, it can notbe recognised as a PEV because the Directorof Health advises that all untreated surfacewaters should be boiled before drinking. Itwas recognised at stakeholder workshops andpublic meetings that, without disinfection, thequality of the water for drinking could not beguaranteed microbiologically. Residents weremore concerned, however, about having theirdomestic water supply protected fromcatchment activities that could result inpesticide and herbicide residue and excessivesiltation of waterways.

Port of Devonport: shippingrequirements for non-silted basins

Regionally representativecomplement of macro-invertebrates

Canoeing whole length (not upstream ofLake Rowallan

Alum Cliffs area for tourism/viewing Homestead Use - Domestic Water: non-drinking

Port of Devonport: ballast water forships?

Low levels of nutrients in waterways Scuba Diving estuary mouth Healthy waterways to allow platypusviewing

Goliath Cement Archaeological and Aboriginal sites ofsignificance along river

37




Good quality water Duck shooting (with dogs) Maintain native riparian vegetation;widespread weed infestation (willows)destroying aesthetic appeal

Mitchell Lime-works Waterway used to get rid of effluentfrom sewage treatment plants

Healthy, self-sustaining aquaticecosystems

Camping/BBQ/Picknicking on waterwaysacross catchment (Farrell Park & MyrtleHole specified)

Series of parkland/reserveenvironments along river

Wesley Vale Mill Off-take (includes oneirrigator)

Stormwater disposal from city, roads,factories and subdivisions

Values associated with karst(limestone caves) system aroundMole Creek

Horse riding through river (e.g.:Horsehead Creek)

Hot Springs at Kimberley Stock watering

Unimpeded fish migration Mountain biking through river Karst system caves at Mole Creek(Croesus & others)

Ensure supply for emergency use (firefighting)– all catchments. Access required.

Healthy wetlands (inc. marsh areasin upper catchment WHA)

Swimming across catchment (spec.Union Bridge Mole Creek (Private Land;Bridle Track, Kimberley (Private Land);White Rock ; Lower Bridge Mersey Lea;Lovetts Flats (State Forest); Myrtle Hole(State Forest); Lockwood Road; DasherRvt; Kellys Gauge Rd, Devenporttriathlon), Mersey River at Olivers RoadBridge (private land and State reserve)and at Liena Road Bridge (private landand public reserve); Mersey Lea to BellsParade (a mix of State forest, privateland and reserves).

No swimming sign at Bells Parade

Tree debris detracts from visual valuesof estuary at low tide

Horticultural use

Maintain native riparian vegetation;widespread weed infestation(willows) limiting bird nesting,choking waterways, taints water andrestricts caddis food supply – controlinfestation of weeds and willows

Rowing, yachting (e.g.: dinghy sailing byNaval Cadets, Mersey Yatch Club), windsurfing, jet skiing and water skiing,kayaking in estuary

Supply for bottled water at Mole CreekSprings

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(also in tributaries)

Healthy environment for trout Ship watching in estuary Realistic water allocation for new sub-divisionuse

Maintaining trout free areas fornative species (Fisher System/LakeAdelaide & Lake Radle/Walls ofJerusalem)

Boating wherever possible acrosscatchment (e.g.: Apex Regatta, PowerBoat Club)

Having existing water rights tied to landownership

Whitebait habitat: (e.g.: BellsParade)

On-dam recreation – rowing, powerboats

Hydro-electric power generation (HEC)

Whitebait habitat: Estuary MarshAreas. Two species use logs andshingles, Galaxias use holes andcreeks further upstream. Galaxiasmaculatus use marshes to lay eggsduring spring tides

Surfing at estuary mouth Private generation of hydro-electricity

Minimise silt load problems atLatrobe, minimise siltation fromupper catchment

Photography, painting and sketching Eel farming

Commercial eel fishing Bird/Sea Eagle watching Possible use of lower reaches for oyster spatcollection

Water quality to sustain edible fish Recreational eel fishing Dairying use

Minimise bank erosion Platypus watching Agricultural irrigation

Maintain healthy habitat for birds(e.g.: sea eagles, albatros, pelican,oyster catcher, heron and swampharrier in estuarine area)

Hot springs bathing at Kimberley – StateReserve

Clements & Marshalls processing

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Healthy habitat for crustacea inestuary (i.e. mud crabs)

Upper Mersey rainbow trout fishery(exclude brown trout)

Agricultural water extraction for processingand washing

Improve water quality in estuary soshell fish are suitable forconsumption)

Children paddling (entire length)

Maintain instream habitat includingmacrophytes and large woodydebris

Dog exercising – especially in estuaryarea

Maintain and protect habitat forHydrobiid species (freshwatersnails). They tend to live insheltered, inaccessible habitatsunder rock slabs in streams.

Tourism

Protect habitat for the Australiangrayling (Prototroctes maraena)Preferred habitat for the adult isdeep slow flowing pools.

Cycling/driving beside River

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