Related Report

Laura-Normanby Catchment Management Strategy

admin-cywq — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 09:17:59 +0000

Laura-Normanby Catchment Management Strategy admin-cywq Mon, 01/02/2023 - 19:17

The Catchment of the Laura and Normanby Rivers covers approximately 1,517,300 hectares or 586,080 km2, spanning the central base of Cape York Peninsula. The Laura-Normanby Catchment area covers a vast and relatively undeveloped area encompassing extensive riverine and wetland systems, one of Queenland’s largest conservation areas (Lakefield National Park), numerous sacred aboriginal sites, good cattle country, and productive agricultural lands. The Laura-Normanby Catchment Management Strategy was initiated by the Laura-Normanby Catchment Management Group in 2002 utilising funding from the Department of the Environment, Natural Heritage Trust (NHT1). This Strategy documents the knowledge and concerns of the local landholders, resource managers and traditional owners who are most affected by Cape York management decisions. Stakeholder surveys were conducted to identify and prioritise issues and management actions required to address natural resource management in the Catchment. The top priority issues, according to the majority of surveyed stakeholders, are: water quality and quantity, weeds, conservation of biodiversity, grazing impacts and feral animals. Other priority issues identified included fire management, the preservation of Cultural Heritage, management of commercial and recreational fishing and the increasing tourist and recreational use of the Catchment.

Most members of the community would like to see more funding go towards the on-ground works that are needed for natural resource management. Support (financial and other) is needed to control weed infestations, to provide and maintain fencing along stream banks to keep out cattle and feral animals, to identify and protect critical habitat for the diverse range of aquatic and terrestrial fauna of the catchment area, to map groundwater resources for irrigation and stockwatering, and to coordinate burning regimes across the Catchment. Additional infrastructure is required to support the growing tourism and recreation industry and the use of proper engineering design and sediment controls must be enforced during any earthworks conducted in the highly erodible soils within the Catchment. The Laura-Normanby Catchment Management Strategy has identified these and other priority actions to which natural resource funding should now be directed.

Implementation of the Strategies identified in this Plan will require cooperation among the various segments of the Catchment community, including QPWS, traditional owners, graziers, the agricultural industry, and the Cook Shire Council. The knowledge of the local community will be critical to the identification of specific locations requiring action and government support and coordination will be necessary to see these actions through. By working together, members of the community can significantly contribute towards improving the productivity and sustainability of the various industries within the Catchment AND towards ensuring the protection of local natural resources.

Citation

Howley CM, Stephan K. Laura-Normanby Catchment Management Strategy. (Stephan J). Environmental Consultants; 2005.

Download

laura-normanby_catchment_management_strategy_final.pdf (13.6 MB)

DocName

Laura-Normanby Catchment Management Strategy

Type of Resource

Related Report

Results of the Laura-Normanby River Water Quality Monitoring Project: An Assessment of Ambient Water Quality and Water Quality Impacts June 2006-June 2010

admin-cywq — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 09:13:01 +0000

Results of the Laura-Normanby River Water Quality Monitoring Project: An Assessment of Ambient Water Quality and Water Quality Impacts June 2006-June 2010 admin-cywq Mon, 01/02/2023 - 19:13

The Laura-Normanby River in southeast Cape York is the fourth largest river system flowing into the Great Barrier Reef. The Laura-Normanby Catchment Area covers an extensive and relatively undeveloped area consisting of numerous riverine and wetland systems, one of Queensland‟s largest conservation areas (Lakefield National Park), sacred aboriginal sites, cattle grazing country and rich agricultural land. The East and West Normanby, Kennedy, Jack and Laura River systems all join to form the Laura-Normanby catchment area. These tributaries flow north from dry savannah and sandstone escarpment country in the southwest and wet tropical rainforest in the southeast, discharging into Princess Charlotte Bay- an area known for its rich and healthy marine and coastal ecosystems.

CYMAG Environmental (CYMAG) and South Cape York Catchments (SCYC) commenced monitoring of ambient water quality in the Laura-Normanby River in October 2006 with funding from the Commonwealth Government‟s Natural Heritage Trust (NHT2) and Caring For Our Country (CFOC). Logistical support has been provided by the Queensland Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (now DERM). Monthly water quality monitoring was conducted by CYMAG and SCYC scientists at 10 sites across the Laura and Normanby Rivers, from the upper reaches of the catchment to the estuary. The aim of the program was to document water quality in the Laura-Normanby River system under ambient flow conditions and to assess potential anthropogenic impacts upon water quality.

This report provides an overview of the results of this monitoring programme, including water quality in the Laura-Normanby River over the 2006 – 2010 sampling period and impacts from various land-uses within the catchment. The report also highlights data gaps and makes recommendations for future water quality sampling.

Citation

Howley CM. Results of the Laura-Normanby River Water Quality Monitoring Project: An Assessment of Ambient Water Quality and Water Quality Impacts June 2006-June 2010. Cooktown, Queensland: CYMAG Environmental Inc.; 2010.

Download

laura-normanby_report_2006-2010.pdf (3.96 MB)

DocName

Results of the Laura-Normanby River Water Quality Monitoring Project: An Assessment of Ambient Water Quality and Water Quality Impacts June 2006-June 2010

Type of Resource

Related Report

Bibliographic References

admin-cywq — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 07:00:49 +0000

Bibliographic References admin-cywq Mon, 01/02/2023 - 17:00

Please refer to the main Resources page for the key documents produced through this program. The reading list following is for your further assistance.

You may also download the entire bibliography in EndNote XML format for import to your favourite citation manager.

---2012

Joo M, Raymond MAA, McNeil VH, Huggins R, Turner RDR, Choy S. Estimates of sediment and nutrient loads in 10 major catchments draining to the Great Barrier Reef during 2006–2009. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2012 ;65:150-166.

Saxton NE, Olley JM, Smith S, Ward DP, Rose CW. Gully erosion in sub-tropical south-east Queensland, Australia. Geomorphology. 2012 ;173–174:80-87.

Bartley R, Speirs WJ, Ellis TW, Waters DK. A review of sediment and nutrient concentration data from Australia for use in catchment water quality models. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2012 ;65:101-116.

Kroon FJ, Kuhnert PM, Henderson BL, Wilkinson SN, Kinsey-Henderson A, Abbott B, Brodie JE, Turner RDR. River loads of suspended solids, nitrogen, phosphorus and herbicides delivered to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2012 ;65:167-181.

---2011

Shellberg JG. Alluvial Gully Erosion Rates and Processes Across the Mitchell River Fluvial Megafan in Northern Queensland, Australia. PhD Dissertation, Griffith University, Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment; 2011 p. 251.

---2010

Howley CM. An Assessment of Ambient Water Quality and Water Quality Impacts June 2006 - June 2010. (Moss A, Brooks AP, Carroll J). Cook Town, Queensland: CYMAG Environmental, Inc.; 2010.

Kroon F, Kuhnert P, Henderson B, Henderson A, Turner R, Huggins R, Wilkinson S, Abbott B, Brodie JE, Joo M. Baseline pollutant loads to the Great Barrier Reef. CSIRO: Water for a Healthy Country Flagship ReportCSIRO: Water for a Healthy Country Flagship Report. 2010 ;Series ISSN: 1835-095X.

Rustomji P, Shellberg JG, Brooks AP, Spencer J, Caitcheon G. A catchment sediment and nutrient budget for the Mitchell River, Queensland. Canberra, Australia: A report to the Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) Research Program. CSIRO Water for a Healthy Country National Research Flagship.; 2010 p. 119. Available from: http://www.track.org.au/publications/registry/track876

Brodie JE, Waterhouse J, Lewis S, Bainbridge Z, Johnson J. Current loads of priority pollutants discharged from Great Barrier Reef Catchments to the Great Barrier Reef. Townsville, Qld: Australian Centre for Tropical Freshwater Research; 2010.

Brodie JE, Schroeder T, Rohde K, Faithful JW, Masters B, Dekker A, Brando V, Maughan M. Dispersal of suspended sediments and nutrients in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon during river discharge events: conclusions from satellite remote sensing and concurrent flood plume sampling. Marine and Freshwater Research. 2010 ;61:651-664.

Shellberg JG, Brooks AP, Spencer J, Knight J, Pietsch T. Rates of alluvial gully erosion across the Mitchell River fluvial megafan, Queensland, Australia Zglobicki W. Human Impact of Gully Erosion, 5th International Symposium on Gully Erosion, Book of Abstracts. 2010 :109.

---2009

Brooks AP, Shellberg JG, Spencer J, Knight J. Alluvial gully erosion: an example from the Mitchell fluvial megafan, Queensland, Australia. Earth Surface Processes and LandformsEarth Surface Processes and Landforms. 2009 ;34:1951-1969. Plus Erratum. 2010, Earth Surface Processes and Landforms, 35: 242–245

Shellberg JG, Brooks AP, Spencer J, Knight J. Alluvial gully erosion rates across the Mitchell River fluvial megafan, Queensland, Australia. 7th International Conference on Geomorphology (ANZIAG). 2009 .

Saylam K. QUALITY ASSURANCE OF LIDAR SYSTEMS – MISSION PLANNING. In: ASPRS 2009 Annual Conference. ASPRS 2009 Annual Conference. Baltimore, Maryland: American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing; 2009.

---2008

Lilles T, Kiefer RW, Chipman JW. Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation. USA: Wiley and Sons; 2008.

Brooks AP, Spencer J, Shellberg JG, Knight J, Lymburner L. Using remote sensing to quantify sediment budget components in a large tropical river - Mitchell River, Gulf of Carpentaria. In: Vol. 325. Sediment Dynamics in Changing Environments (Proceedings of a symposium held in Christchurch, New Zealand, December 2008). IAHS Publication; 2008. pp. 225-236.

---2007

Brooks AP, Spencer J, Knight J. Alluvial gully erosion in Australia’s tropical rivers: a conceptual model as a basis for a remote sensing mapping procedure. In: Wilson AL, Dehaan RL, Watts RJ, Page KJ, Bowmer KH, Curtis A Proceedings of the 5th Australian Stream Management Conference. ; 2007. pp. 43-48.

Mathews E, Heap A, Woods M. Inter-reefal seabed sediments and geomorphology of the Great Barrier Reef: A spatial analysis, Vol. 2007/09. Geoscience Australia, Canberra, Australia. 2007 .

---2005

Fabricius KE, De'ath AG, McCook LJ, Turak EI, D MBWilliams. Changes in algal, coral and fish assemblages along water quality gradients on the inshore Great Barrier Reef. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2005 ;51:384-398.

Brierley GJ, Fryirs KA. Geomorphology and river management: application if the river styles framework. Victoria, Australia: Blackwell Publishing; 2005.

Howley CM, Stephan K. Laura-Normanby Catchment Management Strategy. (Stephan J). Environmental Consultants; 2005.

Howley CM, Stephan K. Laura-Normanby Catchment Management Strategy. Cooktown, Queensland: Howley Environmental Consultants; 2005 p. 89. Available from: http://www.capeyorkwaterquality.info/references/cywq-233

Brodie JE, Mitchell AW. Nutrients in Australian tropical rivers: Changes with agricultural development and implications for receiving environments. Marine and Freshwater Research. 2005 ;56:279-302.

McKergow LA, Prosser IP, Hughes AO, Brodie JE. Sources of sediment to the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 2005 ;51:200-211.

---2003

Furnas M. Catchments and Corals: Terrestrial Runoff to the Great Barrier Reef. Australian Institute of Marine Science and CRC Reef Research Centre, Townsville. 2003 :334.

Reef Water Quality Protection Plan. Brisbane, QLD: Queensland Department of Premier and Cabinet; 2003.

Brodie JE, Furnas M, Hughes AO, Hunter H, McKergow LA, Prosser IP. Sources of sediment and nutrient exports to the Great Barrier Reef World Hertiage Area.; 2003 p. 192.

---2001

Australian Water Resources Assessment 2000: Surface water and groundwater - availability and quality. National Land and Water Resources Audit c/o Land & Water Australia on behalf of the Commonwealth of Australia ; 2001.

Prosser I, Rustomji P, Young B, Moran C, Hughes A. Constructing river basin sediment budgets for the National Land and Water Resources Audit. CSIRO Land and Water Technical Report. 2001 .

Prosser IP, Rustomji P, Young WJ, Moran CJ, Hughes AO. Constructing River Basin Sediment Budgets for the National Land and Water Resources Audit. CSIRO Land and Water, Technical Report 15/01; 2001.

Prosser IP, Rutherfurd ID, Olley JM, Young WJ, Wallbrink PJ, Moran CJ. Large-Scale Patterns of Erosion and Sediment Transport in River Networks, With Examples From Australia (Vol 52, Pg 91, 2001). Marine and Freshwater Research. 2001 ;52:817-U20.

---2000

Nott J, Hayne M. How High Was the Storm Surge from Tropical Cyclone Mahina?: North Queensland, 1899. Australian Journal of Emergency Management. 2000 ;15.

Phillips JM, Russell MA, Walling DE. Time-Integrated Sampling of Fluvial Suspended Sediment: A Simple Methodology For Small Catchments. Hydrological Processes. 2000 ;14:2589-2602.

---1999

Bunt JS, Stieglitz T. Indicators of mangrove zonality: the Normanby river, N.E. Australia. Mangroves and Salt Marshes. 1999 ;3:177 - 184.

---1998

Ridd PV, Stieglitz T, Larcombe P. Density-driven secondary circulation in a tropical mangrove estuary. Estuarine Coastal and Shelf Science. 1998 ;47:621-632.

Bryce S, Larcombe P, Ridd PV. The relative importance of landward-directed tidal sediment transport versus freshwater flood events in the Normanby River estuary, Cape York Peninsula, Australia. Marine Geology. 1998 ;149:55-78.

---1993

Lawler DM. The measurement of river bank erosion and lateral channel change: A review. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. 1993 ;18:777-821.

---1992

Wolanski E, Gibbs RJ, Mazda Y, Mehta A, King B. THE ROLE OF TURBULENCE IN THE SETTLING OF MUD FLOCS. Journal of Coastal Research. 1992 ;8:35-46.

---1983

Torgersen T, Chivas AR, Chapman A. Chemical and isotopic characterisation and sedimentation rates in Princess Charlotte Bay, Queensland. Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysics. 1983 ;8:191-200.

Chivas AR, Torgersen T, Andrew AS. Isotopic tracers of recent sedimentary environments in the Great Barrier Reef. 1983 [cited 2013/04/10/00:55:54]:83-88.

Belperio AP. Terrigenous sedimentation in the central Great Barrier Reef lagoon: a model from the Burdekin region. BMR Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysics. 1983 ;8:179-190.

---1982

Chappell J. Sea levels and sediments: some features of the context of coastal archaeological sites in the tropics. Archaeology in Oceania. 1982 [cited 2013/04/10/00:54:20];17:69-78.

---1971

Holthouse H. Cyclone. Adelaide: Rigby; 1971.

---1961

Colby BC. The single-stage sampler for suspended sediment: Report No. 13. In: A Study of Methods Used in Measurement and Analysis of Sediment Loads in Streams. A Study of Methods Used in Measurement and Analysis of Sediment Loads in Streams. Minneapolis, Minnesota: Federal Inter-Agency Sedimentation Project (FSIP), St. Anthony Falls Hydraulic Laboratory, Field Technical Committee of the Subcommittee on Sedimentation of the Inter-Agency Committee on Water Resource; 1961. p. 105.

Citation

(see for citations in addition to those below)

Download

cywq-biblio-xml.txt (116.75 KB)

DocName

CYWQ Bibliographic Collection (EndNote XML)

Type of Resource

Related Report

Annan and Endeavour River Freshwater and Estuarine Water Quality Report: An Assessment of Ambient Water Quality and Effects of Land Use 2002 – 2009

admin-cywq — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 06:58:38 +0000

Annan and Endeavour River Freshwater and Estuarine Water Quality Report: An Assessment of Ambient Water Quality and Effects of Land Use 2002 – 2009 admin-cywq Mon, 01/02/2023 - 16:58

The Cape York Marine Advisory Group (CYMAG) and South Cape York Catchments (SCYC) monitored ambient water quality in the Annan & Endeavour Rivers between July 2002 and May 2009, and the Jeannie River between 2007 and 2009. The Annan & Endeavour Rivers are located near Cooktown in southeast Cape York Peninsula between latitude 15º 11’ to the north and 15º 53’ to the south, and longitude 145º 00’ to 145 º 21’. The Jeannie River is an undeveloped catchment located 50 km north of Cooktown at 14° 39’ and 144° 55’.
Prior to 2002, there had been little monitoring of water quality in the Annan, Endeavour or Jeannie Rivers and no known monitoring of estuary waters. The aim of the CYMAG monitoring program was to document baseline water quality in these rivers during the wet and dry seasons and to assess for potential anthropogenic impacts, including effluent outfall in the Endeavour River from a new sewerage treatment plant (STP) and the Bluestone tin mine in the Annan River catchment.
Monitoring was conducted monthly at six Endeavour River estuary sites and five Annan River freshwater and estuary locations. Four Jeannie River estuary sites and one freshwater site were monitored quarterly. Monitoring included: temperature, conductivity, salinity, dissolved oxygen, and pH (2002 – 2009), and nutrients and chlorophyll-a (2005- 2008). Water and sediment grab samples were analysed annually for metals, pesticides, herbicides and hydrocarbons, and 30-day passive samplers for herbicides and PAHs were deployed in the Endeavour River during the 2008/2009 wet season. Additional monitoring has occurred at some sites since 2009.
Key Outcomes from this program
1. For the first time a set of water quality guidelines have been developed that are specifically attuned to the conditions in a south-eastern Cape York estuary
2. Dramatically different water quality conditions were documented in the wet and dry season, particularly during floods, and this must be considered when setting guidelines and assessing anthropogenic impacts.
3. Recognition that impacts from dry season disturbances generally do not show up until the following wet season (as was the case with the Bluestone Tin Mine on the Annan River). This has major implications for monitoring land-use impacts on rivers.
4. We believe that this study represents an example of how an independent community driven water quality monitoring program can and should be run.
5. At the time of the program’s inception there were a number of community concerns regarding water quality threats in this region and the program was established as an independent community driven program to evaluate these perceived threats using best practice scientific methods. As a result of the rigour applied to the program we were able to establish that:
a. The perceived threat to water quality from the Cooktown STP established in 2006 has not been substantiated. Monitoring of nutrients, chlorophyll-a and bacteria showed no evidence (as of 2009) of impacts from effluent outfall.
b. Concerns regarding potential impacts on the Annan River from the Bluestone Tin Mine were found to be justified, with significant increases in turbidity and metals recorded. Thanks largely to community pressure, the mine was required to alter operations to reduce the impact on water quality.
6. It is argued that these two examples alone demonstrate the benefit to the community of an independent water quality monitoring program.
7. The dataset developed as part of this program will now form an invaluable baseline against which future threats to water quality in the region can be evaluated, and from which additional freshwater guidelines can be developed.
8. The available data from the relatively pristine Jeannie River estuary demonstrate the need for understanding site specific geomorphic and hydrodynamic characteristics in the interpretation of water quality data. At face value some of the data could be interpreted as indicating poor WQ, requiring remediation – when in fact it is likely that they are the natural conditions for that system.

Citation

Howley CM, Olley JM, Carroll J. Annan and Endeavour River Freshwater and Estuarine Water Quality Report: An Assessment of Ambient Water Quality and Effects of Land Use 2002 – 2009. Cooktown, Queensland: CYMAG Environmental Inc.; 2012 p. 115

Download

annan-endeavour_water_quality_report-final.pdf (6.22 MB)

DocName

Annan and Endeavour River Freshwater and Estuarine Water Quality Report: An Assessment of Ambient Water Quality and Effects of Land Use 2002 – 2009

Type of Resource

Related Report

Normanby Catchment Water Quality Management Plan

admin-cywq — Mon, 02 Jan 2023 06:47:38 +0000

Normanby Catchment Water Quality Management Plan admin-cywq Mon, 01/02/2023 - 16:47

The Normanby Catchment Water Quality Management Plan is written in accordance with the Australian Government’s Framework for Marine and Estuarine Water Quality Protection (the Framework) (DEWHA 2002) and has been funded by the Australian Government Reef Rescue program. This Plan has been produced to identify water quality impacts and to prioritise actions required to maintain or improve water quality in the Normanby catchment and receiving waters. Recent research by CYMAG Environmental (Howley 2010) and Griffith University (Brooks et al. 2013, Shellberg and Brooks 2013)- and consultations with land management agencies, Traditional Owners and other landholders- have identified specific land uses that have significantly altered water quality within the Normanby catchment. There are currently major changes in land use proposed for the catchment, such as coal mining and expanding agriculture and irrigation, which have the potential to further degrade the landscape and water quality if not properly managed.

Elevated nutrient levels have been measured in the Laura River near Lakeland Downs associated with horticulture and fertilizer use. Feral pigs, horses and cattle in wetlands and waterholes have been shown to increase turbidity and nutrient levels and damage riparian and aquatic vegetation. Land use in the catchment has also significantly accelerated erosion and increased levels of sediments entering waterways. Activities that have contributed to the increased erosion include the construction of roads and fences, over-grazing and soil and bank degradation by cattle, changes in fire regimes and tillage for crops. The rates of alluvial gully erosion along some river frontages have increased by at least ten times since the introduction of cattle grazing. The impacts from increased sediment erosion include the loss of downstream aquatic habitat due to the in-filling of downstream channels and lagoons. The impacts of land use on the discharge of suspended sediments and nutrients to the Great Barrier Reef have not been accurately quantified. Increased loads of suspended sediments or nutrients in flood plumes could potentially affect seagrass meadows and coral reef ecosystems at Princess Charlotte Bay (PCB). There is currently little evidence of a decline in the condition of these PCB ecosystems, but monitoring has been limited.

Government investment in water quality improvements in the Normanby catchment must take into account a wide range of connected ecological issues as well as the social, cultural and economic conditions of the Normanby catchment. Long-term, large-scale management actions are needed to address the range of land use issues that are contributing to increased gully and bank erosion. These include grazing management of grass cover, cattle tracks and other soil disturbance along “river frontage” country, weed invasion, altered fire regimes, and road and fence design and maintenance. Concentrated areas of alluvial gully erosion and soils with high erosion risk have been identified for the catchment. Large river frontage paddocks on four main cattle properties in the upper catchment contain the bulk of the eroding gullies, and these frontage paddocks are where cattle tend to congregate. These are the priority areas for investments in large-scale land management changes and intensive rehabilitation actions to reduce sediment yields to downstream rivers, wetlands, estuaries, coasts, and off-shore reefs. Investments in further research and monitoring of the sources and impacts of nutrients and sediments entering the river systems and PCB, and best management practices required to reduce erosion and nutrient run-off are also critical for the Cape York region to ensure that healthy reefs and aquatic ecosystems are maintained.

Water quality guidelines and targets have been established for some areas of the Normanby catchment. Additional monitoring of water quality and ecosystem health is recommended for some regions, particularly the western catchment area. Draft land condition targets and aquatic ecosystem targets have also been developed.

Citation

Howley CM, Shellberg JG, Stephan K, Brooks AP. Normanby Catchment Water Quality Management Plan. Cooktown, Qld, Australia: Griffith University, Australian Rivers Institute; 2013 p. 88.

Download

normanby_wqmp_final_draft.pdf (4.73 MB)

DocName

Normanby Catchment Water Quality Management Plan

Type of Resource

Related Report