Stormwater improvement works - Tumbi Creek reach 17

photograph of stormwater outlet 5 Tumbi Creek reach 17 before and after works

Overview

Tumbi Creek discharges to the southern end of Tuggerah Lakes and has a catchment area of 15km2.

Reach 17 comprises a 24.3ha wetland. Ten stormwater drains discharge into this wetland area from the surrounding developed areas. Each of the stormwater drains influence the health of this wetland, carrying weeds and poor water quality due to erosion of the channel when there are high water flows.

The management of this site involved reconstructing existing stormwater outlets and implementing an ongoing weed management program. Each stormwater outlet now includes a rock-lined outlet with a pool at the base to slow down heavy flows of water. Planting of native vegetation was also conducted on the edge of the wetland.

As stormwater travels across hard surfaces it can pick up pollutants such as chemicals, oil, pesticides, fertiliser, dog poo, grass clippings, litter and sediments.

Human activity in the catchment has the potential to greatly impact on the quality of stormwater. Some are more obvious such as litter or detergents from people washing their cars, but others are not as obvious such as heavy metals or excess nutrients from dog poo and grass clippings. Contamination of stormwater can kill fish and other plants and animals living in our waterways. It also degrades the places we use for recreation and tourism such as our lake’s foreshore.

Achievements

  • The works on this site is one of eight sites completed along Tumbi Creek
  • All works at Tumbi Creek have been completed
  • In addition to these works, Council received a grant of nearly $100,000 from the NSW Environmental Trust in 2007 to undertake a three year bush regeneration program on this site which has resulted in significant reductions of weed within the wetland.

What You Can Do To Help?

  • Dispose of unwanted chemicals, paints and oils responsibly. One litre of oil can contaminate one million litres of water. Look out for Councils Home Chemical Clean Out days
  • Keep you car well maintained and wash it on the lawn
  • If you’re a smoker, carry a personal ash tray or film canister on you. Cigarette butts release harmful chemicals into the environment and can be mistaken by marine animals as food
  • Take a bag when walking your dog and pick up after your pets in the park, on the street and at home. Dog poo contains bacteria and high levels of nutrient phosphorous which end up in our waterways.
  • Avoid stockpiling sand, soil or mulch on nature strips to prevent run-off into stormwater drains. Protect stockpiles from wind and rain by securing them with plastic sheeting and try to schedule grading and excavation projects during dry weather.
  • Compost grass clippings and leaves or throw them in the green waste bin. Organic matter in waterways can block stormwater drains and cause local flooding. It also increases nutrient levels and uses up dissolved oxygen as it breaks down. This reduces the amount of oxygen available to aquatic plants and animals.
  • To clean up leaves and lawn clippings, use a dustpan and broom instead of using a hose or blower vac.

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