Minutes of the Shoalhaven
Heads Estuary Taskforce
Meeting Date: Tuesday, 21 March
2023
Location: Jervis
Bay Rooms, City Administrative Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra
Time: 4.01pm
The following members were present:
Clr Serena Copley – Chairperson
Clr John Wells - (Remotely)
Mr Brian Allen
Mr Phil Guy
Ms Jessica Zealand
Mr Rob Russell
Ms Natalie Lloyd
Ms Jan Turbill
Ms Robyn Flack
Others present:
Dr Michael Roberts – Manager – Environmental
Services
Mr Nigel Smith – Lead Coastal Management - (Remotely)
Nil
Confirmation of the Minutes
|
Note: Staff provided the meeting with a verbal update
on SH22.10 – Feedback on Issues Raised.
|
RESOLVED (Phil Guy / Rob Russell)
That the
Minutes of the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce held on Monday 19 July 2022
and Monday 19 December 2022 be confirmed.
CARRIED
|
Nil
Reports
SH23.1 Notification
of Council Resolution - Re-establishment Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce
|
HPERM Ref: D22/437450
|
It was noted
that this report is an update on the Call Meeting resolution, reaffirming the
re-establishment of the Taskforce. This report was drafted prior to the
Council resolution of 13 March 2023 (see MIN23.133) appointing the new
members Robyn Flack, Jan Turbill and Natalie Lloyd.
The revised Terms of Reference (see
MIN22.591 adopted 12 September 2022) includes membership for Department of
Planning and Environment (DPE) representatives.
|
Recommendation (Item to
be determined under delegated authority)
That the
Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce receive the Notification of Council
Resolution – Re-establishment Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce report
for information.
|
RESOLVED (Phil Guy / Jessica Zealand)
That the Shoalhaven
Heads Estuary Taskforce receive the Notification of Council Resolution
– Re-establishment Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce report for
information.
CARRIED
|
SH23.2 Estuary Works
at Shoalhaven Heads and Department of Primary Industries - Fisheries
|
HPERM Ref: D23/27326
|
The Taskforce
discussed the importance of exchanging information with the Northern Coastal
Management Program Advisory Committee.
It was noted
that the representative(s) for NSW DPI – Fisheries are invited to the
Taskforce meetings.
Michael
Roberts (Manager – Environmental Services) discussed the role of the
Coastal Management Program Advisory Committee. The next Northern Coastal
Management Program (CMP) Advisory Committee is set to be tentatively scheduled
for July/August. NSW State Government agencies, such as NSW DPI
Fisheries and NSW Crown Lands, are included in the CMP Advisory Committees.
The Lower
Shoalhaven River CMP and Open Coast CMP are discussed at the Northern CMP Advisory
Committee. NSW DPI Fisheries and other State Government agencies at this
meeting provide input (as required) into the Coastal Management Act 2016
(NSW) requirements. Despite this, Council will continue to invite DPI
Fisheries to the SHET meetings, and SHET members were reminded that they can
attend the Northern CMP Advisory Committee meeting as a silent observer
and/or raise matters of concern or enquiries with the committee members for
this forum.
Members reiterated that there are
barriers when it comes to permits and flood mitigation. Council discussed the
role of NSW DPI Fisheries and SHET members were asked to review a Fisheries
Permit – a permit issued by DPI Fisheries under the Fisheries
Management Act 1994 (NSW). This will enable SHET to understand DPI
Fisheries legal obligations that Council must follow when planning and
implementing works.
|
Recommendation
That the
Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce:
1. Receive a presentation from the Department of
Primary Industries – Fisheries on the implications and processes for
ongoing works within the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary and on how storm water,
erosion, sedimentation and recreation can be managed in conjunction with
village prosperity and the Coastal Management Program process.
2. Extend
an invitation for a representative from Department of Primary Industries
– Fisheries to be a member of the SHET so as to provide ongoing input
from their perspective in relation to the activities and goals of the
SHET.
|
REsolved (Clr Wells / Robyn Flack)
That the
Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce:
1.
Continue to extend an invitation for a representative from Department
of Primary Industries – Fisheries to be a member of the SHET so as to
provide ongoing input from their perspective in relation to the activities
and goals of the SHET.
2.
Formally request a presentation from the Department of Primary
Industries – Fisheries on the implications and processes for ongoing
works within the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary and on how storm water, erosion,
sedimentation and recreation can be managed in conjunction with village
prosperity and the Coastal Management Program process.
CARRIED
|
SH23.3 Shoalhaven
Heads River Entrance Management Plan Review
|
HPERM Ref: D23/27345
|
The Taskforce
raised concerns regarding the number of floods in the last 12 years, it was
noted that the implementation of the Entrance Management Plan for those eight
(8) floods has been different. It was suggested that the Entrance Management
Plan be reviewed after every significant event.
Phil Guy
mentioned that different types of floods, need different methods to address
issues and there is not flexibility in the Plan to enable these to be managed.
Michael
Roberts reiterated that the last intervention involved works when the river
height at Shoalhaven Heads was -0.07 metres. The trigger level is 2.0 metres.
This was done following Michael requesting a dispensation from NSW Crown
Lands in relation to intervention works commencing below the trigger level.
This was granted on work, health and safety grounds as there were king tides
forecasted to occur in the coming days and increasing volumes of rain across
the entirety of the catchment.
Michael
Roberts mentioned that the Entrance Management Plan will be reviewed as part
of the Lower Shoalhaven River CMP. Notwithstanding, the mechanical
intervention works are reviewed after each event to determine from a
logistics perspective ‘what worked well’ and ‘what did not
work so well’ – for the latter corrective actions are implemented
to ensure continuous improvement. Trigger levels are determined by science
and engineering, modelling and research and in consultation with the relevant
NSW State Government agencies – to be reviewed as part of the CMP.
Members agreed that the Entrance
Management Plan needs to be reviewed, Clr Wells suggested that the Plan be
reviewed every five (5) years.
|
Recommendation
That the Shoalhaven Heads Estuary
Task Force receive an update on the progress with the review of the Shoalhaven
Heads River Entrance Management Plan (2006) and its inclusion in the Coastal
Management Program.
|
REcommendation (Phil Guy / Jessica Zealand)
That the
Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Task Force and Council schedule a meeting to discuss
concerns regarding the review of the Shoalhaven Heads River Entrance
Management Plan (2006) and its inclusion in the Coastal Management Program.
CARRIED
|
GENERAL BUSINESS
SH23.4 Additional
Item - Drainage Impact - Reference Coastal Management Program
|
Members raised
questions regarding drainage and whether drainage is included in the Coastal
Management Program (CMP). Staff responded and advised that the CMP takes
drainage into account.
The drain
behind Jerry Bailey Road was mentioned and the impact from the sink holes on
Scott Street, where is the sand from the sink hole is going?
Has there been
an investigation to see if there is a link between the sink hole in Scott
Street and the drain?
Staff advised
referred to the asset custodian model and have been in contact with the
District Engineer. It was noted that the pipe under Shoalhaven Heads
Road is heavily vegetated and needs clearing out.
A question was
raised about the obstruction to the north near Coomonderry Swamp, has that
been rectified?
|
RESOLVED (Robyn Flack / Jessica Zealand)
That Council
identify City Services (Works and Services) as a key stakeholder for the
Shoalhaven Heads Estuary Taskforce, and invite key staff to the meetings to
address and inform of any rectification works in the Shoalhaven Heads area.
CARRIED
|
Update from staff:
The Dredging Feasibility study,
project inception and site visit has now been completed. The consultant now is
reviewing all of the studies that were done in the earlier substages of this
particular work, including the terrestrial and aquatic flora and fauna
assessment, looking at morphodynamical models.
The outcome will be a detailed
feasibility design study.
In terms of the River Road rock
revetment rectification works, the procurement process associated with the
planning proposal RA22/1003 is nearing completion. Awaiting Crown Lands licence
and Fisheries permit and works are due to commence before the end of financial
year.
Note: The Chairperson and members welcomed Ms Natalie Lloyd
– Indigenous representative.
There being no further business, the meeting concluded, the
time being 5.42pm.
Clr Serena
Copley
CHAIRPERSON