WARNING:
JavaScript is turned OFF. None of the links on this concept map will
work until it is reactivated.
If you need help turning JavaScript On, click here.
This Concept Map, created with IHMC CmapTools, has information related to: Throsby Creek, The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River MANAGEMENT RESPONSE The Throsby Creek TCM Strategy (1989) was successful in addressing many significant issues within the catchment. Improvement in aesthetic appeal for the tidal section of Creek between Maitland Road and Hannell Street has been spectacular, with the establishment of mangroves, bank vegetation, community access points, bike tracks and art installations. The boardwalk constructed amongst the mangroves between Hannell and Cowper Street Bridges, has added a valuable ecological and recreational asset to the community. The foreshore restoration work carried out by the Honeysuckle urban development, around the old Wool Stores site, has also increased the recreational and aethestic values of this area. Mangroves act as filters in tidal sections of natural ecosystems, so it is no surprise that they also 'filter' litter and other pollutants in an urbanised environment. (Throsby pdf), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River MANAGEMENT RESPONSE $6 million has been spent on dredging in response to the large volumes of sediments that have accumulated over time. Dredged material from the tidal stretches of the creek was estimated at 73,900 cubic meters. Dredge material analysis revealed high levels of iron. (Public Works Department, 1991). (Throsby ck pdf), Tonnes of sediment and rubbish are annually transported into the lower reaches of the city's creeks, estuary system and beaches. Runoff from roads and other sources contribute heavy metals, oils, bacteria, nutrients and other chemicals Areas of habitat and natives species have been lost Throsby creek has become chokes in the lower reaches with contaminated sediments that have poisoned marine species and impacted the economic viability of recreational and commercial fisihng rubbish litters the mangrove forests detracting from natural and spiritual values of these places for the community (www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au) ???? the "Newcastle Stormwater manament plan": Prepared by newcastle city council in conjunction with hunter water corporation, hunter central rivers catchment management authority, and the community. aims to: facilitate coordinated management of stormwater to improve water quality and maximise the ecological sustainability complement and strengthen existing stormwater management frameworks stormwater management plan represents a "bond of agreement: - a commitment to work in a cooperative manner whilst having regard to the principals of ESD and total catchment managemet in our implementation efforts" (www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River BACKGROUND Urbanisation of the lower catchment commenced in the mid to late 1800s and continues today with infill developments and small developments in the steeper upper catchment. The majority of urbanisation of the sloping lands of the mid to upper catchment is thought to have occurred during the 1960s and early 1970s. The population of the catchment today is 67,512 - equivalent to 21.4 people per hectare (Wolfenden, 1999), which is quite high by Australian standards, being exceeded only by some densely settled inner suburbs of the main cities. Landuse in the catchment comprises predominantly built environment with only 23% of the catchment existing as bushland or open space. This will clearly influence catchment management techniques that could be constructed. (Throsby ck pdf), Streets to creek project: Raising awareness of issues affecting stormwater quality in the Lambton sub-catchment installation of pollution traps to service the local buisness area community info days community competition to rename the creek runnig through Lambton Park (Partnerships reduce stormwater pollution) success of project success of these initiatives: establishment of a steering commitee formed by groups and individuals interested in stormwater issues create natural creek features such as meanders and pools, planting native species to improve water quality and local drainage problems enhance visual impacts and pubic access to overall site committee will continue thier partnership to improve stormwater quality (Partnerships reduce stormwater pollution), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River MANAGEMENT RESPONSE the "Newcastle Stormwater manament plan": Prepared by newcastle city council in conjunction with hunter water corporation, hunter central rivers catchment management authority, and the community. aims to: facilitate coordinated management of stormwater to improve water quality and maximise the ecological sustainability complement and strengthen existing stormwater management frameworks stormwater management plan represents a "bond of agreement: - a commitment to work in a cooperative manner whilst having regard to the principals of ESD and total catchment managemet in our implementation efforts" (www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River WATER Q STORMWATER/ HYDROLOGY, The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River MANAGEMENT RESPONSE Stormwater Environmental Improvement Plan: - Hunter water in partnership with Newcastle City council/Hunter Catchment Management Trust - Program of pollution reduction, erosion control and community education in the Throsby creek catchment (Partnerships reduce stormwater pollution), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River EVALUATION success of these initiatives: establishment of a steering commitee formed by groups and individuals interested in stormwater issues create natural creek features such as meanders and pools, planting native species to improve water quality and local drainage problems enhance visual impacts and pubic access to overall site committee will continue thier partnership to improve stormwater quality (Partnerships reduce stormwater pollution), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River references Wolfenden, J.A.J. 1999. “A Transdisciplinary Approach to Integrated Resource Management: a pragmatic application of ecological economics”, PhD Dissertation, University of New England., The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River CONCLUSION ????, The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River Stormwater pollution every peice of rubbish thrown onto the street ends up in our waterways and ocean unless intercepted by a stormwater pollution trap (Partnerships reduce stormwater pollution), Downstream of Tighes Hill, the creek is tidal. The very low gradients for this part of the Creek create a depositional environment and so sediment accumulates from the catchment. This lower section of the creek flows through the inner city suburbs of Islington, Wickham, Maryville and Carrington and has been the site of major restoration works as part of the implementation of the TCM strategy. (Throsby pdf) ???? $6 million has been spent on dredging in response to the large volumes of sediments that have accumulated over time. Dredged material from the tidal stretches of the creek was estimated at 73,900 cubic meters. Dredge material analysis revealed high levels of iron. (Public Works Department, 1991). (Throsby ck pdf), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River Stormwater pollution In Newcastle, concrete drains and channels have replaced extensive areas of natural creek and drainage systems. Stormwater pollutionhas impacted on the natural environment and the community in many ways: * Tonnes of sediment and rubbish are annually transported into the lower reaches of the city's creeks, estuary system and beaches * Run off from roads and other sources contribute heavy metals, oils, bacteria, nutrients and other chemicals into the stormwater system and further pollute our waterways * Extensive areas of habitat and native species of flora and fauna have been lost to current generations * Creek systems such as Throsby Creek have become choked in the lower reaches with contaminated sediments that have poisoned marine species and impacted on the economic viability of recreational and commercial fishing * Plastics, styrene and other rubbish litter the mangrove forests of the Hunter estuaries detracting from the natural and spiritual values of these places for the community * Natural creeklines throughout the city experience erosion and sedimentation impact., The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River MANAGEMENT RESPONSE Hunter Water controls 52.75km of stormwater infrastructure in the Throsby Creek network. The drainage network is complex, comprising some 59 branches and sub-branches, and made up of a combination of open channels, pipes and culverts. The infrastructure in Throsby Creek was completed in 1936, with some additional works conducted as late as 1978. Existing stormwater treatment devices installed by Hunter Water include: • One trash rack on the Adamstown Branch, between District Park Tennis Centre and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter headquarters; • One “CDS” unit or end of line pollution trap located on the Lambton Branch of the creek, between Energy Australia Stadium and the Hockey Centre, and • One sediment trap, with a floating boom in the Throsby Creek system located in the Main Channel, between Chin Chen St and Maitland Rd, adjacent to the Tighes Hill TAFE. The floating boom efficiency has been the source of continual improvements as Hunter Water seeks to reduce the impacts of large items such as shopping trolleys and tyres snagging the boom when they reach this point in the channel. Hunter Water's program of maintenance works in Throsby Creek catchment also includes: • Sediment trap - remove accumulated sediment every 3 months. Estimated 20 cubic metres/ month material is collected; • Floating boom at Tighes Hill - inspected weekly and remove accumulated floatable matter. Reinstate boom if broken as soon as practicable. Est. 10 cubic metres/ mth material collected; • Trash Rack - inspect weekly, clearing material from the screens into the collection area, empty collection area monthly. Est. 3 cubic metres/ mth material collected; • CDS Unit inspected and remove accumulated material bi-monthly. Est. 10 cubic metres/ mth material collected; • Reporting on volumes of any litter (and composition) and silt removed; • Maintenance of the grounds along the drains, in a three weeks cycle from September to April inclusive and a five weeks cycle from May to August. This includes a minimum distance of three metres measured horizontally from the outside edge of the stormwater channel or as specified. All clippings are to be collected and removed from the site, including the clippings that have fallen into the drain; and cleaning the inside of the channels. (Throsby pdf), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River MANAGEMENT RESPONSE Council has undertaken numerous collaborative, integrated stormwater projects, including “at-source” control device trials and education interventions, within the Throsby Creek catchment over the past years. Such projects have produced stormwater quality treatments such as: • Sediment trap device or “baffle-box” in Kotara, that removes an average of 1cubic metre of sediment per week from system; • “Natural channel” rehabilitation of eroded creeks & drainage lines such as Kullaibah Reserve and Black Duck Creek that stabilise bed and bank erosion, so removing sediment sources from system; • Street pit entry covers for the Lambton Shopping Centre to prevent litter, down to cigarette butt size, from entering the drainage system; • Creek friendly car park designs that infiltrate road runoff prior to entering creek at Community greening Centre, Kotara as well as remove oils/ grease and litter in the case of Energy Australia Stadium car park stormwater inlet devices; and • Targeted community engagement methodologies such as “Gutter Talk” that have created improved stormwater behaviours, ownership and attitudes when delivered at a street corner or neighbourhood scale. (Throsby pdf), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River Stormwater pollution Tonnes of sediment and rubbish are annually transported into the lower reaches of the city's creeks, estuary system and beaches. Runoff from roads and other sources contribute heavy metals, oils, bacteria, nutrients and other chemicals Areas of habitat and natives species have been lost Throsby creek has become chokes in the lower reaches with contaminated sediments that have poisoned marine species and impacted the economic viability of recreational and commercial fisihng rubbish litters the mangrove forests detracting from natural and spiritual values of these places for the community (www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au), Stormwater Environmental Improvement Plan: - Hunter water in partnership with Newcastle City council/Hunter Catchment Management Trust - Program of pollution reduction, erosion control and community education in the Throsby creek catchment (Partnerships reduce stormwater pollution) ???? installation of Continuous Deflective Separation (CDS) unit in the Lmbton branch of throsby creek, commisioned late 2002, expected to collect 78 tonnes of pollutants in it's first year of operation (Partnerships reduce stormwater pollution), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River INTRO Throsby Creek and its tributaries form a highly modified drainage network that collects stormwater from the major part of central Newcastle and conveys it to Newcastle Harbour. The catchment of the creek covers an area of approximately 3,000 hectares, the majority of which are within the boundaries of Newcastle City Council area. A small section of the upper catchment falls within the Lake Macquarie City Council area. The upper parts of the catchment are bounded in south and south-west by Lookout Road, Charlestown Road and Pacific Highway (to Merewether Heights). The lower catchment is bounded to the north-west by Waratah and Mayfield (West through to East), to the north alonga drainage line generally between Maitland Road and Industrial Drive, and to the east and south-east by the suburbs of Wickham, Hamilton and across Broadmeadow Racecourse. Figure 10 shows the extent of the Throsby catchment, major suburbs, transport networks and Hunter Water's stormwater channels. (Throsby Ck pdf), The Throsby Creek catchment of the Hunter River MANAGEMENT RESPONSE In Throsby creek, concrete drains and channels have replaced extensive areas of natural creekand drainage systems (www.newcastle.nsw.gov.au)