State of the Beaches report 2011-12 - Hunter

NSW State of the Beaches 2011–2012: Hunter region Page 77

Hunter region

Councils The Hunter region of NSW extends from Port Stephens in the north to Budgewoi in the south. Beach monitoring is conducted in three local council areas in the region (Figure 13):

Port Stephens Council

City of Newcastle

Lake Macquarie City Council.

The programs Monitoring in the Hunter region is conducted under the Beachwatch Program and the Beachwatch Partnership Program. In 2011–2012, 42 swimming locations were sampled, covering 19 ocean beaches, four ocean baths, six estuarine and thirteen lagoon/lake swimming locations (Table 14).

The Beachwatch Program was extended to the Hunter region in 1996. Hunter Water Corporation monitors 17 ocean beaches as a requirement of the Environment Protection Licences for its sewage treatment plants in the region. Most sites are sampled every sixth day throughout the year and have been tested for enterococci since 1996. Four sites (Merewether Beach, Bar Beach, Burwood Beach South and Burwood Beach North) were monitored every third day from October 2011 to April 2012.

Port Stephens Council joined the Beachwatch Partnership Program in 2004. Samples are

collected at one ocean beach and six estuarine swimming locations. Samples are collected weekly throughout the swimming season (October to April), and fortnightly between May and September. Port Stephens Council fully funds the sample collection and laboratory analysis.

The City of Newcastle Council joined the Beachwatch Partnership Program in 2005. Samples are collected at four ocean baths on a weekly basis throughout the swimming season (October to April). Newcastle Baths and Merewether Main Pool are also sampled weekly between May and September, whereas Canoe Pool and Merewether Learners Pool remain closed during this time. Enterococci analysis commenced in October 2009. The City of Newcastle Council fully funds the sample collection and analysis.

Lake Macquarie City Council joined the Beachwatch Partnership Program in 2011 but has been monitoring swimming sites in its area since 2002. Samples are collected from thirteen swimming sites in Lake Macquarie and one ocean beach on a weekly basis from November to April. Lake Macquarie City Council fully funds the sample collection and laboratory analysis.

To ensure that the data collected and reported under the Beachwatch and Beachwatch Partnership programs are accurate and reliable, quality assurance of sampling, microbial analysis and reporting is undertaken. The findings of the quality assurance program are described in the quality assurance section of this report.

Table 14: Monitoring of Hunter swimming sites

Number of sites

Organisation Sampling frequency Ocean beaches

Ocean baths

Estuarine Lagoon/ lake

Freshwater river

Total


Weekly (October to April)

Fortnightly (May to September)

1 – 6 – – 7

City of Newcastle Council

Weekly (October to April)

– 4 – – – 4

Hunter Water Corporation

Every 6-days (year-round)

17 – – – – 17

Lake Macquarie City Council

Weekly (November to April)

1 – – 13 – 14


Figure 13: Councils and sampling locations in the Hunter region


2011–2012 results Thirty-nine of the 42 swimming locations monitored in the Hunter region were graded as Good or Very Good (Table 15), making this region one of the best performing on the NSW coast.

Ocean beaches

Thirteen of the 19 ocean beaches monitored in the Hunter region were graded as Very Good:

Zenith Beach, Box Beach, Fingal Beach, One Mile Beach and Birubi Beach in Port Stephens Council area

South Stockton Beach, Nobbys Beach and Newcastle Beach in City of Newcastle Council area

Dudley Beach, Redhead Beach, Blacksmiths Beach, Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay in Lake Macquarie City Council area.

The remaining six ocean beaches were graded as Good (Table 15).

Although water quality was of a high standard at Merewether, Bar, Burwood North, Burwood South and Glenrock Lagoon beaches, a health risk assessment commissioned by Hunter Water Corporation in 2009 indicated that there was a small risk that the effluent plume from Burwood Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) could be driven back to the coast under certain combinations of wind and current. This risk was considered as part of the sanitary inspections for these beaches and they were assigned Sanitary Inspection Categories of Moderate. The WWTP is currently being upgraded to improve its operational reliability and to cater for population growth. Hunter Water Corporation is also planning to disinfect the effluent to address the small health risk identified in the study, as part of future upgrade works at the plant.

Ocean baths

Three ocean baths monitored in the Hunter region were graded as Very Good: Newcastle Baths, Merewether Learners Pool and Merewether Main Pool. These swimming sites had consistently excellent water quality and a low risk of microbial contamination from pollution sources in their catchments.

Canoe Pool was graded as Good. This site had mostly good water quality (Microbial Assessment Category B) and few potential sources of significant faecal contamination.

Estuarine swimming sites

All six estuarine swimming locations in Port Stephens were graded as Good, indicating that water quality is suitable for swimming for most of the time. These sites have a number of potential sources of faecal contamination, such as outflow from the Karuah River and stormwater.

Lagoon/lake swimming sites

Ten of the thirteen lagoon/lake swimming sites were graded as Good (Table 15). Microbial water quality at these sites is suitable for swimming most of the time but may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination.

The remaining three sites were graded as Poor (Speers Point and Bolton Point) or Very Poor (Eleebana (Lion Park)). Speers Point and Bolton Point generally had good water quality during dry weather conditions but were susceptible to faecal contamination following rainfall. It is recommended that swimming at these sites be avoided during and up to three days following rainfall or if there are signs of stormwater such as discoloured water or odour or floating debris.

Elevated levels of enterococci were recorded at Eleebana (Lion Park) during both wet and dry weather conditions so it is recommended that swimming be avoided at this site due to the unpredictable nature of the contamination.


Table 15: Beach Suitability Grades in the Hunter region, 2011–2012 Site Site type

Sanitary Inspection Category

Microbial Assessment

Category

Beach Suitability

Grade

Zenith Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Box Beach Ocean beach Very Low Category A Very Good

Fingal Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

One Mile Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Birubi Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Little Beach Estuarine Low Category B Good

Dutchmans Beach Estuarine Moderate Category A Good

Bagnalls Beach Estuarine Moderate Category B Good

Georges Reserve Estuarine Moderate Category B Good

Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool Estuarine Moderate Category B Good

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Karuah Tidal Pool Estuarine Moderate Category A Good

South Stockton Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Nobbys Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Newcastle Baths Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good

Canoe Pool Ocean baths Low Category B Good

Newcastle Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Bar Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Merewether Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Merewether Learners Pool Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good

Merewether Main Pool Ocean baths Low Category A Very Good

Burwood North Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

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Burwood South Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Glenrock Lagoon Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category A Good

Dudley Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Redhead Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Blacksmiths Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Swansea Heads Little Beach Ocean beach Moderate Category B Good

Caves Beach Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Eleebana (Lion Park) Lagoon/lake High Category D Very Poor

Croudace Bay Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good

Arcadia Vale Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good

Belmont Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good

Swansea Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good

Cams Wharf Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good

Catherine Hill Bay Ocean beach Low Category A Very Good

Speers Point Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor

Bolton Point Lagoon/lake Moderate Category C Poor

Toronto Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good

Kilaben Bay Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good

Wangi Point (Van Park) Lagoon/lake Moderate Category B Good

Balcolyn Lagoon/lake Low Category B Good

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Sunshine Lagoon/lake Moderate Category A Good



Figure 14: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the Port Stephens Council area


Message from Port Stephens Council Port Stephens Council has been involved in the Beachwatch Partnership Program since 2004. The publishing of Beachwatch results has provided our community with water quality information for some of the area's most popular swimming beaches. Visitors and residents alike enjoy our beautiful estuarine and ocean beaches and this program has highlighted their cleanliness and suitability for swimming. We monitor seven sites across a broad area stretching from Karuah down to Birubi Beach (Anna Bay) and east to Nelson Bay beaches. Our program complements the Beachwatch sampling done by Hunter Water at Fingal Beach, One Mile Beach, Zenith and Box beaches. Having been involved in the Beachwatch Program for eight years, we have now gathered a substantial amount of information on these locations, and others monitored through our Cleanwaterways Program. The results show our swimming beaches come up with a green light and are generally rated "Very Good" to "Good", which is excellent news for all users of our beautiful coastal environment. Being a focal point in the locality, our beaches are where many local events and activities are held. These include 'Sensational Seagrass' activities run by Council, surf lifesaving, Nelson Bay Sculpture Festival, Whalefest and Southern Cross Stand Up Paddle Festival. The Beaches are vitally important to our community and we strive to ensure they are in very good condition for swimming.

Overview of the area Description

The Port Stephens Council area borders the Greater Lakes to the north and Newcastle to the south. It covers an area of 979 square kilometres and has an estimated local resident population of 64,807 at the 2011 Census (ABS 2012).

Port Stephens is an important tourist and recreational destination owing to the natural beauty of the area, with numerous coastal beaches, waterways and rural areas. The area also supports agriculture, manufacturing, fishing and oyster industries (Port Stephens Council 2006).

Rainfall

There were several significant rain and storm events in the Hunter region during 2011–2012 (BOM 2012):

Heavy rainfall along the east coast in early February included a 72-hour total of almost 150 mm in Port Stephens.

Heavy rainfall continued in April with Port Stephens receiving more than twice the average total for the month.

Assessment Microbial water quality

NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are collected each year, providing 100 data points over a five year period. The sampling frequency at sites in the Port Stephens Council area is higher than this minimum, with 60 samples collected each year at the four locations monitored by Hunter Water Corporation and approximately 40 samples collected each year at sites monitored by Port Stephens Council.

The Microbial Assessment Category for 2011–2012 was calculated from the most recent 100 data points up until the end of the 2011–2012 swimming season: September 2010 until April 2012 at Hunter Water’s sites, and slightly longer (December 2009 until April 2012) at Port Stephens Council’s sites.

Sanitary inspections

Sanitary inspections have been completed for all monitored swimming locations in the Port Stephens Council area. These are scheduled for review during 2012–2013.

Beach Suitability Grades All 11 swimming locations monitored in Port Stephens Shire were graded as Good or Very Good during 2011–2012 (Figure 14).

Very Good

Five swimming locations were graded as Very Good: Zenith Beach, Box Beach, Fingal Beach, One Mile Beach and Birubi Beach.

These sites all had excellent water quality (Microbial Assessment Category A) and few potential sources of microbial contamination (Sanitary Inspection Categories of Low or Very Low).


Good

Six swimming locations were graded as Good: Little Beach, Dutchmans Beach, Bagnalls Beach, Georges Reserve, Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool and Karuah Tidal Pool.

These sites had mostly good water quality (Microbial Assessment Category A or B) but had more significant potential sources of microbial contamination, such as stormwater or river discharge.

Fair

No swimming sites were classified as Fair.

Poor

No swimming sites were classified as Poor.

Very Poor

No swimming sites were classified as Very Poor

Management Wastewater management

Hunter Water Corporation is responsible for wastewater management in the area and operates three wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the area (EPA NSW 2012).

Boulder Bay WWTP discharges secondary-treated effluent via an ocean outfall off Boulder Bay. The Karuah WWTP recycles all tertiary-treated effluent under most conditions for use in crop irrigation. The Tanilba Bay WWTP discharges secondary-treated, disinfected effluent via ex-filtration ponds.

There are more than 4500 on-site sewage management systems in the Port Stephens Council area. Most of these systems are located in rural areas and most are septic tanks with either absorption trenches or evapo-transpiration areas, or aerated wastewater treatment systems.

Management programs

Port Stephens Council has a number of ongoing management plans to improve water quality and waterway management. These include the Port Stephens/Myall Lakes Estuary Management Plan; the Port Stephens Foreshore Management Plan; the Tilligerry Creek Catchment Management Plan; and the Urban Stormwater and Rural Water Quality Management Plan.

Port Stephens Council also monitors the quality of waterways throughout the local government area as part of the Clean Waterways Program. In addition to the recreational water quality monitoring, Council aims to monitor estuarine health, and to identify pollution sources and strategies to improve the health of waterways.

Site management

Port Stephens Council responds to reports of suspected algal contamination and stormwater and sewage pollution by closing swimming areas and issuing public notices on the council website and local papers. If sewage or stormwater contamination is suspected, the swimming area is closed and microbial water quality testing is undertaken until samples indicate that water quality is suitable for swimming.

Port Stephens Council recommends that swimming be avoided for up to three days following rainfall owing to the possibility of pollution from stormwater.

Lifeguard service

Port Stephens Council contracts professional lifeguards from State Surf Lifesaving Services to provide patrols at Birubi, Fingal and One Mile beaches from early October to late April. On weekends and public holidays the beaches are patrolled by volunteers of the Fingal Bay and Birubi Point Surf Club.

Council lifeguards are responsible for closing beaches during hazardous beach conditions. Lifeguards erect warning signage during dangerous surf conditions and during the presence of marine stingers.


Zenith Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good

See page 21 for key to map

Zenith Beach is 400 metres long and is situated within Tomaree National Park. Beach conditions are usually safe, but rips run out against each headland. Zenith Beach is not patrolled by lifeguards.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with very few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard.

Sanitary Inspection: Low Very Low Low Moderate HighSource: Very Low Low Moderate HighSource:

Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012.

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Box Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Box Beach is 350 metres long and lies within Tomaree National Park. Beach conditions are usually safe, but rips run out against the headlands during large swells.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with only one potential source of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and remained well below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.


Sanitary Inspection: Very Low Very Low Low Moderate HighSource: Very Low Low Moderate HighSource:


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Fingal Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Fingal Beach is approximately 2.7 kilometres long and is situated within Fingal Bay. Beach conditions are generally safe, with the best conditions in the patrolled area or towards the southern end of the beach.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.




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One Mile Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


This 1.3 kilometre stretch of beach is situated at the southern end of Anna Bay. Beach conditions are relatively safe and lifeguards patrol the southern end of the beach between late September and mid-April.


The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.




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Birubi Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Birubi Beach is situated among rocky outcrops at the northern end of Stockton Bight, which contains over 30 kilometres of beaches and coastal dunes. There are few facilities close by, but the site is adjacent to a surf club and the area is popular with swimmers and surfers.


The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels showed little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 2004 and microbial water quality has generally been of a high standard.


Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2009 to April 2012.

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Little Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Little Beach is a netted estuarine beach located on the southern shore of Port Stephens, approximately three kilometres from the ocean. The beach is adjacent to a foreshore park and picnic area and is popular with families with small children.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination, including river discharge.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.



Microbial Assessment: B Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is December 2009 to April 2012.

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Dutchmans Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Dutchmans Beach (also known as Dutchies Beach) is located on the southern shore of Port Stephens, approximately five kilometres from the ocean. The beach is adjacent to a foreshore park and picnic area and is popular with the local community and tourists.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination, including river discharge.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, sometimes exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 20 mm or rainfall or more.


Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Very Low Low Moderate HighSource: Very Low Low Moderate HighSource:


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Bagnalls Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Bagnalls Beach is located on the southern shore of Port Stephens, approximately six kilometres from the ocean. The beach is adjacent to a foreshore park and picnic area and is a popular play area for children. It is also a very popular off-leash dog walking area.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming, but the water may be susceptible to pollution from river discharge and stormwater.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 5 mm or more of rain.

The site has been monitored since 2004 and microbial water quality has varied among years.



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Georges Reserve Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Georges Reserve is located on the southern shore of Port Stephens, approximately ten kilometres from the ocean. The beach is adjacent to a foreshore park and picnic area. The beach and park are popular with the local community and tourists.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming, but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination, including river discharge.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rain, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 5 mm or more of rain.

The site has been monitored since 2004 and microbial water quality has varied among years.



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Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool is a netted swimming enclosure located in a shallow arm of Port Stephens, approximately 15 kilometres from the ocean. The baths are adjacent to a foreshore park, boat ramp and picnic areas and are popular in summer.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination, including river discharge.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 10 mm or rainfall or more.




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Karuah Tidal Pool Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Karuah Tidal Pool is a netted swimming enclosure located in the lower reaches of the Karuah River, approximately 25 kilometres from the ocean. The baths are adjacent to a foreshore park and picnic area and are popular with local residents and tourists with small children.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination, including river discharge.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more.




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City of Newcastle Council

Figure 15: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the City of Newcastle Council area


Message from City of Newcastle Council Newcastle has a reputation for being one of the best surfing locations in Australia. It is the home of renowned surfing competition Surfest, held every year in March, and Newcastle’s southern most beach, Merewether, has been gazetted as one of only five National Surfing Reserves. Newcastle is in a unique situation whereby all the facilities provided along the coastline are undergoing major facelifts. We are improving the Bathers Way, a 5km walk that hugs the coast. We are building new beachside facilities like restaurants and cafes. And of course we are working closely with surf clubs to make sure they are at their best. The real jewel in our coastal crown is the how clean our beaches are. Both on the sand and in the water our beaches are some of the best in the country and this is something we are really proud of as a community.


The City of Newcastle Council covers an area of 183 square kilometres and has an estimated local resident population of 148,535 at the 2011 Census (ABS 2012). The 15 kilometres of coastline are a highly valued recreational, social and economic resource for the community and include sandy beaches, rock platforms, coastal lagoons and Newcastle Harbour.

Land uses within the region are varied and include residential, rural, commercial, recreational, industrial and bushland reserves (City of Newcastle Council 2008).

Rainfall


Heavy rainfall in July included 198 mm over 4 days in Merewether, with almost three times the average total rainfall received for the month.

Heavy rainfall in early October included a daily total of 54 mm in Merewether; more than twice the average total rainfall was received for the month.

An extended wet weather period towards the end of November resulted in the Newcastle region receiving almost twice the average rainfall for the month.

Heavy rainfall along the east coast in early February included daily totals of 72 mm and 73 mm at Merewether, and more than twice the average total rainfall was received for the month.


NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are collected each year, providing 100 data points over a five year period. The sampling frequency at sites in the City of Newcastle Council area is higher than this minimum, with 60 samples collected each year at locations monitored by Hunter Water Corporation and approximately 30 samples collected each year at the four ocean baths monitored by the City of Newcastle Council.

The Microbial Assessment Category for 2011–2012 was calculated from the most recent 100 data points up until the end of the 2011–2012 swimming season. This period was September 2010 until April 2012 at sites monitored by Hunter Water Corporation.

At the ocean baths monitored by the City of Newcastle Council, enterococci analysis began in October 2009. Less than 100 data points are currently available for analysis for Canoe Pool and Merewether Learners Pool which are not sampled when closed between May and September. The Microbial Assessment Categories for these sites are therefore regarded as provisional. As more data become available in following years, the beach grades will become final and response to rainfall trends more defined.


Sanitary inspections have been completed for all monitored swimming locations in the City of Newcastle Council area. These are scheduled for review during 2012–2013.

Beach Suitability Grades All 11 swimming locations monitored in the City of Newcastle Council area were graded as Good or Very Good during 2011–2012 (Figure 15).

Very Good

Six swimming locations were graded as Very Good: South Stockton Beach, Nobbys Beach, Newcastle Beach, Newcastle Baths, Merewether Learners Pool and Merewether Main Pool.

These sites all had excellent water quality (Microbial Assessment Category A) and few potential sources


of microbial contamination (Sanitary Inspection Categories of Low).

Good

Five swimming locations were graded as Good: Canoe Pool, Bar Beach, Merewether Beach, Burwood North Beach and Burwood South Beach.

These sites also had excellent water quality (Microbial Assessment Category A or B) but had more significant potential sources of microbial contamination, such as discharge from the Burwood Beach Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) or, in the case of Bar Beach, toilet facilities.

It should be noted that Burwood Beach WWTP is currently being upgraded to improve its operational reliability and to cater for population growth. Planning is also underway for a new effluent disinfection system, to address the small health risk identified in a health risk assessment undertaken in 2009. Once these works are completed, the sanitary inspections for Bar, Merewether, Burwood North and Burwood South beaches will be revised.

Fair

No swimming sites were graded as Fair.

Poor

No swimming sites were graded as Poor.

Very Poor

No swimming sites were graded as Very Poor.


Hunter Water Corporation is responsible for wastewater management in the region. The Burwood Beach and Shortland WWTPs service the majority of Newcastle City and surrounds. Burwood Beach WWTP treats effluent to a secondary level and discharges it via an ocean outfall off Burwood South Beach (EPA NSW 2012). Effluent from Shortland WWTP is disinfected and discharged to the Hunter River.

The majority of Newcastle’s wastewater system is located in stormwater catchments that discharge into Newcastle Harbour. There are only two small catchments where overflows may potentially discharge directly to the ocean.

There is an emergency relief structure (ERS) for the Newcastle sewerage network located on the headland between Merewether Beach and Burwood beach. During extreme wet weather events the ERS is used as a discharge point to prevent sewage

overflow into the Newcastle City region. During such extreme wet weather events the overflow discharged at this point would be highly diluted.

In the City of Newcastle Council area, there are approximately 324 septic tanks with absorption trenches or evapo-transpiration areas, and 134 aerated wastewater treatment systems. Most are located well away from beach catchments.

Coastal management

In December 2008, the City of Newcastle Council, the NSW Government (through the Land and Property Management Authority) and Hunter Surf Lifesaving signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a long-term strategy for managing the coastline.

A master plan has been developed to provide a strategic framework for more detailed planning, resource allocation and decision-making. The plan will ensure that coastal resources are managed in a coordinated way to ensure the expectations of current and future beach users are met. It covers the city’s 15 kilometres of coastline from Glenrock Lagoon (behind Burwood Beach) to Fern Bay, and includes actions to effectively manage the social, economic, cultural, recreational, ecological, aesthetic and tourism values of the coastline.

In partnership with the NSW Government and the Newcastle Port Corporation, the council completed the Stockton Beach Coastal Zone Management Study. This study identified and modelled a range of potential management options to address long-term erosion issues. In addition, Council will coordinate a scoping study to identify suitable sand sources for the future nourishment of Stockton Beach. Both of these studies will inform the revision of the Coastline Management Plan.

Estuary management

Newcastle City Council, in partnership with the NSW Government, Port Stephens Council and Maitland Council, completed the Hunter Estuary Management Plan in 2009. Under the guidance of the Hunter Estuary Technical Working Party, the Hunter Estuary Management Plan will guide the planning and management activities for the Hunter Estuary.

Stormwater management

Council has prepared a Stormwater Management Plan which identifies priority actions to improve the quality of stormwater draining to ocean beaches and the Hunter River, as well as actions to manage flows and flooding.


Lifeguard service

Newcastle beaches are patrolled year round Monday to Saturday by a professional lifeguard service. Council also provides a roving mobile professional service on Sundays over the swimming season to assist volunteer club lifeguards. Patrolled beaches include Newcastle, Stockton, Dixon Park, Merewether, Merewether Ocean Baths, and Newcastle Ocean Baths.

Council lifeguards are responsible for closing beaches during hazardous beach conditions. Lifeguards erect warning signage during dangerous surf conditions, when marine stingers are present, or when there is suspected algal contamination, stormwater pollution or sewage pollution.

Risk management

The council has a risk management procedure to ensure that facility cleaners, lifeguards, Hunter

Water Corporation and the Compliance Services section of Council report suspected pollution at all Newcastle swimming areas.

Cleaners at the ocean baths in Newcastle monitor conditions every day and report the results to the Compliance Services Division of Newcastle City Council. The ocean baths are closed and emptied when contamination is evident. The baths are then cleaned, tested again, and clarified prior to re-opening.

Hunter Water Corporation is obliged under licence conditions to report any sewage overflows to the stormwater system or recreational swimming areas. If there is any doubt of water quality, the swimming area is closed, with temporary on-site warning signs. Notification is made on the council website and media releases are issued when it is deemed appropriate. Stormwater pollution warning signs have been permanently erected at swimming areas susceptible to stormwater pollution.


South Stockton Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


South Stockton Beach is located at the southern end of a 32 kilometre stretch of beach that extends north to Birubi Point. Beach conditions are generally safe and lifeguards patrol the beach year round.


The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, sometimes exceeding the safe swimming limit after 20 mm of rainfall or more.




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Nobbys Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Nobbys Beach is one kilometre long. Swimming conditions are safest at the southern end. Lifeguards patrol the beach all year round.



The site has been monitored for enterococci since 1996. Microbial water quality has been of a consistently high standard throughout this period.



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Newcastle Baths Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Newcastle Ocean Baths are located at the northern end of Newcastle Beach, adjacent to Canoe Pool. Council inspectors patrol the pool from October to April. The baths are emptied, cleaned and filled weekly throughout the year.


The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009.


Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is February 2010 to April 2012.

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Canoe Pool Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Canoe Pool is located on the rock platform at the northern end of Newcastle Beach and adjoins Newcastle Ocean Baths. Lifeguards patrol the pool from October until April. The pool is emptied, cleaned and refilled each week during the summer season.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels had little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009. Water quality has been of a very high standard.


Microbial Assessment: B Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2010 to April 2012.

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Newcastle Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Newcastle Beach is approximately 650 metres long. Swimming can be dangerous as there are three permanent rips along the length of the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach all year round.






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Bar Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Bar Beach is approximately 500 metres long and is bordered by rock platforms. Conditions can be hazardous, as it is an open beach with numerous rips. Lifeguards patrol the beach all year round.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit after 5 mm of rainfall or more.



Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is March 2011 to April 2012.

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Merewether Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Merewether Beach is located at the southern end of a 900 metre stretch of beach that extends north to Dixon Park Beach. There are two ocean pools on the southern rock platform. The beach is patrolled year round.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit after 5 mm of rainfall or more.




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Merewether Pool (Learners) Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Merewether Learners Pool is located at the southern end of Merewether Beach, adjoining Merewether Main Pool. Council inspectors patrol the pool from October to April. The baths are emptied, cleaned and refilled on a weekly basis throughout the whole year.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009 and microbial water quality has been of a high standard.


Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is October 2009 to April 2012.

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Merewether Pool (Main) Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Merewether Main Pool is located at the southern end of Merewether Beach, adjoining Merewether Learners Pool. Council inspectors patrol the pool from October to April. The baths are emptied, cleaned and refilled twice weekly throughout the bathing season, and on a weekly basis for the remainder of the year.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few significant sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2009 and microbial water quality has generally been of a very high standard.



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Burwood North Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Burwood North Beach is located toward the northern end of an 800 metre stretch of beach. It is backed by Glenrock State Recreation Area and Burwood Sewage Treatment Plant.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall, but mostly remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.




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Burwood South Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Burwood South Beach is located towards the southern end of an 800 metre stretch of beach. It is backed by Glenrock State Recreation Area and Burwood Sewage Treatment Plant.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water can be susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.





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Lake Macquarie Council

Figure 16: Sampling locations and Beach Suitability Grades in the Lake Macquarie City Council area


Message from Lake Macquarie Council The City of Lake Macquarie is blessed with spectacular natural scenery including some eighteen kilometres of coast with a variety of features enjoyed by many. A highly attractive landscape, with high cliffs, sea caves, wide rock platforms, fossil forests, long sandy beaches, small coves, and sheltered lagoons, there is something for everyone in this constantly changing zone. Many groups are based on, or attracted to our coast. These include surf clubs, fishermen, off road vehicle users, surfers, swimmers, and beach walkers, all who enjoy the natural and constantly changing environment. This combination of cultural, social, economic and environmental values means that healthy, functioning natural systems in the coastal landscape are very important to the sustainable prosperity and wellbeing of the city. Once again, Lake Macquarie beaches have received high ratings and I am very pleased that the health of our coast is in good shape.


Lake Macquarie City Council covers an area of 787 square kilometres and has an estimated local resident population of 189,006 at the 2011 Census (ABS 2012).

The ocean beaches run along a 28 kilometre stretch of coastline from Glenrock Lagoon in the north to Catherine Hill Bay in the south. The area boasts a wide range of shorelines, including rocky headlands, bluffs, sandy beaches, rock platforms and coastal lagoons.

Lake Macquarie is Australia's largest coastal salt water lake, covering an area of 110 square kilometres. It is connected to the ocean by Swansea Channel and Lakes Entrance. A number of creek systems discharge into the lake including Dora and Cockle creeks. Recreational fishing, boating, kayaking and water skiing are all popular activities on the lake.

Land use within the catchments includes residential, commercial, recreational, rural, industrial and bushland.

Rainfall


Heavy rainfall along the east coast in early February resulted in many parts of Lake Macquarie receiving almost twice the average total rainfall for the month.

Heavy rainfall continued throughout the Lake Macquarie region in April. Morisset received 105 mm of rainfall in one day which is the highest daily rainfall ever recorded in April.


NHMRC recommends that at least 20 samples are collected each year, providing 100 data points over a five year period. The sampling frequency at sites in the City of Lake Macquarie Council area is higher than this minimum, with 60 samples collected each year at locations monitored by Hunter Water Corporation and approximately 22 samples collected each year at the sites monitored by Lake Macquarie Council.

The Microbial Assessment Category for 2011–2012 was calculated from the most recent 100 data points up until the end of the 2011–2012 swimming season. This period was September 2010 until April 2012 at sites monitored by Hunter Water Corporation.

At the sites monitored by Lake Macquarie City Council, enterococci analysis began in November 2010 and less than 100 data points are currently available for analysis. The Microbial Assessment Categories for these sites are therefore regarded as provisional. As more data become available in following years, the beach grades will become final and response to rainfall trends more defined.


Sanitary inspections have been completed for all monitored swimming locations in the Lake Macquarie City Council area. These are scheduled for review during 2012–2013.

Beach Suitability Grades Seventeen of the 20 swimming locations monitored in the Lake Macquarie City Council area were graded as Good or Very Good during 2011–2012 (Figure 16).

Very Good

Five ocean beaches were graded as Very Good: Dudley Beach, Redhead Beach, Blacksmiths Beach Caves Beach and Catherine Hill Bay.

These sites had excellent water quality (Microbial Assessment Category A) and few potential sources


of microbial contamination (Sanitary Inspection Categories of Low).

Good

Two ocean beaches (Glenrock Lagoon Beach and Swansea Heads Little Beach) and ten lake sites (Croudace Bay, Arcadia Vale, Belmont, Swansea, Cams Wharf, Toronto, Kilaben Bay, Wangi Point (Van Park), Balcolyn and Sunshine) were graded as Good.

These sites had mostly good water quality (Microbial Assessment Category A or B) but more significant potential sources of microbial contamination, including discharges from coastal lakes/lagoons.

Fair

No beaches were graded as Fair.

Poor

Two sites in Lake Macquarie (Speers Point and Bolton Point) were graded as Poor. These sites often had poor water quality following rainfall and significant sources of microbial contamination such as discharge from Cockle Creek and stormwater.

Very Poor

Eleebana (Lion Park) was graded as Very Poor. This site often had poor water quality (Microbial Assessment category D) and significant sources of microbial contamination such as stormwater and sewage overflows. Elevated levels of enterococci were recorded during both wet and dry weather conditions so it is recommended that swimming be avoided at this site due to the unpredictable nature of the contamination.


Hunter Water Corporation is responsible for wastewater management in the area and operates four wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs): Belmont, Dora Creek, Toronto and Edgeworth (EPA NSW 2012).

Each year the Belmont WWTP discharges approximately 22,000 million litres of secondary-treated wastewater (including secondary-treated effluent transferred from Toronto and Edgeworth WWTPs) from an outfall between Redhead and Blacksmiths Beach.

Dora Creek WWTP is small and preferentially sends secondary-treated effluent to Eraring Power Station for re-use as industrial water at the station. Dora

Creek WWTP was connected via pipeline to Belmont WWTP in 2010–2011 to enable any surplus treated effluent to be directed to Belmont WWTP. This has resulted in Dora Creek WWTP becoming a zero discharge plant.

Management programs

Lake Macquarie City Council, in collaboration with Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority (CMA), Hunter Water Corporation and Eraring Energy, supports programs including water quality monitoring by Waterwatch groups and ‘Adopt a SQID’, promotion of biannual macroinvertebrate surveys and ‘Phosphorus Day’.

The Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Action Plan (CAP) (HCRCMA 2007) is a guide to protecting and improving the region’s natural resources over a ten year period and supports efforts made by the CMA to secure funding from the Australian Government.

During 2009–2010, the Ecosystems Operations Coordinator facilitated approximately $2.5 million on projects that led to environmental improvements to Lake Macquarie. These works included stream bank rehabilitation, foreshore stabilisation, construction of stormwater quality improvement devices, wetland and saltmarsh rehabilitation activities, water quality monitoring, biological monitoring, education and community reporting.

In April 2010, Council adopted the Integrated Foreshore Management Strategy for Lake Macquarie. The purpose of the strategy is to develop policies to best manage the foreshore for community enjoyment and the protection of environmental values and the interests of property owners. The strategy complements the $20 million invested by Council and the NSW Government in recent years to restore the environmental health of the lake.

Stormwater management

The Lake Macquarie Stormwater Management Plan (SMP) was released in 1999 as a strategic framework for the sustainable management of stormwater in the lake and coastal catchments. Significant achievements include construction of wetlands at Cardiff, and on-ground stormwater improvement with water-sensitive urban design principles.

Lifeguard service

Lake Macquarie City Council lifeguards patrol Redhead, Blacksmiths, Caves, and Catherine Hill Bay beaches from the September/October school holidays through to April. Volunteer Surf Life Saving Club lifeguards patrol on Sundays.


Glenrock Lagoon Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Glenrock Lagoon Beach is 300 metres long and is located at the southern end of Burwood Beach. The beach is backed by Glenrock State Conservation Area.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including outflow from Glenrock Lagoon.


The site has been monitored since 1996. A small percentage of elevated enterococci results have been recorded in most years.



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Dudley Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Dudley Beach is one kilometre long. It is situated in the Glenrock State Conservation Area and is backed by bushland.






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Redhead Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Redhead Beach is located at the northern end of a ten kilometre stretch of beach and is backed by extensive sand dunes and a grassy reserve.






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Blacksmiths Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Blacksmiths Beach is located toward the southern end of a ten kilometre stretch of beach. A sea wall along the southern end protects the beach from outflow from Lake Macquarie.


The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall but generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 1996 and microbial water quality has been of a consistently very high standard.



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Swansea Heads Little Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Swansea Heads Little Beach is 60 metres long and is located directly south-east of the entrance to Lake Macquarie. It is bounded by a small sea wall to the north-west and by a rock platform backed by steep vegetated bluffs to the south-east.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to pollution from the outflow from Lake Macquarie.


The site has been monitored since 1996. A small percentage of elevated enterococci results has been recorded in most years.


Microbial Assessment: B Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is September 2010 to April 2012.

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Caves Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Caves Beach is located at the southern end of a 1.8 kilometre beach that runs south from Swansea Heads.



The site has been monitored since 1996. Water quality has generally been of a very high standard.



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Eleebana (Lion Park) Beach Suitability Grade: Very Poor


Eleebana is located at the northern end of Lake Macquarie in Warners Bay. The adjacent foreshore reserve has toilet and picnic facilities.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Poor indicates that the microbial water quality is highly influenced by faecal pollution and swimming should be avoided at all times.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall occasionally exceeding the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with elevated levels of enterococci recorded in up to 30 per cent of samples in 2010–2011.

Sanitary Inspection: High Very Low Low Moderate HighSource: Very Low Low Moderate HighSource:

Microbial Assessment: D Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012.

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96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Croudace Bay Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Croudace Bay is a netted swimming enclosure located near Sheppard Creek on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie. Picnic tables and a car park are located in the immediate foreshore of the baths.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including outflow from Sheppard Creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, sometimes exceeding the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with improvements in water quality in 2011–2012.


Microbial Assessment: B Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012.

170140

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory


1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cci

(cfu

/10

0m

L)


^

AnimalsBoats

Sewer ChokesSewage Overflows

Hig

hM

od

erat

eL

ow

Lake Macquarie

Ver

y L

ow Bathers

Toilet Facilities

Crrek Discharge

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Arcadia Vale Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Arcadia Vale is situated on the western side of Lake Macquarie. There is a playground, toilets and picnic tables in the adjacent park.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater.




Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012.

80

6

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Swansea rain gauge

1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cc

i (c

fu/1

00

mL

)


^

Animals


Hig

hM

od

erat

eL

ow

Lake Macquarie

Ver

y L

ow Bathers

Toilet Facilities

Stormwater

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Belmont Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Belmont is located on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie. Access to the sample site is from Belmont Lions Park along Brooks Parade, Belmont. The sample is collected at the baths, from the jetty. The site is adjacent to toilet facilities and residential and commercial properties.


The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall and sometimes exceeded the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.




280

140

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory


1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cc

i (c

fu/1

00

mL

)


^

Animals

Sewer Chokes

Hig

hM

od

erat

eL

ow

Stormwater

Lake Macquarie

Boats

Ver

y L

ow Bathers

Toilet Facilities

Sewage Overflows

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Swansea Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Swansea is located on the eastern edge of Lake Macquarie near Swansea Channel and Lakes Entrance. A caravan park is located nearby with a small creek discharging close to the site.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater discharge from a nearby creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall and occasionally exceeded the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.




420

160

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory


1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cci

(cfu

/10

0m

L)


^

Animals


Bathers

Hig

hM

od

erat

eL

ow

Ver

y L

ow

Toilet Facilities

Stormwater

Lake Macquarie

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Cams Wharf Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Cams Wharf is a netted swimming enclosure on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie. A foreshore reserve, toilet amenities, car park and boat ramp are located in the immediate vicinity of the site.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater discharge from a nearby creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased slightly with increasing rainfall and occasionally exceeded the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.




145

36

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory


1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cci

(cfu

/10

0m

L)


^

Animals

OnSite SystemsSewer Chokes

Sewage Overflows

Hig

hM

od

erat

eL

ow

Lake Macquarie

Ver

y L

ow Bathers

Toilet Facilities

Stormwater

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Catherine Hill Bay Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Catherine Hill Bay is located at the southern end of a two kilometre long stretch of ocean beach. The beach is patrolled by council lifeguards from September to April.


The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels showed little response to rainfall and generally remained below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.




2 10

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory


1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cc

i (c

fu/1

00

mL

)


^

Animals

OnSite Systems

Bathers

Lo

wV

ery

Lo

w

Toilet Facilities

River Discharge

Hig

hM

od

erat

e

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Speers Point Beach Suitability Grade: Poor


Speers Point is located in Cockle Bay at the northern end of Lake Macquarie. The sample is collected from the end of the public jetty. A playground, sporting fields, swimming centre and car park facilities are located in the adjacent foreshore.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Poor indicates that the microbial water quality is susceptible to faecal pollution, particularly after rainfall, with a number of potential sources of faecal contamination including discharge from Cockle Creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 20 mm rainfall or more.

The site has been monitored since 2010, with elevated enterococci levels recorded in up to ten per cent of samples.


Microbial Assessment: C Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012.

170220

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bolton Point rain gauge

1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cc

i (c

fu/1

00

mL

)


^

Animals


Toilet Facilities

Hig

hM

od

erat

eL

ow

Lake Macquarie

Ver

y L

ow Bathers

Stormwater

Creek Discharge

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Bolton Point Beach Suitability Grade: Poor


Bolton Point is a netted swimming enclosure located on the north-western side of Lake Macquarie. There is a foreshore and car park in the immediate vicinity of the baths.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Poor indicates that the microbial water quality is susceptible to faecal pollution, particularly after rainfall, with a number of potential sources of faecal contamination including stormwater discharge from a nearby creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 20 mm of rainfall or more.



Microbial Assessment: C Monitoring period for 2011–12 result is November 2012 to April 2012.

250210

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bolton Point rain gauge

1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cci

(cfu

/10

0m

L)


^

Animals


Hig

hM

od

erat

eL

ow

Lake Macquarie

Boats

Ver

y L

ow Bathers

Toilet Facilities

Stormwater

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Toronto Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Toronto is a netted swimming enclosure located on the western side of Lake Macquarie. The sample is collected near the jetty at the baths.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater from a nearby drain.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit after 10 mm of rainfall or more.




13595

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory


1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cc

i (c

fu/1

00

mL

)


^

AnimalsBoats


Hig

hM

od

erat

eL

ow

Lake Macquarie

Ver

y L

ow Bathers

Toilet Facilities

Stormwater

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Kilaben Bay Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Kilaben Bay is located on the western side of Lake Macquarie. The sample is collected from the baths which are adjacent to Kilaben Park.


The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall, sometimes exceeding the safe swimming limit after little or no rain.




230

150

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory


1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cc

i (c

fu/1

00

mL

)


^

Animals

OnSite SystemsSewer Chokes

Sewage OverflowsToilet Facilities

Hig

hM

od

erat

eL

ow

Ver

y L

ow Bathers

Stormwater

Lake Macquarie

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Wangi Point (Van Park) Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Wangi Point is located on the western side of Lake Macquarie and access to the site is from Watkins Road. The samples are collected near the jetty, opposite Wangi Point Lakeside Holiday Park.


The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall and often exceeded the safe swimming limit after 20 mm of rainfall or more.




100145

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory

Response to rainfall Rainfall from Morisset rain gauge

1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cci

(cfu

/10

0m

L)


^

AnimalsBoats



Lo

wV

ery

Lo

w

Stormwater

Lake Macquarie

Hig

hM

od

erat

e

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Balcolyn Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Balcolyn is located on the western side of Lake Macquarie. The sample is collected from the boat ramp.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that the microbial water quality is considered suitable for swimming most of the time but the water may be susceptible to pollution from a few potential sources of faecal contamination, including stormwater from Dora Creek.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased with increasing rainfall and often exceeded the safe swimming limit after 20 mm of rainfall or more.




280

50

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory


1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cc

i (c

fu/1

00

mL

)


^

AnimalsBoats


Lo

wV

ery

Lo

w

Creek Discharge

Lake Macquarie

Hig

hM

od

erat

e

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les



Sunshine Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Sunshine is a netted swimming enclosure located along the western side of Lake Macquarie. There are toilet facilities located close to the site.






14 8

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12

95

th %

ile

E

nte

roc

oc

ci

cfu

/10

0m

L

A

B

C

D

Mic

rob

ial

As

se

ss

me

nt

Ca

teg

ory


1

10

100

1000

10000

0 0.1–4.9 5–9.9 10–19.9 20+24-hour rainfall (mm)

En

tero

co

cc

i (c

fu/1

00

mL

)


^

AnimalsBoats


Bathers

Hig

hM

od

erat

eL

ow

Ver

y L

ow

Toilet Facilities

Stormwater

Lake Macquarie

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

92-9

3

93-9

4

94-9

5

95-9

6

96-9

7

97-9

8

98-9

9

99-0

0

00-0

1

01-0

2

02-0

3

03-0

4

04-0

5

05-0

6

06-0

7

07-0

8

08-0

9

09-1

0

10-1

1

11-1

2

% E

nte

roc

oc

ci

sa

mp

les


Documents

State of the Beaches report 2011-12 - Hunter