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State of the Environment Report 2012/16
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State of the Environment Report 2012/16 Produced by Griffith City Council
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CONTENTS Introduction
4
1. Water 10 2. Atmosphere & Energy
18
3. Land
24
4. Biodiversity
37
5. Heritage 51 6. Waste 60
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Introduction The State of the Environment (SoE) Report is an important management tool which aims to provide the community and Council with information on the condition of the environment in the local area to assist in decision-making. With the introduction of the Integrated Planning and Reporting (IP&R) framework, the requirements for SoE reporting changed to make it part of the corporate planning and reporting process. Local Government is required to produce an Annual Report each year. In the year of an ordinary election however, the Annual Report must include additional information on the State of the Environment. This SoE report is to report on the objectives for the environment established by the Community Strategic Plan. This SoE will be submitted to the Department of Local Government as one chapter of Council’s Annual Report. The SoE provides a summary of environmental indicators and keeps a public record of the activities that government, industry and the community undertake to help protect and restore the environment. This report covers all environmental activities over the reporting period from the 1 July 2012 to 30 of June 2016. This report details the performance of a wide range of key environmental indicators. The indicators are framed around a number of environmental sectors which include: 1. Water 2. Atmosphere & Energy 3. Land 4. Biodiversity 5. Heritage 6. Waste In addition, the SoE reports on the progress of the Community Strategic Plan - Growing Griffith and subsequently, the Griffith City Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy.
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Griffith LGA: Background Griffith was proclaimed in 1916 and is located within the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA). It was named after Arthur Griffith, the New South Wales Minister for Public Works during the period of 1910-1915. Griffith was designed by Walter and Marion Griffin, who received worldwide acclaim for their design of Canberra. The Griffith Local Government Area (LGA) is surrounded by the Shires of Narrandera and Leeton to the east, Carrathool to the northwest and Murrumbidgee to the south. Griffith is seen as a key service centre for surrounding shires and attracts many people to its facilities, such as shopping, banking, health and other professional services. Griffith is also home to a range of Federal, State, Regional and Local Government Organisations that provide services to the surrounding area. Griffith, with a population of 26,000, has become a rich blend of cultures and traditions with over 70 nationalities, including Italian Indian, Afghani and Pacific communities. Over more recent years, there has also been a growth in the local Indian and Pacific Islander population. Griffith is located within the Wiradjuri Nation and has a rich and complex Aboriginal history which has an important place in the community’s future. Of the total population in the Griffith LGA, 4.1 percent are Indigenous persons, compared with 2.6 percent Indigenous persons in Australia. Our adventurous and industrious people have developed the huge agricultural sector of vineyards, orchards, cereal crops, corn, almonds, cotton and rice over the past 100 years and then added value through manufacturing, retail and innovative technology. Griffith is the regional centre for the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA). The MIA is one of the most diverse and productive regions in Australia, contributing over $5 billion annually to the national economy. Our environment is critical to our survival. Our water and soil are our life-blood and the health of our environment impacts directly on the wellbeing of our community. The Griffith economy is based on agricultural and horticultural production, with water supplied by an extensive irrigation infrastructure as part of the MIA. The region produces more than 75% of NSW
wine grapes, 70% of NSW citrus production and is Australia’s largest citrus producing region along with 90% of Australia’s rice production, 95% of Australia’s prunes and recently planted one million hazelnut trees for chocolate maker Ferrero. Griffith wineries export over $800M of wine per year and is the home of Yellow Tail. We are also a major chicken meat supplier and producer of olive oil, almonds, walnuts, tomato products, juice and is the second largest cotton growing region in Australia.
Some key statistics about our community: · Griffith City Council covers an area of 164,047 hectares – which is approximately 1,600 square kilometres. · The communities of Griffith live in the centres of Beelbangera, Bilbul, Hanwood, Lake Wyangan, Nericon, Tharbogang, Warburn, Widgelli, Yoogali and Yenda as well as Griffith. · Griffith’s estimated resident population was 25,986 (ABS 2015) · From 2006 to 2011, Griffith City’s population increased by 565 people (2.4%). This represents an average annual population change of 0.47% per year over the period. · Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 4.1% of Griffith’s population. · The most common ancestries in Griffith are Australian, English, Italian, Irish and Scottish. · In Griffith, 75.6% of people were born in Australia. The most common countries of birth for Griffith residents are Italy 5.2%, India 3.4%, New Zealand 1.7% and United Kingdom 1.1%. · English is the most commonly spoken language at home in Griffith. 21% of people spoke a language other than English at home including languages such as Italian, Punjabi, Samoan, Tongan and Turkish. · Employment figures indicate that 64% of people residing in Griffith are employed fulltime, 33% are employed part-time and 3.32% are unemployed. · The median age of people in Griffith is 36 years. Children aged 0- 14 years make up 22% of the population and people aged 65 years and over make up 14% of the population. · Of occupied private dwellings in Griffith 32.5% were owned, 28.2% are in the process of being purchased by home loan mortgage, 35% of homes are rented.
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Legislative Requirements The Local Government Act 1993 (Sec 428A) requires that the annual report of a council in the year in which an ordinary election of councillors is to be held must include a state of the environment report for the local government area in relation to such environmental issues as may be relevant to the objectives for the environment established by the Community Strategic Plan (the environmental objectives). A state of the environment report must be prepared in accordance with the guidelines under section 406. The state of the environment report is to: · establish relevant environmental indicators for each environmental objective · report on, and update trends in, each such environmental indicator · identify all major environmental impacts (being events and activities that have a major impact on environmental objectives). This report satisfies those requirements.
Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD) The Local Government Act 1993 makes specific reference to the application of ESD principles in SoE reporting and the application of ESD principles through Council’s management planning processes. It defines ESD as: “Development that improves the total quality of life, both now and in the future, in a way that maintains the ecological processes on which life depends” (National Strategy for Ecological Sustainable development, 1992). ESD requires the effective integration of economic and environmental considerations in decision making processes. ESD can be achieved through the implementation of the following principles and programs: · The precautionary principle namely, that if there are threats of serious or irreversible environmental damage, lack of full scientific certainty should not be used as a reason for postponing measures to prevent environmental degradation. In the application of the precautionary principle, public and private decisions should be guided by:
i. careful evaluation to avoid, wherever practicable, serious or irreversible damage to the environment, and
ii. an assessment of the risk weighted consequences of various options. · Inter-generational equity namely, that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations. · Conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity namely, that conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration. · Improved valuation, pricing and incentive mechanisms namely, that environmental factors should be included in the valuation of assets and services, such as:
i. polluter pays that is, those who generate pollution and waste should bear the cost of containment, avoidance or abatement;
ii. the users of goods and services should pay prices based on the full life cycle of costs of providing goods and services, including the use of natural resources and assets and the ultimate disposal of any waste; and
iii. environmental goals, having been established, should be pursued in the most cost effective way, by establishing incentive structures, including market mechanisms, that enable those best placed to maximise benefits or minimise costs to develop their own solutions and responses to environmental problems.
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Community Strategic Plan - Growing Griffith 2030 Growing Griffith 2030 is a Community Strategic Plan developed to capture the vision of the Griffith community and list the key goals Council would like to achieve. The plan is a blueprint for the cooperative management of the city’s growth and sustainability. Developed and adopted in 2011, Growing Griffith 2030 is a statutory planning document that builds on Griffith’s past strategic planning processes and documents. The key background documents utilised in the development of this plan include the Griffith City Council Corporate Plan (1997), Griffith Growth Strategy GS2030 (2000) and the Griffith Community Action Plan (2010). Growing Griffith 2030 is divided into four key themes including: · Leading by example - Civic Leadership · Growing our city - Development · Love our lifestyle - Lifestyle · Valuing our environment - Environment As part of the new State Government Integrated Planning and Reporting Framework, it is now a requirement for all Council’s to ensure that the State of the Environment Report provides a progress report in the implementation of the environmental objectives of the Community Strategic Plan. The objectives of the Growing Griffith 2030 ‘Valuing our environment’ theme are predominantly related to the implementation of the Griffith City Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy’s Action Plan. As such the SoE Report reports on these actions.
Figure 1. The Environmental Sustainability Strategy Action Plan.
Environmental Sustainability Strategy Council developed and adopted the Griffith City Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy in 2010. The Strategy provides a framework that allows for an integrated approach to managing our natural and built environments. This was done by incorporating all existing Council plans, polices and activities related to environmental sustainability in order to address the gaps in policy or practice and help establish new benchmarks for environmental performance within Council. The key objectives of the Environmental Sustainability Strategy are to: · Provide Council with a strategic approach to achieve a sustainable LGA. · Provide a framework to integrate sustainability into Council’s organisational systems and existing plans. · Build the ability of Council and the community to engage in making environmental improvements and living sustainably. · Create a measurable, transparent, and accountable sustainability planning and reporting framework for Council. · Implement ecological sustainable development principles. In addition, the Strategy lays out an action plan to meet the ultimate goal of best practice in environmental management. This occurred through the development of objectives and targets that are achievable, attainable and realistically possible within the available resources. The subsequent Environmental Sustainability Strategy Action Plan aims to embed sustainability in Council by focusing objectives, indicators, and performance targets across Council operations. Although the goal and objectives identified in the Environmental Sustainability Strategy emphasise Council operations, some also address the community in general. There needs to be a shared vision of sustainability amongst Council and the community, to help expand and enable cooperative networks and enhance community involvement.
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Section 1: Water
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Water Water is a life source. We all share the responsibility to ensure a healthy, secure and sustainable water supply for our community, environment and economy – our quality of life depends on it. Water has many values – aesthetic, cultural, natural, and economic value – and like many resources it is managed in a variety of ways. Council realises that it is in a strategic position to lead and provide innovative water management for our most precious resource. This section of the report covers the following water environmental issues: · Water Treatment · Sewage Treatment · Stormwater · Reporting
Water Treatment An appropriate water monitoring system throughout production and distribution is in place at Council to ensure the safety and well‐being of the community is met, while at the same time ensuring appropriate and sustainable ecological management. This includes ensuring that: · High quality water is available for consumption · Adequate water supplies are available for domestic, commercial and industrial production · Ecological values are enhanced and protected · The community’s need for risk free water‐base recreation is met (in terms of environmental health)
Treated Water Council owns and operates two water treatment facilities, the Griffith Water Treatment Plant and the Yenda Water Treatment Plant that produce our drinking water. The volume of water treated at Council facilities (raw and potable) indicates an increase after lifting of water restrictions in 2010-11 as demonstrated below.
Figure 2 - Water Production Griffith City Council
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Residential Metered Water Usage Residential water consumption over the last decade has shown a downward trend reaching a low during the water restrictions in 2010-11. From 2012-13 consumption has followed climatic conditions as demonstrated in Figure 3.
Figure 3 - Total Average Annual Residential Water Consumption
Water Quality complaints received by council Council conducts a comprehensive water quality monitoring program at its treatment plants and throughout its water reticulation system. Each week approximately 56 samples are tested for various parameters. This helps Council provide a safe, high quality drinking water to its customers. Council’s water monitoring practices are part of Council’s Drinking Water Quality Management Plan. Water quality tests results are published on Council’s website. Pleasingly, complaints continued to fall from a high in 2011-12. Figure 4 shows the number of water complaints received by Council annually.
Figure 4 - Drinking Water Complaints received by Council
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Activities Undertaken in 2010-2011 to Improve Water Quality Over the reporting period, a number of Council activities related to improving the water supply and quality have been undertaken. These include: · Capital renewals at the Griffith Water Treatment Plant (GWTP) including rehabilitation of flocculation and DAF tank walls , installed Variable Speed Drives to improve raw water flows into GWTP and introducing a more robust coagulant · Provided chlorine boosting facilities at drinking water reservoirs. · Refurbished the internal of the 30 ML drinking water reservoir · Installed new hatches to drinking water reservoirs to eliminate ingress of rainwater · Renewed 10,900 meter of drinking water and raw water mains · Constructed 2900 meter new water mains
Water Saving Rebates Council is continuing with its home rebate scheme for water efficient shower and toilet replacements.
Year
Total Number of Applications
Number of Toilet Rebates
Number of Showerhead Rebates
2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
7 1 3 2
5 3 2 2
4 0 2 2
Unaccounted Water Council has been monitoring water flows using the SCADA system in conducting leak detections as shown in Figure 5.
Sewage Treatment
Figure 5 - Unaccounted water calculated by Council
Council operates three sewerage treatment plants, the Griffith Water Reclamation Plant (GWRP), the Yenda Sewer Plant and the Bilbul Sewer Treatment Plant. Council follows ‘best practice’ in operating, maintaining and managing these sewerage systems and ensures that the following licensing conditions set out by Environment Protection Authority are complied with: • To enhance ecological values • The reticulation system in a proper and efficient manner to minimise sewer overflows • To monitor effluent discharge quality • To keep records of bypasses and overflows • To notify the public of overflows or bypasses that may have public health impacts • To clean up any sewer overflows that do occur
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The amount of waste water treated at Council facilities in previous years is shown in Figure 6. The figure for 2011-12 is an estimate due to the construction works at the Griffith water reclamation plant.
Figure 6 - Water treated at the Griffith Water Reclamation Plant (GWRP)
Griffith Water Reclamation Plant Commissioning Commissioning of Griffith Water Reclamation Plan (GWRP) took place in March/ April 2012, treating full sewerage flows from that time. Practical Completion was achieved in June 2012 for the majority of the components of the construction project. GWRP utilises a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) treatment system to produce high quality effluent that can be discharged to surface waterways or treated further for urban irrigation. The $26M project was the largest single project undertaken by Council. The new Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) Plant was one of the most modern and advanced sewer treatment plants in Australia at the time of commissioning.
Liquid Trade Waste Wineries, fruit juice processors, food industries and mechanical workshops have the most significant impact on the sewerage system with the variability and strength of the discharge. High oil, fat and grease discharges from mechanical and food industries may cause blockages or disruption to the sewer system. As a result, there has been an increased effort to regulate and monitor the liquid trade waste discharges entering Council’s sewer system. This has been achieved by the implementation of the Liquid Trade Waste Policy which targets all commercial and industrial trade waste dischargers that have access to the Council’s sewerage system.
Activities Undertaken for Sewerage Services Council continued with the sewer relining program till 2014/2015. During this period, 3800 meters of gravity sewers were relined. Emphasis has now moved on to condition assessment of the sewer rising mains and sewer pump stations to prioritise renewals. A by-pass was constructed at G4 sewer pump station to enable planned refurbishment of the wet well of the pump station.
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Stormwater The City of Griffith has no natural supply of surface water. The town and irrigation water is provided via the Main Canal from the Murrumbidgee River. The nearest significant stream to Griffith is Mirrool Creek which receives drainage water from surrounding irrigation areas as well as from Griffith via the irrigation drainage system in particular from Main Drain J. This lack of natural waterways in the City has presented a unique challenge for the stormwater system. A series of short and long term objectives have been developed through the Urban Area Stormwater Management Plan, 2000. This plan aims to assist in achieving community values regarding stormwater management. These objectives also relate to management of open spaces and drainage lines to ensure that industrial activity, urban development and other day‐to‐day activities in the catchment do not have an adverse impact on stormwater quality. Council has adopted On-site Stormwater Detention (OSD) Policy to make sure that additional flow resulting from development activities is controlled flow. It is also ensured that adequate sediment and erosion controls are put in place in all development sites. Significant works have been done in Griffith, Yoogali and Yenda towards the management of stormwater runoff in an effective and sustainable way. Council has annual budget towards the capital works and the maintenance of the stormwater system. The ultimate objective of this plan is to improve water quality throughout the system and managing at the source, where possible, the pollutants that are causing degradation to water quality in the stormwater system.
Water Quality Lake Wyangan and Catchment Management Strategy The Lake Wyangan and Catchment Management Strategy (LW&CMS), has been a 12 month strategic project developed, managed and lead by Council in collaboration with Water Technology Pty Ltd, Melbourne. This project arose in direct response to ongoing poor water quality issues, in particular, repeat occurrences of Blue-Green Algae (B-GA) on our local Lake Wyangan (North & South), an important operational, recreational and environmentally significant local water body to Griffith. The LW&CMS sought to understand the current drivers for B-GA at Lake Wyangan and identify future management actions and options for the Lake Wyangan and the wider surrounding catchment, in response to these drivers. Stage 1 of the LW&CMS project comprises the “Lake Wyangan and Catchment Management Strategy - Technical Report”, the Technical Assessment methodology comprising: • Data and Information Review; • Preliminary Expert Panel Workshop; • In-Lake Sampling and Monitoring Program; • In-lake and Catchment Processes Assessment; • Second Expert Panel Workshop; and • Management Options Review and Analysis This Stage 1 LW&CMS - Technical Report delivers the detail of the: • Physical Setting • Monitoring Data Review and Analysis • Lake Ecosystem Description • Management Options (Review of currently available In-lake Management Options) Figure 7: High turbidity flows entering Lake Wyangan (North) after heavy rainfall event in January 2016. • Summary
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Stage 2 of the LW&CMS project comprises the “Lake Wyangan and Catchment Management Strategy Strategy Report”, the Management Strategy methodology comprising: • Development of Strategy Plan • Community Consultation • Response to Feedback and Finalisation of Plan • Presentation of Final Draft Report Stage 2 LW&CMS - Strategy Report delivers the detail of the: • Identification of Values (Threats, Principals and Vision) • Management Objectives (Water Quality, Ecosystem Health, Community Wellbeing) • Water Quality Management Actions (Management Options Review and Roadmap) • Ecosystem Health Management Actions (Management Options Review and Roadmap) • Community Wellbeing Management Actions (Management Options Review and Roadmap) • Roadmap Management Actions tabled as Short Term (<2 yrs), Medium Term (>2 to 5 yrs), Long Term (>5 yrs) actions, Prioritisation (L,M,H) and Guidelines to Measures of Success (Effectiveness) A feature of this LW&CMS has been the incorporation of a selected Expert Panel, an advisory Steering Group, extensive Community Consultation and a Draft Public Exhibition period. This project has recently been approved for an 8 week Public Consultation period prior to finalisation of the project.
Get SepticSmart The ‘Get SepticSmart’ project educates householders and businesses within the Griffith City Council (GCC) Local Government Area, who are not currently connected to a reticulated sewerage facility, about correctly operating and maintaining their On-site Sewage Management System in a safe, sustainable and responsible manner. The project aims to reduce the number of pollution incidents caused by failing sewage systems and to help improve and protect the environment and the public’s health. The project, developed and rolled out during 2015-2016, included holding a workshop with key stakeholders, running an on-line awareness survey, developing a comprehensive education series (13 ‘Get SepticSmart’ Fact Sheets), distributing this series to 2000 residents and businesses and delivering a communication campaign within the Griffith LGA. In addition, due to significant enquiry from other NSW Councils for access to the ‘Get SepticSmart’ education kit, and as a final component of this project, the education series has now been adapted as an electronic template for use by and within other local government areas. The success of the ‘Get SepticSmart’ project has also been recognised with the receipt of several significant awards including: • Winner – Division B and Overall Category Winner for the Communication, Education and Empowerment Award in the NSW LG, Excellence in the Environment Awards, 2015 • Highly Commended in the Category of Excellence in Environmental Leadership and Sustainability in the NSW Local Government Excellence Awards, 2016.
Council’s Environment & Health Officer Renae Foggiato accepts the awards for the Get SepticSmart project. Photo: December 2015
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Reporting on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 In line with the new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Integrated Planning and Reportingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; framework, Council must now also report on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 (2011). There has been some progress towards the objectives and actions laid out in the Plan, with many objectives referring to actions identified in the Griffith City Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2010). Three water objectives have been identified and are outlined in the table below.
Growing Griffith 2030 Strategy Valuing our Environment How do we achieve this? Objectives
Progress Report
E1 To reduce consumption and loss of water
Council has an ongoing program of replacing asbestos cement pipes
Develop and implement a detailed asset management and replacement program for water infrastructure Factor repairing leaks and or replacing leaking infrastructure into Councils budget Participating in water use efficiency programs including rebates on water efficient shower heads, toilets etc Implement a water loss program
Council has completed a leakage detection repair program covering all connections within the city As of June 2012 the program was scaled back to include toilets and showers only
Council has implemented extensive pressure reduction and monitoring programs throughout the reticulation system in 2012 Supply water conservation material A rebate for installing water efficient to ratepayers toilets and showerheads are still available Continue to implement water Water restrictions will be restrictions implemented as required Review and reinforce water Funding and staff resources are not education programs available for these programs Develop a schools based water Funding and staff resources are not education program available. For these programs Develop an annual (spring and Media releases and TV advertising summer) media campaign that are issued as required in times of encourages residents to become drought water efficient. E2 To increase reuse/ Develop and implement a Council has a program for sewer recycling of wastewater and detailed asset management and relining to reduce blockages and stormwater replacement program for sewerage infiltration Investigate cost effective options Council got conditional approval to for effluent reuse within Griffith construct a reuse scheme Griffith LGA Livestock Marketing Centre. It has been constructed, but not yet commissioned Find the most beneficial and Strict approval conditions, availability economical use for higher quality of irrigation water and high capital effluent due to the new Griffith cost are limiting factors to develop Wastewater Reclamation Plant reuse schemes
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Continue to monitor groundwater on a regular basis
Integrate groundwater data into the GIS Develop Policies and implementation plans that will promote reuse/recycling of wastewater and stormwater Maintain onsite sewerage management systems in accordance with the Onsite Sewage Management Plan E3 To protect and enhance water quality
Maintain consistent compliance with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines Develop a “Sustainable living Guide’ to inform the public on water related issues
Councils Groundwater piezometers at the Landfill and water treatment plant are monitored on a regular basis. Other piezometers around the city were monitored quarterly until 2014. A short term monitoring has recommenced mid 2016 Groundwater data is currently stored in a database and will be integrated with the GIS in the future Council adopted a Recycled Wastewater Policy in 2013
Council has developed an award winning Get Septic Smart package of flyers which have been distributed to all landholders in the LGA with onsite Sewage Management systems Council developed a Drinking Water Management Plan which fully complies with the Australian Drinking Water Guidelines The ‘Sustainable Living Guide’ was developed and distributed to all households within the LGA
Water Recommendations · Review and reinforce water education programs. · Investigate water reuse from the Water Reclamation plant, both on and off site. · Continue to monitor groundwater on a regular basis · Raise awareness of practices that pollute the Mirrool Creek and Lake Wyangan by encouraging and educating the community. · Keep all Geographical Information System (GIS) datasets relating to water and drainage systems up to date. · Foster sharing of information with Murrumbidgee Irrigation including groundwater and algae monitoring to reduce costs. · Implement recommendations in Lake Wyangan Study. · Draft a comprehensive Plan of Management for the Lake Wyangan Wetland Complex in partnership with Murrumbidgee Irrigation. · Map all onsite sewerage management systems within the catchment and inspect according to their level of risk (e.g. high, medium and low).
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Section 2: Atmosphere & Energy
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Atmosphere & Energy The state of the atmosphere is essential for quality of life. It impacts all plants and animals as well as the economic, social and physical wellbeing of our society. Factors that affect air quality include wind, temperature and particulate matter. However, in recent times human induced greenhouse emissions, through the consumption of fossil fuels, have also contributed to poor atmospheric quality. Council acknowledges that the worsening state of the atmosphere poses a threat to our local environment. Council believes it must play an integral role in protecting and helping adapt to potential atmospheric changes. This section of the report covers the following atmospheric and energy environmental issues: • Greenhouse Gas Emissions • Energy • Air Quality • Noise • Reporting
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Climate change is one of the greatest social, economic and environmental challenges of our time. It is having an impact on Australia’s rainfall, temperatures, bushfire frequency, health, heritage and biodiversity, both for present and future generations. It is difficult to precisely predict what the long-term effects of climate change will be as the effects vary with each region. According to the Federal Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, by 2030 Australia will face a further 1ºC of warming in temperatures. Council is now acting to reduce our Greenhouse gas emissions primarily by reducing energy usage throughout its buildings and facilities. This has included the installation of LED lighting thoughout many Council buildings. For example, Council’s new Mechanical workshop has a number of energy saving appliances, such as LED High Bay work Lights, Sensor Lights and invertor Air Conditioners. To reduce emissions from passenger fleet vehicles on lease back, Council will only purchase vehicles where the combined tail pipe emissions do not exceed 240g/Km or the combined fuel consumption is less than or equal to 10.4 litres per 100Km as per the Green Vehicle Guide. In addition, Council continues to use Envirolube oil which made from re-refined waste or sump oil. Council monitors engine idle times on selected plant and equipment through GPS monitoring tools to eliminate excessive idling where possible. A number of trucks have in the fleet use Diesel Exhaust Fluid which reduces mono-nitrogen oxides from diesel engines.
Energy Energy Audits Council is in the process of undertaking Level 2 Energy Audits on several of its major energy consumption facilities. In 2016 a Level 2 Energy Audit was completed on Councils Water Treatment Plant (GWTP) and Level 2 Energy Audit Proposals for the Griffith Water Reclamation Plant, Griffith Regional Leisure and Aquatic Centre have been completed (Figure 9). Council recognises the importance of undertaking energy audits to evaluate overall facility energy consumption, illustrate current energy use and identify and outline potential opportunities for operational energy and cost savings to the organisation and the community. Based on GWTP site observations, data analysis and discussions with council site staff regarding operational priorities and plans, the following recommended options to improve GWTP’s energy efficiency and performance were identified as a result of the Level 2 Energy Audits undertaken, including annual Electricity Savings MWh and Estimated Botton Line Savings as illustrated on the following page, Figure 8.
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Recommendation
Electricity Savings MWh p.a.
Running of Clear Water Pump 1 over Pump 2 Running 1 Raw Water Pump at its BEP Lighting upgrade (Including ESCs) New Clear Water Pump Switch to continuous process Switch air mixing technology from air compressor to venturi Replace recycle pumps with single high efficiency VSD pump Review meter accuracy of the Utility Meter at low power TOTALS*
133 60 23 110 67 67 62 0 522
Estimated Bottom-Line Savings ($ p.a.) 15,850 7,109 3,105 46,113 36,208 19,765 7,272 unknown 135,412
Figure 8 Griffith Water Treatment Plan Level 2 Energy Audit Recommendations * Current as of 22 September 2016
Implementation of the Level 2 GWTP Energy Audit recommended opportunities currently expected to deliver 522MWh per annum of grid electricity savings, a total cost savings of $135,412.00 per annum and greenhouse gas savings of 439tonnes CO2 per annum. Council staff is to undertake Office of Environment and Heritage training in “Project Impact Assessment with Measurement and Verification”. This training designed as a practical guide in undertaking and applying future measurement and verification processes on councils completed Level 2 Energy Audits. Council will be actively completing measurement and verification of all facilities electricity, monetary and CO 2 savings.
Figure 9: Griffith Water Treatment Plant, Clear Water Pumps, focus of Level 2 Energy Audit
Large Scale Solar Development During 2016 Council received inquiry from two separate Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic (L-SSP) development proponents seeking to investigate opportunities for L-SSP development within the Griffith LGA. These two proponents comprised the companies Neoen (Griffith Solar Farm)(30MWh) and joint venture Environmental Property Services (Aust) Pty Ltd and SF Suntech Australia Pty Ltd (Riverina Solar Farm) (30MW). (Refer to Figure 10.) Both the Griffith Solar Farm and the Riverina Solar Farm proponents sought funding during 2016 from The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). Both applied through the State Significant Development approval process and preparation of Environmental Impact Assessments under Part 4 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act), including consultation with Council, government agencies and the community. Through this process Council actively supported both proponents providing input into: · Planning requirements (Construction Certificate, Decommissioning Plans) · Engineering requirements (Construction Traffic, Traffic Management Plans, Flooding) · Environmental requirements (Biodiversity, Wildlife Corridors, Screening, Local Native Species) and · Facilitation requirements (On-site Meetings, Community Consultation, Joint Press Releases, Letters of Support). Council actively supported both L-SSP developments proponents throughout the process leading up to ARENA funding announcement which culminated in September 2016 with Neoen’s L-SSP development proposal announced as being
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successful in receiving $5 Million in funding from ARENA for the construction of the Griffith Solar Farm with works to commence in February 2017.
Figure 10: Large-Scale Solar Photovoltaic (L-SSP) construction to commence in Griffith LGA in Febuary 2017. (Source: Neoen)
Air Quality Air pollution refers to contamination of the atmosphere by the discharge or emission of undesirable substances, natural or man-made. Air pollution complaints are likely to be the result of point sources such as burning of stubble or rubbish, wine processing, poultry processing and sewerage treatment. Dust emissions are also of concern, with the hot, dry climate of the Griffith LGA causing an amplifier effect which can result in poor air quality. Flooding of the Mirrool Creek in early in 2012 was to blame for a spike in odour complaints with flooding of Primary Industry in the Yenda and Beelbangera area a main cause. Figure 11 indicates the air pollution complaints received by Council over the last 4 years. Air Pollution Category Smoke Dust Odour Total
20122013
20132014
20142015
20152016
6 0 14 20
3 1 10 14
6 2 27 35
15 2 14 22 Figure 11
Loose-Fill Asbestos Insulation During 2016, Council actively promoted and supported the NSW Department of Fair Trading’s Loose-Fill Asbestos Insulation program. In an endeavour to ensure residential properties affected by loose-fill asbestos are identified, the NSW Government extended limited free sample testing to a further 35 Local Government Areas (LGA’s) in Southern NSW, including the Griffith LGA. This will result in free sample testing for loose-fill asbestos being provided to up to 100 properties within the Griffith LGA for owners of pre 1980’s homes as long as homeowners had registered for testing prior to the 1st of August 2016. This important program will now allow homeowners in the Griffith LGA to have access to the financial assistance and support as part of the Voluntary Purchase and Demolition Program. As an integral part of the delivery of this program locally to residents of the Griffith LGA, Council actively generated Media Releases, responded to public enquiry and responded to NSW Fair Trading’s request for Property Details including build date, registered ownership, approved DA’s for renovations, size of property and heritage status of the property. As a result of this program NSW Department of Fair Trading received 142 registrations from the Griffith LGA for LFAI inspections to be undertaken.
Noise Noise pollution can be defined as an unwanted or offensive sound that unreasonably intrudes on our daily activities. Noise has many tolerance levels but factors such as intensity, frequency, duration and the time of day all impact on acceptable noise levels (NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, 2011). Council monitors the number of noise complaints as shown in Figure 12. Noise Pollution Category General Fireworks Barking Dogs Birds/ Rooster
Total
20122013
20132014
20142015
20152016
10 3
21 0
18 0
39 0
48
20
70
78
0
0
0
2
61
49
88
119 Figure 12
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Reporting on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 In line with the new â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Integrated Planning and Reportingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; framework, Council must now also report on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 (2011). There has been some progress towards the objectives and actions laid out in the Plan, with many objectives referring to actions identified in the Griffith City Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2010). Two energy, air and climate change objectives have been identified and are outlined in the following table.
Growing Griffith 2030 Strategy Valuing our Environment How do we achieve this? Objectives
Progress Report
E4 To reduce energy Investigate ways to improve energy consumption and efficiency in Councils Fleet greenhouse gas emissions Promote the Griffith LGA as a favourable city for cycle tourism
Availability of a Hybrid Car within Councils Fleet.
Encourage energy conservation measures in the construction of new buildings and renovation of old buildings Research options for developing energy efficiency education programs for industry
E5 To improve air quality by reducing exposure to air pollution
Council has installed more shared footpaths throughout the city on an annual basis. Council ensures new buildings and renovations provide BASIX certificates with their application. Council has been working with the Office of Environment and Heritage and other large stakeholders in the LGA to promote energy efficiency education programs for industry Kits are available to loan from Griffith City Library.
Provide energy and water usage monitoring kits to loan to the public Design a webpage that provides Councils website now has information on how the community information about how the can do their share for cleaner air community can do their share for cleaner air. Consider the requirements for Council has had an ongoing program shared paths when installing any for the provision of new shared new footpath facilities footpaths such as in the Hospital Precinct and Blumer Avenue. Investigate the possibility of DCP 28 Landuse Buffer Controls establishing residential buffer provide buffer zones for the zones (20 meters) from agricultural development of land adjoining pesticide usage agricultural areas.
Dust storm across the LGA
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E5 To improve air quality by reducing exposure to air pollution (cont.)
Investigate the possibility of applying a 30 metre pesticide buffer zone around all playgrounds, day-care centres, schools and hospitals Develop a woodsmoke reduction program/policy
DCP 28 Landuse Buffer Controls provide buffer zones for the development of land adjoining agricultural areas.
Councils compliance officer follows up all woodsmoke complaints by providing information to landowners in the first instance on running wood heaters efficiently. Raise community awareness Council continues to work with the and promote behaviour change Rice Growers Association Stubble education about air quality Awareness program. Investigate the possibility of having No progress to date. air quality monitoring sites in the LGA Install bicycle parking facilities Installing bike parking facilitates in throughout the CBD and the CBD and community gathering community gathering places places such as the Griffith City Library, Griffith Regional Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Ted Scobie Oval as well as locations along Banna Ave. Further bike racks are proposed as part of the CBD Strategy. Develop a Sustainable Living Guide The ‘Sustainable Living Guide’ was to inform the community of air and developed and distributed to all energy issues households within the LGA.
Atmosphere and Energy Recommendations · Encourage energy conservation measures in the construction of new buildings and with the renovation of existing buildings through planning mechanisms. · Adopt operating and maintenance practices that optimise energy conservation. · Provide information to all Council employees on ways to increase energy conservation in the workplace. · Promote energy efficiency by implementing a set of information fact sheets on ‘best practice’ when building a new home and/or ‘ways to conserve energy’. · Promote awareness regarding energy savings through the media. · Develop and enforce wood-smoke policy for urban areas. · Develop air quality monitoring sites. · Encourage awareness within the community regarding their rights and obligations relating to barking dogs. · Encourage awareness within industries and develop educational techniques directed at all sectors of the community with regard to noisy activities. · Develop Large Scale, Community and Council projects and initiatives
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Section 3: Land
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Land Land has always been shaped by natural processes such as erosion and sedimentation. However, human induced activities have had a pronounced effect on our landscape, by altering the land for our use we have changed the natural balance and course of the land. This is particularly the case for the Griffith LGA, where changes in agricultural and urban development have put a strain on some environmental land aspects. Council recognises that finding a balance which allows for sustainable land development is paramount in its approach to lead Griffith towards an environmentally sound future. This section of the report covers the following land environmental issues: · Planning · Construction and Maintenance · Flooding and Flood Prone Lands · Salinity · Tharbogang Landfill and Quarry · Reporting
Planning Building, Subdivision & Major Development Planning provisions are important in protecting sensitive areas, this is why there is a need to develop a strong, diversified economy which can enhance the capacity for environmental protection. The number of development applications submitted to Council during the previous seven financial years as demonstrated in Figure 13.
Number of development applications received Number of new dwellings/units Number of new subdivision applications Number of new commercial industrial buildings
2009 -2010
2010 -2011
2011 -2012
2012 -2013
2013 -2014
2014 -2015
2015 -2016
430
318
340
334
389
336
391
124
151
88
51
82
82
104
56
43
15
34
39
16
20
17
57
8
21
15
6
21
Figure 13- Building, subdivision & major development statistics
Griffith Land Use Strategy Beyond 2030 The Griffith Land Use Strategy Beyond 2030 was developed by Griffith City Council in close co-operation with the Griffith community, business groups within Griffith and a range of State agencies. The document functions as a flexible guideline to inform future decisions on spatial planning. Griffith’s first comprehensive spatial planning strategy, GS 2030, was drafted and adopted by Council during 2000. GS 2030 was drafted with a thirty year vision and recommended five yearly reviews. This Land Use Strategy is not part of the 5 year GS 2030 review however. Since the drafting of GS 2030, a wide range of information has been obtained to assist Council in an improved understanding of the needs and requirements of the community. New information also highlighted the general and unique constraints on future development in Griffith including:
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· laser enhanced aerial surveys and topographical mapping · floodplain modelling for a substantial part of the urban area and fringes of the urban area · investigations into economic and infrastructure requirements particular to Griffith · an investigation into open space and community facilities requirements · demographic modelling In addition to the specific new information for Griffith, a number of changes occurred at state, national and international level that may have an influence on future land use to some extent. Examples of such changes includes the signing of the Kyoto Protocol, prolonged drought, economic recession, changes in planning legislation, requirements for improved floodplain management, an increased understanding of environmental impacts and climate change, new technologies etcetera. At the local level, significant changes have been experienced as well. These changes are both positive such as the continued expansion of the wine industry, and negative such as the effects of possible amended water allocations on the local economy that still hangs in the balance. The Land Use Strategy was developed to utilise the new information also learning from lessons taken from the implementation of GS 2030. The Land Use Strategy was adopted in November 2012.
GLEP 2014 The Griffith Local Environmental Plan 2014 formed part of the Standard Instrument Local Environmental Plan program from Department of Planning NSW which kicked off in 2006 to create a common format and content for Local Environmental Plans. It followed after the Griffith Land Use Strategy which provided an effective and clear Strategic Planning base. The Griffith Local Environmental Plan 2014 (GLEP 2014) guides planning decisions for the Griffith local government area. The planning instrument does this through zoning and development controls, which provide a framework for the way land can be used. The Griffith Local Environmental Plan is the main planning tool to shape the future of our built environment and also to ensure local development is undertaken appropriately. Left: Griffith CBD aerial view
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Collina Growth Area Development Control Plan The Collina Growth Area, which is zoned R1 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; General Residential in GLEP 2014 and previously master planned in 2003 (Figure 14). The preparation of a Staging Plan and Development Control Plan was required by the Griffith Local Environmental Plan 2014 to ensure the land is developed in a logical and costeffective manner. As such a Staging Plan was developed and adopted in 2015 and the Collina Growth Area Development Control Plan (DCP) was developed and adopted in June 2016. The Collina Growth Area DCP includes the potential for approximately 800 dwellings to be developed comprising approximately 450 in stage 1 and 350 in stage 2. The site specific DCP provides development controls for the subdivision of land and construction of dwellings.
Griffith CBD Strategy
Figure 14: Collina Growth Area DCP
In 2015, Council adopted an ambitious plan that seeks to rejuvenate the city centre of Griffith. The strategy primarily focuses on developing an attractive city centre that people want to visit more frequently and stay for longer periods of time - allowing businesses greater opportunity. The strategy covers an area extending from Crossing Street (East) to the western end of Kookora Avenue (West) and extending from Binya/Wakaden Street (North) and Coolah Street (South) as demonstrated in Figure 15.
Figure 15: Griffith CBD Strategy
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The main recommendations presented in the strategy include: · Upgrading Kooyoo Street and Yambil Street as inviting areas to walk, socialise and stay (Figure 16) · Redeveloping Neville Place into a civic open garden · Upgrading Banna Avenue to promote the main street and retail core (Figure 17) · Developing Olympic Park into a major Youth precinct and activity zone · Redeveloping the Main Canal as recreational attraction in the city · Upgrading off street car park to provide a higher level of amenity It is proposed that $8 million be spent in the next six years to see the city centre rejuvenated.
Figure 16: Artist impression of Kooyoo Street, Griffith CBD Strategy Figure 17 (below): Artist impression of Banna Avenue
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Construction and Maintenance Council is committed to providing, maintaining and developing a physical infrastructure that can effectively and safely move people, goods and resources that respond to the demands of the changing urban and rural development. Major achievements that Council has undertaken during the reporting period are outlined in the following table.
Year
Projects
2015-16
Construction · Construct & seal Jones Road and upgrade Jones / Boorga Road intersection · Upgrade and seal Combe Road · Construct roundabout at Walla Avenue / Merrigal Street · Construct & seal Lakes Road · RMS ordered works and traffic safety · Design phase of Southern Heavy Vehicle Bypass Maintenance · Maintenance on sealed & unsealed roads, including gravel resheeting and reseals Ancillary · Includes construction of paths and pedestrian accesses, maintenance of paths, kerb & gutter and carparks. Streetlighting · New streetlighting and operating expenses Drainage · Maintenance and improvements Airport Upgrade · Runway resurfacing and Precision Approach Path Indicator system (PAPI) Construction · Construct & seal Jones Road and upgrade Jones / Boorga Road intersection · Morley Road & Kuraajong Avenue intersection upgrade · Murrumbidgee Avenue and Thorne Road intersection treatment · Harward Road shoulder upgrade · RMS ordered works and traffic safety · Flood restoration works on local, regional and state roads · Design phases of Combe Road upgrade & and Walla Avenue roundabout Maintenance · Maintenance on sealed & unsealed roads, including gravel resheeting and reseals Ancillary · Includes construction of paths and pedestrian accesses, maintenance of paths, kerb & gutter and carparks Streetlighting · New streetlighting and operating expenses Drainage · Maintenance and improvements · Yenda and Yoogali drainage upgrades Airport Upgrade · Airport drainage · Demolition of Civil defence building
2014-15
Expenditure $3,046,438
$4,677,941
$247,278
$368,392 $101,979 $875,011 $3,401,450
$5,786,497
$285,360
$362,931 $81,493
$67,335
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2013-14
2012-13
Construction · Construct roundabout at Binya/Beale Street intersection · Kooringal Avenue rail crossing upgrade · Intersection upgrade of MR84 Burley Griffin Way and Hemley Road · Intersection widening Rifle Range Rd/Rankins Springs Road · Rehabilitation and widening of Beelbangera Road · Old Aerodrome Road construction and sealing · Flood restoration works on local, regional and state roads Maintenance · Maintenance on sealed & unsealed roads, including gravel resheeting and reseals Ancillary · Includes construction of paths and pedestrian accesses, maintenance of paths, kerb & gutter and carparks. Streetlighting · New streetlighting and operating expenses Drainage · Maintenance and improvements · Yenda and Yoogali drainage upgrades Airport Upgrade · Upgrade carpark Construction · Construct roundabout at Wyangan/Ortella Street intersection · Construct roundabout at Macarthur Boonah Street intersection · Intersection upgrade of Murrumbidgee Avenue / Beaumont Road · Upgrade and reseal Kalinda Road / Old Aerodrome Rd intersection · Construct & seal Old Aerodrome Rd · Upgrade MR321 Kidman Way / Stafford Road intersection · Intersection upgrade of MR84 Burley Griffin Way and Hemley Road · Flood restoration works on local, regional and state roads Maintenance · Maintenance on sealed & unsealed roads, including gravel resheeting and reseals Ancillary · Includes construction of paths and pedestrian accesses, maintenance of paths, kerb & gutter and carparks. Streetlighting · New streetlighting and operating expenses Drainage · Maintenance and improvements Airport Upgrade · Terminal carpark and apron
$7,024,167
$3,204,842
$233,002
$407,091 $599,589
$125,906 $4,545,758
$5,848,062
$157,947
$409,767 $116,196 $1,926,898
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Flooding and Flood Prone Lands Flooding has occurred across the lower reaches of the Main Drain ‘J’ catchment on a number of occasions since Griffith was officially settled in 1916. This has caused inundation of the adjoining floodplain, and in more recent times has led to damages associated with inundation of private dwellings situated in the villages of Hanwood, Yenda and Yoogali. Significant flooding has also occurred throughout the commercial areas of Griffith including Yambil Street. This flooding has been due to a combination of catchment runoff in response to high intensity rainfall, irrigation practices, insufficient stormwater pipe capacity and constriction of the floodway due to the numerous bridges and culverts that cross the drainage channel in the lower reaches of the catchment. During severe flooding, the Main Drain ‘J’ channel can break its banks and inundate the surrounding residential areas. Floodwaters can also “back-up” along feeder drains that discharge to Main Drain ‘J’. As a result, residential dwellings in areas along the southern fringe of the Griffith CBD can also be vulnerable to flooding. In recognition of the existing flood hazard and the need to promote responsible development of available land around Griffith, Council decided to prepare a floodplain management study and plan for the Main Drain ‘J’ system and other drainage systems within the Griffith area. The primary objective of these projects is to undertake investigations that will enable Council to formulate Floodplain Management Plans for the area. The Plans are to be based on a range of strategies and mitigation measures that address the existing, future and continuing flood problems, in accordance with the NSWGovernment’s Flood Prone Lands Policy (Floodplain Development Manual). Those strategies and damage reduction measures developed through the studies are to provide mechanisms for optimally managing the full risk of flooding and the associated flood hazards. The NSW State Government’s Flood Policy provides a framework to ensure the sustainable use of floodplain environments. The Policy is specifically structured to provide solutions to existing flooding problems in rural and urban areas. In addition, the Policy provides a means of ensuring that any new
development is compatible with the flood hazard and does not create additional flooding problems in other areas. Under the Policy, the management of flood liable land remains the responsibility of local government. The State Government subsidises flood mitigation works to alleviate existing problems and provides specialist technical advice to assist Councils in the discharge of their floodplain management responsibilities. The Policy provides for technical and financial support by the Government through four sequential stages: 1. Flood Study - Determine the nature and extent of the flood problem. 2. Floodplain Risk Management Study - Evaluates management options for the floodplain in respect of both existing and proposed development. 3. Floodplain Risk Management Plan - Involves formal adoption by Council of a plan of management for the floodplain. 4. Implementation of the Plan - Construction of flood mitigation works to protect existing development, use of Local Environmental Plans to be sure new development is compatible with the flood hazard. In order to implement the policy, Council received funding from the State Government and completed the following studies: Griffith Flood Study – Main Drain ‘J’ system This study was completed in August 2006. The study reviews historical flood event data and defines flow rates within Main Drain J catchment including Griffith CBD area. Griffith Aerodrome Catchment Overland Flow Flood Study The study was completed in 2010. The study defines flow rates and flow pattern through the aerodrome area. Griffith Aerodrome Catchment Overland Flow Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan This Aerodrome FRMS&P was completed in April 2011. The Plan identifies and evaluates flood mitigation options. Griffith Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMS&P) – Main Drain ‘J’ system The FRMS&P was completed in November 2011. Given the March 2012 flooding event that occurred in Griffith and surrounding areas caused extensive damages to properties, the FRMS&P
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was reviewed to recalibrate the models against the March event data. The review indicated a need of separate Flood Study and Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan including Mirrool Creek catchment. Griffith CBD Catchment Overland Flow Flood Study This Study was completed in March 2012. The study defines overland flow rates and flow pattern within CBD catchments. Lake Wyangan Flood Study This Study was completed in March 2012. The study defines overland flow rates and flow pattern within Lake Wyangan catchments. Lake Wyangan Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan The Plan was completed in 2013. The Plan identifies and evaluates flood mitigation options within Lake Wyangan catchments. Griffith CBD Catchment Overland Flow Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan The Plan was completed in 2013. The Plan identifies and evaluates flood mitigation options within CBD catchments. Griffith Main Drain J and Mirrool Creek Flood Study The study was completed in 2014. The study includes hydrological and hydraulic modellings of Main Drain J and Mirrool Creek catchments which have been calibrated against 2012 March flood data. Griffith Main Drain J and Mirrool Creek Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan (FRMS&P) The FRMS&P was completed in 2015. The Plan has identified a number flood mitigation options in Main Drain J and Mirrool Creek catchments. Council has obtained further funding for the following flood mitigation projects from the State Government under State’s Floodplain Management Program 2016/17: · Mirrool Creek Flood Warning System and Emergency Breaching Protocol · Yoogali McCormack Road Levee and DC605J Culvert Upgrade · Yenda East Mirrool Regulator Lawson Siphon – Investigation and Design These projects are expected to be completed by 2018. All completed studies and plans are available on Council’s website for public viewing.
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Salinity Salts occur naturally in the soils and rocks found within the Griffith LGA. Normally these salts are stored underground but due to human induced land changes such as vegetation clearing and land development have caused dissolved salts to be brought to the surface. This translocation has lead to major changes to soil chemistry which can damage the built and natural environment. In 2006, Council joined with Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority in implementing the Local Government Urban Salinity Action Project. As part of this project, Council developed and implemented actions the Urban Salinity Management Plan. The aim of the Plan was to investigate, manage and alleviate salinity within urban townships in the Griffith LGA. As part of the program, Council installed 22 piezometers in 2006 to monitor water table depth and salinity throughout the urban areas of Griffith. Murrumbidgee Irrigation have piezometers installed and carry out similar monitoring in the irrigation areas within the LGA. Monitoring of Councils piezometers was carried out monthly until 2010 to gain some clear baseline data and then continued quarterly until March 2013. Monitoring was not carried out in 2014-2015, but resumed in June 2016, limited to seven piezometers. These results provide some valuable insight as to the current groundwater conditions. Trends have emerged relating to the depth of the watertable as shown in Figure 18. Watertable depth remained relatively stable between late 2006 and mid 2010, coinciding with the decade long drought of the 90’s. The breaking of the drought saw the depth becoming increasingly shallow in early 2010 and peaking late 2010 after good winter rains. A second shallow peak was evident after the March 2012 floods. Early in 2013, the levels were again gaining depth due to drier conditions. More recently we have seen another peak after good rains in winter 2016. The graph depicts these trends over time and indicates groundwater becoming closer to the surface over this ten year period. Water Table Depth (Figure 18)
Ground Water Salinity (EC) (Figure 19)
6.00 Cemetery
5.00 4.00
Sanders St / Citrus Rd
3.00
Jubilee Oval
2.00
Wyangan Ave
1.00
Westend Oval 23-Feb-16
23-Feb-15
23-Feb-14
23-Feb-13
year
23-Feb-12
23-Feb-11
23-Feb-10
23-Feb-09
23-Feb-08
23-Feb-07
0.00 Murrumbidgee Ave/Riverdale Pde
year
Salinity trends are more difficult to establish indicating high mobility of salts through the soil profile (Figure 19). Despite some ‘noise’ in the graphed results, salinity was relatively stable at many of the sites through the latter part of the drought. The ‘noise’ is most likely the influence of rainfall events and movement of water and salts through the soil profile. Prolonged rainfall and flooding events tend to dilute or move salts through the soil profile, whereas drier periods can increase salinity concentration in groundwater. Each site can react differently to wet periods depending on drainage, soil type and location in the landscape. As such most of the sites reflect a decrease in water salinity during the wet periods between 2010-2012. Water salinity again rose late 2012. More recent rainfall in mid-2016 and subsequent flooding has resulted in mixed results. A new trend may become more evident as more monitoring is undertaken.
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Tharbogang Quarry and Landfill Council operates two landfills (Yenda and Tharbogang), a domestic waste collection, business waste collection, ‘dump for free weekends’ and recycling collection. They must meet very strict standards to comply with EPA license requirements and good practice. The technologies used to protect the environment at a modern landfill are considerable improvement on the open dump of the past. Controls have been put in place that will ensure regular monitoring which aims to alleviate concerns over any environmental impacts including: · Monitoring of the groundwater to detect any pollution. · Inspection of loads to detect hazardous waste and other special waste types. · Control of greenhouse gases from the decomposition of waste. · Monitoring the success of the landfill operations. · Planning for the expansion of the landfill to meet new higher standards of environmental protection. Participation by the community in the recycling service results in saved landfill space, maximum recovery of resources and reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Items which can be recycled include: · Newspapers, magazines, office paper, cardboard and junk mail · All glass bottles and jars - these need to be rinsed and no lids · Steel and aluminium cans and empty aerosols · All plastic bottles and containers marked 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 - no lids · Juice and milk cartons Further information can be found in the waste chapter.
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Reporting on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 In line with the new ‘Integrated Planning and Reporting’ framework, Council must now also report on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 (2011). There has been some progress towards the objectives and actions laid out in the Plan, with many objectives referring to actions identified in the Griffith City Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2010). Two land objectives have been identified and are outlined in the following table.
Growing Griffith 2030 Strategy Valuing our Environment How do we achieve this? Objectives E8 To improve sustainable land use
Protect landscapes that are environmentally sensitive
Progress Report
Council developed Beyond 2030 Land Use Study and subsequent Griffith Local Environmental Plan 2014 including enhanced environmental provisions such as vegetation mapping Protect areas on which agriculture The new Griffith Local Environmental depends Plan 2014 protects agricultural land from development. Ensure that soil erosion is Council considers soil erosion in all minimised new development applications as well as during its own construction and maintenance works. Develop a ‘sustainable living guide’ The ‘Sustainable Living Guide’ was to inform the public on land related developed and distributed to all issues households within the LGA. Determine the extent of soil salinity Soil salinity mapping has not yet been and reduce impact where possible undertaken. Enhance compliance with Council has adopted the new Griffith applicable environmental codes Local Environmental Plan 2014 and standards including enhanced environmental provisions such as vegetation mapping. Councils Compliance Officer investigates environmental matters when they are reported. Increase awareness of urban Urban salinity information is available salinity within our community on Councils Website. and Council to promote ecological sustainable development Council to provide training to Council provides Sustainable staff, local builders/developers Development Public Forums targeting as required and continue to builders and planners to provide implement best management information about changes in practices legislation and council policy. These typically run as required. Improve Ecological Sustainable Council has developed and adopted development principles within the Griffith Local Environmental Plan existing planning instruments 2014 and Landuse Strategy with enhanced environmental provisions
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E9 To plan effectively and consider health issues within planning and sustainable development frameworks
Utilise mixed use development to place focus on the human scale so as to encourage walking and cycling and to provide easier access for those who are unable to drive a vehicle. Encourage nature-based recreation at levels that are compatible with existing conservation values Promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle and active transportation
Council has a program of providing new shared bike and footpaths around the city and within new parks and reserves.
Council supports the ‘Riverina Bird Trails Advisory Committee’ which has produced a bird watchers guide to the Riverina. Council ran the Community Heart Griffith program encouraging healthy living and exercise, and sustainable transport
Land Related Recommendations · Present information in subsequent comprehensive SOE reports that enable a progressive four yearly Land Related Recommendations comparison with the data relating to rural residential land use in accordance with Beyond GS 2030.
· Present information in subsequent comprehensive SOE reports that enable a progressive four yearly · Continue to improve ESD principles within existing planning instruments. comparison with the data relating to rural residential land use in accordance with Beyond GS 2030. · Encourage responsible land management on privately owned lands by identifying areas requiring ·environmental Continue to improve ESD principles within existing planning instruments. improvement and management. ·· Encourage responsible land management privately owned lands by identifying areas requiring Continue to provide training to staff, localon builders/developers as required and continue to implement environmental improvement best management practices. and management. · Continue to staff,and local builders/developers continue to implement Continueto toprovide monitortraining groundwater complete actions listedas in required the Urbanand Salinity Management Plan. best management practices. · Continue to monitor groundwater and complete actions listed in the Urban Salinity Management Plan.
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Section 6: Biodiversity
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Biodiversity Biodiversity is defined as the variety of life forms, the different plants, animals, and micro-organisms, the genes they contain, and the ecosystem they form. Biodiversity includes genetic diversity, species diversity and ecosystem diversity (Commonwealth of Australia, 2011). Biodiversity is essential in forming functioning ecosystems which maintain important processes on which all life depends. Biodiversity indicators have been selected to measure and gauge local and regional issues as they relate to the overall functioning form of the ecosystem. This section of the report covers the following: · Threatened Species · Noxious Weeds · Feral Animal Control · Restoration and Educational Activities · Quarry Biodiversity Offset · Reporting
Threatened Species The Griffith LGA is a highly productive agricultural area and over time, with the pressures of development, the biodiversity has changed dramatically. Since settlement, over 94 percent of the land has been cleared, with the remaining 6 percent of native vegetation existing in pockets. The pockets are continually under threat by grazing, weed invasion and isolation. Minor clearing end encroachment into these small areas also accumulated over time to further degrade and impact on these areas.
Flora There are 802 plant species currently recorded within the Griffith LGA on the NSW Wildlife Atlas database. Of these, twenty two endangered plants listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 are known or predicted to occur within the Griffith LGA. Fourteen of these species are also listed as threatened under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. In addition, ten orchids, three wax-flowers and the geebung are found in the Griffith LGA and are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. Sadly, Griffith has already lost one threatened plant species. The Holly-leaf Grevillea was previously found in the Griffith area but that population is now thought to be extinct with the last known plant dying near Nericon in 2008. The only population still confirmed in NSW occurs at Round Hill Nature Reserve northwest of Lake Cargelligo. Seven endangered ecological communities listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 are known to occur in the Griffith LGA. These include: · Inland Grey Box Woodland in the Riverina, NSW South Western Slopes, Cobar Peneplain, Nandewar and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions (Benson 82) · Myall Woodland in the Darling Riverine Plains, Brigalow Belt South, Cobar Peneplain, Murray-Darling Depression, Riverina and NSW South Western Slopes bioregions (Benson 26) · Sandhill Pine Woodland in the Riverina, Murray-Darling Depression and NSW South Western Slopes bioregions - Murrumbidgee (Benson 28) · White Box Yellow Box Blakely’s Red Gum Woodland (Benson 74) · Acacia melvillei Shrubland in the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression bioregions (Benson 77) · Fuzzy Box Woodland on alluvial Soils of the South Western Slopes, Darling Riverine Plains and Brigalow Belt South Bioregions (Benson 74-75) · Mallee and Mallee-Broombush dominated woodland and shrubland, lacking Triodia, in the NSW South Western Slopes Bioregion (Benson 178)
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Four endangered ecological communities listed under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 are also found in the Griffith LGA. These include: · Buloke Woodlands of the Riverina and Murray-Darling Depression Bioregions (Benson 20) · Grey Box (Eucalyptus microcarpa) Grassy Woodlands and Derived Native Grasslands of South-eastern Australia (Benson 82) · Weeping Myall Woodlands (Benson 26) · White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland (Benson 74) Vegetation communities have been identified and mapped by Council within the Griffith LGA as shown below. This map layer is regularly utilised by council such as the assessment of road work, development applications and potential revegetation sites. The map layer is gazetted as the ‘Terrestrial Biodiversity Map’ under the Griffith Local Environment Plan 2014.
Fauna
Figure 19: Native Vegetation communities within the LGA
To date, 271 birds, 28 mammals, 20 bats, 41 reptiles and nine amphibians are currently recorded within the Griffith LGA on the NSW Wildlife Atlas database. Thirteen of these birds and ten of the mammals are introduced exotic species such as the house sparrow and rabbit. Of those recorded, fifteen species are classified as endangered and 50 are classified as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Two of the threatened species are frogs, three reptiles, four Mammals, six bats and 50 birds. There are currently two endangered ecological populations found in the Griffith LGA including Glossy BlackCockatoo, Riverina Population and White-browed Treecreeper population in Carrathool local government area south of the Lachlan River and Griffith LGA. Sixteen fauna species are listed as endangered under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and sixteen migratory water bird species are protected under international treaties with China, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Key threatening processes are the things that could threaten the survival or evolutionary development of
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species, populations, or ecological communities. They are listed in the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and include pest animals, weeds, diseases and habitat loss/change. There are 33 Key threatening processes identified within the Griffith LGA.
Noxious Weeds Many noxious weeds varieties are widespread throughout the Griffith LGA. Federal and State legislation requires the control of noxious weeds on properties including adjoining road reserves. These laws require an ongoing annual maintenance program on public and private lands. Council is able to enforce the control of weeds on private lands and must also control weeds on its own lands (Figure 20). Council currently sprays weeds on nature strips, reserves, roadsides, laneways and other Council managed property throughout the Griffith LGA. Council’s program includes a combination of herbicide, biological control and physical removal. Council staff inspects private lands for noxious weeds and provides advice and workshops on control techniques. Noxious Weed Management Plans and brochures have been developed and are now available in hardcopy from the Council Chambers or to download from councils website.
Figure 20 (below): Prickly Pear infestation in local farmland
Weed and Bushfire Management Control Programs During the year, Griffith City Council conducts weed and pest control spraying of nature strips, reserves, roadsides, back lanes and other council managed property throughout the LGA. Council currently uses the following herbicides and pesticides: Glyphosate, Grazon, Brushoff, Kamba M, Lawsban, M.C.P.A, Seasol, Garlon and Sprayseed. The program is conducted every three months and public notification carried out prior. Control of Noxious Weeds in Griffith over the past four years has been intensive with large infestations of Prickly Pear and African Boxthorn being the main targets, particularly in the Lake Wyangan Basin and on the McPherson Range. A number of Mimosa and Athel Pine infestations have been mechanically removed. Follow-up control of suckers will be carried out for the next few years to ensure eradication at these sites. Some of the main programs managed by Council’s Noxious Weeds Department include: · Rural Roads – Treatment Program · Lake Wyangan Bicycle Track · Griffith Aerodrome Weed Treatment Program · Fire Trail Treatment Program · Roadside Vegetation Control · Prickly Pear Treatment Program · Boxthorn Treatment Program · Main Roads – R.T.A. Treatment Program · Drainage Weed Control · Roadside Slashing Program
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Biological Control Biological control agents are also managed by Council. These include naturally occurring insect and plant pathogens. Biocontrol used in combination with other weed control methods can aid the long-term control of wide spread weeds infestations and supress large outbreaks from occurring. Biological Control Programs are carried out for the following weeds: · Bridal Creeper (Asparagus asparagoides) · Paterson’s Curse (Echium spp.) · Prickly Pear (Opuntia & Cylindropuntia spp.) · Horehound (Marrubium vulgare) commenced in 2012
Herbicide Control Programs Some weeds are best controlled through the application of herbicides. The following weeds have been targeted using this method: · Coolatai Grass (Hyparrhenia hirta) · Boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera) · St Johns Wort (Hypericum perforatum) · Johnson Grass (Sorghum halepense) · Spiny Burr Grass (Cenchrus longispinus) · Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium)
Prickly Pear Gazettal Infestations of Prickly Pear, on crown land and private properties alike have spread at an alarming rate over the past decade. During the SoE reporting period, Council lobbied state government and was successful in having the Opuntia species of prickly pear including Riverina pear Opuntia paraguayensis and Indian fig Opuntia ficus-indica classified as Class 4 Noxious Weeds. These species were added to Council’s Noxious Weeds list, effective 28 February 2014. This gazettal gave Council Officers greater ability to work with private landholders and more leverage to apply for grant funding to control outbreaks on public lands.
Weed Control at McPherson Range (including Scenic Hill)
Mapping of infestations of Prickly Pear was undertaken in early 2012, and a targeted program of control commenced later that year. Infestations were excavated from the hill face, extending from Dickson Rd in the west to Rifle Road in the east. This process has continued since that time with
initial removal of all infestations on Scenic Hill now complete. Infestations have been reduced to outbreaks from excavated sites and small plants missed during initial excavations. Follow up inspection and control is continuing with the help of the NSW Green Army team. The team regularly conduct inspections of the hill and remove regrowth from new and old infestations. With the help of grant funding from Landcare, and Crown Lands Public Reserve Management Fund, the program rolled out in 2015 to the McPherson Range west of Scenic Hill in the area bounded by Lakes Road, Wyangan Avenue, Mallinson Road and Slopes Road. Prickly pear and African boxthorn infestations had been very extensive across this reserve. A combination of excavation and herbicide control has commenced, with further control continuing into the coming year. Following a public meeting at the nearby Scout Hall in 2015, landholders adjacent to the reserve have been proactive in helping to remove infestations on their properties and on crownland bordering their properties. This on-going maintenance has been a great help in reducing the occurrence of new infestations from regrowth and bird-strike. Large infestations still remain in inaccessible locations which have been herbicide treated and will need further treatments over the next two or three years to successfully control these infestations. Infestations on roadsides in the Lake Wyangan Basin have also been targeted for removal or treatment on an ongoing basis, with several roadsides already cleared of prickly pear. Excavated Prickly Pear has been disposed of at a site off Rifle Range Road. This site was open to both Council and the general public on advertised open days during early 2016. Once dried out, the Prickly Pear will be deep buried during summer 2017 which will further reduce the incidence of new infestations. Works commenced on the Dave Wallace Shooting Range in early 2016 utilising Crown Lands Public Reserve Management Funds. This site is located on the McPherson Range off the Rankings Springs Road and Simms Road. These works target Prickly Pear over difficult terrain with initial control continuing into 2017.
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Figure 21: Prickly Pear removal at Campbells Swamp
Weed Control in Lake Wyangan Basin Many of the wetlands and natural areas located in the Lake Wyangan Basin are managed and reserved for environmental protection. Noxious weeds were starting to dominate these landscapes to the detriment of locally native species. Some of these sites have been recipients of grants to control noxious weeds during the reporting period. Grants have been received from the Riverina Local Land Services, Crown Lands Public Reserve Management Fund, NSW Environmental Trust and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Association for this purpose. Campbellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Swamp and Jack Carson Wildlife Refuge programs commenced in 2012 with extensive work carried out including excavations of African Boxthorn accompanied with herbicide treatments of smaller plant infestations and manual removal. These wetland reserves are now relatively free of African Boxthorn, although monitoring and control of outbreaks will continue as part of our inspection schedule. Control works commenced in 2014 on the western side of north Lake Wyangan; however there are still significant infestations of African boxthorn and works are continuing. Works commenced at Tharbogang swamp in 2013 with all African Boxthorn and Prickly Pear treated since this time. Further work to combat the spread of Prickly Pear from the Tharbogang Landfill is still to be undertaken with re-infestation being of concern. This must be addressed to reduce re-infestation. Mallinson Road, Lakes Road, Boorga Road, Jones Road, Hillside Drive, Kubank Road, Abbatoir Road and an archaeological heritage site at Pelican Shores have had noxious weeds chemically treated or removed during 2014-2016 to reduce the possibility of re-infestation across the Lake Wyangan Basin.
Other Weed Control Actions The Three Ways crown reserve is located between Lakes Rd and Abattoir Rd, railway line and Combe Rd drainage channel. All Prickly Pear and African Boxthorn at this site was been excavated and incinerated during 2015. At this time, illegally dumped rubbish was also removed by Council from the site. Follow up work to treat regrowth is continuing. Infestations of African Boxthorn have co-dominated Gum Creek Road on both sides of road reserve for 14 kilometers. Work to excavate and control these infestations commenced in 2014 targeting Dossetor Rd to Clark Rd for stage 1 and from Clark Rd to Millis Rd in 2016 for stage 2. Infestations were extensive and dense with African boxthorn dominating the roadside vegetation, choking out native species. All excavated plants were piled on neighbouring farmland and were incinerated on site. Treatment further along the road is continuing as funds allow, with monitoring and treatment of re-growth first priority. Gum Creek Road is a particularly significant site given the roadside reserve provides a corridor of Ecologically Endangered ecological Weeping Myall woodland, linking the River Red Gum Forests along the Murrumbidgee River to the Blackbox and Weeping Myall Woodlands along the Mirrool Creek. Large infestations of Prickly Pear and African Boxthorn still remain on Yenda Stock Route Reserve, Leeton Road between Wilga Road and the LGA boundary. Significant infestations of Prickly Pear still remain on West Road and Lakes Road.
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Feral Animal Control Councils Scenic Hill Plan of Management 2000 lists Feral Goats as a threat to Scenic Hill. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Continued grazing, trampling and burrowing by goats restricts the growth of native grasses, ferns, and other understory plants and can result in soil compaction. This in conjunction with wind, fire, wind and heavy rain has the potential to exacerbate erosion problems.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Goats have long been a problem on Scenic Hill. Goats alter habitat by eating all plants available within their reach. In dry periods, goats will eat bark off the trucks of saplings, ringbarking saplings and as well grazing on any other vegetative matter in their reach. This can change the structure of the habitat such that groundstory and midstory species become sparse or absent, with trees stripped of foliage up to 2.5m. This significant change to vegetation structure can negatively impact on threatened species known to utilise Scenic Hill. Early in 2015 after consultation with a number of stakeholders including the National Parks and Wildlife Service, Council decided to take action. Expressions of Interest were sought and a contractor was engaged to undertake the mustering, trapping and removal of feral goats on the Scenic Hill area bounded by Scenic Drive, Rifle Range Road and Lake Wyangan Avenue and Aerodrome Road. A total of 22 goats were trapped and removed from the Hill. It is intended to trap and removed more goats later in 2016, as numbers have again increased. Foxes are baited on an ad-hoc basis at Lake Wyangan picnic grounds when evidence of foxes is observed. Baiting is carried out over a two week period following advertising in the Area News. Baiting ensures animals in Councils animal enclosures are protected.
Restoration and Educational Activities Over 94% of the native vegetation in the local government area has been cleared. The remaining 6% exists in pockets and is threatened by isolation, grazing and weed invasion. The main areas of native vegetation remaining are on rocky ridgelines such as the McPherson Range, low lying areas such as Black Box depressions and swamps and roadsides.
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Less native vegetation usually indicates less native wildlife, as well as increased liklihood of salinity. Records show there are 65 threatened species, including frogs, bats and birds that are likely to occur in the local government area. Council, Murrumbidgee Irrigation and Landcare Groups have been replanting native vegetation for a number of years within the region in an effort to manage salinity problems, provide a more beautiful environment, and care for our wildlife. In the city area, planting of natives has been undertaken at recharge sites such as Scenic Hill (usually upslope, where rainfall infiltrates into the ground) and discharge sites such as Clifton Boulevarde and Citrus Road (usually down slope, where groundwater rises to the surface). This program of planting will be continuing into the future. Council, Murrumbidgee Irrigation, and Landcare Groups have also been replanting native vegetation for a number of years within the region in an effort to manage groundwater, salinity problems, amenity, and improve and maintain biodiversity. In the Griffith LGA, planting of native species has been undertaken in recent years on Scenic Hill, Lake Wyangan, Citrus Road and the Kidman Way.
Tree Planting Council participates annually in the Planet Arc National Tree Planting Day and Bushcares Major Day Out. Council encourages schools and the community at large to participate through public engagement. National Tree Planting Day events are held in late July each year and Bushcare maintenance days are held in Mid September. Each year Council has offers all schools in the LGA a number of plants and planting supplies for their school grounds, with the exception of 2015. In 2015 schools were invited to help plant trees in the new wildlife corridor at Citrus Road Collina. The number of schools involved and trees planted are as follows: Year 2015 2014 2013 2012
Number of schools 2 8 9 10
Number of Trees Planted 200 157 130 132
Community planting days are held at sites throughout the LGA where replanting of native trees, shrubs and groundcovers could improve the biodiversity of the site. Bushcare days further add value to these events by carrying out general maintenance in our natural areas, such as pruning, weeding and removal of bags and stakes. Tree Day and Bushcare events have been held on the following dates: Year 2016 2015 2015 2014 2014 2013 2013 2012
Location Movie Theatre Citrus Road Citrus Road Campbellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Swamp Lake Wyangan Picnic Area Nericon Swamp City Park Food Forest Yenda Public School
Number of Participants 200 5 50 12 40 12 35 36
Number of Trees Planted 400 (given away) Maintenance 1260 Maintenance 200 Maintenance 150 200
Schools are also sometimes invited to Councils City Park food forest to carry out maintenance and learn more about bush tucker and food producing plants. The planting of locally native trees and shrubs helps to provide food and shelter for wildlife, increase native diversity and combat habitat loss. Woodland birds and other fauna benefit from the revegetation as they need the shrub and groundstory plants, which they rely on for shelter and protection. Local native plants produce seed, pollen and nectar and attract insects which are an important food source for many of our native fauna species.
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Saving Our Species Event Council did not run its normal Tree Day planting event in 2016. Instead, Council partnered with the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) and the Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists to facilitate broader knowledge and interest in local threatened species and the Saving Our Species (SOS) program. The event was held on World Environment Day and included a free family screening of Australian film “Oddball”, the story of a cheeky dog that cares for a colony of little penguins. The little penguin population at Manly is listed as an endangered population in NSW and this is an SOS species. The event featured opening speeches by National Parks and Wildlife Service, Council and OEH about our locally threatened species and how these can be identified and protected. Species people may see in their local area were highlighted including the Major Mitchell cockatoo, the Glossy Black Cockatoo, the Grey-Crowned Babbler, The Cocoparra Figure 22: Council’s Environmental Planner Joanne Tarbit giving away native seedlings at the Save Our Species Event. Pomaderris, Southern Bell Frog and Koala. Participants were encouraged to stay after the film to tell us more about threatened species in their area, and obtain more information. The event was attended by 200 people, with 70 people staying after the film to discuss our threatened species further. Over 180 native seedlings were distributed as a token of the days Saving Our Species message and to plant as habitat in local backyards (Figure 22).
Tharbogang Swamp The lesser known of the wetlands in the Lake Wyangan system, the Tharbogang Swamp is ephemeral and often dry but received a huge influx of water during the March 2012 floods. The swamp has since dried out completely and refilled during significant winter rains in 2016.
Figure 23: Tharbogang Swamp prior to regeneration works.
Figure 24: Tharbogang Swamp following regeneration works.
Once a healthy Black Box depression, many of the trees have died from excessive drainage water and rising salt levels and the ground is fragile and eroded in some areas. The surrounding land is used for grazing and horticulture. Despite its state, the swamp attracts hundreds of waterbirds including Red-necked Avocet, Black Swan, Pacific Black Duck, White-bellied Sea Eagles and Eurasian Coot, with a variety of many other species. Silver Gulls and other species have been known to nest on the raised dry banks in the middle of the wetland. Council received funding from the NSW Government Office of Environment and Heritage Environmental Trust Restoration and Rehabilitation Grant Program during 2013. These funds are being utilised at the site for replacement of fencing, direct seeding to encourage increased diversity and revegetation of the eroded
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areas, weed and pest control. A Cultural Survey has also been undertaken at the site with many artefacts recorded (Figures 23 - 26). Members of the Murrumbidgee Field Naturalist Club (MFN) and the general public were invited to a field day at the Tharbogang Swamp in November 2013 and again in 2015. The site was also visited in 2013 by 33 members of the Sydney bird watching group, the Cumberland Bird Observers. Since this time MFN members have visited the site regularly to view the changes in the landscape and watch birds over the wetland. The exclusion of stock from this site has had a huge impact on the regeneration of plants with many previously bare scaled areas now vegetated. The wetland itself now supports aquatic vegetation, which provides a more diverse feeding environment of wetland birds and greater potential for the creation of nests.
Figure 25: Tharbogang Swamp Scar Tree
Figure 26: Stone tool found at Tharbogang Swamp
Native Vegetation Workshops In 2015 Riverina Local Land Services (LLS) vegetation management staff were running workshops for the community in relation to the implementation of the Native Vegetation Act. Council saw this as an opportunity, and the LLS ran a concurrent workshop to update Council Staff. The session covered Routine Agricultural Management Practices (RAMA), regrowth provisions and self-assessable codes for clearing invasive native species, clearing paddock trees in cultivation and thinning native vegetation. Staff had the opportunity to ask questions related to their specific work such as in relation to roadside clearing.
Environmental Water Allocations Council supported applications from the local environmental group Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists for environmental watering of Campbell’s and Nericon Swamps. Watering of these wetlands was undertaken mid 2010 and again in late 2015 with 230ML (at 10ML/day) released into Campbell’s Swamp and a further 215ML (at 5ML/day) released into Nericon Swamp at each watering. Whilst Council does not have a Plan of Management for these wetlands, a study was undertaken in 2000 titled ‘Nericon and Campbell’s Swamps - A review of their history, conservation vales and future management options’ with a subsequent report in 2009 titled ‘Impacts of Pelican Shores Development on Campbell’s Swamp’. Each of these documents support the notion of providing environmental flows into these wetlands to retain the environmental biodversity values of these sites for migratory and other waterbirds. The volumes of water reflect volumes suggested in the Nericon and Campbell’s Swamps Management Options report. The wetlands also recieved substantial natural flows during the February 2012 floods and the more recent September 2016 floods. Campbell’s swamp has retained varying levels of water at all times, whilst more shallow Nericon Swamp has been dry for extended durations during the reporting period.
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Green Army Council has partnered with National Parks and Wildlife sharing a Green Army team since August 2015. The Green Army is a federal Government initiative which allows teams of young people to be trained in environment and heritage on the ground skills. Some of the sites the Green Army Team have worked at since this time include: - Pioneer Park (Heritage maintenance) - Hermits Cave (Weed control and rubbish removal) - Tharbogang Swamp (Tree planting and weed control) - Rifle Range Road (Tree planting and maintenance) - Campbell’s and Nericon Swamp (Rubbish removal, weed control and pruning) - Scenic Hill (Weed control and rubbish removal) - Lake Wyangan Picnic Area (General garden maintenance and fencing) Green Army Planting native trees at Tharbogang Swamp - Food Forest (Garden maintenance) Council intends on continuing utilising the Green Army in the coming months. Similarly, council has also utilised Work for the Dole participants for a wide range of roles during the reporting period.
Landcare Irrigation Area Collective The Landcare Irrigation Area Collective formed in early 2016. The collective is a group of people from various private and government organisations within the Murrumbidgee, Coleambally and Murray irrigation areas who have a keen interest in and actively work to improve and manage the natural resources of the irrigation areas of the Riverina. The members of the Collective are aiming to combine their skills and knowledge to help each other with regional NRM activities to restore a strong and vibrant Landcare community, promote sustainable agriculture and natural resource management through on-ground works, education and best practice. The ‘Collective’ includes Murrumbidgee Landcare, Murrumbidgee Irrigation, Local Land Services, Coleambally Irrigation, Murrumbidgee Field Naturalists, RiceGrower’s Association, Griffith City Council, Leeton Shire Council, Department of Primary Industries Lands and Bitterns in Rice project. The Collective was an initiative formulated by the Regional Landcare Coordinator, Bindi Vanzella to promote and build community partnerships. On 16 - 18 February 2016 the Landcare Irrigation Area Collective hosted a visit to the Lower Murrumbidgee region by Mr Gregory Andrews, the Commonwealth Threatened Species Commissioner. During this visit, Council was able to showcase a successful community planting site on Scenic Hill. The ‘Bring Back the Glossy Black’ planting site was planted over was chosen to show the variable results which can be achieved in our semi-arid environment. This site highlights the importance of post planting care and difficulties in planting in a semi-arid climate. The Collective intends to work collaboratively in the coming years on improving natural resource management and sustainable agriculture outcomes across the region. The collective encourages open communication and networking across the organisations Gregory Andrews discusses Threatened Species Projects with Council and and groups in the region for a cohesive approach to Murrumbidgee Irrigation staff.
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NRM and avoid double ups. This approach will value add to individual projects through assistance from the groups in the collective network.
Quarry Biodiversity Offset Council purchased five parcels of land to the north and east of the Tharbogang landfill during 2011. The purchase of this land provides a biodiversity offset for the expansion of the new quarry at Tharbogang landfill. This offset was required in order satisfy the regulatory approval for the development. This offset site provides a buffer zone from the north and eastern sides of the proposed quarry expansion with significant biodiversity opportunities to offset the loss of 15.2 hectares of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;remnantâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; native vegetation. Cattle were removed from this land during winter 2012 and the land has since begun to regenerate. To ensure the biodiversity values at the site continue to improve over time, six Biobanking plots were established in September 2015. These plots will be monitored annually and include two open Bimble Box woodland, two Bimble Box/White Cypress Pine woodland, one (1) derived native grassland and one White Cypress Pine woodland. At each of these sites, vegetation species and densities are monitored and a photo point has been established. Eight additional photo points were established to monitor site management issues, including erosion, eucalypt health and regeneration, perimeter trail condition and noxious and pasture weeds. Noxious weeds at the site have also been mapped including prickly pear, African Boxthorn locations, Onion weed and Horehound. These Assessments are carried out annually to ensure the biodiversity values of the site improve over time. The monitoring allows targeted actions to be undertaken. To date this has included new fencing to ensure cattle are excluded from the site, removal of cattle yards, filling in of a dam and noxious weed control.
Fencing has been carried out at Tharbogang Swamp and Offset
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Reporting on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 In line with the ‘Integrated Planning and Reporting’ framework, Council must now also report on the community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 (2011). There has been some progress towards the objectives and actions laid out in the Plan, with many objectives referring to actions identified in the Griffith City Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2010). Two biodiversity objectives have been identified and are outlined in the following table.
Growing Griffith 2030 Strategy Valuing our Environment How do we achieve this? Objectives
Progress Report
E10—To Improve biodiversity by preserving and protecting existing biodiversity
The Biodiversity Strategy is in draft format and will be revised to reflect recent changes in regional Local Land Services policy and state legislation.
Develop and implement a Biodiversity Strategy and Offset Strategy to identify appropriate land for revegetation and protection Developing a Street Tree Master Plan and tree register for the CBD
Development of a ‘Sustainable Living Guide’ to inform the community on biodiversity related issues. Compile detailed management plans for all parks and reserves
Council has commenced the development of the list of significant street trees with the development of the master plan an ongoing project. The Sustainable Living Guide was developed and distributed to all residential households in 2011.
Council has a generic Plan of Management for Neighbourhood Parks which was adopted in August 1996. This is scheduled for revision after the Crown Land Management Bill 2016 has been gazetted. Parks (re)developed between 20092013 have a Plan of Management including Jiggins Park, Chandler Park, City Park, Bilby Park and Tedd Scobie Oval. Determine the extent of soil salinity Soil salinity mapping has not yet been and reduce impact where possible undertaken. Development and distribution of a The Sustainable Living Guide was ‘Sustainable Living Guide’ to inform developed and distributed to all the community on biodiversity residential households in 2011. related issues Conduct ongoing monitoring of Lake Wyangan monitoring is ongoing Lake Wyangan during the warmer months. This has resulted in the Lake being closed for a period each summer during the reporting period as a result of high blue-green algae biovolumes to protect the safety of water users. Ensure satisfactory infrastructure Council continues to maintain fire and management practices are in trails including trails on Scenic Hill place to reduce bushfire hazard and strategic slashings of fire breaks on major roads and highways. The Rural Fire Service conduct an annual fuel reduction burn in mid spring.
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E11—To ensure and maintain the conservation of the natural environment (cont.)
Develop a ‘Noxious Weeds’ Guide for the Griffith LGA
Avoid development in areas of environmental significance.
Improving education and promotional resources to assist in the conservation and promotion of biodiversity.
Continuing noxious weeds management
The Noxious Weeds guide and pamphlets have been developed and are available on Councils website and at the main office of Council. Council developed and adopted a new Griffith Local Environmental Plan in 2014. This plan provides significant consideration to remnant vegetation and wetlands. As such these environmentally significant areas are considered during development assessment and when undertaking infrastructure works. All schools are invited to be involved in the annual National Tree Day planting event. In addition schools are provided with up to date information about local activities grant opportunities as they arise. Noxious weeds are under ongoing management including a slashing and herbicide program in addition to biological control and targeted grant funded weed programs.
Biodiversity Recommendations · Continue ongoing control of noxious weeds (e.g. Boxthorn, Prickly Pear, Sweet Briar and Spiny Burr Grass) on all roadsides and public land with biological control, regular herbicide spraying before seed set or other methods of control used as appropriate. · Continue to monitor and identify new areas of weed outbreak such as Yenda Stock Route Reserve, West Road and Lakes Road. · Continue to apply for funding for the enhancement of adjoining bush land areas where vegetation has been degraded. · Improve biodiversity within the City of Griffith when opportunities arise by improving biodiversity values through protection and revegetation programs. · Limit vehicular access on the McPherson Range to emergency vehicles only. · Continue the removal of goats from Scenic Hill when numbers increase. · Revise the existing roadside vegetation management plan to ensure it reflects current legislation and council needs.
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Section 5: Heritage
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Heritage Heritage is referred to as the environment, objects and places, both tangible and intangible, that we inherit from the past and pass on to future generations to use, learn and be inspired from. How the tangible links between the past and present it is managed now will determine whether that link from the past is linked to the future. In this our centenary year the need to conserve our local heritage, which comprises of buildings, structures, places, aboriginal and archaeological sites, lookouts, streetscapes, urban patterns, parks and reserves and all of which contribute to the locality’s cultural life, sense of place and identity, should be seen as paramount. This section of the report covers the following heritage environmental issues: · Significant Heritage Sites · Indigenous Heritage · Hermits Cave Complex · Pioneer Park · Centenary Celebrations ‘Meet the Griffins’ · International Sculpture Symposium · Reporting
Significant Heritage Sites The heritage of Griffith is identified through the provisions of the Griffith Local Environmental Plan 2014 (heritage items and heritage conservation areas). A future comprehensive Development Control Plan will provide guidelines as to how the qualities, intrinsic to their value and which make them significant can be conserved. Heritage conservation should not be seen as a means of precluding change, rather it can provide a challenge to balance the pressure for increased development and contemporary living standards in a way that enables the patchwork of the historic environment to be retained for present and future generations. The underlying objective should be to protect, conserve and enhance Griffith’s heritage, and to ensure changes to this heritage take place in an appropriate manner. Council works to protect the heritage of Griffith by: · Ensuring that decisions made by Council are consistent with the policies as expressed in Griffith Local Environmental Plan 2014 and the Development Control Plan · Acknowledging the importance Aboriginal occupation and protecting sites that are important to Aboriginal culture and history · Acknowledging and protecting any archaeological remnants · Committing to responsible management of Griffith City Councils own heritage resources and heritage in the public domain · Not supporting development that remove or significantly reduce the heritage significance of any heritage item · Striving to achieve an appropriate balance between contemporary expectations, environmental sustainability and protecting the elements that make an item significant or important to a conservation area’s character · Acknowledging and protecting the setting of heritage items · Permitting flexible yet sensitive adaptation of heritage affected sites where appropriate · Responding to guidance from and the planning principles of the NSW Land and Environment Court With the preparation of the Griffith Land Use Strategy: Beyond 2030 considered Griffith Heritage Study: A Community Based Heritage Study for Griffith City Council and the NSW Heritage Office (2004) with a view of expanding the list of significant buildings and places Council warranted protection under the provisions of the Heritage Act, 1977 and the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979.
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The items identified in figures 27-30 have been listed in Griffith Local Environmental Plan 2014 has being of local, and in several cases of State, significance in terms of heritage significance. Figure 27: Heritage Items
Locality
Item name
Address
Property description
Significance
Beelbangera
Beelbangera Public School Former Matron’s House and Nurses’ Quarters at Base Hospital Producer’s offices Griffith City Library
Rankins Springs Road
Lot 91, DP 751743
Local
5–39 Animoo Avenue
Lot 2, DP 1043580
Local
37–39 Banna Avenue 229 Banna Avenue
Lot 2, DP 1157308 Lots 2 and 8, Section 9, DP 758476; Lot 1, DP 219935 Lot 161, DP 130396 Lots 29 and 30, Section 4, DP 758476 Lot 1, Section 8, DP 758476 Lot 1, Section 7, DP 758476 Lots 22, 23 and 24, Section 6, DP 758476 Lots 7, 8, 9 and 10, Section 16, DP 758476 Lot 2, DP 1178960
Local Local
Local
Lot 1, DP 41141 Lot 3, DP 123963 Lot 2, DP 733447
Local Local Local
Part Lot 1042, DP 751709 Lot 1347, DP 751709 Lots 935, 936, 946 and 947, DP 751709 Part Lot 1, Section 44, DP 758476
Local
Griffith
Griffith Griffith
Griffith Griffith
Commonwealth Bank Former Lyceum Theatre (Figure 25)
246–250 Banna Avenue 300–306 Banna Avenue
Griffith
Court house
363 Banna Avenue
Griffith
Former police station
Griffith
Victoria Hotel
369 Banna Avenue (corner Ulong Street) 384–392 Banna Avenue
Griffith
Former Murrumbidgee Irrigation Offices
462–468 Banna Avenue
Griffith
107 Binya Street (1–3 Anzac Street) 25 Carrathool Street 82–86 Coolah Street 81 Kooyoo Street
Griffith
St Alban’s Anglican Cathedral and Hall Robinson House Griffith High School Former Rural Bank manager’s residence Griffith Showground and Palais De Danse Pioneer Park Museum
Griffith
Former Penfolds Winery
Griffith
Hanwood
Sacred Heart Catholic Church, presbytery, convent and hall Hanwood village store
Hanwood Hanwood
Old cheese factory Doradillo Vine
Griffith Griffith Griffith Griffith
12–32 Murrumbidgee Avenue 1347 Remembrance Drive 51–61 Twigg Street (20–22 Mackay Avenue) 11–27 Warrambool Street 7 Hanwood Road (2 Yarran Street) Kendall Lane Farm 217 Murray Road
Local Local
Local Local Local
Local
Local Local
Local
Lot 293, DP 751709 Local Lot 259, DP 751709 Local Lot 280, DP 751709 Local
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Hanwood Yenda Yoogali Yoogali
Griffith Centre for Irrigated Agriculture Fruit inspector’s residence Our Lady of Pompeii Church 647 Mackay Avenue
Farm 217 Murray Road
Lot 280, DP 751709 Local
40 Mirrool Avenue
Lot 18, Section 1, DP 759138 Lot 2194, DP 720524
15–19 Edon Street Lot 1093, DP 751709
Local State Local
Figure 28: Heritage Conservation Items
Name of Area
Identification of Area
Significance
Banna Avenue Precinct
Northern side of Banna Avenue from Tranter Place to Wayeela Local Street and southern side of Banna Avenue from Jondaryan Avenue to Kookora Street, edged in red and marked “C1” on the Heritage Map Yenda Town Centre Yenda Town Centre including Yenda Place and North Avenue, edged Local in red and marked “C2” on the Heritage Map Figure 29: Archaeological sites
Locality
Item name
Address
Property description
Significance
Griffith
Hermit’s Cave
Scenic Hill
State
Griffith
Griffith General Cemetery 83–111 Wakaden Street
Hanwood Yenda
Bagtown Cemetery Yenda General Cemetery
Lot 7008, DP 1024076 Lot 7027, DP 1024272 Lot 731, DP 751709 Lot 777, DP 1157571
466 Pedley Road Cemetery Road
Local Local Local
Indigenous Heritage Griffith is located within the Wiradjuri Nation and has a rich Aboriginal history which has an important place in the community. Griffith City Council recognises the position of Aboriginal people in the history and growth of Griffith and its surrounding villages. It acknowledges the Wiradjuri people as the traditional owners of the land and pays respect to Wiradjuri Elders past, present and future. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up 4.1% of the Griffith population. The Griffith Aboriginal Community Working Party is the peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative forum for the Griffith Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. It advocates for the interest of the community, maintains strategic oversight of community development, and negotiates improvement in service delivery and coordination on behalf of the community. Council acknowledges the invaluable contribution and effort of the Aboriginal Community in producing the Aboriginal Social Action Plan (Appendix V). The Plan adds much value to the scope and content of the Griffith Community Action Plan and clearly captures the needs, aspirations and values of the Griffith Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The alignment of the two plans represents a new direction and ongoing collaboration between the Griffith City Council and Griffith Aboriginal Community. Through our planning and collaborative effort we pledge to work cohesively to meeting the needs of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Griffith - part of Wiradjuri country. When assessing development applications or carrying out work, Council refers to the Office of Environment and Heritage’s publication Due Diligence Code of Practice for the Protection of Aboriginal Objects in New South Wales. This code of practice is aimed at assisting individuals and organisations to exercise due diligence when carrying out activities that may harm Aboriginal objects and determine whether or not consent in the form of an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) is required.
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Council has been working with representatives of Griffith Local Aboriginal Land Council to tailor the code of practice to address local matters and matters that need to be considered when preparing a statement of environmental effects, undertaking a review of environmental factors or evaluating matters for consideration under Section 79C of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979. Many items such as camp mounds, scar trees and artefacts are recorded throughout the LGA on the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) database. This database includes: · information about Aboriginal objects that have been reported to the Director General, Department of Premier and Cabinet · information about Aboriginal Places which have been declared by the Minister for the Environment to have special significance with respect to Aboriginal culture · archaeological reports. In conjunction with a NSW Environmental Trust funded project, a Cultural Heritage Survey was undertaken in 2014 at the Tharbogang Swamp with many artefacts identified. These items are now registered on the AHIMS database. The following items are listed in Councils Griffith Local Environmental Plan 2014. Figure 30: Aboriginal places of heritage significance
Locality
Item name
Address
Property description
Significance
Griffith
Three Ways Mission Frog Hollow (community camp site)
Lot 1222, DP 751709 Lot 1342, DP 751709
Local
Griffith
Goolagong Street and Kennedy Street Noorla Street and Dickson Road
Local
Hermit’s Cave Complex The Hermit’s Cave Complex is a significant state level multicultural heritage site with an aesthetically distinctive cultural landscape. The cave complex is an example of how an individual’s adaptation of the landscape can provide shelter and sustenance for life. This landmark is also unique in how one could adapt the natural area into a pleasing environment while still being able to keep its social dislocation and isolation. A Conservation Management Strategy for Hermits Cave was adopted in 2009 to guide management and preservation at the site. The Strategy includes undertaking initiatives such as clean up and graffiti removal at the Hermit’s Cave Complex. These initiatives are ongoing. Council updated the carpark in 2015 utilising funding from Destination NSW to improve the aesthetics, safety and accessibility of hermit’s caves. This included all new signage telling the story of the hermit as well as new signage along the pathways and a corresponding ‘Self-Guided Tour’ brochure was developed. Council also resurfaced the car park area and provided new seating areas.
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Pioneer Park As the city’s heritage precinct, Griffith Pioneer Park Museum continues to be active in promoting and conserving the history of the region. In 2016 the Museum celebrated 45 years of being open to the public, as well as continuing the tradition of the annual “Action Day” each Good Friday that attracts large crowds to a variety of crafts and displays. There are over forty pioneering buildings located at the Park, including original and recreations of landmarks and artefacts from the first century of Griffith and beyond. The development of the Wine and Irrigation Museum occurred in 2013. This building houses historic items donated by the McWilliams family from their well-known winery. This building also includes detailed displays about the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area and the industries that have blossomed from the remarkably productive farms and industries. Pioneer Park Museum is the site of regular activities that reflect the shared heritage of our citizens, such as the annual Australia Day breakfast and the Festa delle Salsicce, Festival of the Sausage! The site also serves as a venue for many private functions including weddings and events. During 2016, the Park provided a venue for the Sculpture Symposium where seven international sculptors created artwork from granite as part of celebrations for the centenary of Griffith. Over 2200 visitors viewed the construction of the sculptures. The sculptures are now installed at the IOOF Park on Kookora Street and are part of the history of the city.
Griffith CBD Strategy & Heritage Precinct The Griffith CBD Strategy, which was adopted by Council in 2015, makes several recommendations concerning heritage areas in the city centre. The recommendations are as follows: · Establish a funding scheme to encourage businesses to restore and renovate historic shop parapets in the city centre · Encourage shop owners along Banna Avenue to unveil historic parapets rather than conceal them · Emphasise and preserve historical and architectural heritage · Create plaques that detail several identified historic buildings in the city centre · Prepare a Streetscape Style Guide to prevent low quality shop front signage along the streetscape Following on from the adoption of the Griffith CBD Strategy, Kathleen Aiton Memorial was assessed as a locally significant place in the city centre. The memorial had been dilapidated for a number of years as such, a sympathetic renovation was undertaken using the following methods: · Cleaning and maintaining the brickwork memorial · Incorporating a heritage tile complimenting the memorial brick work · Replacing the memorial lettering with a more durable replica
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International Sculpture Symposium
Council purchased the old NSW State Bank building in the view that the building was an iconic building in the city centre and of local significance. While the building is currently being leased as a restaurant, Council plans to develop the building and surrounding area as a Cultural Heritage Precinct in keeping with the CBD Strategy to maintain the heritage significance of the building and precinct.
Centenary Celebrations ‘Meet the Griffins’ With 2016 being Griffiths Centenary celebration year the city held a number of events celebrating our 100 year history. Included was an exhibition held at the Library of the lives and work of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahoney Griffin. The couple’s winning entry for the design of Australia’s capital took them from their native Chicago to Australia where they made their home for 20 years. During this time WB Griffin was commissioned to design the new towns of Griffith and Leeton. Meet the Griffins showcased unique material on loan from the National Library of Australia. Meet the Griffins showcased the amazing talent of this design duo as a tribute to their connection with the City of Griffith. Sixteen large display panels were set on a backdrop of art deco styling, and an accompanying exhibition guide is available.
The Griffith International Sculpture Symposium was held at Griffith Pioneer Park Museum, high on Scenic Hill which offered a beautiful open studio in an idyllic bush setting, with views across the area and space for the thousands of visitors to observe and admire the works in progress. The Griffith International Sculpture Symposium was the flagship event of Griffith’s Centenary celebrations, and the community truly supported the project raising more than $200K to make the project a reality. Initially the project aimed to secure 5 international artists and sculptures for the park, but once the community rallied to support the project the Symposium was up scaled to 7 artists and time was also extended to 17 days. Businesses, families, organisations and individuals all made a contribution towards the project to create the sculptures and to creatively landscape a park fit to permanently house such beautiful stone works. IOOF Park was chosen as the ideal site, extending the City Park precinct along Kookora Street, and sitting beside the main canal, the lifeblood of the City. This Park, adjacent to a major arterial through the City, draws much attention from passing traffic and has become a key attraction for both locals and visitors. The Park is now home to the seven magnificent sculptures, including signage, mounds and lighting. The Symposium was recognised by the International Sculpture Symposium Alliance (ISSA), this organisation recognizes premier sculpture symposiums around the world. This recognition is quantified by the calibre of sculptors participating in the event, the quality of the works, quality of organisation of the event itself and how the community benefits from the sculptures.
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Reporting on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 In line with the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Integrated Planning and Reportingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; framework, Council must now also report on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 (2011). There has been some progress towards the objectives and actions laid out in the Plan, with many objectives referring to actions identified in the Griffith City Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2010). Two indigenous and non-indigenous heritage objectives have been identified and are outlined in the following table.
Growing Griffith 2030 Strategy Valuing our Environment How do we achieve this? Objectives
Progress Report
E6 To minimise the environmental, social and financial costs of development
Council has an in-house planner able to assist with heritage advice on a case by case basis Council will continue to apply for heritage funding as the opportunity arises Council assesses development applications for heritage items in accordance with legislative requirements
Provide free advice on the restoration and design for heritage items Investigate and apply for heritage grants from Federal and State governments Provide development benefits to heritage property owners such as sympathetic consideration of development applications that include the preservation of heritage items Provide financial relief for the owners of heritage items in respect to development applications
E7 To preserve our built and Increase awareness of local natural heritage for future indigenous heritage generations. Establish a database of significant heritage areas Improve Ecological Sustainable development principles within existing planning instruments
Where a development application is required for works which would be exempt development for sites that do not contain a heritage item, Council will consider waiving of development application fees. For works considered minor and meeting the provisions of Clause 5.10 of Griffith LEP 2014 Council may issue a Heritage Exemption Certificate. Open dialogue exists with Councilâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s heritage planner and Aboriginal Liaison Officer on matters of aboriginal cultural significance Council maintains a database of heritage significant sites Council adopted a new Griffith Local Environmental Plan in 2014 with enhanced environmental provisions
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Heritage Recommendations In what is Griffith’s centenary year Griffith City Council should take the opportunity to ensure that the threats to buildings and places of heritage significance are minimised. In this regard the following recommendations are made: · That a comprehensive review of Griffith Heritage Study: A Community Based Heritage Study for Griffith City Council and the NSW Heritage Office (2004) be undertaken. · That a chapter, specific to the principles of heritage conservation, be included in any comprehensive development control plan for the city. · That financial relief be given to the owners of heritage listed properties in terms of waiving fees for development application in certain instances or where applicable through the issue of Heritage Exemption Certificates. · Provide heritage advice and guidance to developers in respect to information contained in Council’s heritage database. · That public realm projects be undertaken that give consideration to existing heritage features to a site and surrounding area.
Figure 31: Lyceum Theatre c1950s
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Section 7: Waste
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Waste Almost everything we do generates some kind of waste. As populations increase and more waste is produced, the manner in which we reduce our waste and utilise our resources is very important to the preservation of our environment. By responsible management of the waste generated within Griffith LGA, Council aims to protect human health and the wider environment within the LGA. Council is leading by example by improving its waste management infrastructure and bringing on line further waste reduction initiatives and facilities that will further conserve our resources and prevent future waste disposal problems. Council also believes that raising awareness of waste issues through education whether that is via Primary School targeted waste syllabus based lessons or through less formal community group functions, is an important the community recognises the issues that Council faces with waste-related issues. This section of the report covers the following waste environmental issues: · Waste Generation · Landfill Management and Waste Minimisation · Illegal Dumping · Community Participation in Waste Reduction · Reporting
Waste Generation Council has two licensed Waste Management Centres the licences are issued by NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA); these facilities are located in the villages of Yenda and Tharbogang. The waste disposed at these Waste Management Centres is generated from the following sources: · Domestic garbage collection · Commercial and industrial waste · Construction and demolition waste · Private vehicle deliveries Figure 32 below illustrates the amount of solid waste taken to the landfill within the Griffith LGA from 20072016.
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Landfill Management and Waste Minimisation Council has had approval for the expansion of the Tharbogang quarry and Waste Management Centre. This expansion will provide a suitable site for the landfill disposal of waste generated by the Griffith LGA for approximately 40 to 50 more years. Potential impacts from this operation will be addressed through a series of controls and conditions placed on landfill operations. Further information about this proposed operation and its impacts and control measures can be sourced under the ‘Biodiversity’ and ‘Land’ sections of this report. Alternatively, a copy of the Environmental Assessment Report and supporting appendices may be viewed at Council. In response to waste related pressures, Council has developed a number of strategies to assist in the implementation of sustainable solutions regarding waste minimisation and management. Strategies include: · Council has contracted out the recycling kerbside collection service to JR Richards & Sons. This service commenced in November 2008. · Griffith City Council Waste Management Centres, receives, separates and recycles green waste, steel, tyres,batteries and engine oil. · Council runs Drum Muster and Planet Ark Cartridge recycling programs. · Council staff continue to recycle waste paper.
· Green waste at the landfill is chipped and mulched to use a cover over the landfill. · Trees removed by Council’s Parks and Gardens staff is chipped and mulched for reuse in parks around the city.
Recycled Material Collection Council is under increasing pressure from regulators and the community to implement strategies for waste diversion. The emphasis is on financially viable avoidance recovery and re-processing activities. It is this pressure that is driving the evolution of ecologically sustainable waste minimisation and management practices. Council understands the importance of waste minimisation and achieves this by a number of methods these include: · Dry recyclable Kerbside collection · Recycling of Steel · Recycling of Ewaste · Recycling of Engine Oil · The Removal of mattress and tyre’s from landfill. The domestic kerbside collection service is available to the urban and village areas with limited rural properties serviced. The kerbside recycling collection service is available to the urban and village areas. Council’s commercial pickup service is available to businesses within the Griffith LGA. Waste diverted from landfill is illustrated in Figure 33 below.
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Waste Transfer Station After three years of planning, design and construction, Council opened the Waste Transfer Station (WTS) facility at the Tharbogang in July 2016. The WTS has been designed to reduce the volume of waste being landfilled and enhance the recycling of materials. This will also result in the extension of the life of the current active landfill.
Integrated into the WTS is a Community Recycling Centre (CRC), this is a EPA initiative that provides a drop off centre for problem house hold waste items that shouldn’t go into Landfill. These waste products will be taken off site by a licenced contractor and recycled in the appropriate way. Items that can be disposed of at the CRC facility include: · Oil’s both engine and cooking · Gas bottles, fire extinguishes · Smoke detectors · Vehicle Batteries and Non Vehicle Batteries · Paints water/solvent based · Fluorescent tubes
Response to Waste Issues
The WTS facility will allow the community a safe location for disposal of waste and the ability to separate the items into 6 main categories · Domestic Mixed Waste · Green Waste · Steel · Ewaste · Concrete and Bricks · Mattress/Tyers It is Council’s intention to introduce paper/ cardboard and plastic recycling facilities to the transfer station.
In response to waste related pressures, Council has developed a number of strategies to assist in the implementation of sustainable solutions regarding waste minimisation and management. Strategies include: · Council has contracted out the recycling kerbside collection service to JR Richards & Sons. This service commenced in November 2008. · Griffith City Council Waste Management Centres, receives, separates and recycles green waste, steel, tyres,batteries and engine oil. · Council runs Drum Muster and Planet Ark Cartridge recycling programs. · Council staff continue to recycle waste paper. · Green waste at the landfill is chipped and mulched to use a cover over the landfill. · Trees removed by Council’s Parks and Gardens staff is chipped and mulched for reuse in parks around the city.
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Illegal Dumping Illegal dumping is the placement of waste onto private or public land where no license or approval exists to accept such waste. It varies from small bags of rubbish in an urban environment to larger scale dumping of materials in isolated areas, such as bushland. Illegal dumping is a continual problem in Griffith trending upwards (Figure 34 below). Waste Pollution Category Abandoned Vehicles Litter & Rubbish Dumping Overgrown Blocks Parks & Reserves Rubbish Removal Total
2012-2013 23 49 71 10 153
2013-2014 34 66 78 5 183
2014-2015 21 25 55 7 108
2015-2016 39 108 127 8 282
Council received a NSW Environmental Protection Authority Grant of $128,643.00 to target illegal dumping. Council’s campaign to target illegal dumping activities in the Griffith region is an ongoing effort that is part of a wider environmental protection strategy. The campaign identified five illegal dumping hot spots which were targeted during the campaign. These hot spots include: · Scenic Hill · The Aerodrome · Three Ways / Coombe Road and adjacent reserve · Behind Collina · Throne Road / Main Drain J The illegal dumping project enabled Council to increase their capacity to detect, investigate and prosecute offenders successfully. It also provided Council and stakeholders the opportunity to educate the community about the impact of illegal dumping on the environment and revegetate areas of native bush land previously damaged as a result of the illegal dumping problem. The project prevented illegal dumping within two identified hot spot areas and reduced the occurrence of illegal dumping incidents in the other three target hot spots. This was achieved through the installation of new fencing, gates and rock barriers. Regular camera surveillance, patrols and signage helped act as a deterrent and eliminated opportunities for illegal dumping offenders. The following activities were completed through-out the project: · Clean-up works · Installation rock barriers, gates and fencing at 2 hotspot areas. Install signage at all 5 hotspots
Above: New ‘No Dumping’ signage and site fenced and ripped for planting.
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· Restoration of native bush land (three days for the Green Army to carry out tree planting at Hotspot 2. Approximately 400 native trees, shrubs and ground cover were planted in Hotspot 2 - Aerodrome. · Patrol hotspot areas and investigate any new illegal dumping incidents · Increase community awareness · Monitoring, patrolling and investigation · Clean up days with local schools (Marion Catholic College and Wade High School - 40 participants in total over the two days)
Litter Grant New bins and cigarette bins were installed at the Community Gardens through funding from the “Terminate the Tosser Anti-Litter Campaign” (RAMROC Waste (Riverina Group) applied for the grant).
Community Participation in Waste Reduction The Environment & Sustainability Committee is a local community organisation that promotes sustainable communities through beautification projects, environmental conservation activities and town pride awareness programs. Each year the committee organises two awards that recognises locals who promote the Tidy Town image within Griffith.
Awards The Griffith Tidy Town & Sustainable Community Awards is run annually and promotes either local businesses or local schools that implement environmental sustainable practices, maintain their buildings and/or gardens. The winners of the Griffith Tidy Town & Sustainable Community Awards were: 2012/13 – Lake Wyangan Public School 2013/14 – Not Awarded 2014/15 – Wade High School 2015/16 – Griffith Preschool Kindergarten Since 2010 the Environment and Sustainability Committee has rewarded groups and individuals that promote the Tidy Towns image through the presentation of the Ron Inglis Memorial Tidy Towns Award. Ron Inglis was a long serving member of the Tidy Towns Group in Griffith and worked tirelessly to promote the Tidy Towns image within the community. The winners of the Ron Inglis Memorial Tidy Town Award were: 2012/13 – Griffith Shed for Men 2013/14 – Rhonda Jobbitt 2014/15 – Griffith Shed for Men 2015/16 – 2nd Griffith Scout Group
Clean Up Events As well as participating in the National Clean Up Australia Day event held on the first Sunday in March, Griffith City Council’s Environment & Sustainability Committee organises another event in August each year and encourages the community to help clean up Griffith. Clean Up Australia Day in regularly participated in by volunteers from the community, schools and businesses. 2012/13 - 23 sites, over 1200 volunteers 2013/14 - 16 sites, over 1000 volunteers 2014/15 - 17 Sites, over 1000 volunteers 2015/16 – 14 sites registered, over 1000 volunteers Griffith holds an Annual Clean-Up event on the first weekend in August each year and it is also regularly participated in by volunteers from the community, schools and businesses. 2012/13 - 60 volunteers 2013/14 - 25 volunteers
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2014/15 - 60 volunteers collected over 106 bags of rubbish These events, combined with the work Council is doing to combat illegal dumping help to tackle the issue of littering in our City. Council encourages individuals, schools businesses, groups or organisations to be involved and provides gloves, bags and sharps containers as well as a free pick-up service following the event.
Dump for Free Council has hosted â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Dump for Freeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; weekends since 2012. The Dump for Free program is held twice a year allowing residents to dispose of their bulky waste for free. General domestic waste can include garden rubbish, mixed recyclables and general waste. The weight per household is capped at 2 standard loads, which is the equivalent of a ute/car and trailer combo, or just a ute or car load. The Dump For Free initiative has helped to address the issue of illegal dumping throughout the Local Government Area, and has been popular running at both the Tharbogang and Yenda facilities. Asbestos or hazardous materials is not accepted during the Dump For Free weekend and a limit of 8 tyres per load is permitted.
Figure 35: Tonnes of waste delivered to landfill on Dump For Free Weekend
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Reporting on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 In line with the new ‘Integrated Planning and Reporting’ framework, Council must now also report on the Community Strategic Plan, Growing Griffith 2030 (2011). There has been some progress towards the objectives and actions laid out in the Plan, with many objectives referring to actions identified in the Griffith City Council Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2010). One waste management objective has been identified and is outlined overleaf.
Growing Griffith 2030 Strategy Valuing our Environment How do we achieve this? Objectives E12 To deal with waste more effectively, including using it as a resource
Progress Report
Provide information on the benefits Waste minimisation will drive down of effective waste minimisation and the amount of waste going into management landfill. This has a direct benefit to its carbon emissions. Inform the community of the Council and its contracted recycling personal financial cost of poor service provider conduct education waste management programs which cover all aspects of recycling and waste management. Rehabilitate three decommissioned This will occur when funds become landfill sites available. Develop a “Sustainable Living Guide’ The ‘Sustainable Living Guide’ has to inform the public on waste issues been developed and distributed to all households within the LGA. Complete annual waste Waste is categorised and recorded as characterisation audits it passes through the weighbridge. Provide clear, concise and complete A pamphlet has been developed and information on how the community distributed to all households about can assist waste minimisation recycling and composting. Council and its contracted recycling Provide and promote incentives service provider conduct education available to the community for more effective waste management, programs which cover all aspects of especially waste recycling and waste management. Implement waste watchers at local Waste Watchers has been schools and service clubs implemented at local schools.
Waste Recommendations · · · · ·
Continue recycling services to the community Review the Landfill Environmental Management Plan 1997 Complete annual waste characterisation audits Ensure ongoing community consultation/education on waste management initiatives including: o Positively reinforcing the need for effective waste minimisation and management o Providing positive information on the benefits of effective waste minimisation and management o Exhibiting the benefits and outcomes of the community commitment to and efforts in waste minimisation and management o Providing and promoting incentives available to the community for more effective waste management, especially waste minimisation o Informing the community of the personal financial cost of poor waste management Rehabilitate three decommissioned landfill sites
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November 2016