7.2 WATER QUALITY AND ECOSYSTEM HEALTH ACTIONS Implement key priority acid sulfate soil management actions from the draft Manning River Floodplain Prioritisation Study 2021: 2.01
Issues addressed
a) Reinstate 1550 ha of coastal wetlands on public and private land subject to landholder agreement b) Audit, upgrade, replace or decommission Council floodgates within the Lower Manning Floodplain and add them to MCC’s Asset Management Program. Promote rectification of floodgates on private land. Floodplain drainage and ASS; loss and degradation of coastal wetlands
Priority areas
The highest priority ASS areas for remediation are Moto, Ghinni Ghinni and Big Swamp. These three areas contribute 81% of the overall acid drainage risk Ghinni Ghinni Creek, Dickenson’s Creek, Lansdowne River and the northern arm of the Manning River downstream of Dumaresq Island are the highest acid impacted surface water areas in the estuary
Lead agency
MCC (Lead) and Hunter LLS in partnership with MC2T Landcare, DPI-Agriculture and DPIE - Crown Lands.
2.02 Issues addressed
Investigate options and work with landholders to restore 100 ha of coastal wetlands on both public and private land by 2031, for example by managing stock and reinstating tidal flushing. Agricultural impacts, loss and degradation of coastal wetlands, Biodiversity
Priority areas
CM SEPP-listed wetlands at Mitchells Island (Pelican Bay), Oxley Island, Cabbage Tree Island, Jones Island, Bohnock, Pampoolah, Mamboo Island, lower Lansdowne River, Dawson Wetlands
Lead agency
Hunter LLS (lead) with supporting agencies MCC, DPI-Fisheries, NSW Coastal Protection Scheme, Biodiversity Conservation Trust, MC2T Landcare, NPWS and DPIE - Crown Lands.
2.03 Issues addressed
Improve the condition, extent and connectivity of riparian and estuarine bank vegetation on private and public land by protecting and/or restoring 50 km of buffer vegetation by 2031. Riparian vegetation loss; Agricultural impacts, Biodiversity
Priority areas
Priority subcatchments with proximity to the estuary: Manning River, Scotts Creek, South Arm, Ghinni Ghinni Creek, Killabakh Creek, Lansdowne River, Dingo Creek, Mooral Creek, Cedar Party Creek. Priority subcatchments in the upper catchment: Barnard River, Gloucester River, Barrington River
Lead agency
Hunter LLS with support from MidCoast Council, NPWS and DPIE - Crown Lands.
Manning River Estuary and Catchment Management Program (ECMP)
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