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Table 4: Key impacts associated with water pollution from diffuse-source runoff
from Draft Manning River Catchment and Estuary and Catchment Management Program 2021-2031 - Main document
Sediment is released from eroding, disturbed
soils associated with grazing and cropping. It causes turbidity, decreases light in the water column and reduces the extent and condition of the aquatic plant assemblage in both freshwater and marine systems (Serov et al, 2019).
Freshwater tributaries with significant diffuse-
source run-off inputs from agriculture include the Little Manning (high phosphorous); the Barnard River (high turbidity, phosphorous, nitrogen); the Bowman and Gloucester rivers (high nitrogen).
Based on results in the Estuary Health Risk Model, nutrient and sediment hotspots include Cedar Party Creek and Lansdowne. “There are business advantages and resilience benefits that come from good management. If fertiliser is running off into the river, its money lost to the farmer.
We could manage soil better to hold water in the landscape for resilience from drought, flood and climate change.”
Key impacts of agricultural diffuse-source run-
off on catchment and estuary values are shown in Table 4 below42 .
Kirsty Hughes, member, ECMP Reference Group
Table 4: Key impacts associated with water pollution from diffuse-source runoff.
Stakeholders include: Hunter Local Land Services’ DPIE Department of Agriculture, MidCoast Council, MidCoast Dairy Advancement Group, NSW Farmers Association, Women in Dairy, Young Farmers Network, Economic Development Council.
Related issues: loss and degradation of coastal wetlands and riparian vegetation; floodplain drainage and ASS.
42 (NSW Government, 2009)
