Babinda Creek Environmental Sand Extraction Project

Daryl Killin & Greg DaweTerrain NRM

3 THEMES OF RIPARIAN REPAIR

SAND

ROCKS

TREES

Babinda Ck Action Plan (2011-2015): Restoring the flow, bank & life

Past poor land management Riparian repair works are essential

CONTEXT

 Ning-u Bulmba I you Bulmba Yonda Bulmba Youmee

Bulmba

Welcome to CountryIDINJI WELCOME

“This is my place, it is also your place and our place.”Murrai (Annie Wonga) 

The Russell River catchment has been the subject of numerous plans and reviews in the past 30+ years, many of which identify recurring issues that have long been associated with the area, including:

Loss of vegetation and natural buffer zones Sedimentation of the river and its tributaries Increasing pressures on health of waterway

due to severe erosion Waterway health (hydrology, water quality,

exotic weed infestations)

BABINDA CREEK ACTION PLAN

Remove excessive sedimentation Batter the slopes & rockwork where

required Re-establish riparian vegetation Community engagement & involvement Sustainable project funding (commercial &

non-commercial elements)

ENVIRONMENTAL SAND EXTRACTION OBJECTIVES

PROCESS 1. Field survey & data

collection

2. Data assessment, analysis &

visual presentation

6. Monitoring, evaluation

& reporting

5. Project managemen

t

3. Permits & approvals

4. Operational

planning

1. Field survey & data collection

Survey transects layout & six strata-sampling sites

2. Data assessment, analysis & visual presentation

Transect profiles (1 & 2) derived from GPS & dumpy-level survey showing location of strata sample sites 1 to 4 & base of extraction

zone (blue line)

Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 60

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

Spit stratigraphy across sample sites

Topsoil Sand Dark loam Sandy loam Coloured strata

Sand/pebble

mix

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

Mean deposition depth by strata type

Star

ta d

epth

(m

etre

s)

Mean deposition depths across spit

Wireframe plot of Stagers Spit showing sand extraction zone (purple) allowing 4 to 1 batter off headland

Site contours with waypoints classed for sand extraction potential at Z=18

Estimated 35K m3 Material Breakdown

(a)• Gross sand volume

(b)• Operations plan restrictions

( c )• Extractable sand volume

Determining amount of extractable sand

(A) GROSS SAND VOLUME CALCULATIONS

Volume calculation by Surfer_10 software on area bounded by 135 digitized points added to contour plot.

Area extends from headland on right bank to dry-season water’s edge.

Cut-off depth of extraction zone is 18m ASL.

Gross volume of sand in spit area is 39372 cubic metres

(B) OPERATIONS PLAN CONSIDERATIONS

Note that the Z level in the Surfer software refers to the dotted line below.

(C) FINAL SAND VOLUME CALCULATIONS

Method one: volume calculated by Surfer software on area inside

72 pt boundary

Mean sand depth 2.25mUn-blanked area 19575m2

VOLUME 44118m3

Method two: volume calculated manually from field-survey height (sand depth)data × planar area

Existing Arrangements: Landholder Guideline released by DERM Version 2 Feb 2012

Necessary excavating activities only in watercourse without RPP by owner or lessee in association with restoration, flood mitigation, erosion protection or weed control. For full details see handout http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/about/policy/documents/4765/wap_2011_4765.pdf

Once-off excavation only <500 cubic metres Requires consent of adjacent landowners Activities must be recorded and kept for a minimum of 2

years Operation must meet required outcomes and acceptable

solutions as (unavoidable removal, no adverse impact on water quality, must not impound/impede, no destabilisation)

3. Permits & Approvals: Existing Landholder Guidelines

DNRM gave Notice #300269 to RLCG of approval for up to 35,000 cubic metres of Quarry Material Jan 2013 under Water Act 2000 from the bed of Babinda Creek adjacent to Lot 2 on Plan RP742680 (adjoining Panebianco & Stager). The permit expires 31 Dec 2017 but the volume can be extracted in 1 year.

Requirement still for RLCG to obtain Development Approval from Cairns Regional Council via IDAS process – this is underway and CRC local Councillor Steve Brain is trying to get fees waived in lieu of the fact that RLCG is non-profit.

Material removed as waste is not to be used for any commercial purpose that is considered productive or commercial.

Cultural Heritage assessment will be carried out involving Wanyurr-Majay Traditional Owners prior to any operations proceeding.

3. Permits & Approvals: DNRM Allocation & Development Assessment

Next step is preparation of an RLCG Operational Plan to be endorsed by DNRM. Includes type and location of machinery, records management (daily extractions by volume), site rehabilitation with tree planting and 4:1 batter of sand leading up to southerly bank.

First priority of RLCG will be offering waste material to landowners as fill to be placed on riparian land adjacent to any reach of Babinda Creek. This sand is royalty free from DNRM but extraction and transport costs will still need to be paid.

Second priority will be exploring the possibility of commercial operations that will incur $1.79/m3 royalty to DNRM, involving a Quarry Material Allocation Notice. This will be done in a manner sensitive to the business interests of the other current licencees in the catchment.

4. RLCG Operational Plan

Upon finalisation of Operations Plan, Project Management will be done by RLCG and any contractors they engage.

Any contractors and machinery will need appropriate OH&S requirements, insurance etc.

Tree planting must be done as part of the operation and the cost will be included in extraction costs

All enquiries for sand will need to be emailed to RLCG russell.landcare@gmail.com or by phone on Tues & Wed on (07) 4067 2515.

5. Project Management

Note this is a non-profit project focussed first and foremost on monitoring the impacts and benefits of sand extraction on downstream erosion rates and flooding.

RLCG will report monthly to DNRM regarding extraction rates & with support from Terrain will monitor the downstream water quality impacts each month via photo points (already in place & GPSed) and regular water quality sampling.

Other agencies such as ACTFR will be invited to participate.

6. Monitoring & Reporting

Please save your questions for the Workshop…..

END of MAIN PRESENTATION