for tasmanian surface waters west coast …

DEPARTMENT of PRIMARYINDUSTRIES, WATER andENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT

GOALS

for TASMANIAN

SURFACE WATERS

WEST COAST MUNICIPAL AREA(Excluding the Gordon and Pieman River Catchments)

December 2000

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Environmental Management GoalsFor Tasmanian Surface Waters:West Coast Municipal Area

This discussion paper was used as a basis forcommunity and stakeholder participation in the processof developing environmental management goals for thewaterways that are located within the West Coastmunicipal area. The Pieman River catchment andGordon River catchments were not included in thispaper because Protected Environmental Values hadalready been set for these areas.

The discussion paper was prepared by the Division ofEnvironment, Planning, and Scientific Services inassociation with the Land and Water ManagementBranch, of the Department of Primary Industries,Water and Environment; and the West Coast Council.

Words and expressions used in this discussion paperhave, unless the contrary intention appears, the samemeaning as defined in the State Policy on WaterQuality Management 1997, the EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control Act 1994 and theWater Management Act, 1999. Ecosystem refers tophysical, chemical and biological aspects of theaquatic environment.

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1 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................... 41.1 WHY DO WE NEED WATER REFORM? .............................................................................................41.2 WHAT ARE THESE REFORMS? ........................................................................................................41.3 WHAT WILL THIS COMMUNITY INPUT ACHIEVE?............................................................................51.4 WHAT INFORMATION DID WE RECEIVE FROM THE COMMUNITY? ...................................................51.5 HOW WILL YOUR INPUT BE USED? .................................................................................................5

2 WEST COAST CATCHMENTS OVERVIEW ........................................................................ 72.1 CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................72.2 LAND USE .....................................................................................................................................82.3 WORLD HERITAGE VALUES ........................................................................................................102.4 CHARACTERISTIC WATER QUALITY............................................................................................102.5 CATCHMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ........................................................................................11

3 WATER QUALITY : THE STATE POLICY ON WATER QUALITY MANAGEMENT ........ 143.1 SETTING PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES ........................................................................143.2 PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES CATEGORIES .................................................................14

4 WATER QUALITY : PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES FOR CATCHMENTSWITHIN THE WEST COAST MUNICIPAL AREA...................................................................... 17

5 WATER QUANTITY VALUES FOR CATCHMENTS WITHIN THE WEST COASTMUNICIPAL AREA ..................................................................................................................... 29

5.1 OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................295.2 WATER QUANTITY VALUES .........................................................................................................29

6 COMMUNITY WATER VALUES FOR CATCHMENTS WITHIN THE WEST COASTMUNICIPAL AREA ..................................................................................................................... 31

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1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Why do we need water reform?

A good supply of fresh, clean water isan essential requirement for human life,a healthy environment and a productiveeconomy.

We need water for drinking, forrecreational activities like fishing,swimming and boating, to provide thefood we eat and export, to generateclean electricity, and to support miningand other industries.

We also expect our rivers and lakes tolook healthy, and provide a healthyenvironment for a wide range of aquaticplants and animals.

We sometimes take for granted that ouruse of water resources is sustainable;that our hard-working water will still bethere in a healthy state to provide thesame benefits for future generations.Our waterways are not immune fromproblems, however, and many of ourriver systems are showing signs ofstress.

Tasmanian rivers range from relativelyshort, swiftly flowing rivers fed frommountain sources to slowly flowingrivers which may be reduced to a seriesof pools during dry periods. River health, and the health of theeconomies that depend upon them, isclearly linked to the way we use thewaters; the degree of regulation weimpose; the quantity of water we takeout; and the quality of water we return.In response to a general recognitionacross the community of the importanceof having clean water and appropriateriver flows, the Tasmanian Governmentis currently finalising a range of reformsdesigned to ensure that these values areprotected for the future of the State.

1.2 What are these reforms?Two major aspects of the water reformsare water quality management andwater quantity management.(a) water quality managementThe State Policy on Water QualityManagement 1997 is designed tomaintain or enhance the quality ofTasmanian surface waters. Principalobjectives of the Policy include:

• Move on from reliance on ‘end ofpipe’ controls to take intoconsideration the number ofdischarges into a given water body,or the sensitivity or currentcondition of the water body.

• Ensure that diffuse source and pointsource pollution does not endangerthe achievement of water qualityobjectives, and that pollutantsdischarged to waterways arereduced as much as possible by theuse of best practice environmentalmanagement;

• Facilitate and promote integratedcatchment management.

• Focusing on overall water qualitymanagement strategies byidentifying those water qualityvalues and uses that are consideredworthy of protection.

The first purpose of this discussionpaper was to explain how the waterquality values will be identified andused. Local communities have a keyrole in identifying these values in theircatchments.

(b) water quantity managementThe Government has recently finalisednew water management legislation toreplace the Water Act 1957. The WaterManagement Act, 1999 provides for:

• major changes to the institutionalarrangements for water management;

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• the ready transfer of water rightsbetween different users;

• enhanced stakeholder and communityinput into water allocation andmanagement; and

• a more transparent and equitablewater allocation system, includingformal allocation of flows to maintaina healthy river environment.

The second purpose of this discussionpaper was to encourage communityinvolvement in ensuring sustainable useof our water resources by identifyingwater quantity values for catchments.These values will be of assistance to theDepartment in undertaking waterquantity planning in your catchment.

1.3 What will this community inputachieve?

Information on water quality valuesfrom the community assisted the Boardof Environmental Management andPollution Control and the West Coastcouncil to finalise the range ofProtected Environmental Values thesurface waters of your municipality.These values will be shown in council’splaning scheme.

1.4 What information did wereceive from the community?

Local communities have a valuableunderstanding of their regional water-ways. A series of workshops and publicmeetings were held throughout theregion where we asked questions like:What uses or values do you have forsurface waters in this area that rely uponmaintaining or enhancing water quality?Which of your activities rely uponmaintaining or enhancing the flow ofwater into catchment waterways? Arethere certain places on your rivers thatyou traditionally use for swimming or

other recreational activities? Do youfish in them? Are there specificfeatures of your rivers and streams thatare recognised scenic attractions, suchas rapids or waterfalls? Do you knowof rare or endangered animals or plantsin, or adjacent to, specific areas of yourrivers or streams? Do you use water forlivestock watering? Does your riversupply the local town water supply?Do you draw water from it to irrigateyour farm? How often do you need todraw water from it, and when?

Answers to these questions wererecorded as ‘Community Values’ Thesevalues are summarised in Section 6.

Planning to ensure sustainable use ofthese waters and protection of riverhealth requires sound knowledge oflocal water quality and quantity issues.Community input to this process isimportant. Many of the communitywater values and other issues that wereraised at the meeting could be bestmanaged through integrated catchmentmanagement.

1.5 How will your input be used?

Information from you on valuesparticularly relating to water qualityassisted the Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control, theDirector of Parks and your council tofinalise the range of ProtectedEnvironmental Values for the surfacewaters of your regional waterways.These values will be shown inmanagement plans for the region, and inlocal council planning schemes.Further details of what this means isgiven in Section 4.

Information from you on water quantityvalues will be utilised along with advicefrom stakeholders, catchment groupsand the public to better plan the waterresources of your catchment. Water

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management planning will be closelylinked with overall catchmentmanagement planning to put waterresource management on a sustainablefooting for the State. Watermanagement planning will be

undertaken on a priority basis, withstressed rivers in the State beingtargeted initially.

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WEST COAST CATCHMENTS OVERVIEW

2.1 Catchment description

The West Coast municipal area coversan area of approximately 9533 km2.Major river catchments that are partiallyor fully within the municipal areainclude the Pieman; the Gordon; theKing; the Henty; the top of the Davey;the Wanderer and Giblin. There are alsoseveral small coastal river catchments.

The region is characterised by acombination of high annual rainfall andlow evaporation. Rainfall eventsgenerated by the prevailing westerlywinds are typically of low intensity andlong duration producing high surfacerunoff. Occasionally high intensityrainfall events and snowfall alsocontribute to runoff. Generally rainfallis evenly distributed throughout the yearwith an increase from west to eastacross the region from 1500 mm to3000 mm.

The geology in the region is generallycharacterised by large areas ofPrecambrian quartzite and phyllitesoverlain by Ordovician and Devonianlimestones, sandstones and siltstones.The vegetation is generally wetsclerophyll forest, rainforest,buttongrass moor and wet scrub.

Protected Environmental Values havebeen set for the Gordon and Piemanriver catchments. The PEVs can befound in the following reports:‘Environmental Management Goals forTasmanian Surface Waters –Catchments within the Circular Headand Waratah/Wynyard MunicipalAreas, November 1999’ andEnvironmental Management Goals forTasmanian Surface Waters – GordonRiver System, February 2000’. Publicconsultation regarding the values anduses of Princess Creek nearQueenstown occurred as part of the

approval process for thecommencement of operations of CMTin 1996. An opportunity now exists torevisit Princess Creek as part of thePEV setting process.

The King River catchment, which isapproximately 816 km2 is containedentirely within the West Coastmunicipal area. The headwaters of thecatchment are within the CradleMountain Lake St Clair National Parkand run through conservation areas, un-allocated crown land, hydro land, stateforest and forest reserve beforedischarging at the north eastern end ofMacquarie Harbour. The Queen Riverand Lake Burbury are within the KingRiver catchment. Downstream of LakeBurbury the river has been regulated forhydro-power generation anddownstream of the Queen River theriver has been impacted by acid minedrainage.

The catchment that includes the Hentyand Little Henty Rivers isapproximately 831 km2. The HentyRiver starts in the West Coast Rangeand runs west to the coast. Majortributaries of the Henty include theYolande River, Tully River and BadgerRiver. The Little Henty River lies northof the Henty River and runs west to thecoast discharging south of TrialHarbour. The Little Henty begins in theMt Dundas Regional Reserve and runsthrough state forest and un-allocatedcrown land.

The Davey River catchment, which isapproximately 929 km2 is entirelycontained within the South WestNational Park and drains south to PortDavey. The headwaters of thecatchment are within the West Coastmunicipal area. The river has a journey

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of approximately 55 km before reachingthe coast1.

The Giblin River catchment (332 km2)is within the South West National Parkand drains west to the coast. It startswith approximately 200 m elevation andtravels for about 45 km beforedischarging. The Wanderer Rivercatchment (371 km2) starts withapproximately 600 m elevation andtravels for about 45 km before drainingto the west coast2. It is contained withinthe South West Conservation area andalso drains west to the coast.

2.2 Land UseThere are three major towns in theregion covered by this discussion paper,namely Queenstown, Zeehan andStrahan. The largest employer in theregion is mining, with approximately 33% of the West Coast populationemployed in this industry3.

There are town drinking water suppliesservicing Zeehan, Strahan, Queenstown,Gormanston and Linda. Drinking wateris treated at Queenstown, Zeehan andStrahan. Council provides advice onthe necessity to boil water before it isused for drinking at Linda, Gormanstonand Queenstown. Water supplies atGranville Harbour and Trial Harbourare private water supplies that are, asyet, not registered with the Council.

There are wastewater treatment plants(WWTP) at Queenstown, Zeehan, 1 SW Working Paper No 20 – Davey RiverCatchment (1981) South West TasmaniaResources Survey.

2 SW Working Paper No 19 (1981). Wanderer-Giblin Catchment. South West TasmaniaResources Survey.

3 Sinclair Knight Merz (1999) Abt Railway –Summary of Proposal, Assessed EnvironmentalImpacts and Proposed EnvironmentalManagement Measures.

Strahan, Granville Harbour and TrialHarbour. The facilities at Granville andTrial Harbour use in-ground absorptiontrenches. The Strahan WWTPdischarges to a small creek onMacquarie Harbour, the Zeehan WWTPdischarges to the Zeehan Rivulet andthe Queenstown WWTP discharges tothe Queen River. Smaller communitiesin the region use either septic tanks orenviro-cycle wastewater treatmentsystems. The upper reaches of RisbyCove, Macquarie Harbour, have in thepast, been impacted by leachate fromseptic systems. This is predominantly ahistorical problem.

Mining has been fundamental to thesocial and economic development of theWest Coast. The mineral rich geologyof the area has resulted in extensiveexploration and mining operations.Historical mining operations havesignificantly impacted the water qualityand aquatic habitats in several rivers inthe Zeehan and Queenstown areas. Theimpacts on the environment of somehistorical operations are still being felttoday. A great deal of time and money,for example, is being spent onremediation of historical miningimpacts associated with the Queen andKing Rivers.

There are currently two level two mines(Henty Gold Mine and CMT) and twolevel one mines operating in the regioncovered by this discussion paper. Thereare also several other mines that havebeen approved but are not operating. Alimestone quarry and crushing plantexist at Lynchford. A currentlyoperating mineral concentrate transferstation exists near Zeehan.

Many of the major west coast rivers areregulated for hydro-electric powergeneration. The Gordon River and thePieman River schemes have beendiscussed in the Environmental

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Management Goals discussion papersfor those catchments. Two other powerschemes exist in the region of interest inthis current discussion paper, namelythe King River Power Development andthe Anthony Power Development4. TheKing River Power Developmentcommenced in 1983. The developmentconsists of two dams, the Crotty Damon the King River and the Darwin Damwhich is at the southern end of LakeBurbury. The two dams created the 54square kilometre water storage, LakeBurbury, east of Queenstown. LakeBurbury supplies water to the JohnButters Power Station that is locatedsouth of Queenstown on the banks ofthe King River. The Anthony PowerDevelopment also commenced in 1983and consists of dams and canals thatdivert water from the westerly flowingheadwaters of the Henty River and itstributaries into the headwaters of theAnthony River. The Anthony River is inthe Pieman catchment and the divertedwater has increased flows through thethree power stations of the PiemanRiver Power Development. The TributePower Station harnesses the 300 m fallof the Anthony River on its journey tothe Pieman River. Another small powerscheme exists on the Yolande River.The Lake Margaret power schemeoriginally consisted of two powerstations. The first was bought on line in1914 by the Mount Lyell Mining andRailway Company. The second wasbuilt downstream in 1934. After theHydro took over the power schemes in1985, the lower power station wasclosed for safety reasons. The powerscheme is now considered to be aheritage asset.

Aquaculture is an emerging andimportant industry for the Strahan andMacquarie Harbour region. There are 4 Scanlon A. (1995) Water Power. Produced forthe Hydro Electricity Corporation.

currently 10 marine farm leases and oneexploratory licence within the harbour,accounting for a total of about 57 ha ofmarine farming waters. The MacquarieHarbour Marine Farming DevelopmentPlan identifies current and future areasin Macquarie Harbour that areimportant to the aquaculture industry5.The waters of Macquarie Harbour aresuitable for finfish but not shellfishharvesting. This is primarily due to thecopper loads entering the harbour fromthe King river and the bio-accumulationpotential of shellfish. The MarineFarming Development Plan currentlydivides the harbour into three zonesbased on the future potential for finfishfarming. These zones are reflected inthe PEVs proposed for MacquarieHarbour. It is hoped that in future years,with the continued remediation of MtLyell and the King River, that thewaters north of Yellow Bluff will oneday be suitable for finfish harvesting. Ifthis occurs the PEVs could be altered toreflect this change.

In past years Macquarie Harboursupported about 20 commercialfishermen but this has now declined toabout 2-3 fishermen working theshallow sand flats of the harbour forflounder2.

Land available for agriculture is notextensive within the West Coastmunicipal area. A large section ofprivate land near Granville Harbour isused primarily for beef cattle.Tourism in the west coast region hasincreased significantly over recentyears. In 1995-96 approximately 26 %of all interstate and overseas visitors toTasmania visited Strahan. This 5 DPIWE (1998) Marine Farming DevelopmentPlan, Macquarie Harbour. Prepared by theMarine Resources Division, Department ofPrimary Industries, Water and Environment.

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percentage is expected to increase withfurther development and upgrading ofvisitor services in the region. Access towater plays a significant role inattracting visitors to the region. Cruiseson Macquarie Harbour, rafting andfishing are popular visitor activities.

A significant proportion of the landwithin the West Coast municipal area ismanaged by Forestry Tasmania asmultiple use forests. State forests withinthis region are covered by theMurchison Forest District – ForestManagement Plan6. Forestry practicesin State forests are required to operatein accordance with the Forest PracticesCode and Forestry TasmaniaManagement Decision ClassificationSystem. State forests, althoughmanaged primarily for productionlogging, support other industries such ashoney production, mineral explorationand mining. State forests are alsomanaged to support a range ofrecreational activities including fishing,boating and swimming.

The west coast region is wellrecognised for its conservation values.Apart from the World HeritageWilderness areas, which are discussedbelow, there are several large reservesmanaged primarily for theirconservation values. Several of themare multiple use reserves withmanagement objectives defined in theNational Parks and Wildlife Act 1970,the Forestry Act, 1920 and the RegionalForest Agreement (Land Classification)Act, 1998. Activities occurring withinthese reserves should be consistent withthe management objectives.

2.3 World Heritage Values

6 Forestry Tasmania (1998) Murchison ForestDistrict – Forest Management Plan

The World Heritage listing of a largeportion of the West Coast is recognitionof the unique natural and cultural valuesof the region. These features and otherspecial values – recreational, economic,scientific, educational and inspirational– are identified in the TasmanianWilderness World Heritage AreaManagement Plan7. These values arebriefly detailed below.

The region is characterised byoutstanding landform features; aprofusion of threatened, rare andendemic plants within a mosaic of plantcommunities; a unique assemblage ofwildlife; and pristine catchments largelyfree of human impacts. There are alsosignificant cultural sites both in terms ofAboriginal habitation and more recentactivities since European settlement.The wide range of recreationalopportunities within the region is alsoseen to have economic importance as abasis for sustainable nature-basedtourism.

2.4 Characteristic Water Quality

Rivers and streams on the west coast aregenerally and naturally slightly acidicbecause of the large humic acid inputfrom the button grass plains. In someareas on the west coast rivers areaffected by acid mine drainage, furtherreducing the pH. Rivers are alsonaturally clear but coloured and havelow salinity.

A 1997 study of key locations withinTasmanian Wilderness World Heritageareas found that surface waters weresuitable for primary contact activitiessuch as swimming but did not meet

7 Tasmanian Wilderness WHA ManagementPlan 1999. Tasmanian Parks & WildlifeService.

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microbiological standards for drinkingwater (without boiling)8.

The permanent, fast flowing rivers ofthe west coast have faunal communitiesand species differing from those foundin lakes or slower moving rivers inother parts of the state. Much of theaquatic vegetation and fauna haveadapted to low nutrient and low pHconditions. Several faunal species arelisted under Tasmanian ThreatenedSpecies Protection Act, 1995. TheAustralian grayling is listed asvulnerable. A caddisfly (Diplectonalyella) and a freshwater snail(Beddoneia zeehanensis) are listed asrare. These species all rely on healthyriparian habitats, river flow and waterquality.

Several of the larger rivers on the westcoast have been modified due to waterimpoundment or through historicmining activities. Water impoundmentcan impact on water quality throughflow regulation and physico-chemicalchanges while water is in storage. Acidmine drainage and increased heavymetal levels or high turbidity haveresulted from historic mining in severalareas on the west coast.

2.5 Catchment environmentalissues

As stream conditions are determinedboth by in-stream activities andsurrounding land-use activities,waterways act as a good indicator ofcatchment health. Healthy waterwaysare indicative of sustainably managedcatchments.

There are several environmental issuesassociated with the rivers, lakes and

8 Davies P. and Driessen M. (1997) SurfaceWater Quality at three key locations in theTasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

wetlands of the West Coast municipalarea.

Soils within the region are verysusceptible to erosion by water. Theprincipal areas of erosion are associatedwith past mining practices and in someinstances forest logging on the highlyerodible granite soils9. Sheet erosion isalso widespread in the south west and istypically associated with areas ofreasonably well drained peat supportingsedgeland/heath which is frequentlyburnt. Track erosion and stream-bankerosion are also common10.

Historical mining activities resulting inacid mine drainage (AMD) haveprobably had the most significantimpacts on the regional waterways ofthe West Coast. Many creeks and riversin the Zeehan and the Queenstown areahave been impacted by AMD. Acidmine drainage and the elevated heavymetal concentrations that usuallyaccompany AMD have severelyimpacted the ecosystems of rivers suchas the Queen, the King (downstream ofthe Queen), Linda Creek and PeasoupCreek near Zeehan. Other rivers such asComstock Creek near Queenstown, theDundas River, Nike Creek, Silver LeadCreek and Zeehan Rivulet have also hadtheir water quality and aquaticecosystems impacted by AMD. Asignificant research and remediationeffort is focusing on the rivers andcreeks associated with historical miningin the Queenstown area. TheMonitoring River Health Program hasalso investigated the impacts of AMD 9 Land Systems of Tasmania Region 3 -NorthWest (1978). Department of Primary Industries,Water and Environment (formerly Departmentof Agriculture Tasmania)

10 Land Systems of Tasmania Region 7 – SouthWest (1989) Department of Primary Industries,Water and Environment (formerly Departmentof Primary Industries Tasmania)

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on other West Coast River ecosystems.There are, however, many more gaps inour knowledge regarding the generalhealth of the west coast rivers.

The recently released Wilderness WorldHeritage Area Management Plan raisesa number of issues related to waterquality11. • Cool regional climate provides

suitable conditions for water bornepathogens such as Giardia (presentin the faeces of domestic and nativeanimals).

• Even in areas of high wildernessquality, water doesn’t necessarilymeet the national drinking waterquality guidelines. This is primarilydue to bacterial contamination fromnative animals.

• In some high use world heritageareas, human waste is potentially aproblem in terms of threateningwater quality.

• Development of roads, mines andquarries may result in pollution ofwaterways due to the runoff ofsediment and other pollutants.

The King River catchment is presentlyused for hydro-electricity generation asis the top of the Henty River catchment.There is a range of water managementissues associated with the operation ofthese schemes including:• Dams acting as barriers to the

migration of aquatic species.• Physico-chemical changes in the

waters of large storages.

• Possible impacts of aesthetics,shoreline erosion and habitat due tovariations in lake levels.

• Changes to the natural flow(through both storage and diversion

11 Tasmanian Wilderness WHA ManagementPlan 1999. Tasmanian Parks and WildlifeService. P111

of water) of rivers and theassociated impacts on aquaticspecies.

• Possible links between varieddischarge and bank erosion

The running of the power station on theKing River has significantly altered thenatural flow of the lower King River.This has altered the amount of dilutionthe King River provides for the metal-rich Queen River. Additionally, thereduction of large flood events in theKing catchment has reduced thereworking of tailings banks which weredeposited under the ‘old’ flow regime12.The connection of Tasmania to themainland electricity grid via theBasslink cable is likely to result inchanges to the Hydro’s systemsoperations, possibly affecting the KingRiver power station. As part of theenvironmental impact assessmentprocess for this development, studieswill be undertaken to determine thepotential impacts of changed flowregimes on the lower King River withrespect to the metal rich sediment in theKing River and at the delta at the mouthof the King River.

Other possible environmental issues forthe region’s waterways include:• Threatened species protection;• Erosion through forestry and other

land use activities and associatedloss of, or stress to, aquatic andriparian habitat;

12 Koehnken L. (1997) Mount LyellRemediation – Final Report. Mount LyellRemediation Research and DemonstrationProgram.

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• Lack of comprehensive waterquality data in the region;

• Management of Aboriginal andEuropean cultural heritage sitesalong waterways in the region;

• Cumulative impacts associated withthe aquaculture industry inMacquarie Harbour;

• Cumulative impacts associated withwater related tourism activities inthe region;

• Water quality issues associated withseptic tanks in some of the towns ofthe region.

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3 WATER QUALITY : THE STATE POLICY ON WATERQUALITY MANAGEMENT

3.1 Setting ProtectedEnvironmental Values

The first step in the implementation ofthe State Policy on Water QualityManagement 1997 is the identificationof Protected Environmental Values(PEVs) for the surface waters in yourregion. PEVs are the current valuesand uses of a water body for whichwater quality should be protected.These values and uses should be clearlyin evidence at the time of theimplementation of the Policy. The Policy specifies a range of PEVswhich may be applied to a given waterbody. More than one PEV may beapplied to a water body. The PEVs are:A. Protection of Aquatic EcosystemsB. Recreational Water Quality and

aestheticsC. Raw Water for Drinking Water

SupplyD. Agricultural Water UseE. Industrial Water Supply

These values are described in moredetail in Section 5.2.

The Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control willthen specify a range of Water QualityObjectives. These will be designed toensure the quality of water in that waterbody is maintained at a level that willallow the chosen PEVs to be protected.

The Policy also sets out a range ofstrategies which are aimed at ensuringthat waste water discharges from pointsources (such as industrial or sewagetreatment plant discharges) and diffusesources (such as runoff from highways,urban areas, farms, forest harvestingetc.) will not endanger the achievementof the Water Quality Objectives.

The Board and local planningauthorities will use these strategies inland use planning and approvalsprocesses, and in ongoing regulation, toensure that the PEVs for a given waterbody are maintained or enhanced overtime.

3.2 Protected EnvironmentalValues Categories

The Policy lists a range of PEVs whichare used to describe the identifiedvalues and uses of a given water body.These are: A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems(i) Pristine or nearly pristine

ecosystems;(ii) Modified (not pristine)

ecosystems:(a) from which edible fish, crustaceaand shellfish are harvested, or

(b) from which edible fish, crustaceaand shellfish are not harvested.

What does pristine mean?"Pristine" means waters not subject tohuman interference through dischargesor other activities within the catchment(Australian Water Quality Guidelines1992).B: Recreational Water Quality &Aesthetics(i) Primary contact water quality(ii) Secondary contact water quality(iii) Aesthetics water quality‘Primary contact’ means recreationinvolving bodily immersion /submersion where there is direct contactwith water, & includes swimming,diving, surfing, water skiing.

‘Secondary contact’ means activitieswhere there is some direct watercontact, but it is unlikely that water willbe swallowed (e.g. paddling, boating,and fishing).

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‘Aesthetics’ means visual appearance ofthe water, being free from oil, grease,floating debris, unnatural colour, algalblooms etc.C: Raw Water for Drinking Supply(i) Subject to coarse screening

only;(ii) Subject to coarse screening and

disinfection. This PEV applies to water used as theintake source for public use (townwater supply, in other words) and toregistered private water supplies.It does not apply to the taking of waterfrom surface waters by individuals forprivate use for the purposes of drinkingetc.The Director of Public Healthrecommends that raw water from anysurface waterbody should be boiledbefore use. Water used for domestic purposes suchas washing and cleaning is known as‘homestead use’ and can be recognisedas a community water value. A‘homestead use’ does not include waterfor drinking.D: Agricultural Water Uses(i) Irrigation(ii) Stock watering

E: Industrial Water SupplyThe actual industry type must bespecified in order to identify appropriateguidelines.

previously have used them for, andwhether you strongly believe that theyshould be improved to support thoseuses again. For example, are therewaters that you swam in as a child thatyou no longer are able to?

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4 WATER QUALITY : PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES FORCATCHMENTS WITHIN THE WEST COAST MUNICIPAL AREA

The Board, in association with the WestCoast Council and Director of Parks,had, as a starting point, suggested someof the water quality PEVs that may besuitable for surface waters of the WestCoast municipal area (Table 1). Asindicated earlier, PEVs for the GordonRiver Catchment and the Pieman RiverCatchment have already beendetermined.

These proposed PEVs provided thebasis for discussion with regionalstakeholders and interest groups atcommunity values workshops in Zeehan(4th April 2000) and Strahan (5th April2000).The workshops covered bothwater quality and quantity issues in theregion (Refer Section 6). Outcomesfrom this workshop were used to furtherdevelop the PEVs for the West CoastMunicipal Area (Table 2) andcommunity water quantity values.

The general public were also invited viaadvertisement in the Western Herald tocomment on the proposed PEVs inpublic forums at Zeehan (4th April 200and Strahan (5th April 2000) or during asubsequent submission period.

The PEVs detailed below have beenendorsed by the Board ofEnvironmental Management andPollution Control and the West CoastCouncil and the Director of Parks.

The PEVs chosen from this Policy arethose values and uses that are currentlyin evidence and apply on to the surfacewaters of the West Coast MunicipalArea excluding those surface waterswith in the Gordon and Pieman RiverCatchments.

The final PEVs will be shown in MarineFarm Plans, Park Management Plansand used to assist with WaterManagement and Natural ResourceManagement Planning.

Remember - the ProtectedEnvironmental Values are those valuesand uses that are currently in evidence.

Protected Environmental Valuesreflect current values and uses of awater body but do not necessarilyimply that the existing water qualitywill support these values and uses.

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Table 1: PEVs for waterways within the West Coast Municipal AreaPEVs for waterways within the West Coast municipal area excluding the Gordon and PiemanRiver Catchments

Land Tenure/Zone Protected Environmental Value *(see note page 28)

Surface waters onprivate land (including forest onprivate land)

A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems (ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems

(a) From which edible fish are harvested

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(ii) Secondary contact water quality(iii) Aesthetic water quality

D: Agricultural Water Uses (ii) Stock watering

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, but modifiedaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; that is acceptablefor stock watering purposes; which will allow people to safely engage insecondary contact recreation activities such as paddling or fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters.

Surface waters inState forest


(a) From which edible fish are harvestedhaving regard for Forestry Tasmania ‘Management DecisionClassification System’.

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(i) Primary contact water quality** (see note on page 28)

(ii) Secondary contact water quality(iii) Aesthetic water quality

E: Industry Water Supply – Hydro electricity power generation (upstream ofhydro impoundments)

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, but modifiedaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; which will allowpeople to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming, kayaking,paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For surface waters upstream of hydro impoundments, water should be suitable for hydro-electricpower generation (following impoundment).

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PEVs for waterways within the West Coast municipal area excluding the Gordon and PiemanRiver Catchments

Surface watersflowing throughforest reservesfrom State forest,private land or un-allocated crown land

Surface waterswithin forestreserves that havetheir headwaterswithin the reserve

A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems

(a) From which edible fish are harvestedhaving regard for the management objectives for forest reservesoutlined in Schedule 3 of the Forestry Act, 1920.




That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, but modifiedaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; which will allowpeople to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming, kayaking,paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For surface waters upstream of hydro impoundments, water should be suitable for hydro-electricpower generation (following impoundment).

A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems ** (see note on page 28)

(i) Protection of pristine or nearly pristine ecosystemshaving regard for the management objectives for forest reservesoutlined in Schedule 3 of the Forestry Act, 1920.

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(i) Primary contact water quality ** (see note on page 28)


E: Industry Water Supply – Hydro electricity power generation (upstream ofhydro impoundments)That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine or near pristineaquatic ecosystem and which will allow people to safely engage in recreationactivities such as swimming, kayaking, paddling or fishing in aestheticallypleasing waters. For surface waters up stream of hydro impoundments, watershould be suitable for hydro-electric power generation (followingimpoundment).

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Surface waterswithin nationalparks and naturereserves, that havetheir headwaterswithin the parks orreserves

Surface watersflowing throughnational parks andnature reservesfrom state forest, un-allocated crown landor private land

A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems

(i) Pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems** (see note on page 28) having regard for the management objectives for national parks andnature reserves outlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parks andWildlife Act, 1970 and for world heritage areas having regard for themanagement objectives of the World Heritage Area Management Plan


(ii) Secondary contact quality(iii) Aesthetics quality


That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine or nearly pristineaquatic ecosystem and which will allow people to safely engage in recreationactivities such as swimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasingwaters. For surface waters up stream of hydro impoundments, water shouldbe suitable for hydro-electric power generation (following impoundment).

A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems (i) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems

(a) from which edible fish are harvestedhaving regard for the management objectives for national parks andnature reserves outlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parks andWildlife Act, 1970 and for world heritage areas having regard for themanagement objectives of the World Heritage Area Management Plan




That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, but modifiedaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; and which willallow people to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming,paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For surface waters upstream of hydro impoundments, water should be suitable for hydro-electricpower generation (following impoundment).

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Surface waterswithin regionalreserves andconservationareas, that havetheir headwaterswithin the reserve orconservation area

Surface watersflowing throughregional reservesand conservationareas from stateforest, un-allocatedcrown land or privateland

A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems ** (see note on page 28)

(i) Protection of Pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems having regard for the management objectives for regional reservesand conservation areas outlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parksand Wildlife Act, 1970

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(i) Primary contact water quality ** (see note on page 28)



That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine or nearly pristineaquatic ecosystem and which will allow people to safely engage in recreationactivities such as swimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasingwaters. For surface waters up stream of hydro impoundments, water shouldbe suitable for hydro-electric power generation (following impoundment).


(a) From which edible fish are harvestedhaving regard for the management objectives for regional reservesand conservation areas outlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parksand Wildlife Act, 1970




That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, but modifiedaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; and which willallow people to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming,paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For surface waters upstream of hydro impoundments, water should be suitable for hydro-electricpower generation (following impoundment).

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Surface waters onhydro electriccorporation land



B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(i) Primary contact water quality(where permitted) ** (see note on page 28)

(ii) Secondary contact water quality(iii) Aesthetics water quality

E: Industrial Water Supply – Hydro Electric Power Generation

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, but modifiedaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; which will allowpeople to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming, kayaking,paddling or fishing (where such activities are permitted) in aestheticallypleasing waters; and which is also suitable for hydro-electric power generation(following impoundment).

Surface waters onun-allocated Crownland

In addition: watersupply on LynchCreek, West QueenRiver, East QueenRiver, Queen River,Comstock Creekand Henty River formining ;

and water supply onLynch Creek andupstream of hydro-impoundments forhydro-electric powergeneration



B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics

(i) Primary contact water quality** (see note on page 28)


E: Industrial Water Supply - water for mining and mineral processing onspecified creeks or rivers and for hydro-electric power generation on LynchCreek and upstream of hydro impoundments.

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, but modifiedaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; which is suitablefor mining and mineral processing in specified locations and hydro-electricpower generation on Lynch Creek and upsteam of hydro-impoundments; andwhich will allow people to safely engage in recreation activities such asswimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters.

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Surface watersflowing throughreserves dedicatedunder the CrownLands Act 1976 fromprivate land, stateforest or un-allocated Crownland.

Surface waterswithin reservesdedicated under theCrown Lands Act1976 that have theirheadwaters withinthe reserves andwhich are alsocurrently subject toassessment underthe Regional ForestAgreement (LandClassification) Act,1998


(a) from which edible fish are harvested




That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a modified, but healthyaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish are harvested; which will allowpeople to safely engage in recreation activities such as swimming, kayaking,paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters. For surface waters upstream of hydro impoundments, water should be suitable for hydro-electricpower generation (following impoundment).

A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems(** See note on page 28) (i) Protection of pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(i) Primary contact water quality(**See note on page 28)(ii) Secondary contact water quality(iii) Aesthetic water quality


That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a pristine or near pristineaquatic ecosystem and which will allow people to safely engage in recreationactivities such as swimming, paddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasingwaters. For surface waters up stream of hydro impoundments, water shouldbe suitable for hydro-electric power generation (following impoundment).

King River downstream of the Queenriver; Queen Riverdownstream of Eastand West QueenRiver branches;Peasoup Creek;Linda Creek


(b) from which edible fish are not harvested

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(ii) Secondary contact water quality (King River downstream of

Teepookana Bridge only)(iii) Aesthetic water quality

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a modified ecosystem fromwhich edible fish may not be harvested; that will allow people to safely engagein recreation activities such as jet boating (on the King River downstream ofTeepookana Bridge) and to maintain or enhance those aesthetic qualities thatexist.

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Comstock CreekLyall ComstockCreekDundas RiverSilver Lead CreekNike CreekZeehan Rivulet(downstream ofSilver Lead Creek)


(b) from which edible fish are not harvested

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics

(i) Primary Contact water quality (Dundas River at MurchisonHighway Bridge)


That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a modified ecosystem fromwhich edible fish may not be harvested; which will allow people to safelyengage in recreation activities such as swimming (Dundas River at HighwayBridge), paddling or boating in aesthetically pleasing waters.

Little Henty River(downstream ofZeehan Rivulet)



B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(i) Primary contact water quality (at bridges and mouth of river)(ii) Secondary contact water quality(iii) Aesthetic water quality

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a modified ecosystem fromwhich edible fish may be harvested; which will allow people to safely engagein recreation activities such as swimming in designated places, paddling andboating in aesthetically pleasing waters.

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Town Water Supply

Linda (at watersupply weir)Gormanston( atwater supply weir)Zeehan (PartingCreek catchment)Queenstown(Upstream ofConglomerate Creekdam; upstream ofreservoir Creek damand Roaring MegCreek)Strahan (ManukaRiver at watersupply dam)



B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(i) Primary contact water quality (where permitted)(ii) Secondary contact water quality(iii) Aesthetic water quality

C: Raw Water for Drinking Water Supply(ii) Subject to coarse screening plus disinfection

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a healthy, but modifiedaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish may be harvested; which will allowpeople to safely engage in primary contact recreation activities such asswimming (where permitted), secondary contact recreation activities such aspaddling or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters and which is suitable as araw water supply for drinking water supply (subject to coarse screening plusdisinfection).

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Macquarie HarbourZone 1 Withinboundary of theMacquarie HarbourHistoric Site(TasmanianWilderness WorldHeritage Area) thisbeing between CoalHead and SteadmanPoint and includesthe Farm CoveGame Reserve

Zone 2 – Boundedby Backagain Pointand Yellow Bluff,Macquarie HarbourHistoric Site(TasmanianWilderness WorldHeritage Area) andthe boundarybetween Yellow Bluffand Sophia Point


(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems (a) from which edible fish and crustacea but not shellfish are

harvested;

having regard for the management objectives for national parksoutlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1970 andfor the management objectives of the World Heritage AreaManagement Plan

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(i) Primary contact water quality(ii) Secondary contact water quality(iii) Aesthetic water quality

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a modified, but healthyaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish and crustacea but not shellfish maybe harvested; which allows people to safely engage in activities such asswimming; and allows boating or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters.



harvested;


E: Industrial Water Supply – Aquaculture (for those areas covered by theMacquarie Harbour Marine Farming Development Plan)

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a modified, but healthyaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish and crustacea but not shellfish maybe harvested; which allows people to safely engage in activities such asswimming; allows boating or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters and issuitable for finfish farming.

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Macquarie Harbour(continued)Zone 3 – north of theboundary betweenYellow Bluff andLignite Creek

Zone 4 Lettes Bay (betweenDead Horse Pointand King Point and

Risby Cove(between StrahanPoint and RegattaPoint)

Zone 5 – Boundedby Spur Point andYellow Bluff andMacquarie Heads(Nigger Head toBraddon Point)



harvested;


That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a modified, but healthyaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish and crustacea but not shellfish maybe harvested; which allows people to safely engage in activities such asswimming; and allows boating or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters.


(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems (a) from which edible fish but not shellfish or crustacea are

harvested;

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics(ii) Secondary contact water quality(iii) Aesthetic water quality

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a modified, but healthyaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish but not shellfish or crustacea may beharvested; which allows people to safely engage in activities such as boatingor fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters.


(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems (a) from which edible fish, crustacea and shellfish are

harvested;


E: Industrial Water Supply – Aquaculture (for those areas covered by theMacquarie Harbour Marine Farming Development Plan)

That is, as a minimum, water quality management strategies should providewater of a physical and chemical nature to support a modified, but healthyaquatic ecosystem from which edible fish, crustacea and shellfish may beharvested; which allows people to safely engage in activities such asswimming; allows boating or fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters and issuitable for finfish farming.

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*In general, diffuse source pollution can be managed to protect the PEVs by compliance with approved codes ofpractice, or by development and implementation of best practice environmental management guidelines wherecodes are not available.

In general, point source pollution should be managed to protect the PEVs by implementation of best practiceenvironmental management, and by compliance with emission limits set by the regulatory authority. This may alsorequire the setting of a mixing zone by the Board of Environmental Management and Pollution Control.

For specific details refer to Part 4 of the State Policy on Water Quality Management, 1997.

**Historic mining activities or other historic land uses may have resulted in long term water quality impactsto some streams or rivers within these reserve classes and to their associated ecosystems. This may meanthat the water quality in these rivers or streams may not currently support pristine or nearly pristineecosystems or primary contact recreational activities. This should be taken into consideration at the timethat management decisions are being made for individual rivers or streams. Water quality data is notcurrently available for most surface waters in these areas.

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5 WATER QUANTITY VALUES FOR CATCHMENTS WITHINTHE WEST COAST MUNICIPAL AREA

5.1 Overview

While water quality is a very importantpart of any water management regime,the issue of how much water a river orstream carries, and how that flow ismanaged, is of equal importance. Waterquality and quantity are closely linked.

The State Government proposes to re-organise the way water flow in ourrivers and streams is managed, and oneof the key understandings is that thereneeds to be a specific allocation ofwater for the river or stream itself. Thisis necessary not only to protect theaquatic life of the river, but also tomaintain basic "river health". If there isinsufficient flow at crucial times of theyear, the overall quality of theremaining water may be badly affected.This will very likely have a negativeeffect on human uses of the water, aswell as on the environment.

In some instances there may becompeting uses for the availableresource, and that there may need to betrade-offs to ensure a balanced sharingarrangement between human uses andthe needs of the river environment.

The allocation of water for theenvironment must be based on scientificinformation and also on legitimatecommunity values and uses.

5.2 Water quantity values

Five broad categories of water quantityvalues have been identified, and as withthe water quality PEVs, it is likely thatmost rivers will attract more than onevalue/use category. The categories are:• Ecosystem values;

• Physical landscape values.

• Consumptive and non-consumptiveuse values;

• Recreation values;

• Aesthetic landscape values;

Your advice will provide input into abroader process aimed at gatheringwater management values fromstakeholders, community groups andgovernment agencies. This informationwill be utilised when water managementplanning for your catchment isundertaken.

An explanation of the water quantityvalue categories and examples ofspecific values are given below:

Ecosystem values: The term is used toidentify those values that are to beprotected and / or enhanced in thecurrent state of aquatic and adjacentland ecosystems. Community WaterValues associated with the ecosystemvalue category may be:• protection of an endangered species

(plant or animal);

• protection or improvement in nativefish populations;

• protection of riverine vegetation;

• provision of adequate water forstream habitat for flora and fauna;

• provision of water for wetlandand/or estuary ecosystems.

Physical Landscape values: Thesevalues are closely related to the physicalnature of the catchment. This includesthe nature and constitution of channels,the frequency of floods and droughts,soil and rock types, and vegetationcoverage. These values are also closelyassociated with ecosystem function, andmay overlap with the protection of

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ecosystem values. Community WaterValues associated with physicallandscape values may include:• provision of variable flows;

• prevention of erosion;

• protection or improvement ofriparian zone.

Consumptive and non-consumptive usevalues: These are related to the currentand potential human uses of waterbodies. Consumptive use refers to theextraction of water from the water body,with no return of it to the waterbody.Examples may include:• provision of water for irrigation;

• provision of water for town supply;

• provision of water for industry.Non-consumptive use refers toextraction or use of water, where thewater is eventually returned to the river.Examples may include:• use of water for hydro-electricity

generation;

• use of water for fish farming.

Recreational values: These include therange of direct human uses of waterbodies for purposes such as kayaking,canoeing, sailing, swimming, fishingetc. This type of value is difficult toquantify, but is an essential part of ourway of life in Tasmania. Water qualityissues are also important, especiallywhere primary contact occurs(swimming for example), or where therecreational activity relies on a base ofgood quality water, such as arecreational fishery. Examples mayinclude:

• maintenance or improvement of thequantity (and quality) of water forrecreational fishery (trout, blackfishetc);

• provision of sufficient water forwhitewater rafting;

• provision of sufficient water (ofadequate quality) for swimming.

Aesthetic Landscape values: Thesevalues relate to human appreciation ofwater and adjacent environments. It isoften extremely difficult to addressthese types of values, or work out theflow requirements to ensure theirprotection. They are, however,legitimate values which must beacknowledged in any good managementprocess. Examples may include:

• maintenance or improvement offlow through gorges or overwaterfalls;

• protection of scenic features in ariver.

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6 COMMUNITY WATER VALUES FOR CATCHMENTSWITHIN THE WEST COAST MUNICIPAL AREA

Table 2: Community Water Values – Henty, King and Little Henty CatchmentsWater ValueCategories Community Water Values

Ecosystem values • maintain native fish, eels, platypus, bird life and other animalsdependent on waterways

• maintain native riparian vegetation• maintain natural geomorphological conditions• protection from introduced species, reduce feral animals• Henty River Marshes• protect whitebait run on Henty and Little Henty Rivers• protect Huon Pine stands• protect trout free areas (South West Conservation Area)• maintain populations of large freshwater crayfish• protect orange bellied parrot• maintain platypus and large crayfish population on Lynch Creek

Consumptive or non-consumptive values:Industry intakes,drinking water supplyintakes andagricultural use

• Zeehan water supply – Parting Creek (Water supplies have beendetailed in discussion paper. Trial and Granville Harbour watersupplies will not be included as a PEV because they are not formalsupplies).

• Mine water intakes have been marked on maps in DiscussionPaper. They occur at various locations in the region.

• Henty River Catchment- Fingerlings growing (Zeehan side),Yolande HEC (Lake Margaret), irrigation and stock watering

• Little Henty Catchment - mineral exploration throughout• King River Catchment – power generation• Lake Burbury – power generation, firefighting• Private power generation on Lynch Creek, Queenstown• Stock watering at Granville Harbour and near mouth of the Henty

River.• Gardening water supply• Fire fighting water supplyA question was raised about how PEVs will influence new industrieswanting to operate in an area. They should not prejudice the set PEVsbut the issues raised should be addressed during the process forsetting Water Quality Objectives.

Recreational values • Henty River Catchment – camping at mouth, swimming at bridges,fishing, boating, canoeing, fossicking and panning.

• Little Henty River Catchment – fishing (primarily at mouth andbridges) and rafting, swimming at bridges,

• Canoeing and fishing in Parting Creek Dam• Swimming at park on highway (Dundas River) • Trail Bike and Horse Riding (around Nike Creek near Zeehan)• Conglomerate Creek – swimming half way to falls• Princess Creek – swimming at botanic gardens• King River Catchment – jet boating, canoeing• Lake Burbury – fishing, boating, swimming and water skiing• Generally walk on designated walking tracks, forestry tracks and

historic tracks (have access to creeks and rivers).• Mt Dundas scout camp – camping and hiking• Walking to waterfalls and camping throughout catchments

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Table 2: Community Water Values – Henty, King and Little Henty CatchmentsWater ValueCategories Community Water Values

Aesthetic values • King River Catchment – Abt Railway (Creeks, rivers, riparianvegetation)

• Conglomerate Creek Falls• General – Riparian vegetation, Water flows, Photography, Clarity of

water (minimal turbidity)• Values of Bird River Track• Dundas Rivulet• Princess Creek (near Queenstown)• Tyndall Range (waterfalls etc)• Iron Blow• Horsetail Fall• Lake Burbury• Rainforest vegetation (ferns, lichens, trees etc).• Waterfalls

Other Values andcomments

Want real protection of small creeks and rivers on the west coast, notjust on paper.

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Table 2: Community Water Values – Macquarie HarbourWater ValueCategories Community Water Values

Ecosystem values • protect and enhance riparian vegetation, • protect stingrays & dolphins,• protect Grayling, • maintain fish health, • sea grass beds (know they exist in zone one), • sea eagles & wedge-tailed eagles, • maintain and protect benthic invertebrates, • maintain biodiversity and links in food-chain, • protect penguins (primarily exist in zone 2) and seals (known in

Birch Inlet)• maintain waterways free of introduced species• protect bird sanctuary at Birch Inlet and Kellys Inlet• protect ocean bird rookeries

Consumptive or non-consumptive values:Industry intakes,drinking water supplyintakes andagricultural uses

• Zone 2 – fish farms, commercial fishing (flounder), some fishprocessing on barges (delivery of fresh fish to wharves).

• Zone 3 and/or 4 – fish factory, fish processing (need to find moreinformation regarding the requirements for water and locations)

• One written submission indicated the importance of reducingemissions of toxicants from the King River and quantifying thetoxicological impacts on fish in Macquarie Harbour.

Recreational values • Zone 4 - Sailing, fishing and swimming, photography, sea planes,also swimming in Lettes Bay, cruise boats, windsurfing, jet boats,hovercraft, kayaking, jet boats

• Zone 2 – swimming, fishing, boating, sailing, photography, camping

• Zone 3 – canoes, sea kayaking, fishing, windsurfing, jet boats,hovercraft, photography, camping

• Zone 1 – fishing, duck shooting, cruising, sailing, kayaking,birdwatching, photography, camping

• Heads of Macquarie Harbour – recreational shell fish harvesting(need to change zoning to take into consideration this activity)

Proposed zones in Macquarie Harbour will need to be amended toreflect these values.

Aesthetic values • cruise boats, photography, tourism, walks on foreshore• riparian vegetation• minimal sediment plumes• cultural aesthetics associated with structures in the water (jetties,

Sarah Island Pillinger, Kellys Basin, Birch Inlet, Bird track toPillinger

• shacks overlook the water, scenic value of harbour itselfOther Values andcomments

for tasmanian surface waters west coast …

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