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Contents Page Preface-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------i Foreword-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xxi Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ xxii Document structure-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- xxiv Indicators --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- xxv Acknowledgments ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- xi Glossary of terms --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------xii Chapter 1: Executive Summary: Overview, conclusions and chapter summaries --------------------------------------- 1-1

1.1 Overview and conclusions -------------------------------------------------------------- 1-1 1.2 Chapter summaries ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1-3

1.2.1 Chapter 3: Land -------------------------------------------------------------- 1-3 1.2.2 Chapter 4: Atmosphere ------------------------------------------------------ 1-4 1.2.3 Chapter 5: Water ------------------------------------------------------------- 1-5 1.2.4 Chapter 6: Biodiversity ------------------------------------------------------ 1-6 1.2.5 Chapter 7: Noise-------------------------------------------------------------- 1-7 1.2.6 Chapter 8: Waste ------------------------------------------------------------- 1-8 1.2.7 Chapter 9: Socio-economic environmental factors ----------------------- 1-9

Chapter 2: A description of the Gold Coast area---------------------------------------------- 2-1

2.1 A brief history of human settlement and land use on the Gold Coast -------------- 2-1 2.2 Landscapes and soils (geology and geomorphology): Some very ancient history ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2-3

2.2.1 Landscapes -------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-3 2.2.2 Soils---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-5 2.2.3 Acid sulfate soils-------------------------------------------------------------- 2-7 2.2.4 Beaches and coastal dunes--------------------------------------------------- 2-7

2.3 Climate - including rainfall-------------------------------------------------------------- 2-8 2.3.1 Rainfall------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-8 2.3.2 Temperature and evaporation ----------------------------------------------- 2-8 2.3.3 Airshed and circulation with seasonal variations -------------------------- 2-9

2.4 Water ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2-10 2.4.1 Groundwater ----------------------------------------------------------------- 2-10 2.4.2 Streamflow ------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-10

2.5 Ecosystem diversity, vegetation cover and species diversity----------------------- 2-10 2.5.1 Ecosystem diversity --------------------------------------------------------- 2-10 2.5.2 Vegetation cover ------------------------------------------------------------ 2-11 2.5.3 Estuarine and marine systems ---------------------------------------------- 2-12

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Contents Page 2.5.4 Species diversity ------------------------------------------------------------- 2-12

2.6 Socio-economic------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-13 2.6.1 Heritage listed sites, structures and landscapes -------------------------- 2-13 2.6.2 Environmental impacts on people------------------------------------------ 2-13 2.6.3 Perceptions of people on the environment-------------------------------- 2-14 2.6.4 Social ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-14 2.6.5 Current population and demographic features --------------------------- 2-14 2.6.6 Economic--------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-15 2.6.7 Industry structure (number-of enterprises/type)-------------------------- 2-15 2.6.8 Employment by sector ------------------------------------------------------ 2-15 2.6.9 Income------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2-16 2.6.10 Council expenditure on the environment -------------------------------- 2-16

2.7 References------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2-17

Chapter 3: Land------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-1 3.1 Summary and indicators ---------------------------------------------------------------- 3-1 3.2 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3-3 3.3 State--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-5

3.3.1 Land degradation issues of low significance on the Gold Coast--------- 3-5 3.3.1.1 Soil fertility and structural decline ------------------------------- 3-5 3.3.1.2 Dryland salinity, waterlogging and water table rise------------ 3-5

3.3.2 Land degradation issues of moderate to high significance on the Gold Coast -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-6

3.3.2.1 Soil erosion--------------------------------------------------------- 3-6 3.3.2.2 Beach erosion ------------------------------------------------------ 3-6 3.3.2.3 Vegetation---------------------------------------------------------- 3-7 3.3.2.4 Floodplains and soil acidification -------------------------------- 3-9

3.3.3 Open space -------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-9 3.3.3.1 Urban open space-------------------------------------------------- 3-9 3.3.3.2 Non-urban open space ------------------------------------------- 3-10

3.4 Pressure---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-10 3.4.1 Major land uses -------------------------------------------------------------- 3-10 3.4.2 Contaminated sites ---------------------------------------------------------- 3-11

3.5 Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-12 3.6 Conclusions and possible future responses ------------------------------------------ 3-13 3.7 References------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-13

Chapter 4: Atmosphere ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-1

4.1 Summary and indicators ---------------------------------------------------------------- 4-1 4.2 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4-2 4.3 State--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-4 4.4 Pressure----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-4 4.5 Response --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-8 4.6 Conclusions and possible future responses ------------------------------------------- 4-8 4.7 References-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-9

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Contents Page Chapter 5: Water------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5-1

5.1 Summary and indicators ---------------------------------------------------------------- 5-1 5.2 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5-3 5.3 State--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5-5

5.3.1 Groundwater ------------------------------------------------------------------ 5-5 5.3.2 Riparian zone and stream bed condition ----------------------------------- 5-5 5.3.3 Drinking water quality ------------------------------------------------------- 5-8 5.3.4 Surface water quality ------------------------------------------------------- 5-10

5.3.4.1 Wetlands----------------------------------------------------------- 5-11 5.3.4.2 Beaches and the Broadwater ------------------------------------ 5-12 5.3.4.3 Rivers, creeks, estuaries and

natural lakes ------------------------------------------------------- 5-12 5.3.4.4 Constructed canals and lakes------------------------------------ 5-16

5.4 Pressure---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5-17 5.4.1 Groundwater ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5-18 5.4.2 Riparian zone and stream bed condition ---------------------------------- 5-18 5.4.3 Drinking water quality ------------------------------------------------------ 5-19 5.4.4 Surface water quality ------------------------------------------------------- 5-19

5.5 Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5-21 5.5.1 Groundwater ----------------------------------------------------------------- 5-21 5.5.2 Riparian zone and stream bed condition ---------------------------------- 5-21 5.5.3 Drinking water quality ------------------------------------------------------ 5-22 5.5.4 Surface water quality-------------------------------------------------------- 5-22

5.6 Conclusions and possible future responses ------------------------------------------ 5-24 5.7 References------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5-25

Chapter 6: Biodiversity ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-1


6.3.1 Species diversity -------------------------------------------------------------- 6-4 6.3.2 Remnant bushland ------------------------------------------------------------ 6-7

6.4 Pressure---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-11 6.4.1 Species diversity ------------------------------------------------------------- 6-11 6.4.2 Habitat destruction ---------------------------------------------------------- 6-12 6.4.3 Hunting/fishing/harvesting of native species

(including injured animals)-------------------------------------------------- 6-14 6.4.4 Fire ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-16

6.5 Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-16 6.5.1 General governmental response-------------------------------------------- 6-16 6.5.2 Acquisition of open space -------------------------------------------------- 6-18 6.5.3 Introduced and pest species control plans -------------------------------- 6-21 6.5.4 Marine research on the Gold Coast---------------------------------------- 6-21

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Contents 6.6 Conclusions and possible future responses ------------------------------------------ 6-22

6.6.1 Nature conservation strategy----------------------------------------------- 6-22 6.6.2 Bushfire management plan-------------------------------------------------- 6-22 6.6.3 Species recovery plans ------------------------------------------------------ 6-22

6.7 References------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-25 Appendix 6A: Significant and rate and threatened animal species of Southeast Queensland ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-26 Appendix 6B: Rare and threatened plant species of Southeast Queensland (SouthROC area) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-28

Chapter 7: Noise------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-1

7.1 Summary and indicators ---------------------------------------------------------------- 7-1 7.2 Introduction ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 7-2 7.3 State--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-3 7.4 Pressure----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-6 7.5 Response --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-6 7.6 Conclusions and possible future responses ------------------------------------------- 7-7 7.7 References-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-7

Chapter 8: Waste------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 8-1


8.3.1 Wastewater-------------------------------------------------------------------- 8-5 8.3.2 Current capacity, projected life and types of waste received------------ 8-6 8.3.3 Condition of sites and compliance with license conditions--------------- 8-7

8.4 Pressure----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8-7 8.4.1 Population growth/consumption growth/environmental awareness----- 8-7 8.4.2 Composition of solid waste stream ----------------------------------------- 8-7 8.4.3 Green waste and other organic wastes ------------------------------------- 8-9

8.5 Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8-10 8.5.1 Household and commercial waste collection ----------------------------- 8-10 8.5.2 Litter (park, streets, bins, etc.) --------------------------------------------- 8-11

8.5.2.1 Former Albert Shire area ---------------------------------------- 8-11 8.5.2.2 Former Gold Coast City area ----------------------------------- 8-11

8.5.3 Liquid waste generation ---------------------------------------------------- 8-12 8.5.4 Landfill gasses --------------------------------------------------------------- 8-12 8.5.5 Kerbside recycling ----------------------------------------------------------- 8-12

8.5.5.1 Former Albert Shire area ---------------------------------------- 8-12 8.5.5.2 Former Gold Coast City area ----------------------------------- 8-12 8.5.5.3 Waste minimisation/commercial and industrial recycling/cleaner production ------------------------------------ 8-12


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Contents Page Chapter 9: Social and economic environment ------------------------------------------------- 9-1


9.3.1 Economy ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-4 9.3.2 Employment------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-4 9.3.3 Cost of living------------------------------------------------------------------ 9-5 9.3.4 Housing------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9-5 9.3.5 Energy ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-5 9.3.6 Transport ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-9 9.3.7 Visual pollution -------------------------------------------------------------- 9-10 9.3.8 Human health ---------------------------------------------------------------- 9-11 9.3.9 Heritage ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-13

9.3.9.1 Aboriginal heritage ----------------------------------------------- 9-13 9.3.9.2 Post- European heritage ----------------------------------------- 9-14

9.4 Pressure---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-15 9.4.1 Population and growth rates ----------------------------------------------- 9-15 9.4.2 Ratio of tourists to residents ----------------------------------------------- 9-16 9.4.3. Age and sex ratios ---------------------------------------------------------- 9-16 9.4.4 Service needs for age-groups by location--------------------------------- 9-17 9.4.5 Population density ----------------------------------------------------------- 9-17 9.4.6 Crime ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-17

9.5 Response -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-22 9.5.1 Gold Coast City Council responses---------------------------------------- 9-22 9.5.2 Community responses------------------------------------------------------- 9-22 9.5.3 State and Commonwealth responses -------------------------------------- 9-22 9.5.4 Energy ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9-23


Tables 2.1 Rainfall summary data for five key rainfall stations in the City of Gold C oast-------- 2-8 2.1 Maximum and minimum average monthly temperatures and evaporation for a

hinterland and a coastal location on the Gold Coast ------------------------------------- 2-9 2.2 Dominant wind direction of the Gold Coast ---------------------------------------------- 2-9 2.3 Number and type of enterprises on the Gold Coast ------------------------------------- 2-16 3.1 The status of remnant bushland in the Environmental provinces of Southeast

Queensland ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3-8 3.2 Remnant bush of the Gold Coast ----------------------------------------------------------- 3-8

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Contents Page 3.3 Major land uses in the City of Gold Coast ----------------------------------------------- 3-11 3.4 Number of chemically contaminated sites on the Gold Coast by type----------------- 3-11 3.5 Current vacant land for selected zones from the Gold Coast City Council ----------- 3-12 4.1 Major air pollutants -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4-3 4.2 Ambient air quality guidelines as established by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NH&MRC) and the United States Environment Protection Agency (USEPA) --------------------------------------------------------------- 4-6 5.1 Approximate stream length of major Gold Coast rivers and streams------------------- 5-7 5.2 Approximate proportions of the Hinze and Little Nerang Dam catchments under different land uses--------------------------------------------------------------------- 5-8 5.3 Composition of reticulated drinking water of the City of Gold Coast------------------ 5-9 5.4 Water quality indicators for Gold Coast beaches, the Broadwater, and rivers and streams ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5-14 5.5 The freshwater and saltwater lakes of the Gold Coast ---------------------------------- 5-17 6.1 Number of species of vertebrate fauna in the Gold Coast area-------------------------- 6-5 6.2 Number of plant species observed in the Gold Coast area------------------------------- 6-6 6.3 Summary of vegetation cover within the City of Gold Coast --------------------------- 6-7 6.4 Area of Gold Coast occupied by each major vegetation community type ------------- 6-8 6.5 Areas of Gold Coast remnant vegetation that represent Southeast Queensland (SEQ) ecosystems of different endangered status ---------------------------------------- 6-8 6.6 Ecological significance of remnant vegetation to Gold Coast--------------------------- 6-9 6.7 Declared weed species (Rural Lands Protection Act 1985) considered to be

established in the City of Gold Coast ----------------------------------------------------- 6-11

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Contents Page 6.8 Threats to the survival of native Australian vertebrates--------------------------------- 6-12 6.9 The area, regional significance and likelihood, of remnant bushland being developed on the Gold Coast -------------------------------------------------------------- 6-13 6.10 Catch data for popular fish species on the Gold Coast (Cook island to

Jumpinpin) for the period July 1993-Sept 1996------------------------------------------ 6-15 6.11 The number of specimens and species taken to the Currumbin Sanctuary for the period 1989-1995------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-15 6.12 Location, date, type, and extent of bushfires in the City of Gold Coast for July 1995-June 1996-------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-17 6.13 Significant areas for biological diversity on the Gold Coast---------------------------- 6-19 6.14 Summary of planning instruments and level of protection afford to biodiversity in the City of Gold Coast------------------------------------------------------------------- 6-20 6.15 Aquatic plants removed from Gold Coast lakes ----------------------------------------- 6-21 6.16 Plant species suggested for recovery plans and threat abatement---------------------- 6-23 6.17 Animal species suggested for recovery plans and threat abatement ------------------- 6-24 7.1 Ambient background noise readings (7am to 10pm) from selected industrial

areas of the Gold Coast---------------------------------------------------------------------- 7-3 8.1 An overview of the Gold Coast City Council wastewater treatment plants ----------- 8-5 8.2 Current capacity, projected life and types of waste received at each waste

disposal site ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8-6 8.3 Weights and proportions of waste categories taken to the Suntown facility over

the month of June 1996---------------------------------------------------------------------- 8-8 8.4 Waste by content and source for Brisbane ------------------------------------------------ 8-9 8.5 Comparison of waste streams between different Australian cities ---------------------- 8-9 8.6 Gold Coast City Council recycling statistics 1995/96----------------------------------- 8-13

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Contents .1 Average weekly Household expenditure ($ per week) for Gold Coast statistical sub regions by broad commodity groups for 1996 --------------------------------------- 9-6 9.2 A comparison of the proportion of households renting dwellings for SEQ and

some component local government areas-------------------------------------------------- 9-8 9.3 Median house prices for selected Queensland local government areas from

1990 to 1996---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-8 9.4 Number and type of dwelling in Queensland (QLD), Southeast Queensland

(SEQ) and SouthROC (SouthROC) ------------------------------------------------------- 9-8 9.5 Mode of travel to work by employed persons in the City of Gold Coast ------------- 9-10 9.6 Number and severity of transport related injuries for the City of Gold Coast and Queensland------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 9-10 9.7 Top five causes of death for Queensland and the South Coast of Queensland ------- 9-11 9.8 Mortality rates per 100,000 head of population per year for the South Coast region of Queensland ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-12 9.9 Sites of known Aboriginal or archaeological significance in the City of Gold

Coast ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-14 9.10 Sites of non-aboriginal cultural heritage and.significance in the City of Gold

Coast ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-15 9.11 Changes in age ratios for the City of Gold Coast and Queensland between 1991

and 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-16 9.12 Population density for each of the 46 statistical local areas of the City of 9.13 Gold Coast ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9-20 9.13 Crimes recorded in the Gold Coast police district between 1991 and 1995 ---------- 9-21

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Contents Page Figures 2.1 Locality map of the Gold Coast ------------------------------------------------------------ 2-2 2.2 The formation of the current Gold Coast landscape-------------------------------------- 2-4 2.3 Major soil types of the Gold Coast--------------------------------------------------------- 2-6 3.1 Proposed preferred land use for the City of Gold Coast --------------------------------- 3-4 4.1 Potential air quality and noise black spots along the Pacific Motorway---------------- 4-7 5.1 Gold Coast catchments and waterways---------------------------------------------------- 5-4 6.1 Vegetation communities of the Gold Coast ---------------------------------------------- 6-10 6.2 The wetland areas of the Gold Coast ----------------------------------------------------- 6-14 7.1 Residences exposed to road traffic noise levels above 68dB(A) in 1997 -------------- 7-5 8.1 Landfill sites and wastewater treatment plant locations in City of Gold Coast -------- 8-4 9.1 Index of disadvantage for statistical local areas of the City of Gold Coast ----------- 9-18 9.2 Population density of statistical local areas in the City of Gold Coast ---------------- 9-19

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Acknowledgments As editor of this report I would like to acknowledge the input and cooperation of the many people that have assisted in the preparation of this document. For the Council officers involved it has been another task that they have undertaken in addition to their existing work. This effort was greatly appreciated as was the input and submissions from members of the community and industry, and from officers of the various State and Federal Government departments particularly the Department of Environment and Heritage. Community and Industry:

Club Fish Australia Research Foundation Ecograph and M. Maher and Assoc. Surfside Bus lines Pty. Ltd. Energex Allgas Australian Conservation Foundation Society for Growing Native Plants Surfrider Foundation Wildlife Preservation Society Mr. Greg Mate UDIA

Government and Universities: Department of Primary Industries Department of Natural Resources Department of Environment and Heritage Queensland Museum University of Queensland Griffith University, Australian Centre for Local and Regional Studies Australian Bureau of Statistics Department of Environment Sport and Territories.

Gold Coast City Council:

Planning Development and Transport Len Yates, David Corkill, Carmel Peacock, Andrew Hall, Gail Broome, Alison Taylor, Tony Hannigan, Charlie Dowding, Kim Maxwell, Prue Coburn, Boyd Sargeant, Col Dutton, Troy Jones, Michael Papageorgiou

Community Services Mark Rigby, John Carleton, Stephen Price, Natalie Hoskins, Peter Joy, Adrian Smith, Don Lowry, Darren Thomas, Barbara Prossor-Powell, Michael Brock, Phil Watts, Joe Hance, Guy Russell

Gold Coast Water Richard Went, Tim Packer, John Anderson, Andrew Moir

Engineering Services Bob Cunningham, John McGrath, Chris Stevens, David Ogilvy.

City Projects Shane Campbell, Don Seiler

Evan Thomas (editor) Senior Environmental Scientist Planning Development and Transport

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Glossary of Terms

Term Definition Acid Class of substances that neutralise or are

neutralised by alkalies and contain hydrogen that can be replaced by metals and of which the principal types are sour and able to corrode metals

Acid sulfate soils Soils that contain iron pyrites (sulfates) that when moist and exposed to air produce acid (sulphuric acid)

Aerosol System of colloidal (<.002mm in diameter) particles suspended in a gas (eg. fog or smoke)

Agrarian Relating to landed property or the cultivation of land

Airshed System of air currents in the lower atmosphere of an area that controls the movement of the air and particles in the air.

Alluvia Arising from sediments deposited by flowing water.

Alluviation Process of forming alluvia

Alluvial Pertaining to alluvia

Anaerobic Low or no oxygen conditions

Aquifer Layer of soil or rock able to hold or transmit much water

Atmosphere Gaseous layer surrounding the Earth

Biodiversity The number and abundance of species in an area

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) Biochemical Oxygen Demand

The amount of oxygen needed by aerobic decomposers to break down the organic materials in a given volume of water, at a certain temperature, over a specified period of time

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Term Definition Broadacre agriculture Large-scale farming producing relatively low-

value per hectare commodities such as wheat, beef or wool.

CAMBA China- Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

Carbon Chemical element central to all life on Earth. Forms the basis of all organic molecules and tissues and foods. Carbon in foods is combined with oxygen to produce energy and releases Carbon dioxide (CO2).

Carbon monoxide (CO) Colourless odourless gas that is formed through the incomplete combustion of Carbon in low oxygen conditions and is highly toxic to living organisms

Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) The amount of chemical oxidant required to oxidise the organic matter in a given volume of water, at a certain temperature, over a specified time.

Chlorophyll Green pigment in plants that uses energy from sunlight to convert CO2 form the atmosphere into carbon for the production of sugars and proteins and oxygen

City of Gold Coast The City formed in 1995 from the amalgamation of the former Albert Shire and Gold Coast City

Climate an area’s prevailing conditions of temperature, humidity, wind etc.

Colluvial Soil material moved largely by gravity and deposited on a lower slope and/ or at the base of a slope.

dB(A) Intensity of noise measured in decibels (dB) using the electronic ‘A’ weighting filter. This approximates the response of the human ear.

Diffuse-source pollution Source of pollutants that is not discrete but spread more generally in the system

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) Oxygen dissolved in water

Drainage Man-made or natural system of drains or what is drained off.

Dryland salinity Soil salinity levels high enough to affect plant

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Term Definition growth. This can be natural (primary salinity) or through rising saline water tables.

Duplex soils Soils where there are distinct A and B horizons or layers with distinctly different textures, also known as texture contrast soils

Ecologically sustainable development 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.

Environment The sum of surrounding things, conditions, or influences in which people of an area live and recreate.

Environmental indicator Physical, chemical, biological or socio-economic measurements that indicates the status of a component of the environment.

Environmental value A recognised quality of the environment.

Ephemeral Organisms with a short life span, or a watercourse that does not flow all the time.

Estuary Area of an inlet or river mouth that is influenced by the tides and also by fresh water from the land.

Fauna The entire animal life of a region

Fire regime The pattern of fires at a location including the frequency, intensity, and seasonality of the fires.

Flora The entire plant life of a region

Fluvial Pertaining to or produced by a river

Forest A tree covered area in which 60% of the land surface is covered by tree crowns

Former Gold Coast City The former City that was amalgamated with the surrounding Albert Shire to form the new City of Gold Coast.

Fossil fuel Any hydrocarbon deposit that can be burned for heat or power, such as coal, oil, and

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Term Definition natural gas.

Fresh water Water containing no significant amounts of salts, potable water suitable for all normal uses

Geographic Information System (GIS) A package of computer programs specifically designed to deal with data that are spatially related; a set of tools for collecting storing retrieving manipulating, analysing and displaying mapped data from the real world.

Geomorphology The study of the characteristics, origin, and development of landforms.

Habitat The place where an animal or plant normally lives and reproduces.

Heath A vegetation dominated by small shrubs with small hard leaves.

Heavy metal Metallic element with a relatively high atomic mass (>5.0 specific gravity) such as lead, cadmium, arsenic or mercury. These are generally toxic in relatively low concentrations to plant and animal life.

Heritage Those places, objects and indigenous languages that have aesthetic, historic, scientific or social significance or special value for future generations as well as for the community today

Intertidal Between the levels of low and high tide.

Invertebrate An animal without a backbone composed of vertebrae, eg worms, insects, snails etc.

JAMBA Japan Australia Migratory Bird Agreement

Joule (J) A unit of energy

Krasnozem Red volcanic derived well-drained earth

Leachate Solution of water that has percolated through a soil

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Term Definition Leaching The process of a solution of water

percolating through a soil

Littoral see intertidal

Meta-sediments Metamorphosed sedimentary rock

Metamorphic rock Rock that has been transformed by heat, pressure or chemical processes, or a combination of these processes.

Mosaic Resembling a picture or decoration that was made from small pieces of stone, glass etc.

Nitrogen Colourless, odourless, gas that forms about 80% of the atmosphere. Major constituent of proteins and tissues in both animals and plants and hence is a major nutrient.

Nitrous oxides Combinations of nitrogen and oxygen often formed during burning of fuels

Non-vascular plants Plants with no defined vessels to conduct water, mineral salts and synthesised food material.

Oxygen Colourless, odourless gaseous element constituting about 20% of the earth’s atmosphere.

Ozone A gas with molecules of three oxygen atoms. It occurs naturally in the stratosphere and provides a protective layer shielding the Earth from ultraviolet radiation. In the troposphere it is usually formed by human activity and is a major component of photochemical smog.

Particles Very small pieces of solid or liquid matter, such as soot, dust, smoke or mist etc.

Pelagic referring to plants and animals that live in or near the surface of a body of water

Per capita consumption The average amount of a commodity used per person

Percolate To cause a liquid to pass through a porous body. see leachate.

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Term Definition

PetaJoule (PJ) One thousand million million (1015 ) Joules

Phosphorus A solid non-metallic element that is a major nutrient and is used in animal and plant life.

Podzolics A term applied to acid soils with a strong texture contrast between loamy topsoils and clay subsoils.

Point-source pollution Pollution emanating from a clearly identifiable single source in the landscape, eg a pipe outlet.

Pollution The direct or indirect alteration of the physical, thermal, biological or radioactive properties of any part of the environment in such a way as to create a hazard or potential hazard to the health, safety or welfare of any living species.

Potable Water water suitable for drinking

Precipitation Any form, or all forms, of liquid or solid water that fall from the atmosphere and reach the earths surface eg rainfall, dew, snow, hail etc.

Pressure indicator Measures that can be used to describe both positive and negative pressures on the environment, including the quality and quantity of natural resources; such pressures can be caused by human action as well as inaction.

Pressure-State-Response model (PSR) Simple model of the interactions between the built and natural environments.

Primary treatment First step in sewage treatment to remove large solid objects by screens, and sediment and organic matter by settling.

Primary contact All forms of recreational water use especially swimming.

Putrescible Organic matter that is able to be decomposed by micro-organisms.

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Term Definition Quaternary treatment Forth level of treatment for sewage that

removes all nutrients and pathogens and produces potable water.

Ramsar agreement International agreement signed by Australia in Ramsar, Iran for the protection of wetland areas.

Regosols Soils that are comprised mainly of sands and /or gravels and lie on small sand banks less than 3m above sea level.

Response indicator Indicator that shows the extent to which society is responding to environmental changes and concerns.

Rhyolite Fine-grained acid volcanic rock.

Salinity The concentration of salts in water.

Saltmarsh Saltwater wetland occupied mainly by herbs and dwarf shrubs, able to tolerate waterlogging and salinity.

Secondary contact Contact with water from fishing or boating, but not swimming.

Secondary treatment After primary treatment of sewage, removal of biodegradable organic matter by bacteria and other micro-organisms, activated sludge or trickle filters; also removes about 30% of Phosphorus and 50% of nitrogen.

Sedimentary rock Rock formed from the consolidation of ocean or lake sediments. eg. sandstone or shale.

Smog Originally a combination of smoke and fog, but now refers to other mixtures of pollutants in the atmosphere such as photochemical smog and industrial smog

State indicator A measure that indicates the current condition or status of and environmental system.

State- Pressure- Response model see Pressure-State-Response model

Stratosphere The region of the Earths atmosphere roughly

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Term Definition 15-50 km above the Earths surface.

Sulfuric acid H2SO4, the dibasic acid of sulfur.

Suspended solids Any solid substance present in water in an undissolved state, usually contributing directly to turbidity.

Tertiary treatment The removal of nitrates, phosphates, chlorinated compounds, salts, acids metals and toxic organics from secondary treated sewage.

Total suspended solids (TSS) Includes all particles from the smallest up to 50 µm in diameter.

Troposphere The lower layer of the atmosphere extending to roughly 15 km above the Earth’s surface where typically all life occurs.

Turbidity • A measure of the extent to which passage of light through water is reduced by suspended matter

• The cloudy conditions caused by suspended solids in liquids

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation Electromagnetic radiation of higher

frequencies and shorter wavelengths than visible light.

Vascular plants Plants that have vessels to conduct solutions of water, mineral salts and synthesised compounds. see non-vascular plants

Vertebrate An animal with a backbone composed of vertebrae. eg. mammals, fish, frogs, amphibians, reptiles

Visibility The greatest distance at which an object can be seen and identified with the naked eye in any particular circumstance

Visual amenity The visual attractiveness of an area.

Volcanic rock Igneous rocks that have cooled and solidified on the earth’s surface, generally originating

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Term Definition as lavas (eg. basalt)

Wallum Coastal heath

Water table water that flows or exists in the sub-soil layers

Wetland The land area alongside fresh and salt waters, that is flooded all or part of the time. Marine or estuarine wetlands include tidal basins, saltmarshes, and mangroves.

World Heritage A term applied to sites of outstanding universal natural or cultural significance which are included on the World Heritage List.

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Introduction The Gold Coast is one of the most unique and diverse cities in Australia, if not the World, and has some of the most diverse habitat and range of species found anywhere in Australia. It lies in the sub-tropics, and at times experiences tropical weather from the north as well as temperate weather from the south. The terrain of the Gold Coast ranges from coastal beaches, dunes, and plains, to wetlands, mangroves and bays to cool rainforested mountains and includes a wide range of soil-types and landforms. At present the City of Gold Coast covers an area of 145,100 ha and supports a population of over 350,000 people through a number of industries including tourism and recreation, education, agriculture, business services, construction and manufacturing. Accessibility to the diverse landscapes, habitats, species and opportunities of the Gold Coast is the key to its success as a tourist destination, a retirement haven and a desirable area to live and work. However, this diversity needs understanding and nurturing so that the potential of the Gold Coast can be realised without losing the essential ingredients that hold it together. The vision of the Council for the City is for it to be naturally the world’s best place to be, because the Gold Coast will be a model for maintaining important environmental values and quality of life while managing growth and development. However, to achieve this vision the city must also be ecologically sustainable, and this will require agreement and commitment from Council, industry and the community as partners in the City. This partnership must agree to work toward ecologically sustainable forms of development (ESD) and has an obligation to do so for current and future generations. This obligation is reinforced through the Integrated Planning Act (1997) which specifically adopts the precautionary principal and the need for inter-generational equity. Achieving ecological sustainability is complex and is not just a question of slowing population growth, reducing pollution, or of preserving natural habitat. ESD involves population but it also involves the way that population lives. ESD involves technology, development and management that enable human populations to sustain themselves while preserving, protecting their environment. ESD must also include the community who have to choose between complex options. ESD will also require new technologies, attitudes and tools. Of increasing importance will be benchmarking, monitoring and measurement of environmental indicators and tracking progress toward environmental targets and goals. State of the Environment Reporting (SoER) has recently become a popular tool for recording the progress being made toward ESD. These kind of reports have been widely used within Australia at a national, state and local government level, as well as in other countries and globally. They serve a range of purposes but all are focussed on improving decision making toward ESD.

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SoERs have been used for benchmarking and have brought together baseline information on a range of environmental issues. This process also identifies knowledge gaps that prevent better decisions being made. SoERs help track progress toward ESD by regularly reviewing the benchmarks established in previous reports against present data and established targets. By bringing a range of environmental data together from different sources, SoERs improve understanding and communication between all levels of government (including Councils), within Councils and with the community on environmental issues. This increase in dialogue leads toward a clearer understanding of the opportunities and constraints necessary in moving toward ESD. For example, a recent trial survey on environmentally related expenditure, by the Australian Centre for Regional and Local Government Studies and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, showed that approximately one third of this Council’s operational budget is spent on environmentally related activities such as water and wastewater, and on the repair of erosion and environmental damage, Planning and Land Management, and protection of the environment from the impacts of urban settlement. SoERs generally use the Pressure-State-Response (PSR) reporting framework, or model, which seeks to identify simple causal relationships between human activities and environmental consequences. However, in many cases the environmental systems do not operate in such a simple linear way. Despite its simplicity, the PSR model provides a clear way to represent the environmental performance of an area in an understandable way. This report is the first State of the Environment Report for the City of Gold Coast. The SoER is based on a broad definition of the environment which is the aggregate of surrounding things, conditions, or influences in which people on the Gold Coast live and recreate (Thomas 1997). This definition includes residents and visitors and the natural as well as the built environment. It is important for all, Government, Community and Industry, to recognise that their combined, and individual, actions and decisions affect the greater environment, not just their urban surrounds. The report has taken over twelve months to prepare and has involved extensive consultation within Council, and with many people from the community, to establish the process, derive baseline data and to document initiatives already in place and those proposed. The benefits of this consultation have been to reinforce the interrelationships between the elements of Council activities and the environment. While this first SoER has been developed without extensive input from the community it has drawn heavily on the recent and extensive consultation that the Council has undertaken with the community, such as with the Nature Conservation Strategy. Nonetheless this first report establishes a benchmark for future reporting. The process for the SoER is to establish baseline data and benchmarks that reflect the current environmental situation on the Gold Coast and has been linked with Council’s Corporate Plan, Strategic Plan and Operational plan as one of the tools to measure performance. The need for measurement and monitoring of performance is identified in Queensland’s planning legislation.

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While no single report can claim to be a definitive statement on the environment of the Gold Coast, this report attempts to bring together environmental data from across the broad spectrum of environmental issues. The process of developing State of the Environment Reports is progressive in that each report builds on the information contained in the last. In this way the Council and the community gain a better appreciation of the environment and of the information that needs to be gathered and included in subsequent reports. Through this process the SoER offers a focus for the community to be more involved with the Council in the process of monitoring, measuring and reporting the State of the Cities Environment. This relationship will be fundamental as the City strives toward its vision of being a sustainable world city. Report Structure Chapter 1 of this report provides an executive summary containing and overview of the information and conclusions that may be drawn from it. In addition to this it contains a summary of each of the theme chapters. Chapter 2 contains a general description of the City in terms of its environment. This allows each of the themed chapters to focus on the elements of the State-Pressure-Response model. Chapters 3 to 9 present the information for each major environmental theme; Land, Air, Water, Biological Diversity, Noise, Waste, and Socio-economic. Within each theme-chapter there is a summary of the chapter, an introduction and the detailed information on the state, pressure, responses appropriate to the theme, future responses and conclusions. The conclusions section presents generalised conclusions for the theme. However, specific issues and extra detail are provided within the preceding sections. The indicators used in each section are listed in the following Section and are derived from Thomas (1997). The relevant subset of indicators has also been reproduced in each chapter. These indicators are based largely on those developed by NSW local government for their SoER process.

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Indicators Land

Sub-Theme Indicators State- ⇒ Degradation

Area (ha) by severity: eg. Soil erosion (wind, water) ,Salinity, Acidification ,Acid sulfate soils, Water logging /raised water tables Degradation of remnant vegetation

State- ⇒ Urban open space

Total area Area of Individual sites Time-trend in area

State- ⇒ Non-urban open space

Total area Area of individual sites Time-trend in area

Pressure- ⇒ Land clearing and drainage

Proposals, by area and intended use

Pressure- ⇒ Major land use

Area of use (ha, trend) by sector eg. Transport, Urban , Agric & Industry Native veg’n, Canal dev’s,Waste disposal

Pressure ⇒ Contaminated sites

Area (ha) and severity of contamination of individual sites Total area (ha) of waste disposal sites.

Pressure- ⇒ population

Changes in total number Population density

Pressure- ⇒ Urban construction

Area of open space under threat

Pressure- ⇒ Transport

Activities to increase public transport use or decrease car use

Current Response- ⇒ Transport

Activities to increase public transport use or decrease car use

Current Response- ⇒ Zoning of land

Restrictive zoning and land use classification

Current Response- ⇒ Open-space programs

Expenditure on maintenance, enhancement and extension

Air

Sub-Theme Indicator State- ⇒ industrial, commercial,

domestic and mobile sources

Particulates, Nox, Sox, Toxics, lead in air.

Pressures- ⇒ Stationary industrial

sources

Location of licensed emissions (by type, total annual volume) including Council facilities

Pressures- ⇒ Traffic

Traffic flow, volume

Current Responses- ⇒ Traffic management

plans

Nature of plans zones

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Water: lead Section- Environmental Protection Sub-Theme Indicators

State- ⇒ Surface and gr’dwater

quality

Temperature, suspended solids, Rubbish and weeds in canals and lakes

State- ⇒ Riparian and Stream bed

conditions

Status

State- ⇒ Drinking water Quality

E.coli, pathogens,pH, Salinity, nutrients, chemicals

Pressure- ⇒ Surface and groundwater

use

Volume of water extracted, Dams, Deliberate stormwater detention/channelling /disruption to stream flow due to urban development, Recreational use of canals, rivers, beaches and reefs.

Current Response- ⇒ audit/inspection /monitoring programs for non-scheduled premises

Nature, Number conducted, Estimated percentage coverage, Cost

Current Response- ⇒ Riparian zone rehabilitation

programs

Extent and condition of riparian vegetation

Current Response- ⇒ Industry pollution reduc’tn

prog’s

no. and type /effectiveness

Current Response- ⇒ Prop. and catch. planning (

incl. use of rainwater)

no. and style of groups/plans etc. Cleaner production-storm water

Biological Diversity

Sub-Theme Indicators State- ⇒ Current diversity, range,

abundance and conservation status of native species.

Local native plants and animals (list and chart by category eg. vulnerable etc.) Natural vegetation cover (total ha, and % remaining, no and size of fragments). Corridors and high sensitivity habitat (total ha, no. and size of fragments, condition and integrity, conservation status. Indicating changes over time

Pressure- ⇒ Introduced species

Species diversity (no. and % of total species, range and abundance of introduced, naturalised plant (weed) and pest animal species.

Pressure- ⇒ Land Clearing

Area of native vegetation proposed for clearing Disturbance of wildlife corridors

Pressure- ⇒ Hunting/ fishing/ harvesting

of native species, river dredging, Wetland draining, recreational activity, noise etc.

Annual catch/harvest (by estimated total no. / area affected)

Pressure- ⇒ Fire

Fires (cause/extent/intens./freq./ man.)potential impact on native vegetation and fauna

Current Response- ⇒ Reservation and planning

controls

Listed areas of local, state, national or world heritage significance Area protected by planning controls as a % of total. Area not yet protected under threat from development

Current Response- ⇒ Recovery plans

Funds for species/habitat conservation, by source, annual total and area

Current Response- ⇒ Fire management plan

Areas affected by fire management plans methods of hazard reduction used

Current Response- ⇒ Introduced species control

plan

Annual funding and area affected

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Noise Sub-theme Indicators

State- ⇒ Noise from transport

Monitored ambient noise readings for major roads (by time of day)

State- ⇒ Monitored readings from

industrial sites and point sources

Monitored readings for major industrial sites and point sources Noise from ERAs

State- ⇒ Noise from other sources

Workplace noise levels Complaints to council and DEH

State ⇒ transport

Traffic volume and location

Pressure- ⇒ Industrial sources

Pressure- ⇒ residential sources

Current Responses- ⇒ State or Council codes

Areas where codes apply

Waste

Sub-Theme Indicators State- ⇒ Waste disposal or treatment

facilities

Current capacity and projected longevity of site by type of waste received Condition of sites Compliance with DoE Environmental Authority

Pressure- Solid waste generation ⇒ Domestic ⇒ Commercial/industrial ⇒ Construction/demolition

Composition of solid waste stream by category and annual weight for domestic waste, construction /demolition, commercial waste, industrial waste. Total annual weight of solid waste to landfill. Estimate of green waste/organic wastes for possible composting. Licensing of waste collectors/transporters.

Pressure- Solid waste generation ⇒ Regulated waste

Weight and type of regulated waste generated (specify by type and source). Information from DoE waste tracking system (when introduced) Licensing ERAs

Pressure- Solid waste generation ⇒ Litter (Parks, streets, bins,

waterways etc.)

Category and annual weight of litter collected. Cost and frequency of service.

Pressure- Liquid waste generation ⇒ Sewage

Total liquid waste disposed to sites (specify by type of waste and site)

Pressure- Liquid waste generation ⇒ Interceptor traps (including

night soil)

No. and type of trade waste permits Licensing of collectors and transporters of liquid waste

Pressure- Liquid waste generation ⇒ storm water

Refer to SoE theme on Water (aquatic systems)

Pressure- Gaseous waste generation ⇒ Landfill Gases

Amount and type of gases produced

Pressure- Gaseous waste generation ⇒ Industry emissions

Licensing of ERAs

Pressure- Gaseous waste generation ⇒ Open or pit Burning

No. of complaints received No. of authorities-to-burn issued

Pressure- Gaseous waste generation ⇒ other air issues

See SoE theme on Air

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Sub-Theme Indicators Current Responses- ⇒ Waste Minimisation ⇒ Kerbside recycling ⇒ Other recycling ⇒ Strategies for Commercial

and Industrial Premises

Cost and freq. of collection. Total quantity of recyclable material collected. Total weight of recyclable materially actually recycled, by category and destination. % of total waste stream recycled. Cleaner production and Waterwise programs

Current Responses- Clean-up programs

Cost, nature and site remediation (contaminated lands) Cost and nature of spill cleanups

Socio-economic

Sub-Theme Indicators State- ⇒ Energy

Energy consumption per capita and as a ration with the gross domestic product of the LGA

State- ⇒ Economy/employment

GDP and industry split over time, employment history and prospects by industry, wage levels, cost of living/housing, housing standards, travel to work times, traffic flow and safety , visual pollution

State- ⇒ Human Health

Mortality rates, Epidemiology, and morbidity, service needs for age groups by location, living space (persons per room) yard size (m2) and persons/m2 by area.

State- ⇒ Crime

Crime stats. for different locations

State- ⇒ Access to/participation in

facilities/education, recreation, parks, scenic beauty,

Weighted average distance between C.D.s and facilities etc. for different locations. No of people using facilities.

State- ⇒ Heritage listing for

Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal heritage

Number, nature, condition and percentage of total and non-Aboriginal sites and structures, those listed under local/state/national Estate legislation or codes.

Pressures- ⇒ Demographics/area

age, sex, ethnic background, employment, expectations

Pressures- ⇒ Population growth/density

population growth and density trends including age groups

Current Responses- ⇒ Energy use initiatives

rate of uptake of energy conservation measures by domestic and industrial users and designers, State and local Govt. initiatives/education programs

Current Responses- ⇒ Developing a wider

industrial base

Council and state initiatives to attract new industry to Gold Coast

Current Responses- ⇒ improve access and

participation in facilities

Council initiatives that will encourage people to access and use public facilities. Planning for improved access to key facilities and transports nodes

Current Response- ⇒ Programs for heritage

conservation

Types of program, annual expenditure, by source of funds, and total LGA expenditure.

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