gordon river system final paper - epa.tas.gov.au

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DEPARTMENT ofPRIMARY INDUSTRIES,WATER andENVIRONMENT

ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT

GOALS

for TASMANIAN

SURFACE WATERS

GORDON RIVER SYSTEM

May 2000

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Environmental Management Goals

For Tasmanian Surface Waters:

Gordon River System

This discussion paper was used as the basis forcommunity and stakeholder participation in theprocess of developing environmental managementobjectives for the waterways that are located within theGordon River System.

It was prepared by the Environment Division and theLand and Water Management Branch, of theDepartment of Primary Industries, Water andEnvironment and the Tasmanian Parks and WildlifeService,

Words and expressions used in this paper have, unlessthe contrary intention appears, the same meaning asdefined in the State Policy on Water QualityManagement 1997 and the EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control Act 1994.Ecosystem refers to physical, chemical and biologicalaspects of the aquatic environment.

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1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................4

1.1 WHY DO WE NEED WATER REFORM?.........................................................................................41.2 WHAT ARE THESE REFORMS?.....................................................................................................51.3 WHAT WILL COMMUNITY INPUT ACHIEVE? .............................................................................51.4 WHAT INFORMATION DID WE RECEIVE FROM THE COMMUNITY?.........................................51.5 HOW WILL YOUR INPUT BE USED?.............................................................................................6

2 GORDON RIVER SYSTEM OVERVIEW....................................................................................6

2.1 CATCHMENT DESCRIPTION.........................................................................................................62.2 LAND USE......................................................................................................................................72.3 WORLD HERITAGE VALUES........................................................................................................92.4 CHARACTERISTIC WATER QUALITY ..........................................................................................92.5 AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS...............................................................................................................92.6 CATCHMENT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES ..................................................................................10

3 WATER QUALITY : PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES .....................................12

3.1 SETTING PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES .................................................................123.2 PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES CATEGORIES ..........................................................12

4 PEVS FOR THE GORDON RIVER CATCHMENT .................................................................14

4.1 PEV SETTING PROCESS .............................................................................................................14

5 WATER QUANTITY : WATER FLOW MANAGEMENT VALUES .....................................21

5.1 OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................................215.2 WATER QUANTITY VALUES ......................................................................................................21

6 COMMUNITY WATER VALUES...............................................................................................23

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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 it for drinking, for recreationalactivities like fishing, swimming andboating, to provide the food we eat andexport, to generate clean electricity, andto support mining and other industries.

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

We take for granted that our use ofwater resources is sustainable; that ourhard-working water will still be there ina healthy state to provide the samebenefits for future generations.

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. Ourwaterways are not immune fromproblems, however, and many of ourriver systems are showing signs ofstress.

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 appropriate

river flows, the Tasmanian Governmentis currently finalising a range ofreforms designed to ensure that thesevalues are protected for the future of theState.

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1.2 What are these reforms?

Two major aspects of the water reformsare water quality management andwater quantity management.

(a) water quality management

The 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 which areconsidered worthy of protection.

The first purpose of this discussionpaper was to explain the Policy andhow the environmental values will beidentified and used. Local communitieshave a key role in identifying thesevalues in their catchments.

(b) water quantity management

The recent introduction of the WaterManagement Act 1999 to replace theWater Act 1957 provides for:

• major changes to the institutionalarrangements for water management;

• 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 selectedcatchments. These values will ofassistance to the Department inundertaking water quantity planning inyour catchment.

1.3 What will community inputachieve?

The objective is to identify watermanagement goals for the catchmentswithin the Gordon River System. Thesewater management goals will includeProtected Environmental Values(PEVs) as defined under the StatePolicy on Water Quality Managementand identified water quantity values.

1.4 What information did wereceive from the community?

Local communities have a valuableunderstanding of their regionalwaterways. A series of workshops andpublic meetings were held throughoutthe region where we asked questionslike: What uses or values do you havefor surface waters in this area that relyupon maintaining or enhancing waterquality? Which of your activities relyupon maintaining or enhancing the flow

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of water into catchment waterways?Are there certain places on your riversthat you traditionally use for swimmingor other recreational activities? Do youfish in them? Are there specificfeatures of your rivers and streams thatare recognized scenic attractions, suchas rapids or waterfalls? Do you knowof rare or endangered animals or plantsin, or adjacent to, specific areas of yourrivers or streams? Does your riversupply the local town water supply?How often do you need to draw waterfrom local waterways, and when?

Answers to these questions wererecorded as ‘Community Water Values’and 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 meetings could be bestmanaged through integrated catchmentmanagement processes.

1.5 How will your input be used?

Information from you on valuesparticularly relating to water qualityassisted the Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control, theTasmanian Parks and Wildlife Serviceand Local Government (DerwentValley, West Coast and CentralHighland Councils) to finalise the rangeof Protected Environmental Values forthe surface waters of the Gordon RiverSystem. These values will be shown inmanagement plans for the region.Further details of what this means aregiven in section 3 below.

Information from you on water quantityvalues will be utilised along with advicefrom stakeholders and the wider publicto better plan the water resources ofyour catchment. Water managementplanning will be closely linked withoverall catchment managementplanning to put water resourcemanagement on a sustainable footingfor the State. Water managementplanning will be undertaken on apriority basis, with stressed rivers in theState being targeted initially.

2 GORDON RIVER SYSTEM OVERVIEW

2.1 Catchment description

The natural catchment area of theGordon River system coversapproximately 4974 km2 (and another261 km2 by diversion of the Huonheadwaters) and consists of three majorriver catchments1. These are:

1 Unless otherwise cited, information withinSections 2.1 and 2.2 derived from P. Waterman& A. Waterman. South West TasmaniaResources Survey. Working Paper No.6. TheFreshwater Systems of South West Tasmania.

• the Gordon River above and belowLake Gordon and the Gordon–Pedder impoundment;

• the Franklin River; and

• the Denison River.

Landforms of the region reflect theeffects of past climatic conditions –weathering (including solution oflimestone within the karst system),rainfall and glaciation. This hasproduced long, parallel ridges up to1500 metres high separated by broadvalleys running roughly north to south,

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with streams occasionally cutting deepgorges through these ridges.

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. Occasional high intensityrainfall events and snowfall alsocontribute to runoff. Generally rainfallis evenly distributed throughout theyear with an increase from west to eastacross the region from 1500 mm to3000 mm.

The geology in the region is generallycharacterised by large areas ofPrecambrian quartzites and phyllites,overlain by Ordovician and Devonianlimestones, and sandstones andsiltstones. The vegetation is generallywet sclerophyll forest, rainforest,buttongrass moor and wet scrub.

Although it is the third largest riversystem in the state behind the South Eskand Derwent Rivers, it has by far thegreatest yield. Mean annual yield ofwhole system (inc. the Huon Riverdiversion) is 9022 x 106m3. The averageflow is 285 cubic metres per secondmaking it the fourth largest river (bydischarge) in Australia.

Table 1: Catchment Area & Flow 2

Catchment Area (km) Av. Flow m3/s

Gordon R.above dam

2014 101

Gordon R.below dam

933 51

2 B.Watson 1978. Hydrology of the GordonRiver Basin. HEC Lower Gordon RiverScientific Survey.

Denison R. 670 36

Franklin R. 1590 98

The two large impounded lakes –Gordon and Pedder – developed togenerate hydroelectric power, dominatewater resources within the region. TheGordon Dam has a significant impacton the Gordon River due to a modifiedflow regime. The region features highmountain lakes with significant waterquality and stratification characteristicsand unique meromictic (permanentlystratified) lakes located in the lowerGordon catchment.

2.2 Land use

Three local government municipalities -Derwent, West Coast and CentralHighland Councils – have areas of theGordon River catchment within theirboundaries. The catchment area isprimarily Tasmanian Wilderness WorldHeritage Area and includes theFranklin-Gordon Wild Rivers NationalPark, parts of the South-West NationalPark and the South-West ConservationArea.

The region includes a number of‘reserve classes’ that are managedunder the National Parks and WildlifeAct, 1970, the Forestry Act, 1920 or theCrown Lands Act, 1976. Each of theseActs has defined managementobjectives for each reserve class forwhich it is responsible. In all of thereserve classes ‘preservation of waterquality’ is a stated managementobjective.

Conservation Areas have multiple useobjectives meaning that in addition tothe conservation objectives, activitiessuch as mineral exploration and miningcan occur. To the east of Lake Gordonis the Adamsfield Conservation Area

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which is the only area within the WorldHeritage Area where exploration andmining can occur. Gold andosmoridium have been found in thisarea, but there is no mineral explorationat present. A commissional water rightexists for the taking of spring derivedmineral water within the AdamsfieldConservation Area, however, this is notoperational at present. Two small areason the western boundary of the GordonCatchment are designated as part of theSouth West Conservation Area. Thearea located south of Lake Burburywill, however, become part of the WestCoast Regional Reserve under theRegional Forest Agreement.

Any mineral exploration or quarryingactivities approved within conservationareas will be expected to operate inaccordance with the provisions of theMineral Exploration Code of Practiceand the Quarry Code of Practice. Priorto approval, new industrialdevelopments will need to demonstratethe use of accepted modern technologyand best practice environmentalmanagement, including waste reduction,reuse and recycling, to ensure thatimpacts on water quality are minimised.In high rainfall regions wherewastewater discharge may beunavoidable, the Board ofEnvironmental Management andPollution Control would consider thesetting of a mixing zone in accordancewith the requirements of Clause 20 ofthe State Policy on Water QualityManagement 1997. Emission limits intothe mixing zone must ensure theachievement of the water qualityobjectives that support the PEVs for thereceiving waters at or beyond the edgeof the mixing zone.

Areas of State Forest on the south-eastshores of Lake Gordon are allocated fortimber harvesting. Three ForestReserves containing old-growthcommunities of Eucalyptus nitida and

E. obliqua within this area are notavailable for wood production –Stringybark (35 ha), Mt Wedge (12 ha)and Boyd (10 ha). Under Schedule 3 ofthe Forestry Act, 1920 - as amendedunder the Regional Forest Agreement(Land Classification) Act (No. 45 of1998) - one of the managementobjectives for Forest Reserves is‘preservation of water quality’.

HEC land includes Lake Gordon,Strathgordon and some land near theScotts Peak Dam, Edgar Dam andMcPartlans Canal. Roads andinfrastructure associated with theGordon and Scotts Peak dams haveimpacted on wilderness values in theupper Gordon Catchment. The LyellHighway traverses the headwaters ofthe Franklin River catchment.

A parcel of land (Ballawinne) on theMaxwell River, which is a tributary ofthe middle Gordon River, and an areaaround Kuti Kina Cave on the lowerFranklin are vested in the AboriginalLand Council of Tasmania.

Strathgordon is the only populationcentre of the area with a motel andsome houses and a population thatranges seasonally from 20-30 people.Little of the infrastructure associatedwith the dam construction now remains.A small sewage treatment facility(settlement tanks and stone tricklingfilter) services a dozen houses atStrathgordon and discharges into LakePedder. Two septic systems also operateat the Gordon Power Station, onedischarging into the dam tailrace andthe other into Lake Gordon. Town watersupply is taken from a small storagedam behind Strathgordon village.

Existing activities in the region includehydro-electric power generation,tourism, fishing, rafting, caving, boat

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cruises, bush-walking, scientificresearch and forestry.

2.3 World Heritage Values

The World Heritage listing of a largeportion of the Gordon River Catchmentis recognition of the unique natural andcultural values of the region. Thesefeatures and other special values -recreational, economic, scientific,educational and inspirational - areidentified in the Tasmanian WildernessWorld Heritage Area Management Plan3. These values are briefly detailedbelow.

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. The GordonRiver Catchment also containssignificant cultural sites, both in termsof Aboriginal habitation and morerecent activities since Europeansettlement. The wide range ofrecreational opportunities within theregion is also seen to have economicimportance as a basis for sustainablenature-based tourism.

2.4 Characteristic water quality

Lakes Gordon and Pedder are modifiedecosystems that impact to some degreeon the physical and chemicalcharacteristics of the Gordon River,both through flow regulation andphysico-chemical changes in waterquality while in storage. Water qualityof other tributaries of the Gordon belowthe dam would be expected to be free of

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

major human impacts due to the relativeinaccessibility of the area.

The permanent, fast flowing rivers ofthe South West have faunalcommunities and species differing fromthose found in lakes or slower movingrivers in other parts of the state.

Geology has some effect on waterquality with limestone and/or dolomitesin most catchments contributingcalcium and magnesium bicarbonates.As regional limestone sequences are ofmarine origin, sodium and chloride arealso well represented. The marine originof rainfall is also evident in thedominance of sodium and chloride insome waters. Generally though, surfacewaters have low levels of solutes.

Vegetation also has a substantial impacton water quality with organic materialleaching from extensive peat areasproducing the characteristic tannin ortea stained waters of the South West.The organic soils also inhibit erosionand sediment loads are generally low.

Much of the vegetation and aquaticfauna is adapted to low nutrientconditions. Waters are relatively acidic,often below a pH of 6.5. The pH oflakes also appears to increase withdepth. Generally, turbidity (waterclarity) and conductivity (dissolvedions) are low.

2.5 Aquatic Ecosystems

In many areas of the catchment thesystem is largely free of humaninfluence. Natural processes andevolutionary adaptation occur in arelatively natural state. Freshwaterfauna has high levels of endemicity andprovides living evidence of pastcontinental changes.

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A number of threatened species occur inthe area. Several threatened species -swamp galaxias (Galaxias parvus),Hickmans mountain pygmy shrimp(Allanaspides hickmani) and severalcaddisflies - occur around the marginsof Lake Pedder. Captive breedingand/or translocation to other waterbodies are the basis of recovery plansfor the Pedder galaxias (Galaxiaspedderensis) and the swamp galaxias.The Strathgordon Water Supply Dam isto be an important location for thePedder galaxias, as is Lake Pedder(supposed to be present in the BonnetBay tributaries of Lake Pedder).Preventing redfin perch entering LakePedder from Lake Gordon viaMcPartlans Canal is an importantmanagement objective, as this speciescan further threaten the status of thePedder galaxias and the swampgalaxias.

The Australian grayling (Prototroctesmaraena) occurs in the lower reaches ofthe Gordon River and is listed as‘vulnerable’ on the TasmanianThreatened Species Act 1995 and theCommonwealth Endangered SpeciesProtection Act. Their preferred habitatis deep, slow flowing pools.

The Lake Peddder earthworm(Diporochaeta pedderensis) has notbeen seen since the flooding of theoriginal Lake Pedder despite severalsearches organised by the Parks andWildlife Service. There are also severalhydrbiid species of freshwater snailsand several species of caddisfly whichare listed as rare within the catchment.

2.6 Catchment environmentalissues

As stream conditions are determinedboth by in-stream activities andsurrounding land-use activities,

waterways act as a touchstone ofcatchment health. Healthy waterwaysare indicative of sustainably managedcatchments.

There are a number of environmentalissues relating to the rivers, lakes andwetlands of the Gordon River System.The recently released TasmanianWilderness World Heritage AreaManagement Plan 4 raises a number ofissues related to regional water quality.

• Cool regional climate providessuitable conditions for water bornepathogens such as Giardia (presentin the faeces of domestic and nativeanimal species).

• Even in areas of high wildernessquality, water doesn’t necessarilymeet the national drinking waterquality guidelines due to bacterialcontamination from native animals.

• Human waste potentially a problemin terms threatening water quality.

• High levels of mercury, oftenexceeding the level considered safefor human consumption, have beenrecorded in eels, trout and redfinperch in Lake Gordon and in troutin the Gordon River downstream ofLake Gordon. Studies suggest thesemay be the result of thebioaccumulation of naturally highbackground levels of mercury in thecatchment.

• Development of roads, mines andquarries may result in pollution ofwaterways because of sediment run-off or other pollutant inputs.

4 Tasmanian Wilderness WHA ManagementPlan 1999. Tasmanian Parks & WildlifeService. p.111

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• Boating on rivers and lakes maycreate waste disposal problems withalso possibility of fuel spills.

• Bank erosion impacts frommotorised boating on the lowerGordon River.

The Gordon River catchment ispresently used for the generation ofhydro-electricity. A range ofenvironmental effects may be evidentdue to the presence of large waterstorages and regulation of downstreamflows. Potential issues that may affectWorld Heritage and other natural andcultural values include..

• Dams acting as barriers to migrationof aquatic and riparian species.

• Physico-chemical changes in thewaters of large storages (e.g.dissolved oxygen and temperature)and in water discharged fromimpoundments.

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

• Possible impacts on biota andlandforms (including karst systems)due to changed flow patternsdownstream of dams and the power-station.

• River regulation impacts onmeromictic lakes.

• Possible links between varieddischarge and bank erosion.

The connection of Tasmania to themainland electricity grid via theBasslink cable is likely to result inchanges to the Hydro’s systemoperations, possibly affecting the largerpower stations of the Gordon andPoatina. Major studies are envisaged toaddress possible environmental effects

within the Gordon River. The studiesare:

• Prediction and monitoring of theeffects of changed power stationoperation through an improvedunderstanding of river hydrology.

• Study of possible erosion issueswithin the Gordon River.

• Study of relationship between salt-wedge intrusion into meromicticlakes and operations of the GordonPower Station.

• In-stream fauna studies andprediction of habitat availabilityunder different flow regimes.

The State Government has announcedthere will be an environmental impactassessment process to assess thepotential affects of Basslink operationsupon the Gordon River.

Other possible environmental issues forthe region’s waterways include..

• Threatened species protection.

• Control of introduced animals andplants.

• Erosion through forestry activitiesand associated loss of, or stress to,aquatic and riparian habitats.

• Lack of comprehensive waterquality data in the catchment.

• Management of Aboriginal andEuropean cultural heritage sitesalong waterways in the catchment.

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3 WATER QUALITY : PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTALVALUES

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) of the surface waters in yourregion. PEVs are the values or uses ofthe water body for which it isdetermined that any given area ofthat water body 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 3.2.

The Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control willthen specify a range of pollutant limitscalled Water Quality Objectives. Thesewill be designed to ensure the quality ofwater in that water body is maintainedat a level which will allow the chosenvalues to be protected.

The Policy then sets out a range ofstrategies which are aimed at ensuring

that 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 near 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).

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B: Recreational Water Quality &Aesthetics

(i) Primary contact

(ii) Secondary contact

(iii) Aesthetics

‘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).

‘Aesthetics’ means visual appearance ofthe water (water clarity), being freefrom oil, grease, floating debris,unnatural colour, odour, algal bloomsetc.

C: Raw Water for Drinking Supply

(i) Subject to coarse screening only;

(ii) Subject to coarse screening anddisinfection.

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.

D: Agricultural Water Uses

(i) Irrigation

(ii) Stock watering

E: Industrial Water Supply

The actual industry type must bespecified in order to identifyappropriate guidelines.

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4 PEVs FOR THE GORDON RIVER CATCHMENT

4.1 PEV Setting Process

The Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control andthe Tasmanian Parks and WildlifeService suggested, as a starting point, arange of draft water quality PEVssuitable for surface waters (rivers, lakesand streams) of the Gordon Rivercatchment having regard to the WorldHeritage and other natural and culturalvalues of the region.

These proposed PEVs provided thebasis for discussion with regionalstakeholders and interest groups at acommunity values workshop in Strahan(21st September 1999) and Hobart (24th

September 1999). The workshopscovered both water quality and quantityissues in the region (refer Section 6).Outcomes from this workshop wereused to further develop PEVs for theGordon River System (Table 2) andcommunity water quantity values.

The general public were also invited viaadvertisements in the three majorTasmanian daily newspapers tocomment on proposed PEVs in publicforums at Strahan (11th October, 1999)and Hobart (12th October 1999) orduring a subsequent submission period.

The PEVs detailed below have nowbeen endorsed by the Board ofEnvironmental Management andPollution Control and the relevantplanning authorities for the GordonRiver System (Director of Parks and theDerwent Valley Council).

The PEVs chosen from the Policy arethose values and uses that are currentlyin evidence and apply only for surfacewaters within the Gordon Rivercatchment.

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PROTECTED ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES

for surface waters of the Gordon River Catchment

The PEVs for the surface waters of the Gordon River Catchment are described in Table2 under land use categories .The PEVs apply to all surface waters within each landtenure category, other than5:

• privately owned waters that are not accessible to the public and arenot connected to, or flow directly into, waters that are accessible tothe public; or

• waters in any tank, pipe or cistern.

“Privately owned waters” means any surface waters confinedwithin the boundary of privately owned land and which donot flow into, or do not communicate with:

(a) the sea or arm or creek of the sea;

(b) a source of supply for a water district or irrigation waterdistrict;

(c) any river, stream, watercourse, lake, pond or marsh.

Management of all surface waters within the catchment shall focus on the achievementof water quality objectives.

The water quality objectives will be determined by the Board of EnvironmentalManagement and Pollution Control in accordance with the State Policy on WaterQuality Management 1997.

Achievement of these water quality objectives will maintain or enhance the waterquality of those surface waters to ensure the protection of all of the following valuesand uses applying to each land use category. These values and uses are derived from theformal PEVs listed in Clause 7 of the Policy.

In general, diffuse source pollution can be managed to protect the PEVs by compliancewith approved codes of practice, or by development and implementation of best practiceenvironmental management guidelines where codes are not available.

In general, point source pollution should be managed to protect the PEVs byimplementation of best practice environmental management, and by compliance withemission limits set by the regulatory authority. This may also require the setting of amixing zone by the Board of Environmental Management and Pollution Control. Forspecific details refer to Part 4 of the State Policy on Water Quality.

5 State Policy on Water Quality Management 1997

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Protected Environmental Values reflect current values and uses of a water bodybut do not necessarily imply that the existing water quality will support thesevalues and uses.

Table 2: Protected Environmental Values for Gordon River Catchment

Gordon River Catchment above Lake Gordon

For all surfacewaters withinFranklin-GordonWild RiversNational Park

(managed under theNational Parks andWildlife Act 1970)

In addition: forsurface waters onfreehold land‘Gordonvale’within WorldHeritage Area.

.


(i) Protection of pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems from which edible fishare harvested and having regard for the management objectives of theWorld Heritage Area Management Plan.

B: Recreational Water Quality and Aesthetics

(i) Primary contact water quality

(ii) Secondary contact water quality

(iii) Aesthetic water quality

C: Raw Water for Drinking Water Supply (Strathgordon supply only) *

(ii) Subject to coarse screening plus disinfection

E: Industrial Water Supply (Hydro-Electric Power Generation)

That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of aphysical and chemical nature to support a pristine or near pristine aquaticecosystem from which edible fish are harvested and is not subject to significanthuman interference through discharge or catchment activities; that is acceptable fora town drinking water supply (Strathgordon only)* ; that allows people to safelyengage in recreational activities such as swimming, rafting and fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters; and is suitable for use following impoundment in theGordon Power Scheme.

* Raw Water for Drinking Water Supply PEV only applies to surface waters of smallun-named catchment at Strathgordon providing town water supply

For all surfacewaters withinAdamsfieldConservation Area


In addition: watersupply for bottlingof spring waternear un-namedtributary of AdamsRiver.


(i) Protection of pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems from which edible fishare harvested and having regard for the management objectives forconservation areas outlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parks and WildlifeAct, 1970 and for the management objectives of the World Heritage AreaManagement Plan.





E: Industrial Water Supply (Hydro-Electric Power Generation, Bottled Spring Water)

That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of aphysical and chemical nature to support a pristine or near pristine aquaticecosystem from which edible fish are harvested; that allows people to safely engagein primary and secondary contact recreational activities such as swimming, raftingand fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; and is suitable for use followingimpoundment in the Gordon Power Scheme and for bottling of spring water where

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commissional water right allows.

For all surfacewaters on Hydroland


(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems from which edible fishare harvested


(i) Primary contact water quality (where primary contact recreationpermitted)

(ii) Secondary contact water quality (where secondary contact recreationpermitted)


C: Raw Water for Drinking Water Supply (Strathgordon supply only) *

(ii) Subject to coarse screening plus disinfection


That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of aphysical and chemical nature to support a healthy, but modified aquatic ecosystemfrom which edible fish are harvested; that is acceptable for a town drinking watersupply (Strathgordon only) *; and which will allow people to safely engage in primaryand secondary contact recreation activities such as swimming, paddling or fishing(where Hydro operations permit) in aesthetically pleasing waters; and is suitable foruse (following impoundment) in the Gordon Power Scheme.

* Raw Water for Drinking Water Supply PEV only applies to surface waters of smallun-named catchment at Strathgordon providing town water supply

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For all surfacewaters within StateForest

(managed under theForestry Act 1920)

For all surfacewaters flowingthrough ForestReserves fromstate forest


For all surfacewaters withinForest Reserveshaving theirheadwaters withinthe Reserve



(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems from which edible fishare harvested






That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of aphysical and chemical nature to support a modified, but healthy aquatic ecosystem(recognising the designation of the area for multiple use forestry activities) fromwhich edible fish are harvested; that allows people to safely engage in primary andsecondary contact recreational activities such as swimming, rafting and fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters; and is suitable for use following impoundment in theGordon Power Scheme.


(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems from which edible fishare harvested, and having regard to the management objectives for ForestReserves outlined in Schedule 3 of the Forestry Act, 1920






That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of aphysical and chemical nature to support a modified, but healthy aquatic ecosystemfrom which edible fish are harvested; that allows people to safely engage in primaryand secondary contact recreational activities such as swimming, rafting and fishingin aesthetically pleasing waters; and is suitable for use (following impoundment) inthe Gordon Power Scheme.


(i) Protection of pristine/near pristine ecosystems from which edible fish areharvested, and having regard to the management objectives for ForestReserves outlined in Schedule 3 of the Forestry Act, 1920

B: Recreational Water Quality & Aesthetics





That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of a

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physical and chemical nature to support a pristine or near pristine aquaticecosystem from which edible fish are harvested; which will allow people to safelyengage in primary and secondary contact recreational activities such as swimming,rafting and fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; and is suitable for use (followingimpoundment) in the Gordon Power Scheme.

The Lakes

Lake Gordon &Lake Pedder


(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems from which edible fish(other than eels) are taken and having regard for the managementobjectives of the World Heritage Area Management Plan in Lake Pedder






That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of aphysical and chemical nature to support a modified, but healthy aquatic ecosystemfrom which edible fish are taken (nb. mercury concentrations detected in eels,larger trout and redfin perch in Lake Gordon exceeding levels considered safe forhuman consumption may be due to bioaccumulation of naturally high backgroundlevels of mercury); with waters of sufficient quality to support recreational activitiessuch as swimming, boating and fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters; and for usein the Gordon Power Scheme.

Waters below Lake Gordon

Gordon Riverbelow dam


(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems from which edible fishare taken and having regard for the management objectives of the WorldHeritage Area Management Plan.


(i) Primary contact water quality (where primary contact recreationpermitted)



That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of aphysical and chemical nature to support a modified, but healthy aquatic ecosystemfrom which edible fish are taken (nb. mercury concentrations detected in larger troutexceeding levels considered safe for human consumption may be due tobioaccumulation of naturally high background levels of mercury). Though subject tosome human interference through a modified discharge regime, waters are ofsufficient quality to support fishing and recreational activities with a high likelihoodof bodily immersion such as rafting (where Hydro operations permit) in aestheticallypleasing waters.

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Tributaries ofGordon Riverwithin Franklin-Gordon WildRivers NationalPark



(i) Protection of pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems from which edible fishare harvested and having regard for the management objectives of theWorld Heritage Area Management Plan.





That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of aphysical and chemical nature to support a pristine or near pristine aquaticecosystem from which edible fish are harvested and is not subject to significanthuman interference through discharge or catchment activities; and allows people tosafely engage in recreational activities such as swimming, rafting and fishing inaesthetically pleasing waters.

Meromictic Lakes A: Protection of Aquatic Ecosystems

(ii) Protection of modified (not pristine) ecosystems having regard to thewater quality characteristics of meromictic systems and for themanagement objectives of the World Heritage Area Management Plan.

That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of aphysical and chemical nature to support waterbodies subject to some humaninterference through a modified discharge regime, but valued for those water qualitycharacteristics arising within a permanently stratified ecosystem.

For all surfacewaters within theSouth-WestConservation Area



(i) Protection of pristine or nearly pristine ecosystems from which edible fishare harvested; and having regard for the management objectives forconservation areas outlined in Schedule 4 of the National Parks and WildlifeAct, 1970





That is, as a minimum, the water quality shall be managed to provide water of aphysical and chemical nature to support a pristine or near pristine aquaticecosystem from which edible fish are harvested; that allows people to safelyengage in primary and secondary contact recreational activities such as swimming,rafting and fishing in aesthetically pleasing waters.

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5 WATER QUANTITY : WATER FLOW MANAGEMENT VALUES

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.Water quality and quantity are closelylinked.

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. Thiscommunity values information wascollected as part of the communityconsultation process.

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-consumptive

use 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 watermanagement planning for yourcatchment is undertaken. This planningwill be undertaken on a priority basis,with the most stressed rivers in the Statebeing targeted initially.

An appraisal of water quantity valueswill be undertaken in order to developwater management goals for thecatchment. This will be undertakenduring the water management planningprocess.

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

Ecosystem values: The term is used toidentify those values which are to beprotected and / or enhanced in thecurrent state of aquatic and adjacentland ecosystems. Specific water valuesassociated with the ecosystem valuecategory may be:

• protection of an endangered species(plant or animal);

• protection or improvement in nativefish populations;

• protection of riverine vegetation;• provision of adequate water for

stream habitat for flora and fauna;• provision of water for wetland

and/or estuary ecosystems.

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Physical Landscape values: Thesevalues are closely related to thephysical nature of the catchment. Thisincludes the nature and constitution ofchannels, the frequency of floods anddroughts, soil and rock types, andvegetation coverage. These values arealso closely associated with ecosystemfunction, and may overlap with theprotection of ecosystem values.Specific water values associated withphysical landscape values may include:

• provision of variable flows;• prevention of erosion;• protection or improvement of

riparian 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 waterbody, with no return of it to thewaterbody. 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-electricitygeneration;

• 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 a

recreational fishery. Examples mayinclude:• maintenance or improvement of the

quantity (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.

Many of the community water valuesdetailed in Section 6 are related towater quantity issues. These valueswill provide the basis for futurewater management planningprocesses in the Gordon Riversystem.

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6 Community Water Values The following community water values were obtained from regional stakeholderworkshops and public forums held at Strahan and Hobart.

Table 3: Community water values for the Gordon River Catchment

Water ValueCategories

Nominated Water Values

Ecosystemvalues

• Maintain ‘natural’ state of waterways with range of water quality characteristicsrepresentative of the region: The Gordon River below the impoundments should bemanaged to maintain water quality characteristics (temperature, dissolved oxygen,suspended solids) at levels as close to natural as possible.

• ‘Intrinsic’ aquatic ecosystem values.

• Lower Gordon – maintain native riverbank vegetation (particularly Huon Pine):Changed flows may undercut river banks and destroy vegetation.

• Value riparian/riverbank vegetation as fish habitat.

• Lower Gordon wildlife: including occasional seals & dolphins

• Key freshwater animals: platypus, freshwater crayfish

• Lower Gordon birdlife: sea eagles, swans, azure kingfisher & occasional penguin.

• Maintaining water quality near roads: Avoid possible effects of bridge maintenance(sandblasting, paint in streams) and road maintenance (pesticide spraying, sedimentdisturbance) on water quality in local waterways. Lyell Highway, Clear Hill &Adamsfield.

• Rare and threatened flora over the whole area: Including native fish Galaxiaspedderensis, G. parvus

• Waterways maintained free of exotic animals and plants: inc. blackberries.

• Redfin free status of Lake Pedder: Flow velocity barrier at McPartlans Canalpreventing their spread from Lake Gordon to Lake Pedder.

• Pristine aquatic ecosystems in region have value as pristine ‘reference sites’ forcomparative scientific study with other areas.

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Physicallandscapevalues

• Integrity of stream bank is important in Middle & Lower Gordon: to avoid soil lossand turbid/dirty water and to maintain native riverbank vegetation (Huon Pine). In theLower Gordon there are formal licence restrictions for commercial operators andvoluntary code for private users to reduce wake.

• Wet & dry caves on lower Gordon & Maxwell waterways and Vale of Rassellas:changes in flow regime may have quality and quantity effects.

• Maintain as far as practical non-eroded foreshores on lakes Gordon & Pedder.

• Quartz beaches which have been formed at lakes Pedder (primarily) & Gordon.

• A flow regime which minimises negative downstream effects: Natural flow regimeis maintained above dams and on tributaries of the Gordon. Impoundments reducingsediment load may affect downstream bank rejuvenation on Gordon River. Potentialerosion issues may also arise from compounding effects of flooding and dam release.

• Maintaining meromictic lakes: Lake Fidler permanently stratified, others aremodified.

• Maintaining “natural” dynamics of salt wedge intrusion at Gordon mouth.

• Maintaining “natural” bar dynamics at the mouth of the river.

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Recreationalvalues

• Fishing: Lower Gordon, range 10 km upstream. ‘wild’ rainbow trout. Lakes & lowerGordon & Lake Pedder: brown and rainbow trout & eels. Problems with mercuryaccumulation in eels and larger trout, probably naturally occurring.

• Waterways used for access to mountain ranges on non-roaded side of Pedderand Gordon

• Sailing on lower Gordon: Both organised events (Abel Tasman Event 2-yearlycircumnavigation) and individual cruising yachts.

• Sea-plane landing sites: Upstream of Sir John Falls, downstream of HorseshoeBend, or at Limekiln Reach if other 2 sites not usable. Possible problems for landing inflood coincide with dam release.

• Commercial cruise operations: Maintain large boat access at mouth of Gordon.While bar not problem at present, bar dynamics may need investigation. Subject tooperating licence conditions and codes of practice for boat wake.

• Recreational motor boating: Same area as cruise boats & some up to Angel Cliffs.Also Lake Gordon and Lake Pedder. Voluntary code of practice for private users.

• Sightseeing – commercial and private boats

• Commercial rafting: (5/7/10 day trip, Collingwood or Mt McCall entry. Only 5% of totalgo to Heritage Landing, rest get picked up at Sir Johns Falls). Licence conditions andcode of practice exists for operators in terms of carrying out waste and washingprotocols.

• Private rafting: most on the Franklin & lower Gordon Rivers. Clean water near road atCollingwood Bridge is important for users. Minimal number of private rafters.

• Swimming: where rafting, and at Lakes Gordon and Pedder

• Canoeing and kayaking: Lake Gordon and Lake Pedder and some rivers.

• Sea kayaking: from harbour upstream to Sir John Falls.

• Camping

• Drinking water for bushwalkers: Dir. Public Health advises all water to be boiledprior to indivual consumption.

• Passive recreation / tourist viewing

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Consumptiveor non-consumptivevalues

• Water for generation of hydro electricity: Possible value added should it beperceived to be a renewable source and minimal contribution to ‘greenhouse’

• Effects of Gordon water on Macquarie Harbour fish farms: Effects unknown, watershould be of good quality, however. Mercury dynamics may require investigation.

• Drinking water: Strathgordon town supply, Wedge River NP&WS camp

• Lake Gordon boom storage of Huon Pine and licenced salvage on lake.

• Possibility of commercial bottling of water within Adamsfield Conservation Area.

• Licenced Huon Pine salvage on Macquarie Harbour outside of mouth of GordonRiver: Timber washed down the Gordon during flood.

• Extracted for sewage treatment use at Teds Beach at Lake Pedder

• Fire control: Active extraction and use of water (and passive value of waterways asfirebreaks).

Aestheticlandscapevalues

• Water over Sir John Falls (tributary unaffected by human influence): floatplanedestination

• Maintain soil and vegetation integrity of riverbank: avoid unnatural bank erosion.

• ‘Cleanliness’ of waters is a marketing tool, and has a commercial value.

Other issues • Rise and fall of storages results in accumulation of vegetative debris onforeshore resulting in fire hazard.

• Aboriginal heritage associated with waterways

• Cultural heritage Adamsfield mining site: still has water quality impacts.

• Lake Pedder has value as political ‘icon’.

gordon river system final paper - epa.tas.gov.au

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