Cootamundra
Cootamundra Updates Summary 2008-09
This section presents a summary of recorded changes for 2008-09 against the same 22 indicators as in the 2004-08 report. Links to each of the indicators within the comprehensive 2004-09 report are listed below. The new data, including charts and tables, for the period 30 June 2008 to 1 July 2009 are available within the comprehensive 2004-09 report. For easy identification, the 2008-09 changes have been marked in coloured text. Local initiatives undertaken within this period can be viewed as snapshots.
What the 2008-09 results tell us for Cootamundra
The Management of water use and quality remain central issues for Council and key areas of action. Council purchased 780 404 Kilolitres of potable water to supply the township of Cootamundra from Goldenfields County Council during the 2008-09 financial year. Results for 2008-09 indicated that drinking water quality remains good however some concern was raised by the department of health relating to the free chlorine levels throughout Council’s reticulation system. Council is now undertaking weekly chlorine level tests to determine what the levels are. Once this data is collected Council will make a determination as to install dosing systems at the two reservoirs or asked the water supplier to increase chlorine levels on the supply to Council. One water saving measure is the continuing effluent reuse scheme supplying water to local parks, gardens, school ovals and sporting grounds. During the 2008-09 financial year 276 200 kilolitres of water were reused throughout Cootamundra. This equates to around 21% of the water originally purchased from Goldenfields. Council has also received funding through the Water Loss Management Program, for work on leak detection and repair to Council’s 92 km of water mains, installation of permanent metering and data logging at Cootamundra’s two reservoir sites. Overall, this project is estimated to save in excess of 32 Megalitres of water per year making it an important investment in the future of water supplies for Cootamundra Shire residents.
Waste management is another challenge for Council. In the period 2008-09 waste generation increased but so has the resource recovery rate. Over the past five years Cootamundra Shire has reduced its waste to land fill by 2% and increased its resource recovery by the same amount. Waste to landfill by private delivery has fallen due to increased dumping charges.
Indicators updated for 2008-09
- Atmosphere and Weather
- Biodiversity
- Catchments
- Resource Use
Issue: Atmosphere and Weather
Indicator: Rainfall
An analysis of monthly 2004-09 rainfall and a long-term perspective are available for the indicator. The main rainfall observing site used in this analysis was Landgrove (Bureau of Meteorology Station No. 073022), which has records commencing in 1891. Landgrove is 6.2 km from the centre of Cootamundra. Data from nearby stations were used to calculate values for months with missing data at this site, and to extend the record back to 1889 (see Appendix 2 for further information).
Indicator: Temperature
The Bureau of Meteorology is heavily reliant on volunteer observers to record temperature readings across the Region. No temperature data are available for 2008-09 in this Council area.
Issue: Biodiversity
Indicator: Pest Animals
There were no significant changes recorded during the 2008-09 period. As noted in 2004-08 five pest animals were recorded in the Cootamundra Shire during the current reporting period, two of which were considered to be a major problem. This is an increase by one pest animal (cats) to the previous reporting period however, due to limitations in the current reporting period data, quantitative information to assess change in all the pest animal distributions and abundance is unavailable. Furthermore, this is only the second time that the Cootamundra Shire has been included in the Australian Capital Region State of the Environment Report.
Indicator: Pest Plants
| Weed species common name | Level of infestation | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Scotch Thistle | Rare and Isolated infestations | >100 ha |
| St John's Wort | Marginal and Rare and Isolated infestations | >2500 ha |
| Horehound | Widespread, core infestations. | > 100 ha |
| African Boxthorn | Isolated patches | < 10 ha |
| Coolatai Grass | Rare and isolated infestations | < 2 ha |
| Johnson's Grass | Rare and isolated infestations | < 2 ha |
| Silverleaf Nightshade | Rare and isolated infestations | < 5 ha |
| Prairie Ground Cherry | Rare an isolated infestations | < 1 ha |
| Patterson’s Curse | No treatment. Biological control agents released annually approximately 50000 flea beetles * | |
| Tree of Heaven | Rare and Isolated infestations | < 1 ha |
| Sweet Briar | Rare and isolated infestations | < 2 ha |
| Wild Radish | Rare and isolated infestations | < 1 ha |
| Bathurst Burr | Isolated outbreaks | < 2 ha |
| Blackberry | Isolated single plants | < 1 ha |
| Golden Dodder | Single infestation | < 1 ha |
| Serrated Tussock | Single infestation | < 1 ha |
| Tiger Pear | Single infestation scattered | over 3 ha |
Source: Cootamundra Shire Council
* Areas treated are to protect the lucerne flats along the Muttama Creek and areas adjacent to lucerne crops.
Issue: Catchments
Indicator: Groundwater
During 2008-09 testing of groundwater in all Council parks and gardens continued with varying results registered.
Issue: Resource Use
Indicator: Drinking Water Quality
Results for 2008-09 indicated that drinking quality remains good however some concern was raised by the department of health relating to the free chlorine levels throughout Council’s reticulation system.
Council is now undertaking weekly chlorine level tests to determine what the levels are. Once this data is collected Council will make a determination as to install dosing systems at the two reservoirs or asked the water supplier to increase chlorine levels on the supply to Council.
Initial testing has shown that chlorine levels do appear to be lower than recommended.
Indicator: Noise
Council recorded eight noise complaints during the 2008-09 year. Council investigated five complaints related to machinery operation, two associated with noise from animals. A single noise complaint relating to a party was referred to police. One complaint related to machinery noise involved a local stock feed mill. Council conducted joint meetings with nearby residents and the mill management which resulted in the identification of solutions to combat the offensive noise. Implementation of counter measures is currently being undertaken.
Indicator: Solid Waste
In the period 2008-09 waste generation has increased but so has the resource recovery rate. Over the past five years Cootamundra Shire has reduced its waste to land fill by 2% and increased its resource recovery by the same amount. Waste to landfill by private delivery has fallen due to increased dumping charges.
Indicator: Water Use
Council purchased 780 404 Kilolitres of potable water to supply the township of Cootamundra from Goldenfields County Council during the 2008-09 financial year.
Council continues to operate the effluent reuse scheme supplying water to local parks, gardens, school ovals and sporting grounds. During the 2008-09 financial year 276 200 kilolitres of water was reused throughout Cootamundra. This equates to around 21% of the water originally purchased from Goldenfields.
