Goulburn-Mulwaree
Goulburn-Mulwaree Update 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 Goulburn-Mulwaree
Few changes were recorded for the 2008-09 period. Despite the continuing trend towards hotter, drier weather water restrictions were again maintained at level 3, with water use over the period remaining within the target for most of the year. During 2008-09 the level three restriction target of 7.8ML/day was exceeded on 41 days. Often the excess was only minimal and, as would be expected, occurred in the period of hottest weather between December 2008 and March 2009. Conversely, water use was well below target (often almost half) for the remainder of the period. While the level of noise complaints was about the same as for 2004-08 improved data recording permitted a more detailed analysis of the source of complaints to Council.
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 Kippilaw (Bureau of Meteorology Station No. 070055), which has records commencing in 1886. Kippilaw is 12.3 km from the centre of Goulburn. Data from nearby stations were used to calculate values for months with missing data at this site (see Appendix 2 for further information).
Indicator: Temperature
Analyses of 2008-09 temperature, evaporation and soil moisture, and long term climate trend data are presented for the indicator. Temperature data at Goulburn during the reporting period were collected at the TAFE (Bureau of Meteorology Station No. 070263). The automatic weather station at Goulburn Airport (No. 070330) was also used to derive data where there were missed observations. There is a continuous data record at this site from 1991 to the present (see Appendix 1 for more details).
Issue: Biodiversity
Indicator: Pest Animals
There were no significant changes recorded during the 2008-09 period. As was noted in the 2004-08 report seven pest animals were recorded in the Goulburn Mulwaree Council area during the current reporting period. This is a similar trend to the previous reporting period however, due to limitations in the current reporting period data, quantitative information to assess change in the pest animal distribution and abundance is unavailable.
Issue: Catchments
Indicator: Contaminated Sites
All records about potential land contamination continue to be stored with individual property record cards. This record is not comprehensive and some issues such as location of farm gully tips are not recorded. There are 261 records for existing and past land uses that are potentially contaminated land. In addition, there are 67 mines and other extractive industries (15 active and 52 no longer operating) that are potentially contaminated sites.
Indicator: Discharge to Waters
Data available for the 2008-09 period indicate there were three minor discharges to the Wollondilly River at Kenmore Bridge Pump Station.
Issue: Resource Use
Indicator: Hazardous Waste
There is little data available for hazardous waste in the 2004 -2008 reporting period. In the 2007-08 period 197 tonnes of asbestos were sent to landfill (in an Asbestos pit) in Palerang Shire. For the period 2008-09 this reduced to 145.76 tonnes.
Indicator: Noise
Improved data collection during the 2008-09 period enabled details on sources of noise complaints in addition to barking dogs to be recorded. Nevertheless, the total number of complaints remained consistent with the 2004-08 period as did the process for dealing with complaints.
Indicator: Water Use
Water conservation
Since July 2007 restrictions have been relaxed to Level 3. During 2008-09 the level three restriction target of 7.8ML/day was exceeded on 41 days. Often the excess was only minimal and, as would be expected, occurred in the period of hottest weather between December 2008 and March 2009. Conversely, water use was well below target (often almost half) for the remainder of the period. Table 4 for this indicator presents water consumption in Goulburn Mulwaree Shire for the period 2008-09. Table 5 for this indicator presents comparison data for the 'pre-drought' period 200-01.
