Palerang
Palerang 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 Palerang
The five pest plant species identified in the 2004-08 period remain as high priority pests in Palerang Council area during the 2008-09 period. All priority weed species have the potential to reduce primary productivity. Council carried out weed control activities for the five high priority weeds, as listed in the indicator, during the reporting period and generally achieved reductions in overall densities for all species. The weed management strategy is effective, however continuing drought conditions, rising costs and the longer term financial impact of the drought reduces land managers' ability to control weeds.
In 2008-09 a major riparian restoration program was commenced on public land at three sites within the Palerang Council area funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments via the Murrumbidgee CMA and coordinated by Palerang Council. Aims of the program include control of weeds, enhance bank stability, improve aquatic habitat, increase the area of native vegetation managed for biodiversity conservation, increase community knowledge and foster partnerships.The Project is due for completion in 2009-10.
In 2008-09 there was a slight increase in conservation land, mostly converted from bushland, due to an increase in the size of Morton National Park and some Property Vegetation Plans. An additional 244ha near Nerriga was reserved as national park extending the northern end of Morton National Park within the Palerang local area.
There was significant improvement in total kilograms of controlled waste collected during the reporting period, particularly waste oil, almost double the quantity collected in 2007-08, through the provision of permanent oil collection facilities at several landfill sites. In the 2008-09 period 962 tonnes of controlled waste were collected, only slightly more than in the previous year.
The only known change to a locally listed heritage item during 2008-09 is the removal of a shed from Wallace Street, the site of the former Nomchongs store, as listed on the Register of the National Estate. The demolition was approved by Council and the State Heritage Office.
Total volumes of waste in Palerang Council area were estimated to be growing steadily over the reporting period, paralleling the steady increases in population in the Council area.
Recycling services are well supported by residents, with an 82% increase in the volume of recyclables recovered over the reporting period amounting to around 130 kg per resident per year.
Use of potable water supplied by Council during 2008-09 was consistent with that over the 2004-08 period with no clear trends. Water restrictions and conservation measures have been imposed but their effect cannot be identified. Residential water use continues to account for almost all the reticulated water supply. There is no current re-use of treated wastewater.
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 sites used in this analysis were Braidwood (Bureau of Meteorology Station No. 069010) – record commences in 1887; and Gidleigh (No. 070035) – record commences 1886, located 7 km from the centre of Bungendore. 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
The Bureau of Meteorology is heavily reliant on volunteer observers to record temperature readings across the Region. Reduced observation coverage has limited data collection and resulted in no temperature data available for 2008-09 in this Council area however some annual temperature data pertaining to Palerang Council area, collected at the Braidwood Racecourse AWS 169132 site, can be found at the Bureau of Meteorology website, http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/cvg/av?p_stn_num=069132&p_prim_element_index=0&p_
display_type=statGraph&period_of_avg=ALL&normals_years=allYearOfData&staticPage=
Issue: Biodiversity
Indicator: Pest Animals
There were no significant changes recorded during the 2008-09 period. As was reported in 2004-08 foxes, wild dogs and dingoes, rabbits and feral pigs continue to be the main pest animals in Palerang Council area during the current reporting period although feral goats, deer and cats were also present in some areas. 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 distributions and abundance is unavailable.
Indicator: Pest Plants
The five pest plant species identified in the 2004-08period remain as high priority pests in Palerang Council area during the reporting period: African Lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula), Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), English Broom (Cytisus scoparius), St John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) and Serrated Tussock (Nassella trichotoma). All the priority weed species have the potential to reduce primary productivity.
Council carried out weed control activities for the five high priority weeds, as listed in the indicator, during the reporting period and generally achieved reductions in overall densities for all species.
All funding for control of the five priority weed species on Council-managed land was sourced from Council only, with the exception of a $6000 grant from NSW Department of Primary Industries for control of Broom and Gorse. Council has no data on the expenditure for weed control on private land or on public land managed by other government agencies. The Catchment Management Authorities managed targeted funding programs. Murrumbidgee CMA provided funds to Palerang Council for a riparian restoration program that incorporated removal of willows.
Affected area treated is estimated as overall area over the reporting period. No information is available on the breakdown of the percentage of total area treated for each of the priority weeds by local Government, community groups and individuals.
The weed management strategy is effective, however due to continuing drought conditions it is difficult for desired species to compete with weeds. The longer term financial impact of the drought also reduces the ability for land managers to control weeds, along with the rising cost of chemicals, fuel, fertiliser etc.
Indicator: Riparian Conditions
In 2008-09 a major riparian restoration program was commenced on public land at three sites within the Palerang Council area. The Palerang Riparian Restoration program is funded by the Australian and NSW State Governments via the Murrumbidgee CMA and is being coordinated by Palerang Council. The program involves collaboration with a range of organisations, including NSW Department of Lands, Livestock Health and Pest Authorities, Royalla Landcare, Carwoola Landcare, Molonglo Catchment Group, Bungendore Landcare and individual landholders. Tree planting has been undertaken with the assistance of volunteers from Conservation Volunteers Australia and cadets from the Australian Defence Force Academy.
The three sites are located along Jerrabomberra Creek in Royalla, Molonglo River Park at Carwoola, and a short section of Turallo Creek in Bungendore. The program commenced during this reporting period with the removal of riparian weeds and planting of native plants. It is expected that the project will be completed in 2009-10 with the establishment of 10,400 new native plants. Aims of the program include control of weeds, enhance bank stability, improve aquatic habitat, increase the area of native vegetation managed for biodiversity conservation, increase community knowledge and foster partnerships.
Bungendore Landcare also managed the planting of 500 native seedlings along a 500m section of Turallo Creek in Bungendore, with the assistance of children from Bungendore Public School and Palerang Council.
Issue: Catchments
Indicator: Discharge to Waters
During 2008-09 the Braidwood sewage treatment plant exceeded the maximum daily discharge volume six times due to rainfall events. The total suspended solids was exceeded six times and BOD limit was exceeded four times corresponding with high algae levels.
During 2008-09 at the Captains Flat the total suspended solids and BOD limits were exceeded two times corresponding with high algae levels.
No non-compliance reports were submitted for the Bungendore sewage treatment plant during 2004-2005 and 2005-2006. Suspended solids were exceeded twice in 2006-2007 and once in 2007-2008. Suspended solids were exceeded twice in 2008-2009 corresponding to high algae levels.
Indicator: Groundwater
Total groundwater extraction in the Palerang Council area is less than 10 GL/yr compared with the natural recharge of more than 500 GL/yr (AWR 2000). This is considered a low level of extraction (extraction is 0 to 29% of recharge), and sustainable for the entire Shire. During 2008-09 extraction from six Council controlled bores was 275.1 ML, a comparable figure with other years in the reporting period.
The main groundwater conservation measure implemented by Palerang Council is the retention of water restrictions in Bungendore which is supplied by bore water (see Water Use chapter for more details)
Indicator: Land Use
In 2008-09 there was a slight increase in conservation land, mostly converted from bushland, due to an increase in the size of Morton National Park and some Property Vegetation Plans. An additional 244ha near Nerriga was reserved as national park extending the northern end of Morton National Park within the Palerang local area.
Issue: Resource Use
Indicator: Hazardous Waste
In the 2008-09 period 962 tonnes of controlled waste were collected, only slightly more than in the previous year. It is difficult to analyse trends as the volumes of most substances collected seem to vary from year to year. In part, this can be explained by the fact that, while there has been a hazardous waste collection in Braidwood for all five years, these only commenced in Bungendore in 2005-2006, Captain’s Flat in 2006-2007 and Burra in 2008-09. Of note, however, is the significant improvement in total kilograms of controlled waste collected during the reporting period, particularly waste oil, almost double the quantity collected in 2007-08, through the provision of permanent oil collection facilities at several landfill sites.
Indicator: Heritage
Council’s Heritage Conservation program works on the identification, protection and promotion of Palerang’s Aboriginal, European and natural heritage. A key initiatives for Council during 2008-09 have been:
- preparation of a community-based heritage study for the western part of Palerang; comprising the thematic history completed in January 2008 and the heritage inventory completed in April 2009;
- provision of ongoing assistance to the Palerang Heritage Advisory Committee; and
- coordination of Heritage Week.
The number of places on the s.170 list has increased from two to three records during the reporting period due to one site being mistakenly removed in the 2008 report. The Williamsdale platform and shed archaeological remains have been added to the list below.
The three places in Palerang Shire listed under S.170 of the NSW Heritage Act are:
Bungendore Railway Station and Yard Group, Bungendore
Captain's Flat Railway Station Group, Captains Flat
Williamsdale platform and shed archaeological remains, Williamsdale
The new Palerang Local Environmental Plan (LEP) is still being developed, so the list of heritage places on the LEP was determined from the subset of lists contained in the six current LEPs that cover areas that now partly or wholly comprise the Palerang Council area. It is noted that one site, Shops and Residences, 72-74 Wallace Street, Braidwood, was duplicated in the 2008 report giving a total of 128 sites. This error has been corrected and the 127 sites on the existing Palerang Council Local Environmental Plan listed.
The only known change to a locally listed heritage item during 2008-09 is the removal of a shed from 50 Wallace Street, the site of Nomchongs store (former) as listed on the Register of the National Estate. This site is believed to be part of the original local listing for 44-46 Wallace Street as number 44 no longer exists under the current addressing and the listing should probably be updated to 44-50 Wallace Street. The demolition was approved by Council and the State Heritage Office.
Indicator: Solid Waste
Total volumes of waste in Palerang Council area were estimated to be growing steadily over the reporting period, paralleling the steady increases in population in the Council area.
Recycling services are well supported by residents, with an 82% increase in the volume of recyclables recovered over the reporting period amounting to around 130 kg per resident per year.
Indicator: Water Use
Use of potable water supplied by Council during 2008-09 was consistent with that over the 2004-08 period with no clear trends. Water restrictions and conservation measures have been imposed but their effect cannot be identified. The population supplied with reticulated water has increased over this period, which the Council has estimated to be a 3.8% increase per annum. It is likely that a small decrease in per capita consumption balanced the population increase. There is no current re-use of treated wastewater. Residential water use continues to account for almost all the reticulated water supply.
