Yass Valley
Yass Valley 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 Yass Valley
Few significant changes were recorded in the 2008-09 period. High phosphorus load in discharge water may contribute algae growth in Yass river. Currently Yass STP has no facility to remove phosphorus load. The new plant under construction and expected to be commissioned at the end of 2009 will remove phosphorus load significantly. The treated effluent from new plant will meet the sensitive waters standards. In 2008-09 household chemical collection reduced by 50% compared to the previous year. No hazardous waste is transported into the Council area for disposal. Controlled waste items are exported from Yass Valley Council area for disposal.
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 Yass – Linton Hostel (Bureau of Meteorology Station No. 070091), which has records commencing in 1898. 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 observations are taken at Yass Hostel in Linton Street (Bureau of Meteorology Station No. 070091). While the temperature record for Yass is generally good, there are four years in which missing monthly data have resulted in there being no annual temperature figures.
Issue: Biodiversity
Indicator: Pest Animals
There were no significant changes recorded during the 2008-09 period. As was reported in 2004-08 eight types of pest animals were recorded in Yass Valley Council area. Due to limitations in the reporting period data, quantitative information to assess change in the pest animal distributions and abundance is unavailable.
Issue: Catchments
Indicator: Discharge to Waters
High phosphorus load in the discharge water may contribute algae growth in Yass river. Currently Yass STP has no facility to remove phosphorus load. The new plant is under construction now and will remove phosphorus load significantly. It is expected to be commissioned at the end of 2009. The treated effluent from new plant will meet the sensitive waters standards.
| Licensed/ unlicensed |
Volume (ML/year) | Type | Estimated volume discharged illegally (L/year) | Estimated volume discharged accidentally (L/year) | Receiving waters | Mass load of nitrogen (kg) | Mass load of phosphorus (kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008–09 | |||||||
| Licensed | 205 | Sewage | unknown | Nil | Banjo Creek | 3417 | 1564 |
Issue: Resource Use
Indicator: Hazardous Waste
In 2008-09 household chemical collection reduced by 50% compared to the previous year.
No hazardous waste is transported into the Council area for disposal.
Controlled waste items are exported from Yass Valley Council area for disposal.
