Kincumber Creek Riparian Management Plan - Gosford City Council

Kincumber Creek Riparian Management Plan Adopted May 2003 - Min No 113/2003 

1. Introduction 

Kincumber Creek is an urban creek, a tributary of Brisbane Water, impacted upon by 

urban and industrial development. This Plan applies to the sections of Kincumber Creek 

outlined in Figure 1.1. 

Riparian land has been defined as any body of land, which adjoins, directly influences or is 

influenced by a body of water (Lovett & Price, 1999). The term riparian comes from the 

Latin word ‘ripa’, meaning river bank. These areas are unique sections of land that directly 

and indirectly interact with watercourses. The width of the riparian zone is determined, 

largely, on the function of the watercourse. An upstream watercourse may influence or be 

influenced by a relatively small area compared with that of a coastal floodplain. Riparian 

land use management also determines the area of riparian zone available for flora and 

fauna management, sediment and nutrient buffering and rehabilitation. 

1.1. Values of Riparian Land 

Riparian land is important largely because of the productivity associated with these areas. 

The soil, which has been deposited on riparian lands, is fertile and moist, but also highly 

erodable. The vegetation that grows along watercourses is potentially adapted to buffer the 

effects of constant disturbance, eg. flood and erosion. 

The vegetation supported by riparian zones is often unique to these areas and may 

support a diversity of animals for some or all of their life cycle. Riparian lands are vital for 

migration and dispersal for flora and fauna as well as refuge and shelter areas, important 

also for nesting, feeding and breeding. 

The high productivity of riparian land has meant that they have played an important role in 

economic activities. Riparian lands have also been used for housing development and to 

redirect waste (eg. stormwater) from developed areas. 

Urban rivers and streams have also been recognised as valuable community assets 

because of recreational opportunities, aesthetics, education and research. There are 

moves to integrate a more holistic approach to riparian land management. 

More recently, riparian areas have been the subject of rehabilitation activities to attempt to 

ameliorate problems associated with urban landuse. 

1.2. Issues Surrounding Riparian Lands 

Human development has traditionally surrounded waterways. This has largely been for the 

purpose of food, transport and, water use and waste discharge. Large population centres 

have been dependent on waterways for water sharing and in urban centres, stormwater 

and flood mitigation and drainage channels. 

Management problems associated with riparian zones have stemmed from the removal 

and alteration of vegetation and hydrological processes. The severity of impacts on water 

quality, reduction in biodiversity, pollution, erosion and sedimentation as a result, has 

created urgency for the restoration and management of urban streams and catchments 

(Hession et al 2000). The health of any area downstream is dependant on upstream 

processes. This is particularly relevant for Kincumber Creek. SEPP14 wetland has been 

identified and mapped near the outlet of the Creek, which gives it come protection from 

Gosford City Council, CCCEN 10


direct impacts. The health of this wetland however, is dependant upon processes further 

upstream in the Kincumber Creek catchment. 

Most recently, riparian areas have been targeted as priority areas for rehabilitation works 

due to their effective protective and restorative mechanism in the conservation and 

management of rivers and streams (Williams 1999). On a regional scale, the Central Coast 

Catchment Management Board’s recent Catchment Blueprint (2003) identified riparian 

zone management as the second highest priority action of fifty-seven, for natural resource 

management issues for the region. Improved riparian zone management and rehabilitation 

of riparian land would be reflected in the quality of water entering the local water bodies 

such as Brisbane Water. Rehabilitating riparian zones would decrease the level of 

sediment and pollutants entering waterways. 

Kincumber Creek has been identified in the Draft Blueprint as a high hazard river system. 

The Blueprint determines that high hazard river systems are characterised by a lack of 

riparian vegetation, bed instability, bank instability, and/or flow into sensitive water bodies. 

Kincumber Creek is a multifunctional creek and as such there are many opportunities to 

balance land uses and management with ecosystem integrity. 

Council’s 1997 State of the Environment Report indicated that Kincumber Creek was one 

of Gosford’s “worst creeks” in terms of water quality and erosion. Water Quality 

investigations initiated by Gosford City Council also demonstrated the poor state of 

Kincumber Creek. Gosford City Council and the Central Coast Community Environment 

Network formed a partnership to rehabilitate Kincumber Creek, funded by Gosford City 

Council’s Environmental Levy. 

This report represents an assessment of the current condition of the riparian zone of 

Kincumber Creek, its values and management issues, recommendations, strategies and a 

work plan outlining activities and work to be undertaken. 



THE 

BROADWATER 

H 

G 

H 

E 

AVOCA DRIVE 

E 

E 

FF D1 

Kincumber Creek 

E 

EMPIRE BAY DRIVE 

D2 C 

0 250 

metres 

Gosford City Council, CCCEN 12 

C 

BBBB 

AA 

A 

500 

∀ 

FIGURE 1.1 

SUBJECT: Sections Of Creek 

20th December 2002 

SITE LOCATION 

LEGEND 

Priority Drainage 

Priority 1 

Drainage Line 

Priority 2 

Waterway 

Priority 3 

Priority 4 

Priority 5 

N 

SUBJECT SITE 

Website: www.gosford.gov.au 

Email:goscity@gosford.nsw.gov.au 

Phone: 02 43258222


1.3. Aims and Objectives 

Aims 

To rehabilitate and protect the riparian zone of Kincumber Creek by involving the 

community in identification of the values, issues and in implementing an action plan, by 

testing a model for rehabilitation of Australian streams provided by Land and Water 

Australia. 

Objectives 

• To document the current condition of Kincumber Creek 

• To identify problems and their source 

• To conserve ecologically significant areas of the creek 

• To protect Kincumber Creek from further degradation 

• To engage appropriate weed management of the site 

• To assist the natural regeneration of the native vegetation 

• To increase community awareness of the issues and values along Kincumber 

Creek 

• To engage the community in active involvement to protect and rehabilitate 

Kincumber Creek. 

• To aid Council and property owners along the creek in better management of the 

riparian zone 



1.4. Background Information 

Location 

Kincumber Creek is the main tributary of the Kincumber Broadwater, Brisbane Water’s 

most eastern shallow embayment. It is one of 3 major waterways (Figure 1.2) of Brisbane 

Water and is approximately 1km in length. It is relatively undeveloped on the southern 

bank. The northern bank and most of the floodplain catchment is developed as urban 

residential and industrial. 

Climate 

The Central Coast of New South Wales experiences a generally mild climate with 

approximately 1282 mm per annum rainfall (Benson 1986). 

Landscape 

The broad, shallow estuary of Brisbane Water drains an urbanised coastal floodplain of 

Quaternary alluvium consisting of gravel, sand, silt and clay, and steep escarpments of 

largely undeveloped Triassic Hawkesbury sandstone and Triassic Narrabeen Gosford 

formation (Benson 1986). 

The Kincumber Creek catchment is defined to the east by a narrow spine or ridge with a 

height of 186m at its highest point at Avoca Beach Trig station on Kincumba Mountain and 

Kirk’s Hill to the south at 100m. In between lies a saddle of up to 50m dividing drainage to 

Kincumber Creek or the sea (Strom 1980). To the north Kincumba Mountain stretches to 

the fringe of the Broadwater at Dunlop’s Hill. 

The ridges, which head the Kincumber Creek catchment, are derived mainly from 

Narrabeen beds of shale capped by some layers of Hawkesbury sandstone. The alluvial 

flats or floodplain are derived from soils, clays, stones, plant and animal remains washed 

from land and sea (Strom 1980). These sandstones and siltstones have weathered to form 

moderately deep, to deep yellow, podsolic soils, earths and loams along drainage lines to 

the creek. 

The creek was originally a tidal saltwater creek. However, from Empire Bay Drive 

upstream it is now fresh water. 

Vegetation 

The vegetation of the Kincumber Creek catchment is a reflection of the topography, soil 

and climate of the area. The tops of the ridges contain an Open Forest of Sydney Red 

Gum and Bloodwood while a Tall Open Forest of Blackbutt, Ironbark and Turpentine 

dominate the heavily timbered shale slopes. The gullies drain the slopes and gully 

rainforest contain emergent Blue Gums and Turpentine, which dominate the subsequent 

loamy soils. The alluvial floodplains contain a forest of Swamp Mahogany and Paperbark 

draining to brackish Swamp Oak forest, saltmarsh herb fields and a fringe of mangroves, 

beyond which are 2 layers of seagrass meadows. 



OMERSBY 

Newcastle 

Lackersteens 

Ro 

Freeway 

KARIONG 

NARARA CREEK 

Brisbane 

Point Clare 

WOY WOY 

Water 

Drive 


Brisbane 

Water 

GOSFORD 

Pacific 

Highway 

Pacific 

Davistown 

ERINA CREEK 

Green Point 

Avoca 

LISAROW 

Kincumber 

Broadwater 

The 

Terrigal 

Drive 

KINCUMBER 

KINCUMBER CREEK 

∀ 

Transport 

FIGURE 1.2 

SUBJECT: Brisbane Water 

and Tributaries 


SITE LOCATION 

Railway 

LEGEND 

Highways 

Major Road 

Drainage 

Drainage Line 

Waterway 

N 

SUBJECT SITE 



Phone: 02 43258222


The vegetation of the Central Coast has been mapped at a 1: 25 000 scale by the Lower 

Hunter and Central Coast Regional Environment Management Strategy (LHCCREMS) 

using indicators of soil, rainfall and geology and surveys carried out within the area (see 

Figure 1.3) 

Based upon these classifications, the catchment of Kincumber Creek contains the 

following Map Units:- 

1 Coastal Wet Gully Forest (Closed Forest – Tall Open Forest, Specht 1980 

dominated by Syncarpia glomulifera/Eucalyptus saligna, Acmena smithii, and 

Guioa semiglauca) 

5 Alluvial Tall Moist Forest (Tall Open Forest – Open Forest, Specht 1980 

dominated by Eucalyptus saligna, Syncarpia glomulifera and Glochidion ferdinandi) 

6 Coastal Narrabeen Moist Forest (Tall Open Forest – Open Forest, Specht 1980, 

dominated by Syncarpia glomulifera, Eucalyptus saligna, E. acmenoides and E. 

pilularis) 

22 Coastal Narrabeen Shrub Forest (Open Forest, Specht 1980 dominated by 

Angophora costata, Syncarpia glomulifera, Corymbia gummifera and Eucalyptus 

pilularis) 

37 Swamp Mahogany – Paperbark Forest (Open Forest – Closed Forest, Specht 

1980, dominated by Eucalyptus robusta, Melaleuca quinquenervia and Casuarina 

glauca) 

40 Swamp Oak – Rushland Forest (Open Forest – Closed Forest, Specht 1980, 

dominated by Casuarina glauca, Melaleuca ericifolia and Baumea juncea) 

47 Mangrove Estuarine Complex, Saltmarsh. Low Open Forest – Low 

Woodland/Herbland, Specht 1980, dominated by Avicennia marina subsp 

australiasica, Sarcocornia quinqueflora subsp quinqueflora, Aegiceras 

corniculatum). 

(LHCCREMS 2000) 

There is, however, far more complexity at a local scale within the broader vegetation 

communities. Because the mapping is at such a large scale, some of the details have not 

been picked u pin Figure 1.3. In particular, wetlands and estuarine vegetation have many 

sub communities. These will be identified in the near future, with detailed vegetation 

mapping currently underway for Gosford City. 

Significant vegetation 

All remaining vegetation within the study area is considered of potentially high biological 

conservation significance as the vegetation communities are very poorly represented in the 

State’s ecological reserve system (DEP, 1983). Kincumba Mountain Reserve is a remnant 

area of the natural landscape and of native flora and fauna communities of the Central 

Coast and considered of high nature conservation importance (GCC 2001). 



town 


Broadwater 

AVOCA DRIVE 




LEGEND 

Vegetation Communities 

Coastal Wet Gully Forest (114) 

Littoral Rainforest (1) 

Alluvial Tall Moist Forest (66) 

Coastal Narabeen Moist Forest (229) 

Sheltered Rough Barked Apple Forest (4) 

coastal Foothills Spotted Gum iron Bark Forest (10) 

Coastal Narrabeen Shrub Forest (67) 

Broken Back Grey Gum Stringybark Forest (3) 

Sheltered Dry Hawkesbury Woodland (2) 

Exposed Hawkesbury Woodland (2) 

Coastal Sand Apple-Blackbutt Forest (28) 

Swamp Mahogany Paperbark Forest (59) 

Swamp Oak Rushland Forest (64) 

Swamp Oak Sedge Forest (3) 

Wyong Paperbark Swamp Forest (5) 

Mangrove Estuarine Complex (4) 

∀ 

FIGURE 1.3 

SUBJECT: Vegetation 


SITE LOCATION 

N 

Note: 

Vegetation Based on 2002 

LHCCREMS vegetation Mapping 

SUBJECT SITE 



Phone: 02 43258222


Supporting Legislation 

A recent determination by the NSW Scientific Committee considers that alteration to the 

natural flow regimes of rivers and streams and their floodplains and wetlands is a Key 

Threatening Process on Schedule 3 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 

(TSC Act). The degradation of native riparian vegetation along New South Wales 

watercourses is considered a Key threatening process under Schedule 6 of the Fisheries 

Management Act 1994. Arguably, this pertains to all the land on the alluvial floodplains of 

the Kincumber Creek catchment. There is one ecological community considered 

endangered under Part 3 of the TSC Act located in the catchment: the Sydney Coastal 

Estuary Swamp Forest Complex (SCESFC). 

Sydney Coastal Estuary Swamp Forest Complex forests are ideal indicators of wet 

conditions with the dominant canopy tree being Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta). 

An understorey of sedges and rushes and paperbarks represent a transition between 

wetlands and drier schlerophyll forest. Because of the reliable source of nectar provided by 

the winter flowering gums, this community is particularly important for fauna (Payne 1997). 

Listed as Vulnerable under Schedule 2 of the TSC Act is the Wyong Paperbark (Melaleuca 

biconvexa), which is found alongside the creek in Zones A and B, and most likely 

historically occurred further downstream also. This species is often found in association 

with Swamp Mahogany and, therefore, reflects poor drainage along freshwater floodplains 

from Gosford to Wyong. It is now considered Vulnerable because of its small range and 

the fact that coastal floodplains within Gosford and especially Wyong are being developed 

at an increasing rate. 

The estuary of Brisbane Water and its associated wetlands and waterways are considered 

of international importance because of significant habitat opportunities for migratory birds 

(GCC 1995). Thorvaldson (1975) highlighted the importance of the estuarine habitat in the 

Kincumber Creek catchment and noted it worthy of conservation. However, saltmarsh 

vegetation in the Brisbane Water has not been protected and is now rare. Less than 1.9ha 

remains of the 10ha of saltmarsh herb field present in 1954, as assessed by Harty in 1999. 

A community of the Narrow-leaved Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus racemosa) found on the 

southern catchment boundary is also too small to be picked up in regional vegetation 

surveys. This community is considered rare in Gosford due to the fact that it usually occurs 

on Narrabeen slopes in Wyong as opposed to coastal lowlands in Gosford (R. Payne, 

pers. Comm.). This community was described by Thorvaldson (1975) as Forest B – 

Eucalyptus racemosa community. This open forest contains dominant trees of Sydney Red 

Gum (Angophora costata),Narrow-leaved Scribbly Gum (E. racemosa) and Red 

Bloodwood (Corymbia gummifera). 

There is also a small patch of littoral rainforest containing significant stands of Guioa 

(Guioa semiglauca) and Prickly-leaved Paperbark (Melaleuca styphelioides) on the 

western knoll which separates the Bouddi Pony Club from the Nautical Village. 

Other relevant plans 

Brisbane Water Plan of Management (Gosford City Council, 1995) 

The Brisbane Water Plan of Management was developed with regard to the principles set 

out in the NSW Government’s Estuary Management Policy and Estuary Management 

Manual. The Plan provides detailed management guidelines for development within the 

Brisbane Water estuary (which includes the Kincumber Creek catchment). 



Foreshore Reserves Plan of Management (Gosford City Council, 1996) 

The Plan of Management for Foreshore Reserves was developed to regulate the use and 

management of these public parcels of land in accordance with the Local Government Act 

1993. This includes the public boat ramps located along Kincumber Creek. 

Fauna and Habitat 

The distribution and number of fauna species in an area is determined by the resources 

and habitat available to be utilised in an area. 

Riparian lands are among the most productive ecosystems on earth, and hence have a 

high biodiversity. This productivity leads to a greater supply of plant products such as leaf 

litter and a more consistent source of flower or fruit as a result of the availability of water 

and nutrients. Due to the natural connectivity between and within vegetation communities, 

riparian lands also provide ideal corridors for migratory and dispersal processes. Riparian 

vegetation may provide a greater variety of perches, roosts, resting and nesting sites and 

greater protection from predation. Riparian trees are a source of nest hollows; their debris 

and leaf litter provide foraging sites and retreats for invertebrates and small mammals, 

reptiles and amphibians. Burrowing and ground-dwelling birds and amphibians are 

prevalent due to the often friable soil (Lynch & Catterall, 1999). 

No formal surveys have been conducted on the fauna of Kincumber Creek; however, local 

ecological impact assessments, National Parks and Wildlife Atlas and local residents own 

records provide a good indication of the species that have been observed locally. 

Atlas records to 2001 reveal the presence of five threatened fauna species utilising 

resources and habitat within the catchment of Kincumber Creek. These include the 

Osprey, Powerful Owl, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Bush Stone-Curlew and Black Bittern. 

Within a 1km radius the Yellow-bellied Glider and Sooty Owl have also been recorded. The 

lands within 1km are presently connected to the creek through its wetlands. The wetlands 

have minimal disturbance and are considered to be of medium to high conservation value. 

Other habitat which is considered of conservation significance to fauna within the 

catchment is conserved within the Kincumba Mountain Reserve and includes gully 

rainforest, heath, exposed sandstone slopes and open forests (GCC, 2001). 

Along with mud crabs, amphipods and microfauna, several fish species have been 

observed. In the fresh water section, these include:- Bull Rout, Empire Gudgeon, Striped 

Gudgeon, Coxes Gudgeon and two species of freshwater eel. In the saltwater section, 

common Stingrays have been observed ranging up and down with the tide, as well as 

schools of juvenile Flat-tailed Mullet, Yellow-eyed Mullet, Sand Mullet and the Sea Mullet 

(Andrews Neil 1995). 

Water quality 

In 1999, Kincumber Primary School students interviewed older residents who had lived in 

Kincumber since childhood. They found that the creek was a vital component to their 

childhood memories (KPS 2000). This was due to the value of the creek for prawning, 

catching mud crabs, fishing and swimming. The creek is still a valuable fish nursery and 

supports many oyster farms at its mouth. However, there are few who would swim in the 



creek today. This is largely due to the reduced water quality and the use/perception of the 

creek as an industrial zone and outlet for stormwater. 

Water quality values were determined for the Brisbane Water catchment as part of the 

Stormwater Management planning process. Values identified in the Gosford District 

Stormwater Management Plan (1999) include; 

• Protection of aquatic ecosystems and water associated wildlife of Brisbane Water 

and tributaries 

• Protection of urban bushland in the Brisbane Water catchment 

• Primary contact recreation in the Brisbane Water catchment 

• Visual amenity of Brisbane Water and tributaries 

• Consumption of fish, crustaceans and shellfish in Brisbane Water 

Gosford City Council has monitored the water quality of Kincumber Creek since 1996, as it 

is one of 3 major tributaries of Brisbane Water. In 1999, Council commissioned Australian 

Water Technologies to survey the creek to aid in the identification of sources or causes of 

the degraded water, and to make recommendations to Council of ways to reduce the 

existing level of degradation (AWT 2002). The results indicated that the water quality of 

Kincumber Creek was extremely poor. 

The water quality results for Kincumber Creek to date has been appended (Appendix A). 

Land Use and Planning Context 

Aboriginal middens and possible scars from bark cutting for wood (W. Bluff, pers comm. 

2001) on Grey Mangroves (Avicennia marina) are evidence of occupation or use of the 

creek and Broadwater prior to European settlement. The heavily timbered catchment 

would have provided valuable resources and use of the area is evidenced by rock art and 

axe grinding grooves on Kincumba Mountain (GCC 2001). 

European settlers were established in Kincumber in the early 1830s as plans for the 

Kincumber Village were formalised for the head of the creek, in 1836. The forests and 

estuaries were exploited for timber, lime and food. Agriculturalists were able to use the 

higher and drier land for grazing stock. Cargo travelled by sea to and from Kincumber 

Creek until the rail link to Sydney in the early 1900s (Strom 1980). 

Kincumber Creek provided an important communication link with Sydney for goods and 

services in the early 1900s. Ferries carried timber, passengers and produce from the area 

to Woy Woy, where the railway carried goods and passengers to and from Sydney 

(Norman, 1968). 

Kincumber Creek is currently zoned under the Gosford Planning Scheme and the Interim 

Development Order No. 122. 

Zoning’s include:- 

• 2a - Residential 

• 6a - Open Space (Recreation) 

• 6b - Open Space (Special purposes) - Preservation of Native Flora and Fauna 

• Drainage Reserve under the care and control of Council 

• Approximately 20 private allotments. 



The boundary definition of all estuarine wetlands and most Swamp Mahogany Forests 

throughout Gosford was undertaken during 1997 to further detail information supplied 

under SEPP (State Environment Planning Policy) No. 14. SEPP 14 aims to ensure coastal 

wetlands are preserved and protected in the environmental and economic interests of the 

State (DUAP, 1997. A copy of the SEPP14 mapping is represented in Figure 1.4. Zoning’s 

are represented in Figure 1.5. 




Broadwater 

AVOCA DRIVE 




0 

500 1,000 FIGURE 1.4 

SUBJECT: SEPP 14 Wetland 

metres 

LEGEND 

Drainage 

Drainage Line 

Waterway 

Wetland 

∀ 

Note: 

SEPP 14 Wetland boundaries 

are approximate only. Refer to 

NSW Planning SEPP 14 

gazetted maps. 


SITE LOCATION 

SwampOak Mangrove Wetlands 

SEPP 14 Wetland 

Swamp Mahogany Wetland 

N 

SUBJECT SITE 



Phone: 02 43258222


2A 

6A 

7A 

6A 

6a 

5A 2B 

2A 

6A 

5A 

3A 

3B 

7C3 

3B 

5D 

7c3 6A 

THE 

BROADWATER 

6A 

6b 

6b 

2a 

6A 

2A 


Creek Creek 

AVOCA DRIVE 

7C2 

6A 

5A 

7C2 

6A 

6b 

2A 

7C2 

7A 

6A 

5A 

6A 

6A 

6A 

4A 

6A 

2A 

6a 


2A 

2A 

5A 

5A 

6A 

5A 

0 400 

metres 


5A 

7A 

3A 

6a 

2A 

7C2 

5a 

6a 

6A 

6A 

2A 

2A 

7C2 

5A 

7A 

6E 

6A 

7C2 

7C3 

7C2 

800 

7C3 

5A 

7C3 

7A 

FIGURE 1.5 

SUBJECT: Zoning 


SITE LOCATION 

LEGEND 

Planning Zones Drainage 

(6) 

Drainage Line 

2A (19) 

2B (1) 

Waterway 

3A (1) 

3B (2) 

4A (1) 

5A (13) 

6A (21) 

6B (3) 

6D (3) 

6E (1) 

7A (24) 

7C2 (19) 

7C3 (5) 

9C (4) 

∀ 

N 

SUBJECT SITE 



Phone: 02 43258222

Kincumber Creek Riparian Management Plan - Gosford City Council

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