Cell Descriptions - South East Natural Resources Management Board

SE9 – Lake St George, Lake St Clair, Beachport
Notable conservation values include: threatened vegetation communities and species richness are
widespread throughout the cell; viewscape is highly rated at the lakes and on the coastal slopes;
Lake George rates highly for species richness, number of bird species and threatened bird
species, threatened reptile habitat, as well as habitat for the Fairy Tern, Southern Bell Frog and
Orange-bellied Parrot (focal species); Lake St Clair records high values for threatened fauna,
numbers of bird species, threatened reptile habitat, as well as Fairy Tern and Southern Bell Frog.
Both lakes score highly for wetland priority and it appears that, in part due to their extent –
approx. 50% of the cell area, they make a major contribution to the total sum of conservation
values.
Threat Analysis (GIS)
Threat means are 58.68, an average to high total. [In general the lake areas show the lowest threat
totals, although the most significant threats to these - water and land management - are not part
of this analysis]. Threat totals are high throughout the sand dunes. Viewscape, mining (SE
Petroleum Production and exploration), vegetation block degradation, weeds and rabbits are
notable contributors to this total. ORV damage is notable in the dunes NW of Beachport,
including 5 Mile and 10 Mile drift. The Beachport Dump is located within the dune system
adjacent to the Beachport Scenic Drive and the coastline. Notably, the southern half of Lake
George shows a high potential for the development of acid sulfate soils.
Adaptation to Climate Change: Threats for Cell SE9
(See also discussion of scenario in Section 4.11
NOTE: the advice below is indicative of likely change and the direction of change, with
implications for ecosystems. Dates, amounts and probabilities cannot be accurately calculated at
this time. Thus advice on flood levels, for example, should not be used in engineering or
development planning.
Climate change
element/ scenario
Combined climate
changes and sea
level rise
throughout this
cell
Sea level rise:
2030 : +c.20cm
2070: +c.80cm.
Impacts and implications Protect and manage Address landscape
(for this cell) habitat threats issues: fire,
connectivity,
refuges, hydrology
This cell presents a complex
pattern of habitats sensitive
to change.
Increase in storm foredune
damage and beach recession.
Erosion between Post
Office Rock and Nora
Creina will lead to a more
indented shoreline.
Acceleration of shoreline
erosional processes at
Beachport and Post Office
Rock.
Foredune damage could lead
Create a baseline for
shoreline, dune and lake
change by establishing a
rectified aerial
photographic record at
an appropriate
resolution.
Maintain an aerial
photographic record of
shoreline change.
Use existing DENR
profiles to monitor these
changes. Adapt as
necessary.
Review sand budget
within the whole of
Rivoli Bay.
Active management of
Limestone Coast and Coorong Coastal Action Plan 350