Woolgoolga Lake Estuary Coastal Zone Management Plan (7.9MB)

2222Strategy 2 – Stormwater Management andCatchment PollutantsCatchment inputs in the form of stormwater, diffuse runoff and point source inputs are typically the majorsources of poor water quality in estuaries and other coastal water bodies. The effects of poor water qualityinputs can be magnified in ICOLLs such as Woolgoolga Lake depending on the status of the entrance.An overview of the various land uses in the Woolgoolga Lake catchment is shown overleaf in Illustration 2.2.Stormwater and catchment pollutant modelling undertaken during the Woolgoolga Lake Estuary ProcessesStudy (EPS) suggests that forestry operations in the upper catchment has the potential to be the majorsource of sediment and nitrogen inputs to the estuary (refer to Illustration 2.1). It also suggests thatphosphorus input is dominated by agricultural land uses. Careful management of both of these activitieswithin the catchment may lead to long term improvements in water quality.TN Load (kg/year)800070006000500040003000200010000TP Load (kg/year)120010008006004002000Woolgoolga LowerWoolgoolga UpperPoundyardIllustration 2.1 Modelled Nitrogen and Phosphorus Loads for Woolgoolga Lake by Land UseCommunity consultation indicates concern regardingpesticide and herbicide runoff from agricultural activities(mostly blueberry and banana farming and hothousehorticulture). Guidelines for best practice management ofsoil and water resources on blueberry (NSW DPI 2008a)and banana farms (NSW DPI 2008b) are available andhave been used in the study area in the past as a basisfor workshops and training activities for farmers.Of a more direct nature, investigation of a fish kill led to aprosecution of a Woolgoolga resident accused of dumping pesticides (dieldrin and aldrin) directly intoWoolgoolga Creek. This specific issue is addressed in Strategy 15.There have also been occasions when sewage infrastructure has flooded leading to direct inputs of untreatedsewage into the waterway.Coastal Zone Management Plan - Woolgoolga Lake Estuary1616-100415