Pittwater Council Annual Report - Pittwater Council - NSW ...

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Section 2 - Statutory StatementsEnvironmental Programs Summary - cont.IssueInappropriate developmentimpacting on sensitivecatchment and bushlandareasIncrease opportunities forrainwater and stormwatercapture and reuse(residential, commercial /industrial)Negative impact ofstormwater flowing intobushland on biodiversity,aquatic habit and waterqualitySpread of aquatic pestspecies such as CaulerpataxifoliaPittwater Programs - WaterRecommendationWarriewood Catchment Servicing Strategy• Strengthen environmental/sustainability conditions in Development ControlPlans/Local Environment Plans• Develop education programs for community including working groups• Increase Bushcare programs and involve Bushcare groups in more Councilprojects• Increase notification of, and enforcement against, inappropriatedevelopment• Offer rebates to businesses and residents• Fast track development applications that include rainwater tanks orstormwater/greywater harvesting• Introduce buy-back tariffs• Promote through community education programs• Implement stormwater education program• Increased capture of stormwater through tanks on residential property/streets• Education program for boat owners/users on C.taxifolia and pollution• Powered vessels should be given a sustainability rating by themanufacturerSydney Water has been developing an integrated servicing strategy for the Pittwater Area in line with NSWGovernment’s 2006 Metropolitan Water Plan. The strategy includes the provision of drinking and nondrinkingwater, wastewater collection and treatment. The servicing strategy builds on and improves existinginfrastructure in order to service growth, reduce wet weather overflows, protect catchment and river healthand reduce the demand for drinking water. A sustainability analysis is being used as an input to developingthe servicing strategy. Options were considered by stakeholders and favoured alternatives for non-drinkingwater supply to growth areas in Ingleside and recycled water for irrigation to the playing fields and golfcourses close to Warriewood Sewage Treatment Plant. Sydney Water is working with Pittwater Council tofinalise the preferred option.Irrigation systemsAt Kitchener Park, Mona Vale and North Narrabeen Reserve, North Narrabeen, Council has installed watermanagement systems to irrigate the sporting fields. This is achieved by drawing water from a depth of over60 metres below the ground, treating the water in a holding tank and using sprinklers.At Lake Park Reserve, North Narrabeen, Council has installed a spear point which draws on ground waterwhich is pumped into a holding tank where it is treated and then used to irrigate the sports field. Council isalso intending to collect rainwater from the clubhouse roof to supplement the use of ground water.Integrated Water Harvesting SchemeCouncil received grant funding from the Department of Environment and Climate Change to undertakethe Sydney Lakeside Caravan Park - Integrated Water Harvesting and Reuse Scheme project. The projectinvolved environmental management works to reduce mains water and groundwater reliance at the site.The Caravan Park is recognised as Council’s highest water using site in Council’s Water Savings ActionPlan.Stage 1 of the project incorporated the collection of roofwater off amenities blocks and buildings (includingthe Coastal Environment Centre) for toilet flushing and irrigation. The project involved the installation of anumber of underground and above ground tanks to collect and reuse rainwater. The project was also ableto use existing rainwater tanks at the caravan park, by relocating or re-adjusting connections on-site.Water for LifeCouncil, with State Government funding, ran an effective water savings education campaign Water for Life.The program was delivered to the broader community via communications (advertising, media articles,signs, rates notices), education (workshops, eco-events, school education), free water-saving kits and aweb page full of practical information and links. The program was delivered using a number of techniquesincluding:• adverts in the Manly Daily promoting activities and water conservation;• Water for Life banners and signs;• rate inserts on water saving tips;• high and primary school excursions to water conservation sites;36
Section 2 - Statutory StatementsEnvironmental Programs Summary - cont.• school water audits;• eco-day program for primary schools;• native plant workshops;• displays at at Avalon Markets, stand against rising tides Narrabeen Lagoon Community FestivalCouncil now has the most comprehensive website on this issue than any of the 15 Sydney Coastal Councils.Council's staff also received education and water-saving tips.A before and after community survey supported the finding that:• The great majority of residents (96%) consider water conservation to be very important• More are now actively reducing their water use and about half feel they could do more; and• Most find the website meets all their information needs for saving water.iv) BiodiversityBiodiversity is the variety of all life forms - the different plants, animals and micro-organisms, the genes theycontain, and the ecosystems in which they live and form a part of.Biodiversity underpins the ecological processes which make life on Earth possible, such as provision of freshair, clean water, nutrients and pollination of plants. It provides much of our medicines, fertile soils, food,industrial products as well as recreational opportunities and a source of cultural identity and inspiration.The SHOROC region has a significant range of biodiversity. The region has large tracts of council-managedbushland, complemented by Garigal, Ku-ring-gai and Sydney Harbour National Parks.Along with high biodiversity the region is home to many threatened plants and animals. This includes28 endangered ecological communities, over 180 threatened species and seven endangered faunapopulations.Biodiversity indicators have been selected to measure the condition and number of native species, threatenedspecies and ecological communities, to gauge local and regional threats to biodiversity such as noxiousweeds and pests, and to report on activities which aim to improve biodiversity such as Bushcare.Regional condition of our biodiversityBiodiversity in the SHOROC region incorporates terrestrial (land), intertidal, aquatic and marine (water)based plants, animals and micro-organisms and the ecosystems in which they live. Whilst most of thisdiversity is contained in the region’s bushland areas and waterways, it is complemented by biodiversityfound in the region’s urban and rural residential areas, including private gardens and street trees. Someendangered ecological communities such as Pittwater Spotted Gum Forest are largely found (70%) onprivate property. Additionally corridors for movement and long-term viability of plants and animals occurchiefly outside reserve areas.The condition of the region’s biodiversity is affected by a number of natural and human induced factors suchas changes to fire regimes, invasive species, land and river bank clearing, land use change, encroachment,fragmentation, water pollution and climate change. In some cases, these and other factors have resulted inthe loss of biodiversity to the extent that the viability of a species or population is threatened.Regional pressures on biodiversityThe most significant pressures identified for the SHOROC region’s biodiversity include:Terrestrial Biodiversity• Altered and inappropriate fire regimes• Clearing and fragmentation of native bushland• Spread of weeds including garden escapees• Simplification of ecosystems by a reduction in diversity of native species• Illegal poisoning of trees and removal of bushland• Decline of street trees and trees on private properties due to age• Illegal dumping of rubbish in bushland areas• Predation and disturbance of native animals by domestic and feral animals• Plant diseases such as Phytophthora root rot caused by the soil fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi• Encroachment of private property into native bushlands• Stormwater flow through bushland causing erosion and carrying nutrients and weeds• Companion animals spreading disease to native fauna• Increasing frequency and intensity of storm events• Inappropriate recreational use of bushland reserves,• Climate change impacts including increases in temperature leading to changes in range of weeds,other invasive species and pests and diseases; changes in distribution and abundance of species;species loss; and changes in range of invasive species37
Page 1: Pittwater Council Annual Report2008
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Community Disaster &Emergency Manag
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Key Direction 5Integratingour Built
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Land Use & Development StrategyTown
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Appendices & LinksAppendices• Aud
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