26 July 2011 - City of Vincent

ORDINARY MEETING OF COUNCIL 29 CITY OF VINCENT26 JULY 2011 MINUTES(ii)ENDORSES undertaking the following ‘alternative’ actions as recommended by EdithCowan University Natural Sciences Department (as outlined in detail in the report);(a)(b)sampling, plant replacement, supplementary summer watering and pestidentification/monitoring of the affected plant species to determine or rule outcauses of the chlorosis to be carried out ‘in house’; andthe installation of appropriate signage around the Robertson Park - CreatedWetland site in liaison with the Department of Environment and Conservation;(iii)(iv)ADVISES the Department of Environment and Conservation, the Department ofHealth and the Claisebrook Catchment Group of its decision; andRECEIVES a further progress report/s on the matter if required.”DETAILS:The City’s Project Officer – Environment has carried out water and soil monitoring in theRobertson Park wetland in June 2011.The results of the testing indicated that the level for lead, copper and selenium in the wetlandranged from ‘within and marginally outside’ the acceptable ANZECC water quality guidelinelevels.The levels of metals which were marginally outside the guidelines, for part of the year, do notpose a risk to human health for a park and reserve area as per the relevant Environmentaland Health Investigation Levels Schedule (7) NEPM standards. (Refer to the table below foractual period ranges in June 2011 compared against ANZECC AND NEPM S(7) Levels).Analyte (Water) Actual Period RangeANZECC InvestigationLevelsLead 3.2 - 5.4 ug L-1 5.0ugL-1Copper 2.8 - 4.1 ug L-1 5.0ugL-1Selenium 4.4 - 5.0 ug L-1 5.0ugL-1Analyte (Sediment) Actual Period RangeS(7) NEPM InvestigationLevelsLead 1,200 - 1,450mg/kg 1,220mg/kgCopper 2,381 - 4,346mg/kg 4,000mg/kgSelenium 4.3 - 5.6mg/kg 5mg/kgSignage ConsultationThe current results revealed that there were only slightly elevated levels of lead, copper andselenium existing in Robertson Park Wetland. The Council decision of 24 May 2011 was toerect signage around the wetland warning of possible risk to park users.Officer’s CommentFollowing the recent testing it is considered that the erection of signage should be placed onhold for now. It is considered that signage should only be erected if the concentrations fall intoa major risk categories, as per the NEPM and ANZECC Water quality guidelines.Chlorotic Vegetation ConditionThe Chlorotic condition in the wetland has partially improved over the last 2 months due tointermittent rainfall. This would indicate that the Chlorosis is being caused by the lack ofnatural water flowing into the artificial wetland. This is a common problem in most wetlands inthe Swan Coastal Plain with the changing rainfall patterns, duration, amount and intensitybeing experienced over the last 10 years.MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 26 JULY 2011 TO BE CONFIRMED ON 9 AUGUST 2011