Meeting papers

                                                                                      Burgess Creek
                                                 Receiving Environment Monitoring Program
                                                                                 Annual Review 2022
higher than the concentrations at site B3, which is indicative of the STP outfall diluting and
improving microbiological water quality. Although unknown, there is the possibility that an
unidentified local point source or catchment land-use may be driving the higher microbiological
levels as reflected in peaks of microbiological indicators at monitoring site B5, which is located
at the confluence of the east and west branch of Burgess Creek.

The Noosa STP holds a mass load license that allows for variations in the releases from the
STP. The monitoring data reveals that the results are consistent throughout the year, with
some variations observed mainly during short-duration extreme rainfall events that took place
in 2021. The monitoring results showed a reduction in conductivity due to an increased input
of fresh water and an increase in microbiological indicators, with the exception of site B3,
which remained constant. These results provide additional evidence of the likelihood of an
unidentified local point source.

The results of water quality monitoring conducted on both branches of the creek suggest that
the nutrient concentrations in the soil are lower than the background nutrient concentrations.
This is particularly true for phosphorus, a nutrient that can promote the growth of external
weeds in the creek. The presence of weeds has been a recurring topic of discussion among
Noosa Shire Council, Unitywater, and the Department of Environment and Sciences. Changes
to the prescribed burning regime within the Noosa National Park and Conservation Parks in
the Burgess Creek Catchment have made weed presence more noticeable. However, there
is no recent information or studies to determine the extent of weed establishment within the
catchment, despite past reports recommending the establishment of a weed monitoring
program to monitor changes along the Creek banks. This recommendation has not been
implemented, despite increasing concerns and collaboration with stakeholders within the
catchment. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a weed monitoring program to gather valuable
information on weed distribution and determine whether control strategies need to be put in
place.




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