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2016-02-02 P&O Committee - Item 3 - Attachment 3 - Noosa River Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives
ATTACHMENT 3a
Attachment 3, Item 3,
Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda, 2 February 2016
Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009
Noosa River environmental values and
water quality objectives
Basin No. 140 (part), including Kin Kin Creek, Teewah
coastal creeks, Lakes Cooroibah, Cootharaba, Doonella
and Weyba
July 2010
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Full text of sections 2 to 40 (of 47)
Section 2
Prepared by: Water Quality & Ecosystem Health Policy Unit Department of Environment and Resource Management © State of Queensland (Department of Environment and Resource Management) 2010 The Department of Environment and Resource Management authorises the reproduction of textual material, whole or part, in any form, provided appropriate acknowledgement is given. This publication is available in alternative formats (including large print and audiotape) on request. Contact (07) 322 48412 or email <[email protected]> July 2010 Document Ref Number
Section 3
Main parts of this document and what they contain
• Scope of waters covered
Introduction • Key terms / how to use document
(section 1) • Links to WQ plan (map)
• Mapping / water type information
• Further contact details
• Amendment provisions
• Source of EVs for this document
Environmental Values • Table of EVs by waterway
(EVs - section 2) - aquatic ecosystem
- human use
• Any applicable management goals
to support EVs
• How to establish WQOs to protect
all selected EVs
Water Quality Objectives
(WQOs - section 3) • WQOs in this document, for
- aquatic ecosystem EV
- human use EVs
• List of plans, reports etc containing
Ways to improve management actions relevant to the
water quality waterways in this area
(section 4)
• Definitions of key terms including an
Dictionary explanation table of all
(section 5) environmental values
• An accompanying map that shows
Accompanying WQ Plan water types, levels of protection and
(map) other information contained in this
document
iii
Section 4
CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 W ATERS TO WHICH THIS DOCUMENT APPLIES .............................................................................. 1
1.2 GUIDANCE ON USING THIS DOCUMENT......................................................................................... 2
1.2.1 Key terms ............................................................................................................................ 2
1.2.2 Main parts of this document................................................................................................ 4
1.2.3 Use of this document .......................................................................................................... 4
1.3 INFORMATION ABOUT MAPPED AREAS AND BOUNDARIES............................................................... 4
1.4 W ATER TYPES AND BASIS FOR BOUNDARIES ................................................................................ 5
1.4.1 Water types......................................................................................................................... 5
1.4.2 Water type boundaries........................................................................................................ 5
1.5 MATTERS FOR AMENDMENT ....................................................................................................... 6
2 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES (EVS) ............................................................................................... 7
2.1 ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES .......................................................................................................... 7
2.2 MANAGEMENT GOALS TO SUPPORT EVS..................................................................................... 7
3 WATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES (WQOS) TO PROTECT ENVIRONMENTAL VALUES.......... 10
3.1 W ATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES (WQOS) TO PROTECT AQUATIC ECOSYSTEMS ............................... 11
3.1.1 Physico-chemical WQOs .................................................................................................. 11
3.1.2 Biological WQOs............................................................................................................... 19
3.1.3 Riparian WQOs................................................................................................................. 20
3.1.4 Stormwater design objectives........................................................................................... 20
3.2 W ATER QUALITY OBJECTIVES (WQOS) FOR HUMAN USE EVS .................................................... 21
4 WAYS TO IMPROVE WATER QUALITY ..................................................................................... 31
5 DICTIONARY................................................................................................................................. 32
List of Tables
Table 1 Environmental values (EVs) for Noosa River and Teewah Sands catchment waters ................ 8
Table 2 Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem environmental value (refer to Plan
WQ1401 for location of waters) .............................................................................................................. 12
Table 3 Aquatic ecosystem EV: Biological water quality objectives for freshwater streams (refer to Plan
WQ1401 for location of streams) ........................................................................................................... 19
Table 4 Water quality objectives to protect human use environmental values ...................................... 21
Table 5 Primary contact recreation EV: Water quality objectives for management of cyanobacteria in
contact recreation areas ......................................................................................................................... 24
Table 6 Aquaculture EV: Water quality objectives for tropical aquaculture............................................ 25
Table 7 Aquaculture EV: Water quality objectives for optimal growth of particular species in freshwater
................................................................................................................................................................ 25
Table 8 Aquaculture EV: Water quality objectives for optimal growth of particular marine species ...... 26
Table 9 Irrigation EV: Water quality objectives for thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms in irrigation waters
used for food and non-food crops........................................................................................................... 27
Table 10 Irrigation EV: Water quality objectives for heavy metals and metalloids in agricultural irrigation
water – long-term trigger value (LTV), short-term trigger value (STV) and soil cumulative contamination
loading limit (CCL) .................................................................................................................................. 28
Table 11 Stock watering EV: Water quality objectives for tolerances of livestock to total dissolved
solids (salinity) in drinking water............................................................................................................. 29
Table 12 Stock watering EV: Water quality objectives (low risk trigger values) for heavy metals and
metalloids in livestock drinking water ..................................................................................................... 29
Table 13 Drinking water EV: Priority water quality objectives for drinking water supply in the vicinity of
off-takes, including groundwater, before treatment ................................................................................ 30
Table 14 Suite of environmental values that can be chosen for protection............................................ 33
iv
Section 5
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
1 Introduction
This document is made pursuant to the provisions of the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009 (the
EPP [Water]), which is subordinate legislation under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The EPP
(Water) provides a framework for:
• identifying environmental values for Queensland waters, and deciding the water quality objectives to
protect or enhance those environmental values; and
• including the identified environmental values and water quality objectives under Schedule 1 of the EPP
(Water).
This document contains environmental values and water quality objectives for waters in the Noosa River and
Teewah Sands catchment, and is listed under schedule 1 of the EPP (Water).
1.1 Waters to which this document applies
This document applies to fresh, estuarine and marine surface waters and ground waters draining the
1
catchment of Noosa River and Teewah Sands, as indicated in the accompanying plan (WQ1401) . These
2
waters fall within the broader Noosa basin (basin 140) .
Waters covered by this document include:
• Noosa River;
• Lakes Cootharaba, Cooroibah, Weyba and Doonella;
• other fresh and estuarine waters within the Noosa River and Teewah Sands catchment;
• open coastal (oceanic) waters adjoining the Noosa River and Teewah Sands catchment;
• tidal canals, constructed estuaries, marinas and boat harbours;
• wetlands; and
• ground waters.
The geographical extent of waters addressed by this document is shown in the plan (WQ1401), and is
broadly:
• north to the boundary of the Noosa River and Teewah Sands catchment with the Great Sandy Strait/Tin
Can Inlet catchment;
• west to the boundary of the Noosa River and Teewah Sands catchment with the Mary River catchment;
• south to the boundary of the Noosa River and Teewah Sands catchment with the Maroochy River
catchment; and
• east to the boundary of Queensland waters with Commonwealth waters.
1
This document and the accompanying plan are available in electronic form from the Environmental Values web page
on the Department of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) website: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/.
The boundaries in the accompanying plan WQ1401 are indicative only. The water types and management intent
depicted in the accompanying plan are stored in electronic form as part of the SEQ Environmental Values Schedule 1
Database July 2010 and held at the DERM offices at 41 George Street Brisbane. Database regions are based on the
regions established in the Queensland water quality guidelines. For further information on accessing the database,
please contact DERM by email at [email protected]
Australia’s River Basins 1997 – Product User Guide. Published by Geoscience Australia. Canberra, ACT (3rd edition,
2004).
1
Section 6
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
1.2 Guidance on using this document
1.2.1 Key terms
Key terms used in this document are explained below. Additional detail is provided in the dictionary at the
end of the document:
ADWG: means the Australian drinking water guidelines (2004), prepared by the National Health and Medical
Research Council (NHMRC) in collaboration with the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council
3
(NRMMC) .
AWQG: means the Australian and New Zealand guidelines for fresh and marine water quality (October
2000), prepared by the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) and
4
the Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (ARMCANZ) .
Environmental Values (EVs) for water: means the EVs specified in Table 1 of this document for the
corresponding water.
EVs for water are the qualities of water that make it suitable for supporting aquatic ecosystems and human
water uses. These EVs need to be protected from the effects of habitat alteration, waste releases,
contaminated runoff and changed flows to ensure healthy aquatic ecosystems and waterways that are safe
for community use. Particular waters may have different EVs. The range of EVs and the waters they can
potentially apply to are listed below, and further details are provided in the dictionary (refer Section 5).
List of EVs and applicable waters
Environmental Value (EV) Potentially applicable to:
Tidal waters Fresh (non-tidal)
waters
Protection of aquatic ecosystems (Aquatic ecosystem EV)
Protection or enhancement of aquatic ecosystem values, under four
possible levels of ecosystem conditions:
• High ecological value (effectively unmodified) waters;
• Slightly disturbed waters;
• Moderately disturbed waters; and
• Highly disturbed waters.
[suitability for seagrass and wildlife habitat have also been specifically
identified for some waters as a component of this EV]
EVs other than aquatic ecosystem EV (called human use EVs)
Suitability for human consumers of wild or stocked fish, shellfish or
crustaceans [suitability for oystering has also been specifically
identified for some waters]
Suitability for primary contact recreation (eg swimming)
Suitability for secondary contact recreation (eg boating)
Suitability for visual (no contact) recreation
3
The Australian drinking water guidelines (2004) can be downloaded from the following website:
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/eh19syn.htm
4
The AWQG (2000) can be downloaded from the following website:
http://www.mincos.gov.au/publications/australian_and_new_zealand_guidelines_for_fresh_and_marine_water_quality
2
Section 7
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Environmental Value (EV) Potentially applicable to:
Tidal waters Fresh (non-tidal)
waters
Protection of cultural and spiritual values, including Traditional Owner
values of water
Suitability for industrial use (including manufacturing plants, power
generation)
Suitability for aquaculture (eg red claw, barramundi)
Suitability for drinking water supplies
Suitability for crop irrigation
Suitability for stock watering
Suitability for farm supply/use
Level of protection for a water (aquatic ecosystem EV): means the level of aquatic ecosystem condition
specified in Table 2 of this document that the corresponding water quality objectives for that water are
intended to achieve (refer to management intent definition below for further information).
Management goal: means the goals (if any) stated in section 2 of this document to support the EVs for
waters identified in Table 1.
Management intent (level of protection) for a water ( aquatic ecosystem EV): means the level of aquatic
ecosystem condition specified in Table 2 of this document that the corresponding water quality objectives for
that water are intended to achieve. For example, the intent for high ecological value waters is that their
effectively unmodified condition is maintained.
QWQG: means the Queensland water quality guidelines, prepared by the Department of Environment and
5
Resource Management (2009) .
Water quality guidelines (defined in the EPP [Water]): are numerical concentration levels or statements for
indicators that protect a stated environmental value. Under the EVs setting process contained in the EPP
(Water), water quality guidelines are used as an input to the development of water quality objectives.
Water quality indicator (for an EV): a property that is able to be measured or decided in a quantitative way.
Examples of water quality indicators include physical indicators (e.g. temperature), chemical indicators (e.g.
nitrogen, phosphorus, metals), and biological indicators (e.g. macroinvertebrates, seagrass, fish).
Water quality objectives (WQOs): means the WQOs specified in Tables 2–13 of this document to support
the EVs for waters identified in Table 1.
WQOs are long term goals for water quality management. They are numerical concentration levels or
narrative statements of indicators established for receiving waters to support and protect the designated EVs
for those waters. They are based on scientific criteria or water quality guidelines but may be modified by
other (eg social, cultural, economic) inputs.
Examples of WQOs include:
• total phosphorus concentration <20 micrograms per litre (µg/L);
• chlorophyll a concentration <1 µg/L;
• dissolved oxygen between 95% and 105% saturation;
• family richness of macroinvertebrate > 12 families; and
• exotic individuals of fish < 5%.
5
The Queensland water quality guidelines can be downloaded from the DERM website at:
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/environmental_management/water/queensland_water_quality_guidelines/
3
Section 8
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Water type: groupings of waters with similar characteristics, as shown in the accompanying plan. The water
types covered by this document are based on mapping and definitional rules for water types established in
the QWQG and, where available, other site-specific documents. Water types can include coastal marine
waters (open coastal, enclosed coastal), estuarine waters (lower, middle and upper estuaries), tidal canals,
constructed estuaries, marinas and boat harbours, freshwaters (lowland, upland, lakes/reservoirs), wetlands
and ground waters. WQOs applying to different water types are outlined in this document. More detail on
water types is provided in section 1.4.
1.2.2 Main parts of this document
The main components of this document are:
• Plan WQ1401 – showing the spatial extent and boundaries of water types covered by this document;
• Section 1 – introduction and guidance on how to use the document;
• Section 2 (Table 1) – environmental values (EVs) applying to waters covered by this document;
• Section 3 (Tables 2–13) – water quality objectives (WQOs) applying to different EVs:
Tables 2 to 3 provide WQOs to protect the aquatic ecosystem EV, and closely link to the water
types shown on Plan WQ1401;
Tables 4 to 13 provide WQOs to protect human use EVs;
• Section 4 – ways to improve water quality: containing a list of relevant documents, provided for
information purposes only; and
• Section 5 – a dictionary of other terms relevant to EVs and WQOs.
1.2.3 Use of this document
Section 2 (Table 1) lists the identified EVs for protection for particular waters. The aquatic ecosystem EV is a
default applying to all waters. Reference to section 3 (Tables 2–3) provides the corresponding WQOs to
protect the aquatic ecosystem EV. Where relevant, different WQOs are specified to protect the aquatic
ecosystem EV in different water types (refer to the tables and the accompanying plan). For the human use
EVs specified for a water in Table 1, Tables 4 onwards provide the corresponding WQOs to support these
EVs.
Where reference to Table 1 indicates more than one EV applies to a given water, the adoption of the most
stringent WQO for the identified EVs applies to each water quality indicator in order to protect all identified
EVs. Further detail on selection of most stringent WQOs is provided in section 3.
This document also refers to a number of guidelines, codes and other reference sources on water quality. In
particular, the Queensland water quality guidelines (QWQG) prepared by DERM provide a technical basis for
the water quality objectives contained in this document. The QWQG also provide more detailed information
on water types, water quality indicators, derivation of local water quality guidelines, application during flood
events, monitoring, predicting and assessing compliance.
1.3 Information about mapped areas and boundaries
The boundaries in the accompanying plan WQ1401 are indicative only. The water types and management
intent (level of protection) depicted in the accompanying plan are stored in electronic form as part of the
South East Queensland Environmental Values Schedule 1 Database July 2010 and held at the offices of
DERM at 41 George Street Brisbane. Database regions are based on the regions established in the
Queensland water quality guidelines. For further information on accessing the accompanying plan and
database, please contact the Department by email at [email protected]
Section 9
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
1.4 Water types and basis for boundaries
1.4.1 Water types
Waters in this document have been classified into different water types from the list below. The water types
are based on the AWQG (2000) and mapping and definitional rules contained in the QWQG (2009). Further
detail on water types is contained in these sources.
• open coastal: waters extending to the seaward limits of Queensland waters;
• enclosed coastal/lower estuary: waters occurring at the downstream end of estuaries and including
shallow coastal waters in adjacent enclosed bays;
• mid estuary: waters extending the majority of the length of estuaries with a moderate amount of water
movement from either freshwater inflow or tidal exchange;
• upper estuary: waters in the upper reaches of estuaries, with limited flushing. This water type is absent
from short estuaries, less than 15km total estuary length;
• tidal canals, constructed estuaries, marinas and boat harbours;
• lowland freshwaters: larger slow flowing freshwater streams and rivers, shown on the accompanying
plan as freshwaters under 150 metres altitude. This water type has been further divided into three sub
types in south east Queensland, derived from work carried out for the Ecosystem Health Monitoring
6
Program :
lowland freshwaters: Larger (third, fourth and fifth order), slow flowing and meandering streams
and rivers. Gradient very slight. Substrates sometimes cobble and gravel but more often silt, sand
or mud.
wallum/tannin-stained freshwaters: Tannin-stained, generally low gradient, small to mid-sized
streams, many with sandy substrates and low pH, tea-coloured water draining through wallum
vegetation.
coastal freshwaters: Mix of small and large slow-flowing lowland rivers and creeks between
Caboolture and the NSW border, that flow across the coastal plain. Substrates are often cobble
despite the low gradient. Does not include steeper upland streams that feed these systems.
• upland freshwaters: small upland streams, moderate – fast flowing with steeper gradients than lowland
freshwaters. Shown on the accompanying plan as freshwaters above 150 metres altitude;
• freshwater lakes/reservoirs;
• ground waters; and
• wetlands.
Water types identified in this document are shown in Tables 2–3 and the accompanying plan (WQ1401).
1.4.2 Water type boundaries
The boundaries of different water types have been mapped using a variety of attributes, including:
1) geographic coordinates;
2) catchment or sub-catchment boundaries;
3) highest/lowest astronomical tide;
4) tidal limiting structure (weirs);
5) maritime mapping conventions;
6) coastline;
7) surveyed terrestrial boundaries; and
8) altitude.
The basis of different boundaries is shown in the plan. The boundaries of water types may be confirmed or
revised by site investigations. Refer section 1.3 above.
6
Refer Queensland Water Quality Guidelines (DERM, 2009) and EHMP (2004) Ecosystem Health Monitoring
Program 2003-2004 Annual Technical Report. Moreton Bay Waterways and Catchments Partnership.
5
Section 10
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
1.5 Matters for Amendment
Amendments of the following type may be made to this schedule 1 document for the purposes of
replacement under section 12(2)(b) of the EPP (Water):
• Changes to EVs;
• Changes to management goals;
• Changes to WQOs;
• Changes to management intent (level of protection) categories;
• Changes to waterway or water type boundaries/descriptions; and
• Updates to information/data sources, web sites and email contact details, agency/departmental names,
other institutional names, references.
6
Section 11
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
2 Environmental values (EVs)
2.1 Environmental Values
Table 1 outlines the environmental values (EVs) for waters in the Noosa River and Teewah Sands
catchment. These are based on a combination of:
• EVs in the South East Queensland Regional Water Quality Management Strategy, 2001;
• Noosa Shire Council Urban Stormwater Management Strategy, 2002; and
• Work carried out by DERM as part of the EVs/WQOs scheduling process.
The dictionary to this document provides further explanation of EVs - refer section 5.
2.2 Management Goals to support EVs
There are no management goals specified under this document.
7
Section 12
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 1 Environmental values (EVs) for Noosa River and Teewah Sands catchment waters
Environmental values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
spiritual values
Aquaculture
Cultural and
ecosystems
Supply/use
Secondary
recreation
recreation
recreation
consumer
Oystering
Industrial
Seagrass
Irrigation
Drinking
Primary
Aquatic
Human
Visual
water
Stock
water
Farm
use
Water
Teewah Creek
Upper Noosa River
Lower Noosa River
Kin Kin Creek / Cootharaba
Lake Cootharaba
Cooroibah
Lake Cooroibah
Noosa River Wetlands
Stumer Creek
freshwater
Stumer Creek
estuarine
Weyba
Lake Weyba
Open coastal waters
Other tidal canals, constructed
estuaries, marinas and boat
harbours (not included in above
waters)
Other estuarine tributaries (not
included in above waters)
Other freshwater tributaries (not
included in above waters)
8
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 1 Environmental values (EVs) for Noosa River and Teewah Sands catchment waters
n
S$
2 ® g > < es
Flo | ¢ a 2 5 | 2 §| §& si, |s | 82
2£o|s | & > a | cE | ££ | Fe] 28 |e) e_/s gs
Sa a 3 £ eo $5 © & 3 2 So o ® & oO xo| 9% 3s =
e3/ 8) 2|58S/se)/e|55| 8 | ES!) $5) 28 | E8\38| 55
qs | Oo =| f£o|aH3)] « | 28 6 |/af)/ vne | S£)6F)/ £3) 38
Water ~OSdwWwoVeoesog
ma
Teewah Creek v v v v v v v
|UpperNoosaRiver $$| v [| [| fo ff yy Ty fw ff Ly |
Lower Noosa River v v v v v v v
|KinKinCreek/Cootharaba | v | |v |v |v ifviv if|eoitv{|viwvw iff fv i
| Lake Cootharaba i asi(i‘<‘wTi wf PG ye
Cooroibah v v v v v v v v v v
| Lake Cooroibah = —(aistsi—‘<‘iT ww Pw
Noosa River Wetlands v v v v v v
StumerCreek = tester’ Y | | OT ee pe pee |
Jo sfreshwater | ff ff
stimer creek 2 ee
posturing |
Weyba v v v v v v v v
Lake Weyba v v v v v v v
| Othertidalcanals,constructed [| | [| fo fof fp
estuaries, marinas and boat
harbours (not included in above v v v v v v
|waters)
Other estuarine tributaries (not V4 V V V V V
included in above waters)
included in above waters)
SnSection 13
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Environmental values 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
spiritual values
Aquaculture
Cultural and
ecosystems
Supply/use
Secondary
recreation
recreation
recreation
consumer
Oystering
Industrial
Seagrass
Irrigation
Drinking
Primary
Aquatic
Human
Visual
water
Stock
water
Farm
use
Water
Other wetlands, lakes and
reservoirs (not included in above
waters)
Ground waters
Notes:
1. means the EV is selected for protection.
2. Blank indicates that the EV is not chosen for protection.
3. Seagrass is a component of the aquatic ecosystem EV. Oystering is a component of the human consumer EV.
4. Refer dictionary for further explanation of environmental values.
5. Refer to section 3 for water quality objectives applying to the EVs in this table.
9
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
. 1, 2,3,4,5
o
S$
ao ® T=
® 5 > < £ ©
s | 2|« g 2 3 | 2 5|§5| S|, | | 82
3 —_
go|es|s S 3 | s&/| £ | &R| BF $|5./s cs
= > x = 3 xs S oc 5 ® o 8 es SO | 25 / B sa
& AH a @ £2 © O ® a _ o oo Ss *¥2| 5 at
36 © D £a | 82 3 Ec o ES) 05 29° |£%8/8o|/ EE
To ® <x os ww © sx 30 > = oO Do —_ ®O <3 <2 35 o
to ” = wo os zt ro Oo ar ox >* Qa £5 On
Water > BT \/ F3 ES (ad SUEDE S Le Die
(a Pon
Other wetlands, lakes and
reservoirs (not included in above v v v v v v
waters)
Notes:
1. ¥ means the EV is selected for protection.
2. Blank indicates that the EV is not chosen for protection.
3. Seagrass is a component of the aquatic ecosystem EV. Oystering is a component of the human consumer EV.
4. Refer dictionary for further explanation of environmental values.
5. Refer to section 3 for water quality objectives applying to the EVs in this table.
9Section 14
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
3 Water quality objectives (WQOs) to protect environmental
values
This section provides water quality objectives (WQOs) to support and protect different environmental values
identified for waters within the Noosa River and Teewah Sands catchment in Table 1.
This section is in two main parts:
• Section 3.1 (Tables 2 to 3) outlines WQOs to protect the aquatic ecosystem EV. The aquatic ecosystem
EV is a default applying to all waters, and therefore the WQOs for aquatic ecosystems form the minimum
WQOs for all waters. Where no human use EVs are identified, the WQOs identified for aquatic
ecosystem protection remain applicable; and
• Section 3.2 (Tables 4 to 13) provides WQOs for EVs other than aquatic ecosystem (‘human use EVs’)
such as recreational water use, irrigating crops, and aquaculture.
Sources used in deriving WQOs are provided after the tables.
Reference to the identified EVs in Table 1 of this document provides guidance on the EVs applying to waters
within the catchment. Where reference to Table 1 indicates more than one EV applies to a given water (for
example aquatic ecosystem and recreational use), the most stringent WQO for each water quality indicator
applies, which will then protect all identified EVs. Refer to the two following examples on selection of most
stringent WQOs. Note that these are examples only and should not be directly adopted for use.
Example 1:
For lowland freshwater streams with aquatic ecosystem and drinking water EVs, the respective turbidity
WQOs are:
• aquatic ecosystem lowland freshwater stream: <10 NTU; and
• drinking water: <25 NTU.
In this case the aquatic ecosystem WQO (<10 NTU) is the more stringent, and its adoption therefore
supports both the aquatic ecosystem and drinking water EVs.
Example 2:
In the following situation there are stock watering and irrigation EVs, with differing WQOs for thermotolerant
(faecal) coliforms (measured as median number of organisms per 100 mL):
• stock watering: <100 organisms per 100 mL;
• raw human food crops in direct contact with irrigation water: <10 organisms per 100 mL; and
• pasture and fodder for dairy animals: <100 organisms per 100 mL
The most stringent WQO is that for direct irrigation of raw human food crops (<10 organisms per 100 mL)
and its adoption would in turn provide faecal coliform WQOs that protect all the above-identified human use
EVs.
10
Section 15
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
3.1 Water quality objectives (WQOs) to protect aquatic ecosystems
This section provides physico-chemical (section 3.1.1), biological (section 3.1.2) and riparian (section 3.1.3)
WQOs to support the aquatic ecosystem EV. Sources used in deriving locally relevant WQOs are provided
after the tables in each of these sections.
Section 5 of the Queensland Water Quality Guidelines 2009 addresses procedures for the application of
guidelines for aquatic ecosystem protection. For the comparison of test site monitoring data against water
quality objectives, the median concentration of n independent samples at a particular monitoring site should
be compared against the water quality objective of the same indicator, water type and level of aquatic
ecosystems protection; as listed in Tables 2-13 below.
3.1.1 Physico-chemical WQOs
Table 2 below includes the following information:
• water area or water type (column 1) (for boundaries of specified areas, refer to the accompanying plan),
• the corresponding management intent (level of protection) for the identified waters (column 2),
• the corresponding physico-chemical WQOs to achieve the management intent for the identified waters.
The EPP (Water) identifies the management intent (level of protection) for different waters (s 14). In
summary:
• It identifies some waters for which the management intent is to maintain or achieve an effectively
unmodified waterway condition (high ecological value - HEV). These may include waters that are
currently HEV, slightly disturbed, or potentially, more modified waters which can be progressively
improved to achieve HEV condition. Any such waters are identified in Columns 1 and 2 of Table 2 and
are identified and labelled on the accompanying plan in cross-hatching.
• The management intent (level of protection) for most waters is to achieve a moderately disturbed
condition, for which corresponding WQOs have been derived.
• The management intent (level of protection) for highly disturbed waters is that they be progressively
improved. Some highly disturbed waters may require a long time frame to return to a moderately
disturbed condition level. In some circumstances, interim WOQs that reflect a more highly disturbed
condition level (which is an improvement on current condition) may be determined for such waters. Any
such locations and their corresponding management intent (level of protection) are also identified in the
table and accompanying plan.
Some objectives apply to specific areas or water types as indicated in Table 2 and shown on Plan WQ1401,
while others apply to more than one water type, as indicated in the Table.
11
Section 16
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 2 Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem environmental value (refer to Plan
WQ1401 for location of waters)
1-11
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV
(refer Plan intent (level of
WQ1401) protection)
MARINE AND
ESTUARINE
WATERS
th th th
Area NH1 – Aquatic Maintain existing water quality (20 , 50 and 80 percentiles),
Noosa headland ecosystem – high habitat, biota, flow and riparian areas. (Refer to Appendix D in
waters ecological value Queensland Water Quality Guidelines for details.)
Note: there is insufficient information available to establish current
water quality for these waters. Refer to Appendix D in Queensland
Water Quality Guidelines for details on how to establish a minimum
th th th
water quality data set for deriving local 20 , 50 and 80
percentiles.
Open coastal Aquatic turbidity: <1 NTU
waters ecosystem – suspended solids: <10 mg/L
moderately chlorophyll a: <1 µg/L
disturbed total nitrogen: <150 µg/L
oxidised N: <3 µg/L
ammonia N: <5 µg/L
organic N: <140 µg/L
total phosphorus: <16 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <5 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 95 – 105% saturation
pH: 8.2 – 8.4
secchi depth: >5.0m
th th th
Area NLE1 – Aquatic Maintain existing water quality (20 , 50 and 80 percentiles),
Noosa lower ecosystem – high habitat, biota, flow and riparian areas. (Refer to Appendix D in
estuary ecological value Queensland Water Quality Guidelines for details.)
th th th
The 20 , 50 and 80 percentiles of existing water quality for NLE1
waters are:
turbidity: 1 – 2 – 4 NTU
suspended solids: 15 – 15 – 15 mg/L
chlorophyll a: 0.8 – 1.2 – 1.8 µg/L
total nitrogen: 150 – 180 – 240 µg/L
oxidised N: 2 – 3 – 6 µg/L
ammonia N: 4 – 8 – 15 µg/L
organic N: 140 – 160 – 220 µg/L
total phosphorus: 9 – 12– 15 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): 2 –- 2 – 2 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 90 – 95 – 105% saturation
pH: 8.0 – 8.2 – 8.4
secchi depth: 1.8 – 2.2 – 2.8m
12
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 2 Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem environmental value (refer to Plan
WQ1401 for location of waters)
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV ~
(refer Plan intent (level of
WQ1401) protection)
eer pf
MARINE AND
WATERS
Area NH1 — Aquatic Maintain existing water quality (20°, 50° and 80° percentiles),
Noosa headland ecosystem — high | habitat, biota, flow and riparian areas. (Refer to Appendix D in
waters ecological value | Queensland Water Quality Guidelines for details.)
Note: there is insufficient information available to establish current
water quality for these waters. Refer to Appendix D in Queensland
Water Quality Guidelines for details on how to establish a minimum
water quality data set for deriving local 20", 50" and 80"
percentiles.
Open coastal Aquatic * — turbidity: <1 NTU
waters ecosystem — = suspended solids: <10 mg/L
moderately = chlorophyll a: <1 pg/L
disturbed = total nitrogen: <150 pg/L
= oxidised N: <3 pg/L
= ammonia N: <5 pg/L
=~ organic N: <140 pg/L
= total phosphorus: <16 pg/L
= — filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <5 ug/L
= dissolved oxygen: 95 — 105% saturation
= pH: 8.2 - 8.4
= secchi depth: >5.0m
Area NLE1 — Aquatic Maintain existing water quality (20°, 50° and 80° percentiles),
Noosa lower ecosystem — high | habitat, biota, flow and riparian areas. (Refer to Appendix D in
estuary ecological value | Queensland Water Quality Guidelines for details.)
The 20", 50" and 80" percentiles of existing water quality for NLE1
waters are:
= turbidity: 1 -2-—4NTU
= suspended solids: 15 — 15 — 15 mg/L
» chlorophyll a: 0.8 — 1.2 — 1.8 pg/L
= total nitrogen: 150 — 180 — 240 ug/L
=" oxidised N: 2-3-6 ug/L
= ammonia N: 4-8- 15 ug/L
=" organic N: 140 — 160 — 220 pg/L
= total phosphorus: 9 — 12— 15 pg/L
= filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): 2 —- 2 — 2 ug/L
= dissolved oxygen: 90 — 95 — 105% saturation
» pH: 8.0-8.2-8.4
= secchi depth: 1.8 — 2.2 —-2.8m
12Section 17
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
1-11
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV
(refer Plan intent (level of
WQ1401) protection)
Enclosed coastal/ Aquatic turbidity: <4 NTU
lower estuary ecosystem – suspended solids: <15 mg/L
waters moderately chlorophyll a: <1.8 µg/L
disturbed total nitrogen: <240 µg/L
oxidised N: <6 µg/L
ammonia N: <15 µg/L
organic N: <220 µg/L
total phosphorus: <15 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <2 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 90 – 105% saturation
pH: 8.0 – 8.4
secchi depth: >1.8m
th th th
Area NME1 – Aquatic Maintain existing water quality (20 , 50 and 80 percentiles),
Noosa Lakes ecosystem – high habitat, biota, flow and riparian areas. (Refer to Appendix D in
(middle estuary) ecological value Queensland Water Quality Guidelines for details.)
th th th
The 20 , 50 and 80 percentiles of existing water quality for NME1
waters are:
turbidity: 2 – 5 – 8 NTU
suspended solids: 20 – 20 – 20 mg/L
chlorophyll a: 0.8 – 1.5 – 2.5 µg/L
total nitrogen: 150 – 240 – 380 µg/L
oxidised N: 2 – 5 – 15 µg/L
ammonia N: 7 – 15 – 32 µg/L
organic N: 130 – 210 – 320 µg/L
total phosphorus: 10 – 13– 16 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): 2 –- 2 – 2 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 85 – 95 – 105% saturation
pH: 8.0 – 8.2 – 8.3
secchi depth: 1.1 – 1.6 – 2.0m
Mid estuary Aquatic turbidity: <8 NTU
ecosystem – suspended solids: <20 mg/L
moderately chlorophyll a: <2.5 µg/L
disturbed total nitrogen: <380 µg/L
oxidised N: <15 µg/L
ammonia N: <32 µg/L
organic N: <320 µg/L
total phosphorus: <16 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <2 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 85 – 105% saturation
pH: 7.8– 8.3
secchi depth: >1.1m
th th th
Area NUE1 – Aquatic Maintain existing water quality (20 , 50 and 80 percentiles),
Noosa Lakes ecosystem – high habitat, biota, flow and riparian areas. (Refer to Appendix D in
(upper estuary) ecological value Queensland Water Quality Guidelines for details.)
th th th
The 20 , 50 and 80 percentiles of existing water quality for NUE1
waters are:
turbidity: 8 – 12 – 22 NTU
suspended solids: 7 – 14 – 25 mg/L
chlorophyll a: 1.4 – 2.2 – 5.0 µg/L
total nitrogen: 320 – 440 – 750 µg/L
13
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV ~
(refer Plan intent (level of
WQ1401) protection)
Enclosed coastal/ | Aquatic = turbidity: <4 NTU
lower estuary ecosystem — =" suspended solids: <15 mg/L
waters moderately = chlorophyll a: <1.8 pg/L
disturbed =» total nitrogen: <240 g/L
= oxidised N: <6 ug/L
= ammonia N: <15 pg/L
=~ organic N: <220 pg/L
= total phosphorus: <15 pg/L
= filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <2 ug/L
= dissolved oxygen: 90 — 105% saturation
= pH: 8.0 - 8.4
= secchi depth: >1.8m
Area NME1 -— Aquatic Maintain existing water quality (20°, 50° and 80° percentiles),
Noosa Lakes ecosystem — high | habitat, biota, flow and riparian areas. (Refer to Appendix D in
(middle estuary) ecological value | Queensland Water Quality Guidelines for details.)
The 20", 50" and 80" percentiles of existing water quality for NME1
waters are:
= turbidity: 2-5-8 NTU
= suspended solids: 20 — 20 — 20 mg/L
» chlorophyll a: 0.8 — 1.5 — 2.5 pg/L
« total nitrogen: 150 — 240 — 380 ug/L
=" oxidised N:2-—5-15 pg/L
=" ammonia N: 7 — 15 — 32 pg/L
=" organic N: 130 — 210 — 320 ug/L
= total phosphorus: 10 — 13— 16 pg/L
= filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): 2 —- 2 — 2 ug/L
= dissolved oxygen: 85 — 95 — 105% saturation
=» pH: 8.0 —-8.2-8.3
= secchi depth: 1.1 -— 1.6 — 2.0m
Mid estuary Aquatic = turbidity: <8 NTU
ecosystem — =" suspended solids: <20 mg/L
moderately = chlorophyll a: <2.5 pg/L
disturbed = total nitrogen: <380 pg/L
= oxidised N: <15 pg/L
= ammonia N: <32 ug/L
= organic N: <320 pg/L
= total phosphorus: <16 pg/L
= filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <2 ug/L
= dissolved oxygen: 85 — 105% saturation
= pH: 7.8— 8.3
= — secchi depth: >1.1m
Area NUE1 — Aquatic Maintain existing water quality (20°, 50° and 80° percentiles),
Noosa Lakes ecosystem — high | habitat, biota, flow and riparian areas. (Refer to Appendix D in
(upper estuary) ecological value Queensland Water Quality Guidelines for details.)
The 20", 50" and 80" percentiles of existing water quality for NUE1
waters are:
turbidity:
5 1 1 1 51 2 1230 3039 205 30 59 8-12-22
5 1 1 1 51 3 1452 3038 80 31 59 NTU
4 1 1 1 52 0 988 3090 729 39 -1
5 1 1 1 52 1 988 3099 12 12 77 =
5 1 1 1 52 2 1061 3090 200 39 63 suspended
5 1 1 1 52 3 1276 3090 114 31 96 solids:
5 1 1 1 52 4 1407 3091 19 29 76 7
5 1 1 1 52 5 1439 3107 24 3 76 —
5 1 1 1 52 6 1478 3091 41 29 88 14
5 1 1 1 52 7 1532 3107 24 3 88 —
5 1 1 1 52 8 1569 3091 43 30 96 25
5 1 1 1 52 9 1628 3090 89 39 96 mg/L
4 1 1 1 53 0 988 3142 687 39 -1
5 1 1 1 53 1 988 3151 12 12 0 »
5 1 1 1 53 2 1061 3142 195 39 72 chlorophyll
5 1 1 1 53 3 1272 3150 30 23 96 a:
5 1 1 1 53 4 1321 3143 52 29 87 1.4
5 1 1 1 53 5 1386 3159 24 3 87 —
5 1 1 1 53 6 1422 3143 55 29 92 2.2
5 1 1 1 53 7 1490 3159 24 3 90 —
5 1 1 1 53 8 1527 3143 54 30 96 5.0
5 1 1 1 53 9 1597 3142 78 39 77 pg/L
4 1 1 1 54 0 988 3193 729 39 -1
5 1 1 1 54 1 988 3202 12 12 52 =
5 1 1 1 54 2 1019 3189 24 47 39 —
5 1 1 1 54 3 1060 3193 76 31 96 total
5 1 1 1 54 4 1153 3193 156 39 95 nitrogen:
5 1 1 1 54 5 1325 3194 66 30 93 320
5 1 1 1 54 6 1405 3210 23 3 87 —
5 1 1 1 54 7 1440 3194 67 30 92 440
5 1 1 1 54 8 1520 3210 24 3 85 —
5 1 1 1 54 9 1558 3194 65 30 96 750
5 1 1 1 54 10 1639 3193 78 39 82 ug/L
4 1 1 1 55 0 1221 3322 40 30 -1
5 1 1 1 55 1 1221 3322 40 30 96 13Section 18
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
1-11
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV
(refer Plan intent (level of
WQ1401) protection)
oxidised N: 3 – 10 – 43 µg/L
ammonia N: 10 – 26 – 72 µg/L
organic N: 300 – 400 – 640 µg/L
total phosphorus: 10 – 15– 20 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): 2 –- 2 – 2 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 85 – 95 – 105% saturation
pH: 7.4 – 7.9 – 8.1
secchi depth: 0.5 – 0.7 – 1.0m
Upper estuary Aquatic turbidity: <22 NTU
ecosystem – suspended solids: <25 mg/L
moderately chlorophyll a: <5.0 µg/L
disturbed total nitrogen: <750 µg/L
oxidised N: <43 µg/L
ammonia N: <72 µg/L
organic N: <640 µg/L
total phosphorus: <20 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <2 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 85 – 105% saturation
pH: 7.4 – 8.1
secchi depth: >0.5m
Tidal canals, Aquatic turbidity: <8 NTU
constructed ecosystem – suspended solids: <20 mg/L
estuaries, moderately chlorophyll a: <2.5 µg/L
marinas and boat disturbed total nitrogen: <380 µg/L
harbours oxidised N: <15 µg/L
ammonia N: <32 µg/L
organic N: <320 µg/L
total phosphorus: <16 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <2 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 85 – 105% saturation
pH: 8.0 – 8.3
secchi depth: >1.1m
For ALL marine All Toxicants in water and sediment as per AWQG (2000):
and estuarine Toxicants in water: refer to AWQG section 3.4 - ‘water quality
waters within this guidelines for toxicants’ (including Tables 3.4.1, 3.4.2, and
Table Figure 3.4.1)
Toxicants in sediments: refer to AWQG section 3.5 - ‘sediment
quality guidelines’ (including Table 3.5.1, Figure 3.5.1)
Release of sewage from vessels to be controlled in accordance with
requirements of the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act and
Regulations.
Comply with Code of Practice for Antifouling and In-water Hull
Cleaning and Maintenance, ANZECC.
Marine/estuarine Aquatic The minimum WQOs needed to restore seagrass to areas where it
waters with ecosystem - has been lost are:
seagrass moderately median total suspended solids: <10 mg/L;
component disturbed median secchi depth: >1.7 m; and
chosen light attenuation coefficient: >0.9.
14
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV ~
(refer Plan intent (level of
WQ1401) protection)
= oxidised N: 3-10 — 43 pg/L
=
5 1 1 1 6 2 1061 555 169 31 14 ammonia
5 1 1 1 6 3 1246 555 36 30 92 N:
5 1 1 1 6 4 1300 556 40 30 91 10
5 1 1 1 6 5 1354 572 22 3 86 —
5 1 1 1 6 6 1390 556 43 30 90 26
5 1 1 1 6 7 1446 572 22 3 89 —
5 1 1 1 6 8 1483 556 37 29 96 72
5 1 1 1 6 9 1541 555 79 39 50 pg/L
4 1 1 1 7 0 988 607 666 39 -1
5 1 1 1 7 1 988 616 12 12 56 =
organic N: 300 — 400 — 640 pg/L
= total phosphorus: 10 — 15— 20 pg/L
= filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): 2 —- 2 — 2 ug/L
= dissolved oxygen: 85 — 95 — 105% saturation
» pH: 7.4-7.9-8.1
= secchi depth: 0.5 — 0.7 — 1.0m
Upper estuary Aquatic = turbidity: <22 NTU
ecosystem — =" suspended solids: <25 mg/L
moderately = chlorophyll a: <5.0 pg/L
disturbed = total nitrogen: <750 pg/L
» oxidised N: <43 pg/L
= ammonia N: <72 ug/L
=~ organic N: <640 pg/L
= total phosphorus: <20 pg/L
= filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <2 ug/L
= dissolved oxygen: 85 — 105% saturation
=» pH: 7.4-8.1
= secchi depth: >0.5m
Tidal canals, Aquatic = turbidity: <8 NTU
constructed ecosystem — = suspended solids: <20 mg/L
estuaries, moderately «chlorophyll a: <2.5 pg/L
marinas and boat disturbed 1. total nitrogen: <380 ug/L
harbours oxidised
5 1 1 1 29 3 1227 1844 36 30 91 N:
5 1 1 1 29 4 1279 1845 67 30 91 <15
5 1 1 1 29 5 1362 1844 78 39 13 pg/L
4 1 1 1 30 0 988 1896 471 39 -1
5 1 1 1 30 1 988 1905 12 12 50 =
5 1 1 1 30 2 1061 1896 169 31 39 ammonia
5 1 1 1 30 3 1246 1896 36 30 91 N:
5 1 1 1 30 4 1298 1897 66 30 92 <32
5 1 1 1 30 5 1380 1896 79 39 17 ug/L
4 1 1 1 31 0 988 1948 459 39 -1
5 1 1 1 31 1 988 1957 12 12 47 =
5 1 1 1 31 2 1061 1948 134 39 81 organic
5 1 1 1 31 3 1211 1948 36 30 91 N:
5 1 1 1 31 4 1263 1949 90 30 91 <320
5 1 1 1 31 5 1369 1948 78 39 81 pg/L
4 1 1 1 32 0 988 2000 566 39 -1
5 1 1 1 32 1 988 2009 12 12 40 =
5 1 1 1 32 2 1060 2000 76 31 90 total
5 1 1 1 32 3 1152 2000 225 39 93 phosphorus:
5 1 1 1 32 4 1393 2001 67 30 93 <16
5 1 1 1 32 5 1475 2000 79 39 58 pg/L
4 1 1 1 33 0 988 2051 902 39 -1
5 1 1 1 33 1 988 2060 12 12 26 =
5 1 1 1 33 2 1060 2051 155 31 26 filterable
5 1 1 1 33 3 1231 2051 142 31 96 reactive
5 1 1 1 33 4 1388 2051 214 39 93 phosphorus
5 1 1 1 33 5 1619 2051 117 39 91 (FRP):
5 1 1 1 33 6 1752 2052 43 29 96 <2
5 1 1 1 33 7 1811 2051 79 39 37 ug/L
4 1 1 1 34 0 988 2103 805 39 -1
5 1 1 1 34 1 988 2112 12 12 66 =
5 1 1 1 34 2 1061 2103 169 31 74 dissolved
5 1 1 1 34 3 1246 2111 142 31 96 oxygen:
5 1 1 1 34 4 1404 2104 43 30 93 85
5 1 1 1 34 5 1460 2120 24 3 90 —
5 1 1 1 34 6 1499 2104 101 30 96 105%
5 1 1 1 34 7 1615 2103 178 31 96 saturation
4 1 1 1 35 0 988 2155 308 39 -1
5 1 1 1 35 1 988 2164 12 12 21 =»
5 1 1 1 35 2 1062 2155 60 39 39 pH:
5 1 1 1 35 3 1137 2156 159 30 39 8.0-8.3
4 1 1 1 36 0 988 2206 442 39 -1
5 1 1 1 36 1 988 2215 12 12 74 =
5 1 1 1 36 2 1016 2202 32 48 37 —
5 1 1 1 36 3 1061 2206 114 31 76 secchi
5 1 1 1 36 4 1190 2206 112 39 93 depth:
5 1 1 1 36 5 1319 2207 111 29 90 >1.1m
4 1 1 1 37 0 233 2281 1761 48 -1
5 1 1 1 37 1 233 2286 58 31 96 For
5 1 1 1 37 2 304 2286 72 30 95 ALL
5 1 1 1 37 3 392 2286 123 31 95 marine
5 1 1 1 37 4 598 2281 58 48 96 All
5 1 1 1 37 5 986 2286 175 31 92 Toxicants
5 1 1 1 37 6 1177 2286 27 30 96 in
5 1 1 1 37 7 1219 2288 101 29 96 water
5 1 1 1 37 8 1333 2286 66 31 96 and
5 1 1 1 37 9 1414 2286 168 31 96 sediment
5 1 1 1 37 10 1596 2294 40 23 96 as
5 1 1 1 37 11 1652 2294 57 31 93 per
5 1 1 1 37 12 1722 2285 129 33 90 AWQG
5 1 1 1 37 13 1868 2286 126 39 96 (2000):
4 1 1 1 38 0 231 2333 1980 42 -1
5 1 1 1 38 1 231 2333 65 31 96 and
5 1 1 1 38 2 312 2333 168 31 96 estuarine
5 1 1 1 38 3 988 2345 12 12 24 «
5 1 1 1 38 4 1061 2336 175 31 24 Toxicants
5 1 1 1 38 5 1252 2336 27 30 96 in
5 1 1 1 38 6 1294 2338 110 29 96 water:
5 1 1 1 38 7 1421 2336 83 31 95 refer
5 1 1 1 38 8 1516 2338 32 29 93 to
5 1 1 1 38 9 1563 2335 129 33 89 AWQG
5 1 1 1 38 10 1708 2336 127 31 95 section
5 1 1 1 38 11 1851 2337 54 30 90 3.4
5 1 1 1 38 12 1932 2353 10 3 90 -
5 1 1 1 38 13 1970 2337 108 30 96 ‘water
5 1 1 1 38 14 2091 2336 120 39 96 quality
4 1 1 1 39 0 230 2381 1899 45 -1
5 1 1 1 39 1 230 2383 120 29 96 waters
5 1 1 1 39 2 364 2381 103 31 96 within
5 1 1 1 39 3 482 2381 62 31 96 this
5 1 1 1 39 4 1060 2387 185 39 88 guidelines
5 1 1 1 39 5 1259 2387 48 31 96 for
5 1 1 1 39 6 1320 2387 170 31 95 toxicants’
5 1 1 1 39 7 1507 2387 173 39 96 (including
5 1 1 1 39 8 1695 2387 122 31 96 Tables
5 1 1 1 39 9 1832 2388 99 35 96 3.4.1,
5 1 1 1 39 10 1948 2388 99 35 96 3.4.2,
5 1 1 1 39 11 2064 2387 65 31 96 and
4 1 1 1 40 0 230 2425 1062 57 -1
5 1 1 1 40 1 230 2425 102 57 96 Table
5 1 1 1 40 2 1063 2438 113 39 96 Figure
5 1 1 1 40 3 1191 2438 101 39 96 3.4.1)
4 1 1 1 41 0 988 2487 1245 33 -1
5 1 1 1 41 1 988 2497 12 12 6
Toxicants in sediments: refer to AWQG section 3.5 - ‘sediment
quality guidelines’ (including Table 3.5.1, Figure 3.5.1)
Release of sewage from vessels to be controlled in accordance with
requirements of the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act and
Regulations.
Comply with Code of Practice for Antifouling and In-water Hull
Cleaning and Maintenance, ANZECC.
Marine/estuarine | Aquatic The minimum WQOs needed to restore seagrass to areas where it
waters with ecosystem - has been lost are:
seagrass moderately = median total suspended solids: <10 mg/L;
component disturbed = median secchi depth: >1.7 m; and
chosen » light attenuation coefficient: >0.9.
14Section 19
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
1-11
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV
(refer Plan intent (level of
WQ1401) protection)
However, in areas where seagrass is intact, it is more important to
maintain existing water quality. Therefore the WQOs are:
local total suspended solids, turbidity, secchi and light
attenuation is maintained; and
local seagrass distribution and composition is maintained, as
measured by:
• extent of seagrass;
• species diversity; and
• seagrass depth limit.
Marine/estuarine Aquatic Protect or restore riparian areas. Refer section 3.1.3 – riparian area
riparian areas ecosystem – water quality objectives.
moderately
disturbed
FRESHWATERS
th th th
Area NF1 – Aquatic Maintain existing water quality (20 , 50 and 80 percentiles),
Noosa ecosystem – high habitat, biota, flow and riparian areas.
freshwaters ecological value
Note: there is insufficient information available to establish current
water quality for these waters. Refer to Appendix D in Queensland
Water Quality Guidelines for details on how to establish a minimum
th th th
water quality data set for deriving local 20 , 50 and 80
percentiles.
Upland freshwater Aquatic turbidity: <5 NTU
ecosystem – suspended solids: <6 mg/L
moderately chlorophyll a: <2 µg/L
disturbed total nitrogen: <250 µg/L
oxidised N: <40 µg/L
ammonia N: <10 µg/L
organic N: <200 µg/L
total phosphorus: <30 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <15 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 90 – 110% saturation
pH: 6.5 – 8.2
secchi depth: n/a
conductivity: 500 µS/cm
Lowland Aquatic turbidity: <10 NTU
freshwater ecosystem – suspended solids: <6 mg/L
moderately chlorophyll a: <5 µg/L
disturbed total nitrogen: <500 µg/L
oxidised N: <60 µg/L
ammonia N: <20 µg/L
organic N: <420 µg/L
total phosphorus: <50 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <20 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 85 – 110% saturation
pH: 6.5 – 8.0
secchi depth: n/a
conductivity: 500 µS/cm
15
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
“Sa | |e
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV ~
(refer Plan intent (level of
However, in areas where seagrass is intact, it is more important to
maintain existing water quality. Therefore the WQOs are:
= local total suspended solids, turbidity, secchi and light
attenuation is maintained; and
« local seagrass distribution and composition is maintained, as
measured by:
e extent of seagrass;
e species diversity; and
e seagrass depth limit.
Marine/estuarine | Aquatic Protect or restore riparian areas. Refer section 3.1.3 — riparian area
moderately
disturbed
ome
Area NF1 — Aquatic Maintain existing water quality (20°, 50° and 80° percentiles),
Noosa ecosystem — high | habitat, biota, flow and riparian areas.
freshwaters ecological value
Note: there is insufficient information available to establish current
water quality for these waters. Refer to Appendix D in Queensland
Water Quality Guidelines for details on how to establish a minimum
water quality data set for deriving local 20", 50" and 80"
percentiles.
Upland freshwater | Aquatic = turbidity: <5 NTU
ecosystem — = suspended solids: <6 mg/L
moderately = chlorophyll a: <2 ug/L
disturbed = total nitrogen: <250 pg/L
» oxidised N: <40 pg/L
5 1 1 1 31 2 1061 2187 169 31 0 ammonia
5 1 1 1 31 3 1246 2187 36 30 90 N:
5 1 1 1 31 4 1298 2188 67 30 91 <10
5 1 1 1 31 5 1381 2187 78 39 75 pg/L
4 1 1 1 32 0 988 2239 459 39 -1
5 1 1 1 32 1 988 2248 12 12 61 =
5 1 1 1 32 2 1020 2235 24 48 44 —
5 1 1 1 32 3 1061 2239 134 39 93 organic
5 1 1 1 32 4 1211 2239 36 30 90 N:
5 1 1 1 32 5 1263 2240 90 30 90 <200
5 1 1 1 32 6 1369 2239 78 39 75 pg/L
4 1 1 1 33 0 988 2290 566 39 -1
5 1 1 1 33 1 988 2299 12 12 45 =
5 1 1 1 33 2 1060 2290 76 31 92 total
5 1 1 1 33 3 1152 2290 225 39 93 phosphorus:
5 1 1 1 33 4 1393 2291 66 30 92 <30
5 1 1 1 33 5 1475 2290 79 39 69 pg/L
4 1 1 1 34 0 988 2342 925 39 -1
5 1 1 1 34 1 988 2351 12 12 15 =
5 1 1 1 34 2 1060 2342 155 31 15 filterable
5 1 1 1 34 3 1231 2342 142 31 96 reactive
5 1 1 1 34 4 1388 2342 214 39 93 phosphorus
5 1 1 1 34 5 1619 2342 117 39 90 (FRP):
5 1 1 1 34 6 1752 2343 67 30 90 <15
5 1 1 1 34 7 1834 2342 79 39 39 ug/L
4 1 1 1 35 0 988 2394 805 39 -1
5 1 1 1 35 1 988 2403 12 12 70 =
5 1 1 1 35 2 1061 2394 169 31 77 dissolved
5 1 1 1 35 3 1246 2402 142 31 96 oxygen:
5 1 1 1 35 4 1404 2395 42 30 91 90
5 1 1 1 35 5 1460 2411 24 3 89 —
5 1 1 1 35 6 1499 2395 101 30 96 110%
5 1 1 1 35 7 1615 2394 178 31 96 saturation
4 1 1 1 36 0 988 2445 308 39 -1
5 1 1 1 36 1 988 2454 12 12 52 =»
5 1 1 1 36 2 1062 2445 60 39 42 pH:
5 1 1 1 36 3 1138 2446 54 30 42 6.5
5 1 1 1 36 4 1205 2462 24 3 39 —-
5 1 1 1 36 5 1242 2446 54 30 96 8.2
4 1 1 1 37 0 988 2497 385 39 -1
5 1 1 1 37 1 988 2506 12 12 57 =
5 1 1 1 37 2 1061 2497 114 31 85 secchi
5 1 1 1 37 3 1190 2497 112 39 96 depth:
5 1 1 1 37 4 1320 2497 53 31 96 n/a
4 1 1 1 38 0 988 2544 509 40 -1
5 1 1 1 38 1 988 2545 298 39 50 conductivity:
500 uS/cm
Lowland Aquatic = turbidity: <10 NTU
freshwater ecosystem — = suspended solids: <6 mg/L
moderately = chlorophyll a: <5 pg/L
disturbed = — total nitrogen: <500 pg/L
» oxidised N: <60 pg/L
= ammonia N: <20 ug/L
= organic N: <420 pg/L
= total phosphorus: <50 pg/L
« filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <20 pg/L
= dissolved oxygen: 85 — 110% saturation
=» pH: 6.5-8.0
= secchi depth: n/a
conductivity:
5 1 1 1 51 2 1302 3213 66 30 90 500
5 1 1 1 51 3 1384 3211 113 40 88 uS/cm
4 1 1 1 52 0 1221 3322 40 30 -1
5 1 1 1 52 1 1221 3322 40 30 96 15Section 20
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
1-11
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV
(refer Plan intent (level of
WQ1401) protection)
Wallum/tannin- Aquatic turbidity: <20 NTU
stained streams ecosystem – suspended solids: <6 mg/L
moderately chlorophyll a: <5 µg/L
disturbed total nitrogen: <500 µg/L
oxidised N: <60 µg/L
ammonia N: <20 µg/L
organic N: <420 µg/L
total phosphorus: <50 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <20 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 85 – 110% saturation
pH: 5.0 – 7.0
secchi depth: n/a
conductivity: 500 µS/cm
Freshwater Aquatic turbidity range: 1 – 20 NTU
lakes/reservoirs ecosystem – suspended solids: n/d
moderately chlorophyll a: <5 µg/L
disturbed total nitrogen: <350 µg/L
oxidised N: <10 µg/L
ammonia N: <10 µg/L
organic N: <330 µg/L
total phosphorus: <10 µg/L
filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <5 µg/L
dissolved oxygen: 90 – 110% saturation
pH: 6.5 – 8.0
secchi depth: n/d
For ALL All For additional biological WQOs, see Table 3.
freshwaters within Toxicants in water and sediment as per AWQG (2000):
this Table Toxicants in water: refer to AWQG section 3.4 - ‘water quality
guidelines for toxicants’ (including Tables 3.4.1, 3.4.2, and
Figure 3.4.1)
Toxicants in sediments: refer to AWQG section 3.5 - ‘sediment
quality guidelines’ (including Table 3.5.1, Figure 3.5.1)
Comply with Code of Practice for Antifouling and In-water Hull
Cleaning and Maintenance, ANZECC.
Freshwater Aquatic Protect or restore riparian areas. Refer section 3.1.3– riparian area
riparian areas ecosystem – water quality objectives.
moderately
disturbed
16
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV ~
(refer Plan intent (level of
WQ1401) protection)
Wallum/tannin- Aquatic = turbidity: <20 NTU
stained streams ecosystem — = suspended solids: <6 mg/L
moderately = chlorophyll a: <5 pg/L
disturbed = — total nitrogen: <500 pg/L
» oxidised N: <60 pg/L
= ammonia N: <20 ug/L
= organic N: <420 pg/L
= total phosphorus: <50 pg/L
« filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <20 pg/L
= dissolved oxygen: 85 — 110% saturation
=" pH: 5.0 — 7.0
= secchi depth: n/a
conductivity:
5 1 1 1 17 2 1302 1121 66 30 93 500
5 1 1 1 17 3 1384 1119 113 40 88 uS/cm
4 1 1 1 18 0 233 1171 1324 47 -1
5 1 1 1 18 1 233 1171 204 47 96 Freshwater
5 1 1 1 18 2 598 1171 150 47 96 Aquatic
5 1 1 1 18 3 988 1184 12 12 51 =
5 1 1 1 18 4 1060 1175 145 39 81 turbidity
5 1 1 1 18 5 1220 1183 112 31 96 range:
5 1 1 1 18 6 1351 1176 10 29 84 1
5 1 1 1 18 7 1381 1192 24 3 60 —
5 1 1 1 18 8 1418 1176 42 30 96 20
5 1 1 1 18 9 1477 1175 80 31 96 NTU
4 1 1 1 19 0 232 1219 1228 48 -1
5 1 1 1 19 1 232 1219 284 48 92 lakes/reservoirs
5 1 1 1 19 2 614 1225 194 37 91 ecosystem
5 1 1 1 19 3 824 1240 23 3 91 —
5 1 1 1 19 4 988 1235 12 12 71 =
5 1 1 1 19 5 1020 1222 32 48 42 —
5 1 1 1 19 6 1061 1226 200 39 93 suspended
5 1 1 1 19 7 1276 1226 114 31 93 solids:
5 1 1 1 19 8 1408 1226 52 31 92 n/d
4 1 1 1 20 0 602 1266 854 56 -1
5 1 1 1 20 1 602 1266 216 56 96 moderately
5 1 1 1 20 2 988 1287 12 12 51 =
5 1 1 1 20 3 1061 1278 195 39 55 chlorophyll
5 1 1 1 20 4 1272 1286 30 23 91 a:
5 1 1 1 20 5 1319 1279 43 30 95 <5
5 1 1 1 20 6 1378 1278 78 39 42 pg/L
4 1 1 1 21 0 614 1318 896 51 -1
5 1 1 1 21 1 614 1318 159 31 96 disturbed
5 1 1 1 21 2 988 1339 12 12 11 «
5 1 1 1 21 3 1012 1316 29 57 26 —
5 1 1 1 21 4 1060 1330 76 31 96 total
5 1 1 1 21 5 1153 1330 156 39 93 nitrogen:
5 1 1 1 21 6 1326 1331 89 30 92 <350
5 1 1 1 21 7 1431 1330 79 39 43 ug/L
4 1 1 1 22 0 988 1381 452 39 -1
5 1 1 1 22 1 988 1390 12 12 0 »
5 1 1 1 22 2 1061 1381 149 31 80 oxidised
5 1 1 1 22 3 1227 1381 36 30 89 N:
5 1 1 1 22 4 1279 1382 67 30 89 <10
5 1 1 1 22 5 1362 1381 78 39 29 ug/L
4 1 1 1 23 0 988 1433 471 39 -1
5 1 1 1 23 1 988 1442 12 12 0
ammonia N: <10 pg/L
= — organic N: <330 pg/L
= total phosphorus: <10 pg/L
= — filterable reactive phosphorus (FRP): <5 ug/L
dissolved
5 1 1 1 27 2 1246 1648 142 31 96 oxygen:
5 1 1 1 27 3 1404 1641 42 30 92 90
5 1 1 1 27 4 1460 1657 24 3 88 —
5 1 1 1 27 5 1499 1641 101 30 96 110%
5 1 1 1 27 6 1615 1640 178 31 96 saturation
4 1 1 1 28 0 988 1692 308 39 -1
5 1 1 1 28 1 988 1701 12 12 42 =»
5 1 1 1 28 2 1062 1692 60 39 30 pH:
5 1 1 1 28 3 1138 1693 158 30 30 6.5-8.0
4 1 1 1 29 0 988 1743 384 39 -1
5 1 1 1 29 1 988 1752 12 12 46 =
5 1 1 1 29 2 1061 1743 114 31 79 secchi
5 1 1 1 29 3 1190 1743 112 39 93 depth:
5 1 1 1 29 4 1320 1743 52 31 92 n/d
4 1 1 1 30 0 233 1843 1574 48 -1
5 1 1 1 30 1 233 1848 58 31 96 For
5 1 1 1 30 2 304 1848 72 30 96 ALL
5 1 1 1 30 3 598 1843 58 48 96 All
5 1 1 1 30 4 988 1848 59 31 95 For
5 1 1 1 30 5 1060 1848 174 31 95 additional
5 1 1 1 30 6 1250 1848 170 39 92 biological
5 1 1 1 30 7 1434 1847 133 37 89 WQOs,
5 1 1 1 30 8 1584 1856 64 23 95 see
5 1 1 1 30 9 1662 1848 101 31 95 Table
5 1 1 1 30 10 1778 1849 29 30 96 3.
4 1 1 1 31 0 230 1896 1764 43 -1
5 1 1 1 31 1 230 1896 212 31 91 freshwaters
5 1 1 1 31 2 457 1896 102 31 96 within
5 1 1 1 31 3 986 1900 175 31 91 Toxicants
5 1 1 1 31 4 1177 1900 27 30 96 in
5 1 1 1 31 5 1219 1902 101 29 96 water
5 1 1 1 31 6 1333 1900 66 31 96 and
5 1 1 1 31 7 1414 1900 168 31 96 sediment
5 1 1 1 31 8 1596 1908 40 23 96 as
5 1 1 1 31 9 1652 1908 57 31 93 per
5 1 1 1 31 10 1722 1899 129 33 92 AWQG
5 1 1 1 31 11 1868 1900 126 39 96 (2000):
4 1 1 1 32 0 230 1944 1981 46 -1
5 1 1 1 32 1 230 1944 62 31 96 this
5 1 1 1 32 2 306 1944 102 31 96 Table
5 1 1 1 32 3 988 1960 12 12 0 «=
5 1 1 1 32 4 1061 1951 175 31 79 Toxicants
5 1 1 1 32 5 1252 1951 27 30 96 in
5 1 1 1 32 6 1294 1953 110 29 96 water:
5 1 1 1 32 7 1421 1951 83 31 96 refer
5 1 1 1 32 8 1516 1953 32 29 93 to
5 1 1 1 32 9 1563 1950 129 33 92 AWQG
5 1 1 1 32 10 1708 1951 127 31 96 section
5 1 1 1 32 11 1851 1952 54 30 80 3.4
5 1 1 1 32 12 1932 1968 10 3 80 -
5 1 1 1 32 13 1970 1952 108 30 96 ‘water
5 1 1 1 32 14 2091 1951 120 39 96 quality
4 1 1 1 33 0 1060 2001 1069 39 -1
5 1 1 1 33 1 1060 2001 185 39 91 quidelines
5 1 1 1 33 2 1259 2001 48 31 96 for
5 1 1 1 33 3 1320 2001 170 31 96 toxicants’
5 1 1 1 33 4 1507 2001 173 39 96 (including
5 1 1 1 33 5 1695 2001 122 31 96 Tables
5 1 1 1 33 6 1832 2002 99 35 95 3.4.1,
5 1 1 1 33 7 1948 2002 99 35 95 3.4.2,
5 1 1 1 33 8 2064 2001 65 31 96 and
4 1 1 1 34 0 1063 2052 229 39 -1
5 1 1 1 34 1 1063 2052 113 39 96 Figure
5 1 1 1 34 2 1191 2052 101 39 95 3.4.1)
4 1 1 1 35 0 988 2102 1245 33 -1
5 1 1 1 35 1 988 2112 12 12 6
Toxicants in sediments: refer to AWQG section 3.5 - ‘sediment
quality guidelines’ (including Table 3.5.1, Figure 3.5.1)
Comply with Code of Practice for Antifouling and In-water Hull
Cleaning and Maintenance, ANZECC.
Freshwater Aquatic Protect or restore riparian areas. Refer section 3.1.3— riparian area
riparian areas ecosystem — water quality objectives.
moderately
disturbed
16Section 21
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
1-11
Water area/type Management Water quality objectives to protect aquatic ecosystem EV
(refer Plan intent (level of
WQ1401) protection)
Ground waters Aquatic Where ground waters interact with surface waters, groundwater
ecosystem – high quality should not compromise identified EVs and WQOs for those
ecological value waters.
Note: the AWQG [2000] recommends that that the highest level of
protection should be provided to underground aquatic ecosystems,
given their high conservation value. Where ground waters are in
th
good condition the intent is to maintain existing water quality (20 ,
th th
50 and 80 percentiles). There is insufficient information available
to establish current water quality for ground waters. Refer to
Appendix D in Queensland water quality guidelines for details on
how to establish a minimum water quality data set for deriving local
th th th
20 , 50 and 80 percentiles.
Wetlands Aquatic Objectives as per AWQG (2000) and section 3.1.3.
ecosystem –
moderately
disturbed
Notes:
1. Oxidised N = NO2 + NO3. Units for nitrogen indicators are micrograms per litre (µg/L) N.
2. Units for phosphorus indicators are micrograms per litre (µg/L) P.
3. n/d = no data, n/a = not applicable for this indicator and water type.
4. DO objectives apply to daytime conditions. Lower values may occur at night but these should not be more than
10%–15% less than daytime values. DO values as low as 40% may occur in estuaries for short periods following
material inflow events after rainfall. DO values <50% are likely to significantly impact on the ongoing ability of fish to
persist in a waterbody. DO values <30% saturation are toxic to some fish species. These DO values should be
applied as absolute lower limit objectives for DO. – see also section 4.2 of the QWQG. Very high DO
(supersaturation) values can be toxic to some fish as they cause gas bubble disease.
5. DO values for freshwaters should only be applied to flowing waters. Stagnant pools in intermittent streams
naturally experience values of DO below 50% saturation.
6. Wallum/tannin-stained waters contain naturally high levels of humic acids (and have a characteristic brown ti-tree
stain). In these types of waters, natural pH values may range from 3.6 to 6.
7. During flood events or nil flow periods, pH values should not fall below 5.5 (except in wallum/tannin waters) or
exceed 9.
8. Nutrient objectives do not apply during high flow events. See QWQG Section 5 and Appendix D for more
information on applying guidelines under high flow conditions.
9. During periods of low flow and particularly in smaller creeks, build up of organic matter derived from natural sources
(e.g. leaf litter) can result in increased organic N levels (generally in the range of 400 to 800µg/L). This may lead to
total N values exceeding the WQOs. Provided that levels of inorganic N (i.e. NH3 + oxidised N) remain low, then
the elevated levels of organic N should not be seen as a breach of the WQOs, provided this is due to natural
causes.
10. Conductivity. Under natural conditions, conductivity is highly dependent on local geology and soil types. The
Queensland Water Quality Guidelines 2009 (Appendix G) provides information on conductivity values in a set of 18
defined salinity zones throughout Queensland. For each zone, the Queensland Water Quality Guidelines 2009
provide a range of percentile values based on data from all the sites within that zone. This provides a useful first
estimate of background conductivity within a zone. However, even within zones there is a degree of variation
between streams and therefore the values for the zone would still need to be ground truthed against local values.
11. Temperature varies both daily and seasonally, it is depth dependent and is also highly site specific. It is therefore
not possible to provide simple generic water quality objectives (WQOs) for this indicator. The recommended
approach is that local WQOs be developed. Thus, WQOs for potentially impacted streams should be based on
measurements from nearby streams that have similar morphology and which are thought not to be impacted by
anthropogenic thermal influences.
From an ecological effects perspective, the most important aspects of temperature are the daily maximum
temperature and the daily variation in temperature. Therefore measurements of temperature should be designed to
collect information on these indicators of temperature and, similarly, local WQOs should be expressed in terms of
these indicators. Clearly, there will be an annual cycle in the values of these indicators and therefore a full
seasonal cycle of measurements is required to develop guideline values.
17
Section 22
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Sources:
The water quality objectives were determined from a combination of documents (and supporting data), including:
• Queensland Water Quality Guidelines (2009);
• Australian Water Quality Guidelines (2000);
• water quality guidelines in the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP);
• water quality objectives in local studies and the South East Queensland Regional Water Quality Management
Strategy, 2001 (SEQRWQMS);
• Code of Practice for Antifouling and In-water Hull Cleaning and Maintenance, Australian and New Zealand
Environment and Conservation Council (1997); and
• Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995 and Regulations 2008, Queensland Transport.
18
Section 23
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
3.1.2 Biological WQOs
Table 3 provides biological water quality objectives for freshwaters (lowland streams, wallum/tannin-stained
streams and coastal streams, upland streams) throughout the catchment, as shown on the plan.
Table 3 Aquatic ecosystem EV: Biological water quality objectives for freshwater streams (refer to
1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Plan WQ1401 for location of streams)
Wallum
4 Percentile /tannin- Lowland Upland Coastal Oper
Indicator 5 Units
used stained freshwater freshwater freshwater ant
freshwater
4
Fish
Percent of native
species expected original
(PONSE*) guideline 100 100 100 100 >= %
Observed to expected ratio
species ratio (O/E*) used for all 1 1 1 1 >= (number)
Percent Alien
individuals fish indices 0 0 0 0 = %
4
Invertebrates
Richness (family) 20th 11 22 22 22 >= number
PET taxa (taxa
sensitive to human
disturbance) 20th 3 4 5 4 >= number
SIGNAL score (stream
invertebrate grade
number average level)
1 = most tolerant
10 = most sensitive 20th 4 4 4.6 4 >= number
Ecological processes
4
Gross primary
2
production (GPP) 80th 0.5 0.5 0.25 0.5 <= gC/m /day
2
Respiration (R24) 80th 0.35 0.35 0.15 0.35 <= gC/m /day
Carbon isotope ratio
13
measure (Del C) 20th -28 -28 -28 -28 >= delta units
2
mg Chl a/m
Chl a 80th 12 12 8 12 <= /day
4
Nutrient cycling
ratio
Algal bioassay (N+P)/C 80th 4 4 4 4 <= (number)
Nitrogen isotope ratio
15
measure (Del N) 80th 5 5 5 5 <= delta units
Notes:
1. Unless otherwise stated, objectives apply to support waters at a moderately disturbed level, and do not apply to high
ecological value waters.
2. Refer to Plan WQ1401 for locations of streams.
3. Refer to section 1 of this document for definitions of stream types.
19
Section 24
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
4. More details on the indicators in this table are provided in Appendix E of the QWQG (2009), and the Ecosystem Health
Monitoring Program (EHMP) annual technical reports (2002–03, 2003–04).
5. For each indicator the ‘operant’ denotes whether test-site values should be higher than or lower than the specified
number to achieve compliance.
* Denotes values for these indices derived from predictive computer models.
n/a - model not built using this stream type.
Source: Updated based on water quality guidelines in the Ecosystem Health Monitoring Program (EHMP).
3.1.3 Riparian WQOs
For vegetation management relating to waterways, reference should be made to the relevant regional
vegetation management codes under the Vegetation Management Act. These codes include performance
requirements relating to watercourses and wetlands, aimed at maintaining water quality, bank stability,
aquatic and terrestrial habitat. Codes include vegetation clearing controls that vary according to stream
order.
To review the latest applicable VM code (and other explanatory information) for waters for this area, refer to
the vegetation management page on the DERM website.
Planning schemes under the Sustainable Planning Act may also specify riparian buffers (for example under
catchment protection or waterway codes). The latest planning schemes are accessible from
http://www.dip.qld.gov.au/local-area-planning/local-government-planning-schemes.html.
3.1.4 Stormwater design objectives
Stormwater design objectives for urban development are contained in “Urban Stormwater Quality Planning
Guidelines 2010” DERM (2010, as amended). Design objectives are specified for both the construction and
operational phases of development in accordance with landscape features and the regional location of
proposed development. The latest guidelines are available from the DERM website:
http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/water/index.html.
20
Section 25
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
3.2 Water quality objectives (WQOs) for human use EVs
This section outlines WQOs to protect human use EVs, which comprise those EVs other than the aquatic
ecosystem EV (eg recreation, stock watering, aquaculture and crop irrigation). Table 1 of this document
outlines the EVs that have been identified for different waters in the catchment. Where a human use EV has
been identified, the following tables can be used to identify the WQOs to support that EV. Where Table 1
indicates more than one EV applies to a given water (for example aquatic ecosystem and recreational use),
the adoption of the most stringent WQO for each water quality indicator will then protect all identified EVs.
WQOs in this section are, unless otherwise specified, based on relevant national water quality guidelines
7
including AWQG (2000) and the Australian drinking water guidelines (2004) . Table 4 outlines human use
EVs, applicable water types, and a selection of more commonly used WQOs to support those EVs. Tables 5
to 13 provide further WQOs to protect particular human use EVs (based on national guidelines or other
more local studies). Where national guidelines or other codes remain the primary source for WQOs,
reference to those national guidelines or codes is necessary to obtain comprehensive listings of all indicators
and corresponding WQOs.
Table 4 Water quality objectives to protect human use environmental values
Environmental Water type/ Water quality objectives to protect EV
value area (refer to specified codes and guidelines for full details)
(refer Table 1
and Plan
WQ1401)
Protection of the coastal and Objectives as per AWQG (2000) and Australia New Zealand Food
8
human estuarine waters Standards Code , Food Standards Australia New Zealand, 2007 and
consumer for updates.
oystering
Protection of the coastal, Objectives as per AWQG (2000) and Australia New Zealand Food
human estuarine and Standards Code, Food Standards Australia New Zealand, 2007 and
consumer freshwaters updates.
7
For further details on the AWQG click on:
http://www.mincos.gov.au/publications/australian_and_new_zealand_guidelines_for_fresh_and_marine_water_quality
For further details on the Australian drinking water guidelines click on:
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/publications/synopses/eh19syn.htm
8
For further details on the Australian New Zealand Food Standards Code click on:
http://www.foodstandards.gov.au/foodstandards/foodstandardscode/
21
Section 26
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Environmental Water type/ Water quality objectives to protect EV
value area (refer to specified codes and guidelines for full details)
(refer Table 1
and Plan
WQ1401)
9
Suitability for coastal, Objectives as per NHMRC (2008) , including:
primary contact estuarine and • Water free of physical (floating and submerged) hazards
recreation freshwaters • Temperature: 16–34°C
• pH: 6.5 – 8.5
• DO: >80%
• Faecal contamination: designated recreational waters are protected
against direct contamination with fresh faecal material, particularly of
human or domesticated animal origin. Two principal components are
required for assessing faecal contamination:
• assessment of evidence for the likely influence of faecal
material; and
• counts of suitable faecal indicator bacteria (usually
enterococci).
These two components are combined to produce an overall microbial
classification of the recreational water body.
th
• Intestinal enterococci: 95 %ile ≤40 organisms per 100mL (for
healthy adults) (NHMRC, 2008; Table 5.7)
• Direct contact with venomous or dangerous aquatic organisms
should be avoided. Recreational water bodies should be reasonably
free of, or protected from, venomous organisms (eg box jellyfish and
bluebottles).
• Cyanobacteria/algae - coastal/estuarine: recreational water bodies
should not contain ≥ 10 cells/mL Karenia brevis and/or have Lyngbya
majuscula and/or Pfiesteria present in high numbers.
• Cyanobacteria/algae – fresh water: recreational water bodies should
not contain ≥10 µg/L total microcystins; ≥50 000 cells/mL toxic
3
Microcystis aeruginosa; or biovolume equivalent of ≥4 mm /L for the
combined total of all cyanobacteria where a known toxin producer is
3
dominant in the total biovolume; OR ≥10 mm /L for total biovolume of
all cyanobacterial material where known toxins are not present; OR•
cyanobacterial scums consistently present. Further details contained
in Table 5.
Waters contaminated with chemicals that are either toxic or irritating to
the skin or mucous membranes are unsuitable for recreational purposes.
Suitability for coastal, Objectives as per NHMRC (2008), including:
th
secondary estuarine and • Intestinal enterococci: 95 %ile ≤40 organisms per 100mL (for
contact freshwaters healthy adults) (NHMRC, 2008; Table 5.7)
recreation
Suitability for coastal, Objectives as per NHMRC (2008), including:
visual recreation estuarine and Recreational water bodies should be aesthetically acceptable to
freshwaters recreational users. The water should be free from visible materials that
may settle to form objectionable deposits; floating debris, oil, scum and
other matter; substances producing objectionable colour, odour, taste or
turbidity; and substances and conditions that produce undesirable
aquatic life.
Protection of coastal, estuarine Protect or restore indigenous and non-indigenous cultural heritage consistent
cultural and and freshwaters, with relevant policies and plans.
spiritual values ground waters
9
The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) has updated the recreational water quality guidelines
established in the AWQG (2000). These are available from the NHMRC website at:
http://www.nhmrc.gov.au/_files_nhmrc/file/publications/synopses/eh38.pdf
22
Section 27
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Environmental Water type/ Water quality objectives to protect EV
value area (refer to specified codes and guidelines for full details)
(refer Table 1
and Plan
WQ1401)
Suitability for coastal, No WQOs are provided in this scheduling document for industrial uses.
industrial use estuarine and Water quality requirements for industry vary within and between
freshwaters industries. The AWQG (2000) do not provide guidelines to protect
industries, and indicate that industrial water quality requirements need to
be considered on a case-by-case basis. This EV is usually protected by
other values, such as the aquatic ecosystem EV.
Suitability for coastal, Objectives as per:
aquaculture estuarine and • Tables 6-8; and
freshwaters • AWQG (2000) and Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code ,
Food Standards Australia New Zealand, 2007 and updates.
Suitability for All freshwaters ANZECC objectives for pathogens and metals are provided in Tables 9
irrigation including ground and 10. For other indicators, such as salinity, sodicity and herbicides, see
waters AWQG (2000).
Suitability for All freshwaters Objectives as per AWQG (2000), including median faecal coliforms <100
stock watering including ground organisms per 100 mL.
waters
WQOs for total dissolved solids and metals are provided in Tables 11 and
12, based on AWQG (2000).
For other objectives, such as cyanobacteria and pathogens, see AWQG
(2000).
Suitability for All freshwaters Objectives as per AWQG (2000).
farm supply/use including ground
waters
Suitability for All freshwaters Local WQOs for drinking water supply are provided in Table 13.
drinking water including ground
supply waters Also refer to AWQG (2000) and Australian drinking water guidelines
(ADWG) that discuss how to manage the catchment to minimise the risks
to drinking water supply. ADWG also provides health guideline values for
potable water at the tap.
23
Section 28
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 5 Primary contact recreation EV: Water quality objectives for management of cyanobacteria in
contact recreation areas
When cyanobacteria are present in large numbers they can present a significant hazard, particularly to
primary contact users of waters.
Green level surveillance mode Amber level alert mode Red level action mode
-1 -1
≥ 500 to <500 cells mL ≥ 5000 to <50 000 cells mL Level 1 guideline:
-1
Microsystis aeruginosa Microsystis aeruginosa ≥ 10 µg L total microsystins
3 -1 -1
or Or ≥ 0.4 to <4 mm L for the Or ≥ 50 000 cells mL toxic
combined total of all Microsystis aeruginosa
biovolume equivalent of >0.04 to cyanobacteria where a known
3 -1
<0.4mm L for the combined total toxin producer is dominant in the Or biovolume equivalent of ≥ 4
3 -1
of all cyanobacteria. total biovolume mm L for the combined total of
all cyanobacteria where a known
1
Or toxin producer is dominant in the
total biovolume
3 -1
≥ 0.5 to <10 mm mm L for the
2
combined total of all Or
cyanobacteria where known toxin
producers are not present. Level 2 guideline:
3 -1
≥ 10 mm L for total biovolume of
all cyanobacterial material where
known toxins are not present
Or
Cyanobacteria scums are
3
consistently present .
Source: NHMRC Guideline for Managing Risks in Recreational Water – Cyanobacteria and algae in freshwater
(NHMRC, 2008).
Notes:
1. The definition of “dominant” is where the known toxin producer comprises 75% or more of the total biovolume of
cyanobacteria in a representative sample
2. This applies where high cell densities or scums of “non toxic” cyanobacteria are present i.e. where the
cyanobacterial population has been tested and shown not to contain known toxins (mycrocystins, nodularian,
cylindrospermopsin or saxitoxin).
3. This refers to the situation where scums occur at the recreation site each day when conditions are calm,
particularly in the morning. Note that it is not likely that scums are always present and visible when there is a high
population as the cells may mix down with wind and turbulence and then reform later when conditions become
stable.
24
Section 29
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 6 Aquaculture EV: Water quality objectives for tropical aquaculture
Recommended range Recommended range
Freshwater Marine General aquatic
Water parameter Water parameter
Dissolved oxygen >4mg/L >4mg/L Arsenic <0.05mg/L
0
Temperature C 21–32 24–33 Cadmium <0.003mg/L
pH 6.8–9.5 7–9.0 Calcium/Magnesium 10–160mg/L
Ammonia (TAN, total
ammonia-nitrogen) <1.0mg/L <1.0mg/L Chromium <0.1mg/L
Ammonia (NH3, un-ionised <0.1mg/L <0.1mg/L Copper <0.006mg/L in soft water
form)
Nitrate (NO3) 1–100mg/L 1–100 Cyanide <0.005mg/L
mg/L
Nitrite (NO2) <0.1mg/L <1.0mg/L Iron <0.5mg/L
Salinity 0–5ppt 15–35 ppt Lead <0.03mg/L
Hardness 20–450mg/L Manganese <0.01mg/L
Alkalinity 20–400 >100mg/L Mercury <0.00005mg/L
mg/L
Turbidity <80 NTU Nickel <0.01mg/L in soft water
<0.04mg/L in hard water
Chlorine <0.003mg/L Tin <0.001mg/L
Hydrogen sulphide <0.002mg/L Zinc 0.03–0.06 mg/L in soft water
1–2 mg/L in hard water
Source: Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries - Water Quality in Aquaculture—DPI Notes April 2004.
Table 7 Aquaculture EV: Water quality objectives for optimal growth of particular species in
freshwater
Water parameter Barramundi Eel Silver perch Jade perch Sleepy cod Redclaw
Dissolved oxygen 4–9mg/L >3mg/L >4mg/L >3mg/L >4.0mg/L >4.0mg/L
0
Temperature C 26–32 23–28 23–28 23–28 22–31 23–31
pH 7.5–8.5 7.0–8.5 6.5–9 6.5–9 7.0–8.5 7.0–8.5
Ammonia (TAN,
Total ammonia- <1.0mg/L <1.0mg/L <1.0mg/L
nitrogen)
Ammonia (NH3, un-
ionised form)*pH <0.46mg/L <0.1mg/L <0.1mg/L <0.1mg/L <0.1mg/L <0.1mg/L
dependent.
Nitrate (NO3) <100mg/L
Nitrite (NO2) <1.5mg/L <1.0mg/L <0.1mg/L <1.0mg/L <1.0mg/L
Salinity (extended
0–35ppt <5ppt <5ppt <4ppt
periods)
5–10ppt for 1 max. 20ppt
Salinity bath 0–35ppt
hour for 1 hour
Hardness (CaCO3) >50 mg/L >50 mg/L >40mg/L >40mg/L
Alkalinity >20mg/L 100–400 ppm 100–400 ppm >40mg/L >40mg/L
Chlorine <0.04mg/L <0.04mg/L
Hydrogen sulphide 0–0.3mg/L 0–0.3mg/L
Iron <0.1mg/L <0.5mg/L <0.5mg/L <0.1mg/L <0.1mg/L
Spawning >24 for more
Marine 23–28 23–28
temperature than 3 days
Source: Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries - Water Quality in Aquaculture—DPI Notes April 2004.
25
Section 30
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 8 Aquaculture EV: Water quality objectives for optimal growth of particular marine species
Kuruma
Water parameter Barramundi Tiger prawn prawn
Hatchery Grow out Hatchery Grow out Grow out
Dissolved oxygen Saturation >4.0mg/L >4.0mg/L >3.5mg/L >4.0mg/L
28–30
0 28–30
Temperature C optimum 25– 26–32 24
optimum
31 range
pH ~8 ~8 ~8 7.5–8.5 7.5–8.5
Ammonia (TAN,
total ammonia- 0.1–0.5 mg/L
nitrogen)
Ammonia (NH3, un-
<0.1mg/L <0.1mg/L <0.1mg/L <0.1mg/L <0.1mg/L
ionized form)
Nitrate (NO3) <1.0mg/L <1.0mg/L <1.0mg/L <1.0mg/L <1.0mg/L
Nitrite (NO2) <0.2mg/L <20mg/L <0.2mg/L <0.2mg/L <0.2mg/L
10–25ppt 30–35 ppt
Salinity 28–31ppt 0–35ppt
optimum optimum
105–125mg/L
Alkalinity
CaCO3
30–40cm 30–40cm
Clarity
Secchi disk Secchi disk
Hydrogen sulphide <0.3mg/L
Iron <0.02mg/L <1.0mg/L
Spawning 28–32 *strain
dependent 27–32
temperature
Source: Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries - Water Quality in Aquaculture—DPI Notes April 2004.
26
Section 31
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 9 Irrigation EV: Water quality objectives for thermotolerant (faecal) coliforms in irrigation
waters used for food and non-food crops
Intended use Median values of thermotolerant
coliforms (colony forming units -
2
cfu)
Raw human food crops in direct contact with irrigation water (e.g. <10 cfu / 100 mL
via sprays, irrigation of salad vegetables)
Raw human food crops not in direct contact with irrigation water <1000 cfu / 100 mL
(edible product separated from contact with water, e.g. by peel,
use of trickle irrigation); or crops sold to consumers cooked or
processed
Pasture and fodder for dairy animals (without withholding period) <100 cfu / 100 mL
Pasture and fodder for dairy animals (with withholding period of 5 <1000 cfu / 100 mL
days)
Pasture and fodder (for grazing animals except pigs and dairy <1000 cfu / 100 mL
animals, i.e. cattle, sheep and goats)
Silviculture, turf, cotton, etc. (restricted public access) <10 000 cfu / 100 mL
Source: AWQG (2000), Volume 1, Section 4.2.3.3, Table 4.2.2.
Notes:
1. Adapted from ARMCANZ, ANZECC and NHMRC (1999)
2. Refer to AWQG (2000) Volume 1, Section 4.2.3.3 for advice on testing protocols
.
27
Section 32
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 10 Irrigation EV: Water quality objectives for heavy metals and metalloids in agricultural
1
irrigation water – long-term trigger value (LTV), short-term trigger value (STV) and soil cumulative
contamination loading limit (CCL)
Element Soil cumulative Long-term trigger value (LTV) in Short-term trigger value
contaminant loading limit irrigation water (up to 100 yrs) (STV) in irrigation water
2
(CCL - kg/ha) (mg/L) (up to 20 yrs) (mg/L)
Aluminium ND 5 20
Arsenic 20 0.1 2.0
Beryllium ND 0.1 0.5
Boron ND 0.5 Refer to AWQG (2000)
Vol 3,Table 9.2.18
Cadmium 2 0.01 0.05
Chromium ND 0.1 1
Cobalt ND 0.05 0.1
Copper 140 0.2 5
Fluoride ND 1 2
Iron ND 0.2 10
Lead 260 2 5
Lithium ND 2.5 2.5
(0.075 for Citrus crops) (0.075 for Citrus crops)
Manganese ND 0.2 10
Mercury 2 0.002 0.002
Molybdenum ND 0.01 0.05
Nickel 85 0.2 2
Selenium 10 0.02 0.05
Uranium ND 0.01 0.1
Vanadium ND 0.1 0.5
Zinc 300 2 5
Source: AWQG (2000), Volume 1, Section 4.2.6, Table 4.2.10
Notes:
1. Concentrations in irrigation water should be less than the trigger values. Trigger values should only be used in
conjunction with information on each individual element and the potential for off-site transport of contaminants (refer
AWQG [2000], Volume 3, Section 9.2.5)
2. ND = Not determined; insufficient background data to calculate CCL
28
Section 33
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 11 Stock watering EV: Water quality objectives for tolerances of livestock to total dissolved
1
solids (salinity) in drinking water
Livestock Total dissolved solids (TDS) (mg/L)
No adverse Animals may have initial reluctance to Loss of production and
effects on animals drink or there may be some scouring, decline in animal condition
expected. but stock should adapt without loss of and health would be
production expected. Stock may
tolerate these levels for
short periods if introduced
gradually
Beef cattle 0–4000 4000–5000 5000–10,000
Dairy cattle 0–2500 2500–4000 4000–7000
2
Sheep 0–5000 5000–10,000 10,000–13,000
Horses 0–4000 4000–6000 6000–7000
Pigs 0–4000 4000–6000 6000–8000
Poultry 0–2000 2000–3000 3000–4000
Source: AWQG (2000), Volume 1, Section 4.3.3.5, Table 4.3.1
Notes:
1. From ANZECC (1992), adapted to incorporate more recent information
2. Sheep on lush green feed may tolerate up to 13,000 mg/L TDS without loss of condition or production
Table 12 Stock watering EV: Water quality objectives (low risk trigger values) for heavy metals and
metalloids in livestock drinking water
1, 2
Metal or metalloid Trigger value (low risk)
(mg/L)
Aluminium 5
3
Arsenic 0.5 (up to 5 )
Beryllium ND
Boron 5
Cadmium 0.01
Chromium 1
Cobalt 1
Copper 0.4 (sheep), 1 (cattle), 5 (pigs), 5 (poultry)
Fluoride 2
Iron not sufficiently toxic
Lead 0.1
Manganese not sufficiently toxic
Mercury 0.002
Molybdenum 0.15
Nickel 1
Selenium 0.02
Uranium 0.2
Vanadium ND
Zinc 20
Source: AWQG (2000), Volume 1, Section 4.3.4, Table 4.3.2
Notes:
1. Higher concentrations may be tolerated in some situations (further details provided in AWQG [2000] Volume 3, Section 9.3.5)
2. ND = not determined, insufficient background data to calculate
3. May be tolerated if not provided as a food additive and natural levels in the diet are low.
29
Section 34
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 13 Drinking water EV: Priority water quality objectives for drinking water supply in the vicinity
of off-takes, including groundwater, before treatment
Indicator Water quality objectives
Hardness 60-200 mg/L (as CaCO3) Refer ADWG (treated water guideline)
Taste and odour 5 µg/L Geosmin or 10 µg/L MIB or 10 µg/L combined Geosmin & MIB
Cyanotoxins (specific Saxitoxin 3 µg/L (ADWG health alert value for acute exposure; and
assessment of SEQWater Toxic Cyanobacteria Risk Assessment 2006)
treatment step
efficiencies for each Mycrocystin 1.3 µg/L (ADWG treated water guideline)
toxin is required)
Cylindrospermopsin 1 µg/L
Cryptosporidium 0 oocyst
Giardia 0 cyst
E. coli 100 cfu/100mL
(ensure sufficient turbidity reduction and chlorine contact:dose)
Manganese (soluble) 50 µg/L
Iron (soluble) 50 µg/L
Turbidity 25 NTU for WTP designed for offtakes from open water storages
50 NTU for WTP designed for offtakes in riverine (weir) systems
Colour 50 Hazen Units
Conductivity/TDS See ADWG (no treatment options to remove salt) 500 mg/L TDS. Site
specific conversion to conductivity required. ADWG recommends
average multiplication factor of 2 to derive conductivity (µs/cm):
1000 µs/cm
Dissolved oxygen 4 mg/L at water surface
Pesticides Presence at detectable levels (detection limits specified by Qld Health
Scientific Services)
Dissolved Organic 10 mg/L
Carbon
Source: Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authority Trading as: Seqwater
30
Section 35
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
4 Ways to improve water quality
The following documents are relevant in considering ways to improve water quality in the Noosa River
catchment. The document list below is additional to the plans, guidelines and other sources referred to in
previous sections, and is provided for information only.
Local studies
• Council planning scheme and supporting codes, policies
• Noosa River Plan, 2004
• Noosa Shire Council Urban Stormwater Management Strategy, 2002
• Noosa River Catchment Management Strategy 2001
• Development guidelines for water quality management in drinking water catchments (Seqwater)
Regional plans
• South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009 - 2031
• South East Queensland Natural Resource Management Plan 2009-2031
• South East Queensland Healthy Waterways Strategy 2007-2012
• South East Queensland Regional Water Quality Management Strategy September 2001
State plans, policies, guidelines, agreements etc
• Queensland Water Quality Guidelines 2009 (DERM)
• Monitoring and Sampling Manual 2009 (DERM)
• Draft Queensland Coastal Plan
• Memorandum of Understanding between the Queensland Government and Queensland Farmers’
Federation relating to Farm Management Systems 2005
• Queensland Water Plan 2005 – 2010 An action plan to meet our future water needs, Queensland
Government, August 2005
Other supporting technical information – riparian management
• Managing riparian widths to achieve multiple objectives, fact sheet 13, Land and Water Australia,
Australian Government, 2004.
• Improving water quality, fact sheet 3, Land & Water Australia, Australian Government, 2002.
• Riparian Land Management Technical Guidelines – Volume 1 and 2, November 1999, Land and Water
Resources Research and Development Corporation (LWRRDC)
• Guidelines for Queensland Streambank Stabilisation with Riparian Vegetation, CRC for Catchment
Hydrology, September 1999
• Restoration of Fish Habitats – Fisheries Guidelines for Marine Areas, FHG002, Fisheries Group,
Department of Primary Industries, October 1998
• Fisheries Guidelines for Fish Habitat Buffer Zones, FHG003, Fisheries Group, Department of Primary
Industries, August 2000
• Guidelines for Riparian Filter Strips for Queensland Irrigators, CSIRO Land and Water, September 1999
31
Section 36
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
5 Dictionary
AMTD means the adopted middle thread distance which is the distance in kilometres, measured along the
middle of a watercourse, that a specific point in the watercourse is from the watercourse’s mouth or junction
with the main watercourse (definition based on Water Regulation 2002).
ANZECC means the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council.
Aquatic ecosystems (defined in the AWQG, 2000): comprise the animals, plants and micro-organisms that
live in water, and the physical and chemical environment and climatic regime in which they interact. It is
predominantly the physical components (eg light, temperature, mixing, flow, habitat) and chemical
components (eg organic and inorganic carbon, oxygen, nutrients) of an ecosystem that determine what lives
and breeds in it, and therefore the structure of the food web. Biological interactions (eg grazing and
predation) can also play a part in structuring many aquatic ecosystems.
ARMCANZ means the Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand.
rd
Basin means the Basin name and number provided by Geoscience Australia, Canberra (3 edition, 2004).
Biological integrity, of water, means the water’s ability to support and maintain a balanced, integrative,
adaptive community of organisms having a species composition, diversity and functional organisation
comparable to that of the natural habitat of the locality in which the water is situated.
Catchment means the total area draining into a river, creek, reservoir or other body of water. The limits of a
given catchment are the heights of land (such as hills or mountains) separating it from neighbouring
catchments. Catchments can be made up of smaller sub-catchments.
Ecological health (defined in the AWQG, 2000): means the ‘health’ or ‘condition’ of an ecosystem. It is the
ability of an ecosystem to support and maintain key ecological processes and organisms so that their
species compositions, diversity and functional organisations are as comparable as possible to those
occurring in natural habitats within a region (also termed ecological integrity).
Environmental value (EV) means:
(a) a quality or physical characteristic of the environment that is conducive to ecological health or public
amenity or safety; or
(b) another quality of the environment identified and declared to be an environmental value under an
Environmental Protection Policy or Regulation (e.g. water suitable for swimming in or drinking).
The EVs for water that can be identified for protection are outlined in Table 14.
Highest astronomical tide (HAT) (defined in Marine Parks (Declaration) Regulation 2006): means the
highest level of the tides that can be predicted to occur under average meteorological conditions and under
any combination of astronomical conditions.
High water mark (defined in Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995): means the ordinary high water
mark at spring tides.
Mean high water spring: refer high water mark.
Queensland waters (as defined in Acts Interpretation Act 1954): means all waters that are a) within the
limits of the State; or b) coastal waters of the State.
Sub-catchment means part of a catchment.
32
Section 37
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Table 14 Suite of environmental values that can be chosen for protection
Environmental values and definitions ICON
Aquatic ecosystem:
“a community of organisms living within or adjacent to water, including riparian or foreshore areas”. (EPPW, schedule 2)
The intrinsic value of aquatic ecosystems, habitat and wildlife in waterways and riparian areas – for example, biodiversity, ecological interactions,
plants, animals, key species (such as turtles, platypus, seagrass and dugongs) and their habitat, food and drinking water.
Waterways include perennial and intermittent surface waters, ground waters, tidal and non-tidal waters, lakes, storages, reservoirs, dams,
wetlands, swamps, marshes, lagoons, canals, natural and artificial channels and the bed and banks of waterways.
(This EV incorporates the “Wildlife habitat” EV used in the South East Queensland Regional Water Quality Management Strategy - SEQRWQMS.)
See below for more details on aquatic ecosystems, based on the EPP Water.
High ecological/conservation value waters None
“Waters in which the biological integrity of the water is effectively unmodified or highly valued.” (EPPW, schedule 2)
Slightly disturbed waters None
“Waters that have the biological integrity of high ecological value waters with slightly modified physical or chemical indicators but effectively
unmodified biological indicators” (EPPW, schedule 2)
Moderately disturbed waters None
“Waters in which the biological integrity of the water is adversely affected by human activity to a relatively small but measurable degree.” (EPPW,
schedule 2)
Highly disturbed waters None
“Waters that are significantly degraded by human activity and have lower ecological value than high ecological value waters or slightly or
moderately disturbed waters.” (EPPW, schedule 2)
Seagrass (Goal within the Aquatic ecosystem EV):
Maintenance or rehabilitation of seagrass habitat. (Applies only to tidal waterways.)
Irrigation:
Suitability of water supply for irrigation - for example, irrigation of crops, pastures, parks, gardens and recreational areas.
Farm Water Supply/Use:
Suitability of domestic farm water supply, other than drinking water. For example, water used for laundry and produce preparation.
33
Section 38
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Environmental values and definitions ICON
Stock Watering:
Suitability of water supply for production of healthy livestock.
Aquaculture:
Health of aquaculture species and humans consuming aquatic foods (such as fish, molluscs and crustaceans) from commercial ventures.
Human consumers of aquatic foods:
Health of humans consuming aquatic foods — such as fish, crustaceans and shellfish from natural waterways. Note that in some areas oystering
is a more specific goal identified under the human consumer EV (see below).
Oystering (Goal within the EV of Human consumers of aquatic foods):
Health of humans consuming oysters from natural waterways and commercial ventures. (Applies only to tidal waterways.)
Primary recreation:
Health of humans during recreation which involves direct contact and a high probability of water being swallowed — for example, swimming,
surfing, windsurfing, diving and water-skiing.
Primary recreational use, of water, means full body contact with the water, including, for example, diving, swimming, surfing, waterskiing and
windsurfing. (EPPW, s6)
Secondary recreation:
Health of humans during recreation which involves indirect contact and a low probability of water being swallowed — for example, wading,
boating, rowing and fishing.
Secondary recreational use, of water, means contact other than full body contact with the water, including, for example, boating and fishing.
(EPPW, s6)
Visual recreation:
Amenity of waterways for recreation which does not involve any contact with water — for example, walking and picnicking adjacent to a waterway.
Visual recreational use, of a water, means viewing the water without contact with it. (EPPW, s6)
34
Section 39
Noosa River environmental values and water quality objectives
Environmental values and definitions ICON
Drinking water supply:
Suitability of raw drinking water supply. This assumes minimal treatment of water is required — for example, coarse screening and/or disinfection.
Industrial use:
Suitability of water supply for industrial use — for example, food, beverage, paper, petroleum and power industries. Industries usually treat water
supplies to meet their needs.
Cultural and spiritual values:
Indigenous and non-indigenous cultural heritage — for example:
• custodial, spiritual, cultural and traditional heritage, hunting, gathering and ritual responsibilities;
• symbols, landmarks and icons (such as waterways, turtles and frogs); and
• lifestyles (such as agriculture and fishing).
Cultural and spiritual values, of water, means its aesthetic, historical, scientific, social or other significance, to the present generation or past or
future generations. (EPPW, s6)
35
Section 40
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