SARA RFI - Ecological Assessment Report

OPERATIONAL PHASE                                                                                                  5-5
        Maintenance Procedures – Swales

        One of the most important maintenance requirements of swales is to ensure that strong healthy
        vegetation growth is promoted and retained. Other components of the system that will require regular
        monitoring include the swale function itself and any subsurface drainage (including infiltration pits).

        The most intensive maintenance period of swales will be during the plant establishment phase. This is
        generally within the first two years after construction and planting. The plant establishment period is
        also usually when there is greater potential for excess sediment loads to impact upon plant growth
        due to sediment movement from building sites (where erosion and sediment control measures are not
        fully effective).

        Minimum swale inspections shall be conducted monthly during spring and summer with further
        monitoring required after major storm events (i.e. > 25mm in 1 hour or greater than 50mm/day).
        Inspections during autumn and winter shall be conducted every 2 months.

        Appropriate maintenance shall follow inspections to restore the swale performance if any of the
        following conditions are evident.

        Typical Swale Maintenance Checklist (Refer to Maintenance Checklist overleaf to be used at each
        inspection).

        Inspection Item                                            Action if Required
        Gross pollutants – litter & debris                         Collect, remove & deposit at Council landfill
        Sediment deposits / accumulation                           Excavate either by hand or using mechanical
                                                                   means and deposit in accordance with Council
                                                                   procedures. Ensure that any areas of disturbed
                                                                   vegetation are reinstated in accordance with the
                                                                   original design and consistent with other
                                                                   vegetation in the swale
        Evidence of erosion ie.scour, rilling etc.                 Restablish swale profile and revegetate. In areas
                                                                   where erosion continues to reoccur, suitable
                                                                   armouring (rock, reinforced turf etc) will need to
                                                                   be investigated
        Ponding                                                    Ensure swale grade is consistent with original
                                                                   design and re-establish where deficient.    If
                                                                   reoccurrence occurs, consider installation of
                                                                   subsurface drainage in problem areas.
        Weed growth                                                Remove weeds via manual methods
        Vegetation condition - health & density                    Replace diseased or dead plants with approved
                                                                   species. Investigate causes if reoccurrence is
                                                                   noted.
        Grass condition                                            Mow during dry conditions. Note thataeration of
                                                                   the soil may be required if grass condition
                                                                   deteriorates over time.
        Damage or vandalism                                        Repair and/or reinstate as required
        Other or repeated occurrence of above                      Report, determine cause & rectify

        Note:        No fertilising or herbicide applications during establishment or during maintenance




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