Council archive · source document
RFI - Appendix 6 - Ground Water Response · MCU19/0117
Groundwater Dependant Ecosystem Preliminary Impact
Assessment v1
PROPOSED WAVE POOL ON LOT 500 ON SP215779
90 BEACH ROAD
NOOSA NORTH SHORE
FOR
MARK BAIN CONSTRUCTIONS
JANUARY 2020
Tel (07) 5450 5652 / PO Box 9566 Pacific Paradise QLD 4564 / Email: [email protected]
ABN 60 625 108 625
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Page 2
Groundwater Dependant Ecosystem Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
DOCUMENT CONTROL
Document: Groundwater Dependant Ecosystem Preliminary Impact Assessment
Client: Mark Bain Construction
Project Number: J000538
Project: Wave Pool
Site: Lot 500 on SP215779
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
Version Date Distribution Author/s Approved
1 31/01/2020 Jack Lewis – Joshua Lee Joshua Lee
Pivotal Principal Environmental Principal Environmental
Perspective Scientist Scientist
B. Sc. AES, mEIANZ, mESA B. Sc. AES
DISCLAIMER
To the extent permitted by law, North Coast Environmental Services (including its employees, partners and
consultants) excludes all liability to any person for any consequences, including but not limited to all losses,
damages, costs, expenses, and any other compensation, arising directly or indirectly, from using this publication
(in part or whole) and any information or material contained in it.
i 2020
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Groundwater Dependant Ecosystem Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS
2 INTRODUCTION 3
2.1 BACKGROUND 3
3 SITE DESCRIPTION 4
3.1 TOPOGRAPHY 4
3.2 SOILS AND GEOLOGY 5
3.3 GROUNDWATER 5
3.4 GROUNDWATER DEPENDENT ECOSYSTEMS 5
3.4.1 VEGETATION MANAGEMENT SUPPORTING MAP 5
3.4.2 THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND SCIENCE’S WILDLIFE ONLINE DATABASE 6
3.4.3 MATTERS OF STATE ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE 7
3.4.4 GROUNDWATER ORGANISMS 8
4 ANTICIPATED WAVE POOL DISCHARGE IMPACTS 9
5 RECOMMENDATIONS 11
APPENDIX 1 – SITE PLAN 12
APPENDIX 2 - GLOBAL SOIL TESTING SOIL PROFILE LOGS 13
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Groundwater Dependant Ecosystem Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
2 INTRODUCTION
2.1 Background
North Coast Environmental Services have been engaged by Mark Bain Constructions to provide
advice regarding the anticipated impact of Wave Pool overflow discharge to local groundwater
dependant ecosystems (GDE’s) located on Lot 21 NPW1150 (Great Sandy National Park). The
wave pool is proposed on adjoining Lot 500 on SP215779, located at 90 Beach Road, Noosa North
Shore (hereafter referred to as ‘the site’). The proposed Wave Pool is to be constructed in the
south-east corner of the site as shown on the site plan presented as Appendix 1.
An application to construct and operate a private Wave Pool on the site has been lodged with
Noosa Shire Council (NSC). NSC has subsequently issued an Information Request which raised
concerns regarding the impact that the overflow from the Wave Pool (during prolonged wet periods)
may have on the adjoining National Park groundwater dependent ecosystem. The matters raised
by NSC were:
Information Required
13. Provide information regarding the disposal of wastewater by infiltration on the habitat values of
the land, adjacent lands and the impacts, in-situ, on ground water organisms.
14. Provide information by a qualified ecologist, with experience in assessing impacts of waste
water disposal on ground water dependent ecosystems on the methods to be engaged, to ensure
the downstream ecosystems, properties and infrastructure are not adversely impacted by either
changes to flow, water quality or ecosystem health caused by development.
15. Provide evidence the Wetland of High Ecological Significance on the Map of Queensland
Wetland Environmental Values – a Matter of State Environmental Significance, will not be impacted
upon by the construction and on-going use of the land, including likely variations in seasonal
rainfalls events due to climate change.
Assessment of impacts to the terrestrial flora on the site has already been completed in the
Ecological Assessment Report for the application (NCES 2019).
Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems (or GDE’s) are ecosystems that rely upon groundwater for
their continued existence (Wikipedia 2020). Knowing how water moves in the landscape is
fundamental to sustainably managing the catchment and the services they provide, including
groundwater dependant ecosystems. Key features which influence water flow include geology,
topography, rainfall and runoff, natural features, human modifications and land uses.
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Groundwater Dependant Ecology Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
3 SITE DESCRIPTION
The site is located on the Noosa North Shore and is surrounded by vegetated allotments to the
north, east and south. The existing Noosa Northshore Beach Houses development is located to
the west which comprises beach houses set amongst bushland. Beach Road borders the site’s
northern boundary with a commercial campground located north-west of the site. Existing fire
management trails are present along the eastern and southern boundary. Ground water dependant
wetlands contained within National Park tenure are present to the east of the site. No infrastructure
is known to be present to the east of the site which could be influenced by the proposal
Plate 1 details site conditions including the approximate location of the proposed wave pool.
Groundwater dependant
ecosystems
Plate 1 – Site Conditions and Wave Pool Location
3.1 Topography
The wave pool location ranges in elevation from 10m to 15m ASL and is characterised by a simple
slope associated with a broad low ridgeline which flanks the south-western site extent. Gentle
slopes of <5 degrees with a predominantly easterly aspect descend from the crest of the ridgeline
to the east onto a broad coastal alluvial plain host to the groundwater dependant ecosystem the
subject of this assessment.
Plate 2 depicts topography conditions within and adjacent to the site.
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Groundwater Dependant Ecology Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
Plate 2 – Site Topography (Source: Queensland Globe)
3.2 Soils and Geology
The soils underlying the wave pool location comprise a silty sand to 1m+ over a clayey sand to
1.6m – 1.7m over a high plasticity sandy clay to at least 2m (Global Soil Testing 2019 – refer
Appendix 2 BH6 and BH2). Consequently, direct soil infiltration of discharge waters could be
expected to reach a minimum of approximately 1.6m depth before being redirected laterally as
through flow over the semi permeable sandy clay layer toward the GDE to the east.
The soils underlying the GDE to the east comprise Q1 quaternary seasonally waterlogged sand
plains and alluvial deposits (ASRIS 2020).
3.3 Groundwater
The depth to groundwater beneath the proposed wave pool location is currently undefined. Soil
investigations by Global Testing in 2019 failed to intercept groundwater or a perched water table
to 2m depth about the wave pool location. The depth to groundwater beneath the GDE is
anticipated to be <1m.
The Great Sandy National Park groundwater table receives substantial groundwater input from a
number of sources including large sand masses and undulating landscapes. The porous sand
substrate beneath the site is anticipated to enable high amounts of water infiltration and recharge
of groundwater. The groundwater is expected to provide an important contribution to local springs,
creeks, wetlands and terrestrial vegetation year-round.
3.4 Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems
A desktop assessment of the ecology values of the adjacent wetland ecosystem has been
undertaken to inform the values which may be impacted by the proposal.
3.4.1 Vegetation Management Supporting Map
DNRME’s Regulated Vegetation Management Supporting Map identifies Category C regulated
vegetation dominates the site with a linear edge of Category B regulated vegetation present along
the centre of the eastern boundary as well as the southern and south western site extents (refer to
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Groundwater Dependant Ecology Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
Plate 4).
Plate 3 – Vegetation Management Supporting Map (Source: Queensland Globe)
The Category B remnant vegetation and Category C regrowth vegetation about the wave pool
footprint comprises Regional Ecosystem (RE) 12.9-10.4, which is described as the ‘least concern’
Eucalyptus racemosa subsp. racemosa woodland on sedimentary rocks. This is not considered a
groundwater dependant ecosystem. A small pocket of non-remnant vegetation is mapped to the
east of the wave pool location. This area is mapped as pre-clearing RE 12.9-10.4 hence is also
not considered groundwater dependant ecosystem.
RE 12.2.7 Melaleuca quinquenervia or rarely M. dealbata open forest on sand plains occupies the
immediately fringing coastal plain and dominates much of the local plain. RE 12.2.7 represents a
groundwater dependant ecosystem. A small pocket of RE 12.2.9 Banksia aemula low open
woodland on dunes and sand plains. Usually deeply leached soils is present further to the east
which is generally not reliant upon local groundwater conditions as it is found on deeply leached
soils. RE 12.2.12 Closed heath on seasonally waterlogged sand plains is common to the east and
is a groundwater dependant ecosystem.
3.4.2 The Department of Environment and Science’s Wildlife Online database
The Wildlife Online database was queried in August 2019 using a 2km search radius. The
database identifies 222 previously recorded flora and fauna species within a 2km radius of the site,
comprised of the following:
• 11 amphibian species;
• 156 bird species;
• 5 insect species;
• 1 malacostracans species;
• 19 mammal species;
• 3 ray-finned fish species;
• 6 reptile species; and
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Groundwater Dependant Ecology Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
• 21 terrestrial vascular plant species.
In addition to several ‘special least concern’ species, the following conservation significant flora
and fauna species listed under the NC Act 1992 and or the EPBC Act 1999 have been recorded
within the 2km search extent:
Flora
• Habenaria harroldii – listed as ‘endangered’ under the NC Act.
Fauna
• Litoria freycineti (wallum rocketfrog) – listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the NC Act;
• Crinia tinnula (wallum froglet) – listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the NC Act;
• Hirundapus caudacutus (white-throated needletail) – listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the EPBC
Act;
• Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami (glossy black-cockatoo (eastern)) – listed as ‘vulnerable’
under the NC Act;
• Numenius madagascariensis (eastern curlew) – listed as ‘endangered’ under the NC Act
and ‘critically endangered’ under the EPBC Act;
• Limosa Lapponica baueri (Western Alaskan bar-tailed godwit) – listed as ‘vulnerable’ under
the NC Act and EPBC Act;
• Tenuibranchiurus glypticus (swamp crayfish) – listed as ‘endangered’ under the NC Act;
• Phascolarctos cinereus (koala) – listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the NC Act and EPBC Act;
and;
• Pteropus poliocephalus (grey headed flying-fox) – listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the EPBC
Act.
The site is bordered to the east and south by wetlands and therefore is anticipated to provide
foraging and dispersal opportunities for amphibian species including the previously recorded
conservation significant species Crinia tinnula (wallum froglet) and Litoria freycineti (wallum
rocketfrog). The wetland may also provide suitable habitat for the previously recorded Pezoporus
wallicus wallicus (ground parrot) and Tenuibranchiurus glypticus (swamp crayfish).
3.4.3 Matters of State Environmental Significance
The Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning’s State Planning Policy (SPP)
Interactive Mapping System indicates that the site is host to the following Matters of State
Environmental Significance (refer to Plate 4):
• Wildlife habitat;
• Regulated vegetation (wetland); and
• Regulated vegetation (essential habitat – 860 (Phascolarctos cinereus), 606 (Litoria
freycineti), 593 (.) 1171 (Calyptorhynchus lathami) and 33603 (Tenuibranchiurus
Glypticus) (Source: Essential Habitat Map Lot 21 NPW1150)
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Groundwater Dependant Ecology Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
Plate 4 – Matters of State Environmental Significance (SPP Interactive System)
3.4.4 Groundwater Organisms
Stygofauna are any fauna that live in groundwater systems or aquifers. Stygofauna are found all
over the world and include turbellarians, gastropods, isopods, amphipods, decapods, fishes, or
salamanders. Stygofauna have adapted to the limited food supply and are extremely energy
efficient. Stygofauna feed on plankton, bacteria, and plants found in streams. To survive in an
environment where food is scarce and oxygen levels are low, stygofauna often have very low
metabolism. As a result, stygofauna may live longer than other terrestrial species (Wikipedia 2020).
The natural composition and abundance of stygofauna in the groundwater table beneath the site
and the GDE is undefined and requires further investigation. Several methods are currently used
to sample stygofauna. The accepted method is to lower a haul net, which is a weighted plankton
net (with minimum 50 µm mesh size), to the bottom of the bore, well or sinkhole and jiggled to
agitate sediments at the base of the bore. The net is then slowly retrieved, filtering stygofauna out
of the water column on the upward haul. This methods provide animals for morphological and
molecular analyses.
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Groundwater Dependant Ecology Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
4 ANTICIPATED WAVE POOL DISCHARGE IMPACTS
No information has been provided to NCES regarding the proposed water quality of the overflow
waters to be discharged from the wave pool holding tanks. It is unknown whether the wave pool
will host natural freshwater or whether it will host ionised water from salt or chlorine additives. The
TOD Water Management Plan presented with the application proposes that the discharge waters
will be treated to remove either salt or chlorine additives but offers no further details regarding
treatment methods and final water chemistry.
To avoid potential impact to the underlying groundwater and adjacent NP groundwater dependant
ecosystems, it will be imperative that the discharge waters are treated to a standard which
replicates natural rainfall water chemistry, or very close to same (i.e. freshwater). It is envisaged
the wave pool water will need to meet the QLD Water Quality Guidelines and or ANZECC Water
Quality Guidelines for recreational use for freshwater lakes hence will be of a reasonable freshwater
quality standard. Nonetheless the waters may require a degree of treatment to control bacterial
and fungal contaminants and this is normally achieved in pools via chlorine or salt dosing. Aerators
are typically employed in freshwater lakes and lagoons to maintain suitable dissolved oxygen levels
hence limit algal blooms and water quality deterioration.
Sustained release of salinized (from salt or chlorine additives) discharge water would represent
potential to influence local water chemistry which in turn may impact the composition and
abundance of local groundwater organisms as well as floras dependent upon the groundwater.
Given the sandy soils beneath the site the release of salinized discharge water may bear little
influence on the underlying upper soil structure itself but may impact the deeper underlying sandy
clay horizon from approximately 1.6m depth.
The proposed overflow dispersal method of direct soil infiltration from the holding tanks would be
expected to result in negligible surface run-off and upper soil profile through flow toward the wetland
given the inherently high permeability of the in-situ sandy soils present on Lot 500. Direct vertical
infiltration would be expected until approximately 1.6m depth upon interception of the sandy clay
horizon. The overflow infiltration may then be expected to be redirected down slope toward the
wetland as a source of groundwater recharge, as a result of the influence of the underlying sandy
clay horizon. Given the prevalence of dry open forest floristics (i.e. RE 12.9-10.4 – refer Section
3.4.1) in the far east of Lot 500 it can be inferred that the semi-impermeable layer at 1.6m depth is
of insufficient influence to foster the development of an overlying GDE.
Consequently, the wave pool over flow discharge would not be expected to significantly influence
the existing dry open forest floristics within Lot 500 on its migratory pathway toward the underlying
groundwater table.
Assuming the discharge water quality reflects natural rainfall water chemistry, or very close to it,
then the only perceivable impact to the adjacent groundwater dependant ecosystem would relate
to an increase in groundwater recharge volume on the fringe of the NP interface with the site. The
mostly likely case where such recharge may influence the overlaying vegetation would be where a
localised concentrated plume of throughflow intercepts the underlying groundwater table on the
fringe of the NP and subsequently raises the groundwater level beneath the vegetation for a
temporary period of time. Over time such impacts may influence the floristic composition of the
overlying vegetation, facilitating habitat conditions suited to more moisture tolerant species (i.e. wet
heath as compared to dry heath).
Given the sheer size of the local alluvial plain hence high capacity for through flow / recharge
dissipation across a broad groundwater table, and the in-situ wetland flora’s evolution in association
with a naturally fluctuating groundwater table over thousands of years, it is considered unlikely that
the minor number of overflow discharge days proposed in combination with the volumes proposed,
would tangibly influence the sustainability of the existing groundwater dependant ecosystem and
its constituents in the adjacent NP.
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Groundwater Dependant Ecology Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
In contrast, the altered weather patterns associated with climate change predictions are far more
likely to impact local groundwater dependant ecosystems. The forecast prolonged periods of dry
weather may result in lowering of groundwater table depths and reduced average moisture
contents in soil profiles, long-term sea-level rise may ultimately facilitate salt water intrusion into
the wetland, higher frequency of severe bushfire weather days may result in increased bushfire
frequency and severity altering local floristics over time, and increased changes to the forecast
intensity of rainfall events may also result in prolonged periods of perched water in the wetland,
giving preference to wet heath floras. The combined effect of these influences is highly complex to
say the least, however, are likely to supersede any impact the intermittent wave pool discharge
may have on the local groundwater dependant ecosystem.
10 2020
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Groundwater Dependant Ecology Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
5 RECOMMENDATIONS
The following recommendations are set to reduce the potential for the wave pool discharge waters
to impact groundwater dependant ecosystems:
• Discharge water is dispersed over a broad area and not concentrated to beneath tanks;
• Discharge water is released as far from the NP wetland as practicable but no less than 50-
100m;
• Discharge water resembles natural rainfall water chemistry prior to being dispersed;
• An Environmental Management Plan is prepared, approved and enacted to monitor the
impacts of the wave pool discharge to the local groundwater and adjoining groundwater
dependant ecosystems. The EMP should include, but not be limited to, a Groundwater
Monitoring Program (GMP) and a Vegetation Monitoring Plan (VMP). The requirement to
have the EMP approved can be set as a condition of approval of the MCU application;
• A Groundwater Monitoring Program (GMP) is prepared, approved and enacted to monitor
the potential for impact to the local groundwater organisms, levels and chemistry. This
would entail installation of piezometer both upslope and downslope of the proposed
overflow discharge area to enable assessment of pre and post discharge groundwater
conditions. 2 piezometers may be required downslope where a broad application area is
employed, as recommended. An appropriate volume of baseline data should be collected
to ensure natural variations in groundwater characteristics are not misinterpreted as direct
impacts of the discharge.
• A Vegetation Monitoring Plan (VMP) is prepared, approved and enacted to monitor the
floristic and structural characteristics of the groundwater dependant flora abutting the wave
pool location in the NP. It is envisaged the inspections associated with the VMP would be
carried out at the same time the groundwater monitoring events occur.
11 2020
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Groundwater Dependant Ecology Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
APPENDIX 1 – SITE PLAN
12 2020
Page 14
19.0
0
19.0
27.0
28.0
26.0
10
18.0
26.0
20.0
17.0
30
26.0
25.0
21.0
overflow
10.0
2 x 40k ltr parking
50
water tanks
24.0
16.0
13.0
15.0
Effluent
14.0
proposed Disposal
23.0
Area
22.0
dwelling
12.0
11.0
21.0
100m
20.0
19.0
18.0
17.0
16.0
8.0
9.0
15.0
10.0
14.0
13.0
11.0
vegetation
protection 10m vegetation
Site boundary
zone buffer
12.0
12.0
PROPOSED Effluent disposal zone
LAGOON
11.0
10.0
12.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
11.0
8.0
ROAD
7.0
easement zone
10.0
existing tree
- retain
9.0
H
existing tree
BEAC
- remove
8.0
Site Masterplan -
N
7.0
Easement Option
6.0
service
Entry from Beach Road
access road
5.0
ABN 85 114 469 395 CONCEPT DESIGN Drawing Proj no.
N
O
4P
B56H
oQd0.73osaxealds
5P40857h8 Reg No 002195 New House Site Plan 1732
540F8571a8x 90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
scale date Dwg no.
Email [email protected] Client
Mark Bain 1:2000@A3 June '19 CD 1.01
Page 15
Groundwater Dependant Ecology Preliminary Impact Assessment v1 NCES REF: J000538
90 Beach Road, Noosa North Shore
APPENDIX 2 - GLOBAL SOIL TESTING SOIL PROFILE LOGS
13 2020
Page 16
The only name in soils
Test Locality Plan
LEGEND
BH - Borehole Location
N
PN - Dynamic Cone Penetrometer Location
PT - Percolation Test
BH7
BH6 PT7
PT6
BH9
BH8
PT9
PT8
BH5
PT5
BH4
PT4
BH3
PT3
BH2
PT2
BH1
PT1
Not to Scale
Note: Any dimensions, contours, slope directions and magnitudes shown on the plan shall not be used for any building
construction or costing calculations. The purpose of the plan is to show the approximate location of the field tests only. All
dimensions in metres UNO .
Mark Bain Constructions Job No.18/0895
90 Beach Rd, Date Tested :04/09/18
Noosa North Shore Authorised:-Mark Bain
Page 17
THE ONLY NAME IN SOILS
SOIL PROFILE REPORT
CLIENT: Mark Bain Constructions. AUTHORIZED BY: Mark Bain Constructions.
PROJECT: 90 Beach Rd, DATE TESTED: 04/09/18
Noosa North Shore. JOB NO: 18/0895
Drilling Method: Jacro 105 100mm Borehole No:
BH2
Depth (mm) Description PENET. Permeability
(blows per Test Result
100mm)
1 2 3 4
(m/d)
(Ksat)
0 SILTY SAND (SM)- Fine to coarse, brown,
moist, medium-dense.
(Category 2, Massive)
100
200
300
400 1.71
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600
1700 SANDY CLAY (CI)- Medium plasticity, brown,
fine to coarse sand, moist, stiff.
(Category 4, Weakly Structured)
1800
1900
2000 Hole Terminated.
2100
2200
2300
2400
2500
Borelogging in accordance with AS1726-1993 Site Investigation Code
Page 18
THE ONLY NAME IN SOILS
SOIL PROFILE REPORT
CLIENT: Mark Bain Constructions. AUTHORIZED BY: Mark Bain Constructions.
PROJECT: 90 Beach Rd, DATE TESTED: 04/09/18
Noosa North Shore. JOB NO: 18/0895
Drilling Method: Jacro 105 100mm Borehole No:
BH6
Depth (mm) Description PENET. Permeability
(blows per Test Result
100mm)
1 2 3 4
(m/d)
(Ksat)
0 SILTY SAND (SM)- Fine to coarse, brown,
moist, medium-dense.
(Category 2, Structureless)
100
200
300
400 2.20
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1100 CLAYEY SAND (SC)- Fine to coarse, brown,
moist, medium-dense.
(Category 4, Weakly Structured)
1200
1300
1400
1500
1600 SANDY CLAY (CH)- High plasticity,
red/brown, fine to coarse sand, moist, stiff.
(Category 5, Moderately Structured)
1700
1800
1900
2000 Hole Terminated.
2100
2200
2300
2400
2500
Borelogging in accordance with AS1726-1993 Site Investigation Code
Used in these records
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