2016-02-02 Planning & Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                          2 FEBRUARY 2016


eWater Source Catchment Modelling
eWater Source is a predictive tool used to indicate the resilience of natural waters to absorb
more development while theoretically maintaining EVs and WQOs.

The tool has been built by collaborative industry and research development teams from
leading Australian universities and water industry organisations, with the help of significant
funding from the Australian Government.

The software provides a framework for modelling the amounts of water and contaminants
flowing through a catchment and into major rivers, wetlands, lakes, or estuaries.

eWater Source integrates an array of models, data and knowledge that can be used to
simulate how climate and catchment variables (rainfall, evaporation, land use, vegetation)
affect runoff, sediment and contaminants. The output can be used to offer clear scenarios
and options for making improvements in a catchment.

It allows users to answer a range of management questions, such as where to place on-
ground works to maximise water quality. It can predict the flow and constituent loads at any
location in any catchment over time. Scenarios can include actual or planned changes in
land use, land management, climate variability and climate change. For example, eWater
Source can be used to understand issues such as:
   quantity and quality of rainfall-driven runoff and groundwater reaching streams in the
     catchment under present conditions;
   alterations made to quantity and quality of runoff by climate variability, different land
     uses, or riverbank restoration – now, or in the future;
   optimal locations for on-ground work to maximise water quality improvement;
   impacts of bushfire, flood, drought, construction activity or water extractions on the
     quality of receiving waters; and
   the effect of land use change on water quality and quantity into receiving waters.
In the future, and with improved data input accuracy, it is anticipated that the eWater model
will be able to theoretically identify whether parts of Noosa River catchment are or are not
likely meet their EVs and WQOs over the long term, and whether any changes in upstream
land use practice scenarios, including for example retrofitting of (WSUD) or other offset
strategies will help.

The eWater model could apply predictive scenarios relating to the Shire’s industrial and
commercial areas, rural lands, unsealed rural roads and upgrades to existing stormwater
infrastructure.

Healthy Waterways will rely heavily on the eWater model for future annual River Health
Report Cards.

5.   Potential Future Initiatives
1.   Establishment of an inspection and educational program to check compliance of the
     now non-ERA licensed businesses.
2.   Establishment of an inspection and educational program to prevent sediment runoff
     from building sites; runoff from car washes; backwashing pools and spas; cleaning and
     painting roofs; and to prevent littering (including cigarette butts) particularly around
     commercial areas.



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