Beachwatch Partnership Program State of the Beaches 2006-2007 Summary
Introduction
Twelve councils along the New South Wales coast participated in recreational water quality monitoring and reporting programs during the 2006-2007 summer swimming season in partnership with the Department of Environment and Climate Change's (DECC's) Beachwatch Program. The councils were:
- Ballina Shire Council
- Richmond Valley Council
- Clarence Valley Council
- Coffs Harbour Council
- Kempsey Shire Council
- Port Stephens Council
- Newcastle City Council
- Wyong Shire Council
- Gosford City Council
- Shoalhaven City Council
- Eurobodalla Shire Council
- Bega Valley Shire Council.
Each council fully funded its own program. The size of the programs ranged from four to 29 sites, which included ocean beaches, freshwater lakes, tidal pools, bays, rivers, lagoons, and estuarine sites. A total of 153 swimming locations were monitored during the 2006-2007 summer season.
This report provides an outline of each council's monitoring and reporting activities, findings from the councils' programs and quality assurance information.
Beachwatch Partnership Pilot Program
The Beachwatch Partnership Pilot Program (BPPP) ran between 2002 and 2004 and was funded as part of the New South Wales Government's $11.7-million Coastal Protection Package. The aim of the BPPP was to raise awareness of beach water quality issues, streamline testing along the New South Wales coast, and increase community access to beach water quality information.
The three key elements of the BPPP were:
Development of a water quality monitoring and reporting protocol to help councils design and run programs
Funded pilot monitoring and reporting programs to test all aspects of the protocol
Development of a training program to ensure future recreational monitoring and reporting is undertaken in a scientifically rigorous and credible manner.
Beachwatch Partnership Program
Councils that participated in the BPPP identified a need for ongoing assistance with data management, community reporting and quality assurance. The Beachwatch Partnership Program (BPP) began in 2004 to provide this assistance to councils.
As part of the BPP:
Coastal councils are contacted before the beginning of each summer swimming season to discuss intended recreational monitoring and reporting programs.
A program review is undertaken by Beachwatch field officers during the summer season; it includes quality assurance of sampling techniques and advice on data management procedures.
The laboratories used by councils are included in a quality assurance program coordinated by Beachwatch.
Data are collated and uploaded to the SoEdirect website.
Advice on reporting results to the community is provided.
Water quality analyses and assessment
Two types of indicator bacteria, faecal coliforms and enterococci, were used to assess recreational water quality in the summer 2004-2005 programs, as recommended by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). These bacteria indicate the possible presence of waterborne pathogens, organisms that pose significant risks to human health.
The assessment of water quality under the BPP during the 2004-2005 summer season was based primarily on the level of bacterial contamination. Faecal coliforms and enterococci were the bacterial indicators used.
Faecal coliforms, also known as thermotolerant coliforms, are strongly associated with faecal waste, and therefore are excellent indicators of recent faecal contamination. Faecal coliforms are not reliable indicators of aged faecal contamination owing to their short survival times in marine waters.
Enterococci are a subgroup of faecal streptococci and, in contrast to faecal coliforms, survive for longer periods in seawater. Enterococci are thus good indicators of the presence of aged faecal contamination.
Owing to resource constraints, some councils chose to analyse samples for only one type of indicator bacteria. Kempsey, Gosford and Bega tested for faecal coliforms only, and Clarence Valley tested for enterococci only.
The NHMRC Australian Guidelines for Recreational Use of Water (NHMRC 1990) were used to assess recreational water quality in the Beachwatch Partnership Program.
Details: Chapter 1 (PDF format, 217 KB)
Overview of findings
Ballina Shire Council
Nine swimming locations were monitored in the Ballina Shire Council area between November 2006 and February 2007. Faecal coliform and enterococci samples were collected from all locations to assess compliance with NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines.
The nine swimming sites were:
the ocean beaches of Seven Mile and Shelley
three sites in Lake Ainsworth
three sites in Shaws Bay, and
The Serpentine.
Eight of the nine locations passed the NHMRC (1990) swimming guidelines in all four months. Shaws Bay North failed the guidelines in January 2007 owing to elevated levels of enterococci.
To inform the community of water quality results during the summer swimming season, Ballina Council publishes weekly 'star ratings' in The Advocate, and also issues regular media releases.
Details: Chapter 2 - Ballina Shire Council (PDF format, 329 KB)
Richmond Valley Council
Four swimming locations were monitored in the Richmond Valley council area during summer 2006-2007. These were:
Airforce Beach, Main Beach and Shark Bay, and
an estuarine swimming location in the Evans River.
Faecal coliform and enterococci samples are collected from these sites throughout the year, however only data from the summer swimming season (October 2006 to April 2007) are included in this report. Compliance with the NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines was determined for all months except October 2006, when insufficient samples were collected.
All four swimming locations passed the NHMRC (1990) guidelines in all six months of the 2006-2007 summer swimming season. Consistently low levels of bacteria were measured at all locations throughout the monitoring period.
Richmond Valley Council provides water quality data on their website as monthly 'star ratings'. Information is also provided to the community through media releases.
Details: Chapter 2 - Richmond Valley Council (PDF format, 215 KB)
Clarence Valley Council
Eleven swimming locations were monitored in the Clarence Valley council area during summer 2006-2007. The sites were a coastal lagoon, three estuarine swimming locations (one at the mouth of the Clarence River and two at the mouth of Wooli River) and seven locations on the Clarence River.
Enterococci samples were collected between October 2006 and March 2007 to assess compliance with the NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines.
The cleanest swimming sites in the Clarence Valley Council area were:
Kolora Lake
Wooli Estuary North and Wooli Estuary South at the mouth of the Wooli River
Iluka Bay at the mouth of the Clarence River
Maclean Jetty, Lawrence and South Mariner (Grafton) on the Clarence River.
These seven swimming locations passed the NHMRC (1990) guidelines in all months of the 2006-2007 summer swimming season in which sufficient samples were collected to assess compliance.
Ulmarra Jetty and Prince Street (Grafton) also had a high level of compliance, passing the swimming guidelines in five of the six months. Corcoran Park (Grafton) passed the guidelines in four of the six months. Compliance was lower at Grafton Sailing Club, which failed the guidelines in five of the six months.
Clarence Valley Council has erected warning signs at sites in Grafton with low compliance. Further monitoring to identify the source of pollution at the Grafton Sailing Club has also been undertaken.
Details: Chapter 2 - Clarence Valley Council (PDF format, 351 KB)
Coffs Harbour City Council
Fourteen swimming locations were monitored in the Coffs Harbour City Council area between November 2006 and February 2007.
Faecal coliform and enterococci samples were collected from all locations to assess compliance with NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines.
The cleanest swimming sites were:
the ocean beaches of Emerald, Diggers, Park, Jetty and Mid Sawtell
Sawtell Rockpool
the estuarine swimming location of Red Rock, located at the mouth of the Corindi River
Woolgoolga Lake and Hearns Lake, and
Moonee, Coffs and Bonville creeks.
These locations passed the swimming guidelines in all four months.
Boambee Creek complied with the NHMRC (1990) swimming guidelines in three of the four months, and Arrawarra Creek complied with the guidelines in two of the four months.
Details: Chapter 2 - Coffs Harbour City Council (PDF format, 476 KB)
Kempsey Shire Council
Ten swimming locations were monitored in the Kempsey Shire Council area between January 2007 and April 2007. The sites were:
the ocean beaches of Grassy Head, Horseshoe Bay, Trial Bay, Hat Head and Killick
the estuarine swimming location of Stuarts Point
four coastal creeks (Back Creek, Killick Creek, Saltwater Creek and Korogoro Creek).
Faecal coliform samples were collected from all locations to assess compliance with NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines. Compliance could not be assessed for all months at all sites due to insufficient samples.
Seven of the ten locations passed the NHMRC (1990) swimming guidelines in all months in which sufficient samples were collected. These sites were Grassy Head Beach, Horseshoe Bay, Trial Bay, Hat Head Beach, Stuarts Point, Killick Creek and Korogoro Creek.
A relatively high level of compliance was also recorded at Killick Beach, which passed the swimming guidelines in two of the three months in which compliance could be assessed.
Back Creek complied with the swimming guidelines in one of two months and Saltwater Creek complied in one of three months.
Kempsey Council regularly updates water quality data and star ratings information on its website, providing the community with ongoing information during the summer swimming season.
Details: Chapter 2 - Kempsey Shire Council (PDF format, 244 KB)
Port Stephens Council
Seven swimming locations were monitored in the Port Stephens Council area between October 2006 and April 2007. The sites were:
Birubi Beach at the northern end of Stockton Bight
Dutchmans Beach and Little Beach within Port Stephens
Karuah Tidal Pool and Lemon Tree Passage Tidal Pool.
Faecal coliform and enterococci samples were collected from all locations to assess compliance with NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines. Compliance could not be assessed for December 2006 due to insufficient samples.
All seven locations passed the swimming guidelines in all six months.
Port Stephens Council issued joint media releases with DECC during the summer swimming season to provide the community with information on water quality at swimming sites.
Details: Chapter 2 - Port Stephens Council (PDF format, 244 KB)
Newcastle City Council
Newcastle Council routinely tests water quality at four ocean baths: Merewether Learners, Merewether Main, Canoe Pool and Newcastle Baths. Samples are collected year-round at two sites, but only data collected over the 2006-2007 summer swimming season are presented in this report.
All four swimming locations passed the NHMRC (1990) swimming guidelines in all months.
Newcastle Council present water quality results from the ocean baths at open community meetings throughout the summer season and issued joint media releases with DECC.
Details: Chapter 2 - Newcastle City Council (PDF format, 132 KB)
Wyong Shire Council
Twenty-nine swimming locations were monitored in the Wyong Shire Council area during the 2006-2007 summer swimming season. These sites included 17 ocean beaches, nine coastal lake sites and three estuarine river sites in the Tuggerah Lakes catchment.
Faecal coliform and enterococci samples were collected from all locations to assess compliance with NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines.
The cleanest swimming sites in the Wyong Shire Council area were:
the ocean beaches of Frazer, Birdie, Budgewoi, Lakes, Hargraves, Jenny Dixon, Cabbage Tree, Lighthouse, Gravelly, Soldiers, North Entrance, The Entrance, Blue Bay, Toowoon Bay, Shelly, Blue Lagoon and Bateau Bay
Summerland Point and Chain Valley Bay in Lake Macquarie
Toukley Aquatic in Lake Budgewoi
Canton Beach, Pelican and Long Jetty in Tuggerah Lake.
These swimming sites passed the NHMRC (1990) guidelines in all seven months of the 2006-2007 swimming season.
A high level of compliance was also recorded at Gwandalan in Lake Macquarie, which complied with the swimming guidelines in six of the seven months.
Elizabeth Bay in Lake Munmorah and San Remo complied with the swimming guidelines in four of the seven months.
Tumbi Umbi Creek and Wyong River failed the swimming guidelines in all seven months of the 2006-2007 summer swimming season, and Ourimbah Creek failed in six of the seven months. Swimming at these locations should be avoided at all times.
Wyong Council has erected warning signs at Tumbi Umbi Creek, Ourimbah Creek and several estuarine swimming locations where there has been a history of failure to meet swimming guidelines.
Details: Chapter 2 - Wyong Shire Council (PDF format, 762 KB)
Gosford City Council
Twenty-two swimming locations were monitored in the Gosford City Council area between October 2006 and April 2007.
Faecal coliform samples were routinely collected at all sites to assess compliance with NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines. Compliance could not be assessed in some months at some sites owing to insufficient samples.
The following locations passed the NHMRC (1990) swimming locations in all months of the 2006-2007 summer swimming season, in which sufficient samples were collected:
the ocean beaches of Forresters, Wamberal, Terrigal, Avoca, Copacobana, McMasters, Killcare, Umina and Pearl
the lagoon sites of Terrigal Paddleboats, Avoca Lake and Cockrone Lagoon
the estuarine swimming location of Ettalong Channel
Pretty Beach Baths, Pearl Beach Rockpool, Davistown Baths and Yattalunga Baths.
A relatively high level of compliance was also recorded at Woy Woy Baths which complied in five of six months, and at Wamberal Lagoon and Terrigal Sailboards which complied in three of four months. Bulbararing in Avoca Lake complied in two of four months.
Gosford Council provides water quality information to the community on its website.
Details: Chapter 2 - Gosford City Council (PDF format, 650 KB)
Shoalhaven City Council
Twelve sites were monitored in the Shoalhaven City Council area. The sites included:
the ocean beaches of Shoalhaven Heads, Tilbury Cove, Collingwood, Cudmirrah, Mollymook, Rennies, Racecourse, Burrill, Bawley and Merry
Lake Tabourie and Burrill Lake.
Faecal coliform and enterococci samples were collected from all locations between December 2006 and February 2007 to assess compliance with NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines.
Eleven of the twelve locations passed the swimming guidelines in all three months of the 2006-2007 summer swimming season. Burrill Lake complied with the guidelines in one of the three months.
Shoalhaven City Council issued joint media releases with DECC during the summer swimming season to provide the community with information on water quality at swimming sites. Information is also provided on the Council's website.
Details: Chapter 2 - Shoalhaven City Council (PDF format, 519 KB)
Eurobodalla Shire Council
Eleven swimming locations were monitored in the Eurobodalla council area during the 2006–2007 summer swimming season. The sites were:
Cookies, Casey, Surf, Malua Bay, Broulee, Bengello, Shelley, Tuross, Brou and Narooma ocean beaches
Wagonga Inlet netted beach.
Faecal coliform and enterococci samples were collected between October 2006 and April 2007 to assess compliance with the NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines.
Six of the 11 locations complied with the NHMRC (1990) guidelines in all seven months of the 2006-2007 summer swimming season. These sites were Malua Bay Beach, Broulee Beach, Shelley Beach, Tuross Main Beach, Brou Beach and Narooma Main Beach.
A high level of compliance was also recorded at the remaining five swimming locations (Cookies Beach, Casey Beach, Surf Beach, Bengello Beach and Wagonga Inlet) which passed the NHMRC (1990) guidelines in six of the seven months. These sites failed the swimming guidelines in February 2007 owing to elevated levels of enterococci. Rainfall during February 2007 was very high, with 245 mm recorded at the Batemans Bay gauge.
Eurobodalla Council issued joint media releases with DECC during the summer swimming season to provide the community with information on water quality at swimming sites.
Details: Chapter 2 - Eurobodalla Shire Council (PDF format, 309 KB)
Bega Valley Shire Council
Twenty swimming locations were monitored in the Bega Valley Shire Council area between November 2006 and January 2007. The sites were:
the ocean beaches of Camel Rock, Horseshoe Bay, Beares Beach, Tathra Beach, Short Point, Merimbula, Pambula, Aslings and Cocora
Wallaga Lake (bridge), Mogareeka Lions Park, Mogareeka Boat Ramp, Spencer Park, Mitchies Jetty, Bar Beach, Pambula River Mouth, Cuttagee Inlet and Back Lake
Bruce Steer Pool and Big Blue Pool.
Faecal coliform samples were collected at all locations to assess compliance with NHMRC (1990) swimming water quality guidelines. Compliance was only assessed in December 2006 owing to insufficient samples in November 2006 and January 2007. All 20 swimming locations passed the NHMRC (1990) swimming guidelines in this month.
Bega Valley Council issued joint media releases with DECC during the summer swimming season to provide the community with information on water quality at swimming sites.
Details: Chapter 2 - Bega Valley Shire Council (PDF format, 509 KB)
Response to rainfall
Whereas monitoring during the 2006–2007 swimming season focused on the assessment of guideline compliance, bacterial results were plotted with rainfall and, where possible, an assessment of the impact of rainfall on recreational water quality was also made. These trends are discussed on the individual beach pages and on the council summary pages.
Slightly elevated bacterial levels (values above median and geometric mean guideline limits) were measured at many swimming locations following heavy rainfall. However, these results were not necessarily indicative of sewage contamination (which for practical purposes is sometimes taken to be indicated by faecal coliform or enterococci levels of 1000 cfu/100 mL or more).
However, as with the previous three summer seasons, there were few large or extended wet weather events in most council areas. Bacterial levels may show a greater response to rainfall during periods of higher rainfall. Until more data are collected it is recommended that swimming at ocean beaches be avoided during, and for at least 24 hours after, rainfall.
Bacterial levels at at estuarine and coastal lake swimming locations showed a greater response to rainfall than the ocean beaches. Elevated levels of indicator bacteria were measured during and after rainfall at many locations, indicating varying degrees of sewage contamination. As a precaution, it is recommended that swimming in estuaries and coastal lakes be avoided during, and up to three days after, rainfall.
Quality assurance
Quality assurance and quality control procedures were incorporated into all aspects of the monitoring programs, including:
sampling
laboratory analysis
data management, and
community reporting.
The results of these assessments indicate that councils collected samples according to procedures, the microbiological data are reliable and the information reported to the community during the programs was accurate.
Details: Chapter 3 - Quality Assurance (PDF format, 37 KB)
Appendixes
There are two appendixes to this report:
Details: Appendixes (PDF format, 115 KB)
Page last updated: 26 February 2011
