Advice from Coffs Council

Paul - further to our conversation the other day I would like to confirm the following:

The Hyrdro Digga contractor will be on site Monday 22nd at 7am to set up, and will start at approximately 7.30am pumping out the sediment from the upper lagoon (deposited as a result of sediment and erosion cotnrol failure from the development site).

Unfortunately, the contractor due to prior commitments cannot carry out further works at the lagoon on the same day.

It has been determined that the sediment and associated water will be wholly contained in the truck and removed from the site.  This means the water will not need to be released through sediment controls at the time of the works.

The works will progress despite the predicted 'low' and likely rainfall.

The potential for increased growth of the Salvinia resulting from nutrient flush from the pumping may result, and this growth will not be able to be controlled through herbicide spray due to the biocontrols (weevils) that have been introduced to the site.  The Salvinia control programme will continue to be monitored by Barry Powells.

I was unable to meet with the contractor today re the works on the southern side of the walkway.  However, Monday may be an opportunity for this to occur to get an estimation of costs.  I will be on site at 7am to monitor the works.  As far as I am aware the contractor fee is $330.00 per hour plus $50 per tonne for tip fees (this is for the smaller of the two trucks).  Once we have a vague idea of cost, it might be opportune to consider options in methodology to get the best bang for you buck, so to speak. What I’m thinking is that given the volume of material either side of the walkway, it may be more cost effective to use something capable of shifting larger quantities. Ben Lawson has asked that I give him an idea of the cost to tackle this area in addition to addressing the sediment from the development, but there is no budget allocation as yet.

Regards

Nat

Nat Redman (BAppSc Coastal Management) I Environmental Engineer  I  Coffs Harbour City Council I Survey & Design Branch  I  City Services Dept  I  Ph (02) 6648 4475 Mob: 0409 820 143 I  Email nat.redman@chcc.nsw.gov.au

CHCC Pathetic Response

Here is the rediculous response we got back from CHCC ............ needless to say I was not kind in my response.

G'day Paul,

The sediment from Opal Cove will be distinguishable by its colour (orange) and there isn't any process whereby this could transform into 'black muck' within a few months.

The heavier silt (estimate 3-4m3 max) is that which has deposited as a 'fan' at the outlet of the drainage pipe.  This is the focus of the cleanup efforts.

While I do acknowledge that there would have been some lighter material that would have spread further, the bulk of this would have washed through given the scale of the storm event and consequent flows through the lagoon at the time.

I acknowledge that the 'black muck' is something you'd want to address, but this is certainly not from Opal Cove. I understand that the entire catchment has many years of intensive agriculture around it then urbanisation with little or no sediment control, along with years of spraying Salvinia which would have rotted down in the lagoon.

As part of the works, Council plans to try to clean out the pipe under Links Ave. Once this is clear, it will probably have the effect of flushing out the lagoons during larger flows.

If your Landcare group wanted to focus on particular areas to clean some of the black muck in addition, this should be OK, however this will have to be documented on the Review of Environmental Factors Council is preparing for the proposed de-siltation works. So to tee this up, we'll need to arrange a meeting on site.  I've cc'd Bill Richardson and Nat Redman in on the email - can you &/or Craig please nominate a time that suits?

Regards, Ben.

Coffs Harbour City Council Response to the Advocate

Hi Matt (....the Journalist),

Please find Council's response below:

Council acknowledges the understandable frustration that the Korora residents feel over this issue.

The contractor has acknowledged the inadequacy of the sediment and erosion controls on the Opal Coffs development and was to undertake the silt removal works from the lagoon when they began work on the site again. This has not occurred to date due to unrelated matters. However, the silt in the lagoon that originated from the development will be removed within a fortnight.

The other matters raised, while of understandable concern, are not likely to be resolved in the short term. A bio-control weevil has been introduced to attempt to control the noxious weed Salvinia in the lagoon. This will take at least 12 months to have an impact. A natural areas plan of management for Korora lagoons is also in preparation. However Council’s funds to undertake such works are limited. Once the plan has been completed, residents will be consulted.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Sara Hinds
Media Officer
Coffs Harbour City Council

Ph: 02 6648 4093
Mob: 0407 227818
email: sara.hinds@chcc.nsw.gov.au
www.coffsharbour.nsw.gov.au

Coffs Coast Advocate Story

Folks we have just been contacted by the Coffs Coast Advocate who are interested in doing a story, can you rally your troops to Links Ave tonight at 1700 hrs for a photos please.

The Rotting Slime

Things have become rediculous folks, have you seen the disgusting black sludge in the lagoons ?, its time to rally the Community and do something about this mess. I am about to send my final email to CHCC advising them we are going to hold a Community meeting.