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4. Discuss with marina operators ways of minimising future inputs of heavy metals and other pollutants

This option involves holding discussions with individual marina operators to identify ways to minimise the input of pollutants to the waterway, with a view to having all marinas operating voluntarily to best practise standards for the boating industry. Four marinas hold discharge licences with DECC (formerly EPA). The negotiations could include DECC making amendments to existing licensing arrangements to encourage a reduction in pollutant discharges by marinas.

Responsibility: Council would carry out negotiations, with the assistance of DECC and DPI Fisheries as required,

5. Seek to introduce Emissions Standards for Small Engines, particularly two stroke engines, in Pittwater

Two-stroke engines particularly, are known to exhaust up to 30% of the fuel/oil mix directly to the waterway. This option will involve assisting DECC to develop and promote and a national approach for voluntary and regulatory actions which limit the emission of pollutants to the air and the waterway from the use of marine outboard engines.

National benchmark emissions limits could be readily developed on the basis of existing US and European standards and guidelines, and would be applicable to all small engines, both two and four stroke.

Responsibility: Implementation would be through DECC (EPA) and NSW Maritime Authority (NSW Maritime) with support from Council and the boating industry.

6. Prohibit people permanently living on-board boats unless they use holding tanks and pump-out facilities

Pittwater contains a high density of moored and berthed vessels within poorly flushed embayments (eg McCarrs Creek, Winji Jimmi Bay, Crystal Bay). Permanent residents on vessels in these areas have the potential to degrade water quality unless they use shore-based toilet and laundering services, or they discharge to holding tanks which they regularly pump out to the reticulated sewerage system. NSW Maritime regulations prohibit the permanent occupation of boats, however, policing of this issue is difficult. Further, recreational boats are not required by law to contain holding tanks. Assistance from marinas in reporting incidents (ie, permanent occupancy) and recording additional information (eg as to holding tanks) may assist NSW Maritime achieve compliance with regulations.

Responsibility: Enforcement would be arranged through NSW Maritime with assistance by individual marina operators.

7. Education of boat owners regarding the ‘no discharge’ status of Pittwater

Pittwater estuary is a designated ‘no discharge’ zone, thus effluent from boats is not allowed to be discharged within any part of the estuary. Discharges can only be made at designated pump-out facilities, or offshore. In spite of this, it is expected that effluent is being discharged directly to the estuary from time to time, particularly by older boats that do not have holding tanks. Further, while holding tanks are required by law for commercial vessels, such legalities do not apply to recreational vessels.

Educational material (leaflets/brochures such as “leave nothing in your wake”) regarding this issue have already been developed by NSW Maritime. A targeted campaign utilising existing material to raise awareness of Pittwater as a ‘no discharge zone’ and the repercussions of effluent discharges (eg poor water quality, algal blooms, release of pathogens) would be undertaken. Attention should initially focus high usage locations and on vessels that moor in embayments overnight or for extended periods of time, such as at The Basin.

Responsibility: NSW Maritime with the assistance of Council and the co-operation of the Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority (HNCMA).

8. Prioritise treatment of urban runoff in areas that discharge to poorly flushed regions of the estuary as a part of the Pittwater Water Management Strategy

The southern sections of Pittwater are naturally susceptible to pollutant inputs due to their low capacity to dissipate and dilute inputs. Therefore, priority should be given to reducing pollutant discharges into these poorly flushed sections of the estuary

The Pittwater Stormwater Management Plan (PBP, 1999) identified a series of actions that should be implemented to reduce pollutant runoff from the catchment. A review of this Plan is needed to consider the natural susceptibility of some parts of the estuary and re-prioritise some of the works/actions to address inputs directed to the poorly flushed areas first.

Responsibility: Council would be required to update and modify the Stormwater Management Plan in the context of preparing the Pittwater Integrated Water Cycle Management Plan.

9. Require the use of appropriate on-site sewage treatment and disposal technology for all new development unable to connect to a reticulated sewerage system and carry out regular audits of all existing septic systems

Residential developments on Scotland Island and the western foreshore rely on on-site effluent disposal. These systems are typically problematic and may contribute pollutants to the waterway even when working efficiently and sited correctly (based on soil types and depths, site slope and system capacity).

Every existing on-site effluent disposal system should be audited on a recurrent basis to determine if it is functioning adequately, appropriate to the site, and to ensure that excessive pollutants are not being directed to the environment. Recommendations should be given as to maintenance and/or replacement. In particular, Scotland Island has been earmarked for connection to the reticulated sewerage network, as part of Stage 2 of Sydney Water’s Priority Sewerage Program (PSP). If it is found that the majority of systems along the Western Foreshores also require replacement, consideration should be given to adding these areas onto the PSP, as part of the Scotland Island connection.

For new developments, development controls should be reviewed to ensure the use effective effluent disposal systems based on site characteristics. Waterless and “hightech” composting toilets should be considered for all new installations or to replace failing systems. Potential for greywater reuse treatment and disposal systems should be considered in conjunction with NSW Govt standards, eg to ensure the land does not become saturated.

Council controls should be set such that the reticulated potable water supply will not be connected to these communities until connection to the reticulated sewerage network or an alternative means of “off-site” disposal is arranged.

Responsibility: Council would be required to conduct audits of all of the on-site and septic systems around Pittwater, although assistance could be sought from Sydney Water. Audit results should be provided to Sydney Water to assess the priority and timeframe for connecting areas to the reticulated sewerage network.

10. Require that all marinas larger than 30 berths have sewage pump-out facilities

This option involves changes to existing statutes and regulations, or the development of new controls, which require larger marinas to install sewage pump-out facilities. Controls were recently implemented for Sydney Harbour that require new marinas or redevelopment of existing marinas larger than 9 berths to include pump-out facilities.

Responsibility: Department of Lands, Department of Planning and NSW Maritime would be mainly responsible, with assistance from Council and other state agencies, as required.

11. Conduct a catchment audit to identify pollutant sources and to target future catchment management works

This option involves assessing activities and land uses that constitute potential sources of pollutants within the Pittwater catchment. Water quality monitoring, detailed mapping and site inspections would be undertaken (particularly of suspected pollutant contributors, eg landfill sites, golf courses, playing fields, industrial sites, and even individual developments). Once the major pollutant sources are identified, mitigative measures can be implemented in order to reduce pollutant discharges.

Pollutant identification would be carried out on a sub-catchment basis, with areas draining to the poorly flushed parts of the estuary being assessed first (eg Mona Vale Main Drain, Careel Creek, Cicada Glen Creek and Winji Jimmi Bay).

In the interim, community education targeting the major activities and practises in the catchment that pollute the waterway should be developed and implemented.

Responsibility: Council would be responsible for identifying pollutant sources, and for some pollutant mitigation, with assistance and advice from the EPA, particularly in cases where landowners of identified sites will be responsible for mitigation.

12. Hold discussions with Sydney Water regarding improving the sewerage system to prevent sewage overflows

There are 23 identified designed sewerage overflow locations around the Pittwater estuary. A survey of all known overflow locations undertaken by Council staff in 1993 listed a total of 60 overflow locations within the Pittwater LGA, 38 of which discharged to Pittwater. Sydney Water has estimated that sewage from overflows contributed about 18% of the average annual bacterial load to stormwater within the Pittwater catchment (Sydney Water, 1998), and a relatively minor contribution to total nutrient load. High bacterial loads to the estuary, particularly during rainfall events, are currently compromising the safety of the public who bathe within Pittwater (even at designated bathing locations, eg Bayview baths).

Sydney Water is currently undertaking its SewerFix Wet Weather Abatement Program, which involves improvements to pipes, storage facilities and design overflow, in areas across Sydney including Pittwater. The work is required as part of licensing agreements with DECC. In addition, upgrades to the Warriewood STP are underway and Warriewood has also been targeted for assessment and repair of sewerage components under the SewerFix program

This option would involve starting dialogue with Sydney Water to prioritise sewer improvements (under the SewerFix program) within the Pittwater catchment, to substantially reduce overflows into the stormwater and Pittwater estuary

Responsibility: Dialogue with Sydney Water should be initiated by Council, and supported by other government agencies, such as DECC (EPA) and Department of Health, as required.

13. Make the community aware of potential water contamination issues associated with the use of fertiliser and pesticides, as well as statutory requirements to protect the groundwater resource

This option involves a widespread community education program to ensure the appropriate use of fertilisers and pesticides, and minimise runoff to surface water and groundwater systems, for both large scale operators and smaller private landowners. In addition, the campaign would educate as to the appropriate use and protection of groundwater resources.

Management of surface runoff, such as by establishment of buffers for creek lines, should be reinforced through appropriate development controls and the Pittwater 21 DCP. Development applications involving construction that may interfere with groundwater systems, or proposals to extract groundwater should be discussed with DECC. Council Planning and Development staff should also be conversant with the State Government’s requirements for groundwater bore licensing. Pittwater 21 DCP should be amended to specifically include requirements for groundwater extraction as well as desalination activities.

To further monitor the use and quality of groundwater resources, Council should update its GIS database to include all known groundwater boreholes and spearpoints (as well as private desalination devices if applicable) within the Pittwater LGA.

Responsibility: The education program would be initiated by Council, although assistance by DECC should be provided, particularly in relation to compliance with relevant legislation (e.g. Protection of the Environment Operations Act, Water Management Act).