Monitoring activities
Environmental
Management System - Operations
Environmental Management Plans | Monitoring
Activities
Environmental Management
System - Operations
In February 2001, an Environmental Management System (EMS) for the Operational phase of the project was finalised following consultation with relevant agencies and approval by New South Wales Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP).
The EMS - Operations covers the environmental management of the operation of the permanent sand bypassing system including any supplementary dredging and nourishment activities. It provides a framework for the controls, mitigating measures, monitoring and auditing procedures necessary to prevent or ameliorate potentially adverse environmental effects resulting from the operation of the system.
The EMS-Operations is a 'living' document, meaning it is revised as necessary and is available for viewing at the Gold Coast City Council or the Tweed Shire Council. Copies will be made available at these locations at the end of each six month period during operations.
In February 2001, an Environmental Management System (EMS) for the Operational phase of the project was finalised following consultation with relevant agencies and approval by New South Wales Department of Urban Affairs and Planning (DUAP).
The EMS - Operations covers the environmental management of the operation of the permanent sand bypassing system including any supplementary dredging and nourishment activities. It provides a framework for the controls, mitigating measures, monitoring and auditing procedures necessary to prevent or ameliorate potentially adverse environmental effects resulting from the operation of the system.
The EMS-Operations is a 'living' document, meaning it is revised as necessary and is available for viewing at the Gold Coast City Council or the Tweed Shire Council. Copies will be made available at these locations at the end of each six month period during operations.
Environmental Management Plans
Management of each of the environmental issues is addressed in separate sub-plans contained in the EMP-Operations. These sub-plans specify achievement objectives and strategies, outline tasks and assign responsibilities for implementation. The framework for environmental management is illustrated below.
To manage key environmental issues regarding the operation
of the system an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) containing a number of
sub-plans has been developed. The structure of the EMP is listed below.
B.1 Consultation Strategy Plan *
B.2 Community Information Plan
B.3 Sand Retrieval and Placement Strategy
B.4 Noise and Vibration Management Plan
B.5 Traffic Management Plan
B.6 Sand and Water Quality Management Plan
B.7 Infrastructure and Public Access Management Plan
B.8 Waste Management Plan
B.9 Letitia Spit Avifauna Habitat Strategy Plan *
B.10 Landscaping Management Plan
B.11 Historic Shipwreck Management Plan
B.12 Accident And Emergency Response Plan
B.13 Beach Management and Nourishment Strategy *
B.14 Kirra Reef Monitoring Plan *
B.15 Duranbah Surf Quality and Beach Amenity Management Plan *
B.16 Tweed River Lower Estuary Management Plan * The sub-plans are the responsibility of the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Company except those marked with an asterisks (*) which are the responsibility of the New South Wales and Queensland Governments through the Project Directors.
Monitoring Activities
To meet the above objectives, a number of tasks including a monitoring program have been established. The monitoring activities and their frequency are detailed below. Monitoring activities are the responsibility of the New South Wales and Queensland Governments through the Project Directors except those marked with an asterisk (*) which are the responsibility of the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Company.
B.2 Community Information Plan
B.3 Sand Retrieval and Placement Strategy
B.4 Noise and Vibration Management Plan
B.5 Traffic Management Plan
B.6 Sand and Water Quality Management Plan
B.7 Infrastructure and Public Access Management Plan
B.8 Waste Management Plan
B.9 Letitia Spit Avifauna Habitat Strategy Plan *
B.10 Landscaping Management Plan
B.11 Historic Shipwreck Management Plan
B.12 Accident And Emergency Response Plan
B.13 Beach Management and Nourishment Strategy *
B.14 Kirra Reef Monitoring Plan *
B.15 Duranbah Surf Quality and Beach Amenity Management Plan *
B.16 Tweed River Lower Estuary Management Plan * The sub-plans are the responsibility of the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Company except those marked with an asterisks (*) which are the responsibility of the New South Wales and Queensland Governments through the Project Directors.
Monitoring Activities
To meet the above objectives, a number of tasks including a monitoring program have been established. The monitoring activities and their frequency are detailed below. Monitoring activities are the responsibility of the New South Wales and Queensland Governments through the Project Directors except those marked with an asterisk (*) which are the responsibility of the Tweed River Entrance Sand Bypassing Company.
| Monitoring Activity | Frequency | Sub-Plan |
| Undertake post dredge and post deposition hydrographic surveys at the completion of any supplementary dredging activities. * | Within one month of completion of dredging | B.3 |
| Undertake visual observation of beach changes along Letitia Spit relative to fixed survey sight poles in the vicinity of the jetty. * | Weekly until beach stabilises in contours, followed by quarterly monitoring | B.3, B.10 |
| Monitor operation noise levels at closest residences. * | Upon receiving a complaint | B.4 |
| Monitoring of sediment quality (sieve analysis) in the slurry pit delivery line. * | Twice monthly for first three months of operations and monthly thereafter | B.6 |
| Monitoring of water quality (grease/oils) in the slurry pit delivery line. * | Twice monthly for first three months of operations | B.6 |
| Visual monitoring of discharge plume behaviour at Snapper Rocks East to ensure there is minimal impact to beach users. * | Twice monthly for first three months | B.6 |
| Inspections of turbidity plume when discharging to either of the Duranbah, Kirra or West Snapper Rocks outlets to ensure there is minimal impact to beach users and Kirra Reef. * | Weekly when these outlets are discharging | B.6 |
| Monitoring of intake water quality at the Low Pressure Pump Station. * | Twice monthly for first three months of operation and following a flood event | B.6 |
| Monitoring of total suspended solids at the Slurry Pit Overflow Discharge. * | Twice monthly for first three months of operations and monthly thereafter | B.6 |
| Monitoring of sediment quality (sieve analysis) in the dredge hopper. * | Weekly basis during supplementary dredging activities | B.6 |
| Monitor water quality (i.e. turbidity, suspended solids, and grease/oils) in the dredge plume at the time of sand placement. * | Twice monthly during supplementary dredging activities | B.6 |
| Engage an Ornithologist to observe if any nesting of avifauna threatened species occurs along Letitia Spit and prepare a proposal for habitat enhancement works if appropriate. | Once only | B.9 |
| Monitor the effectiveness of any habitat enhancement works if required. | Two to three times per week during September 2003 to February 2004 | B.9 |
| Comprehensive survey of the upper beach and nearshore area from Fingal (NSW) to Currumbin (Queensland). | Annually for the first five years of operation (frequency to be reviewed thereafter) | B13, B.15, B.16 |
| Ongoing Snapper Rocks/Rainbow Bay fixed video monitoring | Daily capture | B.13 |
| Beach and surf observations, Tweed River entrance to North Kirra | Weekly to twice weekly | B.13, B.15 |
| Survey of upper beach profiles from Letitia Spit to Kirra Beach and Snapper Rocks nearshore profiles. * | Three monthly | B.3, B.10, B.13, B.14, B.15 |
| Survey of upper beach COPE profile at Rainbow Bay. | As required | B.13 |
| Aerial photography covering Fingal Head to Currumbin. | Six monthly for the first five years of operation, then annually | B.9, B.13, B.14, B.15, B.16 |
| Nearshore directional wave measurements by Tweed Waverider buoy. | Ongoing | B.13, |
| Hydrographic survey of the seabed elevations in the vicinity of Kirra Reef. | Annually for the first five years of operation (frequency to be reviewed thereafter) | B.14 |
| Photogrammetric mapping of Kirra Reef using vertical aerial photography. | Annually for the first five years of operation (frequency to be reviewed thereafter) | B.14 |
| Monitoring of Kirra Reef marine biota. | To be undertaken if ongoing monitoring identifies unexpected impacts due to sand placement activities by the sand bypassing system | B.14 |
| Assessment of longshore sand transport supply. | Annually | B.13, B.15 |
| Tweed River entrance hydrographic surveys. * | Three monthly | B.15, B.16 |
| Measurement of lower estuary tidal levels. | Tide levels are continuously recorded at 15 minute intervals | B.16 |
| Hydrographic survey of lower Tweed River. | Six monthly for the first five years of operation, then annually | B.16 |
| Aerial photography of the lower Tweed River estuary. | Six monthly for five years, then annually | B.16 |
| Photogrammetric mapping of Lower Tweed Estuary wetland extent. | Annually for first five years of operation (frequency to be reviewed thereafter) | B.16 |
| Measurements of wave propagation into the Tweed River entrance by Zwarts Pole. | Hourly record of wave conditions | B.16 |
| Low level aerial photography of the Tweed River breakwaters | Annually | B.16 |
Last updated: 30 March 2004
