wollongong city council · 2 pipes and pumps and including storage tanks. sydney water has also...

1

Best beaches Stanwell Park Beach, Coledale Beach,

Austinmer Beach, Thirroul Beach, Woonona

Beach, Wollongong City Beach, Coniston

Beach and Fishermans Beach.

These sites had excellent water quality and

were suitable for swimming almost all of the

time.

* Nine locations were monitored by Sydney Water Corporation as a requirement of Environment Protection Licences. Samples were collected every sixth day throughout the year. Two locations were monitored between October and April as a community service.

Two locations were monitored by Wollongong City Council. Samples were collected weekly between October and April and sampling and laboratory analysis was fully funded by the council.

13

13 Ocean beaches

No Estuarine beaches

No Lake/Lagoon sites

No Ocean baths

13 sites

655 samples

year round*

every 6 days*

Wollongong City Council State of the Beaches 2012–2013

Overall results Percentage of sites graded as Good or Very Good:

All thirteen swimming sites were graded as Very Good or Good in 2012–

2013. Excellent results were also recorded in previous years.

Ocean beaches

Good / Very Good

Fair

Poor / Very Poor

All ocean beaches were graded as Very Good or Good.

Stanwell Park Beach, Coledale Beach, Austinmer Beach, Thirroul Beach,

Woonona Beach, Wollongong City Beach, Coniston Beach and

Fishermans Beach were graded as Very Good. These beaches had

excellent water quality during the assessment period and were suitable

for swimming almost all of the time.

There have been significant improvements in the water quality at

Fishermans Beach since 2006 following the decommissioning of the Port

Kembla Sewage Treatment Plant. The plant now operates as a storm

sewage treatment plant (SSTP) and has only a minor impact on the

water of Fishermans Beach following heavy rainfall.

Bulli Beach, Bellambi Beach, Corrimal Beach, North Wollongong Beach

and Port Kembla Beach were graded as Good. While microbial water

quality was mostly of a very high standard, these sites had several, or

more significant, potential sources of pollution such as stormwater drains

and discharges from creeks or lagoons. Discharges from the Bellambi

SSTP may also affect the water quality at Bellambi and Corrimal beaches

following very heavy rainfall. It is recommended that swimming be

avoided during and for up to one day following rainfall or if there are

signs of stormwater pollution such as discoloured water or floating debris.

Management Sydney Water has extended sewerage services to approximately 850

households in Coalcliff, Stanwell Park, Stanwell Tops and Otford under

its Priority Sewerage Scheme. Nearly all eligible properties have

connected to the scheme.

To reduce the incidence of wet weather sewage overflows in beach

catchments from Austinmer to Port Kembla, Sydney Water is amplifying

100% 2009–10

100% 2010–11

100% 2011–12

100% 2012–13

2

pipes and pumps and including storage tanks. Sydney Water has also inspected, cleaned and repaired those sewer mains in

beach catchments from Austinmer to Bulli and North Wollongong to Port Kembla that have a high likelihood of discharging

sewage to waterways if they become blocked. When significant tree root intrusion to the public sewer from the private sewer

was identified, property owners were requested to remedy the problem.

Wollongong City Council has completed a number of stormwater management projects, including the installation of stormwater

quality improvement devices at various locations on drains that flow to Corrimal, North Wollongong and Brighton beaches.

These devices capture stormwater litter and sediment and prevent them from reaching the beaches. This work was partly

funded by grants from the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority and OEH.

Wollongong City Council has also installed a litter boom on Fairy Creek, which drains to Fairy Creek Lagoon and, when the

lagoon is open, to the southern end of Fairy Meadow Beach. The boom collects gross pollutants such as cans, plastic bottles,

plastic bags and polystyrene, while permitting the passage of fish and other aquatic organisms in the creek.

Riparian work continues to be undertaken along Hargraves Creek, Collins Creek, Whartons Creek, Towradgi Creek and Fairy

Creek aimed at improving water quality and overall catchment health.

3

Sampling sites and Beach Suitability Grades in Wollongong City Council

4

Stanwell Park Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good

See ‘How to read this report’ for key to map

The beach is 700 metres long and is backed by dunes and a reserve with

a popular picnic area. Swimming can be potentially hazardous because of

shifting rips and a steep drop off. Lifeguards patrol the beach from

September to April.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that microbial water

quality is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few

significant sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels remained

below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.

The site has been monitored since 2011 and microbial water quality has

been of a very high standard.

Sanitary Inspection: Low Very Low Low Moderate HighSource: Very Low Low Moderate HighSource:

Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2012–13 result is February 2011 to April 2013.

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Response to rainfall Rainfall from Bellambi rain gauge

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Trends in enterococci data through time

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Animals

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<=40 cfu/100mL 41-200 cfu/100mL 201-500 cfu/100mL >500 cfu/100mL

5

Coledale Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


The beach is 300 metres long and is backed by a small grass reserve and

campsite. Swimming can be hazardous because of the strong permanent

rips at each end of the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach from

September to April.




The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels remained

below the safe swimming limit across all rainfall categories.


generally been of a very high standard.


Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2012–13 result is February 2011 to April 2013.

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6

Austinmer Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


The beach is 250 metres long and backed by a park and picnic area.

Swimming can be hazardous because of the strong permanent rips at

each end of the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to

April.



potential sources of faecal contamination.

The response to rainfall graph indicates that enterococci levels increased

slightly with increasing rainfall, occasionally exceeding the safe swimming

limit in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more.


generally been of a very high standard.


Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2012–13 result is October 2010 to April 2013.

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7

Thirroul Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


The beach is one kilometre long. It is backed by a large, grassy reserve.

Swimming can be potentially hazardous because of permanent and

shifting rips. A 50 metre ocean pool and wading pool are located midway

along the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.







The site has been monitored for enterococci since 2006 and microbial

water quality has generally been of a high standard.


Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2012–13 result is October 2010 to April 2013.

7550

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8

Bulli Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


The beach is 900 metres long and is backed by sand dunes and a

reserve. Beach conditions are safest in the patrolled area at the northern

end of the beach. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Good indicates that microbial water quality

is generally suitable for swimming but the water may be susceptible to

pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination,

including sewage overflows and discharge from Whartons Creek.


with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in

response to 10 mm of rainfall or more.


generally been of a high standard.

Sanitary Inspection: Moderate Very Low Low Moderate HighSource: Very Low Low Moderate HighSource:

Microbial Assessment: A Monitoring period for 2012–13 result is September 2011 to April 2013.

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Woonona Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Woonona Beach is at the northern end of a two kilometre stretch of beach

and is backed by sand dunes and a reserve. Beach conditions are safest

in the patrolled area at the northern end of the beach. Lifeguards patrol

the beach from September to April.











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Bellambi Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Bellambi Beach is at the southern end of a two kilometre stretch of beach

and is backed by a reserve. Beach conditions are relatively safe and

lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.



pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination,

including discharge from Bellambi Creek.


with increasing rainfall, regularly exceeding the safe swimming limit in


The site has been monitored since 1996 and slightly elevated enterococci

levels have been recorded in a small percentage of samples in most

years.


Microbial Assessment: B Monitoring period for 2012–13 result is September 2011 to April 2013.

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SSTP Discharge

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Corrimal Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


The beach is 1.4 kilometres long and is backed by a reserve and caravan

park. Several dominant rips are present and beach conditions are safest

at the southern end. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.



pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal contamination.


with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit in


The site has been monitored since 1996 and elevated enterococci levels

have been recorded in a small percentage of samples in most years.


Microbial Assessment: B Monitoring period for 2012–13 result is September 2011 to April 2013.

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North Wollongong Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


North Wollongong Beach is 500 metres long and is backed by steep

bluffs, a reserve and a picnic area. A number of rock and ocean pools are

located at the southern end. Lifeguards patrol the beach all year round.


is suitable for swimming most of the time, but the water may be

susceptible to pollution from a number of potential sources of faecal

contamination.


slightly with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit

after 20 mm of rainfall or more.

The site has been monitored since 1996 (excluding 1997) and microbial

water quality has generally been of a high standard.



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Wollongong City Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Wollongong City Beach is at the northern end of a four kilometre stretch

of beach. Beach conditions are safest at the patrolled northern end.

Elsewhere, swimming is potentially hazardous because of the prevalence

of rips. Lifeguards patrol the beach from September to April.





slightly with increasing rainfall but rarely exceeded the safe swimming

limit.





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Sewage OverflowsWWTP Bypass

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Coniston Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Coniston Beach is at the southern end of a four kilometre stretch of beach

that extends north to Flagstaff Point. It is a steep, narrow beach and is

backed by a golf course. Coniston Beach has a mobile lifeguard patrol

during daylight-saving months.






limit after 20 mm of rain or more.

The site has been monitored since 1996, with consistently good water

quality recorded over the last five years.



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AnimalsWastewater Re-use

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Fishermans Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Very Good


Fishermans Beach is 500 metres long and has a low headland at each

end. It is backed by a small reserve and residential land. Beach

conditions are safe most of the time, but it is not patrolled by lifeguards.

The Beach Suitability Grade of Very Good indicates that the water quality

is considered suitable for swimming almost all of the time, with few



slightly in response to 20 mm of rainfall or more, but mostly remained

below the safe swimming limit.

The site has been monitored since 1996. Water quality has improved

since 2004, when dry weather discharges from the Port Kembla WWTP

ceased. The plant now operates as a storm sewage treatment plant and

discharges only during extended wet weather events.



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Sewage OverflowsSSTP Discharge

Lo

w

Ve

ry

Lo

w Bathers

Hig

hM

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te

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

93-9

4

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5

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6

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7

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16

Port Kembla Beach Beach Suitability Grade: Good


Port Kembla Beach is backed by sand dunes and a reserve. Beach

conditions are safest in the patrolled area at the northern end. Lifeguards

patrol the beach from September to April.



pollution from several potential sources of faecal contamination.


slightly with increasing rainfall, often exceeding the safe swimming limit

after 20 mm of rainfall or more.

The site has been monitored since 1996.



8050

1838 34

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13

95

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SSTP Discharge

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Toilet Facilities

Stormwater

0%

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93-9

4

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5

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6

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wollongong city council · 2 pipes and pumps and including storage tanks. sydney water has also...

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