March 04, 2008
Weighing up protection - public versus environment
The picturesque watercourse in the header on the main page of the Politics & Environment Blog, is Cooper Creek. It is a relatively short watercourse (∼8 km), running between Thornton Peak and its mouth, which drains an enormous catchment in one of the world’s highest rainfall areas.
Over these past three days, about 250 mm of rain has fallen and as expected the causeway crossing over the Cape Tribulation Road has flooded (please excuse the blurred photo).
This is a regular occurrence in the wet season. Two years ago, students living north of Cooper Creek were unable to access 25% of their first term, because of flooding. It is also an almost annual occurrence that a driver will unsuccessfully attempt to cross, losing their vehicle to the power of the flood and being tumbled downstream into crocodile habitat.
Invariably, the impassable floods cause stress to large numbers of travelers on unforgiving schedules. Hundreds of vehicles and pedestrians crowd either side of the water’s edge in a forlorn hope that the combined vigilance and force of will will somehow speed the recession.
Yesterday I witnessed a particularly ugly display of road rage as tensions rose, stopping just short of physical violence. Last time the causeway flooded, a frustrated traveler described the scene as a new order of official mayhem, “Working in Queensland Mental Health, I thought I knew administrative incompetence,” she remarked, “but this is in another order of ineptitude, entirely!”
So how is it that such a well-used and strategically important facet of transportation infrastructure is kept so inadequately low? Surely there is a duty of care to protect the public from such well-known vulnerabilities? Then again, there haven’t yet been any deaths; just a large number of very close calls.
In the lead-up to the Local Council elections (15th March ’08), one candidate has told of the ecological integrity of Cooper Creek as occupying the highest consideration - leaving the causeway incapable of being elevated. As absurd as this notion may sound, it was indeed the ecological values of the Cooper valley that justified unparalleled regulatory protection, under World Heritage and, downstream of the causeway, so that Queensland can compare all potential impacts on all other mangrove communities. So rigorous is this special provision that a person can be fined up to $225,000 if caught fishing, though such sensitivity would seem to fly in the face of the ecological damage of heavy machinery, recovering vehicles washed downstream.
Posted by neil at 08:47 AM | Comments (6) | TrackBack
February 26, 2008
Beyond Media Headlines: The Key Issues for the Macquarie Marshes
Media reports yesterday** correctly drew attention to the fact that there are levy banks within the Macquarie Marshes and that they are depriving key wetland areas of water.
But the stories went on to lump upstream legal and planned irrigation development that makes allocations for environmental flows with legal and illegal levies on grazing land within the marshes. Some levies within the marshes are currently blocking designated environmental flow water from reaching the northern nature reserve.
Some of the media reports suggest a need for more studies, but the solution may simply be to bulldoze levies so that environmental flow can get through to the nature reserve.
Other issues within the marshes that require action, rather than more studies include:
1. Preventing the trampling of bird nesting sites by cattle, and
2. Addressing the general issues of overgrazing.
The Macquarie Marshes is a large non-termial wetland in central western New South Wales covering about 200,000 hectares. Most of this area (88 percent) is privately owned and grazed. There are two publicly-owned nature reserves where cattle are excluded and which are Ramsar-listed, meaning they are considered of international importance for migratory bird species.
The most definitive recent publication on the ecology of the Macquarie Marshes is:
The Macquarie Marshes: An Ecological History
by Gillian Hogendyk
IPA Occasional Papers
http://www.ipa.org.au/publications/publisting_detail.asp?pubid=683
You can see pictures of overgrazing at this blog post:
Cattle killing the Macquarie Marshes, 21October 2005
http://www.jennifermarohasy.com/blog/archives/000949.html
There are pictures of the illegal levies here:
More Water Won't Save the Macquarie Marshes, 28 March 2006
http://www.jennifermarohasy.com/blog/archives/001282.html
And for more discussion read:
Three Pressing Issues for the Macquarie Marshes, 13 July 2006
http://www.jennifermarohasy.com/blog/archives/001481.html
-----------------------------
** Yesterday’s stories include:
Report reveals illegal Murray-Darling irrigation. By environment reporter Sarah Clarke
Scientists say the flood plains are being sucked dry and there is no legislation in place to stop further development.
A new report has exposed major flaws in the management of key rivers and flood plains along the Murray Darling Basin. Satellite images of a key wetland in north-western New South Wales reveal more than 2,000 kilometres of earthworks have carved up the waterway. While some of the channels and levees may have been authorised, others are considered illegal and are diverting water into irrigation and farming.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/25/2171517.htm
NSW vows crackdown on Murray-Darling earthworks
The New South Wales Government says it will crack down on unauthorised earthworks in the Macquarie Marshes in the state's north-west. A report by the University of NSW found that more than 2,000 kilometres of channels, levees and dams are carving up the Macquarie Marshes and diverting water into irrigation and grazing areas.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/02/25/2171663.htm
Wetlands in a flap after the rains
February 25, 2008
Birds are winning the battle of the marshes, writes Daniel Lewis.
Wading through Monkeygar Swamp, with magpie geese honking in the sky above, even a vicious bite from the odd leech can't wipe the smile off Ray Jones's face.
There's enough water for significant bird breeding in his beloved Macquarie Marshes for the first time since 2000, and the National Parks field officer is on a high after depressingly dry years.
"When you see these geese taking off you can't help but smile," Jones says. A fellow parks employee recently told him: "This is the first time I have seen you smiling for years."
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/wetlands-in-a-flap-after-the-rains/2008/02/24/1203788147733.html
'Water theft' threatens Murray-Darling
By DANIEL LEWIS & MARIAN WILKINSON - Australia
Monday, 25 February 2008
A MAZE of levee banks, channels and dams is stealing water from the state's flood plains and threaten to undermine the $10 billion Murray-Darling Basin rescue plan.
A year-long study by a leading wetlands expert also says environmental water stolen on the flood plain that is home to the iconic Macquarie Marshes has already caused enormous environmental damage.
The report says inappropriate development has continued for decades…
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/river-rescue-under-threat/2008/02/24/1203788147679.html
Flood plain development 'stealing water'
February 25, 2008 - 6:35AM
Levee banks, channels and dams are stealing water from NSW flood plains and threatening to undermine the $10-billion Murray-Darling Basin rescue plan.
The authors of a report on flood plain development on the lower Macquarie River say state and federal governments have turned a blind eye to water theft through flood plain harvesting, Fairfax reported on Monday.
http://news.smh.com.au/flood-plain-development-stealing-water/20080225-1ugc.html
'Water theft' threatens Murray-Darling
By DANIEL LEWIS & MARIAN WILKINSON - Australia
Monday, 25 February 2008
A maze of levee banks, channels and dams is stealing water from NSW's flood plains and threaten to undermine the $10 billion Murray-Darling Basin rescue plan.
A year-long study by a leading wetlands expert also says environmental water stolen on the flood plain that is home to the iconic Macquarie Marshes has already caused enormous environmental damage.
…. SOURCE: Sydney Morning Herald.
http://www.farmonline.com.au/news_daily.asp?ag_id=48948
Posted by jennifer at 10:04 AM | TrackBack
January 05, 2008
Exceptional rainfall produces exceptionally clean waterways
I recently reported that the wet season had well and truly arrived in the Daintree, with over 700 mm of rain in five days.
More recently, Jennifer published the Australian mean rainfall total for 2007 at 497 mm, slightly more than the long-term average of 472 mm.
So, there is no question; the Daintree Cape Tribulation rainforest occupies a very wet part of Australia. Last year we recorded a total rainfall of 4,757 mm and the year before; 6,240 mm.
The most recent deluge, though, was of an intensity not seen for many years. In March of 1996, I recall that 1,219 mm fell in 48 hours. Flooding was so powerful that the Daintree River Ferry was deposited upon its pylons and the road across the heights of the Alexandra section, collapsed.
It must be said, that here in the Daintree rainforest, we brace ourselves in the face of extreme weather events, but they also remind us unequivocally of our subordinance to nature.
If I were to conservatively estimate that only one direct cyclone was to have hit every fifty years, the ancient rainforests of the Daintree would have bore the brunt of 2.7million cyclones over its 135-million year existence. On this basis, it becomes a very regular and recurring event.
In the aftermath, perhaps half the canopy is dislodged to the forest floor and as much as twice the sunlight is able to penetrate to these leafy depths of nutrient abundance. There can be no doubt that the extent of flowering and fruiting is maximised after cyclonic events. All other populations seem to multiply.
And the creeks become magnificent!
Posted by neil at 09:36 PM | Comments (9) | TrackBack
April 02, 2007
Queensland Tsunami Warning
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCASTQUEENSLAND TSUNAMI WARNING
Issued at 8:57am on Monday the 2nd of April 2007, by the Bureau of Meteorology
For people in coastal areas of Queensland.
TOP PRIORITY FOR IMMEDIATE BROADCAST
TSUNAMI BULLETIN
TSUNAMI THREAT TO EASTERN AUSTRALIA and Willis and Barrier Reef Islands, Lord Howe and Norfolk Islands.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii has detected an undersea earthquake near Solomon Islands and has issued a Tsunami Bulletin.
The earthquake has also been detected by Geoscience Australia.
FOR ALL OTHER PACIFIC AREAS, THIS MESSAGE IS AN ADVISORY ONLY.
AN EARTHQUAKE HAS OCCURRED WITH THESE PRELIMINARY PARAMETERS ORIGIN TIME - 6:40 am EST 02 APR 2007 COORDINATES - 8.6 SOUTH 157.2 EAST LOCATION - SOLOMON ISLANDS MAGNITUDE - 8.1
MEASUREMENTS OR REPORTS OF TSUNAMI WAVE ACTIVITY HONIARA 15CM ZERO-TO-PEAK OBSERVED AT 7:31 am EST EVALUATION
SEA LEVEL READINGS INDICATE A TSUNAMI WAS GENERATED. IT MAY HAVE BEEN DESTRUCTIVE ALONG COASTS NEAR THE EARTHQUAKE EPICENTER AND COULD ALSO BE A THREAT TO MORE DISTANT COASTS. AUTHORITIES SHOULD TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION IN RESPONSE TO THIS POSSIBILITY. THIS CENTER WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR SEA LEVEL DATA TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT AND SEVERITY OF THE THREAT.
FOR ALL AREAS - WHEN NO MAJOR WAVES ARE OBSERVED FOR TWO HOURS AFTER THE ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL OR DAMAGING WAVES HAVE NOT OCCURRED FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS THEN LOCAL AUTHORITIES CAN ASSUME THE THREAT IS PASSED. DANGER TO BOATS AND COASTAL STRUCTURES CAN
CONTINUE FOR SEVERAL HOURS DUE TO RAPID CURRENTS. AS LOCAL CONDITIONS CAN CAUSE A WIDE VARIATION IN TSUNAMI WAVE ACTION THE ALL CLEAR DETERMINATION MUST BE MADE BY LOCAL AUTHORITIES.
ESTIMATED INITIAL TSUNAMI WAVE ARRIVAL TIMES. ACTUAL ARRIVAL TIMES
MAY DIFFER AND THE INITIAL WAVE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST. THE TIME BETWEEN SUCCESSIVE TSUNAMI WAVES CAN BE FIVE MINUTES TO ONE HOUR.
Based on the magnitude and location of the earthquake, tsunami could start affecting these locations at the following local time:
Cooktown from 0931am 02/04/2007
Cairns from 0949am
Brisbane 1033am
Gladstone 1139am
Mackay 1144am
This bulletin is also available through TV and Radio broadcasts and the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au/tsunami/
Dangerous waves and currents may affect beaches, harbours and rivers for several hours from the time of impact and low- lying coastal areas could be flooded.
The waves can be separated in time by between ten to sixty minutes and the first wave of the series may not be the largest.
The Queensland State Emergency Service advises that people should stay away from low lying coastal areas.
This warning will be updated by this morning.
This warning is also available through TV and Radio broadcasts; the Bureau's website at www.bom.gov.au or call 1300 659 218
Posted by jennifer at 09:05 AM | Comments (7) | TrackBack
February 26, 2007
Licola Flood: A Note from Ralph Barraclough
Late last year there were terrible bushfires across north eastern Victoria. Max Rheese sent us a note suggesting there was a need for more prescribed burning.
Now there is isolated flooding.
Following is a note and some photographs from Ralph Barraclough a landholder and a fire brigade captain with land adjacent and surrounded by the Alpine National Park (pdf file). The National Park contains many nationally significant species including the Bogong Daisy-bush, Mountain Pygmy Possum, Broad-toothed Rat and Alpine Water Skink. Large areas of the park burnt in 2003 and again in December last year.
Greetings,
Well after saving nearly everything when we were burnt out at Licola on December 14 last year, we are now being flooded out.
The damage here is so bad my house would not have a hope in hell of surviving a similar flood again. The debris is nearly as high as the spoutings and the previous biggest flood hight never even got to the footings after 36mm of rain in 20 minutes. This flood was from 28mm in 45 minutes.
Target Creek, Friday night 6pm
The first the locals knew I was in trouble was when 3km away at Licola they saw my worldly posesions floating down the local river. They are collecting my equipment 50km downstream. I live on a small creek that is a tributory.
The flood through my house was so intense it washed a Land Rover engine block out of my shed into the garden. The floor boards came up from the water underneath and tipped over all the stuff I had stored on chaires and stools to try and be above the flood waters. Industrial sewing machines were washed down along the creek.
I nearley drowned trying to get a Land Rover out of a shed when a tidel wave pushed me back in. There was so much debris floating around I had great difficulty remaining upright.
I am expecting more floods like this and this is nowhere like the worst case scenario. The country is just so burnt there is nothing to slow the water from getting into streams. Things are so bad here I will be salvaging as much as possible from my house and taking it to higher ground than Noah would consider drowning. Last week flooding wrecked a building site replacing a lost house from the fire. The new house suffered serious structural damege, a site hut was utterly flattened and a caravan ended up on a meter of debris.
Licola itself was also flooded out. The shop had water through it, all up 2 houses and the living area of the shop may have to be rebuilt. We have had tremendous help from the SES, Police and Wellington Shire and some of the local dear hunters. The CFA has offered very welcome support.
My files from the last 9 years of trying to stop these things from happening were all removed from the house only hours before the flood and survive.
Regards,
Ralph Barraclough
Lincola, Victoria
Target Creek, Saturday morning 10am
Jamieson Road, Saturday morning
Posted by jennifer at 10:41 AM | Comments (18) | TrackBack