Second-year independent environmental monitoring has identified changes to vegetation in the environmentally significant Karaaf Wetlands, located on Wadawurrung Country between Breamlea and Torquay.
The monitoring is part of continuing work to improve the health of the saltmarsh, with findings providing baseline indications of progressive changes in vegetation structure or species and soil salinity at key sites.
Surf Coast Shire Council is working alongside Community Reference Group members and other stakeholders to reduce the volume of, and impact of stormwater flow in the wetlands.
Recent year two monitoring noted changes, including:
- Positive: Regeneration of saltmarsh shrubs at a number of sites, particularly in areas where dieback due to stormwater flow was less extreme. No further dieback was observed.
- Negative: Progressive expansion of areas identified as impacted by stormwater flows, including an increase in the abundance of brackish and freshwater vegetation types at some sites and substantial increase in Typha grass growth at the western end of the wetlands.
Surf Coast Shire Deputy Mayor Libby Stapleton: "This baseline monitoring is critical to deepening our understanding of the dynamics of the Karaaf Wetlands ecology and the historic and current impacts of stormwater flows.
"Findings will help inform our careful steps forward and measure progress, as we continue working alongside all stakeholders including Barwon Water and The Sands Estate community.
"This is important long-term work and we appreciate the support of our partners, including the Australian Government through its Urban Rivers and Catchments Program."
The Australian Government has allocated $1.9 million across three years through the Urban Rivers and Catchments Program to assist with improving the health of the Karaaf.
The allocation will support a stormwater diversion project, which will reduce stormwater flows from north Torquay to the wetlands.
Federal Member for Corangamite Libby Coker: "The Karaaf Wetlands need to be protected and that's what this project is all about – ensuring our unique, local environment is restored so that it can be enjoyed by future generations.
"The community is driving this project alongside Barwon Water, the Surf Coast Shire Council, and the Commonwealth, it's truly a great initiative and I looked forward to working with all partners as the work continues over the coming months."
Council has engaged a consultant to start detailed design of the diversion project, with construction scheduled to begin in late 2025.
It will include installation of a pump system from the Esplanade Wetland to an existing drainage network at the mouth of Deep Creek, along with adjustments to the Esplanade Wetland layout.
The option was chosen following evaluation of a technical report and other factors.
Recent work on the north Torquay stormwater system has included improvements to the function of sediment ponds and drains in the Zeally Sands constructed wetland.
The wetland, between Rippleside Drive and The Sands, is part of the stormwater network for the north Torquay catchment and acts as an important filter as the last constructed wetland in the system before stormwater enters The Sands amenity lake system.
Improvements included removal of sediment and dense vegetation from two sediment basins and two drainage swales.
The sediment went to Gherang Quarry for use in rehabilitation works and the green waste went to a local organisation for transformation into compost for vineyards.
The Zeally Sands clearing works are complete but installation of jute matting and planting of some areas to help prevent erosion and weed growth will be completed in autumn.
During February, Council has also completed scheduled cleaning of all gross pollutant traps, which trap and hold litter and coarse sediment within stormwater systems.
