Water Quality Monitoring to ensure better quality development

This is an example of where a relationship with  the local Streamwatch Group  could have been established and monitoring undertaken as part of Conditions of Consent.

Redbank Creek turbidity levels much lower By Justine Doherty
Nov. 23, 2015.

Citizen scientists Margaret and Bryan Smith of North Richmond have reported that the pollution level from Redbank Creek at the discharge point in Peels Park was “vastly improved”.

The state of the creek was the Gazette’s front page story on November 11, when run-off from the Redbank estate development entered the creek due to sediment controls having been removed.

The state of the creek prompted Council to issue a stop-work notice on the development until sediment controls were reinstated. They also issued a penalty notice.

Council lifted the order after inspectors were satisfied proper barriers against sediment runoff had been installed.

It would seem the re-installation of the sediment controls worked.

“From a high turbidity of 400 NTU over the last three weekends it is now a very acceptable 15 NTU, almost as good as the creek upstream in the park of 10 NTU,” Mrs Smith said.

Downstream at Susella Park the turbidity reading is still too high at 40NTU but is falling as the mass of polluted water blends with cleaner water and moves into the Hawkesbury River.

The Smiths said dead creatures such as fish, caused by the turbidity, would not be visible as they would be taken by the flow of the creek or would have sunk to the bottom in the silt.

“Animals such as frogs or lizards can, of course, escape to the land,” Mrs Smith said.

The couple said this week they would be looking downstream for any evidence of new life re-establishing in the now-cleaner water.

Profile of the Group Leaders in Meet the Monitors – Issue 1