TOWN OF CLAREMONT LAKE CLAREMONT ADVISORY … · provide more detailed analysis and review of the bushfire hazards via a radiant heat flux calculation for the houses in close proximity

TOWN OF CLAREMONT

LAKE CLAREMONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

9 AUGUST, 2018

Liz Ledger Chief Executive Officer Date ___________________

DISCLAIMER

Persons present at this meeting are cautioned against taking any action as a result of any Committee recommendations until such time as those recommendations have been considered by Council and the minutes of that Council meeting confirmed.

LAKE CLAREMONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES 9 AUGUST, 2018

Page (i)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ITEM SUBJECT PAGE NO

1 DECLARATION OF OPENING/ANNOUNCEMENT OF VISITORS ............. 2

2 RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES ................................................ 2

3 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS ................................................................... 2

4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS ..................... 2

5 BUSINESS NOT DEALT WITH FROM A PREVIOUS MEETING ................ 2

6 PRESENTATIONS ....................................................................................... 3

6.1 BUSHFIRE HAZZARD ASSESSMENT – LAKE CLAREMONT .................. 3

7 REPORTS OF THE CEO ............................................................................. 4

7.1 LAKE CLAREMONT OPERATIONAL PLAN PROGRESS REPORT ......... 4

7.2 FEASIBILITY OF WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIONS FOR LAKE CLAREMONT ......................................................................... 11

8 FRIENDS OF LAKE CLAREMONT ........................................................... 16

9 LAKE CLAREMONT BIRD CENSUS ........................................................ 17

10 COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS OF WHICH PREVIOUS NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN ...................................................................... 17

11 FUTURE MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE ..................................................... 17

12 DECLARATION OF CLOSURE OF MEETING .......................................... 17


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LAKE CLAREMONT ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES

1 DECLARATION OF OPENING/ANNOUNCEMENT OF VISITORS

Cr Haynes welcomed everyone and declared the meeting open at 8.01AM.

The Committee formally thanked Mr Steve McKinney for his service on the Lake Claremont Advisory Committee.

2 RECORD OF ATTENDANCE/APOLOGIES

Cr Bruce Haynes East Ward Cr Peter Browne, JP West Ward (Deputy Mayor) Cr Kerry Smyth City of Nedlands Delegate Mr Nick Cook Friends of Lake Claremont Delegate Mr David Free Community Representative Ms Karen Wood Community Representative Mr Saba Kirupananther Executive Manager Infrastructure Mr Jared Bray Supervisor Parks and Environment Mr John Balcombe Coordinator Ranger Services Mrs Isabelle Cadman Administration Officer Infrastructure

APOLOGY

Mr David Kyle Scotch College Delegate

3 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS

NIL

4 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

Moved Mr Cook, seconded Mr Free.

That the Minutes of the Lake Claremont Advisory Committee meeting, held on 7 June 2018 be confirmed.

CARRIED(22/18) (NO DISSENT)

5 BUSINESS NOT DEALT WITH FROM A PREVIOUS MEETING

NIL

Cr Kerry Smyth entered the meeting at 8.10AM.

Cr Browne entered the meeting at 8.13AM.


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6 PRESENTATIONS

6.1 BUSHFIRE HAZARD ASSESSMENT – LAKE CLAREMONT

Presenters: John Balcombe Coordinator Ranger Services

Date: 9 August 2018

Purpose

The ‘Bushfire Hazard Assessment – Lake Claremont’ was presented to the Committee on 9 August 2018 by Mr John Balcombe from the Town of Claremont, to provide more detailed analysis and review of the bushfire hazards via a radiant heat flux calculation for the houses in close proximity to the potential hazards at Lake Claremont. He explained about the treatment options. There will be a presentation to the Elected Members on 20 August 2018 and after that a report will be submitted to the Council for a decision regarding the treatment method.

Mr Balcombe left the meeting at 8.27AM.


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Cr Haynes referred the meeting to Item 7.2 Feasibility of Water Quality Improvement Actions for Lake Claremont on page 11.

7 REPORTS OF THE CEO

7.1 LAKE CLAREMONT OPERATIONAL PLAN PROGRESS REPORT

File No: PRK00136-02

Attachments: Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018 19 (Attachment 1) Scotch Nutrient Management Report 2017 (Attachment 2)

Responsible Officer: Saba Kirupananther Director Infrastructure

Author: Jared Bray Supervisor Parks and Environment

Proposed Meeting Date: 9 August 2018

Purpose

To update the Lake Claremont Advisory Committee (‘LCAC’) on all activities occurring at Lake Claremont from June to October 2018 and for Committee to receive the Scotch College Nutrient Management Report and consider planting of row of trees in the eastern grass area (north south alignment).

Background

A number of activities (identified in Attachment 1) have been completed or are in planning for Lake Claremont precinct. These include:

Henshaw Drain Rework Botulism Outbreak

Nature Play Space Installation

Path Pruning

Revegetation Planting

Shade Trees Planting

Drain Outflow Inspections

Buffer Fencing

Asset Condition Report

Erosion Control

Fungi Mapping Limestone Path Repairs

Mulch Pile Clearing

FOLC Shed Repairs

Ficus pruning Outcomes

Direct Seeding Trial

Conservation Volunteers Australia


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Discussion

Henshaw drain rework

Work has completed on the re-designed Henshaw Drain with three tanks being installed to trap sediment/ nutrient and stop it from flowing into the lake. The surface area has been mulched to stop sand drift and improve appearance. Water testing will be done soon to assess the quality of water upstream and downstream from the tanks.

Botulism outbreak

The dissolved oxygen level in the water has been steady at approximately 70% with only two deceased ducks been reported since last Committee meeting. These were collected soon after being reported to the Town. One of these ducks may have been a ‘predator’ death.

Nature play space installation

The Nature play space at the end of Lapsley Road has been completed. There will be further work in the coming months adding a frog spring rocker and some brushwood protective screening to the toddler play space.

Path pruning

Numerous pathways surrounding Lake Claremont are being pruned by the Town’s staff, the Friends of Lake Claremont (‘FOLC’) and volunteers. Areas include the north east sections bordering the dog exercise area, the red path along the east edge of the lake and the red path along the north edge of the lake. This is an ongoing task.

Revegetation Planting

The school planting sessions are complete and over 400 students attended 14 sessions. A local residents’ planting day, Planting for the Birds and two sessions with the Shah Satnam Ji Green ‘S’ Welfare Force Wing were also held.

The planting season is just over half way in terms of number of seedlings planted (approx. 15,000 of a total of 28,200 have been planted as of 10 July 2018).

Approximately 23,700 seedlings should be planted by the end of July with 4,500 seedlings left to be planted from 10 to 12 August 2018.

Shade tree planting

Six Tuart trees have been planted along the red shared path by the Town and a further four Flooded gums will also be planted in the vicinity in the coming weeks.

Drain Outflow Inspections

The Town’s staff have been inspecting and clearing rubbish and debris from the inflow drain pipes prior to, and post rainfall events. Some material is left in place such as small branches to help slow water speeds and assists with water quality.

Buffer fencing

The quotes obtained in December 2017 have been accepted and work is due to commence in August 2018.


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Asset condition report

The Town’s staff have completed a comprehensive asset condition report on all the park infrastructure surrounding Lake Claremont. This data has been provided to the Asset Officer to update the database.

Erosion control

Has been undertaken in the remnant bushland. Areas known to be prone during rainfall events are regularly inspected.

Fungi mapping

The Town’s staff are locating and recording the location of fungal fruiting bodies through the bushland with species such as Golden Splash Tooth and Egg Yolk Fungus being found.

Limestone path repairs

Works to resurface the limestone paths due to winter erosion and wear will be completed during the coming months.

Mulch pile clearing

Contractors are due to remove the unsuitable branch material and waste from the area surrounding the FOLC shed in preparation for the removal of the Tamarix for next year’s planting.

FOLC shed repairs

The roof of the FOLC shed has required minor roof repairs to stop leaking due to Tamarix limbs leaning on the roof. These branches have been removed by the Town and the cracks repaired.

Ficus pruning outcome

Additional pruning to the northern end of the ficus trees are underway. This will reduce the overarching canopy to aide growth of the native paperbark trees.

Direct seeding trial

The Town is working with its weed management contractors to conduct a direct seeding trial in the Lake Claremont bushland in an attempt to revegetate historically difficult areas for plants to grow and aid in the suppression of weeds. This is completed by planting low lying species with the aim to reduce herbicide use. Section 4.4.2 of the Lake Claremont Management Plan recommends: “Consider direct seeding for tertiary plant establishment within the remnant bushland and revegetation zone”.

Direct seeding involves sowing of seeds directly on the site where the plants are to grow. It is the main alternative to nursery grown seedlings and is being used to establish plants for revegetation and weed suppression efforts. It is significantly cheaper and less labour intensive than planted seedlings, especially for large quantities of plants. Direct seeded seedlings tend to establish quicker than planted seedlings, enabling them to cope better with water stress. The root system faults that can occur with container grown seedlings could also be avoided.


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Conservation Volunteers Australia

Conservation Volunteers Australia (‘CVA’) have commenced working one day a week over the next seven weeks at Lake Claremont. During these days the CVA will be pruning path edges, hand weeding and planting tube stock to assist the Town and Volunteers during the busy planting and weed growth season. Early indications are this may not be as cost effective as going out to contract.

Scotch College Nutrient Management report 2017 (See Attachment 2.)

Planting of row of trees in the eastern grass area (north south alignment) It is proposed to plant additional ten to twenty native trees with an eventual large canopy to this year's plantings. This will improve the shaded walk. This area is watered, so later planting should not be an issue. The additional planting would create a shady walk line for those few who currently use this area to travel north. Whether there is an extension of the dog off lead area or not, it would be better in summer for walkers as well as native flora and fauna. At the moment this is one of the least used areas of the park because even the birds are not very interested in such a great expanse of grass with no shelter. At times the shared path around the lake is very busy, especially with children, bikes and prams. This would encourage some dog owners and walkers to walk along the proposed avenue of trees and further away from the wetland.


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Past Resolutions

Ordinary Council Meeting 3 July 2018, Resolution 115/18:

That Council:

1. Adopts the Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018-19

2. Supports a trial installation of floating nesting platforms in Lake Claremont

CARRIED

Financial and Staff Implications

Resource requirements are in accordance with existing budgetary allocation.

Policy and Statutory Implications

Lake Claremont Management Plan 2016-21 Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018-19

Communication / Consultation

Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018-19.

Strategic Community Plan

Liveability

We are an accessible community with well-maintained and managed assets. Our heritage is preserved for the enjoyment of the community.

Provide clean, usable, attractive and accessible streetscapes and public spaces.

People

We live in an accessible and safe community that welcomes diversity, enjoys being active and has a strong sense of belonging.

Promote and encourage an active lifestyle through supporting local community clubs, groups and recreation and leisure facilities.

Environmental Sustainability

We are a leader in responsibly managing the built and natural environment for the enjoyment of the community and continue to demonstrate diligent environmental practices.

Take a leadership in the community in environmental sustainability.

Protect and conserve the natural flora and fauna of Lake Claremont and the Foreshore

Urgency

NIL


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Voting Requirements

Simple majority decision of committee required.

OFFICER RECOMMENDATION


That the Committee:

1. Receives the Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018-19 progress report

2. Notes the Scotch College Nutrient Management Report 2017

3. Recommends planting of ten to twenty trees in the eastern grass area south of Lakeway Street in a north south alignment (as per the map in the report).

AMENDMENT


To include Point 4: To request that Council refer the matter regarding the consultation about the draft amended policy “Dogs in Public Places LV133” to LCAC after the public consultation before the Council consider the matter.

Reason: For the Committee to review the community feedback and make a recommendation to the Council.


AMENDMENT


To insert in Point 3 after the words planting of ten to twenty “WA local native”.

Reason: To plant only the WA native trees that are local to the area.



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THE AMENDED PRIMARY MOTION WAS PUT

That the Committee:

1. Receives the Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018-19 progress report

2. Notes the Scotch College Nutrient Management Report 2017

3. Recommends planting of ten to twenty WA local native trees in the eastern grass area south of Lakeway Street in a north south alignment (as per the map in the report), and

4. Requests that Council refer the matter regarding the consultation about the draft amended policy “Dogs in Public Places LV133” to LCAC after the public consultation before the Council consider the matter.



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7.2 FEASIBILITY OF WATER QUALITY IMPROVEMENT ACTIONS FOR LAKE CLAREMONT

File No: PRK/00136-02

Attachments: Lake Claremont Water Quality Report 2017

Responsible Officer: Saba Kirupananther Executive Manager Infrastructure

Author: Andrew Head Manager Parks and Environment

Proposed Meeting Date: 9 August 2018

Purpose

For the Committee to receive a report on the feasibility of the Committee’s proposed options for improved water quality within Lake Claremont.

Background

At the Lake Claremont Advisory Committee (‘LCAC’) Meeting on 7 June 2018, the Committee requested administration to investigate the following options for reducing temperatures and /or nutrient levels in Lake Claremont to assist with elimination of chances of botulism outbreaks:

Planting trees in the lake bed

Recirculating water over existing vegetation

Removal of exotics which drop leaves from the surrounding area.

Discussion

The Botulism outbreak in April and May 2018 was triggered by a number of factors. Botulism is present within the lake body and this starts to colonise when conditions become ‘ideal’.

The fact that water was present throughout summer and autumn (when it normally dries up in January) due to 145.8mm of rainfall received in January 2018 (the highest in January for Swanbourne on record at BOM) increased the risk of warmer water temperatures and therefore chances of botulism outbreaks.

As a result of higher water levels for a long period, the bird population was higher (437) than average (308.4) in May 2018 counts and also during counts in February 2018 (693 present compared to an average of 415.8). This also contributes to increased nutrient load through faecal matter. In a normal season the sediment will trap much of the suspended nutrient load locking it up for plants to use for growth.

The natural cycle of plant growth and decay will generate nutrient, which becomes available in the water if the surface water remains in place and is unable to be locked up by the sediment.


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Below is a review on the viability of each of the proposed options recommended by the Committee:

Tree Planting within the lake bed

This was proposed to provide sufficient shade to the water body to reduce water temperatures below the limits suitable for botulism to colonise the waterbody (<200

C).

This would require a significant tree planting program to be undertaken to cover the lake with sufficient canopy cover to have some effect to reduce water temperatures across the lake body. The species selected would need to be Flooded Gum (Eucalypotus rudis) or Paperbarks (Melaleuca sp.), which would cope with seasonal inundation of the root system to survive these conditions. The planting program would need one tree every 25sqm (5m x 5m) or around 6,000 trees planted, which would take a number of years before they mature enough to have an effect.

This would significantly reduce open water space of the lake bed for bird species who need open areas for landing and take-off within the lake and/ or for breeding and roosting throughout the year.

The Committee proposed planting along the Stirling Road alignment within the lake bed. However, this area is dry by the time the warmer months of the year arrive and so shading of the water would only occur leading into the season when botulism becomes potentially active.

One way to overcome this would be to scale back the planting and focus the tree planting in the areas deemed most susceptible to the most recent botulism outbreak, which were to the south and eastern sides of the lake. This would scale it back to 10 to 30% of the lake area, but also obscure the lake in the areas most open for the public to view.

Recirculating water over existing vegetation

As the lake is very shallow, it makes this proposal difficult to achieve the desired outcome. Small pumps would be required to draw water from the shallow lake body and pump onto existing vegetated areas. Larger capacity pumps would disturb the sediment and increase the release of nutrient into the water column. Given the shallow depth of the water, these size pumps would not be suitable.

Solar pumps are very small in capacity and may not work in pumping water more than a few meters in distance and be very low flow rates. Therefore, little to no benefit would be achieved from this proposal.

Removal of exotic which drop leaves from surrounding areas

This was recommended as an action in the water quality (Attachment 1) and would be a possible solution to some of the nutrient load which enters the lake. There are three deciduous trees which fringe the water body and they include two weeping willows (Salix sp.) and an Illawarra Flame Tree (Erythrina sp.). These should be removed; however, as there is only three of these trees they would only marginally affect the water quality.

Greater impact to the nutrient load in the lake would be from the leaf litter carried in the stormwater network from surrounding streets (e.g. Elliot Road where there is an avenue of mature London Plane ‘Platanus sp’. planted as street trees). These drop significant leaf litter at the time of year that stormwater is starting to enter the lake.


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This leaf load is reduced through street sweeping on a weekly basis both here and other deciduous tree lined streets during leaf drop season.

Other options

Removal of invasive weed species including the floating Water Hyssop (Bacopa monnieri) to reduce nutrient load within the lake is mentioned within the water quality report (Attachment 1).

Another option was to harvest other living plant material from the lake bed including a small percentage of the native reed species such as Schoenoplectus and Juncus. This action would have the effect of removing plant absorbed nutrient load from this otherwise closed system. This would be done carefully to ensure habitat for bird breeding is not impacted by the harvesting.

Small areas would be targeted in heavily vegetated and less visible areas to ensure it is effective without being visually dramatic. As new vegetation grows the nutrients stored in the sediment would be drawn up and used reducing nutrients held in the sediment and reduce available nutrient. This could affect water quality in future. Harvested material would be removed from the site or added as mulch in dryland areas away from the lake edge.

Past Resolutions

Lake Claremont Advisory Committee Meeting 7 June 2018, Resolution 16/18

That the Committee:

1. Receive the progress report on the Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2017-18, and

2. Investigate the feasibility of planting trees in the lakebed to reduce the water temperature.

3. Assess the best return of investment of three to four options for nutrient reduction, including:

a) Tree planting

b) Pumping water over vegetation, or

c) Removal of exotics dropping leaves.

Reason: To reduce nutrients and improve water quality which will minimise the growth of bacteria and eliminate the chances of botulism.

CARRIED

Financial and Staff Implications

Resource requirements are in accordance with existing budgetary allocation.

Policy and Statutory Implications

Lake Claremont Management Plan 2016-21 Lake Claremont Operational Plan 2018-19 Lake Claremont Water Quality Report 2017


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Communication / Consultation

NIL

Strategic Community Plan

Liveability

We are an accessible community with well-maintained and managed assets. Our heritage is preserved for the enjoyment of the community.

Provide clean, usable, attractive and accessible streetscapes and public spaces.

Environmental Sustainability

We are a leader in responsibly managing the built and natural environment for the enjoyment of the community and continue to demonstrate diligent environmental practices.

Take a leadership in the community in environmental sustainability.

Protect and conserve the natural flora and fauna of Lake Claremont and the Foreshore

Urgency

To allow actions to be planned for implementation.

Voting Requirements

Simple majority decision of Council required.


Moved Mr Free, seconded Mrs Wood.

That the Committee supports the following actions to reduce chances of future botulism outbreaks and improve water quality:

1. Planting of Flooded Gums and Paperbarks on the south and eastern areas of Lake Claremont and along the edge of the old Stirling Road alignment within the lake bed

2. Removal of the Erythrina and two Weeping Willows on the edge of Lake Claremont

3. Removal of weeds such as Bacopa monnieri, and

4. Harvesting of plant material such as Schoenoplectus and Juncus within the lake bed prior to dormancy and decline in autumn.


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AMENDMENT

Moved Mr Free, seconded Mrs Wood.

1. That in Point 1, Administration clarify the choice of trees and show on a map the locations to be planted.

2. Points 3 and 4 be removed.

Reason: To make it clear the type of trees to be planted and their locations.

CARRIED (23/18) (NO DISSENT)

THE AMENDED PRIMARY MOTION WAS PUT

That the Committee supports the following action to reduce chances of future botulism outbreaks and improve water quality:

1. Planting of Flooded Gums and Paperbarks on the south and western areas of Lake Claremont and along the edge of the Old Stirling Road alignment with the lake bed. The choice of trees and location be detailed on a map for Council review.

2. Removal of the Erythrina and two Weeping Willows on the edge of Lake Claremont.


Cr Haynes referred the meeting back to Item 7.1 Lake Claremont Operational Plan Progress Report on page 4.


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8 FRIENDS OF LAKE CLAREMONT

Attachments: Friends of Lake Claremont Report (Attachment 1)

Responsible Member: Nick Cook

Friends of Lake Claremont

Meeting Date: 9 August 2018


Moved Mr Cook, seconded Cr Browne.

That the Committee receives the Friends of Lake Claremont update for June and July 2018.



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9 LAKE CLAREMONT BIRD CENSUS

NIL

Cr Browne left the meeting at 9.23AM.

Cr Browne re-entered the meeting at 9.27AM.

10 COMMITTEE MEMBERS’ MOTIONS OF WHICH PREVIOUS NOTICE HAS BEEN GIVEN

NIL

11 FUTURE MEETINGS OF COMMITTEE

8:00AM Thursday, 11 October 2018.

12 DECLARATION OF CLOSURE OF MEETING

There being no further business, Cr Haynes declared the meeting closed at 9:28am.

Confirmed this day of 2018.

PRESIDING MEMBER

Documents

TOWN OF CLAREMONT LAKE CLAREMONT ADVISORY … · provide more detailed analysis and review of the bushfire hazards via a radiant heat flux calculation for the houses in close proximity