Drought Management Plan Bellingen Shire Council · Drought Management Plan Bellingen Shire Council...

A division of the Department of Finance & Services

Drought Management Plan

Bellingen Shire Council

Final Report

Report Number: WSR 12010

June 2012

NSW Public Works

NSW Water Solutions

Level 13 McKell Building

2-24 Rawson Place

Sydney NSW 2000

T: 02 9372 7871

E: [email protected]

W: www.publicworks.nsw.gov.au

© Crown in right of NSW through the Department of Finance & Services 2011

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Bellingen Shire Council – Drought Management Plan

NSW Public Works Page i

Table of Contents

Table of Contents............................................................................................................................... i

1 Introduction................................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 Location............................................................................................................................. 1

1.2 Plan Context...................................................................................................................... 1

1.3 Plan Objective ................................................................................................................... 2

1.4 Plan Structure.................................................................................................................... 2

2 Background................................................................................................................................ 3

2.1 Existing Schemes.............................................................................................................. 3

2.2 Climate and Streamflows................................................................................................. 10

2.3 Connected Population and Consumption........................................................................... 7

2.4 Drought Performance ...................................................................................................... 14

3 Drought Management Process................................................................................................. 24

3.1 Lower Bellinger Water Supply.......................................................................................... 24

3.2 Dorrigo Water Supply ...................................................................................................... 28

4 Drought Management and Emergency Response Strategy Measures ..................................... 31

4.1 Drought Management Measures ..................................................................................... 31

4.2 Emergency Response Measures..................................................................................... 44

4.3 Comparison of Measures................................................................................................. 45

5 Preferred Emergency Strategy................................................................................................. 48

6 Conclusions ............................................................................................................................. 49

7 References .............................................................................................................................. 50

Appendices ..................................................................................................................................... 51

Appendix A System Maps ........................................................................................................... 51

Appendix B Water Restriction Policy ........................................................................................... 53

Appendix C Supporting Water Consumption Information............................................................. 54

Appendix D Supporting Streamflow Information .......................................................................... 55

Appendix E Emergency Response Measures.............................................................................. 56

Appendix F Drought Relief for Country Towns............................................................................. 60

Appendix G Drought Management Check List ............................................................................. 64


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Figures

Figure 1 Location of Bellingen Shire.................................................................................................. 1

Figure 0.2 BSC Drought Management Plan Structure....................................................................... 2

Figure 0.3 BSC Bellingen Borefield................................................................................................... 4

Figure 0.4 Historical Annual Rainfall at Bellingen............................................................................ 10

Figure 0.5 Average Monthly Climatic Statistics at Bellingen ............................................................ 11

Figure 0.6 Historical Annual Rainfall at Dorrigo............................................................................... 12

Figure 0.7 Average Monthly Climatic Statistics at Dorrigo ............................................................... 12

Figure 0.8 Annual Streamflow Record in the Bellinger River ............................................................. 2

Figure 0.9 Monthly Streamflows at Gauging Station 205002............................................................. 3

Figure 0.10 Location of Stream Gauge 204017................................................................................. 4

Figure 0.11 Annual Streamflow Record for Station 204017............................................................... 6

Figure 0.12 Monthly Streamflows at Gauging Station 204017........................................................... 7

Figure 0.13 Historical Annual Water Consumption for the LBWSS.................................................... 8

Figure 0.14 Historical Annual Water Consumption for the DWSS ..................................................... 9

Figure 0.15 Lower Bellinger Type Water Usage Split ...................................................................... 10

Figure 0.16 Dorrigo Type Water Usage Split................................................................................... 11

Figure 0.17 Monthly Production for the LBWSS .............................................................................. 13

Figure 0.18 Monthly Production for the DWSS................................................................................ 14

Figure 0.19 Drought Performance of Customers Connected to the LBWSS.................................... 15

Figure 0.20 Drought Performance of Customers Connected to the DWSS ..................................... 18

Figure 0.21 Streamflow in Bellinger River During 1994 Drought...................................................... 20

Figure 0.22 Streamflow in Bellinger River During 2002/03 Drought................................................. 20

Figure 0.23 Relationship between Bellinger River Flows and Bellingen Borefield ........................... 21

Figure 0.24 Streamflow in Bielsdown River During 2001/02 Drought .............................................. 22

Figure 0.25 Streamflow in Bielsdown River During 2002/03 Drought .............................................. 22

Figure 0.26 Lower Bellinger Water Supply Drought Management Process ..................................... 25

Figure 0.27 Lower Bellinger Water Supply Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measure Timing ....................................................................................................................... 26

Figure 0.28 Lower Bellinger Water Supply Connected Storage and Minimum Waiting Times ......... 27

Figure 0.29 Dorrigo Water Supply Drought Management Process .................................................. 28

Figure 0.30 Dorrigo Water Supply Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measure Timing ....................................................................................................................... 29

Figure 0.31 Dorrigo Water Supply Minimum Waiting Times ............................................................ 30

Figure 0.32 Local Water Supply Opportunities for LBWSS.............................................................. 38

Figure 0.33 Location of Bellinger Up-River Alluvial Aquifer Source ................................................. 39

Figure 0.34 Location of Bellinger Coastal Floodplain Alluvial Aquifer Source .................................. 42


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Tables

Table 0.1 Water Extraction Licences for the Bellinger River Alluvial Water Source ........................... 4

Table 0.2 Daily Extraction Limit for Bellingen Borefield ..................................................................... 5

Table 0.3 Bellingen Borefield Capacity.............................................................................................. 5

Table 0.4 Total Daily Extraction Limits for Zone 2 of the Dorrigo Plateau Surface Water Source ...... 6

Table 0.5 Dorrigo Water Supply Extraction Capacity......................................................................... 6

Table 0.6 Lower Bellinger Water Supply System Components and Capacity .................................... 7

Table 0.7 Dorrigo Water Supply System Components and Capacity................................................. 8

Table 0.8 Bellingen Shire Council Water Restriction Policy............................................................... 9

Table 0.9 Bellinger River Gauge Station Details ............................................................................. 13

Table 0.10 Ranked Annual Flows for Stream Gauge 205002............................................................ 2

Table 0.11 Bellinger River Gauge Station Details.............................................................................. 5

Table 0.12 Ranked Annual Flows for Stream Gauge 204017............................................................ 6

Table 0.13 Serviced Populations for the Two Water Supply Systems ............................................... 8

Table 0.14 History of Water Pricing for Bellingen Shire Council ...................................................... 10

Table 0.15 Average Water Demands for the LBWSS by Customer Type ........................................ 11

Table 0.16 Average Water Demands for the DWSS by Customer Type.......................................... 12

Table 0.17 LBWSS Drought Customer Performance ...................................................................... 15

Table 0.18 Effect of Restrictions on Demands for the LBWSS ........................................................ 17

Table 0.19 DWSS Drought Customer Performance ........................................................................ 18

Table 0.20 Effect of Restrictions on Demands for the DWSS.......................................................... 19

Table 0.21 Minimum Streamflows in Bellinger River at Thora ......................................................... 21

Table 0.22 Minimum Streamflows in Bielsdown River D/S of Dorrigo.............................................. 23

Table 0.23 Minimum Restricted Residential Demand During the 2002/03 Drought ......................... 31

Table 0.24 Distribution of Residential Demands in 02/03 Drought................................................... 32

Table 0.25 Summary of Internal Water Efficiency Savings for Drought in 2016............................... 32

Table 0.26 Major Water Users in the LBWSS ................................................................................. 33

Table 0.27 Major Water Users in the DWSS ................................................................................... 34

Table 0.28 Water Saving Implementation Costs ............................................................................. 36

Table 0.29 Unavoidable Leakage for the LBWSS and DWSS in 2016 ............................................ 36

Table 0.30 Groundwater Quality Results for the Bellinger Up-River Alluvial Aquifer........................ 40

Table 0.31 Groundwater Quality Results for the Bellinger Coastal Floodplain Alluvial Aquifer......... 43

Table 0.32 Comparison of Emergency Measures for the LBWSS ................................................... 45

Table 0.33 Comparison of Emergency Measures for the DWSS..................................................... 46

Table 0.34 Emergency Measure Social, Environmental and Risk Factors....................................... 47


NSW Public Works Page 1

1 Introduction

1.1 Location The Bellingen Shire Council (BSC) governs an area of 160,300 ha on the NSW North Coast and is responsible for delivering water and wastewater services to approximately 13.400 people living permanently in the shire (Ref. 1). Figure 1 below contains a diagram of Bellingen Shire showing the location of the major urban centres i.e. Bellingen, Urunga, Dorrigo, Raleigh, Repton, Mylestom and Fernmount.

Figure 1 Location of Bellingen Shire

The major industries of the area include tourism, agriculture, and a dairy processing plant in the Raleigh area. The demand placed on the water and wastewater infrastructure is highly seasonal due to the large influx of tourists during the holiday periods.

1.2 Plan Context This Draft Drought Management Plan (DMP) and Drought Emergency Response Strategy (ERS) have been prepared to manage the extended drought of 2002/03. This draft DMP and Drought ERS is now a plan for managing the future drought events based on existing headwork arrangements and demographic and water cycle projections to 2016.

Although this plan outlines the drought management process and emergency response measures, it is important that it be reviewed, at least on a 5-year cycle, to capture the change in the operating environment and at the beginning of a drought as the impact of every drought is likely to be different.



1.3 Plan Objective The primary objective of any drought management activity for a local water utility is to provide its customers with access to water to meet the basic requirements of maintaining community health and hygiene during drought. This plan provides the overall process and emergency response measures to achieve this objective. The specific objectives of this plan are to:

• Outline the recent drought performance for future reference;

• Develop the drought management process and the activities there in; and

• Develop the drought ERS together with the associated logistical, resource and compliance requirements.

1.4 Plan Structure Figure 0.2 outlines the structure of this drought management plan. Appendix G outlines how this plan complies with the NOW Best Practice Management Guidelines for Drought Management (Ref. 3).

Figure 0.2 BSC Drought Management Plan Structure



2 Background

2.1 Existing Schemes The Bellingen Shire has two water supply schemes; the Lower Bellingen Water Supply Scheme (LBWSS) and the Dorrigo Water Supply Scheme (DWSS).

Lower Bellinger Water Supply

The original LBWSS was designed to serve the town of Bellingen and was subsequently extended in 1960 to cater for the coastal villages of Raleigh, Repton, Mylestom and the town of Urunga. The main sources of water are an infiltration well and three bores upstream of Bellingen known as the Bellingen Borefield.

Once water is extracted from the Bellingen Borefield, it is transferred to Bellingen Water Treatment Plan (WTP) before being pumped, via a balance tank, to either the Bellingen Town Reservoir or the Marx Hill Reservoirs. Bellingen Town Reservoir supplies Bellingen while the two Marx Hill reservoirs supply the remainder of the LBWSS. At Raleigh, the transfer network splits with a 250 mm AC main supplying Urunga Reservoir, and a separate 200/150 mm uPVC main feeding Repton Reservoir. Water is pumped from Repton Reservoir into O’Connors Reservoir through a 300 mm DICL rising main. A diagram of the LBWSS is included in Appendix A.

Dorrigo Water Supply

The DWSS serves the town of Dorrigo and the surrounding rural residential, farming and commercial developments. The DWSS sources water primarily from the Bielsdown River through a run-of the river raw water pumping station. During low flows however BSC is required to cease extraction from the Bielsdown River and instead pump water from an on-stream storage on Rocky Creek (Ref. 4).

Once raw water is extracted from one of the raw water sources, it is transferred to the Dorrigo WTP where it is treated with lime (pH correction) and aluminium sulphate (flocculant) before entering a flocculant chamber and settling lagoon. The water then undergoes filtration (sand filters) before being stored in a clear water tank. Before water is pumped to one of the two Dorrigo Town reservoirs, it is dosed with chlorine and lime. From here treated water gravitates to DWSS customers. A diagram of the DWSS is included in Appendix A.

2.1.1 System Capacity


Aquifer The Bellingen Borefield is sunk into the upriver component of the Bellinger River Alluvial Water Source (Ref. 10). Table 0.1 shows a summary of the licensed extraction for the aquifer (Ref. 11).



Table 0.1 Water Extraction Licences for the Belling er River Alluvial Water Source

Groundwater User / Parameter Entitlement / Flux (ML/a)

Recharge 9,101

Total Licensed Entitlement 1,683

Town Water Supply 1,613

Irrigation 70

Figure 0.3 shows the layout of the production bores in the Bellingen Borefield.

Figure 0.3 BSC Bellingen Borefield

The Bellingen Borefield is located under a large alluvial flat of approximately 60 Ha, immediately upstream of Bellingen on the right bank of the Bellinger River (Ref. 9). The Bellingen Borefield has been the subject of a number of investigations since 2003, with the objective of determining recharge relationships, Bellinger River interactions and a safe yield. As part of these investigations (Ref. 15 to 17), it has been established that there is a strong hydraulic connection with the Bellinger River in the vicinity of the Bellinger Borefield, and groundwater levels show a strong repose to changes in river levels (Ref. 15).

An initial Bellingen Borefield safe yield estimate (defined by setting the safe yield equal to recharge plus induced recharge) of 1,500 ML/a was made in 2003 (Ref. 17), however this estimate was qualified by expressing the need for numerical modelling of the aquifer and guidance from DNR with regards to reducing groundwater extraction during low flow events in the Bellinger River. The



numerical modelling of the aquifer was undertaken in 2005 (Ref. 16) and involved the simulation of three extraction scenarios.

Council’s annual water extraction licence for the Bellingen Borefield is set at 1,613 ML/a while there are requirements attached to the licence to enforce customer restrictions on the LBWSS customers when flows in the Bellinger River drop to low levels (Ref. 13). Table 0.2 summarises the restriction the daily limits placed on extraction for the Bellingen Borefield.

Table 0.2 Daily Extraction Limit for Bellingen Bore field

Streamflow @ Thora (205002) No. of days of continuous flow for Restriction to be Triggered

%ile ML/d

Restriction Level September to

March April to August

90th 47 1 5 10

95th 31 2 5 10

98th 23 3 5 10

100th 5 Total Daily Extraction

Limit = 5.5 ML/d N/A N/A

Note that in Table 0.2 the streamflow reference point for the triggering of restrictions is at Thora (205002), some 18 km upstream of the Bellingen Borefield. Another stream gauge was installed in July 2007 in the Bellinger River at Fosters (205016) with much closer proximity to the Bellingen Borefield (1 km upstream). It is understood that streamflow levels at 205016 will ultimately be used as the trigger for customer restrictions once sufficient data is collected (Ref. 13).

The tidal limit for Bellinger River has been extended from the previous boundary (downstream of the borefied) to a gravel bar 1.6 km upstream from the Bellingen town (Ref 10).

Bores and Infiltration Well Table 0.3 shows the installed pumping capacity and the known maximum yield of the Bellingen Borefield.

Table 0.3 Bellingen Borefield Capacity

Pumping Capacity Bore Yield Bore

ML/d L/s ML/d L/s

Infiltration Well 5.0 63.0 4.9 62.0

Bore 01 1.6 20.0 0.6 8.0

Bore 02 2.9 37.0 1.4 18.1

Bore 03 0.8 10.0 2.1 26.0

TOTAL 10.3 129.9 9.0 114.0

1 Groundwater work yields were estimated in 2003 (Ref. 15) assuming 22 hours pumping. 2 Water has not been extracted from Bore 3 during 2004 to April 2009 (Ref. 15) due to elevated

concentrations of iron. Thus the reduced Bellingen Borefield Yield is 7.0 ML/d or 88 L/s.




Extraction from Natural Systems Both the Bielsdown River and Rocky Creek fall within Zone 2 of the Dorrigo Plateau Surface Water Source (Ref. 5). Extraction from this source is subject to daily limits depending on a given flow class (determined at Gauging Station 204017). Table 0.4 shows the Total Daily Extraction Limit as well as local water utility extraction limits in this water source.

Table 0.4 Total Daily Extraction Limits for Zone 2 of the Dorrigo Plateau Surface Water Source

Flow Class Flow Range (ML/d) Total Daily Extraction Limit (ML/d)

Local Water Utility (ML/d)

Very Low <23 1.5 1.5

A 23 – 60 36 3.0

B 60 – 128 51.2 4.5

C >128 69 7.0

The DWSS water extraction licence states that during low flows (<20 ML/d at Gauging Station 204017), BSC is required to cease extraction from the Bielsdown River and instead pump water from an on-stream storage on Rocky Creek through a 150 mm centrifugal raw water pump (Ref. 4). The annual extraction limit is set at 300 ML/a.

River Water Extraction Table 0.5 shows the capacity of the raw water extraction for the DWSS.

Table 0.5 Dorrigo Water Supply Extraction Capacity

Infrastructure Type Infrastructure Name Capacity

Raw Water Storage Rocky Creek On-Stream Storage (weir-pool) 20 ML

Bielsdown River Intake Pump Unknown ML/d Unknown L/s

Rocky Creek Intake Pump Unknown ML/d Unknown L/s River Pumps

TOTAL 2.69 ML/d 34.0 L/s

2.1.2 System Details


Table 0.6 outlines the remaining components of the LBWSS and their corresponding capacity. A picture of the LBWSS can be seen in Appendix A.



Table 0.6 Lower Bellinger Water Supply System Compo nents and Capacity

Infrastructure Component Infrastructure ID Capacity

Balance Tank TWL 20.67 1.45 ML

Bellingen Reservoir TWL 93.47 0.88 ML

Marx Hill 1 Reservoir TWL 88.57 1.27 ML

Marx Hill 2 Reservoir TWL 87.572 2.40 ML

Urunga Reservoir TWL 45.90 1.25 ML

Repton Reservoir TWL 46.41 0.65 ML

O’Connor Road Reservoir

TWL 70.90 2.70 ML

Raleigh Reservoir TWL 78.20 5.0 ML

Potable Water Storage

Raleigh Dam TWL 23.16 54 ML

Length or Raw Water Main 1.2 km

Length of Reticulation Main 94.9 km

Length of Scour Main 0.2 km Transfer

Length of Transfer Main 39.4 km

Treatment ph correction, chlorination and fluoridation 11.2 ML/d

1 Raleigh Dam is not currently connected to the LBWSS 2 This limits the capacity of the combined Marx Hill Reservoirs from 3.67 ML to 3.39 ML


Table 0.7 outlines the remaining components of the DWSS and their corresponding capacity. A picture of the DWSS can be seen in Appendix A.



Table 0.7 Dorrigo Water Supply System Components an d Capacity

Infrastructure Component Infrastructure ID Capacity

Reservoir 1 1.6 ML Potable Water Storage

Reservoir 2 1.1 ML

Length or Raw Water Main 3.0 km

Length of Reticulation Main 25.9 km

Length of Scour Main 0.4 km Transfer

Length of Transfer Main 0.4 km

Treatment Flocculation, sedimentation, filtration and chlorination 2.7 ML/d

2.1.3 Water Restriction Policy

BSC has a water restriction policy consistent with the LGSA guidelines (Ref. 18) for residential and non-residential customers. Table 0.8 outlines the water restriction policy.



Table 0.8 Bellingen Shire Council Water Restriction Policy

Type of Consumer Level 1 Restriction Level 2 Restriction Level 3 Res triction Level 4 Restriction Level 5 Restriction Le vel 6 Restriction Fixed hoses andsprinklers are bannedat all times.

Fixed hoses andsprinklers are bannedat all times.


All external use ofwater is banned.


Single hand held perproperty allowed fortwo hours only on oddor even days matchingyour house numbereither between 6am -8am or 6pm – 8pm.

Single hand held perproperty allowed for ahour only on odd oreven days matchingyour house numbereither between 7am-8am or 7pm - 8pm.

Single hand held perproperty allowed forhalf hour only on oddor even days matchingyour house numbereither between 7am-7.30am or 7pm-7.30pm.

Use of grey water,recycled water andtreated effluent ispermitted.


On the 31st day of anymonth all watering isbanned.



Watering of gardensby buckets only.


No restrictionDo not leave hoserunning, consider acover using a triggernozzle.No restriction Do not leave hoserunning; consider acover using a triggernozzle.Banned Banned Banned Banned Banned Only permitted forhealth and safetyreasons inCommercial, Industrialand Public area.

Only permitted forhealth and safetyreasons inCommercial, Industrialand Public area.




Permissible duringallocated time asdefined for Gardens.

Permissible duringallocated time asdefined for Gardens


Filling banned, toppingup with hand held hosemax 2 hrs/day.


Filling banned, toppingup with hand held hosemax 0.5 hrs/day.

Outdoor showers No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Banned BannedAnimal washing No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Buckets Only Banned

Hand held hose Hand held hose Hand held hose 1 hr/day 7am- 8am 1/2 hr/day 7am-

7.30am1/2 hr/day 7am-7.30am

Boat and motor washing Commercial

No restriction Maximum 5 mins (afteruse)

Maximum 5 mins (afteruse)


Banned Banned

Hand held hose Hand held hose Hand held hose 1 hr/day 5pm- 6pm 1/2 hr/day 5pm-

5.30pm 1/2 hr/day 5pm-5.30pm

Outdoor showers No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Banned BannedHand held hose One hand held hose2hrs/day ½ hr/dayHand held hose2hrs/day

2hrs/day 2hrs/day 2hrs/day Hand held hoseNo fairway watering No fairway watering No fairway watering 2hrs/day

Washing motor vehicles

(Commercial)Hand held hose

1hr/dayHand held hose


2hrs/dayFilling bannedTopping up with handheld hose max 1hr/dayHand held hose2hrs/day

Paved public areasNo restriction 2hrs/day 2hrs/day 2hrs/day Buckets only except

where required by lawBanned except whererequired by law

Water cartage town supply

No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Internal domestic useonly with council permit

Internal domestic useonly with council permit

Auto flush toilets No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Banned BannedRoad construction No restriction Banned Banned Banned Banned Banned

Industrial/business/commercial operations

No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Council permit only forwet industries

Council permit only -all

Hand held hose2hrs/dayHand held hose2hrs/day

Animal washing No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Buckets Only Banned

No restriction Bucket only exceptwhere required by law

Pressure cleaning commercial

No restriction

Public toilets cleaning No restriction No restriction No restriction

No restriction No restriction

No restriction Banned

No restriction Council permit only


Building construction No restriction No restriction No restriction

Swimming pools commercial

No restriction No restriction No restriction


Washing of garbage trucks & street sweepers

No restriction

Brick cleaning, carpet cleaning, car detailing &

underboring



Bucket only Banned

No restriction Banned except whererequired by law


Washing of buses, taxis, ambulances & food

transport


No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction

Banned

Golf courses No restriction Banned

2hrs/day

Bowling greens, turf cricket wickets

No restriction 2hrs/day 2hrs/day 2hrs/day

Nurseries, commercial gardens

No restriction 2hrs/day 2hrs/day

Sport groundsNo restriction Banned Banned

Commercial/Industrial

Non Residential GardensNo restriction Banned Banned

Swimming pools

No restriction, considera cover to reduceevaporation.

Banned Banned

Washing of Driveways & paved areas

Banned

Boat and motor washing




Banned, Washing ofcar by buckets only

Banned

Banned Banned





Water Restriction LevelsGeneral Domestic

BELLINGEN SHIRE COUNCIL

Gardens

Sprinklers and fixedhoses are bannedbetween the hours of9am and 6pm. Norestriction on handheld hoses or waterefficient microsprinklers.



2.2 Climate and Streamflows

2.2.1 Climate

The climate of the Bellingen Shire is sub-tropical with warm, wet, humid summers and mild dry winters. Separate climatic summaries have been provided for the two water supply systems below.


The LWBSS has two distinct climatic zones; the inland and the coastal zones. For ease of reporting, the inland climatic zone has been summarised in the main body of this report.

Annual rainfall records are available from the Bellingen Post Office (59001) since 1889 to 1997 and Hydes St (59134) since 1997 to present. The recorded annual rainfall at those stations ranges from 588 mm (1902) to 3,413 mm (1974) with an average annual rainfall of 1,514mm. Figure 0.4 shows the long-term record of annual rainfall at Bellingen. The 10-year moving average has been consistent dropping below the average annual rainfall since 1996.

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ual R

ainf

all (

mm

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Figure 0.4 Historical Annual Rainfall at Bellingen

Figure 0.5 shows the average monthly variation in rainfall, evaporation, mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures at Bellingen using data from the two Bellingen BOM stations. Figure 0.5 shows that the majority of rainfall recorded at this station was in the late summer months, while late winter and early spring is the driest period. The maximum average monthly rainfall is 214 mm in March while the minimum average value is 55 mm in September. Evaporation is greater than rainfall (on average) from August to December.



Figure 0.5 Average Monthly Climatic Statistics at B ellingen


Annual rainfall records are available for the Dorrigo Post Office (59013) from 1905 to 2002 and Dorrigo (Old Coramba Road) (59140) from 1997 to present. The recorded annual rainfall at this station ranges from 971 mm (1965) to 3,867 mm (1974) with an average annual rainfall of 2,008 mm. Figure 0.6 shows the long-term record of annual rainfall at Dorrigo.

Figure 0.7 shows the average monthly variation in rainfall, evaporation, mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures at Dorrigo using data from the two Bellingen BOM stations. Figure 0.7 shows that the majority of rainfall recorded at this station was in the late summer months, while late winter and early spring is the driest period. The maximum average monthly rainfall is 293 mm in March while the minimum average value is 68 mm in September.



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Ann

ual R

ainf

all (

mm

)

Annual Rainfall

LT Average

10-yr moving average

Figure 0.6 Historical Annual Rainfall at Dorrigo

Figure 0.7 Average Monthly Climatic Statistics at D orrigo



2.2.2 Streamflow


There are two stream gauges on the Bellinger River with flow; Bellinger River at Thora (205002) and Bellinger River at Foster (205016). Table 0.9 summarises key data for each of these gauging stations.

Table 0.9 Bellinger River Gauge Station Details

Station Name Bellinger River @ Thora Bellinger River @ Foster

Station No 205002 205016

Catchment Area (km2) 433 642

Distance upstream of Bellingen Borefield (km)

17.9 0.9

Length of Record (years) 29.4 4.6

Mean Annual Flow (ML) 246,449 733,347

Driest 12-months on record (ML) 35,964 1 332,308 2

0 133,044 3 88,070 4

50th 208 771

80th 82 348

90th 52 252

95th 34 184

99th 20 89

Dai

ly F

low

per

cent

ile (

ML/

d)

100th 4.9 5 64 6

1. 12-months to February 2002

2. 12 months to February 2009

3. 9th March 2001

4. 22nd May 2009

5. 13th November 1994

6. 13th August 2007



Table 0.9 shows that Station 205016 is a better representative of flows in the Bellinger River passing the Bellingen Borefield due to its close proximity. However, due to the short record of available data at Station 205016, Station 205002 will be relied upon for streamflow reporting as part of the DMP.

Figure 0.8 shows the annual streamflow record at the two stations. Figure 0.8 shows that annual flows at stream gauge 205002 exhibit great variability. The average annual streamflow for the period of record is 246 GL.

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trea

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w (

ML)

Thora (205002)

Fosters (205016)

LT Average (205002)

10-yr moving average (205002)

Figure 0.8 Annual Streamflow Record in the Bellinge r River

Table 0.10 shows the lowest 10 annual gauge readings in the 29 years of records at Station 205002.

Table 0.10 Ranked Annual Flows for Stream Gauge 205 002

Rank Year Annual Streamflow (GL)

1 2002 51.4

2 1998 70.9

3 1994 85.7

4 2003 86.6

5 1987 89.3

6 1993 90.2

7 2007 95.1



8 1991 99.4

9 2004 136.9

10 1995 174.7

Table 0.10 shows that 2002 was the driest water year (i.e. the 2001/02 financial year) over the 29 years of record. Note that the 12-months to February 2002 recorded a flow of 36.0 GL, considerably less than the 2002 water year.

Figure 0.9 shows the average and 2002 water year monthly streamflows in the Bellinger River at Thora.

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

July August September October November December January February March April May June

Mon

thly

Str

eam

flow

(M

L)

Av 205002

2002 Water Year 205002

Figure 0.9 Monthly Streamflows at Gauging Station 2 05002

It can be seen in Figure 0.9 that the highest average monthly flows occur during summer and autumn corresponding to high urban water demand periods (see Section 2.3.4), while the lowest average monthly flows are during late winter and early spring. The highest average monthly flow is 50,419 ML in March while the lowest monthly average is 5,517 ML in September. Figure 0.9 also shows that the 2002 water year monthly flows were significantly lower than the average.


Stream gauge 204017 is located approximately 1 km downstream of the confluence of Bieldsdown River and Rock Creek. Figure 0.10 shows the location of this stream gauge as well as the extraction points for the DWSS.



Figure 0.10 Location of Stream Gauge 204017

Table 0.11 summarises key data for gauging station 204017.



Table 0.11 Bellinger River Gauge Station Details

Station Name Bielsdown Creek at Dorrigo No. 2 and No. 3

Station No 204017

Catchment Area (km2) 76

Bielsdown River 8.2 Distance downstream (km) of Dorrigo Water Supply off

take Rocky Creek 8.6

Length of Record (years) 40.4

Mean Annual Flow (ML) 100,226

Driest 12-months on record (ML) 21,061 1

0 30,952 2

50th 118

80th 53

90th 37

95th 28

99th 16

Dai

ly F

low

per

cent

ile (

ML/

d)

100th 5.1 3

1. 12-months to August 2002

2. 9th March 2001

3. 11th November 1994

Figure 0.11 shows the annual streamflow record at stream gauge 204017. Figure 0.11 shows that annual flows at stream gauge 204017 exhibit great variability. The average annual streamflow for the period of record is 100 GL. The 10-year moving average has been consistently less than the long term average streamflow since 1997.



0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

1971

1973

1975

1977

1979

1981

1983

1985

1987

1989

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

2009

2011

Ann

ual S

trea

mflo

w (

ML)

Bielsdown River (204017)

LT Average (204017)

10-yr moving average (204017)

Figure 0.11 Annual Streamflow Record for Station 20 4017

Table 0.12 shows the lowest 10 annual gauge readings in the 40 years of records at Station 204017.

Table 0.12 Ranked Annual Flows for Stream Gauge 204 017

Rank Year Annual Streamflow (GL)

1 2002 23.1

2 1980 35.3

3 1998 36.0

4 1975 46.3

5 2003 48.4

6 2007 48.6

7 1991 52.4

8 1993 52.6

9 2004 56.7

10 1987 56.8

Table 0.12 shows that, as for the Bellinger River, 2002 was the driest water year over the 40 years of record. Note that the 12-months to August 2002 recorded a flow of 21.1 GL, slightly less than the 2002 water year.



Figure 0.12 shows the average and 2002 water year monthly streamflows in the Bielsdown River downstream of Dorrigo.

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000


Mon

thly

Str

eam

flow

(M

L)

Av 204017

2002 Water Year 204017

Figure 0.12 Monthly Streamflows at Gauging Station 204017

It can be seen in Figure 0.12 that the highest average monthly flows occur during summer and autumn corresponding to high urban water demand periods (see Section 2.3.4), while the lowest average monthly flows are during late winter and early spring. The highest average monthly flow is 19,805 ML in March while the lowest monthly average is 2,892 ML in September. Figure 0.12 also shows that the 2002 water year monthly flows were significantly lower than the average.

2.3 Connected Population and Consumption

2.3.1 Connected Population

The following population groups have been considered for preparation of this DMP:

• Permanent connected population;

• Peak connected population (including visitor numbers); and

• Unconnected permanent population.

Unconnected population represents a potential drought dependent population for water carting.

Table 0.13 shows these three historical and projected population groups for both the DWSS and LBWSS. The numbers in Table 0.13 have been adapted from the recently completed Demographic and Water Cycle Project Report (Ref. 14).



Table 0.13 Serviced Populations for the Two Water S upply Systems

Urban Water System

Population Group 2001 2006 2011 2016

Permanent 7,725 8,158 8,229 8,367

Visitor 2,200 2,382 2,512 2,533

Peak 9,925 10,540 10,811 10,900

Lower Bellingen

Water Supply

Unconnected 2,619 2,432 2,643 2,792

Permanent 1,166 1,225 1,225 1,248

Visitor 141 142 142 144

Peak 1,307 1,367 1,366 1,392


Unconnected 1,221 1,134 1,233 1,302

2.3.2 Historical Consumption


Figure 0.13 shows the historical annual production (i.e. treated water leaving the Bellingen WTP), customer consumption and non-revenue water (NRW) for the LBWSS.

0

200

400

600

800

1,000

1,200

1,400

1,600

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Ann

ual P

rodu

ctio

n (M

L)

Production

Consumption

Non Revenue Water

Figure 0.13 Historical Annual Water Consumption for the LBWSS



Figure 0.13 shows that NRW performance of the LWBSS has improved dramatically between 1998 and 2008. During this period, BSC has undertaken a number of leakage reduction measures resulting in a relatively constant level of production over the historic record, even though the permanent connected population has increased from 7,315 in 1996 to 8,334 in 2009 (Ref. 14).


Figure 0.14 shows the historical annual production (i.e. treated water leaving the Dorrigo WTP), customer consumption and NRW for the DWSS.

0

50

100

150

200

250

2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008

Ann

ual P

rodu

ctio

n (M

L)

Production

Consumption

Non Revenue Water

Figure 0.14 Historical Annual Water Consumption for the DWSS

Figure 0.14 shows that NRW performance of the DBSS has improved dramatically between 2001 and 2008. During this period, BSC has undertaken a number of leakage reduction measures resulting in a reduced level of production over the historic record, even though the permanent connected population has increased from 1,166 in 2001 to 1,223 in 2009 (Ref. 14).

Water Pricing

BSC currently has applies a two-part tariff for both residential and non-residential customers. Table 0.14 summarises the recent history of water charges for customers connected to both the LBWSS and DWSS.



Table 0.14 History of Water Pricing for Bellingen S hire Council

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012

Tariff Type Two-Part Two-Part Two-Part Two-Part

Access Charge ($) / connection 211 228 242 123

Block 1 (0-365 kL)

0.90 0.98 1.03 1.60 Residential Customers

Usage Charge ($/kL)

Block 2 (>365 kL) 1.35 1.47 1.55 2.40

2.3.3 Types of Urban Water Customers

To investigate the possibilities for reducing water demand in times of drought, it is necessary to understand customer group consumption. To undertake this customer analysis, metered water consumption was linked to customer category.


Figure 0.15 shows the adopted customer consumption water usage split for the LBWSS for an average climatic year.

Residential 37%

Industrial3%

Tourism5%

Institutional2%

Council6%

Farm5%

Commercial5%

Rural Residential15%

NRW22%

Figure 0.15 Lower Bellinger Type Water Usage Split



Figure 0.15 shows that residential users account for about 37% of the total production in the LBWSS. Table 0.15 shows the average daily demand for the customer categories connected to the LBWSS. Data for both Figure 0.15 and Table 0.15 were sourced from Ref. 14.

Table 0.15 Average Water Demands for the LBWSS by C ustomer Type

Customer Type Average Demand (ML/d)

Residential 1.25

Rural Residential 0.47

Farm 0.17

Industrial 0.08

Tourism 0.16

Institutional 0.06

Council 0.19

Commercial 0.15

NRW 0.72

TOTAL 3.24


Figure 0.16 shows the adopted customer consumption water usage split for the DWSS for an average climatic year.

Residential 49% Industrial

0%

Tourism4%

Institutional4%

Council6%

Farm7%

Commercial14%

Rural Residential4%

NRW12%

Figure 0.16 Dorrigo Type Water Usage Split



Figure 0.16 shows that residential users account for about 49% of the total production in the DWSS. Table 0.16 shows the average daily demand for the customer categories connected to the DWSS. Data for both Figure 0.16 and Table 0.16 were sourced from Ref. 14.

Table 0.16 Average Water Demands for the DWSS by Cu stomer Type

Customer Type Average Demand (ML/d)

Residential 0.22

Rural Residential 0.02

Farm 0.03

Industrial 0.00

Tourism 0.02

Institutional 0.02

Council 0.03

Commercial 0.06

NRW 0.05

TOTAL 0.45

2.3.4 Seasonal Variation of Water Consumption

Urban demand has a high seasonal component and fluctuates throughout the year. Factors influencing the urban demand within BSC service area include increased domestic outdoor usage during the hot summer months, tourist, commercial and Industrial demand, and increased rural demand during hotter times.


Figure 0.17 outlines the average monthly production for the LBWSS from 1991 to 2009, as well as the monthly demands for the 1992 and 2002 water years. These two water years have been included in Figure 0.17 as they are representative of drought-affected demands.



60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160


Mon

thly

Pro

duct

ion

(ML)

Mean

2002 water year

1992 water year

Note: Level 2 restrictions were in place from 5 January 2002 to 6 February 2002.

Figure 0.17 Monthly Production for the LBWSS

Figure 0.17 shows that the average monthly production is highest in January and October (117 ML). It is expected that the dual impacts of warmer climate and increased tourism are the sources of this increased demand. The average water consumption is the lowest (90 ML) in June, when both climate and tourism impacts are low. It is assumed that the NRW component of the 1992 water year demands was high (see Figure 0.13). The 2002 water year demands were significantly higher than the average during October, December and January. Water restrictions were placed on customers from 5 January 2002 to 6 February 2002 to minimise production. Discussion of drought performance for the LBWSS is undertaken in Section 2.4.


Figure 0.18 outlines the average monthly production for the DWSS from 2000 to 2009, as well as the monthly demands for the 2002 water year. The 2002 water year has been included in Figure 0.18 as it is representative of drought-affected demands.



0

5

10

15

20

25

30


Mon

thly

Pro

duct

ion

(ML)

Mean

2002 water year

Note: Level 2 restrictions were in place from 5 January 2002 to 6 February 2002.

Figure 0.18 Monthly Production for the DWSS

Figure 0.18 shows that the average monthly production is highest in December and October (18 ML). It is expected that the dual impacts of warmer climate and increased tourism are the sources of this increased demand. The average water consumption is the lowest (13.6 ML) in June, when both climate and tourism impacts are low. The 2002 water year demands were significantly higher than the average from October to March. Water restrictions were placed on customers from 5 January 2002 to 6 February 2002 to minimise production. Discussion of drought performance for the DWSS is undertaken in Section 2.4.

2.3.5 Treated Effluent Reuse

Currently BSC is not reusing effluent from any of the BSC operated Sewage Treatment Plants (STP). NSW Public Works understands that there are currently no plans to reuse treated effluent in the future.

2.4 Drought Performance Bellingen Shire has experienced two droughts in the last 16 years namely 1994 and 2002 financial year. The following sections outline the performance of consumers and natural systems of the LBWSS and DWSS under drought conditions.

2.4.1 Historical Consumption


Table 0.17 shows how restrictions have reduced average daily demands of the LBWSS during these periods.



Table 0.17 LBWSS Drought Customer Performance

Restriction Dates Average (ML/d) Restriction Level

Start Stop Production NRW Cons

2 10-Oct-94 16-Nov-94 3.53 2.00 1.53

3 17-Nov-94 06-Dec-94 3.11 2.00 1.11

1 30-Dec-94 10-Jan-95 3.40 2.00 1.40

2 20-Sep-00 20-Nov-00 3.37 1.26 2.11

2 5-Jan-02 6-Feb-02 4.14 1.21 2.93

2 23-Oct-02 25-Feb-03 3.70 0.81 2.89

Historical unrestricted average demands in summer months for the LBWSS have been in the range 2.7 to 4.8 ML/d and in drought conditions it would be expected that unrestricted demands would be towards the high end of this range. Based on the demands recorded during the drought periods shown in Table 0.17, it could be said that restrictions clearly have been effective in reducing average demand.

Figure 0.19 shows the LBWSS production during the summers of 2001/02 and 2002/03 as well as the periods when Level 2 restrictions were imposed.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

Dai

ly D

eman

d (M

L/d)

2002 (7-day average)


2002 L2 Restrictions


Figure 0.19 Drought Performance of Customers Connec ted to the LBWSS



From Figure 0.19 the following observations can be made:

• Level 2 restrictions were highly effective in reducing summer demands during the peak visitor period; and

• Customer responses were highly elastic to both the imposition and lifting of restrictions.

The above customer responses suggest that the “effectiveness” of restrictions is dependent on the season in which it is imposed. Thus it is important that BSC’s future restriction policy and its application take seasonal effects into account.

Table 0.18 shows an estimate of the impact of restrictions on customer consumption demands during the restriction periods.



Table 0.18 Effect of Restrictions on Demands for th e LBWSS

Ave

rage

Res

C

onsu

mpt

ion

Ave

rage

Far

m

Con

sum

ptio

n

Ave

rage

Non

-R

es

Con

sum

ptio

n

Ave

rage

NR

W

Tot

al

Pro

duct

ion

Comments Period Level

ML/d 1 L/p/d 1 ML/d ML/d ML/d ML/d

Average Year

N/A 1.52 216 0.17 0.64 0.72 3.24 This was taken from Ref. 14 as the climate corrected average year.

30 Dec 94 to 10 Jan

95 1 1.22 175 0.04 0.14 2.00 3.40

Restrictions were imposed during the peak visitor period. The estimated permanent residential population was 6,968 (Ref. 14).

10 Oct 94 to 16 Nov

94 2 1.32 189 0.08 0.14 2.00 3.53

17 Nov 94 to 6 Dec

94 3 0.90 129 0.08 0.14 2.00 3.11

The estimated permanent residential population was 6,960 (Ref. 14).

20 Sep to 20 Nov 00

2 1.59 214 0.10 0.41 1.26 3.37 The estimated permanent residential population was 7,428 (Ref. 14).

5 Jan 02 to 6 Feb

02 2 2.10 280 0.27 0.56 1.21 4.14


23 Oct 02 to 25 Feb

03 2 2.08 274 0.25 0.57 0.81 3.70


1. Residential consumption and population includes rural residential

From Table 0.18 it would seem reasonable to assume that Level 3 restrictions have reduced residential consumption to 140 L/p/d (1994) compared to an average residential demand of 233 L/p/d. It is difficult to comment on the impacts of non-residential demand during the 1994 drought as the levels of NRW were very high during this period. It does appear that non-residential demand has been reduced during the 2002 and 2003 droughts compared to the average.


Table 0.19 shows how restrictions have reduced average daily demands of the DWSS during these periods.



Table 0.19 DWSS Drought Customer Performance

Restriction Dates Average (ML/d) Restriction Level

Start Stop Production NRW Cons

2 20-Sep-00 20-Nov-00 0.54 0.27 0.27

2 5-Jan-02 6-Feb-02 0.66 0.26 0.40

2 23-Oct-02 25-Feb-03 0.56 0.17 0.39

Historical unrestricted average demands in summer months for the DWSS have been in the range 0.3 to 0.8 ML/d and in drought conditions it would be expected that unrestricted demands would be towards the high end of this range. Based on the demands recorded during the drought periods shown in Table 0.19, it could be said that restrictions clearly have been effective in reducing average demand.

Figure 0.20 shows the LBWSS production during the summers of 2001/02 and 2002/03 as well as the periods when Level 2 restrictions were imposed.

0.3

0.4

0.5

0.6

0.7

0.8

0.9

1

Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb

Dai

ly D

eman

d (M

L/d)





Figure 0.20 Drought Performance of Customers Connec ted to the DWSS

From Figure 0.20 the following observations can be made:

• Level 2 restrictions were highly effective in reducing summer demands during the peak visitor period; and



• Customer responses were highly elastic to both the imposition and lifting of restrictions.

The above customer responses reinforce that the “effectiveness” of restrictions is dependent on the season in which it is imposed.

Table 0.20 shows an estimate of the impact of restrictions on customer consumption demands during the restriction periods.

Table 0.20 Effect of Restrictions on Demands for th e DWSS A

vera

ge R

es

Con

sum

ptio

n

Ave

rage

Far

m

Con

sum

ptio

n

Ave

rage

Non

-R

es

Con

sum

ptio

n

Ave

rage

NR

W

Tot

al

Pro

duct

ion

Period Level

ML/d 1 L/p/d 1 ML/d ML/d ML/d ML/d

Comments

Average Year

N/A 0.24 210 0.03 0.13 0.05 0.45 This was taken from Ref. 14 as the climate corrected average year.

20 Sep 00 to 20 Nov

00 2 0.20 168 0.02 0.05 0.27 0.54


5 Jan 02 to 6 Feb

02 2 0.24 209 0.08 0.08 0.26 0.66


23 Oct 02 to 25 Feb

03 2 0.26 222 0.05 0.08 0.17 0.56


1. Residential consumption and population includes rural residential

From Table 0.20 it would seem reasonable to assume that Level 2 restrictions have reduced residential consumption to 209 L/p/d. It does appear that non-residential demand has been reduced during the 2002 and 2003 droughts compared to the average.



2.4.2 Natural Systems


Figure 0.21 and Figure 0.22 show how restrictions were imposed during the 1994 and 2003 droughts in response to dropping flows in the Bellinger River.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1-A

ug

8-A

ug

15-A

ug

22-A

ug

29-A

ug

5-S

ep

12-S

ep

19-S

ep

26-S

ep

3-O

ct

10-O

ct

17-O

ct

24-O

ct

31-O

ct

7-N

ov

14-N

ov

21-N

ov

28-N

ov

5-D

ec

12-D

ec

19-D

ec

26-D

ec

2-Ja

n

9-Ja

n

16-J

an

23-J

an

30-J

an

Pro

duct

ion

(ML/

d)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Str

eam

flow

(M

L/d)

Production

Restrictions

Streamflow @ Thora

7 per. Mov. Avg. (Production)

Figure 0.21 Streamflow in Bellinger River During 19 94 Drought

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1-Aug

8-Aug

15-A

ug

22-A

ug

29-A

ug

5-Sep

12-S

ep

19-S

ep

26-S

ep3-

Oct

10-O

ct

17-O

ct

24-O

ct

31-O

ct

7-Nov

14-N

ov

21-N

ov

28-N

ov

5-Dec

12-D

ec

19-D

ec

26-D

ec2-

Jan

9-Ja

n

16-J

an

23-J

an

30-J

an

6-Feb

13-F

eb

20-F

eb

27-F

eb

Pro

duct

ion

(ML/

d)

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

Str

eam

flow

(M

L/d)

Production

Restrictions

Streamflow @ Thora


Figure 0.22 Streamflow in Bellinger River During 20 02/03 Drought



The following observations are noted in regards to Figure 0.21 and Figure 0.22:

• Streamflow in the Bellinger River was considerably less in 1994 than 2003 (see Table 0.21), triggering an increased level of customer restriction;

• There is generally an inverse relationship between streamflow and production as streamflow is a proxy indicator of rainfall;

• Although no data was available for groundwater levels in the Bellingen Borefield during the above drought events, it is assumed that groundwater levels would have dropped considerably during these periods (see Figure 0.23 and Ref. 15).

Table 0.21 Minimum Streamflows in Bellinger River a t Thora

Streamflow Days of Streamflow

ML ML/d

Period Ending on:

Estimated ARI (1 in x years) 1

7 44 6.2 15/11/1994 40

30 287 9.6 25/10/1994 90

60 673 11.2 15/11/1994 -

90 1,571 17.5 16/11/1994 85

120 2,662 22.2 16/11/1994 -

150 4,432 29.5 2/12/1994 -

365 35,964 98.5 22/2/2003 -

1. Average Recurrence Intervals were estimated using the low flow analysis for Bellinger River @ Thora provided by DPI (see Appendix D)

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

1-Ju

l

8-Ju

l

15-J

ul

22-J

ul

29-J

ul

5-A

ug

12-A

ug

19-A

ug

26-A

ug

2-S

ep

9-S

ep

16-S

ep

23-S

ep

30-S

ep

7-O

ct

14-O

ct

21-O

ct

28-O

ct

4-N

ov

11-N

ov

18-N

ov

25-N

ov

Pro

duct

ion

(ML/

d)

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

AH

D (

m)

Production RestrictionsRiver Level @ Thora River Level at FostersBore 1 (mean) Bore 2 (mean)Bore 3 (mean) Well (mean)7 per. Mov. Avg. (Production)

Figure 0.23 Relationship between Bellinger River Fl ows and Bellingen Borefield




Figure 0.24 and Figure 0.25 show how restrictions were imposed during the 2002 and 2003 droughts in response to dropping flows in the Bielsdown River.

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

1-Sep

8-Sep

15-S

ep

22-S

ep

29-S

ep6-

Oct

13-O

ct

20-O

ct

27-O

ct

3-Nov

10-N

ov

17-N

ov

24-N

ov

1-Dec

8-Dec

15-D

ec

22-D

ec

29-D

ec5-

Jan

12-J

an

19-J

an

26-J

an

2-Feb

9-Feb

16-F

eb

23-F

eb

Pro

duct

ion

/ Ext

ract

ion

(ML/

d)

0

30

60

90

120

150

180

Str

eam

flow

(M

L/d)

Production

Restrictions

Rocky Ck Extraction

Streamflow D/S of Dorrigo


Figure 0.24 Streamflow in Bielsdown River During 20 01/02 Drought

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

1-Sep

8-Sep

15-S

ep

22-S

ep

29-S

ep6-

Oct

13-O

ct

20-O

ct

27-O

ct

3-Nov

10-N

ov

17-N

ov

24-N

ov

1-Dec

8-Dec

15-D

ec

22-D

ec

29-D

ec5-

Jan

12-J

an

19-J

an

26-J

an

2-Feb

9-Feb

16-F

eb

23-F

eb

Pro

duct

ion/

Ext

ract

ion

(ML/

d)

0

30

60

90

120

150

180

Str

eam

flow

(M

L/d)

Production

Restrictions

Rocky Ck Extraction

Streamflow D/S of Dorrigo


Figure 0.25 Streamflow in Bielsdown River During 20 02/03 Drought



The following observations are noted in regards to Figure 0.24 and Figure 0.25:

• Streamflow in the Bielsdown River was considerably less in the 2001/02 event as opposed to the 2002/03 event. This lead to higher extraction from Rocky Creek in the 2001/02 event;

• There is generally an inverse relationship between streamflow and production as streamflow is a proxy indicator of rainfall;

• Although no data was available for production and extraction for the DWSS during 1994, it is assumed that extraction from Rocky Creek would have been considerably higher than the 2002 or 2003 events considering the very low streamflows during the 1994 event (see Table 0.22).

Table 0.22 Minimum Streamflows in Bielsdown River D /S of Dorrigo

Streamflow Days of Streamflow

ML ML/d

Period Ending on:

Estimated ARI (1 in x years)

7 47 6.7 12/11/1994 40

30 353 11.8 14/11/1994 25

60 862 14.4 15/11/1994 -

90 1,665 18.5 1/12/1994 100

120 2,674 22.3 30/11/1994 -

150 3,714 24.8 1/2/1981 -

365 21,061 57.7 21/8/2002 -

1. Average Recurrence Intervals were estimated using the low flow analysis for Bielsdown River (204017) provided by DPI (see Appendix D)



3 Drought Management Process Separate drought management processes have been developed for the LBWSS and DWSS. The same restriction policy applies to both water supply schemes, however the triggers, targets and actions are specific to each scheme. For each water supply scheme, the following has been prepared:

• A drought management process linking triggers, restrictions and actions;

• The timing of drought management and emergency response measures linked to BSC actions; and

• The remaining connected storage for each scheme along with the minimum time to move between levels based on the worst drought on record.

The drought management measures included in the drought management process are examined in Section 4.

3.1 Lower Bellinger Water Supply Figure 0.26 shows the overall drought management process for the Lower Bellinger Water Supply,

Figure 0.27 shows the timing of drought management and emergency response measures for the LBWSS together with BSC actions.

Figure 0.28 shows the remaining connected storage and minimum times between each restriction level for the LBWSS.

Note that the use of the Bellinger Alluvial Aquifer (whether it be the Up-river or Coastal Floodplain Component) should be first assessed through hydrogeological investigation.



Figure 0.26 Lower Bellinger Water Supply Drought Ma nagement Process



Figure 0.27 Lower Bellinger Water Supply Drought Ma nagement Process and Emergency Response Measure Tim ing



Figure 0.28 Lower Bellinger Water Supply Connected Storage and Minimum Waiting Times



3.2 Dorrigo Water Supply Figure 0.29 shows the overall drought management process for the Dorrigo Water Supply,

ALERT APPROVALS SPECIFIC TASKS COMPLIANCE/ MONITORING

� Community Re: Level 1 � Review and establish emergency � Police restriction levels� NOW Re: Restriction status Demand Reduction Program (DRP) � Issue warning to offenders

� Undertake Leakage desktop study� Activate Level 1 CommunicationStrategy (CS)� Rectify minor Leakages

� Community Re: Level 2 � BSC Re: ratify Leakage � Activate Level 2 CS � Police restriction levels� NOW Re: Restriction status Reduction Program (LRP) � Implement Leakage Monitoring � Fine offenders

Program (minor repairs)� Review drought indicatorsweekly at BOM Websites� Rectify major leaks

� Community Re: Level 3. � Activate Level 3 CS � Monitoring Leakage and� NOW Re: Restriction status � Review drought indicators weekly ensure that is less then 1 ILI� DPI Re: Rural extractions on � Police restriction LevelsBielsdown River and Rocky Ck. � Fine offenders

� Community Re: Level 4. � Activate Level 4 CS � Monitoring Leakage and� NOW and DPI Re: � Review drought indicators daily ensure that is less then 1 ILIRestriction status � Police restriction Levels� DPI Re: Rural extractions on � Fine offenders Bielsdown River and Rocky Ck.

� Community Re: Level 5. � DNP Re: Water carting � Plan for implementation of � Police restriction Levels� NOW and DPI Re: extraction licence intensive DRP � Fine offendersRestriction status � Activate Level 5 CS � Surprise Inspections� Dept. Health Re: Water Quality issues � Review Drought indicates daily � Zone residential meter

� Investigate and plan readingsnecessary resource for water carting

� Community Re: Level 6 � BSC Re: DISPLAN declaration LEMO � Finalise water carting resource� Local Emergency Management Officer (LEMO) � Activate Level 6 CS

assistant in coordination of resource management � Review drought indicates daily� Initiate sewage treatment plant performance monitoring� Investigate potential odour problem points

Refer to ERS for Extreme Emergency

16 ML/dGuage 0.45m

0.42 ML/dPredicted Rainfall

SOILevel 5

ACTIONSTRIGGERS RESTRICTIONS

1. Gauge 2. River Flow

3. Summer Urban Demand

4. Weather Forecast

Guage 0.55 m

0.69 ML/d

Predicted

Rainfall SOI

41ML/d Level 1

30 ML/dGuage 0.51 m


SOILevel 2

20 ML/d

Guage 0.48 m

Ex. Rocky Ck


SOI

Level 4

12 ML/dGuage 0.44 m


SOILevel 6

25 ML/dGuage 0.50 m 0.54 ML/d

Predicted Rainfall

SOILevel 3

Figure 0.29 Dorrigo Water Supply Drought Management Process



Figure 0.30 shows the timing of drought management and emergency response measures together with BSC actions.

Figure 0.30 Dorrigo Water Supply Drought Management Process and Emergency Response Measure Timing



Figure 0.31 shows the minimum times between each restriction level.

Figure 0.31 Dorrigo Water Supply Minimum Waiting Ti mes



4 Drought Management and Emergency Response Strategy Measures

4.1 Drought Management Measures Drought management measures consist of both demand reduction and the development of alternative supply source opportunities.

4.1.1 Demand Reduction Opportunities

Demand reduction opportunities are considered preventative measures, as demand reduction programs assist in reducing demand/consumption both in the short and long terms. In view of the long-term benefits, BSC should actively pursue the following opportunities on a ‘business as usual’ basis.

Communication

The communication of information between the water utility, relevant public authorities and the community is fundamental to the success of the demand reduction measures and in achieving the targets in this DMP. The two key components of any successful communication strategy are:

• The message being conveyed; and

• The medium used to convey that message.

It is not within the scope of this plan to develop a detailed communication strategy. It is essential, however, that any communication plan should notify customers and public authorities of what actions are required at each level of restrictions. It is understood BSC has an existing communication strategy. It is recommended that this strategy be reviewed and updated taking into account the outcomes from the 2002/03 drought event and the suggestion in this DMP.

Residential Water Savings Opportunities

Residential Demands during 2002/03 Drought As outlined in Section 2.4.1, residential customers serviced by the LBWSS and DWSS achieved water savings down to 274 and 222 L/p/d respectively during Level 2 restrictions in the 2002/03 drought. These reductions were for averages over the entire restriction period, including periods of wet weather. In order to remove the reduction in demand through wet conditions, these restriction periods were further examined to determine average per capita consumption during dry periods. Table 0.23 contains the outcome of this examination.

Table 0.23 Minimum Restricted Residential Demand Du ring the 2002/03 Drought

Minimum Residential Demand during Dry periods (L/p/ d) Season

LBWSS DWSS

Spring 283 250

Summer 316 282

Entire Restriction Period 274 222



Table 0.24 makes an estimate of the internal and external demand during the Level 2 restrictions.

Table 0.24 Distribution of Residential Demands in 0 2/03 Drought

End Use LBWSS (L/p/d) DWSS (L/p/d)

Toilet 31 38

Bath 3 4

Shower 58 73

Taps/Sinks 18 23

Dishwasher 3 4

Washing Machine 40 50

Leakage 8 10

Internal

Total 161 202

External 122 48 Spring

Total 283 250

External 155 80 Summer

Total 316 282

An internal residential demand reduction program could be implemented to target the following end uses:

• Toilets;

• Shower heads;

• Kitchen, laundry and bathroom taps; and

• Visible leaks.

Table 0.25 shows the summary internal water efficiency savings for each water supply in 2016 during a drought context. Details of this analysis can be seen in Appendix C.

Table 0.25 Summary of Internal Water Efficiency Sav ings for Drought in 2016

Internal Savings (L/p/d) Season

LBWSS DWSS

Cistern Displacement Device 2 3

Showerhead Replacement 6 4

Aerator Taps 4 0

Internal leak rectification 1 1

Total 13 8

These modest internal water savings are hindered somewhat by demand hardening in the residential sector, a common occurrence in the Australian urban water sector.



Non-Residential Water Savings Opportunities

Table 0.26 shows the major users connected to the LBWSS for the 2003 (drought) and 2009 water years. Note that the consumption for the 2009 water year is to March 2009 only.

Table 0.26 Major Water Users in the LBWSS

2003 2009 1 Rank

Type Name Location ML Type Name Location ML

1 Industrial Norco Raleigh 64.8 Commercial / Irrigation

Urunga Golf Course Urunga 12.8

2 Commercial / Irrigation

Bellingen Golf Club

Bellingen 9.9 Commercial / Irrigation

Connell Park Swimming Pool

Bellingen 12.3


Urunga Golf Course

Urunga 9.2 Tourism

Urunga Heads Caravan Park

Urunga 8.3

4 Tourism


Urunga 8.3 Commercial / Irrigation

Bellingen Gold Club

Bellingen 6.5

5 Industrial Repton Abattoir

Repton 7.6 Tourism

North Beach Caravan Park

Mylestom 6.2

6 Tourism Gundamin Caravan Park

Urunga 7.6 Industrial Norco Raleigh 5.7


Urunga Golf and Sports Club

Urunga 7.2 Irrigation Urunga Sports Ground

Urunga 4.8

8 Tourism

Bellinger River Tourist Park

Repton 3.6 Commercial / Irrigation

Urunga Golf and Sports Club

Urunga 4.1

9 Tourism Bellinger Valley Motor Inn

Bellingen 3.0 Tourism


Urunga 3.9

10 Commercial Federal Hotel

Bellingen 2.3 Tourism Gundamin Caravan Park

Urunga 3.6

TOTAL 123.5 TOTAL 68.3

1. Consumption was to March 2009 only

The following observations are noted for major users connected to the LBWSS:

• Water usage at the Norco Dairy has reduced dramatically in recent years and is expected to remain at approximately 2009 levels through to 2016; and



• Tourism and irrigation customers dominate the major users connected to the LBWSS.

Table 0.27 shows the major users connected to the DWSS for the 2003 (drought) and 2009 water years. Note that the consumption for the 2009 water year is to March 2009 only.

Table 0.27 Major Water Users in the DWSS

2003 2009 1 Rank

Type Name ML Type Name ML

1 Tourism Heritage Hotel Motel

5.3 Farm Land ID 10214

3.8

2 Farm Land ID 6486 4.6 Farm Land ID 6486 2.8

3 Council Works Depot 1.9 Commercial Unknown (Land ID 8430)

2.4

4 Commercial Unknown (Meter No. MH429350)

1.7 Farm Land ID 6238 1.9

5 Farm Land ID 6328 1.5 Commercial Unknown (Land ID 143)

1.7

6 Commercial Unknown (Land ID 3725)

1.3 Council Works Depot 1.6

7 Farm Land ID 395 1.2 Institution

Dorrigo Multi Purpose Service Centre

1.6

8 Farm Land ID 6270 0.8 Commercial Barwick Stevens Lawyers

1.6

9 Commercial Unknown (Land ID 8507)

0.7 Tourism Heritage Hotel Motel

1.3

10 Commercial Barwick Stevens Lawyers

0.7 Farm Land ID 395 1.3

TOTAL 19.6 TOTAL 20.0

1. Consumption was to March 2009 only

The following observations are noted for major users connected to the DWSS:

• The top 10 major users consumed more water in 9 months in 2009 than the top 10 consumers in the entire 2003 water year. It is suspected that this is due to increased metering of consumers connected in the DWSS since the 2002/03 drought; and

• 4 of the top 10 major users in each reporting year were farms.



BSC could develop simple checklist type formats of water management plans (WMP) for a variety of non-residential users which could be issued and returned completed to council. These WMP could require users to segregate their estimated water use into such categories as:

• Process;

• Wash down;

• Food preparation;

• Bathroom/toilet; and

• Laundry.

The WMP could also require:

• Details, as appropriate, of plumbing fittings e.g. number of toilets, showers;

• Results of an overnight leakage check;

• Occupancy rates of rooms; number of employees etc; and

• Proposals to affect a nominated and substantial reduction in water use.

All WMP submitted would need to be reviewed and audited by BSC to ensure the plans are comprehensive and optimum water savings have been achieved. Auditing could include random checking to ensure the actions in the plan have been implemented and nominated water saving targets are being achieved. BSC could also consider extending any residential subsidy program to non-residential users with particular attention to large tourist facilities – caravan parks, motels etc. BSC should develop a strategy to deal with non-residential users who were not cooperating with this voluntary approach e.g. install flow restrictors in their service connections. The objective of this strategy would be to constrain non-residential water use to less than 0.5 ML/d during the peak tourist season. Provision of restriction exemption certificates could also be made conditional on consistently achieving targets nominated in the WMP.

Water Saving Program Costs and Logistics

Cost of Implementation Table 0.28 outlines the costs for the residential and non-residential programs.



Table 0.28 Water Saving Implementation Costs

Implementation Cost Program Type

LBWSS DWSS Total

Prepare Program $20,000 Note 1 $20,000

Implement Program ($140/participating

residence) $116,200 $24,900 $141,100

Res

iden

tial

Pro

gram

Total $136,200 $24,900 $161,100

Prepare format for water management

plans and issue $10,000 Note 1 $10,000

Review and audit 20 largest users

$30,000 $10,000 $40,000

Review plans prepared by other

non-residential customers

$10,000 $5,000 $15,000

Non

-Res

iden

tial P

rogr

am

Total $50,000 $15,000 $65,000

Lead Time for Implementation A lead-time of the order of 3 months would be necessary assuming BSC already had in place an active demand management program.

It would be necessary for BSC to develop a detailed phased implementation plan if emergency demand reduction measures were to be adopted.

It is expected that internal consumption could be reduced close to 150 L/p/d, if most of these techniques were employed. Further, there would be some ongoing benefit towards long-term demand management to the extent that water efficient appliances had been installed.

Non-Revenue Water and Leakage

BSC has undertaken extensive work in recent years to reduce the levels of NRW and leakage. A short intensive amount of work could be undertaken in an emergency drought situation to reduce the Infrastructure Leakage Index (ILI) to 1.

Table 0.29 Unavoidable Leakage for the LBWSS and DW SS in 2016

NRW Parameter LBWSS DWSS

NRW (ML/d) 0.70 0.06

ILI 1.89 1.38

Real Loss (ML/d) 0.57 0.03

Unavoidable Real Loss (ML/d) 0.30 0.02

Saving if ILI = 1 (ML/d) 0.27 0.01



Cost of Implementation Indicative costs only appear below:

Reservoir drop tests $20,000

Leak detection survey

(specialist firm – 2 men plus equipment for 30 days) $30,000

Repair Leaks

(20 major leaks @$1,000) $20,000

Total $70,000

Time for Implementation Considering BSC has already undertaken significant leak reduction and pressure management, the program outlined above to review the situation as well as locate and repair major leaks would take approximately 3 months.

4.1.2 Local Supply Opportunities

There are a number of local water source supply opportunities available to BSC during emergencies.


For the LBWSS the following opportunities have been considered:

• The Bellinger up-river alluvial aquifer;

• The Bellinger coastal floodplain alluvial aquifer;

• Water Carting; and

• Desalination.

Figure 0.32 shows the location of these alternative water opportunities.



Figure 0.32 Local Water Supply Opportunities for LB WSS

Bellinger Up-River Alluvial Aquifer

Description The Bellinger Up-River Alluvial Aquifer consists of the Bellinger River alluvial water source upstream of the tidal limit. This shallow aquifer is characterised by coarse materials and relatively short travel times between ground and surface waters. This aquifer is considered to be highly connected to the Bellinger River (Ref. 15). Figure 0.33 shows the location of the Bellinger Up-River Alluvial Aquifer.



Figure 0.33 Location of Bellinger Up-River Alluvial Aquifer Source

As outlined in Section 2.1.1, the licensed extraction for this groundwater source is 1,683 ML/a while BSC currently occupies 96% (1,613 ML/a) of this licensed extraction via the Bellingen Borefield. It has been estimated that the volume available for licensed extraction (based on a sustainability factor of 70 % of recharge) is 6,371 ML/a while 4,688 ML/a is yet to be assigned (Ref. 6).

Two locations for installing bores in this aquifer have been considered; the Kalang Valley and the confluence of Rosewood Creek and Bellinger River.

The alluvial area within the Kalang catchment includes a narrow river valley. Opportunities to establish a bore in this area with sufficient yield for a drought situation would be considerably low. Furthermore the Kalang River is somewhat remote from the existing infrastructure and would lead to unnecessary expenditure in providing a connection between the new and existing structures. Therefore this site has not been considered further in this study as a potential area for extracting groundwater.

The confluence of Rosewood Creek and Bellinger River has been considered as a likely area to establish production bores for groundwater extraction. Further investigation will be required to establish pumping arrangements to the balance tank and other necessary works.

Water Quality Data from the Bellingen Borefield has been relied upon to establish water quality within the Bellinger Up-river Alluvial Aquifer. Table 0.30 shows a comparison of groundwater quality between unrestricted and periods with restriction.



Table 0.30 shows that some bores exhibit high levels of iron, coliforms, pH and turbidity. It is likely that groundwater extracted from production bores located near the confluence of Rosewood Creek and the Bellinger River would require primary treatment to meet NSW Health guidelines. It has been assumed that chlorination; neutralisation, aeration, and settlement would be able to reduce iron levels, pH, total coliforms, and turbidity.

NSW Public Works recommends that BSC establish whether this water could be treated economically with temporary facilities to significantly reduce iron, turbidity, and total coliforms. This would involve taking water samples after pumping from the bores for a reasonable period. For the purpose of this DMP, NSW Public Works has assumed that simple, temporary treatment facilities involving aeration, oxidation, settlement, and chlorination would be adequate.

Table 0.30 Groundwater Quality Results for the Bell inger Up-River Alluvial Aquifer

Historical Value Value During Restrictions

2001-2006 5 Jan 02 – 6 Feb 02 23 Oct 02 – 25 Oct 03 Parameter Unit No. of

Samples %

Compliance No. of

Samples %

Compliance No. of

Samples %

Compliance

Aluminium mg/L 42 100% 1 100 2 100

Antimony mg/L 45 100% 2 100 2 100

Arsenic mg/L 45 100% 2 100 2 100

Barium mg/L 45 100% 2 100 2 100

Boron mg/L 45 100% 2 100 2 100

Cadmium mg/L 45 100% 2 100 2 100

Calcium mg/L 42 100% 1 100 2 100

Chloride mg/L 42 100% 1 100 2 100

Chromium mg/L 45 100% 2 100 2 100

Copper mg/L 60 100% 2 100 4 100

Cyanide mg/L 86 100% 100 2 100

E. coli CFU/100 mL 457 100% 10 100 30 100

Fluoride mg/L 60 100% 2 100 4 100

Iodine mg/L 43 100% 1 100 2 100

Iron mg/L 42 98% 1 100 2 100

Lead mg/L 60 100% 2 100 4 100

Magnesium mg/L 42 100% 1 100 2 100

Manganese mg/L 60 100% 2 100 4 100

Mercury mg/L 44 100% 2 100 2 100

Molybdenum mg/L 44 100% 2 100 2 100

Nickel mg/L 44 100% 2 100 2 100



Historical Value Value During Restrictions

2001-2006 5 Jan 02 – 6 Feb 02 23 Oct 02 – 25 Oct 03 Parameter Unit No. of

Samples %

Compliance No. of

Samples %

Compliance No. of

Samples %

Compliance

Nitrate mg/L 59 100% 2 100 4 100

Nitrite mg/L 59 100% 2 100 4 100

pH pH 60 98% 2 100 4 100

Selenium mg/L 44 100% 2 100 2 100

Silver mg/L 43 100% 1 100 2 100

Sodium mg/L 44 100% 2 100 2 100

Sulfate mg/L 44 100% 2 100 2 100

Thermotolerant Coliforms

CFU/100 mL

10 100 13 100

Total Coliforms CFU/100 mL

456 96% 10 100 30 90

Total Dissolved

Solids (TDS) mg/L 58 100% 2 100 4 100

Total Hardness as CaCO3

mg/L 42 100% 1 100 2 100

True Colour Color 1 100

Turbidity NTU 60 98% 2 50 4 100

Zinc mg/L 42 100% 1 100 2 100

Cost of Implementation Capital Costs

Hydrogeological investigation, test bores $20,000

Install 5 spear points $5,000

Install 2 production bores (1 ML/d yield at 30 m depth) $100,000

Investigate treatment requirements $5,000

Construct temporary treatment works $5,000

PVC Pipework, connection to Balance Tank – 200 mm x 13.2 km $2,500,000

Power supply $20,000

Design, supervision etc. $40,000



Total $2,695,000

Daily Costs

Hire pump (2 ML/d x 35 m head) $500

Lead Time A lead-time of 3 months would be adequate for construction activities. Preliminary design of temporary treatment facilities should be completed before onset of drought conditions.

Bellinger Coastal Floodplain Alluvial Aquifer

Description The Bellinger Coastal Floodplain Alluvial Aquifer consists of the Bellinger River alluvial water source downstream of the tidal limit. This aquifer is characterised by relatively fine materials, often interspersed with silt and clay layers, with only a small amount of inter-change between the surface and the groundwater (Ref. 10). Figure 0.34 shows the location of the Bellinger Coastal Floodplain Alluvial Aquifer.

Figure 0.34 Location of Bellinger Coastal Floodplai n Alluvial Aquifer Source



The licensed extraction for this groundwater source is 19 ML/a spread across 5 irrigation licences (Ref. 12). It has been estimated that the volume available for licensed extraction (based on a sustainability factor of 50% of recharge) is 1,441 ML/a while 1,422 ML/a is yet to be assigned (Ref. 6).

A number of locations were considered however an area to the north of the Bellinger River (see Figure 0.34) was considered the most appropriate due to a low concentration of on-site systems and urban development.

Further investigation will be required to establish pumping arrangements to the balance tank and other necessary works.

Water Quality Table 0.31 shows that groundwater quality results from limited testing in the Mylestom area. No data is available during water restrictions, so it would be necessary to carry out a hydrogeological evaluation of this source including test boring and water quality testing to establish a suitable source area.

Table 0.31 Groundwater Quality Results for the Bell inger Coastal Floodplain Alluvial Aquifer

Historical Records (May to October 1998) Parameter Unit No. of

Samples Mean Min Max % Compliance

Ammonium as N mg/L 11 0.22 0.02 1.48 91%

BOD5 mg/L 4 4.2 1.5 8.6 N/A

DO % Saturation 12 65% 53% 88% N/A

EC µS/cm 12 6,352 180 43,200 67%

Faecal Coliforms

Cfu/100 mL 12 112 6 724 0%

pH - 12 7.6 7.1 8.2 100%

Total Phosphorous

mg/L 12 0.07 0.05 0.32 N/A

Turbidity NTU 12 29 2 164 17%




Hydrogeological investigation, test bores $20,000

Install 10 spear points $10,000

Install 2 production bores (1 ML/d yield at 30 m depth) $100,000

Investigate treatment requirements $5,000

Construct temporary treatment works $5,000

PVC Pipework, connection to Raleigh Dam – 200 mm x 4.5 km $855,000


Total $1,035,000

Daily Costs

Hire pump (2 ML/d x 40 m head) $500

Lead Time A minimum lead-time of 3 months would be required to investigate, design and construct these works.


The current supply infrastructure is considered adequate to deliver water to the DWSS under restricted scenarios.

4.2 Emergency Response Measures Emergency response measures are needed when all demand reduction and alternative supply source opportunity measures have been exhausted. The emergency response measures are highly costly and hence should be triggered as the last resort. The emergency response measures aim to:

1. Maintain, as a minimum, the health, safety and hygiene of the community by ensuring sufficient water is available for potable needs and to convey the raw sewage from premises; and

2. To operate sewage treatment plants to ensure safe and sustainable discharge of treated effluent.

Emergency response measures together with the associated costs and logistics are discussed in Appendix E.



4.3 Comparison of Measures Table 0.32 and Table 0.33 show an economic, logistic and volumetric capacity comparison of the drought management and emergency response measures outlined in Sections 4.1 and Section 4.2 respectively.

Table 0.32 Comparison of Emergency Measures for the LBWSS

Cost Comparison #

(Cap cost/# days +daily cost)/ML Measure

Cap

ital C

ost

Dai

ly C

ost

Cap

acity

Sto

rage

Min

imum

S

uppl

y A

vaila

ble

Lead

Tim

e

n =

$’000 $ ML/d

ML Days Month

10 days 20 days 30 days

Demand Management

186 0.3 N/A 3** $59,929 $29,964 $19,976

Reduction of Leakage 70 0.3 N/A 3** $25,914 $12,957 $8,638

Up-River Alluvial Aquifer

2,695 500 2.0 3 $133,334 $66,545 $44,363

Floodplain Alluvial Aquifer

1,035 500 2.0

Dependent on

Hydrogeological

investigation

3 $51,358 25,557 17,037

Water Carting to Reservoirs

70 2,2901 1.5 Unlimited 3 $6,193 $2,334 $1,556

Desalination 2,700 2,000 2.0 Unlimited 3 $136,000 $67,501 $45,000

1. This includes a subsidy of $9.84/kL



Table 0.33 Comparison of Emergency Measures for the DWSS

Cost Comparison #

(Cap cost/# days +daily cost)/ML Measure C

apita

l Cos

t

Dai

ly C

ost

Cap

acity

Sto

rage

Min

imum

S

uppl

y A

vaila

ble

Lead

Tim

e

n =

$’000 $ ML/d

ML Days Month

10 days 20 days 30 days

Demand Management

40 0.04 N/A 3** $92,523 $46,261 $30,841

Reduction of Leakage 20 0.01 N/A 3** $212,707 $106,353 $70,902


32 $2,224

1 0.4 Unlimited 3 $8,000 $4,000 $2,667

1. This includes a subsidy of $9.84/kL

Table 0.34 shows the social, environmental and risk factors associated with each measure.



Table 0.34 Emergency Measure Social, Environmental and Risk Factors

Emergency

Measure Social Factors Environmental Factors Risk Factors Action to Manage Risk

Demand Management Severe restrictions on normal household water

use

Reduces extraction from Bellingen Borefield and Bielsdown River and any additional sources tapped

A significant proportion of households do not follow guidelines

Implement a comprehensive communication and (if necessary)

enforcement program

Reduction of Leakage Reduce restrictions level on normal household

water use

Reduces extraction from Bellingen Borefield and Bielsdown River and any additional sources tapped

It may not be possible to locate and repair leaks

Carry out reservoir drop tests at early date to quantify leakage by reservoir

zone

Bellinger Up-River Alluvial Aquifer

It may reduce the flow into Bellinger River and may affect to

ecosystem

Draw down of water table in sand dunes could affect vegetation

Additional high-level Risk to aquifer from groundwater extraction for town water supply. Additional Treatment

may require to remove Total Coliforms

Carry out hydrogeological survey and test boring well ahead of need to

implement this option.

Expert assessment of water treatment requirements

Bellinger Coastal Floodplain Alluvial

Aquifer

It may increase the contamination

of fresh water to sea water

It may increase the high level treatment require to meet NSW Drinking Water Guidelines

Risk of salt water intrusion

Hydrogeologist to reassess storage on completion of bores.

Expert assessment of water treatment requirements


Increased traffic (66 truck loads/d) Neighboring council might not co-

operate Involve agencies at early stage of

negotiations

Desalination

Brine disposal

Energy availability

Noise

Foreign exchange rate fluctuations

Local availability of expertise to operate plant

Involve agencies at early stage

Need to link to long term supply solution



5 Preferred Emergency Strategy The drought management measures in Section 4 can be used to assemble alternate strategies for BSC’s consideration. The starting point for all strategies is that they would be implemented only after BSC has progressively introduced restriction levels 1 to 5 and has achieved a high level of demand management (reduced residential consumption down and leakage reduction). It is recommended that demand management measures be implemented immediately as preventative measures as part of BSC water management practice. These measures would aid BSC’s ability to manage drought scenarios with greater flexibility and preparedness. The implementation of these measures would display best management practice and in the event of drought, it is expected that drought assistance would be well supported and readily available.

In considering the social and environmental impact of the options available, BSC and government agencies should keep in mind that the probability of having to activate any emergency option is low and if this were necessary it would be highly probable that the duration of application would be short if past rainfall and streamflow patterns were to repeat in the future. It would be possible to quantity these probabilities with more detailed analysis.



6 Conclusions A drought management process, including a drought management strategy and emergency response strategy (ERS), has been prepared for NSC. This Drought Management Plan (DMP) has:

• Examined the antecedent information of previous droughts in the Bellingen Shire in relation to the behaviour of customers during restrictions, and the performance of the storage and the system;

• Examined the long-term climate, streamflow and consumption trends in the Bellingen Shire and how they compare to drought situations;

• Outlined a drought management process for the integration of triggers, restrictions and required actions;

• Listed a number of possible drought management opportunities including both demand and supply-side measures and developed a drought management strategy;

• Recommended that demand management measures be implemented immediately as preventative measures as part of BSC water management practice.

• Provided a Drought Emergency Response Strategy (ERS) so as to guide BSC how best to manage their assets and responses in times of extreme drought conditions.

More specifically, this DMP has identified the requirement for:

• A communication strategy to notify customers and public authorities of what actions are required at each level of restrictions; and

• Various pre-drought planning measures to be undertaken by BSC.

For the LBWSS, the DMP and Emergency Response Strategy provide the costs and timing for implementation of the following alternative supply sources in the order of priority listed below:

• Groundwater storage on in the Bellinger Up-river Alluvial Aquifer;

• Groundwater storage on in the Bellinger Coastal Floodplain Alluvial Aquifer; and

• Potential water carting sources.

For the DWSS, the DMP and Emergency Response Strategy provide the costs and timing for implementation of the following alternative supply sources in the order of priority listed below:

• Potential water carting sources.

Although this DMP outlines the drought management process, the drought management and emergency response measures, it is important that it be reviewed, at least on a 5-year cycle, to capture the change in the operating environment and at the beginning of a drought as the impact of every drought is likely to be different.



7 References

1. ABS 2010. 3218.0 Population Estimates by Local Government Area, 2001 to 2009. Australia Bureau of Statistics, 30 March 2010.

2. BSC 1995 Lower Bellingen Water Supply: System Augmentation Investigations Plus Addendum April 1995.

3. DEUS 2004. Best-Practice Management of Water Supply and Sewerage – Guidelines, May 2004.

4. DIPNR 2005. Water Access Licence No. 6426: Bellingen Shire Council Local Water Utility for the Dorrigo Plateau Surface Water Source July 1 2004 to July 1 2024. The (Former) Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, April 2005.

5. DIPNR 2005. A Guide to the Water Sharing Plan for the Dorrigo plateau Surface Water Source and the Dorrigo Basalt Groundwater Source (as amended 1 July 2004). The (Former) Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, April 2005.

6. DNR 2006. Bellinger Alluvium Groundwater Source – Report Card, June 2006

7. DNR 2006. Bellinger Coastal Sands Groundwater Source – Report Card June 2006

8. DLWC, 2002. Draft Guidelines for Drought Management Plans, NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation, October, 2002.

9. DPWS 1997. Lower Bellinger Water Supply Options: Investigation of Alternative Dams Sites within the Bellingen Shire, Report No.DC97104, August 1997

10. DWE, 2008. Water Sharing Plan: Bellinger River Area unregulated and alluvial water sources-Background document, August 2008

11. DWE 2008. Report Card for the Bellinger River Water Source, July 2008

12. DWE 2008. Report Card for the Coastal Bellinger Water Source, July 2008.

13. DWE 2008. Bellingen Borefield Licence.

14. NSW Public Works 2012. Bellingen Shire Council Demographic and Water Cycle Projections, Document No. WSR 11006, March 2012.

15. PB 2006. Water Level Monitoring Report July 2004 to March 2006 – Bellingen Borefield, Parsons Brinckerhoff June 2006.

16. PB 2005. Numerical Modeling of Bellingen Borefield and Groundwater / River Interaction, Parsons Brinckerhoff August 2005.

17. PB 2003. Preliminary Safe Yield Assessment and Audit of Bellingen Borefield, Parsons Brinckerhoff November 2003.

18. Water Directorate 2003. Drought Management Guidelines.

19.



Appendices

Appendix A System Maps



Appendix B Water Restriction Policy

Type of Consumer Level 1 Restriction Level 2 Restriction Level 3 Res triction Level 4 Restriction Level 5 Restriction Le vel 6 Restriction Fixed hoses andsprinklers are bannedat all times.





Single hand held perproperty allowed fortwo hours only on oddor even days matchingyour house numbereither between 6am -8am or 6pm – 8pm.

Single hand held perproperty allowed for ahour only on odd oreven days matchingyour house numbereither between 7am-8am or 7pm - 8pm.

Single hand held perproperty allowed forhalf hour only on oddor even days matchingyour house numbereither between 7am-7.30am or 7pm-7.30pm.








No restrictionDo not leave hoserunning, consider acover using a triggernozzle.No restriction Do not leave hoserunning; consider acover using a triggernozzle.Banned Banned Banned Banned Banned Only permitted forhealth and safetyreasons inCommercial, Industrialand Public area.










Filling banned, toppingup with hand held hosemax 0.5 hrs/day.

Outdoor showers No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Banned BannedAnimal washing No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Buckets Only Banned

Hand held hose Hand held hose Hand held hose 1 hr/day 7am- 8am 1/2 hr/day 7am-

7.30am1/2 hr/day 7am-7.30am

Boat and motor washing Commercial

No restriction Maximum 5 mins (afteruse)



Banned Banned

Hand held hose Hand held hose Hand held hose 1 hr/day 5pm- 6pm 1/2 hr/day 5pm-

5.30pm 1/2 hr/day 5pm-5.30pm

Outdoor showers No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Banned BannedHand held hose One hand held hose2hrs/day ½ hr/dayHand held hose2hrs/day

2hrs/day 2hrs/day 2hrs/day Hand held hoseNo fairway watering No fairway watering No fairway watering 2hrs/day


(Commercial)Hand held hose



2hrs/dayFilling bannedTopping up with handheld hose max 1hr/dayHand held hose2hrs/day

Paved public areasNo restriction 2hrs/day 2hrs/day 2hrs/day Buckets only except

where required by lawBanned except whererequired by law

Water cartage town supply

No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Internal domestic useonly with council permit

Internal domestic useonly with council permit

Auto flush toilets No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Banned BannedRoad construction No restriction Banned Banned Banned Banned Banned

Industrial/business/commercial operations

No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Council permit only forwet industries

Council permit only -all

Hand held hose2hrs/dayHand held hose2hrs/day

Animal washing No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction Buckets Only Banned

No restriction Bucket only exceptwhere required by law

Pressure cleaning commercial

No restriction

Public toilets cleaning No restriction No restriction No restriction



No restriction Council permit only


Building construction No restriction No restriction No restriction

Swimming pools commercial



Washing of garbage trucks & street sweepers

No restriction

Brick cleaning, carpet cleaning, car detailing &

underboring



Bucket only Banned



Washing of buses, taxis, ambulances & food

transport


No restriction No restriction No restriction No restriction

Banned

Golf courses No restriction Banned

2hrs/day

Bowling greens, turf cricket wickets

No restriction 2hrs/day 2hrs/day 2hrs/day

Nurseries, commercial gardens

No restriction 2hrs/day 2hrs/day

Sport groundsNo restriction Banned Banned

Commercial/Industrial

Non Residential GardensNo restriction Banned Banned

Swimming pools

No restriction, considera cover to reduceevaporation.

Banned Banned

Washing of Driveways & paved areas

Banned

Boat and motor washing




Banned, Washing ofcar by buckets only

Banned

Banned Banned





Water Restriction LevelsGeneral Domestic

BELLINGEN SHIRE COUNCIL

Gardens

Sprinklers and fixedhoses are bannedbetween the hours of9am and 6pm. Norestriction on handheld hoses or waterefficient microsprinklers.



Appendix C Supporting Water Consumption Information

Internal Residential Efficiency Program

The following discussion outlines areas where internal residential demand could be reduced in a drought situation. All potential water savings are reported for 2016 as this DMP is written to meet a drought in that year.

Toilets Modern toilet suites have a 4/2 L or 6/3 L dual flush cistern while older suites had 9/4.5 L dual flush or 12 L single flush cisterns. Table 0.30 shows the projected distribution of toilet cisterns in 2016.

Table C1 Distribution of Toilet Cisterns in 2016

Toilet Type LBWSS DWSS

12 L Single Flush 23% 36%

9/4.5 L Dual Flush 1% 1%

6/3 L Dual Flush 74% 61%

4/2 L Dual Flush 2% 2%

By installing a cistern displacement device in all old 12 L single flush cisterns (reducing flushes to 7 L), savings of 2 and 3 L/p/d could be achieved respectively in the LBWSS and DWSS respectively in 2016.

Shower Heads

Table C2 Distribution of Shower Heads in 2016

Toilet Type LBWSS DWSS

A Rated (14 L/min) 30% 22%

AA Rated (10 L/min) 36% 29%

AAA Rated (7 L/min) 34% 48%

By replacing all A rated shower heads with ones which are AAA rated, savings of 6 and 4 L/p/d could be achieved respectively in the LBWSS and DWSS respectively in 2016.



Appendix D Supporting Streamflow Information



Appendix E Emergency Response Measures Emergency response measures are needed when all demand reduction and alternative supply source opportunity measures have been exhausted. The emergency response measures are highly costly and hence should be triggered as the last resort. The emergency response measures aim to:

� Maintain, as a minimum, the health, safety and hygiene of the community by ensuring sufficient water is available for potable needs and to convey the raw sewage from premises; and

� To operate the sewage treatment plants to ensure safe and sustainable discharge of the treated effluent.

The emergency response measures fall into two categories:

� Alternate emergency local supply opportunities; and

� Alternate emergency external supply opportunities.

The alternate emergency local supply opportunities include:

� Desalination of sea/brackish water.

The alternate emergency external supply opportunities include:

� Water carting and unloading into reservoirs; and

These emergency response measures together with the associated costs and logistics are discussed below.

Desalination

Description A final emergency supply option would be desalination of brackish water. NSW Public works investigated this option in developing a drought management plan for Eurobodalla Shire Council. A skid mounted 2.5 ML/d desalination unit can be imported for about $2.0m with delivery from 12 to 14 weeks. The unit could be sited on the Bellinger River estuary at an environmentally suitable location that would minimise cost of intake and brine disposal lines, power supply, and connection to water supply trunk main.

The option costed below is for a 2.5 ML/d supply for Lower Bellingen area. The option of a small desalination plant (say 0.5 ML/d) as an ultimate source for carting potable water is not considered a realistic scenario.


Supply of 2.5 ML/d desalination plant $2,000,000

Power Supply $100,000

River Intake $20,000

Pipeline connection $50,000

Low lift pumps / switchgear $20,000

High lift pumps / switchgear $40,000

Brine disposal line $200,000



Land acquisition, access $100,000

Engineering contingencies 30% $160,000

Total $2,700,000

Daily Costs

Allow $1.00/kL $2,500

Lead Time While suppliers offer 3 months delivery and commissioning, it would be prudent for BSC to commence investigation into plant location, brine disposal issues etc at least 6 months before placing the order.


Description The Brochure in Appendix F prepared by the former DLWC outlines the procedure BSC should follow in applying for financial assistance towards the cost of water carting. The NSW Government will meet all costs in excess of a base cost / litre (presently $1.86/L) incurred by BSC in water carting.

BSC would be responsible for determining the water source and determining the transport arrangements (the number and size of trucks and the loading and unloading points), while DEUS would review this planning before granting subsidy.

As set out in the Brochure, DEUS will subsidise the minimum amount required for essential domestic, industrial, and institutional purposes. In the case of Bellingen Shire, BSC could seel to have subsidy provided towards the cost of water if has been providing under Level 6 restrictions. BSC could apply subsidy for individual scheme.

There are several advantages to phasing in cartage:

• BSC does not know with certainty the storage volume at the borefield and when salt-water intrusion might occur. It must leave a reasonable safety margin when it begins carting.

• The logistics of carting can be refined as supply is increase based on demand if it is necessary to supply.

• Leaving a small residential storage would also provide security in the event of some major problem developing with cartage arrangements.

Source The source of water for cartage will depend on the flows within local rivers and storage levels of town water supplies operated by neighbouring councils at the time Bellingen Shire Water Schemes are approaching failure. The town supplies that would be first considered are:

• Coffs Harbour.

• Nambucca; and

• Kempsey.

BSC could negotiate directly with the councils. If unreasonable difficulties were encountered, BSC could seek to have the Minister for Energy and Utilities instruct the councils to act in the required manner under the Local Government Act.



Coffs Harbour is supplied from Karagi Dam, a 5,600 ML storage which is filled from the Orara River. The regional water supply project will supplement that system by linking Karangi Dam with the Nymboida Weir and the new Shannon CK storage, using 90 km of underground pipeline. The DNR Minister could, on application grant BSC authority to pump from the Karagi Dam.

Transport Water carts used in road construction works vary from 10 to 20 kL capacity.

Adopt 20 kL average.

Assume carting from Karagi Dam to Bellingen 40 km Transport times are as shown in Table E 1

Table E 1 Water Carting Analysis

ML kL/d From To DistanceAverage Speed

Total Travel Time

Loading Time

Unloading Time

Total Time

Rest Time

Tank Size # Trips/day/truck Capacity

# Trucks

# Total Trips/day

km km/hr min min min min/ trip min kL kL/day/truckKaragi Dam Dorrigo 55 50 132 10 10 152 60 15 4 60 7 28

Demand 0.40Supply 0

Shortfall 0.40 396.9Karagi Dam Bellingen Balance Tank 45 50 110 10 10 130 60 15 5 75 20 100

Demand 1.5Supply 0

Shortfall 1.5 1,500Karagi Dam Raleigh Reservoir 30 50 70 10 10 90 60 15 7 105 20 133

Demand 2Supply 0

Shortfall 2 2,000

Local Water Utilitiy

Extreme Emergency

Dorrigo

Extreme Emergency

Bellingen

Extreme Emergency

Hire of18 water carts under drought conditions could be difficult. Interstate hire might be necessary. Tankers normally used to carry other liquids could be used if water quality could be guaranteed. Other options such as use of butyl bags in trucks fitted with suitable baffles could be investigated if necessary.

Loading It would be necessary to have a system which allowed water carts to load at high draw off rates could be tolerated.

Unloading To allow rapid unloading it would be necessary to have a system which allowed water carts to discharge at a high rate into a temporary ground level storage from which water could be pumped into an adjacent service reservoir.

Cost of Implementation Loading and unloading arrangements would depend on the water source. Possible examples include:

� From Karagi Dam to Bellingen balance tank;

� From Karagi Dam to Raleigh Reservoir, O’connors road Reservoir and Urunga Reservoir; and

� From Karago Dam to Dorrigo Reservoirs.



Indicative costs for carting from Karagi Dam

Capital Costs

Local Water Utility LBWSS DWSS

Identify preferred source $5,000

Arrange approvals $5,000

Apply for government subsidy $2,000 $2,000

Loading facilities $5,000 -

Unloading facilities $5,000 $5,000

30kL tank, trough, pipework $15,000 $15,000

Installed hired pump, pipework to reservoir $5,000 $5,000

Arrange hire water carts $5,000 $5,000

Power supply $10,000


Total $70,000 $32,000

Daily Costs

LBWSS DWSS

Hire transfer pumps (50L/s x 20m) $250 $250

Dorrigo:

0.4 ML/d – 6 trucks x 12hrs x $70/hr $5,880 $14.81/kL

LBWSS:

1.5 ML/d – 10 trucks x 12hrs x $70/hr $16,800 $11.37/kL

Subsidy $9.84/kL $9.84/kL

Cost to BSC $1.53 $4.97/kL

Lead time The steps BSC has to follow to obtain government subsidy towards the cost of cartage are shown in Figure G1 below.



Appendix F Drought Relief for Country Towns



Appendix G Drought Management Check List

Item Compliance Comments

N/A Y N

A) Data

1. Identification of:

a) Communities with Local Water Utility services.

b) Communities with private water services (i.e. Aboriginal Communities)

c) Communities with no water services that may seek Local Water Utility assistance.

d) Properties (eg. Farms) that may seek Local Water Utility water.

2. Identification of requirements and current water supply status for all communities and properties identified in 1.

3. Normal and minimum potable water requirements for all schemes identified in 1. Show as a graph, as figures will vary throughout the year.

4. Normal and minimum raw (non-potable) water requirements for all schemes identified in 1. Show as a graph as figures will vary throughout the year.

5. Identification of water dependant industry / businesses associated with the schemes identified in 1.

Norco is the obvious inclusion.

6. Identify any fire fighting requirements.

Standard design values assumed.




N/A Y N

7. Identify opportunities for recycled water use.

Opportunities for reuse were considered as part of the IWCM process. BSC considers that reuse opportunities are not economically viable at this time.

8. A map of communities and properties referred to in 1.

9. A description of all water supply schemes referred to in 1. (including schematic diagrams).

10. Storage volumes and surface areas for dams and weirs. “Height/Storage Volume” and “ Height/Surface Area” curves should be included.

Hydrogeological modelling required.

11. Historical performance of rivers/dams/weirs/bores in previous droughts. Show graphically and compare to current drought.

Graphically compare with restriction levels

12. Average annual rainfall / forecasting. Show on a graph.

No forecasting undertaken.

13. Evaporation rates. Show on a graph.

B) Planning

14. Level of prediction and intervention i.e. Trigger points.

Separate for Both Water Scheme

15. Restriction strategy and policies for special demand management and other management options.

16. Enforcement of restrictions i.e. Identification of legislative instruments and methods for enforcement.




N/A Y N

17. Impact of imposing restrictions on demands, river flows, volumes of stored water, water tables, etc. Show graphically.

18. Impact of extraction on downstream stakeholders. Local Water Utility to work in partnership with downstream users and communities. (Water Sharing Committees, Water Management Committees, State Water, Irrigators, etc.)

19. Impact of reduced flows in watercourses. Local Water Utility to work in partnership with upstream and downstream users and communities. (Water Sharing Committees, Water Management Committees, State Water, Irrigators, etc)

20. Availability of alternative water sources such as bores, private supplies, farm bores and other Local Water Utility schemes.

21. Issues relating to cartage to remote locations such as mining areas.

22. Identify Legislation, Local Laws and Council Policies that might impact on the contingency arrangements, particularly DIPNR and Fisheries.

23. Identify human resource requirements.

24. Identify costs of options.

25. Prepare a media strategy. This should cover television, radio and newspapers. It should also give consideration to signage on roads leading to areas where restrictions are in place, at railway stations and airports.

Not part of brief. The essential elements of a communication strategy were included.

26. Establish a list of appropriate contact persons.




N/A Y N

C) Monitoring

27. Monitoring demands.

28. Monitoring flow in streams.

29. Monitoring water level in bores and dams.

30. Monitoring the EC, Alkalinity and Algae levels in the water sources. Seek technical advice on treatment necessary. Identify contacts and document.

To be undertaken by BSC

D) Consultation

31. Public consultation (Need to address the social and economic impacts. Need to address the effectiveness of restrictions, etc)


32. Consultation with appropriate NSW Government Agencies (DIPNR, EPA, Health, etc).


E) Review

33. Throughout and at the end of the drought, the local water utility should record significant events as they occur and ensure that they are available for the next drought.


Level 14 McKell Building

2-24 Rawson Place

Sydney NSW 2000

www.publicworks.nsw.gov.au

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