SEDIMENTATION

Hardys Bay Residents Group continues to work for a successful rehabilitation of Hardys Bay and other sediment-affected locations within the Brisbane Water estuary.
Graeme Smith, who has extensively researched the sedimentation issue, provides a number of proposals designed to achieve a successful objective :
  • REDUCE the size of sediment deltas that have formed since 1900 to recover lost navigable waterway that is now in short supply downstream of the Rip Bridge.
  • REPLENISH the eroded bay foreshores of Hardys Bay and Pretty Beach with sand recovered from these deltas in order that people can once again use these foreshores that are, at present, due to excessive sediment buildup and foreshore erosion, being rapidly colonised by inaccessible mangroves.
  • SUPPORT the continuing work to remove disused oyster lease rubbish left over from unsuccessful oyster farming operations.
  • INSTALL sediment traps on all stormwater drain outlets to minimise sediment flow into the bay.
  • DEEPEN and WIDEN Mudflat Creek so that it is once again tidal well upstream from the Noble Street Bridge to provide it with maximum flood-handling capacity and reduce the breeding habitats for mosquitoes that are often in plague proportions in the Killcare area. Extend the stabilising rock creek banks, that now end prematurely upstream in Mudflat Creek, right down to, and past, the Noble Street Bridge. This will prevent the stormwater damage to creek banks that now occurs during periods of high rainfall and help to maintain creek-bed depth and enhance floodwater-carrying capacity.
  • DREDGE out the foul waste and mangroves that are now choking the outlet of the Hardys Bay RSL creek. This location is a disgrace. The mud and muck builduphas completely covered the stormwater pipe outlet from Heath Road and the mangroves in this restricted location trap every bit of rotting rubbish. Their rapid growth in the near future threatens to close off the stormwater pipes running under Araluen Drive.
  • WORK with local and State Government departments for the establishment of a bay and estuary maintenance program to maintain preset, bay and estuary depths and boundaries for our future generations.