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This time last year the CMA was preparing to open the first of the Ironbark Creek floodgates as the first physical step in reintroducing tidal waters into Ironbark Creek and low lying areas of Hexham Swamp, to help re-establish the estuarine wetland habitat that was present in the area prior to the 1970s.
As part of its Hexham Swamp Rehabilitation Project the CMA applied to the NSW Department of Planning to open the floodgates in a staged manner to maximise the opportunity for transition vegetation and habitats, while minimising the effects on resident communities.
Since the first gate was opened in December 2008 extensive monitoring has been continually undertaken to establish what, if any, impacts are being had on water quality, mosquito numbers and inundation of surrounding areas.
Consultants undertaking the monitoring on behalf of the CMA provided their reports in August 2009, and found that there were some marginal and predictable increases in the salinity and dissolved oxygen of the water in the creek behind the floodgates but the impacts on surrounding areas were negligible.
The CMA submitted the results of its monitoring to the NSW Department of Planning with a request to proceed to the next stage of the project. The CMA has been granted approval from the department to open the second and third gates to continue the process of allowing gradual tidal inflows to the area. For more information on the Hexham Swamp Rehabilitation Project go to www.hcr.cma.nsw.gov.au or contact the CMA’s Amanda Hyde on 4930 1030.
