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Environmental management guidelines
Overview
Best practice environmental management has been a central tenet of the Master Plan since inception This topic considers all aspects of the environment of the campus and its immediate surrounds except for the built environment and the made landscape, both of which are covered in detail under other topics.
Objectives
In principle it is the intent of this Master Plan that the physical environment of the campus and its surrounds should be enhanced by human activity on the site and not diminished.
Guidelines
The environmental management guidelines described under the various sub-topics below are informed by best practice in 2006. However, this is a field where there are frequent advances in our scientific endeavours which in turn lead to continuous improvement in the way things are done; while strategies are rarely, if ever, reversed, they can be improved and refined. It is anticipated that this section of the Master Plan will be subject to more frequent revision than other sections.
Sub-topics
Water quality
Water quantity
Previous recommendations
Vegetation
Fauna habitat values
Mooloolah River National Park
Pedestrian access
Fire hazards
Water quality
Overview
The University of the Sunshine Coast (USC) lies within a sub-catchment of the Mooloolah River National Park (MRNP). Being the park's western neighbour, the USC (and others within the catchment) have a responsibility to ensure that the water quality of surface flow discharges from their lands, do not cause significant impact on the MRNP.
The MRNP is characterised as a low nutrient environment. Hence increases in nutrient levels from inflows derived from the university and surrounds may result in floristic changes within the MRNP, whereby the changed conditions favour alternate species better suited to higher nutrient environments. This is of concern as the plant communities and associated fauna of the MRNP have extremely high conservation values.
Water quality
The existing approach adopted for the management of water quality within the USC site has been one employing the use of large passive treatment systems which form part of the site landscaping, i.e. they serve multiple values, including increasing the aesthetic appeal of the campus and provision of habitat. For example, the large expanse of vegetation in the south-west corner acts as a natural vegetated buffer to stormwater flows generated from within the Sienna College and portions of Chancellor Park, while providing a buffer to neighbouring developments and shelter and food for wildlife. All flow from the USC site and wider catchment (refer to the image) currently pass from the site via the two large lakes that exist in the southern portions of the site. The lakes while presently under-used recreationally, will feature more prominently in the fully developed site as the university expands in the direction of the lakes.
Ongoing water quality investigations show that the lake systems can show signs of stress as a result of enhanced catchment loadings generated as a result of land disturbance activities occurring around the site. This sends a clear message that there is a continued need for appropriate erosion and sediment control required for any land disturbing activities occurring on site, such as the construction of new buildings or ovals. Developments occurring within the catchment, but outside the bounds of the USC (such as the proposed Town Centre) will be responsible for their own management of the quality of water discharges from their site. The USC should observe the quality of discharges from these developments that are directed through the USC site.
Irrespective of construction stage measures, the increasing building density and patronage of the university is likely to lead to further reductions in the quality of stormwater runoff from the campus to the lakes. This may lead to a corresponding decrease in lake water quality that could ultimately result in unsightly algal blooms within the campus and lead to further impacts downstream within the National Park.
To overcome this, there will be a need for university to continuously revisit the existing ‘stormwater treatment train' in place at the site. The treatment train requires additional emphasis on ‘at-source' treatments rather than end-of-line style treatments, which are currently employed. It is likely that there will need to be some minor retrofit within already built campus areas to increase pollutant removal rates, however, the bulk of the effort would necessarily focus on the to-be-constructed portions of the campus as these represent the most cost effective areas to target. The stormwater treatment train should focus on removing sediments and nutrient from the stormwater prior to it entering the lake system.
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Water quantity
Overview
The USC occupies a large portion (approx. two-thirds) of a sub-catchment, which drains into the Mooloolah River National Park (and ultimately the Mooloolah River ). The site receives overland stormwater flow from a section of Chancellor Park (part of Stage 9 and Scholars Way ), from most of the primary and secondary components Siena Catholic College as well as the Chancellor College Primary and Middle Campuses (refer to the image above). The USC site also discharges stormwater across its site boundary (in the far south-east corner) back into another portion of Chancellor Park, before crossing under Claymore Road and entering the National Park (refer to the image above).
Water quantity
There has been some incidence of localised flooding around the westernmost portions of the campus in recent years. While the exact causes of the flooding are unknown, flooding problems can arise when structures or assets are built too low on the floodplain and hence intersect floodwaters, or secondly, flood levels have increased as a result of catchment changes. The latter explanation would seem to be the most likely with the increasing levels of development (and hence impervious areas) within the western portions of the catchment. Peak stormwater flows rates entering onto the campus grounds need to be attenuated to pre-development levels or else the onus on managing this stormwater then lies with the university. These agreements have been established with both Chancellor Park and the Siena College. It is presumed that the proposed Town Centre will be required to attenuate stormwater peak flows as a result of approval conditions attached to that development.
There is a need to review the peak flow rates of stormwater coming from the sites adjacent to the university and for a determination to be made as to the acceptability of these discharges compared to what was agreed for the site. If required further attenuation works, eg detention basins, should be constructed to aid in the management of peak flows from these neighbouring sites.
Furthermore, the reworking of the existing fill along the western boundary of the university (between the university campus and the Siena College ) can safely be 'flattened out' due to the nature of flooding which occurs at this site. The loss in flood storage should be nearly compensated by improvements in the conveyance characteristics of this area, ie by removing the fill pile and 'dishing' of the area. The regraded region should direct flow down towards the lake around existing (and future planned) structures such as the carpark areas. The regraded area should be revegetated immediately and should have other appropriate erosion and sediment controls employed to limit possible impacts posed by intense rainfall.
The lakes on the university campus have been designed to limit flood peaks to that generated by the undeveloped catchment, thereby protecting the hydrological functioning of the area, which is an important consideration for the downstream Mooloolah River National Park.
Previous Master Plan recommendations
Overview
A number of recommendations were provided for the original Master Plan. These recommendations have been carried forward to the present day. Provided below are some of the recommendations originally presented and a brief discussion in relation as to the degree that they have been implemented.
Recommendations
- Water recommendation 1 – The wetland treatment systems should be designed to ensure maintenance of hydraulic and water quality characteristics of runoff from the site that will not adversely affect the National Park.
This recommendation has been resoundingly addressed through the integration of a series of water quality improvement features, including two large lakes, into the university site. Other components of the treatment train include extensively vegetated overland flow paths and several drainage ponds. In a hydrologic sense, the lake system was designed to attenuate stormwater flows from the developed catchment back to pre-development flows to limit downstream impacts as a result of hydrologic changes.
- Water recommendation 2 – All buildings should be located on the ‘higher' portions of the site.
The site overall is has a relatively even fall towards the south-eastern corner of the site flat. In general the buildings were located away from existing (or manmade) drainage channels and on the 'upper' slopes (refer to above image). The drainage paths on-site have been extensively modified.
- Water recommendation 3 – The existing (lower) drainage paths should be left undisturbed where possible, vegetation regrowth in these areas should be encouraged.
The upper site drainage paths on-site have been extensively modified as a result of the development of the university, however, the lower site drainage paths (below the lakes) remain relatively intact. Most of the drainage paths are currently in reasonable condition and many are heavily vegetated, which presents both water quality improvement and hydrologic benefits. Site inspections revealed that some of the upper site drainage paths (i.e. near the top of the catchment) have signs of bed and streambank erosion. This process will lead to minor gully erosion, which will not naturally rectify itself.
- Flora and fauna recommendation 1 – In relation to the management of the MRNP:
- develop a 50m wide dense buffer of indigenous plantings along the Claymore Road south eastern boundary to provide a natural fence to the National Park and limit human movement into the Park, whilst allowing local fauna movement.
- implement measures to interrupt fire spread from the university to the National Park.
- Flora and fauna recommendation 2 – In relation to flora management:
- prohibit domestic animals from entering the campus to ensure the safety of the indigenous fauna
- undertake long-term rehabilitation of the native landscape, particularly in the lowland areas and extend natural local habitat of native fauna
- Flora and fauna recommendation 2 – In relation to landscaping management:
- undertake long-term rehabilitation of the native landscape, particularly in the lowland areas and extend natural local habitat of native fauna
- existing drainage paths should be left in their natural locations and natural regrowth encouraged
- the ‘green fingers' created of endemic tree species are intended to bring the National Park into the campus and provide extended habitat for kangaroos and birds
- native landscaping species are to be supplemented with exotic species, which have cultural relevance to the district. Exotic species are to be limited to the urban core and carparks where possible.
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Vegetation
Overview
The campus has been extensively cleared in the past for agricultural pursuits and the vegetation communities are currently dominated by Andropogon virginicus (whisky grass) grassland in disturbed sites. Other communities include regenerating wetland habitat, minor copses of disjunct remnant vegetation and landscaped grounds. Native rehabilitation is currently confined to the southern banks of the eastern lake.
Recommendations
It is recommended that native vegetation outside the proposed development precincts be retained where possible and enhanced with native plantings. In particular, it is recommended the lowland areas be planted with native heath, wetland and woodland plantings. A maintenance program involving regular weeding, mulching and pruning (for safety purposes) will need to be implemented in the rehabilitation areas.
Fauna habitat values
Overview
The minor copses of disjunct remnant vegetation have moderate value for fauna with varied habitat, an abundance of food sources, fallen log habitat, tree hollows and dense ground and shrub strata and have some value as wildlife corridors at a local landscape level.
The irrigated lawns and grassland habitats have local value for Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus). Detailed studies of kangaroo usage on the site and surrounds have identified that kangaroos utilise the wider area of the university campus and surrounding schools. Fauna underpasses have been constructed across Claymore Road to facilitate safe kangaroo movement between the educational precincts and the Mooloolah River National Park.
Two water quality treatment lakes in the southeast of the campus provide a locally important fauna habitat, particularly for waterbirds.
Recommendations
To retain current fauna habitat values of the campus, it is recommended that native vegetation outside the proposed development precincts be retained where possible and enhanced with native plantings. In particular, it is recommended the lowland areas, which are currently dominated by mowed grasslands, but also includes a regenerating wetland and two water quality treatment lakes, be planted with native heath, wetland and woodland plantings. Open irrigated, lawn areas provide important feeding grounds for the resident grey kangaroos and should also be maintained in movement corridors.
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Mooloolah River National Park
Overview
The Mooloolah River National Park lies to the east of the University and is separated from the campus by Claymore Road. The Park protects remnants of wallum heath, open eucalypt woodlands and Melaleuca swamps and woodlands near the Mooloolah River. The management intent of the Park is to protect the extremely high conservation values of these plant communities and associated fauna. In order to retain the integrity and high conservation value of these communities and threatened species, recreational use of the National Park is limited to low key based activities, such as bushwalking and birdwatching, predominantly along the Park's fire management trails.
Recommendations
To retain its conservation values, University usage of the Park should be limited to low key based activities, such as bushwalking, along the Park's fire management trails.
Pedestrian access
Overview
Claymore Road separates the Mooloolah River National Park from the campus. However, pedestrian access to the Park from the campus is possible via the fauna underpasses and at the northern limit of Claymore Road. The management intent of the Mooloolah River National Park Management Plan is to protect the extremely high conservation values of the plant communities and associated fauna of the Park from adjacent development. This plan recognises that increased human access threatens the integrity of the communities and species of the National Park. Increased access to the National Park has the potential to introduce and spread further weed species; increase the risk of fire and lead to vegetation damage and fauna disturbance. In order to retain the integrity and high conservation value of the communities and threatened species, recreational use of the National Park is limited to low key based activities, such as bushwalking and birdwatching, predominantly along the Park's fire management trails.
Recommendations
To retain its conservation values, University usage of the Park should be limited to low key based activities, such as bushwalking, along the Park's fire management or other made trails.
Fire hazards
Overview
A key management priority of the National Park is to prevent uncontrolled fires spreading to the habitats of high conservation value. The cleared and slashed powerline easement along the eastern boundary of the campus acts as a firebreak between the campus and the National Park. The electricity supply company has responsibility for ensuring that fire hazard is minimised within this easement.
Recommendations
A firebreak should be maintained adjacent to the cleared and slashed powerline easement along the eastern boundary of the campus, which serves as a firebreak between the campus and the National Park.
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