Media Release
Friday 13 December 2013
2013 Derwent Report Card released
A report card looking at the health of the Derwent has found the condition of the
estuary improved in many areas in 2012-13.
The 2013 State of the Derwent Report Card summarises monitoring data collected
by the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP) and partners in the area between New
Norfolk and the Iron Pot Light.
Releasing the 2013 report today, Kim Evans, Chairman of the DEP Steering
Committee said it provides a watching brief on the State of the Derwent Estuary.
Mr Evans congratulated the program’s industry, government, scientific and
community partners for their long-term commitment to the DEP and the resources
they have collectively provided to reduce pollution in the estuary.
“Over the past decade the DEP partners have invested more than $150 million in
the clean-up of the Derwent and this report card demonstrates the positive effect
this has had” said Mr Evans
Director of the DEP Christine Coughanowr said the report summarises trends in
industrial, sewage and stormwater discharges, monitoring results for swimming
beaches, heavy metal levels in sediments and seafood, as well as actions taken
to clean-up the Derwent.
“The report shows that environmental conditions improved during 2012 and the
early part of 2013, due in part to lower than average rainfall causing a decrease in
stormwater and catchment runoff together with an increase in sewage effluent
reuse,” Ms Coughanowr said.
“Most industrial inputs continued to decline, including organic matter loads from
the Norske Skog paper mill, as did the volume of treated effluent discharged by
municipal sewage treatment plants.”
Nyrstar has undertaken significant environmental projects investing $3.5 million in
addition to $2.9 million funded through the Australian Government’s National
Urban Water and Desalination Plan to improve stormwater management and
water recycling at the Nyrstar site.
General Manager Nyrstar Hobart Jeremy Kouw explained that this collaborative
industry and government investment has made a huge difference.
“Through our stormwater catchment ponds coupled with the effluent treatment
plant we have managed to reprocess 100 percent of stormwater captured over the
past 18 months which is an outstanding effort in safeguarding the Estuary,” he
said.
“In addition we also have our groundwater project which has resulted in the
interception of 400 tonnes of zinc from reaching the Derwent Estuary since 2010.”
Water Quality
Water quality at the majority of the Derwent’s swimming beaches was classified
as either good or fair with the best water quality at Opossum Bay, Hinsby beach,
New Norfolk, Kingston beach (middle), Taroona and Little Howrah beach.
However, Windermere beach, the western end of Nutgrove beach and the middle
of Howrah beach received poor water quality ratings. Ms Coughanowr said
investigations are currently underway in cooperation with Councils to identify and
address pollution sources at these sites.
Water quality at Derwent bays and coves was more variable, with continued poor
water quality ratings at Marieville Esplanade, Lindisfarne Bay and Geilston Bay;
however the Hobart Waterfront has improved significantly.
Heavy Metal levels
A new survey of Derwent estuary sediments indicates a reduction in some of the
extreme heavy metal levels previously recorded at mid estuary sites, however,
metal levels across much of the Derwent are still well above national guidelines.
Heavy metal levels in Derwent shellfish and flathead were slightly down in 2012,
however there is considerable variability from year to year, and levels in Derwent
estuary oysters, mussels and black bream remain well above national food safety
standards. More information about the safe consumption of Derwent seafood can
be found in the brochure ‘Should I eat Shellfish and Fish from the Derwent?’ at:
www.derwentestuary.org.au
Key management actions and initiatives carried out in 2012-13:
 Construction of several major stormwater projects in the Glenorchy,
Kingborough and Clarence municipalities to capture and treat urban run-off;
 Construction of the 1000 megalitre Duckhole Dam by TasWater to improve
the storage and reuse of treated effluent on the Eastern Shore;
 Further investment in stormwater and groundwater management projects at
Nyrstar;
 Development and implementation of new oil spill prevention plans at Hydro
Tasmania’s power stations, including Meadowbank;
 Annual weed surveys and treatment to eradicate rice grass and prevent the
spread of ‘karamu’ into high value wetlands;
 Population surveys and recovery actions to improve the breeding success of
the Derwent’s critically endangered spotted handfish; and
 Development of the Greater Hobart Trails website
www.greaterhobarttrails.com.au
“The information contained in the annual Derwent Report Card is used by all
levels of government, industries and the community to gauge the state of the
estuary and the actions being taken to restore our waterway,” Ms Coughanowr
said.
For a full copy of the 2013 State of the Derwent Report Card, go to
www.derwentestuary.org.au or pick up a copy at Council or Service Tasmania
offices.
The Derwent Estuary Program (DEP) is a regional partnership between local
governments, the Tasmanian state government, industries, scientists and
community-based groups to restore and promote our estuary. The DEP was
established in 1999 and has been nationally recognised for excellence in
coordinating initiatives to reduce water pollution, conserve habitats and species,
monitor river health and promote greater use and enjoyment of the foreshore.
Our major sponsors include: Brighton, Clarence, Derwent Valley, Glenorchy,
Hobart and Kingborough councils, the Tasmanian State Government, Nyrstar
Hobart, Norske Skog Boyer, TasWater, TasPorts and Hydro Tasmania. The DEP
has also been supported through grant funding from the Australian Government.
Media Alert
Thursday 12 December 2013
2013 Derwent Report Card
NB: For Planning purposes only – not for publication
Director of the Derwent Estuary Program (DEP) Christine Coughanowr will talk
about the latest State of the Derwent Report Card.
Jeremy Kouw, CEO of Nyrstar is available for interview to talk about heavy metal
remediation at the Nyrstar site.
Media Alert:
What: Release of the State of the Derwent 2013 Report Card
When: 10am Friday 13 December
Where: Nyrstar Hobart Smelter, Risdon Road, Lutana
For media enquiries contact: Michelle Nichols 0418 583 373