NSW 2021 Flood Response Update
Statement for volunteers on precautions when cleaning up debris from shorelines and in waterways.
If you are helping with flood clean-up efforts, it’s important to protect yourself and to be mindful of how you can help protect vulnerable shoreline plants and ecosystems in the environment around you, to prevent any further damage, as you do this important work.
Ocean foreshores are less susceptible to damage from people cleaning up they still need to be treated with care, especially dunes.
Advice is provided below on what you should do to protect these vulnerable environments divided into the different area you might encounter during clean-up, as well as categorising the debris into light (able to be easily picked up by hand) and heavy (two person or mechanical lift).
Volunteers performing clean-ups should follow the recommended approach below and be aware that there is a NSW Government Storm and Flood Clean-up Program to remove flood debris from waterways and shorelines, that is well underway.
If you have any queries on any of the information below or about the clean-up in general, please contact our Environment Line on 131 555 or at info@epa.nsw.gov.au.
| Receptor |
Light Debris |
Heavy Debris |
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Ocean Beach Sensitive Components Sandy beaches and dunes are generally reasonably resilient. Vegetated dunes, however, are quite fragile and can be easily damaged by vehicles and dragging heavy debris. |
Recommended Approach Handpicked material can be carried back to vehicles. Don’t drive vehicles on vegetated dunes. |
Recommended Approach Don’t drive vehicles on vegetated dunes. Heavy items should be moved with care to unvegetated sand, with as little disturbance of vegetation as possible. |
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Ocean Rocks Sensitive Components Rocks and rock shelves are inherently robust, but they often support communities of easily damaged plants and animals.
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Recommended Approach Ocean rocks are dangerous environments that can “self-clean”. It is recommended that the clean-up in areas such as these are performed by the NSW Government Storm and Flood Clean-up Program. |
Recommended Approach Ocean rocks are dangerous environments that can “self-clean”. It is recommended that the clean-up in areas such as these are performed by the NSW Government Storm and Flood Clean-up Program. |
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Estuarine Beach Sensitive Components Sandy beaches and dunes are generally reasonably resilient. Vegetated dunes, however, are quite fragile and can be easily damaged by vehicles and dragging heavy debris. Seagrass often grows offshore of estuarine beaches and is easily damaged by vessel propellers. If seagrass is present, approach beaches by vessel at high tide only or find a path that avoids seagrass. |
Recommended Approach Handpicked material can be carried back to vehicles or vessels. Don’t drive vehicles on vegetated dunes. |
Recommended Approach Don’t drive vehicles on vegetated dunes. Heavy items should be moved with care to unvegetated sand, with as little disturbance of vegetation as possible. Removal can be via land vehicles or vessels |
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Seagrass Beds Sensitive Components There are two main types of seagrass (under water), eelgrass (Zostera) and the larger strapweed (Posidonia). Both species are important habitats for fish and invertebrates in estuaries. Both are very susceptible to damage by propellers, boat hulls and anchors as well as by walking through beds. Strapweed is particularly susceptible to long-term damage – propeller damage may last decades. Strapweed is found in estuaries from Wallis Lake south. |
Recommended Approach Handpicked material should be scooped from seagrass by landing net from a shallow draught boat. |
Recommended Approach Heavy items should be moved with care using lifting gantry or floatation. |
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Mangroves Sensitive Components Mangrove trees are resilient to physical damage, but their air roots (pneumatophores) are fragile and easily broken by trampling. |
Recommended Approach Handpicked material should be carried from mangroves by moving carefully. Personnel should minimise entering mangroves at low tide, and if necessary, the number of paths used should be minimised. Alternatively, debris could be scooped by landing net from a shallow draught boat at high tide.
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Recommended Approach Heavy items should be moved with care using lifting gantry or floatation. |
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Saltmarsh Sensitive Components Saltmarsh is very susceptible to physical damage by trampling, and damage may last for years. |
Recommended Approach Handpicked material should be carried from saltmarsh by moving carefully between plants. Personnel should minimise entering saltmarsh at low tide, and if necessary, the number of paths used should be minimised. |
Recommended Approach Heavy items should be moved with care using lifting gantry or floatation. |
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Reeds Sensitive Components Reeds are susceptible to physical damage by trampling, but are reasonably resilient. |
Recommended Approach Handpicked material should preferably be carried to a section of bank clear of reeds, or from the bow of a shallow draught boat. |
Recommended Approach Heavy items should be moved with care using lifting gantry or floatation. |
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River Banks Sensitive Components Vegetation along river banks is generally resilient to foot access. |
Recommended Approach Handpicked material should preferably be carried to a section of bank clear of vegetation, or from the bow of a shallow draught boat. |
Recommended Approach Heavy items should be moved with care using lifting gantry or floatation. |
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Beaches Many of the ocean and estuarine beaches are roosting or feeding areas for shorebirds and seabirds |
Recommended Approach Handpicked material should be carried from beaches by moving carefully between roosting flocks. The number of personnel working at the site should be limited to reduce disturbance. Shorebird flocks feeding on mudflats should not be disturbed, wait for higher tide levels when fewer birds are present to hand pick the site. |
Recommended Approach Where large debris requires removal, a once off disturbance may be permitted where approved by the shoreline supervisor. Moving carefully between roosting or feeding flocks may be possible but should be limited to reduce disturbance. Shorebird flocks feeding on mudflats should not be disturbed, wait for higher tide levels when fewer birds are present to remove debris.
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Culturally significant sites Sensitive components Culturally significant sites could be located along the shoreline and consideration should be given to ensuring clean-up is undertaken without causing disturbance or damage to the sites. |
Recommended Approach Seek advice from local council before undertaking clean up at a known or suspected culturally significant site. |
Recommended Approach Seek advice from local council before undertaking clean up at a known or suspected culturally significant site. |