Best practice operating procedures for water affecting ... · 3 Best practice operating procedures...

Best practice operating procedures for water affecting activities

Produced in partnership with local government,

for local government.

December 2014

1 Best practice operating procedures for water affecting activities

Table of contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2

Reducing red tape .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2

When a permit is required .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2

Section 1: When does a best practice operating procedure apply? ....................................................................................................................................................... 3

Risk assessment ....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 3

Methodology ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 3

Section 2: Procedures for specific water affecting activities ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5

2.1 Principles ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 5

2.2 Structures in watercourses (Section 127(5)(b)) ................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Culvert .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 5

Crossing point .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Fencing .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 9

2.3 Diverting stormwater from buildings (Section 127(5)(c))............................................................................................................................................................. 10

Principles............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Maintenance and cleaning (drains, side entry pits, culverts, gross pollutant traps and trash racks) ......................................................................... 11

2.4 Depositing material in a watercourse (Section 127(5)(d)) ........................................................................................................................................................... 11

Minor erosion control works ...................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12

2.5 Planting vegetation (Section 127(5)(e)) ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Principles............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 13

2.6 Removal or destruction of vegetation (Section 127(5)(g)) .......................................................................................................................................................... 14

Removal of vegetation on banks and floodplains ............................................................................................................................................................................ 14

Bulrush and Common Reed control ....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 16

2.7 Excavating in a watercourse (Section 127(5)(h)) .............................................................................................................................................................................. 18

Principles............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 18

Section 3: Developing a best practice operating procedure for specific council activities ........................................................................................................ 20

Step 1 – risk assessment .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 20

Step 2 – generic best practice operating procedures ........................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Preparatory activities ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 21

Work phase........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 22

Post-work activities ........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 24

Step 3 – council templates ................................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26

Complete all relevant information........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 26

Identify the water affecting activity ........................................................................................................................................................................................................ 26

Table of water affecting activities ............................................................................................................................................................................................................ 27

Provide details of the best practice operating procedure ............................................................................................................................................................ 28

Identify the area .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 28

Step 4 – submit your best practice operating procedure for review by the board ................................................................................................................. 29


Introduction The watercourses of the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges region are incredibly diverse, with some recognised for their ecological

importance under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Watercourses serve a wide range of purposes

including maintaining the ecological health, condition of the region, providing a resource for the social and economic prosperity of South

Australia and conveying 60 per cent of Adelaide’s drinking water supplies.

With increasing urban development in the region, including at the northern and southern fringes of metropolitan Adelaide, watercourses,

their floodplains and catchments are being encroached upon. Careful management is required to sustain important ecosystems and to

ensure that the health of all watercourses is preserved or enhanced, whilst maintaining the value of this waterway for downstream users and

natural ecosystems. The 26 local councils, who oversee significant and crucial maintenance and reconstructive work on watercourses within

this region have a central role to play in ensuring this occurs.

This Best practice operating procedure has been developed to help councils undertaking a water affecting activity. Councils have the

opportunity to provide leadership in this area by demonstrating best practice methods to undertake these activities.

It has been produced in partnership with local government. This partnership benefits local government, the Adelaide and Mount Lofty

Ranges Natural Resources Management Board, local communities and the environment as we strive for a sustainable approach to

managing natural resources in an integrated way.

Reducing red tape

These procedures reduce red tape whilst helping councils understand their obligations and options under the Natural Resources

Management Act 2004 (the NRM Act) when undertaking works in a watercourse. It provides information and examples of best practice for

low risk water affecting activities which removes the requirement of a permit. This can also be the case with councils developing their own

board-approved procedures for works not covered here, which are specific to a council area.

The Best practice operating procedure provides councils with the tools and information required to undertake works in watercourses with

the aim of:

protecting aquatic and riparian ecosystems

reducing red tape

managing and protecting watercourses and water resources.

When a permit is required

When works sit outside of the scope of this document it is important to note that a water affecting activity permit must be sought (as

stated in the NRM Act). If it is unclear whether the proposed works require a permit application contact the Policy Officer – Water Permits

on 8273 9100 for further assistance.


Section 1: When does a best practice operating procedure apply? Risk assessment

A risk assessment must be conducted to determine whether the works can be undertaken using these procedures or if a permit is required

from the board.

This should be decided at the preparation stage. Refer to the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges natural resources management plan –

Volume 2 (pages 31-35) for works defined as water affecting activities under the NRM Act.

Methodology

A score under 13 – can be undertaken as a part of these Best practice operating procedures or consider developing one if the activity is not

outlined in this document

A score over 13 – council must apply for a water affecting permit from the board

Parameter Range/s Score

Season of activity Nov-March 1

April-Oct or whole year 3

Water present No 1

Yes 3

Erosivity of watercourse Concrete lined 0

Stable 1

Some erosion present 2

Gully erosion or dispersive soils already present 3

Flow regime No change 0

Less than 10% change in peak flow 1

More than 10% change in peak flow 3

Degree of obstruction Not obstructing a floodplain or channel 0

Obstructing a floodplain or a channel 1

Obstructing both floodplain and channel 2

Impact on migration of

biota / fish passage

Negligible 0

Some impact 2

Significant impact 4

Scale of potential water

affecting activity

Routine maintenance, e.g. grading, mowing shoulders, etc. 1

Maintenance, e.g. clearing open drains 2

Minor works, e.g. culvert installation 3

Major project works, e.g. bridges and embankments 5


Significant infrastructure works 6

Watercourse condition

(from ANZECC)

Highly disturbed 1

Slightly to moderately disturbed 2

High conservation / ecological value 4

Total


Section 2: Procedures for specific water affecting activities 2.1 Principles

The following details best practice operating procedures applicable to the construction of a small culvert, minor crossing point and a fence.

A site-specific permit application or council-specific best practice operating procedure can be developed by combining council

considerations with the information below, if the scope of the works are beyond what is discussed in this document.

2.2 Structures in watercourses (Section 127(5)(b))

The erection, construction or placement of any building or structure in a watercourse or lake on the floodplain of a

watercourse

Listed here are examples of works councils may undertake related to this activity include emergency works and maintenance of

construction features.

Culvert

All culverts can cause significant environmental harm. Round culverts are the most commonly used, however their designs generally have

the most environmental impact. Perched culverts are a barrier to fish passage. The flow characteristics and road alignment may restrict the

design of culverts. Nevertheless, they should be designed and installed according to the following requirements:

a culvert’s capacity should be able to accommodate peak flow volumes

open-bottom culverts with the natural streambed running through them are the preferred culvert structures

open-bottom culverts should not create a break in the bed substrate, and should be large enough to not constrict flows or trap

debris during normal flow conditions.

The following requirements apply if an open-bottom culvert is not possible,.

One large culvert spanning the width of the waterway is preferable to two or more small culverts because it is usually more

efficient hydraulically and is less likely to become blocked.

If multiple culverts are needed to span the stream bed, one or more should be slightly lower than the others to concentrate low

flows and allow fish to swim through.

The culvert should be perpendicular to the flow to minimise the length needed (less than 4 metres) and allow fish to swim

through.

The culvert gradient should be similar to that of the stream, which should be gently sloping.


There should be a smooth transition from the profile of the natural creek bed to the culvert. Its size and placement should not

cause ponding upstream, unless ponding is typical of the river reach. Perched culverts should be less than 10 centimetres above

the receiving waters.

If the culvert gradient is 0.5-3.5 per cent (1:200-1:30) the culvert diameter should be at least 1.25 times the width of the channel

and the downstream invert should be embedded at least 20 per cent below the stream bed. Natural substrate should be placed in

the culvert if possible. This guideline applies only if the product of channel slope and culvert length is less than 20 per cent of the

culvert diameter.

Water velocities in the culvert should be similar to those at the site before the culvert was constructed. There should also be no

differences in the flow rates upstream, in and downstream of the culvert.

Water velocities may be decreased and water depths increased by using appropriately designed tail-water control devices. These

devices can be incorporated into the outlet-basin design.

Inlet and outlet flow velocities of less than 0.9 metres per second will not transport coarse silt.

A rip-rap apron should be placed up to six culvert diameters beyond the end of the pipe to prevent erosion downstream of the

culvert outlet, particularly if the slope of the stream bed is greater than 2 per cent (1:50). The apron should have a V-shaped cross-

section so fish can swim through when water levels are low.

The capacity of the culvert should be large enough to accommodate some deposition of gravel in the culvert.

The culvert should be large enough to accommodate the anticipated debris and sediment load.

The greater the anticipated load the greater the cross-sectional area needed for the culvert.

The culvert should not reduce the cross-sectional area of the channel and infilling of the channel should be avoided.

Fill placed below the high water mark must be free of fines, sediment, soil, pollutants, contaminants, toxic materials and other

waste materials.

Cross-fall drains should be used to drain water from the approach road into a sediment trap or the roadside vegetation. The

drains should be at least 10 metres away from the crossing.

Regular maintenance will be needed to remove debris and sediment and check for erosion.

Fish passage considerations

Give appropriate consideration to fish passage requirements when selecting the type of culvert box or pipe, concrete or

corrugated metal, single cell or multi-cell.

Where practical, align the culvert with the downstream channel to minimise bank erosion.

In urban areas, a multi-cell culvert usually requires a combination of elevated "dry" cells to encourage terrestrial movement, and

recessed "wet" cells to facilitate fish passage.

Avoid using culverts on a waterway that has a gradient of more than 2 per cent (1:50). The gradient immediately downstream of

the culvert should be less than 5 per cent (1:20) so fish can approach the culvert outlet. Unless specific advice from a professional

fish ecologist indicates that a steeper slope will be satisfactory.

The culvert invert should be buried so a minimum of 20 per cent of the diameter (round culvert) or 20 per cent of the height (box

culvert) lies below the channel bed.

The culvert should have at least 600 millimetres of space above the typical base flows so it is light enough inside that fish are not

discouraged from entering and swimming through.

If possible, the culvert should be designed so its hydraulics are similar to that of the stream and the weakest fish species can swim

through. The water depth should also allow the largest fish species to remain submerged. Wet cells should have a minimum water

depth of 50 to 200 millimetres to encourage fish passage.

As a first priority, the effective flow area under the waterway crossing should be at least equal to the natural or existing flow area

of the channel below the deck / crest level of the crossing (high flow design). Where this is not feasible, the second priority would

be to design the culvert such that the effective flow area is at least equal to the natural or existing channel flow area below the

roof of the culvert (medium flow design). A medium flow design also requires the depth of the deck slab to be minimised. In all

cases, the culvert should be designed to maximise the geometric similarities of the natural channel profile from the bed of the

culvert up to a flow depth of 0.5 metres (low flow design).

Lining the base of the culvert with a rough concrete finish and / or natural substrate will increase turbulence and make it easier for

fish to swim through. Velocities of less than 0.3 metres per second will allow most native fish to swim through a 5 metre long

culvert. Placing small rocks along the base may also help other species (e.g. platypuses and water rats) pass through the culvert.


If a smooth bed culvert must be designed, then flow velocities for water depth up to 0.5 metres ideally should be no more than

0.3 m/s. Baffles or large angular rocks typical of the area can be cemented along the base of longer concrete culverts to reduce

flow velocities and allow fish and invertebrates to pass through.

In sand and gravel-based streams, natural bed material should be placed along the bed of the wet cells or allowed to deposit in

these cells. The hydraulic design of these culverts should allow for this added bed roughness which facilitates upstream fish

movement.

In clay-based streams that do not experience significant movement of bed load sediment, artificial roughness units such as

rounded stone, can be grouted across the bed of the wet cells to provide the desirable bed roughness and fish resting areas.

If fish passage is desirable during bankfull flows, then consideration should be given to the placement of artificial sidewall

roughness units along the cell wall immediately adjacent to the channel banks.

Where conditions allow, construct pools at the inlet and outlet of the culvert to assist in the dissipation of flow energy and to act

as resting areas for migrating fish. Fish resting pools should be at least two metres long along the direction of flow, be deep

enough for fish to remain submerged, and contain rocks and vegetation to provide cover. Aquatic and riparian plants can provide

shading.

If a low-flow channel is constructed within the base slab of the culvert, then ensure that the channel extends across the inlet and

outlet aprons.

Debris deflector walls can be used to reduce the impact of debris blockages on fish passage while also reducing maintenance

costs.

Maximise light penetration within the wet cells by maximising the height or diameter of the cells, and possibly by introducing

skylights or grated stormwater inlets into the median strip of divided roads. These skylights are only required within the

nominated wet cells.

To avoid the formation of a perched culvert and damage to the stream's bed and banks, erosion at the outlet should be

controlled with the use of rock protection and / or the formation of a stabilised energy dissipation pool.

Crossing point

These procedures are designed to help you plan and carry out your works in a way that protects species, habitats, and water quality and

quantity. Ensure the following for each crossing point.

A right-of-way exists.

Steep approaches to the crossing are avoided.

The stream reach is straight, well defined and unobstructed. Avoid crossing waterways at or near sharp bends, sections of

unstable channel, or major "riffle" systems. (Riffles are shallow areas where water flows swiftly over rocks, gravel or timber. They

act as channel stabilisers and by altering their stability essential habitat pools may be lost or severe bed erosion can be initiated).

The geology and soil conditions are stable with minimal scouring, and minimal deposition and displacement of sediments (that is,

little active erosion and meandering) to minimise need for training works.

The crossing is aligned perpendicular to stream flow / waterway.


The design of the structure avoids disturbing the bed and banks of the stream (this can be done by using structures that will

remain outside the bankfull - width of the stream).

The hydraulic effects of natural features (e.g. waterfalls) and artificial in-stream structures (e.g. weirs) are taken into consideration.

It is designed to include opportunities to enhance the surrounding environment or to reduce the impact of the existing structure

during replacement activities.

Additional care is taken if the crossing is upstream of domestic and town water supplies, aquaculture and other industrial off-

takes, sensitive ecosystems, and recreational areas.

You will also need to avoid:

locating crossings over "meandering" waterways where such meandering is likely to continue in the future and cause damage to

the structure, erosion of the waterway channel or the future misalignment of the channel with the crossing

works that may change the frequency or spacing of an existing pool–riffle system

areas at risk from flooding and landslides

areas where the works could mobilise contaminated sediments

critical fish and wildlife habitat areas or areas harbouring threatened species or pristine ecosystems

wetlands

areas with significant cultural heritage or geomorphological values

areas where public safety, use and enjoyment would be compromised

areas of aesthetic value

disturbances to sections of a waterway channel or its associated bank vegetation, particularly where such areas represent either a

unique, endangered or highly valued section of the waterway (this can be done by minimising the width of the right-of-way

clearing)

the removal of essential shade trees especially on waterways that have already experienced a significant loss of the natural

vegetation cover.

Table 1: Fish habitat classifications

Classification Stream characteristics Minimum preferred

structure

Class 1

Major fish

habitat

Major permanently or intermittently flowing waterway (e.g. river or major

creek), habitat of a threatened fish species.

Bridge, arch structure

or tunnel

Class 2

Moderate fish

habitat

Named permanent or intermittent stream, creek or waterway with clearly

defined bed and banks with semi-permanent to permanent waters in

pools or in connected wetland areas. Marine or freshwater aquatic

vegetation is present. Known fish habitat and / or fish observed

inhabiting the area.

Bridge, arch structure,

culvert or ford

Class 3

Minimal fish

habitat

Named or unnamed waterway with intermittent flow and potential

refuge, breeding or feeding areas for some aquatic fauna (e.g. fish,

yabbies). Semi-permanent pools form within the waterway or adjacent

wetlands after a rain event. Otherwise, any minor waterway that

interconnects with wetlands or recognised aquatic habitats.

Culvert or ford

Class 4

Unlikely fish

habitat

Named or unnamed waterway with intermittent flow following rain

events only, little or no defined drainage channel, little or no flow or free

standing water or pools after rain events (e.g. dry gullies or shallow

floodplain depressions with no permanent aquatic flora present).

Culvert, causeway or

ford


Fencing

Fencing enables the integrity of a floodplain, stream bank and / or watercourse to remain intact or to recover

Fence as far from the waterway as possible. As a general rule, you should build your fence at least 5 metres (and preferably 10 metres)

from the top of the banks of small creeks and streams, and at least 30 metres (and preferably 50 metres to create a corridor for animal

movement) from the banks of major creeks and rivers. If erosion is active (on the outside of a stream bend, for example, at gully heads, or

where water flow is very rapid), allow a greater setback. This will encourage revegetation, and will protect your fence if the erosion

continues.

Fence where there is a change of land type, or a natural landform, such as a ridge. Use the landforms and land types as your guide,

remembering to allow more distance from areas where erosion is active, banks are steep or unstable, vegetation cover is poor or there are

other signs of degradation such as scalding.

Fence above the flood line. This will reduce the risk of flood damage and stock losses, and will let your riparian zone function as nature

intended. Many native plants will regenerate in the riparian zone after flooding, if grazing is excluded or carefully monitored.

Place gates as far from the waterway as possible, and on the highest ground. Avoid building your gates in fragile areas or where

degradation is already a problem. Drop-down or lay-down fencing is a cost-effective alternative to gates, particularly where there is a need

for emergency access to your riparian areas.

Install gates at the end of a fence, or where there is a change of direction as this will reduce the number of end assemblies required.

Where the risk of flooding is great:

Use drop-down or lay-down fences.

Position fences parallel to the likely direction of the flood flow.

Ensure strainer (end) assemblies are as strong as possible. Use box end or post and stay assemblies constructed using the

principles outlined in section 2.8 below.

Use thick posts.

Reduce the space between posts.

Increase the depth of posts. Increasing by one third will double its resistance to overturning. Posts in sandy soils should be dug

deeper into the soil than posts in clay soils.

Drive your posts into the ground. A driven post will be 1.5 times more secure than a post that has been placed in an oversized

hole with the earth rammed back around it.

Keep the number and types of wires that can collect debris to a minimum. A five-strand fence will collect less debris than a seven-

strand fence. Plain high tensile wires are less likely to catch and collect debris than prefabricated (mesh) fencing or barbed wire.

Electric fences which use fewer wires than other fences, and generally use plain wire, are often the best choice in flood prone

areas.

Keep the number of droppers to a minimum, to reduce the likelihood of collecting debris.

Maintain wire tension to promote wire vibration, which will help to minimise debris load.


Keep fence heights to a minimum, as fences lose stability with height.

Use anti-sink and anti-lift devices with posts on crests and in depressions.

Be prepared to cut wires to reduce the risk of significant damage.

2.3 Diverting stormwater from buildings (Section 127(5)(c))

Draining or discharging water directly or indirectly into a watercourse or lake, including cleaning out pipes, side entry

pits and culverts

The following details best practice operating procedures and principles for the maintenance and cleaning of drains, side entry pits, culverts,

gross pollutant traps and trash racks. This section can be read in conjunction with the Environment Protection Authority’s Stormwater

pollution prevention - codes of practice for:

building and construction industry (1998)

community (1997)

local, state and federal governments (1998).

Principles

From a watercourse management perspective, it is important to maintain any council infrastructure in a manner that minimises the

pollution of stormwater. The degree of protection will depend on the scope and duration of the maintenance works.

It is recommended that the site is cleaned using dry sweeping techniques when maintenance staff are on site for the period that the

structure is being cleaned. It is also recommended that each Council incorporate the maintenance of these systems into an integrated

maintenance programme to take account of the likely build-up of sediment, leaf litter and debris. In the absence of such a programme, the

structures should be cleaned at least three times per year, with one clean before winter rainfall begins.

If maintenance work needs to be conducted over several days, employ temporary strategies to prevent the pollution of stormwater,

including:

planning a maintenance programme that minimises the risk of erosion and silt generation

conducting stormwater drain maintenance after major leaf fall events and before winter

protecting side entry pits with a temporary sediment trap during the maintenance period if excavated material could be washed

into the drainage system

constructing temporary sediment traps where the prevention of the entry of silt and sediment is not practicable

servicing and cleaning up on-site equipment in areas where contaminants or wastewater cannot enter the stormwater system

resurfacing or stabilising disturbed areas as soon as practicable.


Maintenance and cleaning (drains, side entry pits, culverts, gross pollutant traps and trash racks)

Note: it is important that no material escapes into the drainage system when conducting maintenance or cleaning a watercourse

structure.

For each drain, side entry pit, culvert, gross pollutant trap and trash rack that is required to be cleaned, undertake the following:

locate the point where your drain enters an open channel and where you can gain easy access

install a temporary trash rack or silt fence with attached boom at this entry point

determine the best access route to this location (use an existing and / or minimum disturbance access route wherever possible)

check that the access route does not have any remnant native vegetation or revegetation

ensure that no major disturbance of virgin soil will occur

manually hand remove any material causing an initial blockage in your structureuse a JetVac machine to dislodge and vacuum the

material causing the blockage for locations that cannot be readily accessed; follow the operating and safety instructions for the

JetVac machine

remove material from your temporary trash rack and then dismantle it

remove all the material you have collected from your work site and dispose of it at a licensed landfill or recycling depot.

2.4 Depositing material in a watercourse (Section 127(5)(d))

Depositing or placing an object or solid material in a watercourse or lake

Examples of works councils may undertake related to this activity include emergency works, minor erosion control and maintenance of

construction features.

Depositing material in a lake or watercourse is generally designed to maintain the structural, ecological and aesthetic integrity of a stream.

Maintenance activities can cause temporary or permanent loss or alteration of instream habitats, and can result in temporary or permanent

losses in riparian or streamside vegetation or channel stability. Extreme care must be taken when conducting these kind of activities so as to

prevent harmful impacts to riparian and aquatic habitats, fish and wildlife species, and water quality.

The following details best practice operating procedures principles for minor erosion control works. Generally these works will be

associated with the maintenance of existing erosion control measures (rocks, rip raps, snags etc.).

Major erosion control works will require significant site-specific site assessment, planning and design and a water affecting activity

permit.


Minor erosion control works

Minor erosion control works can include placement of rocks and snags into a watercourse for bank erosion control or the construction of

an alignment fence. The following are suggested best practice operating procedures for minor control works.

Locate a flat and safe site for a storage and work area for materials and equipment. It should be at least 5 metres from a

watercourse or drain. If possible, this site should also be located away from the canopy zone of any trees.

Check that the total work area and access routes do not have any remnant native vegetation or revegetated areas.

This storage and work area is the only place where equipment can be refueled or refilled and where materials, stock chemicals

and petrol, oil and lubricants can be stored and mixed.

Concrete mixtures, chemicals, petrol, oil and lubricants must not come in contact with the soil surface. They must be stored or

mixed on the back of vehicles. If they are unloaded then they must be stored on trays to catch any spillages and prevent soil and

water contamination. Use these trays to also catch any spills from refueling machinery.

Determine the best access route for this location (use an existing and minimum disturbance access route wherever possible).

Ensure that no major disturbance of virgin soil will occur.

Install a temporary trash rack or silt fence with an attached boom, downstream of the work site, if water is flowing in the

watercourse at times of rubbish removal:

o determine the best access route for this location, using an existing access route wherever possible

o ensure that no major disturbance of virgin soil will occur.

Only use materials and chemicals approved by a design plan.

Do not allow any surplus materials to enter the watercourse such as rocks, gravel, wire and matting.

Clean up and remove all surplus materials from the site.

Erosion control works must not dam water within a watercourse or cause flooding.

All chemicals must be used in accordance with material safety data sheets or manufacturer’s specification. Examples include

cement, adhesives and solvents.

Only mix up enough materials and chemicals for the job at hand.

Use trays to mix up concrete and to catch any chemical drips during the works or leakages from the chemical containers. All

spillages must be cleaned up immediately.

Take care to minimise the working footprint and disturbance zone of the equipment.

Take care to minimise the amount of material entering the drainage system.

If reed and pest plant control is required prior to doing erosion control works then follow the instructions given in the Current

recommended practice: removal of vegetation from a watercourse, lake or floodplain.

All waste material generated by the erosion control works must be collected and removed from site including material from your

temporary trash rack or silt fence and attached boom. Take care that no material escapes into the drainage system.


Dismantle your temporary trash rack or silt fence and attached boom, unless it should temporarily remain until disturbed silts etc.,

settle to an acceptable level.

Dispose of all material removed from your work site at a licensed landfill or recycling depot.

2.5 Planting vegetation (Section 127(5)(e))

Obstructing a watercourse or lake

Principles

Planting vegetation within a stream is generally undertaken to improve habitat availability, the aesthetic value of the watercourse and / or

to reduce stream bank erosion. There are a range of benefits from planting native species along or within a watercourse, including shading

and cooling of water for freshwater life, food for fish and insect life, improved bank stability, filtration of some faecal matter, sediment and

nutrients run-off, increased biodiversity and increased aesthetic value.

Successful watercourse vegetation programs rely on clear goals and a considered planting plan. Incorporating management goals into the

plan helps determine planting combinations and management to achieve them. Considerations for planting works should include:

understanding the need for planting vegetation (e.g. bank stability, aesthetic value)

consulting with landholders, including those downstream

using native species appropriate to the local area and organisms present in stream

matching the vegetation to the stream size

carefully selecting the planting method to be employed

planting as far down the watercourse bank to enable stabilisation, stop further erosion and create shade

ensuring that the species planted in stream or on the bank are suited to the hydrological regime

only approved herbicides via instructions on the label; or obtaining an off-label permit for use of certain herbicides via the

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority

using herbicides in accordance with the material safety data sheet or manufacturer’s specification (the label) – only mix up enough

herbicide for the job at hand and at recommended concentration

using herbicides in accordance with the Environment Protection Authority’s Guideline for herbicide use near waterbodies

using a wide range of vegetation types

creating habitats with rocks and plants in stream

disturbing as little sediment as possible while planting

clearing away any weeds from the watercourse and replacing with native flora. A staged approach can be used if necessary (i.e. to

maintain bank stability or provide replacement habitat).


2.6 Removal or destruction of vegetation (Section

127(5)(g))

Destroying vegetation growing in a watercourse or lake or growing on a floodplain of a watercourse

Examples of works councils may undertake related to this activity include emergency works, horticulture works, pest plant and reed

removal, rubbish removal and maintenance of construction features.

Note: Where the Current recommended practice: removal of vegetation from a watercourse, lake or floodplain does not include the

type of vegetation to be removed use the following best practice operating procedure.

Removal or destruction of vegetation, including non-native and pest plant species, may involve regular maintenance of existing stands and

removal of vegetation that threatens stream stability, spreads abundantly or does not control erosion. The aim of removing vegetation is to

ensure the continued stability, habitat value and water quality of a watercourse.

The following best practice operating procedures are specifically developed for the removal of vegetation on the banks and floodplains of a

watercourse and for the removal of Bulrush Typha domingensis and Common Reed Phragmites australis. Removal of vegetation in any other

form will largely incorporate the same steps and similar principles however; it will require site-specific assessment and plans.

Removal of vegetation on banks and floodplains

The following best practice operating procedures are developed for the removal of vegetation on the banks and floodplains of a

watercourse.

Check that no routine works are planned to occur within the watercourse channel.

Check the work area for any revegetation programs to avoid off-target damage to these new plants.

Before removing any vegetation ensure that you can confidently identify which plants are weeds. If you are unable to do so, then

put the works on HOLD and refer to an expert for assistance.

Follow best practice operating procedures for public safety and signage.

Locate a flat and safe site adjacent to the work area as a storage and work area for machinery and chemicals. If possible, this work

area should be located away from the canopy zone of any trees.

Check that the storage and work area, and an access route does not impact on any remnant native vegetation or revegetation.

This storage and work area is the only place where equipment and machinery can be refueled or refilled and where stock

chemicals and petrol, oil and lubricants can be stored and mixed. ENSURE that a spill kit is available to clean up spills.

Determine the access route between your storage area and the horticultural works’ area. Use an existing access route wherever

possible. Use a minimum disturbance route wherever possible. Ensure that no major disturbance of virgin soil will occur.

Only use approved herbicides via instructions on the label; or obtain an off-label permit for use of certain herbicides via the

Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

All herbicides must be used in accordance with the material safety data sheet or manufacturer’s specification (the label) and the

Environment Protection Authority’s Guideline for herbicide use near waterbodies. Only mix up enough herbicide for the job at hand

and at recommended concentration.

Do not blanket spray weeds in erosion sensitive areas.

Prevent hand-pulled and brush-cut weeds from entering the drainage system.

Assess the need to install a temporary trash rack to catch any clippings, prunings or debris which may enter a drainage system. If

using one remove all material from it during the site clean up. Take care that no material escapes into the drainage system.

Dismantle your temporary trash rack.

Do not mow, slash or spray any Bulrush (Typha spp.) growing in a drainage system unless works are approved under the best

practice operating procedure for reed and pest plant control and removal.

Ensure any pest plant control follows the guidelines issued by the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources

Management Board.

Remove all prunings you have created and dispose of them at a licensed landfill or recycling depot.

Dismantle and remove all safety signage.


Exotic tree removal

Mechanical:

Follow the operating and safety instructions for all equipment used during the works, including safe fuel management.

Follow procedure outlined in the Current recommended practice: removal of vegetation from a watercourse, lake or floodplain to

fell trees.

Minimise the amount of prunings entering the drainage system.

Remove prunings from site (do not stockpile as these can be a source of pest plant and animal infestation and can present a fire

hazard).

Leave cut stumps and dead root systems in place where practical to preserve substrate stability and provide habitat.

Some, but not all species, will require herbicide application to the cut stump (either painted on or drilled).

Depending on the species, follow up control of regrowth may be required.

Chemical:

If appropriate to the site, some species of trees can be poisoned using a drill and fill or frill and paint method leaving the dead

trees standing. This may be appropriate where access to completely remove the tree will be difficult and damaging to the

surrounding area.

Consider the seasonal timing and staging of works if using chemical control over a large area, as leaf drop will result from

poisoning the trees.

Consider site use and on-going safety; some tree species will drop branches or topple over if poisoned and left standing.

Woody shrub and herbaceous pest plant control

Suitable methods include:

hand pulling

spot or blanket spraying with herbicide

cutting and swabbing / painting with herbicide.

The choice of method depends on the target species, the density of the infestation, maturity of the individual plants and the nature of

surrounding vegetation.

Different plant species have different periods or seasons when it is best to control them.

Consideration should be given to stage works to preserve soil stability and to allow for replacement habitat to grow, for any fauna that is

utilising these pest plant infestations.

A pest plant control plan should consider the complete suite of pest plants present; targeting one or two species for complete removal will

often result in replacement of those species with another if a follow up plan is not developed.

Avoid off-target damage to any remnant native vegetation or revegetation programs.

Do not remove the root systems of woody weeds, and minimise all soil disturbance as far as possible.

Remove prunings and hand-pulled seedlings (do not stockpile as these can be a source of pest plant and animal infestation and can

present a fire hazard).

If using herbicide:

use in accordance with the material safety data sheet or manufacturer’s specification and the Environment Protection Authority’s

Guideline for herbicide use near waterbodies

only mix up enough herbicide for the job at hand

avoid spray drift and run-off entering the drainage system, coming into contact with open water or causing off-target damage to

remnant native vegetation or revegetation.

Grass mowing / amenity pruning:

follow the operating and safety instructions for all equipment used during the works, including safe fuel management

avoid off-target damage to any remnant native vegetation or revegetation programs

minimise the amount of mowings and prunings entering the drainage system


if any mowings or prunings are likely to enter the drainage system and wash downstream then install a temporary trash rack

downstream from the entry point

remove prunings and clippings from site (do not stockpile as these can be a source of pest plant and animal infestation and can

present a fire hazard).

Bulrush and Common Reed control

The removal of Bulrush and Common Reed is exempt from Native Vegetation Council clearance control, providing the clearance is of these

species only and in situations where their regrowth or colonisation is causing a land management issue. Clearance of up to 100 metre2 of

these species is permitted at sites such as boat ramps, pumping sites, artificial dams or other established site where open water is required

in the water body or channel for the site to function. In other cases approval from the Native Vegetation Council is required.

Note: Bulrush Typha orientalis is rated rare in the Mount Lofty Ranges and is not exempt from clearance controls.

Bulrush and Common Reed are local native species which provide valuable environmental services, such as preventing erosion by stabilising

substrates and mitigating wash / waves from boats, slowing the velocity of water including floodwaters, removing excess nutrients from

polluted water, and providing habitat to birds, fish and frogs. The need to remove these plants should be carefully considered, and the

possibility of re-establishing clumps of reeds and bulrush after works have been undertaken should also be considered where appropriate.

Overgrowth of Bulrush is sometimes, though not always, an indicator of increased nutrients in slow moving waterbodies. Therefore it is

worth investigating the background causes of excessive bulrush colonisation as an alternative to repeatedly clearing them.

The following best practice operating procedures are developed for the removal of Bulrush Typha domingensis and Common Reed

Phragmites australis.

Check the work area for any remnant native reeds or revegetation programs to avoid off target damage to these.

Make sure you can tell the difference between the approved reeds, other native reeds and weeds.

Follow standard operating procedures for public safety and signage.

Locate a flat and safe site adjacent to the work area as a storage and work area for machinery and chemicals; if possible, this work

area should be located away from the canopy zone of any trees This is the only place where equipment and machinery can be

refueled or refilled and where stock chemicals and petrol, oil and lubricants can be stored and mixed.

Check that this storage and work area, and access routes do not impact on any remnant native vegetation or revegetationUse an

existing access and minimum disturbance route wherever possible.

Ensure that no major disturbance of virgin soil will occur.

Chemical control:

if using herbicide use only those approved for use near water

assess the need to install a temporary silt fence or trash rack to catch any silt, reed prunings, weeds or debris which may enter a

drainage system

ensure pest plant control follows the guidelines issued by the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management

Board

all herbicides must be used in accordance with the material safety data sheet or manufacturer’s specification, and the Environment

Protection Authority’s Guideline for herbicide use near waterbodies


only mix up enough herbicide for the job at hand, and at the recommended concentration, ensuring that a spill kit is available to

clean up spills

avoid spray drift and run-off entering the drainage system, coming into contact with open water or causing off target damage to

remnant native vegetation or revegetation

do not blanket spray reeds in erosion sensitive areas.

Mechanical control

If reeds are excavated ensure that:

the roots of the reeds are removed

minimal silt disturbance occurs

no bank or channel damage occurs during excavation

they are stockpiled and allowed to drain before removal

no off-target damage occurs to any remnant native vegetation or revegetation

all operating and safety instructions are followed for all equipment used.

Drying and disposing of reeds

When excavated reeds are stockpiled to dry out ensure that:

they are stockpiled on a flat area, not a batter

any drainage flows back into the drainage system

they are not stockpiled on remnant native vegetation or revegetation

if possible stockpiled them where they can’t be seen

a date is fixed to come back and remove the stockpile.

Ensure any reeds or pest plants which are cut in the channel or caught by the temporary trash rack are stockpiled on the bank and then

removed.

Remove all other material from your temporary silt fence and trash rack taking care that no material escapes into the drainage system.

Dismantle the temporary silt fence and trash rack.

Ensure all stockpiles of reeds have dried and dispose of them at a licensed landfill or recycling depot.

Dismantle and remove all safety signage.


2.7 Excavating in a watercourse (Section 127(5)(h))

Excavating in a watercourse includes the removal of rock, sand or soil from:

(i) a watercourse or lake or the floodplain of a watercourse

(ii) an area near to the banks of a lake so as to damage, or create the likelihood of damage to, the banks of the

lake.

Examples of works councils may undertake related to this activity include emergency works, drain clearing and rubbish removal.

It is important to note that de silting on-stream dams does not require a permit.

Rock, soil, sand and gravel extraction from a waterway may be considered acceptable if there is a benefit to the waterway and surrounding

environment. For example, extraction would be permitted in cases where a build up of materials has occurred in a section of waterway,

causing stream deviation or erosion.

Potential issues associated with material extraction within waterways include:

acceleration of erosion and sedimentation

a deepening of the bed which may trigger headward erosion or bank erosion

altered flow regime during and after the works

loss of habitat and breeding areas for instream biota

loss of vegetation on stream banks and instream large woody debris

potential for the stream to change course

potential to alter floodplain flows

potential for contaminants from machinery to reduce water quality

instream sediment mobilisation.

Principles

Location and extent

The location and extent of any approved extraction within a waterway will be determined on a case by case basis, having regard to

geomorphological processes, and any identified environmental benefits.

Methodology principles

the preferred approach is for the extractions to move upstream and occur above the low flow water level

rehabilitation should be undertaken concurrently with the works; where buffer zones are required these should be established

before the extraction commences


the finished slopes must be stable; maximum slopes upstream and downstream of the site are to be 1(v):10(h), with side slopes of

1(v):3(h)

effective measures are to be specified to minimise turbid water leaving the site from access tracks and work areas

no machinery with defective hydraulics that would discharge fluid is permitted in the stream environment.

Site rehabilitation

The works site is to be rehabilitated with the following considerations:

a revegetation plan using indigenous plants

pool / riffle sequence restored

provision for fish passage

large woody debris replaced

access tracks scarified and topsoiled

a maintenance program is defined for a period of time to monitor the site and ensure vegetation becomes established, and pest

plant invasion is suppressed.


Section 3: Developing your own best practice operating procedures This document aims to highlight the main practices which councils undertake in watercourses. However, there may be

some activities undertaken on a regular basis not described here. Council may develop their own document.

Below are a set of useful templates to assist in developing a best practice operating procedure.

Step 1 – risk assessment

A score under 13 – can be undertaken as a part of these best practice operating procedure or consider developing one if the activity is not

outlined in this document.

A score over 13 – council must apply for a water affecting permit from the board.

Parameter Ranges Score

Season of activity Nov-March 1

April-Oct or whole year 3

Water present No 1

Yes 3

Erosivity of watercourse Concrete lined 0

Stable 1

Some erosion present 2

Gully erosion or dispersive soils already present 3

Flow regime No change 0

Less than 10% change in peak flow 1

More than 10% change in peak flow 3

Degree of obstruction Not obstructing a floodplain or channel 0

Obstructing a floodplain or a channel 1

Obstructing both floodplain and channel 2

Impact on migration of

biota / fish passage

Negligible 0

Some impact 2

Significant impact 4

Scale of potential water

affecting activity

Routine maintenance, e.g. grading, mowing shoulders, etc. 1

Maintenance, e.g. clearing open drains 2

Minor works, e.g. culvert installation 3

Major project works, e.g. bridges and embankments 5

Significant infrastructure works 6

Watercourse condition

(from ANZECC)

Highly disturbed 1

Slightly to moderately disturbed 2

High conservation / ecological value 4

Total


Step 2 – generic best practice operating procedures

The procedures below are a good guide for council when developing operating procedures which are not included in this document. These

procedures have been split into three phases of work associated with undertaking any water affecting activity and are preparatory, work

and post-work activities.

Note: the listed generic activities can be altered to suit the site or activity.

Preparatory activities

Site assessment and works planning

Determine:

o if the site requires human intervention; what would be the impacts of doing nothing

o what level of intervention is necessary

o where the activity is proposed

o what materials and machinery are required to undertake the works

o the characteristics of the watercourse, floodplain and surrounding area to ensure site disturbance is minimised; site

characteristics include, soil, slope, topography, drainage, access and vegetation characteristics (species, size)

o if the proposed activity can be undertaken under these best practice operating procedures (only activities that fall within

Section 127 (3)(a) and (5)(a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h) of the NRM Act can be conducted under these procedures

scope the works to assess the costs

consider any likelihood that the works could become a navigation hazard

undertake the risk assessment above to determine the level of risk, whether a permit is required or if the works can be conducted

under these procedures

identify the appropriate procedure and pollution control / mitigation measures required. If the proposed activity does not have a

best practice operating procedure in this document, council may consider developing one using the process here.

Monitoring program

Construction activities should be monitored full-time during start-up and any instream works or sensitive activity, and on a daily basis

during any other construction activity up to the completion of the project. The environmental monitor must be an appropriately qualified

professional and be provided with written authority to modify or halt any construction activity if it is deemed necessary to do so for the

protection of fauna populations or their habitats.

Submit a monitoring plan to the Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board prior to the works being

undertaken.

Forward a copy of the section of this document listing the standards and best practices for your works and all appropriate plans, drawings,

and documents to the contractor or crew supervisor, and keep this information readily available at the site while the work is proceeding.

Hold a pre-construction meeting between the environmental monitor and the contractor undertaking the work on the site to ensure a

common understanding of the risk mitigation required for the project.

Timing of works

If works are scheduled for streams where aquatic species at risk are present, or if their presence in the stream is not known, seek advice

from the board prior to completing in-channel or bank work.

Only clear vegetation for worksite access during periods where the watercourse is not at peak flow and disturbance to the bed and banks is

minimal.

As species at risk typically have no window of least risk, avoid in-channel work wherever possible when the presence of species at risk is

known or expected.

Only undertake works during favourable weather (e.g. no rain) and low water / flow conditions.

Complete the works as quickly as possible once they are started.

Consultation

Liaise with the board on the works to be undertaken.


Determine the ownership status of the land and contact relevant owner(s) to advise of nature, scale and timing of activity to be undertaken.

Prior to the works, consult with any other potentially affected party (including, but not limited to, downstream residents and indigenous

leaders).

If works are to be undertaken in a watercourse with a high valued ecological system (e.g. native fish species, swamps of the Fleurieu),

consult with the board and any other relevant authorities (e.g. Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Environment

Protection Authority) and / or legislation (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).

Work phase

Accessing the site:

determine the point(s) where you can gain easy access to the works site(s)

use an existing access or minimum disturbance route wherever possible

check that the access route does not have any remnant native vegetation or revegetation, if this is evident either establish another

access route or verify with the Native Vegetation Council whether the vegetation can be removed and if a permit is required

ensure that no major disturbance of virgin soil will occur

ensure that access will be possible for the duration of the works (to ensure that works can be fully completed and not postponed

in a partially completed state).

Sediment control:

determine the flow pathways of the site

ensure that material such as rock, riprap, or other materials placed on the banks or within the active channel or floodplain of the

watercourse is inert and free of silt, overburden, debris or other substances deleterious to aquatic life

ensure machinery is operated from the bank of the stream and not in the stream channel wherever possible to reduce

mobilisation of sediment and refueled at a minimum distance of 20 meters away

minimise the disturbance to existing vegetation on and adjacent to the stream banks

put sediment control measures in place before starting any works that may result in sediment mobilisation and ensure they stay in

place until the site has stabilised

construct ditches, water bars or water diversions within the work area so they do not directly discharge sediment-laden surface

flows into the stream – divert such flows to a sediment trap or vegetated area where flows can slowly infiltrate (whilst ensuring

sediment will not adversely affect the vegetation)

regularly remove excavated material and debris from the site or place it in a stable area above the high-water mark or active

floodplain of the stream and / or as far as practicable from the channel

use mitigating measures to protect excavated material from being eroded and reintroduced into the watercourse; such measures

include, but are not limited to compacting and covering the material with erosion blankets or seeding and planting it with native

vegetation

when material is moved offsite, dispose of it in a manner that prevents its entry into any watercourse, floodplain, ravine or storm

sewer system.

Herbicide use:

all herbicides must be used in accordance with the material safety data sheet or manufacturer’s specification (the label) and the

Environment Protection Authority’s Guideline for herbicide use near waterbodies

only mix up enough herbicide for the job at hand and at recommended concentration

avoid spray drift and run-off entering the drainage system, coming in contact with open water or causing off-target damage to

remnant native vegetation or revegetation

do not blanket spray weeds in erosion sensitive areas or where they are providing habitat to sensitive fauna (e.g. blackberry

thickets where bandicoots are present).

Vegetation management

Note: where the current recommended practice for removing vegetation does not include the type of vegetation to be removed

and / or the method to be utilised use the following best practice operating procedure.


Limit the extent of vegetation clearing done for access to your site and at your work area. Clearance of native vegetation is likely to require

approval from the Native Vegetation Council.

Consider other options when contemplating the need to remove vegetation as the removal of vegetation can often have detrimental

impacts on aquatic and riparian ecosystems and the stability of a stream’s bed and banks.

Avoid vegetation removal or management activities that will affect trees used by birds and other wildlife, particularly while they are

breeding, nesting, roosting or rearing young.

If you are proposing to top or remove trees, have the trees within the riparian area assessed by an appropriately qualified professional

biologist to determine the presence and status of bird nests and hollows. If trees are suspected of being hazardous, then also have them

assessed by a qualified arborist to determine the presence and nature of the hazard.

Where topping or removing the dead limb can remove the danger, opt for doing this rather than removing the entire tree.

Where the entire tree must be removed then it will need to be replaced with appropriate local native vegetation.

Retain large woody debris and the stubs / stumps of large diameter trees where it is safe to do so as these are important for preserving fish

habitat and wildlife populations.

Fell or top all trees so that the branches do not enter the stream channel. If any branches do inadvertently end up in the channel, remove

them from the site to where they will not enter the channel during high flows. Removal of limbs from the channel must be completed in a

manner that will not disturb aquatic organisms.

Fell the tree across the stream only when no other method of tree removal is possible because of safety reasons (e.g. to protect fallers or

buildings). Removal of the felled tree must be completed in a manner that does not damage the banks and the bed of the stream. If

possible, leave and anchor the trunk, orientating it approximately parallel to the direction of streamflow, so as not to impede flow. This

material can remain as large woody debris within the riparian zone.

Fell the tree away from the channel unless there is an immediate threat to the public, and remove the material within the watercourse work

window.

Ensure that equipment used for vegetation removal complies with this document’s listed best practices for deleterious substance control.

Schedule vegetation removal and the management or removal of hazard trees or limbs within the window of least risk for breeding birds

and before the watercourse window, wherever possible. This will help to prevent work delays and allow your works to be scheduled within

the watercourse work window.

Deleterious substance control / spill management

Prevent the release of silt, sediment, sediment-laden water, raw concrete, concrete leachate or any other deleterious substances into any

ditch, watercourse, ravine or storm sewer system.

Ensure equipment and machinery used is in good operating condition, clean (power washed) and free of leaks, excess oil and grease. No

equipment refueling or servicing should be undertaken within 30 metres of any watercourse or surface water drainage.

Ensure all hydraulic machinery entering a stream use environmentally-sensitive hydraulic fluids that are non-toxic to aquatic life and readily

or inherently biodegradable.

Keep a spill containment kit readily accessible onsite for use in the event of a release of a deleterious substance to the environment. Train

onsite staff in its use and immediately report any spill of a substance that is toxic, polluting or deleterious to aquatic life to the Environment

Protection Authority (08 8204 2004) and the board.

Do not use treated wood products in any construction below the high-water mark of the stream channel, to prevent the release of

preservatives that are toxic to fish.

Construct silt trap

Based on site-specific and work-orientated considerations, determine the appropriate gradient of the silt trap. To enable sediment to sink

out of suspension within the trap, a slow water flow through the trap is essential.

Ensure the silt trap design will prevent water turbulence mixing the sediment and maintaining it in suspension.

Install a silt trap:

establish a single stabilised entry / exit point (e.g. aggregate pad)

install sediment fence(s) along the low side of the site

divert up-slope water around the work site and stabilise any channels

stockpile topsoil within a sediment control zone


stabilise exposed earth banks (e.g. vegetation, erosion control mats)

install on-site waste receptors (e.g. mini-skips, bins, wind-proof litter receptors)

maintain all control measures in good working order.

Concrete works

Ensure that all works involving the use of concrete, cement, mortars and other Portland cement or lime-containing construction materials

will not deposit, directly or indirectly, sediments, debris, concrete, concrete fines, wash or contact water in or around any watercourse.

Concrete materials cast in place must remain inside sealed formed structures. Concrete leachate is alkaline and highly toxic to fish and other

aquatic life.

A CO2 tank with regulator, hose and gas diffuser must be readily available during concrete work to neutralise pH levels should a spill occur.

Train staff in its use.

Provide containment facilities for the wash-down water from concrete delivery trucks, concrete pumping equipment and other tools and

equipment.

Report immediately any spills of sediments, debris, concrete fines or wash to the Environment Protection Authority (08 8204 2004) and the

board. Implement emergency mitigation and clean-up measures (such as use of CO2 and immediate removal of the material).

Completely isolate all concrete work from any water within or entering into any watercourse or stormwater system.

Monitor the pH frequently in the watercourse immediately downstream of the isolated worksite until the works are completed. Emergency

measures should be implemented if downstream pH has changed more than 1.0 pH unit, measured to an accuracy of +/- 0.2 pH units from

the background level, or is recorded to be below 6.0 or above 9.0 pH units.

Prevent any water that contacts uncured or partly cured concrete (during activities like exposed aggregate wash-off, wet curing or

equipment washing) from directly or indirectly entering any watercourse or stormwater system.

Isolate and hold any water that contacts uncured or partly cured concrete until the pH is between 6.5 and 8.0 pH units and the turbidity is

less than 25 nephelometric turbidity units (NTU), measured to an accuracy of +/- 2 NTU.

Isolation of the work area

Isolate your work area from all flowing water, but do not cut off flow to downstream portions of the stream at any time during construction.

Temporarily divert, enclose or pump the water around the worksite. Ensure the point of discharge to the creek is located immediately

downstream of the worksite to minimise disturbance to downstream populations and habitats. Ensure that the diversion discharge does not

cause erosion to the bed and banks.

If it is not possible for you to fully isolate and divert flowing water from your work area due to water depth and volume, isolate your works

with a silt curtain to keep silted water from entering clean water.

Salvage of fish and / or other wildlife

Complete a fish and amphibian salvage before the start of works if any portion of the watercourse will be isolated or dewatered. An

appropriately-qualified professional must complete the salvage. It is the responsibility of the salvage crew to obtain the necessary permits

required by Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources before conducting the salvage activities.

Choose low impact salvage methods such as minnow trapping and seining before opting for higher impact electrofishing.

Use special techniques and take extra caution when completing salvages that might involve species at risk. If species at risk are expected to

be present, contact your local natural resources centre for information regarding assessment and salvage requirements for species at risk.

Post-work activities

Works finalisation:

remove all material from your temporary silt fence / trash rack, taking care that no material escapes into the drainage system

dismantle your temporary silt fence / trash rack

remove hand-pulled materials from the trash rack and dispose at a licensed landfill

remove all stockpiles of excavated reeds after they have dried and dispose of them at a licensed landfill or recycling depot

dismantle and remove all safety signage.


Site restoration:

grade disturbed areas to a stable angle of repose after work is completed and revegetate these areas to prevent surface erosion

and subsequent siltation of the watercourse

protect disturbed soil areas on the banks and areas adjacent to the stream from surface erosion by hydroseeding with a heavy

mulch, tackifier and seed mix; by installing erosion blankets; or by dense revegetation

plant a diverse mix of local native plants (trees, shrubs, and herbaceous species) appropriate to the site conditions, to revegetate

and replace impacted riparian vegetation

restore all in-channel or active floodplain habitats that have been disturbed during the completion of works to a condition that is

enhanced from their original state

remove any remaining sediment and erosion control measures (i.e. silt fence) and ensure all equipment, supplies, and non-

biodegradable materials have been removed from the site

complete post-construction multiyear monitoring to ensure your revegetation meets full survival.


Step 3 – council templates

Complete all relevant information

Name of council

Address

Contact person(s)

Phone

Fax

Mobile

E-mail

Identify the water affecting activity

(refer to the next table for water affecting activities)

NRM Act

reference

127 (5)(b) 127 (5)(c) 127 (5)(d) 127 (5)(e) 127 (5)(g) 127 (5)(h)

Water

affecting

activity


Table of water affecting activities

Examples NRM Act

reference

Water affecting activities

Constructing buildings or structures <10m2:

pump house

shelter

culvert

crossing point

fencing

127 (5)(b) The erection, construction or placement of any

building or structure in a watercourse or lake or on

the floodplain of a watercourse

Diverting stormwater from buildings using:

pipes

culverts

side entry pits

broken / leaking water main

cleaning out pipes, side entry pits etc using

water

127 (5)(c) Draining or discharging water directly or indirectly

into a watercourse or lake

Depositing material in a watercourse or lake,

including:

rip raps

rocks

tyres

snags

filling a watercourse

altering a watercourse

channelling a watercourse

erosion control works

127 (5)(d) Depositing or placing an object or solid material in

a watercourse or lake

Planting vegetation 127 (5)(e) Obstructing a watercourse or lake in any other

manner

Removal or destruction of trees, shrubs , grasses

or reeds

127 (5)(g) Destroying vegetation growing in a watercourse or

lake or growing on the floodplain of a watercourse

Desilting wetlands, swamps or springs

Digging in a watercourse

Digging on a floodplain

Altering a watercourse

Channelling a watercourse

Laying a pipe / cable

127 (5)(h) Excavating or removing rock, sand or soil from –

(i) a watercourse or lake or the floodplain of a

watercourse; or

(ii) an area near to the banks of a lake so as to

damage, or create the likelihood of damage to, the

banks of the lake


Provide details of the best practice operating procedure

Works stage

Preparatory

On-site

Post-work phase

Identify the area

Identify where the best practice operating procedure for a water affecting activity will be applied across council

Description

E.g. all local government area

Map

Insert or attach map (where relevant)


Step 4 – submit your best practice operating procedure for

review by the board

To get approval for council to operate under this best practice operating procedure please send a covering letter from your Chief Executive

seeking endorsement together with additional supporting documents to any of the offices below, or via email.

The Adelaide and Mount Lofty Ranges Natural Resources Management Board has natural resources centres located at:

Eastwood

205 Greenhill Road, EASTWOOD SA 5063

Tel: (08) 8273 9100

Gawler

8 Adelaide Road, GAWLER SOUTH SA 5118

Tel: (08) 8523 7700

Lobethal

1 Adelaide Lobethal Road, LOBETHAL SA 5241

Tel: (08) 8389 5900

Willunga

5 Aldinga Road, WILLUNGA SA 5172

Tel: (08) 8550 3400

[email protected]

www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/adelaidemtloftyranges

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