Wilson Inlet 6 - Actions

The Wilson Inlet Catchment Committee Inc (WICC)

Wilson Inlet 6

Cover page
Introduction
History
Outside the bar
Inside the bar
Natural variability
Management options
Summary of Findings
Actions

References

Managing the bar and the Inlet

Actions for the bar and Inlet

Figure 19: Outflow of estuarine water 24 hours after bar opening, 1997. Photo: N. Boughton

Figure 20: Prawn Rock Channel Photo: K. Parker

An Action Plan for Wilson Inlet and it's catchment is being developed based on the views and wishes of the community and the available information on the environmental condition of the catchment and the Inlet. In addition to nutrient reduction activities in the catchment the action plan for the Inlet recommends:

Continuation of western openings within 100 m of the western cliffs to stabilise and deepen opening channels with a consistent opening.

Evaluation of opening the bar at a higher level to obtain maximum sand movement and scouring.

Dredging in Wilson Inlet to increase marine exchange to be limited to works on the existing channel so that changes in water quality can be assessed whilst managing the risks of stratification.

Manage Inlet floodplain to improve nutrient reduction

Investigate potential local causes of algal growth at Poddy Shot point and evaluate algal removal strategies

Although the Inlet is under stress from catchment derived nutrients, the water quality is in sufficiently good condition that large scale intervention in the form of a permanent opening (with its attendant impacts) is not recommended. The rate of decline is sufficiently slow that there is time for nutrient reduction activities in the urban and rural catchment to improve water quality in the short to medium term.