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4 February 2022
Shoalhaven City Council has replaced the public amenities at McDonald Parade Reserve, Burrill Lake. The new facilities, featuring two unisex accessible amenities, were completed in December 2021.
The old public amenity blocks at this location were in a poor condition they were scheduled for replacement in the 2024-2025 financial year. However structural issues made them unsafe, and they were closed immediately. Portable toilets were provided to maintain an amenities service until the new facilities were designed and built.
Director of City Services, Paul Keech said, “I would like to thank the community for their valuable input into the plan for the new unisex accessible public amenities and their patience during the design and construction process”.
The McDonald Parade facilities are open to the public 24 hours a day.
4 February 2022
With the hot humid weather the Shoalhaven is experiencing this summer, residents are asked to be on the lookout for aquatic weeds. In particular, Salvinia and Water Hyacinth are of current concern in Shoalhaven.
Shoalhaven Water is currently carrying out a control program on Flatrock Dam to eradicate Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) that has reinfested the dam. Salvinia is a free-floating mat-forming fern from Brazil. With the right conditions, this plant can double in the area in less than three days.
Dr Michael Roberts, Shoalhaven City Council’s Manager Environmental Services stated “Salvinia can affect water quality by preventing light and oxygen from entering the water. This can impact on the natural processes within the waterway including aquatic life and recreational activities as the waterways can become unnavigable due to the dense mat it can form on the water.”
Under the Biosecurity Act 2015 (NSW), Salvinia is a Regional Priority Weed. Land managers should mitigate the risk of new weeds being introduced to their land. The plant should be eradicated from properties and follow-up undertaken. The plant should not be bought, sold, grown, carried, or released into the environment.
Salvinia does not produce any seed and is only spread vegetatively by boats, canoes, trailers, vehicles, fishing equipment, animals e.g., birds, turtles, cattle, and people. Controlling Salvinia is difficult and expensive, due to the need to control every piece of the weed.
Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) is also known to occur in the area. This plant can double in mass in five days under favourable conditions. Water Hyacinth reproduces by seed and each capsule from a single flower can have 300 seeds in it. These seeds are viable for up to 20 years. ‘Daughter’ plants are also produced vegetatively, and each plant can produce 2-4 daughter plants.
Water Hyacinth can reduce water quality, change water temperature, change water pH, lower oxygen levels and obstruct waterways. It is spread in much the same way as Salvinia.
“Water Hyacinth is an attractive-looking plant that can be very popular with fishpond and aquarium keepers. However, it can cause major environmental damage in our local waterways”. Dr Roberts said.
Under the Biosecurity Act, there is a ‘Biosecurity Zone’ applicable for Water Hyacinth that includes the Shoalhaven. Within the zone, Water Hyacinth must be eradicated where practicable, or as much of the weed destroyed as practicable, and any remaining weed suppressed. Additionally, Shoalhaven City Council Biosecurity staff must be notified of any new infestations.
“We urge the community to report sightings of these weed species to Council so that the functions of the natural waterways in which they are found can be maintained.” Dr Roberts said.
For more information go to NSW DPI Weedwise or contact Shoalhaven City Council on 1300 293 111 or email at council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.
Shoalhaven City Council are undertaking road works on Wool Road and Mernie Street at Old Erowal Bay.
The Wool Road and Mernie Street Channelised Right Turn Lane Project is part of Council’s 2021-22 Roads Delivery Program. The project is the result of a successful grant application 2020 under the Federal and State Government Stimulus Commitment for Safety Work.
Paul Keech, Director of City Services said. “The delivery of road upgrades often causes some inconvenience for the Community. Be assured that Council staff always try to minimise the impact where possible.”
“The lane closure at this site is unavoidable given the scope and nature of these works.”
“I would like to remind everyone to pay attention to the road work speed limits that are in place at this location, for the safety of motorists and workers on site. I appreciate your patience for the duration of these important road work upgrades.” Mr Keech said.
The project began in early January and is expected to take nine weeks to complete. The works are being completed under a Traffic Control Plan, which includes the lane closure.
To find out where road works are underway across the Shoalhaven, visit Council’s website at shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au/
