Central Coast Council: Terrigal Lagoon Management Research Report

This report presents a researcher's findings and recommendations for the management of Terrigal Lagoon. It addresses issues such as water quality affected by land use, urban runoff, vegetation loss due to development, and the presence of acid sulfate soils. The report also examines the impact of recreational activities and water level fluctuations on the lagoon's health. The researcher proposes several strategies to improve the lagoon's condition, including controlling pollution at its source, educating the public, establishing vegetated foreshore reserves, and implementing water level control structures. The report also suggests managing development density around the lagoon catchment to ensure effective coastal zone management. The researcher has collected primary and secondary data to support the findings and recommendations. This is a comprehensive overview of the environmental challenges and possible solutions for the Terrigal Lagoon.

TERRIGAL LAGOON RESEARCHER ON MANAGEMENT
NAME…..
ADDRESS…..
TELEPHONE NUMBER….
DATE….
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER,
OFFICE OF THE CEO,
CENTRAL COAST COUNCIL,
P.O. BOX 20,
WYONG NSW 2259.
Dear sir or madam,
RE: Coastal zone management research for Terrigal Lagoon
I am xxxx, a patriotic citizen of this nation and also a researcher and I hereby take this chance to
present my primary data which I collected together with the secondary data obtained from
Terrigal Lagoon. I was also capable of listing down the strategies that would be helpful in the
proper management of our lagoon since it plays a vital role in the culture and attractiveness of
our coastal zone
Among the information I gathered, I realized that there is a series of issues affecting the Terrigal
Lagoon, which covered the following aspects the existence of flora and fauna; recreational
purposes; ecological health; rubbish. During my research I also found a relevant research paper
written by another investigator, however it was about development density of the occupants
living in the area. According to my analysis, it is a factor affecting the Terrigal Lagoon. I’m
humbled that your team has tried a lot regarding its maintenance.
The first primary data talks about quality of water which is greatly affected by uses of land
within the catchment area, runoffs from an urban settlement, quantity of water flow plus
management of the drainages. All these factors restrict the capability of this system being self-
cleansing. Second, is vegetation loss; it has resulted due to the development occurring within the
catchment and along the foreshore. These vegetation act as sediment and nutrient filter and the
existing management practices have killed the lives of these vegetation through clearing of trees

as well as ground maintenance. Such practices have interfered with the hydrology of the Terrigal
Lagoon catchment.
Existence of the acid Sulphate soils was also identified. Activities involving sediment
disturbance within the lagoon will require to consider the problem of these acidic Sulphate soils.
Further, Terrigal Lagoon is well known for recreational activities such as swimming, fishing, and
sailing for both the locals and tourists. There is a notable problem for the health of those using it,
which comes as a result of water getting polluted when the quality of water is not satisfactorily
maintained. In addition, the water level of the lagoon is also another concern. It affects those
living in the surrounding urban region periods when its level is at extreme. When the level goes
down, the poor appearance, water quality, and odor aspects prevail and this has lessened the risk
to development. While at high levels drainage and the properties getting affected is of great
concern and I realized that some mechanical techniques are employed during the flooding
seasons to open this lagoon.
To ensure that proper management of Terrigal Lagoon is effective I’m proposing that we try out
these strategies which address the problems mentioned above experienced within the catchment.
Regarding lagoon runoff water quality, the best approach is to tackle the difficulties appearing at
the source rather than relaxing until the poor-quality water extends to the bottom of the lagoon
and the catchment. Therefore, controlling the inputs of pollutants and nutrients at the source is
the most significant action to apply. Furthermore, conducting public education concerning the
significance of proper management and use of fertilizers and other pollutants and nutrients is so
important. Moreover, providing a vegetated foreshore reserve involving emergent vegetation
encircling the lagoon will function as an additional filter for water quality. We can as well deal
with improving the onsite absorption of runoffs, thus maintaining runoffs to predevelopment
levels. Under the issue of loss of vegetation, we need to encourage the retention of aquatic,
wetland, and terrestrial plants growing within the lagoon since they serve in sediments
consolidation and maintaining the water quality.
The acid sulphate soils discovered within Terrigal Lagoon requires treatment. Further, I’m
requesting that a limit be put on the use of this lagoon for recreation- which allows active formal
recreational activities and an assessment need to be carried out on the effects of permissive
licenses, occupancies and concessions. In addition, the main contributors to the water level of a
lagoon are catchment runoffs and the rainwater. So the best possible alternative is to build a
water level control structure, such structures ensure that the water level of the lagoon is kept at
an artificial height after the berm openings thus minimizing the lagoon bed getting exposed
followed by complaints of the offensive smell. Another option to curb this problem is to prevent
the lagoon berm from being fully drained. This is achieved by opening the berm when the level
of water is at the lowest and then closing it mechanically when the flood level impact has been
discarded. Lastly, concerning development density, I’m humbly asking you to check and help the
council control the population living around the lagoon catchment.

Thanks a lot for creating this time to read my letter and I’m looking forward to hearing from you
and that all the plans serve well in the respective affected areas.
Yours faithfully,
(signature)
Patriotic citizen.