Through the Environmental Levy, Coffs Harbour City Council, has part funded a number of studies undertaken by Southern Cross University to look at the impact that Intensive Plant Agriculture, such as blueberries, is having on our waterways.
The 2017/18 round of the Environmental Levy funded::
The 2018/19 round of the Environmental Levy funded:
A plain english summary of the following 2018/19 reports has also been produced:
The 2019/20 round of the Environmental Levy funded:
- The runoff carrying capacity of Coffs coast estuaries
- Improving Water Quality Downstream of Protected Cropping Operations (yet to be finalised)
- Investigating pesticide and heavy metal distribution from soil, air, water and biota near expanding horticulture activites in the Coffs Harbour NSW region (yet to be finalised)
The 2020/21 round of the Environmental Levy funded:
- Regional Upscaling of Catchment Nitrogen Loads Along the Coffs Coast (yet to be finalised)
- Nitrogen Transport in Coffs Creek Over Seasonal and Flood Scales (yet to be finalised)
- Heavy Metal Deposition in Estuaries Downstream of Intensive Horticulture Activity (yet to be finalised)
Council is continuing to work with industry bodies, other levels of government and Southern Cross University to reduce impacts on our waterways from Intensive Plant Agriculture.
Another report of interest relates to sediments in Coffs Creek titled:
Mangrove sediments reveal records of development during the previous century (Coffs Creek Estuary, Australia) 2017
Want to report an issue? The below table provides details on the appropriate regulatory authority.
Environment Line (24 hours) EPA and OEH 131 555 info@environment.nsw.gov.au | - Vegetation clearing
- Wildlife concerns
- Pesticide use
- Spray drift
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Coffs Harbour City Council 02 6648 4000 coffs.council@chcc.nsw.gov.au | - Pollution - water, land, noise, air
- Burning of waste or offensive burning
- Failing septic systems
- Vegetation clearing along waterways or in environmental protection zones
- Unauthorised uses
- Unauthorised building or construction
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Natural Resources Access Regulator (NRAR) 1800 633 362 nrar.enquiries@nrar.nsw.gov.au | - Water access permits
- Dams, off creek pumping, bores
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Rural Fire Service (Coffs Harbour region) 02 6651 6133 | - Uncontrolled burning
- Fire Permits
- Call 000 in an emergency
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SafeWork NSW 131 050 contact@safework.nsw.gov.au | |
If you are unsure who to contact, contact Coffs Harbour City Council for assistance on 02 6648 4000 or email us.