Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning. State Planning Policy state interest guideline. Water quality

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1 Department f State Develpment, Infrastructure and Planning State Planning Plicy state interest guideline Water quality August 2014 Great state. Great pprtunity.

2 Preface Using this state interest guideline The Queensland Gvernment established the State Planning Plicy (SPP) t define the specific matters f state interest in land use planning and develpment. T supprt the implementatin f the SPP, each state interest in the SPP is supprted by a state interest guideline such as this ne. This state interest guideline must be read in cnjunctin with the SPP. Where text in this guideline is in a clured text bx, it is an excerpt frm the SPP and is the state s plicy abut a matter f state interest. In relatin t making r amending a planning scheme, the SPP quted text defines what a lcal gvernment shuld d in preparing r amending a planning scheme (ie. the state prefers this plicy but will cnsider alternative appraches based n specific lcal cntext r issues). Where interim develpment assessment requirements apply fr a state interest (because the relevant planning scheme has nt yet integrated the state interest r an amendment t the SPP has ccurred subsequent t the scheme), the SPP quted text defines requirements that must be applied in the assessment f applicable develpment applicatins. Cntent within this state interest guideline that is nt an excerpt frm the SPP prvides further cntext and explains hw the SPP plicies can be applied. It des nt intrduce r define any new plicies which d nt exist in the SPP itself. The use f such guidance material is ptinal it des nt frm a statutry cmpnent f the SPP and hence is nt a mandatry requirement f the state. 2

3 Cntents PART A Backgrund and cre cncepts... 4 PART B Integrating the state interest int planning schemes... 7 PART C Applicatin f interim develpment assessment requirements PART D Mdel cdes and prvisins...20 PART E Supprting infrmatin

4 PART A: Backgrund and cre cncepts PART A State interest water quality The envirnmental values and quality f Queensland waters are prtected and enhanced. Backgrund Water underpins ur quality f life and ur ecnmy. Sustained urban ppulatin grwth rates in Queensland have led t increasing impacts n urban strmwater quality that is a ptential threat t maintaining water quality and achieving water quality bjectives in many catchment areas. Planning and develpment decisin making impacts the quality and functining f water supply catchments and the cst, peratinal efficiency and safety f bulk water supply. The state interest in water quality infrms land use planning, develpment assessment and prvisin f infrastructure requirements fr urban strmwater management, the prtectin f water supply catchments and the prtectin f the natural and built envirnment frm the adverse impacts f acid sulfate sils. Cre cncepts Envirnmental Values (EVs) and Water Quality Objectives (WQOs) EVs fr tidal and nn-tidal waters are thse referred t in the Envirnmental Prtectin (Water) Plicy 2009 (EPP Water) and relate t the water s aquatic ecsystems, including its bita, physical frm, riparian vegetatin, flw and physicchemical water quality. Envirnmental values als include primary industry, farm use, stck watering, aquaculture, human cnsumptin, primary recreatin, secndary recreatin, visual appreciatin, raw drinking water, industrial use and cultural and spiritual values. WQOs are quantitative lng term bjectives fr receiving waters that prtect the envirnmental values. WQOs are lng-term gals fr water quality management. They are measures, levels r narrative statements f particular indicatrs f water quality that prtect EVs. They define what the water quality shuld be t prtect the EVs after cnsideratin f the sci-ecnmic assessment f prtecting the water quality. They are nt end-f-pipe r emissin bjectives. Develpment, particularly cmmercial and industrial develpments and thse nt cnnected t municipal sewerage systems, that discharge wastewater t waterways can mbilise cntaminants that affect water envirnmental values. Develpment that results in the disturbance f acid sulfate sils can result in the mbilisatin and transprt f acidic runff, nutrients and metals, ptentially impacting the natural and built envirnment. High Eclgical Value (HEV) waters HEV waters are waters where the bilgical integrity is effectively unmdified r highly valued and the management intent is t maintain the bilgical integrity. Ttal Water Cycle Management Decisins affecting the natural water cycle shuld be based n ttal water cycle management (TWCM) principles. These are: recgnising all ptential surces f water, including wastewater and strmwater using all water surces sustainably allcating and using water equitably fr residential, industrial, agricultural and envirnmental uses integrating water use and natural water prcesses, including maintaining envirnmental flws and water quality. TWCM principles perate at bth a reginal r catchment scale, where it infrms reginal water quality and quantity management planning, and lcal scale where it infrms lcal gvernment strmwater and wastewater management planning. Additinal infrmatin abut TWCM can be fund at Urban strmwater management Urban strmwater run-ff ptentially cntributes t adverse water quality in waterways, which impact aquatic ecsystems health and limit human water uses. Unless well managed, urban strmwater can release cntaminants such as nutrients, sediment and slid waste t waterways. Waterway ersin can result frm strmwater flws and als impact ecsystem health, bth ptentially impacting n envirnmental values. 4

5 PART A The Queensland Urban Drainage Manual (QUDM) prvides further infrmatin fr urban develpers, catchment managers and gvernment decisin makers t manage urban strmwater quantity and quality t prtect the envirnmental values f waterways. The QUDM summarises planning and technical reference material n best practice urban strmwater quality management, and is published at urban-drainage. Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) WSUD is the planning and design f urban envirnments that is sensitive t the issues f water sustainability and envirnmental prtectin (Wng, 2006). 1 The principles f WSUD include: prtecting existing natural features f the natural drainage system including waterways and water bdies and eclgical prcesses integrating public pen space with strmwater drainage crridrs t maximise public access, recreatin activities and visual amenity while preserving waterway habitats and wildlife crridrs maintaining natural hydrlgic behaviur f catchments and preserving the natural water cycle via minimising changes t the natural frequency, duratin, vlume and peak discharge f urban strmwater prtecting water quality envirnmental values f surface and grund waters minimising demand n the reticulated water supply system and utilising strmwater as a valued resurce minimising capital and maintenance csts f strmwater infrastructure and minimising sewage discharges t the natural envirnment integrating water int the landscape t enhance visual, scial, cultural and eclgical values. Nn-tidal artificial waterway Nn-tidal artificial waterways include access channels, cnstructed urban lakes r ther bdies f water that are designed t be: permanent bdies f pen water fringed with hard edges r emergent macrphytes indirectly cnnected t tidal water (by a lck r weir r ther system) artificial lakes (generally land lcked withut a direct cnnectin t tidal waterways). T avid nging management prblems strmwater quality treatment shuld be undertaken thrugh apprpriately designed treatment devices (swales, bi-retentin basins r cnstructed wetlands) prir t entering the artificial waterway. Acid Sulfate Sils (ASS) ASS cvers apprximately 2.3 millin hectares f land and ccur naturally alng the cast, usually where land elevatin is less than 5 metres AHD. Sil r sediment cntaining highly acidic sil hrizns (r layers) affected by the xidatin f irn sulphides is knwn as actual ASS. Sil r sediment cntaining irn sulphides r ther sulphide material, that has nt been expsed t air and xidised, are knwn as ptential acid sulfate sils (PASS). The term acid sulfate sils includes bth actual and ptential ASS. The expsure f PASS t xygen (e.g. by drainage f grundwater, excavatin r filling), if nt prperly managed, may result in acidificatin, mbilisatin and release f metals (irn, aluminium, arsenic), increased levels f nutrients (e.g. irn, aluminium), in frms that can be cmmnly released int receiving waters. As surface water and grundwater interactins are linked, grundwater impacts can result in risks t surface water bdies. The acid crrdes cncrete and steel infrastructure and, tgether with the metal cntaminants, can kill fish, ther aquatic rganisms, native vegetatin and crps, r impact n human health particularly if it impacts n grundwater supplies used fr urban and dmestic drinking water. 1 Australian Runff Quality: A Guide t Water Sensitive Urban Design. Wng, THF (Ed) Engineers Australia. 5

6 PART A Nutrients f cncern fr castal and harmful algal blms Land-based develpment and management activities that disturb sils and sediments r alter the natural hydrlgical regime (including grundwater levels and cmpsitin and surface-water run-ff) can result in the mbilisatin and transprt f increased lads f sediments and nutrients int castal waters. These cntaminants include nitrgen, phsphrus, irn r rganic matter and can enhance the grwth f algae. These cntaminants may initiate r increase the severity f Lyngbya majuscula (cyanbacterium) blms in castal waters. Nutrients f cncern that may cntribute t increased ccurrence, frequency r intensity f castal algal blms (particularly nitrgen, phsphrus, irn and rganic matter) may be released during develpment in castal areas. Nutrient hazardus areas can include the fllwing: Areas invlving particular activities such as effluent dispsal and wastewater treatment; activities invlving rganic wastes/manures such as feedlts, pultry farms, etc; fertiliser inputs such as hrticulture, crpping, frestry and glf curses. Areas invlving activities where substantial disturbance f sil and/r grundwater that may mbilise nutrient(s) f cncern such as dredging, canals and marinas, tunnels, maritime infrastructure, prts, extractive industries, mining, majr pipelines and ther majr prjects including thse deemed as state significant. Areas invlving activities generating airbrne/vlatile particles cntaining nutrients f cncern, such as cmmercial pultry sheds r where such activities are prpsed t begin r intensify. 6

7 PART B: Integrating the state interest int planning schemes PART B Plicies 1 Fr receiving waters: Facilitating the prtectin f envirnmental values and the achievement f water quality bjectives fr Queensland waters. Effective land use planning can limit, and ver time reduce, the impacts f develpment n envirnmental values. The state interest water quality is intended t infrm land use planning and develpment decisins t create settlement designs and patterns that reduce the risk f adversely impacting envirnmental values acrss Queensland. The SPP state interest water quality requires EVs and WQOs fr receiving waters t be cnsidered by planners and assessment managers in decisin making. Hw t apprpriately integrate the plicy 1.1 When making r amending a planning scheme, the lcal gvernment shuld cnfirm if waters in their area have EVs and WQOs. EVs, WQOs and assciated mapping, including infrmatin n waters f HEV 2, are available n the Department f Envirnment and Heritage Prtectin s website. 1.2 Within the strategic framewrk, the fllwing plicy statements are recmmended: The quality f surface-water and grundwater within the lcal planning area is maintained and as apprpriate, enhanced. The principles f ttal water cycle management and water sensitive urban design are incrprated int develpment. Strategic framewrk mapping shuld identify areas f HEV waters as envirnmental prtectin and cnservatin areas. 1.3 The fllwing envirnmental matters shuld be cnsidered when allcating land fr apprpriate zning: Areas that drain directly int waters mapped as being f HEV shuld nly be allcated r zned fr urban r future urban purpses where it can supprt the achievement f WQO s and the HEV f the waters maintained. HEV waters shuld be included in an Envirnmental Management and Cnservatin zne r similar. If lcated in alternative znes, the verall utcmes and perfrmance utcmes/acceptable slutins shuld supprt the prtectin f receiving waters within catchment areas. HEV areas shuld be included in the Envirnmental Management and Cnservatin zne where apprpriate. Alternative znes shuld supprt the prtectin f receiving waters thrugh apprpriate prvisins within a waterway crridr and/r wetlands verlay. 1.4 Overlays can be used t identify areas f eclgical significance, waterway crridrs r areas that may cnstrain develpment r which require management t avid r minimise ersin. Sme examples which culd be incrprated int a lcal planning scheme include: Waterway crridrs and/r wetlands verlay the accmpanying verlay cde shuld include prvisins t the effect that strmwater treatment is lcated utside waterway crridrs and wetlands; r rehabilitatin plans are required t imprve the functining f riparian buffers. Relevant layers f MSES can be included in this verlay t be avided r impacts mitigated thrugh applicatin f additinal urban strmwater quality management plans and/r ersin and sediment cntrl plans. 2 HEV waters are included as a cntributing layer t Matters f State Envirnmental Significance (MSES) mapping within the SPP interactive mapping system. 7

8 PART B Water resurce catchment verlay buffer areas used fr waters that have a human use value fr human cnsumptin. Ersin management verlay addresses areas prne t ersin, landslide r ther land degradatin prcesses. This layer can be used t identify areas with sil types that are mre susceptible t ersin hazard r dispersive sils that will require additinal ersin and sediment management. 1.5 Cnsider the inclusin f the SPP Cde: Water quality within the planning scheme, r similar develpment assessment requirements. Alternatively implement a water quality cde that includes perfrmance utcmes which are cnsistent with the Envirnmental Prtectin (Water) Plicy 2009 and apply best practice management utcmes in relatin t the prtectin f water quality fr receiving waters. REFER TO PART E: Supprting Infrmatin 1. References, industry guidelines and technical resurces fr a link t the Queensland Urban Drainage Manual (QUDM). Plicy 2 Identifying land fr urban r future urban purpses in areas which avid r minimise the disturbance t natural drainage and acid sulfate sils, ersin risk, impact n grundwater and landscape features Hw t apprpriately integrate the plicy 2.1 Within the strategic framewrk, plicy statements fr urban areas shuld identify the need t avid r minimise disturbance t natural drainage, landscape features, ersin risk, impacts upn grundwater and disturbance t acid sulfate sils. 2.2 The fllwing envirnmental cnsideratins shuld be taken int accunt when allcating land fr urban purpses and when drafting applicable zne cde prvisins: Develpment is respnsive t the envirnmental cnstraints f the land. Natural features and envirnmental crridrs such as creeks, gullies, waterways, wetlands, habitats and vegetatin are retained and enhanced thrugh buffers that minimise the impact f existing and future land uses. Scheme 2002, Lckyer Valley Reginal Cuncil). Areas zned fr future urban purpses shuld include prvisins which supprt the retentin and enhancement f significant natural aquatic feature and buffering frm the impacts f adjacent uses. Any unavidable impacts shuld be minimised thrugh lcatin, design, peratin and management requirements. Develpment in industrial znes shuld ensure that ptential adverse impacts n natural features and prcesses, bth n-site and frm adjining areas, are minimised thrugh lcatin, design, peratin and management f develpment. Higher risk develpment, such as special industry, and utility installatin (sewage treatment plant r waste management facility) shuld be lcated away frm areas with high grundwater tables and areas with highly permeable sils. Areas f ptential dry-land salinity are avided s that saline discharge is nt mbilised t impact n dwnstream waterways (e.g. salinity mapping and prvisins in the Laidley Shire Cuncil Planning 8

9 PART B Plicy 3 Including requirements that develpment fr an urban purpse is lcated, designed, cnstructed and/r managed t avid r minimise: (a) impacts arising frm: i. altered strmwater quality r flw, and ii. waste water (ther than cntaminated strmwater and sewage), and iii. the creatin r expansin f nn-tidal artificial waterways, such as urban lakes, and (b) the release and mbilisatin f nutrients that increase the risk f algal blms. Develpment requirements within planning schemes shuld be infrmed by any applicable water quality imprvement plans, waste management plans r lcal urban strmwater quality management plans s that: (a) (b) (c) mapping f strmwater and waste water infrastructure and catchments will assist in determining the preferred pattern f settlement planning scheme prvisins supprt develpment which can cntribute t the achievement f water quality bjectives water quality bjectives can be used t guide the cnditins n develpment apprvals, planning scheme plicies and cdes based n ptins fr strmwater management r waste water management develped in waterway actin plans (fr example requiring use f water sensitive urban design, grassed swales, prus paving etc.). Water by Design has develped a number f technical design manuals and guidelines fr lcal gvernment and develpers t use in implementing best practice fr urban strmwater quality and flw management. Infrmatin is available at Hw t apprpriately integrate the plicy 3.1 Include plicy statements within the strategic framewrk, that ensure: the quality f surface water and grundwater is maintained the principles f ttal water cycle management and water sensitive urban design are incrprated int develpment. 3.2 When determining future urban areas, r areas fr increased density that will result in increased impervius areas, cnsider the recmmendatins frm the Queensland Water Quality Guidelines and Queensland Urban Drainage Manual while identifying waterways f significant cnservatin value, r areas suffering ersin r have sils that are knwn t be prne t ersin. Failure t adequately cnsider the ptential risk may challenge the lcal gvernments ability t prtect existing EV and hamper achievement f WQOs in dwnstream receiving waters. 3.3 Cnsider within the planning scheme (r thrugh planning scheme plicies as apprpriate): the design guidelines and standard drawings fr water quality and flw management frm existing best practice surces apprpriate fr the climatic regin r prvide preferred detailed design guidelines and standard drawings apprpriate fr the climatic regin. The use f standard drawings and designs may reduce ptential nging maintenance cncerns. standard requirements t ensure cnstructed nntidal waterways (urban lakes) are designed and perated as lng term sustainable assets investigatin requirements fr the risk f mbilisatin f nutrients f cncern n a prpsed develpment site measures t prevent r reduce incidences f algal blms. 9

10 PART B Plicy 4 Adpting the applicable strmwater management design bjectives relevant t the climatic regin, utlined in Tables A and B (Appendix 3 f the SPP), r demnstrate current best practice envirnmental management fr develpment that is fr an urban purpse. In urban catchments, the wet-weather impacts f the cnstructin phase f land develpment as well as the pstdevelpment r permanent phase need t be cnsidered as the issues and impact assessment methdlgy are different. Critical impact factrs include sil ersin hazard f the landscapes being develped and increased rainfall run-ff cefficients which ccur when land is cleared and tpsil remved. Methds fr assessing strmwater impact n receiving waters include: Mnitring actual strmwater quality can be cmpared with receiving water quality t establish the level f treatment necessary t prtect EVs, where sufficient mnitring data are available frm the same develpment type in similar landscape cnditins f the same regin. Mdelling strmwater quality and its ptential impact n receiving waters can be mathematically mdelled t determine treatment requirements (design bjectives). Sme mnitring data are usually required t validate such mdels. Best management practices best available data n the perfrmance efficiency f current best practice treatment technlgies can be used t establish minimum standards f perfrmance (typically expressed as minimum average annual pllutant lad reductins, r minimum average percentage reductins in pllutant lads). The Water Sensitive Urban Design Deemed t Cmply Slutins Strmwater Quality published by Water by Design utlines a series f ff-the-shelf strmwater slutins fr meeting water quality design bjectives fr small-scale develpment withut the need fr a site based strmwater quality management plan in Suth East Queensland (nte that an ersin and sediment cntrl plan may still be required). Deemed t Cmply Slutins fr all f Queensland s climatic znes are als available. Hw t apprpriately integrate the plicy 4.1 This can be achieved thrugh the use f zne and use cdes, r technical design planning scheme plicies, reflecting the fllwing measures: Table A (in Appendix 3 f the SPP) cnstructin phase strmwater management design bjectives. Table B (in Appendix 3 f the SPP) pst cnstructin phase strmwater management design bjectives fr the apprpriate climatic regin. Establish minimum standards f perfrmance develped frm best available data n the perfrmance efficiency f current best practice treatment technlgies. Reference relevant sectin f the Best Practice Ersin and Sediment Cntrl (IECA, 2008). Nminate preferred design standards (e.g. ersin risk ratings and design strms events). Reference applicable sectins f the Queensland Urban Drainage Manual. Cnsider Water by Design guidelines and manuals. Reference Envirnmental Prtectin (Water) Plicy

11 PART B Plicy 5 Facilitating innvative and lcally apprpriate slutins fr urban strmwater management that achieve the relevant urban strmwater management design bjectives. The tpgraphy and envirnmental values f Queensland s ppulatin centres varies significantly. Due t these differences there is n single state-wide respnse fr addressing drainage situatins, particularly strmwater management. T assist develpers address these varying lcal needs, several cuncils have develped lcal Water Sensitive Urban Design slutins t suit lcal circumstances and reduce unnecessary research and design csts brne by develpers. Hw t apprpriately integrate the plicy 5.1 A lcal gvernment may decide t reflect this plicy by: including perfrmance criteria fr the use f water quality treatment measures fr a sub-catchment rather than general develpment measures including perfrmance criteria fr strmwater quality treatments elsewhere in the catchment t ffset lcal impacts frm strmwater using alternative technlgies r prprietary slutins. These alternative slutins are recmmended t be: Examples f where lcal gvernments have invested in develping mre lcally apprpriate peratin phase strmwater quality management design bjectives include: Mackay Reginal Cuncil The Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Deemed t Cmply Slutins fr the Mackay Regin lcated at Twnsville City Cuncil Water Sensitive Urban Design fr the Castal Dry Trpics (Twnsville): Design Objectives fr Strmwater Management fr the Castal Dry Trpics lcated at planning/planningscheme/wsud/pages/default.aspx. 1. included within a lcal gvernment infrastructure plan 2. prvided with detailed cst estimates s that infrastructures fr the device can be transparently allcated acrss the benefitting sub-catchment 3. secured by legally binding mechanism t secure the prtectin f the alternate site. 11

12 PART B Plicy 6 Planning fr safe, secure and efficient water supply. Plicy 7 Including requirements that develpment in water resurce catchments is undertaken in a manner which cntributes t the maintenance and enhancement (where pssible) f water quality t prtect the drinking water and aquatic ecsystem envirnmental values in thse catchments. The lcatin f existing and apprved future water resurce catchments and water supply surces (such as grundwater, reservirs and rivers) are recmmended t be recgnised in lcal planning schemes and prtected frm develpment that wuld cmprmise the ability t supply water safely and efficiently. It is imprtant t ensure develpment in water resurce catchments is undertaken in a manner which cntributes t the imprvement (where pssible) and nging maintenance f water quality discharged in thse catchments that wuld therwise cmprmise the ability t supply water safely and efficiently. Hw t apprpriately integrate the plicy 6/7.1 Within the strategic framewrk, include plicy statements that ensure develpment is planned and designed t manage strmwater and wastewater in ways that avid r minimise impacts n water quality (fr example, with the prvisin f strmwater quality imprvement devices and biretentin systems). Include plicy utcmes that recgnise the imprtance and maintenance f water quality fr the water supply surces within the lcal gvernment area. When identifying these water surces, where cnsidered apprpriate als map these surces n strategic framewrk mapping. 6.2 Cnsider the fllwing prvisins when determining apprpriate land use znes: Existing and apprved future water resurce buffer areas are maintained within nn-urban znes where pssible. Existing water resurce buffer areas in existing r prpsed urban znes are prtected thrugh supprting zne, develpment and verlay cdes where apprpriate. 6.3 When drafting verlays fr water quality management, watercurses draining t water resurce catchments are identified and prtected in waterway crridr and/r water resurce catchment verlay maps and prtected thrugh supprting verlay cdes where apprpriate. 6/7.4 Include planning and engineering measures t ensure develpment in identified water supply buffer areas and water resurce buffer areas is planned and designed t manage strmwater and wastewater in ways that minimise impacts n water quality. Fr example an SEQ lcal gvernment may reference the SEQWater Develpment Guidelines: Develpment guidelines fr water quality management in drinking water catchments r include similar prvisin within relevant assessment cdes r planning scheme plicies. REFER TO PART E: Queensland Water Quality Guidelines 12

13 PART B Plicy 8 Fr develpment in a water supply buffer area: Including requirements that develpment cmplies with the specific utcmes and measures cntained in the SEQWater Develpment Guidelines: Develpment Guidelines fr Water Quality Management in Drinking Water Catchments 2012 r similar develpment assessment requirements. This plicy item is prescribed fr SEQ lcal gvernment areas. These cuncils are recmmended t include the prvisins f the SEQWater guideline within the planning scheme t ensure the nging security and quality f water supply is maintained in these regins. REFER TO: The SPP Interactive Mapping System Hw t apprpriately integrate the plicy 8.1 Develpment cdes, r specific water supply cdes, shuld reference r reflect specific utcmes and measures cntained in the SEQWater Develpment Guidelines: Develpment Guidelines fr Water Quality Management in Drinking Water Catchments When determining apprpriate land use znes, ensure that: existing and apprved future water supply buffer areas are maintained within nn-urban znes existing water supply buffer areas with existing r prpsed urban znes are prtected thrugh supprting zne, develpment and verlay cdes advice frm the Queensland Bulk Water Supply Authrity is sught where a reduced separatin distance is prpsed. 8.3 Cnsider the use f an verlay cde such as a Reginal Infrastructure Crridrs and Substatins verlay t include land that is whlly r partly within a water supply buffer area. 13

14 PART B Plicy 9 Acid sulfate sils: In an acid sulphate sil affected area, prtecting the natural and built envirnment (including infrastructure) and human health frm the ptential adverse impacts f acid sulfate sils by: (a) identifying areas with high prbability f cntaining acid sulfate sils, and (b) prviding preference t land uses that will avid r minimise the disturbance f acid sulfate sils, and (c) including requirements fr managing the disturbance f acid sulfate sils t avid r minimise the mbilisatin and release cntaminants. Hw t apprpriately integrate the plicy (a) Identifying areas with high prbability f cntaining acid sulfate sils A list f castal lcal gvernment areas identified as having a high prbability f cntaining ASS is identified in the Part G Glssary, under the 'acid sulfate sil affected area' definitin. The identificatin is necessary t help devise apprpriate planning strategies t avid r minimise the disturbance f ASS. 9.1 Planning schemes fr castal lcal gvernment areas that have a high prbability f cntaining ASS, shuld identify in verlay frm, areas within which assessable develpment applies, using the fllwing where apprpriate: (a) Gather ASS data available frm the Department f Natural Resurces and Mines website lcated at data.qld.gv.au sil-data/mapping/ r thrugh the Queensland Gvernment Infrmatin Service at (b) Prepare mapping t identify areas with high prbability ASS areas using the fllwing criteria: Land with elevatin less than 5 metres AHD. Sil and sediment f recent gelgical age (Hlcene). Marine r estuarine sediments and tidal lakes. Lw-lying castal wetlands r back swamp areas, waterlgged r scalded areas, interdune swales r castal sand dunes. Castal alluvial valleys. Areas where the dminant vegetatin is tlerant f salt, acid and/r water lgging cnditins e.g. mangrves, salt cuch, swamp-tlerant reeds, rushes, grasses (e.g. Phragmites australis), paperbarks (Melaleuca spp.) and swamp ak (Casuarina spp.). Areas identified in gelgical descriptins r in maps as bearing sulphide minerals, cal depsits r marine shales/sediments and deep lder estuarine sediments belw grund surface. The use f default verlay identifying areas belw 5 metres AHD where the natural grund level is belw 20 metres AHD. (b) Prviding preference t land uses that will avid r minimise the disturbance f acid 14

15 PART B sulfate sils 9.2 Management f ASS disturbance can prve cstly fr the built and natural envirnment. Even minr disturbances may disturb ASS, warranting management t prtect the assets frm crrsin. Land uses that shuld be directed away frm ASS where pssible include but are nt limited t: marinas and canal estates urban cnstructin invlving deep basements agricultural systems invlving extensive drainage and/r retentin systems (e.g. rice farming, aquaculture) extractive industries (e.g. sand and gravel mining). (c) Managing the disturbance f acid sulfate sils Activities that disturb land in a manner likely t xidise ASS include pen excavatin, permanent r temprary grundwater extractin and filling. Grundwater extractin in particular carries a high risk f aerating ASS in situ, which is extremely difficult t remediate. Planning cdes and plicies may chse t specify that particular cnstructin methds and materials shuld be used where ASS disturbance cannt be avided. Examples f such methds and materials include: fr develpment in ASS areas, lcal gvernment cnsider the use f an ASS verlay cde that cntains prvisins reflecting the lcal gvernment develpment assessment prvisins and assessment requirements fr ASS, in the SPP Part E Interim develpment assessment requirements fr State interest water quality. Meeting Best Practice Envirnmental Management and cmplying with General Envirnmental Duty als requires dcumentatin f management activities, generally thrugh an Envirnmental Management Plan (EMP) and assciated recrd keeping. This includes disturbances exempt frm planning legislatin, such as infrastructure wrks. REFER TO: PART E 3. Preparing an Acid Sulfate Sils Envirnmental Management Plan lcating ASS and depth t ASS using an investigatin that cnfrms with the Queensland Sampling Guidelines and sil analyses accrding t the Labratry Methds Guidelines r Australian Standard 4969 neutralising existing acidity and preventing the generatin f acid and metal cntaminants preventing the release f acid r metal cntaminants int surface r grundwater preventing in situ xidatin f ASS thrugh grund water management, and dcumenting management strategies and reprting requirements in an ASS envirnmental management plan. 9.3 Land identified as having high prbability f ASS shuld be apprpriately zned t minimise the impacts frm disturbance f ASS sils. Alternatively, 15

16 PART C: Applicatin f interim develpment assessment requirements PART C Lcal gvernment develpment assessment Develpment assessment requirement 1 The develpment applicatin is t be assessed against the fllwing requirements: Develpment: (1) avids r therwise minimises adverse impacts n the envirnmental values f receiving waters, arising frm: (a) altered strmwater quality r flws (b) wastewater (ther than cntaminated strmwater and sewerage) (c) the creatin r expansin f nn-tidal artificial waterways, by demnstrating it cmplies with the SPP cde: Water quality (Appendix 3). The purpse f the SPP cde: Water quality is t ensure develpment is planned, designed, cnstructed and perated t manage strmwater and wastewater in ways that supprt the prtectin f receiving waters envirnmental values. The wet weather impacts f the cnstructin phase f land develpment needs t be cnsidered as well as the pstcnstructin r peratinal phase, as the issues and impact assessment methdlgy are different. Critical impact factrs include sil ersin hazard f the landscapes being develped, and increased rainfall run-ff which ccur when land is cleared and tpsil remved. The impacts f cnstructin phase ersin and sediment lss can greatly utweigh any water quality imprvements in the pst-cnstructin (peratinal) phase f the develpment. Therefre develpment shuld, as far as pssible, be fitted t the landscape rather than attempting t fit the landscape t the develpment. Hw a develpment applicatin may demnstrate cmpliance with the assessment requirement Assessment Erded sils and litter are majr pllutant surces during cnstructin activity. There is als ptential fr the mdificatin f the hydrlgy f streams due t increased run-ff cefficients when subsils are expsed during lnger term majr develpments. WSUD principles and reducing ersin ptential during cnstructin are fundamental t achieving water quality bjectives in relevant waterways. Significant reductins in pllutants can be achieved by using a cmbinatin f imprved cnstructin practices, structural and vegetatin measures and sil stabilisatin techniques. A site management plan shuld be prepared, incrprating a range f cntrl measures. Table A and Table B in Appendix 2 f the SPP detail surce cntrls in the tw develpment phases: Table A: Cnstructin phase strmwater management design bjectives Best Practice Ersin and Sediment Cntrl (IECA, 2008) prvides cmprehensive guidance n industry accepted best practice fr ersin and sediment cntrl n building and cnstructin sites. It shuld be adpted fr addressing the requirements f the State Interest - Water Quality prvisins fr receiving waters, unless lcal alternative have been adpted by the relevant lcal gvernment planning scheme (Develpment cdes r planning scheme Plicies). 16

17 PART C Key matters fr ersin and sediment cntrl t be addressed are: Drainage cntrl frm IECA 2008 Ersin Cntrl IECA 2008 prvides tables with ptential sil, rainfall lss, ersivity, fr centres acrss Queensland. Several lcal gvernments have ersin hazard assessment tls t streamline the assessment f ersin risks and categrise the level r ersin cntrl required. Fr example Brisbane City Cuncil Ersin Hazard assessment system requires an Ersin Hazard assessment frm accmpany all develpment applicatins and specify additinal requirements fr high ersin hazard sites. Sediment cntrl IECA Chapter 4 Sediment basins are recmmended n sites determined t have abve a ptential sil lss rate f >150 tnnes f sil per hectare per year, and sites greater than 1 hectare. The crrect sediment basin type shuld selected fr the predminant sils type Select basin type: Less than 33% f sil finer than 0.02 mm - Type C basin Mre than 33% f sil finer than 0.02 mm -Type F basin Mre than 10% f sil dispersible -Type D basin. Waterway stability and fld flw management QUDM fr additinal guidance n fld flw management. Prcedural guide The EHP SEQ Prcedural guide standard wrk methd fr the assessment f releases t waters frm cnstructin sites (EM1135) is published at The assciated Summary Sheet (EM1137) prvides a reference fr audit use. REFER TO PART E: 1. EHP Prcedural Guideline: Standard wrk methd fr the assessment f the lawfulness f releases t waters frm cnstructin sites in Suth East Queensland EM1135 Table B: Pst cnstructin phase strmwater management design bjectives cnstructin phase site develpment The assessment manager will need certain infrmatin when assessing develpment applicatins against the plicy. Infrmatin may include thse matters addressed in the Queensland Urban Drainage Manual. Relevant develpment applicatins will need t cntain infrmatin n hw strmwater and waste water treatments are selected t incrprate design bjectives fr helping achieve relevant WQO. A number f tls are available t assist in demnstrating cmpliance. The Cncept Design Guidelines fr Water Sensitive Urban Design (Water by Design, 2009) will assist in demnstrating that the prpsed slutin can be accmmdated within the develpment design. The Water Sensitive Urban Design Deemed t Cmply Slutins utline a series f ff the shelf strmwater slutins fr meeting water quality design bjectives fr small-scale develpment acrss Queensland. The slutins are intended t reduce the reprting and assessment requirements fr develpments, and reduce r avid the need fr water quality mdelling and strmwater management plan reprting requirements, while still ensuring apprpriate strmwater quality treatment trains are emplyed. A set f standard drawings are available which reduce the detailed design and dcumentatin and, where pssible, standardise the cmmn design requirements fr strmwater treatment elements cntained in the Water Sensitive Urban Design Technical Design Guidelines fr Suth East Queensland. Fr develpments with higher levels f imperviusness, numerical mdelling f pllutant exprt and strmwater treatment perfrmance may be required t demnstrate cmpliance. The Mdel fr Urban Strmwater Imprvement Cnceptualisatin (MUSIC) is widely adpted fr this purpse. Best practice examples n hw t achieve the design bjectives n a particular site r hw t address a particular type f develpment can be accessed frm: Suth East Queensland Climatic Regin: Water Sensitive Urban Design Technical Design Guidelines fr Suth East Queensland prepared by the Suth East Queensland Healthy Waterways Partnership. 17

18 PART C Mackay Reginal Cuncil and Central Cast (Nrth) Climatic Regin: The Water Sensitive Urban Design (WSUD) Deemed t Cmply Slutins fr the Mackay Regin and_develpment/strategic_planning/ pen_space_and_waterways/the_water_ sensitive_urban_design_wsud_deemed_t_cmply_ slutins_fr_the_mackay_regin-_strmwater_ quality_management. Twnsville City Cuncil and Dry Trpics Climatic Regin: Water Sensitive Urban Design fr the Castal Dry Trpics (Twnsville): Design Objectives fr Strmwater Management fr the Castal Dry Trpics planningscheme/wsud/pages/default.aspx. Wastewater Develpment shuld avid releasing cntaminated strmwater and ther waste water discharges t a waterway r ensure that adverse impacts f such releases are minimised in accrdance with the EHP Technical Guideline (Licensing) fr Wastewater Release t Queensland Waters EM112. REFER TO: PART E 1. EHP Technical Guideline (Licensing) fr Wastewater Release t Queensland Waters EM112. Deemed t cmply prvisins in sme planning schemes r dcuments supprting planning schemes are aimed at simplifying strmwater management requirements fr the smaller develpment types (fr examples see planning schemes fr Gld Cast City Cuncil, Brisbane City Cuncil, Sunshine Cast Reginal Cuncil). Nn-tidal artificial water bdies (urban lakes) Perfrmance utcmes in the State Interest Cde (appendix 3): Water Quality (PO5) specifies the acceptable purpses fr develping a nn-tidal artificial waterway. There may be develpments with fill requirements that prvide fr an artificial waterway t be established as part f the develpment. The waters that are established as part f fill requirements will need t be designed fr ne f the acceptable purpses utlined in PO5. Retrfitting The design bjectives can als be used t design strmwater management infrastructure in existing urban areas (cmmnly referred t as retrfitting ), thugh full cmpliance may nt be feasible in sme circumstances, since retrfitting is ften cnstrained by space limitatins, resurce cnstraints and existing infrastructure. Management plans Where a management plan is required, the preparatin f the management plan is nt intended t be an acceptable utcme itself, but a means t develp and implement actins, t achieve the relevant perfrmance utcme. Plans shuld be prepared by relevant suitably qualified persns, including fr example: a certified practising sil scientist (CPSS) r Certified prfessinal in ersin and sediment cntrl (CPESC) a registered practising engineer f Queensland (RPEQ) (civil engineering, envirnmental engineering). Develpment assessment requirement 2 Water supply catchment in Suth East Queensland The develpment applicatin is t be assessed against the fllwing requirements: Develpment: (1) cmplies with the specific utcmes and measures cntained in the SEQWater Develpment Guidelines: Develpment Guidelines fr Water Quality Management in Drinking Water Catchments 2012, as if: (a) the specific utcmes are the perfrmance utcmes, and (b) the measures are the acceptable utcmes. 18

19 PART C Hw a develpment applicatin may demnstrate cmpliance with the assessment requirement A develpment applicatin will need t demnstrate cmpliance with the perfrmance criteria f the SEQWater Develpment Guidelines: Develpment Guidelines fr Water Quality Management in Drinking Water Catchments Review f the supprting infrmatin under Part E f this guideline may assist with meeting these requirements. Hw a develpment applicatin may demnstrate cmpliance with the assessment requirement The assessment requirements fr acid sulfate sils are clear. A develpment applicatin will either avid r minimise disturbances t ASS. These actins are supprted thrugh an ASS investigatin reprt and the use f an envirnmental management plan as utlined under Part E 3. Acid Sulfate Sils Envirnmental Management Plan. Develpment assessment requirement 2 The develpment applicatin is t be assessed against the fllwing requirements: Develpment: (1) avids the disturbance f acid sulfate sil (ASS) by: (a) nt excavating r therwise remving sil r sediment that cntains ASS, and (b) nt permanently r temprarily extracting grundwater that results in aeratin f previusly saturated ASS, and (c) nt undertaking filling that results in mving ASS belw the water table, r (2) ensures that the disturbance f ASS avids r minimises the mbilisatin release f acid and metal cntaminants by: (a) neutralising existing acidity and preventing the generatin f acid and metal cntaminants, and (b) preventing the release f surface r grundwater flws cntaining acid and metal cntaminants int the envirnment 19

20 PART D: Mdel cdes and prvisins PART D Further t the utcmes f each plicy item t assist with the reflectin f plicy items 1 thrugh 8, it is recmmended that the SPP Appendix 2 Water Quality cde be included within the planning scheme. The fllwing mdel cde relates t the prtectin f the built and natural envirnment against the disturbance f acid sulfate sils (ASS). Example f lcal planning scheme prvisins ASS Overlay Cde Assessable develpment It is advisable fr lcal planning schemes t be capable f making the fllwing develpment assessable against the ASS verlay Cde: 1. Wrks (nt assciated with a material change f use) n land belw 5 meters AHD, where such wrks invlve either: excavating r therwise remving 100 metres 3 r mre f sil r sediment, r filling f land invlving 500 metres 3 r mre f material with an average depth f 0.5 metres r greater. 2. Wrks (nt assciated with a material change f use) n land between 5 metres and 20 metres AHD where such wrks invlve excavating r therwise remving 100 m 3 r mre f sil r sediment at r belw 5 metres AHD. 3. Material changes f use n land within the verlay area where any assciated wrks as described by 1 and 2 abve are a cmpnent f the use. Image 1 prvides a visual aid t determining assessable develpment. Image 1. Assessable develpment 20