Is a permanent water diversion on the cards near the Duck Ponds?

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Not pretty … the Duck Pond sediment control measures.

I am another resident whose property adjoins the wetland area that was the subject of your article: “Duck Pond sediment control measures an eyesore: resident” (SVGazette, November 10). 

Your article does not address a concern that we have about the possible permanent diversion of run-off water away from this wetland.

Council first circulated a ‘Project News’ leaflet dated October 2020 that defined the scope of works on Project P-H3740 as a ‘sediment basin and ephemeral wetland’. 

The start of work was delayed when Council was alerted to the fact that hundreds of chestnut-breasted mannikin finches nest every year in the area where the proposed basin was to be dug. 

But work finally began and by June 2021 what had been green wetland had been stripped of all vegetation. 

Then work came to a halt. 

In October I wrote to Council to ask what was happening and received an email and then a phone call from the Project Manager. 

He explained that the temporary pipes put in place to prevent run-off water from flowing into the wetland had been expected to dry out the area sufficiently to permit digging the sediment basin and planting native vegetation.  However, the wetland hadn’t dried out. 

It seems there are springs in the wetland that may not have been identified in the preliminary survey. 

It was therefore not possible to get equipment into the area to do the planned work. 

Moreover, since run-off had begun flowing directly downstream toward the Kolora duck pond without passing through the wetland, water quality in the duck pond had improved – as Cr Winston Johnston states in your article. 

What he did not say, however, is that a permanent diversion of water run-off is therefore under consideration. 

Those of us residing near this wetland now wonder if such a permanent diversion is part of the revised plan. 

More importantly, what effect would a permanent diversion of water run-off away from our wetland have on this important area for both vegetation and local wildlife. 

Water quality and revegetation of this wetland must not be compromised in an effort to improve the more publicly visible duck pond area. 

In view of Council’s failure to get a full assessment of this wetland’s water sources prior to beginning the project, we are understandably anxious about the final outcome. We look forward to an updated ‘Project News’ leaflet and/or a meeting with local residents to provide further information about the Council’s revised plans for our wetland.

— Carol Boulanger, Palmwoods

(Editor: See Cr Johnston’s reply right)

Please note Division 5 Cr Winston Johnston’s comments below:

•  The sediment basin and wetland planned for this site are unable to be constructed due to unsuitable soil and groundwater conditions.

• The project comprises of Sunshine Coast Council environmental and stormwater officers, arborists, and contractor who are finalising a revegetation plan for the site.

• The revegetation plan is being developed based on soil testing and advice from native seed and land repair specialists, to address the unique soil conditions.

• As a temporary measure, Sunshine Coast Council will demobilise the works site in the next couple of weeks prior to Christmas. This will include removing the fencing, site set up and tidying the grassed area.

• The diversion pipes may remain insitu to provide additional water flowing through the downstream duck ponds at Kolora Park.

• Next year, following the wet season in April/May, Council plans to carry out the revegetation works, which may take a couple of months.