Government Guidelines and Legislation
Restoring the balance guidelines for managing floodgates and drainage systems on coastal floodplains - Dept of Primary Industries
Floods, once a natural element of the floodplain, have been swept away to make room for rural and urban activities. Since early settlement, drains have been dug to whisk away water from large rain events and floodgates have been constructed as barriers to tidal passage.
Lowering of the naturally high water table, and in some cases removal of open water, has seen the loss of many wetlands, and the intrinsic assets they provide as habitat and sources for water recharge.
Only more recently have we been aware of the negative impacts lowering water tables has had on farming land, the fishing industry and tourism via the effects of acid sulfate soils and salinity.
Soil scalds caused by acidic soils and fish kills caused by acid leaching into rivers have mobilised landholders, community and industry groups and government to restore more natural water levels to coastal lands.
The return of water to the soil reduces the oxidation of pyrites in the soil that cause acid formation, thus ameliorating the effects of acid sulfate soils.
Floodgate management projects are complex because a dynamic natural system is involved. These projects often also require:
- Negotiations with a number of landholders who may have differing needs and wants,
- Consideration of environments that are now adapted to the floodgates being in place,
- Consent from relevant bodies that administer environmental legislation.
The Department of Primary Industries has a guideline; Restoring the balance – guidelines for managing floodgates and drainage systems on coastal floodplains and a range of associated articles aimed to assist individuals and groups who manage coastal floodplain drainage systems.
The guideline can be read at: http://www.agric.nsw.gov.au/reader/floodgate-guidelines
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