Great Lakes and its catchments including Myall Lakes Ramsar wetland
The Great Lakes catchment flows into the Myall, Wallis and Smith Lakes on the NSW lower North Coast.
The catchment occupies approx 2110 km2 in the north-eastern part of the Karuah River drainage basin and the two main sub-systems are the Coolongolook and Myall Rivers.
Forster / Tuncurry is the largest urban area and the hotspot is predominantly within the Great Lakes Council local government area, although the Wallis catchment extends significantly into the Greater Taree City local government area (30%) and also into Gloucester Shire (5%).
Values to be protected
The Great Lakes system provides habitat for a diverse number of native flora and fauna species, including large numbers of waterbirds, and is an important drought refuge. It also supports significant oyster, fishing, tourism and recreation industries.
It is estimated the area produces one third of Australia's oyster harvest.
Ramsar site
Water quality issues
Algal blooms have been identified from time to time in the estuarine lakes, and there has been a health related water quality issue affecting the oyster industry. Water quality is affected by continued urban expansion, with urban diffuse, rural point and diffuse pollution.
Increased nutrients and sediments from catchment runoff disturbs the ecology of the lakes system and contribute to excessive growth of algae. Sediments smother or shade-out seagrasses, macrophytes (aquatic plants) and other benthic organisms.
Key water quality improvement projects
Key stakeholders
- Great Lakes Council
- Greater Taree City Council
- Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority
- MidCoast Water
- Department of Environment and Climate Change
- Department of Primary Industries
- National Parks
See also
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