2000

1. Eutrophication problems caused by the golf course
2. QA/QC Project – comparing results from different grps; testing the WQ equipment. Justify your results.
3. Macroinvertebrate study – Impact sites near Ardel; Ref sites, other sites in the catchment. Outcome, investigate the diversity of MI in the catchment, any signif. Diff between impact & ref sites.
4. Looking at simulated effects of errors by manipulating data.
5. Testing sediments for organic matter, origin, nutrient, heavy metals. Cores in dam, tributaries, golf course.
6. Toxicology of waters collected from various locations in the catchment. Eg. Baseball field leechate, stormwater flows. Daphnia fecundity test.
7. Water chemistry of stormwater inputs – repeat survey of earlier catchment survey
8. Algal productivity test – cell multiplication/reproductive potential using waters collected from various locations in the catchment. A realistic value of relative nutrient levels.
9. Park Boundary Survey – qualitative/descriptive survey of complete park boundary. Records baseline data to monitor future changes and details problems evident today.
10. Macroinvertebrate survey of streams –standard qualitative/quantitative assessment, kick samples, artificial substrates
11. Water quality at top of Curl Curl Creek at site of former rubbish dump (near baseball field) as dump was known to be unregulated and it is thought there might be cracks in the stormwater pipeline with leaking from above. Ideal site to test for heavy metals and pollutants.
12. Water quality parameters from creek sw of Section 3 BBQ area as previous studies we’ve done there is data readily available via Mackellar Girls High School. Also good to test other side as main studies have focused on the northern side of upper catchment.
13. Evaluate the damage that carp & other feral fish species cause on the zooplankton populations and therefore the algal growth in the dam
14. To sample the invertebrate species of Manly Lagoon, in order to provide a data base for future work.
15. To suggest some hypothesise regarding why certain species are found at specific locations.
16. Study of the conditions of creeks ,waterways above and inside and below climbing galaxias habitat
17. Identify & test set of indicators measuring health of galaxias habitat after water flora and flora survey, a time series observation program using indicators in ii) to evaluate impact of selected developments/sources of pollution in the headwaters on catchment's pollution load
18. Trace impact of pollutants through stages of the dam in varying climactic conditions and the effects on flora & fauna over say a freak storm cycle and "normal" duration flush of the catchment top to bottom.
19. Detailing factors or conditions for MORE detailed measurement of Laxton hypothesis of ecological stress or collapse in middle catchment
20. Identifying the variation in level of pollution over the human swimming season and which are the primary contaminants contributing to headwaters pollution lowering the capacity for safe primary level contact in the Dam & other possible swimming spots and breeding areas for fauna.
21. Heavy metals in water, mud/sediments
22. Heavy metal leeching from the fill
23. Other leechates from the fill
24. Sedimentation patterns & rates in the lake (back of lake, golf course inflow creek, Allambie creek near wall of dam etc.
25. Look at process of development of Ardel site including council BA/DA approval rejection and make suggestion about future legislation/development requirements in the area. What actually happened assessed in terms of community groups and developers.
26. Testing the fish population of the dam for heavy metal contamination.(as the dam is used for recreational fishing)
27. Looking at the abundance of the climbing galaxias in the upper catchment.( and possible threats)
28. Comparison of the species richness and abundance of the benthic invertebrates between the numerous creeks in the catchment.(Possibly toxicity testing)
29. Assessment of the pollution/sediment pond located on the "Ardel" site in relation to: effectiveness during normal flows and also during high flows; impacts to the lower catchment (sediments, pollutants etc.)
30. The community believes that it is imperative to check and monitor the effect that the Ardel development has on the catchment. Specific projects could include gauging the performance of the artificial pollution control ponds and the effect that digging up the once pristine Curl Curl Creek has on water quality.
31. Comparing the aquatic life in the more pristine creeks in the Catchment, with creeks that have deteriorated in recent years.
32. Understanding how dissolved pollutants may have affected aquatic life in the creeks.
33. To investigate why the frog population has become so depleted in areas, where they were once abundant, less than 10 years ago. Earthworks, landfill and disturbance of the creek system may have contributed to their loss.
34. Understanding how we might restore the creek systems to re-introduce, or sustain, healthy populations of crayfish, native fish and frogs, in Curl Curl Creek and other creeks.
35. Identify aquatic life forms which are likely to be useful and convenient indicators of water quality in the creeks and reservoir.
36. Using aquatic ecology as a scientific tool to reinforce the importance of total catchment management.
37. Assessing the importance of maintaining a natural flow regime and the potential consequences of interfering with natural flow and hydrology upstream. For example, two creeks near Section 4 (picnic area) have suffered considerably reduced flow since the Wakehurst Golf Club was extended about 10 years ago.
38. Measures which might be taken to restore aquatic ecology and native vegetation, and reduce weed infestation in creeks below the golf course, and other parts of the catchment.