Mt Penang Parklands Management Plan

• Mr. Keith Dedden
  General Manager
  Mt Penang Parklands
  PO Box 7120
  Kariong NSW 2250
  
  Dear Keith.
  Thank you for the opportunity of outlining how the Central Coast Aquaculture Foundation can assist Mt Penang Parklands in response to your email of 7 October 2005.
  We understand that you not only want specific information about fish numbers, control of algae and water testing, but also a detailed plan for the future management of the weirs and dams adjacent to Mt Penang Gardens to create a sustainable environment.
  We have asked Glenn Mullaney from the Wadalba Community School to assist us in the creation of the plan, which we hope to have completed by the middle of December. We have also had discussions with Glenn about the possibility of students assisting in the implementation of the plan, which would benefit everyone involved.
  
  We envisage that the plan would contain the following:
• A drainage/contour plan, showing where ground water is entering the ponds.
• Details of water currents within the ponds and wind patterns.
• Flow rates between ponds.
• Information on the ability of passage ways or drains between ponds to polish water and remove excess nutrients.
• Effectiveness of sedimentation and possible filtration of water as methods of nutrient removal and control throughout the ponds.
• Details of both surface and sub surface plant types.
• Effectiveness of nitrification within the system.
• Dam and pond levels, and water testing.
• A history of release of fish by species, size, numbers etc.
• A tagging process to investigate catch and release survival, growth and number of species in the ponds and weirs.
  
  In reference to the specific questions you raise in your email, we have the following initial answers:
  
• Q: The numbers of fish and species released and in which weir:
  Fish have been released in the "cafe" pond. Paul Kelly released 80 x 100 mm Silver perch fingerlings last month. That is on top of the small Silver Perch and Yellowbelly fingerlings (40 mm) that were released previously.
  
• Q: Control of Algae - with specific fish that will eat the algae:
  Our initial thinking is that if the fish eat the algae at all, the amount will be minimal and will not have an impact on the level of algae that is causing concern. Fish should probably not be considered as a solution to the algae problem.
  
• Q: Control of Algae – using aquatic algicide.
  We think that an algicide would be a short term fix, and would recommend against it. As part of our report we would further research this question and come up with a natural solution to the problem.
  
• Q: Control of Algae – with additional plants in all weirs to take up nutrients from water.
  There are aquatic plans that will take up nutrients and are probably our preferred remedy. We will request input form an aquatic plant specialist to determine best variety for the micro environment.
  Lilies, for example, might provide cover for fish and may reduce the temperature build up in the cafe pond and cascades which may also assist with the algae problem.
  
• Q: Control of Algae – reduction of nutrients from entering the system.
  This needs to be part of a master plan and in response to more thorough research.
  
  
• Q: Water testing.
  Glenn Mullaney has identified excessive levels of nutrients. Glen has some ideas on how to assess the situation. Our report will cover this.
  
  I hope this is suitable. Please let me know if you agree in principal to what we have outlined, and we will get started.
  
  Regards
  
  Peter Le Gras
  Treasurer
  Central Coast Aquaculture Foundation