Lake Macquarie (New South Wales)
Encyclopedia
Lake Macquarie is Australia
's largest coastal salt water lake, covering an area of 110 square kilometres (42.5 sq mi) in the Hunter Region of New South Wales
with most of the City of Lake Macquarie's residents living near its shores. It is connected to the Tasman Sea
by a short channel. Lake Macquarie is twice as large as Sydney Harbour
and is the largest permanent salt water lake in the southern hemisphere. However, it is slightly smaller than Port Stephens
, which is about 43 kilometres (27 mi) to the northeast of the lake.
to retrieve a load of coal from Newcastle
Harbour. Reid took a wrong turn and found himself in a lake rather than a river, with no coal to be seen anywhere. The name "Reid's Mistake" was retained until 1826, when it was renamed in honour of Governor Lachlan Macquarie
. The Aboriginal
name was Awaba, which means "a plain surface".
.
Lake Macquarie is connected to the sea by Swansea Channel and Lakes Entrance. Swansea Channel is approximately 380 metres (1,247 ft) wide and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi). It joins Lakes Entrance, a small bay measuring approximately 900 m (2,953 ft) wide by 2.2 km (1.4 mi) at the Swansea bridges. The bridges can lift to allow yachts and other larger pleasure craft into and out of the lake.
There is no point on the coast from which the entire expanse of the lake and its 167 km (104 mi) foreshore may be seen. However, a good view can be obtained from lookouts in the nearby Watagan Mountains
.
forest
s on the southern margins of the lake have been identified by BirdLife International
as a 121 km2 Important Bird Area
(IBA) because they support significant numbers of endangered Swift Parrot
s and Regent Honeyeater
s in years when the Swamp Mahoganies
and other favoured trees are flowering. Masked Owl
s and Osprey
s regularly nest within the IBA.
, an agency of the Department of Environment and Climate Change of New South Wales. There are no permanent structures on the island and it is uninhabited although in the past a maintenance cottage existed on the Island. Pulbah is an Aboriginal
name meaning island.
The island has a lot of weeds such as Bitou Bush
, Lantana
and Wandering Jew
. There have been local efforts to remove and control the weeds. It also has a native trees such as gum trees
.
Kangaroo
s and koala
s were introduced to the island during the early 1900s, but they have all since been wiped out by illegal hunting. Goanna
s are common on the island.
From the island there are clear views of the Wangi Wangi
peninsula as well as the Eraring, Munmorah and Vales Point power stations.
The island has cliff faces on the west and south sides as well as the south east side. The rest of the island is edged by sandy beaches although the density of vegetation ensures that there is minimal beach at high tide. The east side of the island has a slight bay that is commonly frequented by leisure boats. Camping on the island is not permitted.
s, were estimated to be contributing 23900 t (23,522 LT) and 11000 t (10,826 LT) per annum respectively.
In 1998, the then Premier of NSW, the Hon. Bob Carr, announced the formation of a task force under the chairmanship of Clean Up Australia
founder, Ian Kiernan
. The report of the task force, known as the "Integrated Estuary and Catchment Management Framework" was accepted by the NSW State Cabinet in February 1999. The report recommended a unique institutional arrangement for implementation through the creation of the Office of the Lake Macquarie and Catchment Coordinator. This cooperative-based arrangement was a joint initiative of Lake Macquarie City Council, Wyong Shire Council, and the State Government, with major funding provided by these partners. To oversee the implementation process, a committee known as the Lake Macquarie Project Management Committee was appointed by the then Minister of Land and Water Conservation. The Committee would consist of representatives of both councils; community; regional directors of relevant government departments and three ex-officio members.
The action plan, known locally as the "Lake Macquarie Improvement Plan" has an emphasis on integration, both physically and administratively, as well as promoting a "whole of government" approach and strong community involvement. The physical works concentrated on treating the cause of the water problems in the Lake by tackling stormwater runoff within the catchment. Again, the emphasis adopted included the use of "soft engineering" and the restoration of natural ecological processes where possible.
After six years in operation, the Lake Macquarie Project Management Committee entered its third project phase in 2006.
A series of water quality indicators are used to monitor and quantify the water quality improvements observed by the community. The lake body generally has low nutrient concentrations, good water clarity and excellent dissolved oxygen levels. Activities that reduce the amount of sediments and nutrients washing into the Lake via stormwater run-off have assisted in improving water quality in Lake Macquarie. These activities include the construction of wetlands, the installation of stormwater treatment devices, bush regeneration and an increased awareness by the local community.
Recreational fishing is improving as fish stocks respond to the recent removal of commercial fishing and the significant increase in water quality that has come from a concerted environmental program undertaken by the state government and council. Since settlement lake-bed silt
has increased in some areas due to unsealed roads, road shoulders and diffuse effects of urbanisation, however the quantity is far less than in nearby Lake Munmorah
, and swimming is quite tolerable. Average water depth is approximately 8 m (26 ft) reaching a maximum depth of approximately 15 m (49 ft) east of Pulbah Island.
and yacht racing
are also popular with the lake boasting multiple yacht clubs including:
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's largest coastal salt water lake, covering an area of 110 square kilometres (42.5 sq mi) in the Hunter Region of New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
with most of the City of Lake Macquarie's residents living near its shores. It is connected to the Tasman Sea
Tasman Sea
The Tasman Sea is the large body of water between Australia and New Zealand, approximately across. It extends 2,800 km from north to south. It is a south-western segment of the South Pacific Ocean. The sea was named after the Dutch explorer Abel Janszoon Tasman, the first recorded European...
by a short channel. Lake Macquarie is twice as large as Sydney Harbour
Port Jackson
Port Jackson, containing Sydney Harbour, is the natural harbour of Sydney, Australia. It is known for its beauty, and in particular, as the location of the Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge...
and is the largest permanent salt water lake in the southern hemisphere. However, it is slightly smaller than Port Stephens
Port Stephens
Port Stephens is a large natural harbour located about north-east of Sydney in New South Wales, Australia. It lies wholly within the Port Stephens Local Government Area although its northern shoreline forms the boundary between the Port Stephens and Great Lakes LGAs...
, which is about 43 kilometres (27 mi) to the northeast of the lake.
History
Lake Macquarie was discovered in 1800 by Captain William Reid, who been sent from SydneySydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
to retrieve a load of coal from Newcastle
Newcastle, New South Wales
The Newcastle metropolitan area is the second most populated area in the Australian state of New South Wales and includes most of the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie Local Government Areas...
Harbour. Reid took a wrong turn and found himself in a lake rather than a river, with no coal to be seen anywhere. The name "Reid's Mistake" was retained until 1826, when it was renamed in honour of Governor Lachlan Macquarie
Lachlan Macquarie
Major-General Lachlan Macquarie CB , was a British military officer and colonial administrator. He served as the last autocratic Governor of New South Wales, Australia from 1810 to 1821 and had a leading role in the social, economic and architectural development of the colony...
. The Aboriginal
Australian Aborigines
Australian Aborigines , also called Aboriginal Australians, from the latin ab originem , are people who are indigenous to most of the Australian continentthat is, to mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania...
name was Awaba, which means "a plain surface".
Geography and environment
The lake is of irregular shape and the land separating it from the ocean is only a few kilometres wide along most of its length. While there are a several small islands in the lake, some of which are grouped near the mouth, the only significant island is Pulbah Island, which is located in the southern part of the lake south of SwanseaSwansea, New South Wales
Swansea is a locality and commercial centre at the entrance to Lake Macquarie from the Pacific Ocean in New South Wales, Australia. It is part of the City of Lake Macquarie local government area....
.
Lake Macquarie is connected to the sea by Swansea Channel and Lakes Entrance. Swansea Channel is approximately 380 metres (1,247 ft) wide and 2 kilometres (1.2 mi). It joins Lakes Entrance, a small bay measuring approximately 900 m (2,953 ft) wide by 2.2 km (1.4 mi) at the Swansea bridges. The bridges can lift to allow yachts and other larger pleasure craft into and out of the lake.
There is no point on the coast from which the entire expanse of the lake and its 167 km (104 mi) foreshore may be seen. However, a good view can be obtained from lookouts in the nearby Watagan Mountains
Watagan Mountains
The Watagan Mountains are located on the East Coast of New South Wales, Australia. They are between the Hunter River Catchment and the Tuggerah Lakes. The Watagans are a popular tourist location and are close to Newcastle, Sydney and the Central Coast....
.
Important Bird Area
The remnant and fragmented eucalyptEucalypt
Eucalypts are woody plants belonging to three closely related genera:Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora.In 1995 new evidence, largely genetic, indicated that some prominent Eucalyptus species were actually more closely related to Angophora than to the other eucalypts; they were split off into the...
forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s on the southern margins of the lake have been identified by BirdLife International
BirdLife International
BirdLife International is a global Partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources...
as a 121 km2 Important Bird Area
Important Bird Area
An Important Bird Area is an area recognized as being globally important habitat for the conservation of bird populations. Currently there are about 10,000 IBAs worldwide. The program was developed and sites are identified by BirdLife International...
(IBA) because they support significant numbers of endangered Swift Parrot
Swift Parrot
The Swift Parrot breeds in Tasmania and migrates north to south eastern Australia from Griffith-Warialda in New South Wales and west to Adelaide in the winter. It is related to the rosellas, with the feeding habits of a lorikeet...
s and Regent Honeyeater
Regent Honeyeater
The Regent Honeyeater, Xanthomyza phrygia, is an endangered bird endemic to Australia. It feeds on nectar and insects within eucalyptus forests. Recent genetic research suggests it is closely related to the wattlebirds.-Distribution:...
s in years when the Swamp Mahoganies
Eucalyptus robusta
Eucalyptus robusta, commonly known as Swamp Mahogany, Swamp Messmate or Swamp Stringybark, is a tree native to eastern Australia.-Description:...
and other favoured trees are flowering. Masked Owl
Masked Owl
The Australian Masked Owl is a barn owl of Southern New Guinea and the non-desert areas of Australia.-Taxonomy:Described subspecies of Tyto novaehollandiae include:* T. n. calabyi I.J. Mason, 1983,...
s and Osprey
Osprey
The Osprey , sometimes known as the sea hawk or fish eagle, is a diurnal, fish-eating bird of prey. It is a large raptor, reaching more than in length and across the wings...
s regularly nest within the IBA.
Pulbah Island
Pulbah Island is a small island of approximately 68 hectares (168 acre) in the southern part of the lake at 33°05′34"S 151°35′24"E. It is a nature reserve managed by the National Parks and Wildlife ServiceNational Parks and Wildlife Service (New South Wales)
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is part of the Office of Environment and Heritage - the main government conservation agency in New South Wales, Australia....
, an agency of the Department of Environment and Climate Change of New South Wales. There are no permanent structures on the island and it is uninhabited although in the past a maintenance cottage existed on the Island. Pulbah is an Aboriginal
Australian Aborigines
Australian Aborigines , also called Aboriginal Australians, from the latin ab originem , are people who are indigenous to most of the Australian continentthat is, to mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania...
name meaning island.
The island has a lot of weeds such as Bitou Bush
Chrysanthemoides monilifera
Chrysanthemoides monilifera...
, Lantana
Lantana
Lantana is a genus of about 150 species of perennial flowering plants in the verbena family, Verbenaceae. They are native to tropical regions of the Americas and Africa but exist as an introduced species in numerous areas, especially in the Australian-Pacific region. The genus includes both...
and Wandering Jew
Tradescantia fluminensis
Tradescantia fluminensis is a species of spiderwort native to South America. It is one of several plants known by the common name Wandering Jew. It is also known as River Spiderwort, Small-Leaf Spiderwort, Inch Plant, Wandering Trad and Wandering Willie.T...
. There have been local efforts to remove and control the weeds. It also has a native trees such as gum trees
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
.
Kangaroo
Kangaroo
A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae . In common use the term is used to describe the largest species from this family, especially those of the genus Macropus, Red Kangaroo, Antilopine Kangaroo, Eastern Grey Kangaroo and Western Grey Kangaroo. Kangaroos are endemic to the country...
s and koala
Koala
The koala is an arboreal herbivorous marsupial native to Australia, and the only extant representative of the family Phascolarctidae....
s were introduced to the island during the early 1900s, but they have all since been wiped out by illegal hunting. Goanna
Goanna
Goanna is the name used to refer to any number of Australian monitor lizards of the genus Varanus, as well as to certain species from Southeast Asia.There are around 30 species of goanna, 25 of which are found in Australia...
s are common on the island.
From the island there are clear views of the Wangi Wangi
Wangi Wangi, New South Wales
Wangi Wangi is a suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, which forms a peninsula jutting eastwards into Lake Macquarie. It is well known as the former home of artist William Dobell...
peninsula as well as the Eraring, Munmorah and Vales Point power stations.
The island has cliff faces on the west and south sides as well as the south east side. The rest of the island is edged by sandy beaches although the density of vegetation ensures that there is minimal beach at high tide. The east side of the island has a slight bay that is commonly frequented by leisure boats. Camping on the island is not permitted.
Environmental management
In 1983, the State Pollution Control Commission undertook an investigation into the causes of poor water quality in the lake. The final report of this investigation, known as “The Environmental Audit of Lake Macquarie”, identified the primary causes of concern, highlighting the major problems of sedimentation and nutrient enrichment. Accelerated sedimentation levels were estimated at 75000 tonnes (73,815 LT) per annum and nutrient levels had shown a substantial increase as a result of urbanisation. A study prepared for Lake Macquarie City Council in 1995 estimated that sediment loads to Lake Macquarie were 57000 t (56,100 LT) per annum, which was very different to the sediment loads prior to European development, estimated at 6600 t (6,496 LT) per annum. Two creek systems, Cockle and Dora CreekDora Creek
Dora Creek is a small rural suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, located west of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales and north of the town of Morisset....
s, were estimated to be contributing 23900 t (23,522 LT) and 11000 t (10,826 LT) per annum respectively.
In 1998, the then Premier of NSW, the Hon. Bob Carr, announced the formation of a task force under the chairmanship of Clean Up Australia
Clean Up Australia
Clean Up Australia is a not-for-profit Australian environmental conservation organisation founded by Australian Ian Kiernan, and co-founder Kim McKay, in 1989. It works to foster relationships between the community, business and government to address the environmental issues of waste, water and...
founder, Ian Kiernan
Ian Kiernan
Ian Bruce Carrick Kiernan AO is an environmentalist who organised the Clean Up Australia campaign, and in 1993 a similar Clean Up the World operation which attracted participation from 30 million volunteers in 80 countries....
. The report of the task force, known as the "Integrated Estuary and Catchment Management Framework" was accepted by the NSW State Cabinet in February 1999. The report recommended a unique institutional arrangement for implementation through the creation of the Office of the Lake Macquarie and Catchment Coordinator. This cooperative-based arrangement was a joint initiative of Lake Macquarie City Council, Wyong Shire Council, and the State Government, with major funding provided by these partners. To oversee the implementation process, a committee known as the Lake Macquarie Project Management Committee was appointed by the then Minister of Land and Water Conservation. The Committee would consist of representatives of both councils; community; regional directors of relevant government departments and three ex-officio members.
The action plan, known locally as the "Lake Macquarie Improvement Plan" has an emphasis on integration, both physically and administratively, as well as promoting a "whole of government" approach and strong community involvement. The physical works concentrated on treating the cause of the water problems in the Lake by tackling stormwater runoff within the catchment. Again, the emphasis adopted included the use of "soft engineering" and the restoration of natural ecological processes where possible.
After six years in operation, the Lake Macquarie Project Management Committee entered its third project phase in 2006.
A series of water quality indicators are used to monitor and quantify the water quality improvements observed by the community. The lake body generally has low nutrient concentrations, good water clarity and excellent dissolved oxygen levels. Activities that reduce the amount of sediments and nutrients washing into the Lake via stormwater run-off have assisted in improving water quality in Lake Macquarie. These activities include the construction of wetlands, the installation of stormwater treatment devices, bush regeneration and an increased awareness by the local community.
Recreational fishing is improving as fish stocks respond to the recent removal of commercial fishing and the significant increase in water quality that has come from a concerted environmental program undertaken by the state government and council. Since settlement lake-bed silt
Silt
Silt is granular material of a size somewhere between sand and clay whose mineral origin is quartz and feldspar. Silt may occur as a soil or as suspended sediment in a surface water body...
has increased in some areas due to unsealed roads, road shoulders and diffuse effects of urbanisation, however the quantity is far less than in nearby Lake Munmorah
Lake Munmorah
Lake Munmorah may refer to:*Lake Munmorah, New South Wales - A suburb on the Central Coast of New South Wales, Australia*Lake Munmorah - The northern most lake of the body of water collectively known as The Tuggerah Lakes...
, and swimming is quite tolerable. Average water depth is approximately 8 m (26 ft) reaching a maximum depth of approximately 15 m (49 ft) east of Pulbah Island.
Recreation
Recreational fishing, boating and water skiing are all popular recreational activities on the lake. SailingSailing
Sailing is the propulsion of a vehicle and the control of its movement with large foils called sails. By changing the rigging, rudder, and sometimes the keel or centre board, a sailor manages the force of the wind on the sails in order to move the boat relative to its surrounding medium and...
and yacht racing
Yacht racing
Yacht racing is the sport of competitive yachting.While sailing groups organize the most active and popular competitive yachting, other boating events are also held world-wide: speed motorboat racing; competitive canoeing, kayaking, and rowing; model yachting; and navigational contests Yacht racing...
are also popular with the lake boasting multiple yacht clubs including:
- Belmont 16ft Sailing Club
- Lake Macquarie Yacht Club, BelmontBelmont, New South WalesBelmont is a suburb in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia, located 20 kilometres from Newcastle's central business district on the eastern side of Lake Macquarie and is part of the City of Lake Macquarie....
- Mannering Park Amateur Sailing Club
- Marmong Pt Sailing Club
- Royal Motor Yacht Club of NSW, TorontoToronto, New South WalesToronto is a town within the city of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, approximately from Newcastle's central business district and is a commercial hub for the sprawling suburbs on the western shore of the lake.-History:...
- Speers PointSpeers Point, New South WalesSpeers Point is a suburb within, and the location of the council seat of the City of Lake Macquarie Local Government Area in New South Wales, Australia...
Amateur Sailing Club - South Lake Macquarie Amateur Sailing Club
- TeralbaTeralba, New South WalesTeralba is a town and suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, located between the towns of Cardiff and Toronto on the northern shoreline of Lake Macquarie. The town first came into being with the construction of the Homebush to Waratah Railway in the early 1880s.-...
Amateur Sailing Club - Toronto Amateur Sailing Club TorontoToronto, New South WalesToronto is a town within the city of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, approximately from Newcastle's central business district and is a commercial hub for the sprawling suburbs on the western shore of the lake.-History:...
- WangiWangi Wangi, New South WalesWangi Wangi is a suburb of the City of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales, Australia, which forms a peninsula jutting eastwards into Lake Macquarie. It is well known as the former home of artist William Dobell...
RSL Amateur Sailing Club