Floating reed beds to improve Banora drainage system

13 February 2020

Plants to use excess nutrients and improve water quality

Contractors have finished installing the first in a series of permanent floating reed beds in the Banora Point Western Drainage System to improve water quality, following the successful trial of a small bed.

The $236,000 project will see 600 square metres of waterway covered by the reed beds.

Contractor SPEL Environmental installed the first bed last week before being rained out. They will return to complete the three-week install behind Ron Wilkinson sports field on Fraser Drive, Banora Point as soon as the weather fines up.

The beds are made from recycled plastic and will be planted with native reeds, sedges and herbs.

Manager Roads and Stormwater Danny Rose said the site for the reed beds was chosen because it was a straight, narrow section of drain located downstream of the main urban catchment.

“This lets us treat a greater portion of the flows through the system before it reaches Vintage Lakes. The water in this area is often poor quality as it takes a lot of run-off from the surrounding residential housing and can carry high amounts of sediment and nutrient. As such, it’s also a stretch prone to noxious aquatic weeds,” Mr Rose said.

“The reed bed plants will draw on the excess nutrients and as their roots grow to one metre or more through the water column, they will trap sediment and function like a naturally occurring floating island in a wetland or lake system.”

The reed beds will provide habitat for a range of wildlife including fish and water birds. Temporary bird mesh will be used to stop the birds damaging the young plants while they establish.

The Western Drainage System discharges into the Terranora Broadwater, which is classified as a State-significant coastal lake and important fish breeding and migratory bird area.

Mayor of Tweed Councillor Katie Milne said everybody loves waterways.

“Even though this waterway is classified as a drain for the surrounding development, the community and Council want to see it in a healthy state with flourishing marine and bird life for all to enjoy,” Councillor Milne said.

SPEL Environmental will install the new beds and maintain them for 12 months to ensure the plants are successfully established and the beds remain buoyant and anchored in place. The 36-square metre trial bed will be retained.

In 2017, Council voted to inject more than $750,000 into improving the health of the drainage system by undertaking structural changes to remove shallow points in the system, increase weed removal, extend the floating reed bed system and involve the community in revegetation.

Under the direction of Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA), the community has planted small clusters of approved native species and removed rubbish and weeds, while learning about the role of the drainage system.

For more information, see www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/BanoraPointDrainageScheme

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Caption: Permanent floating reed beds are being installed in the Banora Point Western Drainage System to improve water quality.