Caboolture Shire Council statement
Lyngbya Control - Caboolture Shire Council
Strategic management of the harmful Cyanobacteria Lyngbya, is an important issue for Caboolture Shire Council. In April 2000, Council formally adopted its Caboolture Shire Council Lyngbya Management Strategy, in order to improve management and mitigate the occurrence of Lyngbya blooms. This strategy forms part of a coordinated approach to the issue involving Council, the State Government, researchers and local interest and environmental groups. Actions in the Strategy include:
- Improving land use management practices to reduce the input of materials and substances that may trigger a bloom;
- Being involved with regional and State wide research and investigations; and
- Improving awareness of Lyngbya to residents and visitors.
Council's Lyngbya Response Plan provides a framework for effective and efficient responses to Lyngbya blooms. It assists Council to fulfil its regional and State obligations for mitigating the impacts of Lyngbya blooms. It outlines the responsibilities of particular organisations with regard to monitoring, mitigation and requirements for responding to Lyngbya blooms and delegates specific actions to particular Council Units. Specific actions include activating/erecting warning signs, clean up procedures and circulation of appropriate media releases.
Several steps required for the identification and management of blooms are identified in the plan including:
- Monitoring;
- Notification of the Bloom;
- Define the Response;
- Implement Response; and
- Evaluation.
In addition, three types of responses are outlined, including:
- No mitigation action required;
- Initiate routine mitigation actions (level 1 response); or
- Initiate immediate and prolonged mitigation actions (level 2 response).
Caboolture Shire Council is one of several local governments in South East Queensland, which, along with State Government agencies, provide funding for research into the ongoing occurrence of Lyngbya. Caboolture Shire Council has committed funds annually to this research program in order to develop a better understanding of the relationships between land use, and chemical and organic inputs, and Lyngbya. This information will assist Council in mitigating the occurrence of Lyngbya blooms through appropriate planning and management practices.
The Mayor of Caboolture Shire, Joy Leishman, has urged that people swimming, boating, fishing or riding jet-skis should take appropriate precautions to avoid contact with Lyngbya. Those who do come into contact with it should immediately wash the affected areas with clean water and if problems persist, seek medical advice.
"The public needs to be aware of health risks should they come into contact with Lyngbya. Toxins produced by the algae can cause skin, eye and respiratory irritation", she said.
"Council will continue to closely monitor foreshore areas and issue warnings through the summer period", the Mayor said.
The latest information about affected areas within Caboolture Shire can be obtained by phoning Council's Customer Service Centre on 07 5420 0100. Beach reports and information sheets are available to assist public awareness of the issues and help with the accurate identification of Lyngbya.
Last updated: 14 January 2005