Beach Report Summer 2000-2001 - EPA Victoria/media/Publications/818.pdf · BEACH REPORT SUMMER...

E N V I R O N M E N T R E P O R T

BEACH REPORTSUMMER

2000-2001

ENVIRONMENT REPORT

BEACH REPORT SUMMER2000-2001

EPA Victoria40 City Road, SouthbankVictoria 3006 AUSTRALIA

December 2001

ISBN 0 7306 7610 2Publication 818

i

E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y

EPA Victoria once again ran a very successful Beach Report Program, sampling the water quality and litter at many

Port Phillip Bay beaches and reporting the results to residents around Port Phillip Bay regularly.

Beach Report enables residents of, and visitors to, Port Phillip Bay to make informed choices and take full

advantage of the Bay’s many great beaches. It also helps to educate people about the link between activities in

the catchment and beach water quality.

Considering the size of Melbourne’s population and its associated peninsulas, the results of this report should be

viewed as very positive. However, the increase in litter on beaches, particularly cigarette butts, indicates that

people are continuing to practice irresponsible waste disposal habits.

Water Quality

• This year’s Beach Report summary shows very similar overall results to previous years. Whilst 2000-2001 had

a number of unusual events, they were isolated and beaches returned to normal levels. As always, beach

conditions are drastically affected by the weather, with rain and wind being major influences on water quality.

• Regular assessments of both short-term and long-term water quality were made at 36 Port Phillip Bay

beaches during summer 2000-01.

• Over four months of sampling, 33 out of 36 beaches were found to have acceptable levels of faecal

contaminants with only temporary rises in E. coli levels observed.

• Three beaches, Werribee South, Mentone and Fairy Dell, had elevated E. coli levels over a longer period which

required EPA Victoria to issue public warnings against swimming in these areas and commence

investigations to ascertain possible origins.

• In all three instances, EPA Victoria worked with the local council to identify and fix any source of

contamination.

• At Mentone, the source of the high E. coli levels was found to be a blocked sewer in front of the Mentone Life

Saving Club which was fixed after which bacterial levels returned to an acceptable level.

• At Werribee South, the elevated bacterial levels were linked to a nearby stormwater drain. As Werribee South

beach had presented problems with elevated levels over the previous year, EPA Victoria commenced an

extensive, on-going investigation into the source of the contamination in the stormwater drains.

• At Fairy Dell, the water quality returned to acceptable levels after seven days of elevated bacterial levels and

remained so for the rest of the season. Even after the levels returned to an acceptable level, extensive

investigations at Fairy Dell beach could not identify the source of the elevated E. coli levels. As a conservative

ii

measure, EPA Victoria closed the beach while investigations occurred and until analysis of the long-term

levels indicated that the problem was transient in nature, and may have come from an offshore source.

• The State environment protection policy (Waters of Victoria) – Schedule F6 Waters of Port Phillip Bay, sets

long term objectives for E. coli as an indicator of water quality. There are two objectives:

1. A geometric mean of 200 organisms/100ml; and

2. An 80th percentile of 400 organisms/100ml.

Both of these are tested over a 42-day period using at least six samples. Twenty-four beaches met both SEPP

objectives for long-term beach water quality. Six beaches (Rosebud, Carrum, Aspendale North, Middle Park,

Portarlington and Queenscliff) showed breaches of one of the long-term objectives at some point during

summer. Only six beaches (Mentone, Rye, Altona, Mornington, Werribee South and Fairy Dell) showed

breaches of both objectives over the period.

Litter

• This report also summarises the results of litter surveys of 12 Port Phillip Bay beaches during the 2000-01

summer.

• Cigarette butts were, again, the most common litter item at all beaches, followed by plastic items and

confectionary wrappers. The amount of litter found on beaches increased since the previous year.

• Popular beaches like St Kilda, Williamstown and Sandringham were the most littered beaches. Despite

thorough cleaning regimes, these beaches were also the three most littered beaches in 1999-2000. Werribee

South, with its lower use, was the least littered beach.

• The report clearly shows that litter quantities increase during peak school holiday periods. At most beaches,

more litter was found near shops or kiosks. Both these outcomes indicate that education programs can be

targeted at these areas to improve.

• Almost 50 Beach Report volunteers helped monitor 33 beaches over the season and provided valuable

additional information to the scientific sampling program. EPA also launched the beach clean-up program,

‘Clean Up Your Beach,’ in 2001.

C O N T E N T S

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... I

WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................................................. I

LITTER .........................................................................................................................................................II

INTRODUCTION................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 1

MONITORING WATER QUALITY ................................ ................................ ................................ ............... 3

THE SCIENCE ................................................................................................................................................ 3

SHORT AND LONGER-TERM WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................. 3

THE RISK INDEX ............................................................................................................................................. 4

VOLUNTEERS – OUR ‘EYES AND EARS’................................................................................................................... 4

LITTER SURVEYS ............................................................................................................................................ 5

2000-2001 ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ........ 6

PORT PHILLIP BAY RESULTS ................................ ................................ ................................ .................. 6

WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................................................ 6

LITTER SURVEYS ............................................................................................................................................ 7

RESULTS BY REGION................................ ................................ ................................ ........................... 10

REGION 1: PORTSEA TO ROSEBUD ................................ ................................ ................................ ......... 10

WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................................................10

Short term ...........................................................................................................................................10

Longer term: SEPP compliance ..............................................................................................................10

LITTER SURVEY: SORRENTO AND RYE................................................................................................................... 11

Sorrento .............................................................................................................................................. 11

Rye......................................................................................................................................................12

REGION 2: DROMANA TO MORNINGTON ................................ ................................ ................................ . 14

WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................................................14

Short term ...........................................................................................................................................14


LITTER SURVEY: MT MARTHA ............................................................................................................................14

REGION 3: CANADIAN BAY TO MENTONE................................ ................................ ................................ . 16

WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................................................16

Short term ...........................................................................................................................................16


LITTER SURVEY: SEAFORD AND MORDIALLOC ......................................................................................................... 17

Seaford ............................................................................................................................................... 17

Mordialloc ...........................................................................................................................................18

REGION 4: BEAUMARIS TO SANDRIDGE ................................ ................................ ................................ .. 19

FIGURE 15. MAP OF BEACH REPORT REGION 4 – BEAUMARIS TO SANDRIDGE ..................................................................19

WATER QUALITY ............................................................................................................................................19

Short term ...........................................................................................................................................19


LITTER SURVEY: SANDRINGHAM, ST KILDA AND PORT MELBOURNE............................................................................. 20

Sandringham ...................................................................................................................................... 20

St Kilda .............................................................................................................................................. 20

Port Melbourne ................................................................................................................................... 22

REGION 5: WILLIAMSTOWN TO WERRIBEE SOUTH ................................ ................................ ..................... 24

WATER QUALITY ........................................................................................................................................... 24

Short term .......................................................................................................................................... 24

Longer term: SEPP compliance ............................................................................................................. 24

LITTER SURVEY: WILLIAMSTOWN AND WERRIBEE SOUTH........................................................................................... 25

Williamstown ...................................................................................................................................... 25

Werribee South ................................................................................................................................... 26

REGION 6: ST HELENS TO QUEENSCLIFF................................ ................................ ................................ ..27

WATER QUALITY ........................................................................................................................................... 27

Short term .......................................................................................................................................... 27

Longer term: SEPP compliance ............................................................................................................. 27

LITTER SURVEY: EASTERN BEACH AND QUEENSCLIFF................................................................................................ 28

Eastern Beach..................................................................................................................................... 28

Queenscliff ......................................................................................................................................... 29

BEACH REPORT PARTNERS ................................ ................................ ................................ ................... 31

LOCAL GOVERNMENT – BAYSIDE COUNCILS ..........................................................................................................31

MEDIA.......................................................................................................................................................31

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................ ................................ ................................ ......................... 32

1

I N T R O D U C T I O N

Each summer, EPA Victoria conducts its Beach

Report program. Beach Report provides Victorians

with information about water quality and beach

conditions at 36 Port Phillip Bay beaches. Another

major objective of Beach Report is to raise public

awareness about human activities that contribute to

water pollution in the Bay, while also encouraging

actions to improve water quality.

The 2000-2001 Beach Report showed water quality

at Port Phillip Bay beaches was generally good over

the summer period. Over four months of frequent

sampling, 33 of the 36 monitored beaches returned

consistently good water quality samples. When

elevated bacterial levels occurred the effects were

generally short term and could not be confirmed

after re-sampling within 24 hours, indicating a return

to acceptable water quality. Three beaches had

incidences of elevated bacterial levels that

continued over several days. In each case, EPA

Victoria issued public warnings advising against

swimming at these beaches. These events

prompted a thorough investigation and further

monitoring by EPA Victoria. Management action was

taken in conjunction with local Government and the

Department of Human Services to address the cause

of the problems and in each case water quality

returned quickly to within safe limits.

As part of Beach Report 2000-2001, EPA Victoria

commissioned Litter Analysis Australia (LAA) to look

at the amounts, types and deposition rates of litter

at 12 Port Phillip Bay Beaches (Figure 1). These

studies show that cigarette butts continue to be the

most littered item on Port Phillip Bay beaches as

Figure 1. Beach Report beaches

(Litter survey sites underlined)

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surveys in the two previous years had also shown.

This reinforces the need for greater public education

about the fate of cigarette butts when they are

discarded on the streets and on beaches.

Confectionery wrappers and general plastic items

(for example, straws, take-away food containers,

and drink bottles) were also common litter items.

Volunteers have been an integral part of Beach

Report over the past ten years. To celebrate 2001 as

International Year of the Volunteer, EPA Victoria

introduced the ‘Clean Up Your Beach’ program as

part of Beach Report, kicking off with a launch at

Carrum beach on 4 February 2001. In addition to

participating in the ‘Clean Up’ days, 48 Beach Report

volunteers made regular visual checks of conditions

at 33 Port Phillip Bay beaches throughout the

season.

EPA Victoria looks forward to the continued success

of Beach Report over the 2001-2002 season.

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M O N I T O R I N G W A T E R Q U A L I T Y

The Science

From December 2000 until March 2001 EPA Victoria

monitored levels of the bacterium Escherischia coli

(E. coli) at 36 Port Phillip Bay beaches. E. coli

bacteria is present in the faeces of warm-blooded

animals and is not harmful to humans, however its

presence is a good indicator of other, more harmful

micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses) that may be in

the water through faecal contamination. Elevated E.

coli levels can be caused by dog droppings left on

the beach that are then washed into the water by the

tide, or by heavy rainfall flushing large quantities of

dog faeces into the Bay via gutters, creeks and

stormwater drains. These events usually produce

increased bacterial levels for a short time which

return to low levels within 24 hours. Experience has

shown that on Port Phillip Bay beaches it is unusual

for high E. coli levels to persist for two or more

consecutive days.

From 7-21 December 2000, water samples were

taken each Thursday so that up-to-date information

was available for the weekend when beach activities

generally increased. During the school holiday

period from 21 December 2000 to the end of January

2001, sampling was done every three days in line

with the increased number of beach-goers in this

period. During February and March sampling was

done every Monday and Thursday, to provide

information to weekend beach-goers, and to assess

the condition of beach water quality after weekend

use.

For E. coli tests, 500 mL of seawater was collected in

sterile bottles from each beach at the same

collection point each time. Sampling was done early

in the morning to minimise the effect of sunlight

which can kill the bacteria and hence alter their

concentration in the bottles. Samples were stored

on ice, in the dark, and taken to the Australian Water

Technologies laboratory for processing. Samples

were analysed using the Colilert method and

results returned to EPA Victoria early the next

morning. If high E. coli levels were detected at a

particular beach, sampling would be repeated the

next day and the information published on the EPA

Victoria hotline and website, and the relevant local

council informed. If elevated levels were detected

on two consecutive days, EPA Victoria issued media

warnings to advise against swimming at that beach

until EPA Victoria was satisfied that the water quality

had returned to acceptable levels.

Short and longer-term water quality

While short-term water quality can be determined

with a single sample, EPA Victoria also monitors

longer-term beach water quality from samples taken

over several days. Longer-term water quality is

assessed against the acceptable environmental

standards set by the State Environment Protection

Policy (SEPP (Waters of Victoria) – Schedule F6

Waters of Port Phillip Bay). Calculations are based

on samples taken over 42 days, from which a

geometric mean is calculated for each beach. A new

geometric mean and 80th percentile figure is

calculated with each sampling event throughout the

season. An overall assessment is based on results

from the entire monitoring period.

The Port Phillip Bay SEPP specifies that over 42

days:

4

1) the geometric mean E. coli level should be less

than 200 organisms per 100 mL seawater; and

2) the 80th percentile the samples should have E.

coli levels less than 400 organisms per 100 mL

seawater..

The Risk Index

Each day, a ‘Risk Index’ was calculated for each

Beach Report beach by taking into account the most

recent bacterial levels, past 24 hours of rainfall,

forecast rainfall and water quality history (short and

longer-term) at each beach. Rainfall patterns and

recent water quality carried more weight than water

quality history in providing overall risk prediction.

From Monday to Saturday, each beach was rated

according to the index figure as posing a ‘very low’,

‘low’ or ‘moderate’ risk to human health, and ratings

were published in the Herald Sun.

Volunteers – our ‘eyes and ears’

EPA Victoria places a high priority on keeping the

community well informed about the state of their

environment. Volunteer groups are a valuable and

integral part of EPA Victoria environmental

programs, assisting with monitoring and community

education.

Every year, EPA Victoria receives valuable assistance

from our enthusiastic ‘Beach Reporters’ - volunteers

who live around Port Phillip Bay and who adopt one

or more Beach Report beaches during the course of

the program. Beach Reporters are trained by EPA

Victoria and provided with assessment kits to collect

information about stormwater drain conditions,

litter, sand quality and the effects of weather, such

as heavy rain, on water quality. Beach Reporters

send regular reports back to EPA Victoria, and these

reports are published on the Beach Report website

and hotline. Beach Reporters play a vital role by

complementing scientific analysis of water quality

with timely and local information on beach quality.

Working with volunteers provides EPA Victoria with

an opportunity to tap into local knowledge and work

with the community to raise awareness of water

quality issues.

A record 48 Beach Reporters took part in the 2000-

2001 program; six more than the previous season.

Of these, eight people had volunteered in previous

years, with 40 people volunteering for the first time.

All Beach Report beaches were monitored by a

volunteer except for Portsea, Blairgowrie and

Elwood. In addition to recording details about the

quality of the beach and stormwater drains, each

volunteer was asked to give a visual rating of beach

quality as ‘excellent’, ‘good’, ‘fair’, ‘poor’, or ‘very

poor’. On average, most beaches were judged as

‘good’ or ‘excellent’ while no beach was rated as

‘poor’ or ‘very poor’.

Fair20%

Good50%

Excellent30%

Figure2. Summary of average ratings by Beach Report

Volunteers

5

To celebrate the International Year of the Volunteer

in 2001, EPA Victoria introduced the ‘Clean Up Your

Beach’ program as part of Beach Report. The aim of

the ‘Clean Up’ days is to promote and encourage the

participation of local bayside communities in caring

for their local beaches and foster a sense of pride in

people for their neighbouring coastal environment.

Local residents, environment groups and

representatives from local government joined forces

and donned sturdy shoes, hats and gloves to

remove litter from the beach, pathways, shrubs and

foreshore of Carrum, St Leonards and Port

Melbourne. Cigarette butts made up most of the

litter on these beaches. Bottles, cans, and

miscellaneous plastics were also very common.

Litter Surveys

During the 2000-2001 season, EPA Victoria

commissioned Litter Analysis Australia (LAA) to

investigate litter at 12 Port Phillip Bay beaches -

Sorrento, Rye, Mt Martha, Seaford, Mordialloc,

Sandringham, St Kilda, Port Melbourne,

Williamstown, Eastern Beach (Geelong), Werribee

South and Queenscliff. Litter surveys had been

done at these beaches during the previous two

Beach Report seasons. All beaches have different

levels of use and potential for litter. Beaches were

originally chosen according to their popularity with

beach-goers and to ensure that each local council

area was surveyed. Annual surveys will enable EPA

Victoria to track longer-term patterns in litter at

these beaches. Ten surveys were done between

early December 2000 and early March 2001. All

surveys were done at the same place on each beach,

and included counting and classifying litter and a

visual assessment. Visual ratings gave an estimate

of the amount of litter at each beach over a 500 m2

area from 0 (no litter) to 10 (total litter cover). For

litter counts, the number of litter items at each

beach over a 48 m2 area was counted and grouped

according to product type and material type. The

rate at which litter appeared on beaches was termed

the ‘Litter Regeneration Rate’ and was calculated for

each beach by comparing the amount of litter on the

beach between sampling events.

The morning after the night before: what it costs our

beaches.

6

2 0 0 0 - 2 0 0 1

P O R T P H I L L I P B A Y R E S U L T S

Water Quality

Port Phillip Bay’s inshore beach water quality was

generally very good throughout the 2000-2001

summer. Of the 1296 samples taken during 36

scheduled sampling events, 95% (1235 samples)

returned acceptable levels of E. coli. More than 90%

of beaches returned acceptable water quality 86%

of the time, and there were only two occasions when

the number of beaches with acceptable levels was

less than 80% (Figure 6).

Five percent of samples (61 samples) required

repeat sampling. Fifty-seven follow up samples of E.

coli showed that the initial levels could not be

confirmed by re-sampling, indicating the water

quality was acceptable and the first result may have

been a “false positive”. It is important for EPA

Victoria to re-sample even if sometimes a follow-up

sample shows the first result was a “false positive”.

“False positive” samples are always going to occur

in a conservative water quality monitoring program.

By applying the precautionary principle, and

sometimes getting ‘false positive” results, EPA

Victoria is acting on the safe side.

Of the four beaches requiring repeated sampling,

Middle Park showed the water quality had returned

to an acceptable level after 48 hours. The other

three exceptions relate to separate incidents

involving longer-term problems with beach water

quality at Werribee South, Mentone, Fairy Dell

beaches. In each case, the Beach Report team

worked closely with EPA Operations staff, local

government (the Cities of Wyndham, Kingston and

Greater Geelong respectively), the Department of

Human Services, and local water authorities to

identify and fix the underlying problem. EPA Victoria

also worked closely with local and state media to

provide regular updates to the public and issued

warnings against swimming at each beach until safe

swimming conditions had been restored.

The elevated bacterial levels at Werribee South

beach were linked to a nearby stormwater drain. As

Werribee South beach has presented problems with

elevated levels over the past few years, EPA Victoria

has commenced an extensive, on-going

investigation into the source of the contamination.

At Mentone, the source of the high E. coli levels was

found to be a blocked sewer in front of the Mentone

Life Saving Club. After the sewer was unblocked,

levels returned to being acceptable within a few

days. After seven days of elevated bacterial levels,

the water quality at Fairy Dell beach returned to

acceptable level. The water quality was measured

as acceptable for the remainder of the season.

While extensive investigations at Fairy Dell beach

could not identify the source of the elevated E. coli

levels, the return of long-term acceptable levels

indicates the problem was transient in nature, and

may have come from an offshore source.

Longer-term water quality, as determined by

performance against SEPP objectives, was generally

good. Twenty-four beaches met the SEPP objectives

throughout the 2000-2001 season. One objective

was exceeded at six beaches and both objectives

were exceeded at six beaches on various occasions

over the four months of sampling. These results are

discussed in the Regional Results, below.

7

Litter Surveys

Litter surveys indicated that the amount of litter on

beaches varied with location and over time. St Kilda

beach was the most littered of the 12 beaches

surveyed with an

average of 79.5 items

per 48 m2, followed by

Williamstown and

Sandringham beaches

with 59.5 and 56.9

items respectively.

These beaches were

also found to be the

most littered in the

previous year’s survey

when Sandringham was rated the most littered

beach. In 2000-2001 Werribee South beach was the

least littered site with an average of 4.2 items.

In the three month survey period more litter was left

on beaches towards the end of the school holiday

period in late January 2001. The amount of litter

peaked on the 22 January survey at an average of 27

items per 48 m2. The least amount of litter was

recorded on 5 March 2001, with an average of 23.4

items.

Analysis of regeneration rates (defined as the

number of litter items that accumulate per week)

across the summer indicated that the highest

regeneration rates occurred during the school

holiday period. The average regeneration rate

peaked on January 15 and 22 with averages of 44.9

items and 46.6 items per 48 m2. The slowest litter

regeneration rate of an average of 11.7 items rate

occurred on the last survey on 5 March 2001. This

pattern is comparable to last year’s trend, which

showed an increase in deposited litter in January.

Cigarette butts accounted for 54% of the litter

counted. Plastic items were the next most common

type of litter (10.6%), followed by confectionery

wrappers (5.5%) and bottle/can tops (4%). Of

particular interest was the increase in the amount

and percentage of glass in the litter stream.

Although the overall amount is still low in

comparison to other litter types (eg cigarette butts),

the amount of glass recorded had doubled since the

1999-2000 survey. Of significant concern is the

increase in the number of syringes counted –from

zero last year to three this year

0

20

40

60

80

100

St K

ilda

Will

iam

stow

n

San

drin

gham

Sea

ford

Por

tM

elbo

urne

Mor

dial

loc

Rye

Eas

tern

Mt M

arth

a

Que

ensc

liff

Sor

rent

o

Wer

ribeeAve

rag

e n

um

ber

of

litte

r it

ems

Figure 3. Average volume of litter, by beach

01020

304050

18.1

2.00

2.1.

01

8.1.

01

15.1

.01

22.1

.01

29.1

.01

5.12

.01

19.2

.01

5.3.

01

Date of Survey

Ave

rag

e N

um

ber

of

litte

r it

ems

Figure 4. Average volume of litter, by sampling date

8

People’s littering behaviour was found to vary

significantly between beaches, which may explain

the different amounts and types of litter recorded in

the surveys. At some beaches (particularly

Sandringham), people were observed walking along

and collecting litter. As with previous surveys, the

surveyors suggested that kiosks located next to

beaches may be contributing to the increased

amounts of litter on the beach - ice cream sticks,

confectionery wrappers and straws in particular.

Litter patterns in 2000-2001 were similar to those of

the previous summer however there was a

significant increase in the amount by an average 9.6

items per site. Summer temperatures were

unusually high over the sampling period with more

people visiting the beach. LAA suggests that this is

the reason for the increase with the amount of litter

correlating with the number of beach-goers. They

found the greatest amount of litter was left behind

on the hottest days.

Cigarette butts

Other Plastic

Confectionery Wrappers

Bottle Can/Tops

Other Paper

Straws

Styrene foam cups, etc

Ice Cream Sticks

Other Glass

Tissues/Serviettes

Figure 5. Average proportions of litter, by product type

9

% beaches returning E. coli<1000

0

20

40

60

80

1002/

11/0

0

9/11

/00

16/1

1/00

23/1

1/00

30/1

1/00

7/12

/00

14/1

2/00

21/1

2/00

28/1

2/00

4/01

/01

11/0

1/01

18/0

1/01

25/0

1/01

1/02

/01

8/02

/01

15/0

2/01

22/0

2/01

1/03

/01

8/03

/01

15/0

3/01

22/0

3/01

29/0

3/01

sampling date

% b

each

es <

1000

org

s

Figure 6. Beach E.coli levels verses sampling date

10

R E S U L T S B Y R E G I O N

R E G I O N 1 : P O R T S E A T O R O S E B U D

Figure 7. Map of Beach Report Region 1 – Portsea to Rosebud

Water quality

Short term

Overall, the southern Mornington Peninsula beaches

had good water quality over the 2000-2001 summer.

Of the 180 samples taken in this region 5% returned

high E. coli levels and required repeat sampling. Of

the nine repeat samples, two were required at

Rosebud (2.11.00 -pre-season sampling, 22.3.01),

five at Rye (11.1.01, 26.1.01, 29.1.01, 12.3.01

22.3.01), and one at Portsea (20.1.01) and

Blairgowrie (26.1.01). In each case, acceptable

levels returned within 24 hours. The repeat samples

required at Rosebud and Rye are indicative of

longer-term problems with beach water quality,

particularly at Rye, which EPA Victoria is currently

addressing in conjunction with the Mornington

Peninsula Shire Council (see below).

Sorrento beach had acceptable bacterial levels

throughout the Beach Report period.

Longer term: SEPP compliance

The southernmost Mornington Peninsula beaches

had good longer-term water quality and complied

with SEPP objectives. Rye beach breached SEPP

objectives over 11 consecutive sampling events, and

at Rosebud there were seven consecutive breaches

of the 80th percentile. Longer-term beach water

quality has been a problem at these two beaches in

11

previous years, and it is now believed that this is

related to the method of sewage disposal in this

area; currently by septic tank and soak pits. EPA

Victoria is working with Mornington Peninsula Shire

Council to fix the problem by connecting the entire

area to a reticulated sewerage system.

Litter Survey: Sorrento and Rye

Sorrento

Despite the popularity of Sorrento beach with

beach-goers, the amount of litter observed on the

beach was comparatively low and Sorrento rated as

the second least littered beach of the 12 beaches

surveyed. The litter surveyors noted that people on

Sorrento beach tended were responsible with their

waste and in most cases took their litter away with

them. The low number of potential litter sources

such as stormwater outlets and kiosks may also

explain the low level of litter on Sorrento beach.

According to Mornington Peninsula Shire Council,

Sorrento beach was cleaned fortnightly with a surf

rake and by hand when necessary.

Visual ratings ranged from 0.75 (18.12.00) to 1.75 out

of 10 (2.01.01, 5.02.01, and 19.02.01) The quantity of

litter peaked on 22 January when 20 items were

found. Over half the items counted on this date

were cigarette butts. The litter regeneration rate at

Sorrento peaked between 8-15 January 2001 at 20

items per week. The average regeneration rate of

9.4 items per week at Sorrento is a marked increase

from the previous year’s figure of 5.5 items.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

4.12

.00

18.1

2.00

2.1.

01

8.1.

01

15.1

.01

22.1

.01

29.1

.01

5.12

.01

19.2

.01

5.3.

01

Vis

ual R

atin

g S

core

0

30

60

90

120

150

Num

ber of litter items

Visual Rating

Number of litteritems

Figure 8. Litter patterns at Sorrento beach

12

Cigarette butts were the most common type of litter

at Sorrento beach (65% of litter), followed by

confectionery wrappers (14%) and general paper

items (8%). The overall amount of litter at Sorrento

increased in the past year from an average of 7.6

items to 13.3 items per site.

Rye

Rye beach was the 7th most littered of the 12

beaches surveyed. A lot of Rye’s litter was

attributed to medium-large pieces of litter caught up

in newly-erected barricades, but much of the litter

recorded from Rye was cigarette butts. Litter at Rye

is generally the same as for 1999-2000 however the

number of cigarette butts has increased.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council state that

cleaning at Rye beach was done every second week

with large items collected by hand and smaller litter

removed with a mechanical surf rake. The

mechanical surf rake could not reach the edges of

the barricades between the beach and the

foreshore, and while large items could be removed

by hand, small to medium sized litter was left to

accumulate in this area.

Visual ratings surveys ranged from 1.25 (5.03.01) to

3.5 (4.12.00) out of 10 with an average rating of 2.8.

The quantity of litter peaked on 15 January 2001 at

75 items, with an average of 41.1 items per site. The

litter regeneration rate at Rye beach peaked

between January 8 and 15 at 45 items per week.

Average regeneration rates were similar to those in

the 1999-2000 season.

Cigarette butts accounted for most of the total litter

collected (62%). Confectionery wrappers were the

second most common litter item (7.8%).

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Figure 9. Litter patterns at Rye beach

13

LAA suggested that recently erected barricades

between the beach and the foreshore made access

to the bins more difficult for beachgoers and may

cause increased littering on Rye beach in the future.

Beach-goers appeared reluctant to make the extra

effort to reach the bins or take their litter with them,

instead creating litter piles along the barricade.

At Rye beach there was a noticeable decrease in

litter following New Years Eve compared to 1999-

2000. The overall visual rating was also lower than

the previous year, suggesting that steps had been

taken to rectify the litter problem.

14

R E G I O N 2 : D R O M A N A T O M O R N I N G T O N

Figure 10. Map of Beach Report Region 2 – Dromana to Mornington

Water quality

Short term

The four middle Mornington Peninsula beaches had

acceptable beach water quality for most of the

2000-2001 season. Of 144 samples, nine (6%) had

high bacterial levels and required repeat sampling.

Dromana had high E. coli levels on two days (2.11.00

-pre-season sampling, 22.3.01) as did Mt Martha

(30.12.00, 22.3.01). Safety Beach had one day of

high E. coli (27.12.00) while Mornington beach had

four days of high bacterial levels (2.11.00 -pre-

season sampling, 26.1.01, 29.1.01, 22.3.01). Heavy

rainfall the day before two sampling periods is

thought to have been responsible for elevated

bacteria in five of the samples. In each case, high E.

coli levels could not be confirmed by re-sampling

within 24 hours.


Only Mornington beach breached SEPP objectives

over the Beach Report season. The 80th percentile

objective was breached over eight consecutive

sampling events, and the geometric mean once

during this period. This was the result of elevated E.

coli levels on two consecutive sampling events .

Dromana, Safety Beach and Mt Martha beaches had

good longer-term water quality and complied with

SEPP objectives for the entire season.

Litter Survey: Mt Martha

LAA found a comparatively small amount of litter at

Mt Martha. This beach stood out as it had very few

cigarette butts in comparison with the other

beaches. According to the Mornington Peninsula

Shire Council, Mt Martha beach was cleaned

15

fortnightly, using a combination of a mechanical surf

rake and cleaning by hand.

Most beachgoers were observed taking their litter

with them when they left the beach which reduced

the amount of visible litter. Litter was mostly small

to medium in size. Mt Martha beach was

considerably cleaner following the 2001 New Year's

celebrations compared to the previous year.

Visual surveys ranged from one (29.01.01) to 2.25

(22.01.01, 2.02.01) out of 10. The low average site

rating of 1.7 can be attributed to beach-goers who

were generally responsible in disposing of their

litter. The quantity of litter peaked on 22 January

2001 at 36 items, with an average of 14.4 items per

48 m2.


counted (24.3%) followed by other plastic (19.4%).

The proportion of cigarette butts at Mount Martha

had declined by 7% since the 1999-2000 survey. A

similar decrease (8.43%) was also observed in the

preceding year.

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Figure 11. Litter patterns at Mt Martha beach

16

R E G I O N 3 : C A N A D I A N B A Y T O M E N T O N E

Figure 12. Map of Beach Report Region 3 – Canadian Bay to Mentone

Water quality

Short term

There was some variation in water quality at

Northern Mornington Peninsula beaches over the

Beach Report season. While beaches had

acceptable water quality for most of the summer,

elevated bacterial levels were found at six of the

eight beaches, although in most instances the

increases lasted less than 24 hours. Of 288

samples, 4% had elevated E. coli levels and required

repeat sampling. Elevated E. coli levels were found

once at Canadian Bay (2.11.00 -pre-season

sampling, four times at Frankston Pier (16.11.00 -

pre-season sampling, 5.1.01, 20.1.01, 22.3.01) once

at Long Island Beach (2.11.00 - pre-season

sampling, twice at Carrum (2.11.00 - pre-season

sampling, 11.1.01), and three times at Aspendale

North (11.1.01, 20.1.01, 19.3.01). Of the 11 required

repeats, three can be attributed to a day of heavy

rainfall (Canadian Bay, Long Island and Carrum) and

two can be linked to a sewer spill at Mentone in

early January 2001. At Mentone, the source of the

high E. coli levels was found to be a blocked sewer

in front of the Mentone Life Saving Club. After the

sewer was unblocked, levels returned to being

acceptable within a few days. Except for this

incident, bacterial levels had returned to within

acceptable beach water limits within 24 hours.

Seaford and Mordialloc beaches had good water

quality for the entire Beach Report season.


The 80th percentile SEPP objective was breached at

Carrum on 12 consecutive sampling events, and

twice at Aspendale North on 14 and three

consecutive sampling events. The breaches can be

17

attributed to a number of samples with elevated E.

coli levels that, while acceptable by short-term

objectives, were elevated in relation to the longer-

term SEPP objectives. Mentone beach also breached

the geometric mean objective over four sampling

events and had 12 consecutive breaches of the 80th

percentile objective. These breaches were linked to

the sewer incident described above. Shortly after

the sewer was fixed Mentone’s SEPP breaches

ceased.

Mordialloc, Seaford, Long Island Beach, Frankston

Pier and Canadian Bay beaches had good long-term

water quality and complied with SEPP objectives for

the entire Beach Report season.

Litter Survey: Seaford and Mordialloc

Seaford

Seaford was rated as the fourth most littered beach

of the twelve beaches surveyed. LAA suggest this

may be because the survey site was located in front

of the Life Saving Club, right next to Seaford Pier,

which the mechanical beach cleaner was unable to

access. This area was heavily used because of its

proximity to the Life Saving Club, the pier and car

parking facilities. The high litter regeneration rate at

Seaford beach may be due to shops located at the

end of the beach access path. On a number of

occasions people were seen dropping cigarette

butts and drink bottles off the pier, indicating a

need for bins on the pier.

Visual ratings ranged from 1.5 (5.03.01) to 3.75

(15.01.01) out of 10, an average rating of 2.5. The

average amount of litter at Seaford beach was 43.7

items per sample area, and peaked on 15 January at

121 items. Most of the litter recorded was deposited

at the high tide mark. In 1999-2000, the average

litter regeneration rate of 4.3 items per week was

significantly lower than the previous year’s average

of 23.9. However, in the 2000-2001 survey the

average rate had increased again to 24.3. A large

number of cigarette butts contributed to the

increased rating.

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Figure 13. Litter patterns at Seaford Beach

18

Litter at Seaford was mainly made up of medium to

large items such as plastic bottles, plastic bags and

straws. These were found washed up on the beach

and concentrated around the high tide mark.

Cigarette butts were the most littered product

(53.2%) with other plastic (4.8 items) and

confectionery wrappers (2.9 items) also common.

Mordialloc

The overall appearance of Mordialloc beach was

good during the 2000-2001 season with small-sized

items such as cigarette butts and bottle tops

accounting for most of the litter. A concrete divider

between the beach and the footpath acted as a

potential litter trap however extensive beach

cleaning by the City of Kingston Council ensured

Mordialloc beach was kept relatively free of litter.

The Council raked the beach twice a week with a

mechanical beach cleaner and removed medium

and large litter items by hand from around walls,

pathways and poles. Large bins at the

entrances/exits of the beach and along the walls

were well used by beach-goers and helped to

minimise beach litter.

Visual ratings ranged from one (4.12.00) to 2.75

(5.01.01) out of 10 with an average rating of 1.8.

The average amount of litter was 38.3 items which

peaked on 4 December 2000 at 64 items per site.

This peak was attributed to a major public event

taking place the day before the survey. The highest

regeneration rate occurred between 22 January and

29 January 2001 at 64 items per week. The slowest

regeneration rate was 14 items per week between 5

February and 19 February 2001.

Cigarette butts (44.6%) were the most common type

of litter at Mordialloc beach, followed by other

plastic (24.3%).

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Figure 14. Litter patterns at Mordialloc beach

19

R E G I O N 4 : B E A U M A R I S T O S A N D R I D G E

Figure 15. Map of Beach Report Region 4 – Beaumaris to Sandridge

Water quality

Short term

Water quality at north eastern Port Phillip Bay

beaches was acceptable for most of the summer. Of

the 360 samples taken, only 1% required repeat

sampling because of high E. coli levels. Repeated

sampling was required at Beaumaris (2.11.00) -

pre-season sampling, Hampton (20.1.01), Elwood

(22.3.01), St Kilda (15.2.01), and Middle Park

(7.12.00) beaches. Bacteriological levels at these

beaches returned to acceptable limits within 24

hours. The E. coli levels at Middle Park beach

remained elevated for 48 hours before returning to

within acceptable limits. At all other beaches

requiring follow-up sampling, E. coli levels could not

be confirmed by re-sampling within 24 hours.

Half Moon Bay, Sandringham, Brighton, Port

Melbourne and Sandridge beaches had acceptable

beach water quality for the entire Beach Report

period.


Middle Park was the only beach in this region to

breach SEPP objectives. The 80th percentile

objective was breached during four consecutive

sampling events due to high E. coli levels in early

December. All other beaches in this region complied

with SEPP objectives over the Beach Report period.

20

Litter Survey: Sandringham, St Kilda and Port

Melbourne

Sandringham

Bayside City Council cleaned Sandringham beach

each week with a mechanical surf rake. Many

people walking along the beach were seen

collecting and removing litter. Despite this collective

effort, Sandringham beach was found to be the

second most littered beach in the 2000-2001

summer litter surveys. Within the litter survey site, a

retaining wall next to the beach acted as a litter trap

and had a large amount of small-sized litter built up

against it. Sandringham was one of the few beaches

on which a syringe was found.

Visual ratings ranged from 1.75 (8.01.01) out of 10 to

5.25 (2.01.01) with an average of 3.1. The size of

litter on Sandringham beach varied over time.

During peak periods a large quantity of medium to

large-sized litter was found along the high tide mark.

The amount of litter collected during the surveys

peaked on 18 December 2000 with 95 items per site,

with an average of 56.9 items.

The highest regeneration rate occurred between 22

January and 29 January 2001 at 92 items per week.

The slowest regeneration rate was between 5

February and 19 February 2001 at 12 items per week.

The average regeneration rate of 36.8 items per

week was only a slight decrease on last year’s

average of 39.3.

Cigarette butts were the most common litter type

(32.9%) followed by general plastic items (19.2%)

and bottle and can tops (9%). The proportion of

plastic had increased by 6% compared to the

previous year.

St Kilda

As one of Melbourne’s most popular beaches, St

Kilda beach is particularly vulnerable to littering by

people using the beach. According to the City of Port

Phillip, beach cleaning was done each day over the

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Figure 16. Litter patterns at Sandringham beach

21

2000-2001 summer with a mechanical surf rake and

by manual collection with a ‘grappa’. Despite a high

level of cleaning effort, St Kilda rated as the most

littered beach of all those surveyed during the 2000-

2001 summer. A large number of cigarette butts

were recorded at St Kilda beach with only a few

larger items recorded during each litter survey.

The quantity of litter peaked at 126 items on 19

February 2001. Of these 126 items, 95 were

cigarette butts. The average quantity of 79.5 litter

items per 48 m2 was significantly higher than the

previous year’s average of 53 items. Throughout the

survey area there was usually a moderate amount of

small and medium sized litter and a few large items

as well. Litter accumulated along the high tide mark

with plastic bags at the water’s edge and paper

streamers scattered throughout the site. A large

proportion of the rubbish at St Kilda beach was

found at the base of the concrete wall which ran

along the pedestrian path. Most of this litter was

cigarette butts.

The greatest rate of litter deposition on the beach

occurred between 8 January and 15 January at 103

items per week. The slowest regeneration rate was

25.5 items per week between 19 February and 5

March 2001. There has been an increase in the

average regeneration rate at St Kilda over the past

three years from 24.4 in the 1998-1999, 44.4 in

1999-2000 and 53.6 in 2000-2001.

Cigarette butts made up most of the litter (65%)

followed by general plastic items (11.8%). The

average number of cigarette butts counted at St

Kilda beach was 52 compared to 33 in the 1999-

2000 survey.

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Figure 17. Litter patterns at St Kilda beach

22

Port Melbourne

Port Melbourne beach is close to the mouth of the

Yarra River and the Docklands precinct. Because it is

an area of high human use the beach is potentially

vulnerable to litter. The beach was cleaned regularly

throughout the 2000-2001 summer, usually every

Monday morning. Despite the regular cleaning

efforts by the City of Port Phillip council, Port

Melbourne beach received the second highest visual

rating (ie, visually it was the second most littered)

beach surveyed.

LAA noted that while the main beach area was

usually reasonably clean, items of various sizes

accumulated on other parts of the beach such as

against the steps to the Surf Club where the

mechanical cleaner could not access. In the morning

of each survey and/or after a high tide, plastic bags,

plastic confectionery wrappers, plastic bottles,

straws, and other plastic material were abundant on

Port Melbourne beach. Litter was particularly

obvious after high tides, with a lot of rubbish

deposited at the high tide mark and plastic bags

observed drifting in the water. LAA identified a small

kiosk near the local Life Saving Club as a potential

contributing factor to the high litter levels observed

at Port Melbourne beach.

The quantity of litter at Port Melbourne averaged

39.2 items per 48 m2 and a peak of 60 pieces on 5

February 2001, when 32 plastic items and 16

cigarette butts were counted.

Most of the small items counted were cigarette

butts, while the most of the medium sized litter

items were tissues/serviettes, takeaway cups or

containers, straws, confectionery wrappers, lollipop

sticks and bottle/can tops, possibly from the kiosk

by the Life Saving Club. On 2 January 2001, Port

Melbourne was littered with streamers and party

poppers, the obvious result of New Year’s Eve

celebrations.

Regeneration rates were comparable to those of

1999-2000. The highest rate in both years was 24

items deposited each week. In 2000-2001 this peak

occurred between 2-8 January.

Cigarette items were the most abundant type of litter

(42%) followed by plastic items (17%) and beverage

packaging (16%). Plastic items had increased over

the past year by 8.9%.

LAA suggested that large open bins positioned

around the steps of the Life Saving Club and the

kiosk may help reduce litter at Port Melbourne

Beach.

23

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Figure 18. Litter patterns at Port Melbourne beach

24

R E G I O N 5 : W I L L I A M S T O W N T O W E R R I B E E S O U T H

Figure 19. Map of Beach Report Region 5 – Williamstown to Werribee South

Water quality

Short term

Water quality at the three north western Port Phillip

Bay beaches was acceptable for most of the 2000-

2001 season. However, longer-term problems with

water quality at Werribee South beach became

apparent this season. Of the 108 samples taken in

this region, 8.3% required repeat sampling due to

the presence of high E. coli levels in the water. Of

these, seven were required for Werribee South

beach (16.11.00, 23.11.01 - pre-season sampling,

14.12.01, 21.12.01, 8.2.01, 19.2.01, 19.3.01). On all

but one of these occasions, high E. coli levels could

not be confirmed by re-sampling within 24 hours.

However, the high number of repeat samples that

were required is indicative of longer-term problems

with beach water quality at Werribee South beach,

supported by many breaches of SEPP objectives

throughout this season (see below).

Williamstown (22.3.01) and Altona (23.11.00 - pre-

season sampling), beaches each required one

repeat sample, and in each case, bacterial levels

could not be confirmed by re-sampling within 24

hours.


High E. coli levels detected at Altona beach on one

occasion in late November caused a breach of the

geometric mean and 80th percentile SEPP objectives

in early December. The six consecutive samples in

this period were acceptable, bringing Altona into

compliance with the SEPP objectives, where it

remained for the rest of the Beach Report season.

Werribee South had unacceptable longer-term water

quality on several occasions, related to seven

25

separate instances of high E. coli levels in the beach

water. The geometric mean objective was breached

on six occasions, and the 80th percentile on two

separate occasions over eight and 11 consecutive

sampling events. Longer-term water quality at

Werribee South has been below standard over the

past two years. EPA Victoria has commenced an

extensive, on-going investigation into this problem

at Werribee South (see page 7).

Williamstown beach complied with SEPP objectives

for the entire Beach Report season.

Litter Survey: Williamstown and Werribee South

Williamstown

Williamstown beach was very popular throughout

the summer, particularly on hot days. As a result,

Williamstown beach was found to be the second

most littered of the 12 beaches surveyed. The survey

area usually contained medium sized litter along the

rock wall, with larger sized items littered around the

high tide mark. On most days litter of various sizes

was seen scattered along the beach and floating in

the water. The surveyors believe that a kiosk beside

the beach may have contributed to the litter at

Williamstown beach. Litter included ice cream

sticks, lollipop sticks, confectionery wrappers and

straws.

The amount of litter at Williamstown beach

increased over the summer period, with an average

of 59.5 items per survey area, peaking at 99 items

on 22 January 2001. Visual ratings ranged from 2.25

out of 10 (8.01.01) to 5.25 (2.01.01) with an average

rating of 3.4.

The rate at which litter was deposited at

Williamstown beach peaked between 8 January and

15 January 2001 at 99 items per week. The

regeneration rate was also high between 2 and 22

January 2001, averaging 76 items per week,

compared to an overall average of 41.1 items per

week. Regeneration rates have generally increased

over the past two summers at Williamstown beach.


(72%) followed by icecream wrappers and sticks

(7%).

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Figure 20. Litter patterns at Williamstown beach

26

Werribee South

During the surveys it was obvious that Werribee

South beach was not visited as much as the other

beaches surveyed. The beach is surrounded by

farmland and the closest township of significant

size (Werribee), is 10 km away. There are relatively

few stormwater drains or food outlets in the area

that could contribute to the littering of the beach.

According to the City of Wyndham council, Werribee

South beach was cleaned every Friday using a

manual ‘grappa’ and with a mechanical surf rake

every three weeks. LAA observed that a large

amount of litter had been blown off the beach and

onto the grassy embankment bordering the sand.

Litter was also seen entwined in the fence across the

road from the beach.

Visual ratings ranged from 1.0 out of 10 (5.02.01) to

3.25 (18.12.00). The average site rating was 1.9 over

the summer period.

The amount of litter peaked at eight items on 4

December 2000, with a low of two on 19 February

2001 and an average of 4.2 items per survey.

Regeneration rates peaked between 22 January and

29 January 2001 at eight items per week with an

average of 2.9 items per week. The average rate of

litter regeneration was 2.9 items per week, an

increase from the 1999-2000 average of 1.7.


(31%) found at Werribee South beach, followed by

other plastic (17%), other glass (10%) and ice cream

sticks (10%).

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Figure 21. Litter patterns at Werribee South beach

27

R E G I O N 6 : S T H E L E N S T O Q U E E N S C L I F F

Figure 22. Map of Beach Report Region 6 – St Helens to Queenscliff

Water quality

Short term

The six beaches on the Bellarine Peninsula had

acceptable beach water quality for 93% of the Beach

Report season. Of the 216 samples taken, four

repeat samples were required at St Helens (16.11.01

- pre-season sampling, 11.1.01, 8.2.01, 22.3.01) and

Fairy Dell (26.1.01, 12.2.01, 15.2.01, 19.2.01), three at

Portarlington (11.1.01, 20.1.01, 8.2.01), two at

Eastern Beach (2.11.00 - pre-season sampling,

19.2.01), and one at St Leonards (27.12.01) and

Queenscliff (5.1.01) beaches. Except the incident at

Fairy Dell, elevated E. coli levels could not be

confirmed by re-sampling within 24 hours.

After seven days of elevated bacterial levels (which

included three of the four sampling events where

repeat sampling was required), the water quality at

Fairy Dell beach returned to being acceptable and

remained acceptable for the remainder of the

season. Extensive investigations at Fairy Dell beach

could not locate the source of the elevated E. coli

levels, but the return to long-term acceptable beach

water quality indicates that the problem was

transient in nature, and possibly came from an

offshore source.


High E. coli levels detected at Queenscliff beach in

early January 2001 led to a breach of the geometric

mean over three consecutive sampling events.

However, several acceptable samples followed and

Queenscliff satisfied the SEPP objective

requirements for the remainder of the Beach Report

season.

Portarlington had elevated E. coli levels on three

occasions between mid-January and early February

2001. Consequently, the 80th percentile was

28

breached over 10 consecutive sampling events

shortly afterwards. A number of acceptable samples

were recorded after this breach and Portarlington

complied with both SEPP objectives for the

remainder of the 2000-2001 Beach Report season.

High E. coli levels at Fairy Dell on three consecutive

sampling days in mid-February 2001 resulted in a

breach of the SEPP geometric mean objective over

10 consecutive occasions, and the 80th percentile on

14 sampling events. Following these breaches E. coli

levels returned to within acceptable limits and Fairy

Dell beach complied with both SEPP objectives for

longer-term water quality for the remainder of the

sampling period.

St Helens, Eastern Beach and St Leonards beaches

had good longer-term water quality and satisfied the

requirements of the SEPP objectives for the 2000-

2001 Beach Report season.

Litter Survey: Eastern Beach and Queenscliff

Eastern Beach

Eastern beach had low levels of litter throughout the

2000-2001 summer compared to the other beaches

surveyed. The beach and adjoining open areas

received a high number of visitors, with a large

proportion of litter discarded along a heavily-used

walkway at the edge of the survey site. One of the

paths leading to the beach acted as a litter trap

where most of the litter was recorded. Numerous

plastic bags were often seen floating in the water.

The City of Greater Geelong cleaned Eastern beach

with a mechanical rake and a magnetic broom, for

metal objects, and emptied rubbish bins daily. A

number of times residents were observed walking

along the beach and cleaning up litter. Litter items

generally tended to be small in size.

Visual ratings ranged from 1.5 out of 10 (18.12.00,

5.03.01) to 3.5 (2.01.01). The average visual rating of

2.4 was an increase from the 1999-2000 average of

1.95 but close to the 1998-1999 average of 2.2.

The quantity of litter at Eastern Beach peaked at 43

items on 29 January 2001, averaging 29.0 items per

survey. This was substantially higher than in

previous years (13.7 items in 1999-2000 and 24.8

items in 1998-1999).

The litter regeneration rate at Eastern beach peaked

at 43 items per week, between 15 January and 22

January 2001. The regeneration rate was highest

over the mid summer period and dropped in the last

two surveys. The litter regeneration rates at Eastern

Beach have increased substantially compared to

1998-1999 and 1999-2000. A regeneration rate of

more than 20 items per week was recorded in two-

thirds of the 2000-2001 surveys but this high rate

was recorded only once in the previous two years.


at Eastern Beach (81%) followed by other plastic

items (3%) and confectionery wrappers (2%). The

proportion of different litter types on the beach was

similar in 1999-2000.

29

Queenscliff

Overall Queenscliff was the 3rd least littered beach of

those surveyed. Queenscliff is a popular holiday

destination, and the beach was heavily used in the

period from Christmas to 24 January 2001. Despite

the large increase in visitors there was only a slight

increase in the quantity of litter recorded. There was

little beach cleaning undertaken at Queenscliff and

a noticeable lack of rubbish bins in the area, which

suggests that most beach-goers take their litter

away with them. In addition, two residents were

observed two to three times each week removing

rubbish with a ‘grappa’ and plastic bag. When

necessary, the Borough of Queenscliffe used a

mechanical rake to remove larger litter items and

seaweed build-up. The combination of these

various modes of litter removal resulted in

Queenscliff beach achieving the lowest visual rating.

Visual ratings surveys ranged from 0.75 out of 10

(19.02.01) to 1.75 (8.01.01, 22.01.01) with an average

rating of 1.2.

The quantity of litter peaked at 39 items on 19

February 2001 with an average of 15.5 items

recorded over the survey period.

The average regeneration rate at Queenscliff was

10.3 items per week and was greatest between 8

January and 15 January 2001 (21 items) and lowest

between the 22 January and 29 January 2001 surveys

(two items). Litter regeneration rates have increased

at Queenscliff beach over the last three years. A

regeneration rate of more than 10 items per week

was recorded on seven of the 10 surveys in 2000-

2001. This rate was only recorded once in the

previous two years.


at Queenscliff Beach (63%), based on the average of

all litter counted, followed by other plastics (9%)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

4.12

.00

18.1

2.00

2.1.

01

8.1.

01

15.1

.01

22.1

.01

29.1

.01

5.12

.01

19.2

.01

5.3.

01

Vis

ual R

atin

g S

core

0

30

60

90

120

150

Num

ber of litter items

VisualRating


Figure 23. Litter patterns at Eastern Beach

30

and confectionery wrappers (6%). While the

proportion of items in the litter was similar to

previous years, the average number of cigarette

butts had more than doubled.

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

4.12

.00

18.1

2.00

2.1.

01

8.1.

01

15.1

.01

22.1

.01

29.1

.01

5.12

.01

19.2

.01

5.3.

01

Vis

ual R

atin

g S

core

0

30

60

90

120

150

Num

ber of litter items

VisualRating


Figure 24. Litter patterns at Queenscliff beach

31

B E A C H R E P O R T P A R T N E R S

EPA Victoria’s Beach Report Partners include

Bayside Councils around Port Phillip Bay, other

government departments such as the Department of

Human Services, local community groups, local and

metropolitan media, and the surf life saving sector.

Many people from these groups assist EPA Victoria

in monitoring bay water quality conditions. They

also help to inform the public about water quality

and educate beach-goers about the effects of

stormwater and other sources of beach water

pollution.

Local Government – Bayside Councils

The relationship between EPA Victoria and Bayside

councils is crucial to the success of Beach Report.

Bayside councils are immediately notified of E. coli

readings. When high E. coli readings are recorded

for two or more consecutive days EPA Victoria

advises councils and may recommend signs be

erected warning the public against swimming. EPA

Victoria resamples daily until water quality has

returned to an acceptable level, and notifies

councils of these results. If necessary, EPA Victoria

investigates the pollution source. EPA Victoria also

informs councils about beach litter research by

Beach Reporters such as LAA. Litter statistics help

councils identify where and at what time of year

litter may be a more significant problem. When

possible, EPA Victoria sponsors council activities

that promote anti-litter or water quality messages.

The relationship between EPA Victoria and bayside

councils is reciprocal. In addition to working closely

and co-operatively with EPA Victoria, local councils

assist Beach Report by providing facilities and office

support such as fax machines and internet access to

Beach Reporters. Council by-laws officers have

taken action in response to volunteers’ litter reports,

including erecting rubbish bins at popular beaches.

Media

Local and metropolitan media are vital to

disseminate the messages and results of Beach

Report. Water quality information is published daily

in the Herald Sun’s weather page with bay beaches

classified as posing a very low, low or moderate risk

to swimmers. Television news programs publicise

the impact of stormwater pollution on the bay and

ways the public can help improve water quality.

Public and community radio stations such as 3RRR

FM and 3CR have interviewed EPA Victoria staff to

promote Beach Report, and local newspapers

around Port Phillip Bay have profiled Beach Report,

the Beach Report volunteers, the Clean Up days and

publicised the Beach Report hotline number and

website address.

32

A C K N O W L E D G M E N T S

For the 2000-2001 Beach Report Season, EPA

Victoria wishes to thank:

EPA Victoria Beach Report Volunteers: Nanneke

Levy (Sorrento), Mark Ferrier (Rye), Annette Strugnell

(Rosebud), John Vosti (Dromana), Carolyn Maxfield

(Safety Beach), Elmae Brewer (Mt Martha), Gerard

Cook (Mornington), David and Sheila Harwood

(Canadian Bay), Patricia Davidson (Frankston), Clare

Nelson (Long Island), Kathleen McNeill and Angie

Hogan (Seaford), John Quinn and Alexis Colgan

(Carrum), Robert Hurtig (Aspendale), Barry Horler

(Mordialloc), Shirley Straker and Penny McGuire

White (Mentone), Ian Wade (Beaumaris),

Geoff & Cheryl Nougher (Half Moon Bay), Anne

Dunstan (Sandringham), Audrey Bujdoss (Hampton),

Peter Stevens (Brighton), Phillipa Swain (St Kilda),

Yvonne Lynch (Middle Park), Simon Howe (Port

Melbourne), Amber Perry and Andrea Bickett

(Sandridge), David Murnane (Altona), Clare Polley

(Williamstown), Joyce Molyneux (Werribee South),

Jennifer & Bengt Beck-Carlson (St Helens), Jean

Kotrba (Eastern), Norman Jeavons (Fairy Dell),

Yvonne Clark (Portarlington), Kerryn Fry (St

Leonards) and Jane Cullum (Queenscliff).

The Bayside Municipalities: City of Port Phillip, City

of Greater Geelong, Wyndham City Council, Hobsons

Bay City Council, Bayside City Council, Frankston

City Council, City of Kingston, Mornington Peninsula

Shire Council, Shire of Queenscliffe.

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