The ability to predict the liming requirement for acidic dredge material in project areas of the Shoalhaven River estuary floodplain was investigated to facilitate the treatment and management of sediment removed from flood mitigation drains as a result of maintenance activities. The “Routine maintenance of flood mitigation drainage structures Review of Environmental Factors” document produced by the Shoalhaven City Council in 2011 has provided the basis upon which to conduct this study. Previous work and landholder experiences have come to show that a simplified method for treating acidic dredge material dumped along the sides of drains is required in order to neutralise the material which, left untreated, has significant impacts on the surrounding environment following oxidation and acidification. Three different methods were used to calculate the weight of lime necessary for neutralisation of every unit of material removed from drains in each of the separate project areas of the Shoalhaven River estuary. 65 samples were collected from a range of 17 drains. X-ray diffraction was used to detect levels of pyrite and the subsequent level of acid produced from its oxidation, while X-ray fluorescence was used to detect trace levels of sulfur, and the potential amount of pyrite that could be produced from those amounts. A third method involved testing field pH following hydrogen peroxide initiated oxidation and calculation of lime that would be required based on values provided in a ‘Look-up table’. The maximum lime requirements calculated from each different method were graphed against each other to analyse correlation of values. Values calculated from XRF and XRD data analysis showed the greatest level of correlation when graphed against each other. Drain P2G1 has been identified as the drain with the highest recorded sulfur and pyrite concentrations, as well as zinc concentration, indicative of its ability to produce acid concentrations beyond that of any other drain sampled. The significance of this drain being a naturally formed entity rather than an artificial construction component of the flood mitigation scheme is discussed as well as the characteristics of all project areas that have given rise to differing levels of lime and overall management required. These results give information to those responsible for maintenance of the drains about which areas are of highest concern and the monitoring that needs to be implemented to ensure success of neutralisation efforts.

Water, soil and vegetation analyses were undertaken to examine the wetlands. Water quality testing at Myimbarr/Tongarra Creek system revealed that water quality improves and becomes stabilised as it moves through the catchment, indicating the efficiency of the wetlands in treating stormwater runoff. Results obtained at Shell Cove sites indicated that water quality was good and conditions are quite consistent throughout the Shell Cove catchment, however as the ponds are disconnected from one another results are not indicative of patterns occurring on a system-wide scale. Soil types determined within the wetlands included silty clay, silty clay loam, silty loam and sand. Soil pollution was not identified at the Myimbarr/Tongarra Creek sites, however elevated readings of Cu, Zn and Pb obtained at one Shell Cove site indicate small-scale pollution may be present. Vegetation surveys showed that introduced species were problematic throughout both wetlands systems, as were dominant native species. It was determined that the wetlands were achieving their intended purpose in providing stormwater treatment and habitat, however areas for improvement were identified. Management should target water quality, sedimentation, vegetation and catchment practices to maintain the health and functionality of the constructed wetland systems and prevent future degradation.

Results gained through a systematic review of 27 reserves PoM revealed that geodiversity is not mentioned, and what is discussed in relation to geodiversity is inadequate when compared to the level of attention paid to biodiversity. In depth acknowledgement of geodiversity and its conservation within Plans of Management is required in order to improve the conservation of geodiversity within the existing reserve system. The existing reserve system only covers 33% of all documented geosites within the region, with 67% lying outside of reserve boundaries. It is essential for NPWS to assess and plan for the management of sites across the wider landscape, and not just within the reserve system. A major finding is the need to undertake a geological survey of the entire region and include all geosites of significance within one location, such as a corporate NPWS geodiversity database. A Geodiversity Site Assessment Technique (GSAT) was created to objectively and systematically assess the inherent value of individual geosites in terms of scientific, economic and cultural importance. The development of a comprehensive site assessment technique such as the GSAT provides important information on geosites and could guide future management strategies that will adequately conserve geodiversity within the South Coast Region.

This research examined the types of changes that have resulted within Pattimore’s Lagoon since the 1980s due to the modifications of the tidal regime. Diatoms fossils extracted from sediment cores were used to examine changes in recent salinity and water quality conditions in the lagoon relative to its longer term state. Aerial photographs were used to map changes in vegetation, canal area, and sedimentation within Pattimore’s Lagoon. In addition, the current tidal regime of the lagoon was examined. This combined with precise surveying using differential GPS allowed for an assessment inundation of vegetation zonation around the lagoon. These changes have been assessed with respect to natural variation in Lake Conjola’s entrance condition, which results in changes in the tidal regimes of both the Estuary and Pattimore’s Lagoon.

It was found that Pattimore’s Lagoon has historically and recently been a highly variable system which experienced different salinity regimes in short periods of time. It was also proven that the development of the canal estate did increase the amount of tidal flow into Pattimore’s Lagoon, and this has had an effect on sedimentation and vegetation. The weir, which was installed to return Pattimore’s Lagoon to its pre-Canal state, has been found to have, at least partially, failed. Lastly, it was concluded that currently Pattimore’s Lagoon experiences highly variable salinities and tidal environments. The majority of vegetation around the lagoon has adapted withstand highly variable inundation frequencies and durations. It has been concluded that this is a highly complex and variable system which must be managed in context of Lake Conjola and the wider catchment.

Straits Resources Limited undertook large-scale soil sampling of their exploration tenements, a subset of their data was provided for analysis. The majority of samples, within the study area, a sheep farm adjacent to the town of Metz, were acquired from soils derived from the Girrakool beds. Statistical analysis identified antimony and arsenic as the two best pathfinders for gold. Arsenic, mercury and gold were discovered as the best pathfinders for antimony and mercury was also found to be a pathfinder for tungsten. Acceptable maximum thresholds in the O horizon for the trace element concentrations of gold (0.0025 ppm), antimony (22 ppm) and tungsten (0.65 ppm) as well as the pathfinders, arsenic (24 ppm) and mercury (0.11 ppm) were calculated.

The distribution of trace element concentrations was mapped over the study area using the calculated threshold values to identify possible locations of mineral occurences. A potential stibnite vein was identified along the central western boundary of the study area, while high gold concentrations were identified in the south-east corner of the eastern sampling zone.

Using GIS aerial photograph interpretation, changes in the extent mangrove and saltmarsh were mapped between 1957 and 2010. The analysis found that there has been a significant increase in both the distribution and extent of mangroves around the Inlet growing from 11.37 ha in 1957 to 23.83 ha in 2010, with mangroves expanding up-slope into saltmarsh areas, down-slope onto both prograding fluvial deposits and a marine tidal delta, and laterally along the foreshore. A loss of saltmarsh communities was found with 17.66 ha being identified in 1957 and only 8.99 ha remaining within Wagonga Inlet in 2010 with this loss being the result of reclamation, drainage of wetland areas, lawn mowing along the interface between saltmarsh and terrestrial communities, down-slope expansion of Casuarina glauca and up-slope expansion of mangroves.

The study also assessed the validity of comparing the two existing Estuarine Vegetation Inventories to monitor changes in macrophyte distribution within estuaries, as a tool for estuarine management. For Wagonga Inlet, the study found that the comparison had produced erroneous results for both saltmarsh and mangroves. It was found that, by using aerial photographs scanned at a high resolution, a high level of accuracy is achievable in identifying and mapping mangrove communities. Saltmarsh was poorly identified in both the West and CCA inventories and it was found that without extensive ground truthing, even modern GIS based API will significantly underestimate the extent of saltmarsh.

The study demonstrates that the deposition of the Pheasants Nest Formation was a result of the development of an extensive barrier complex during the time of the Shoalhaven-Illawarra Group boundary. Rapid sedimentation, consistent aggradation and a gradual regression in the underlying Broughton Formation aided barrier formation. This was predominately controlled by the amount of volcaniclastic sediment supplied from a northeast orientated volcanic chain that was located in the current offshore. Petrographic, geochemical and sedimentological analyses indicate that volcanic influence was persistent throughout the entire Broughton and Pheasants Nest Formation, with sporadic pulses of sediment accounting for increased Si, Ca, Fe and K concentrations. These sporadic pulses represent increased periods of volcanic activity distributing sediment into a shallow marine basin. Longshore currents (northeast trending) transported the detritus into the Wollongong area where it was deposited. Following the marine regression, fluvial processes operated on a coastal plain, passing laterally into a floodplain environment. Sediment was probably transported by seasonal meltwater floods.

Statistical analyses (principal components, cluster analysis) reduced an extensive elemental data set (n =162) into two main factors. The analyses reveal that the Broughton and Pheasants Nest Formations are strongly influenced by aluminosilicate and heavy mineral concentration. Heavy mineral concentrations are commonly used as a measure of sediment immaturity. In this case, the volcaniclastic detritus has undergone limited recycling and weathering. The depositional features of the Shoalhaven-Illawarra Group boundary are significant as it provides a coherent explanation for the deposition of the Pheasants Nest Formation; thus clarifying the palaeoenvironmental changes that led to coal formation in the Sydney Basin.

Members of key stakeholder organisations involved in World Heritage discussions were asked to provide their perspectives and contribution to World Heritage discussions through a process of semi-structured interviews. Using the conceptual frameworks of postcolonialism, social nature and „authorised heritage discourse‟ in an analysis of the stakeholder perspectives reveals an understanding of the political landscape that enables ongoing conflict around economic development in the region. Findings suggest that World Heritage is not incompatible with Cape York, and that there are recognisable opportunities for cooperation in rich, diverse economies incorporating emergent industries like the conservation economy. However, certain ideological standpoints and individual biases are having a negative impact on the overall discussion. The lack of a coordinated long-term plan for the region, combined with poor infrastructure and difficulties with restrictive tenure criteria can also be identified as key problems. Furthermore, the evaluation of heritage by „expert‟ panels has the potential to disempower local community ownership and representations of heritage. The implications of ongoing conflict are that an incomplete picture of the region‟s heritage may transpire, and certain industry sectors and communities may continue to be marginalised. This thesis can positively contribute to World Heritage discussions in Cape York through a description of opportunities for collaboration between stakeholder organisations, and by making conspicuous the potentially damaging relationships and objectives that key stakeholders may have.

By conducting a G-test for Independence of strike rates and a statistical analysis of tree usage and availability individual tree species preferences were derived. This was then applied spatially to model the extent of adequate habitat using the Inverse Distance Weighted Interpolation technique within ArcMap 10. From a fragmentation assessment of the size and configuration of habitat patches in relation to active koala survey points, the overall quality of the habitat was investigated. It was found that there is a large proportion of adequate habitat across the region, especially within close proximity to known locations of koalas. The trees that are being utilised differ substantially to those listed as primary feed trees for the region, highlighting the need for localised assessment of habitat requirements in order to create informed plans of management.