The recent closure of Deep Creek generated debate at last Thursday’s Nambucca Shire Council meeting.
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Known as an ICOLL (Intermittent Closed and Open Lake or Lagoon), Deep Creek rarely closes – it did however last year, from November 17 to December 27, raising concerns about water quality and odour.
At the time of the closure, which is a natural event, the council reportedly enacted all the protocols of their Deep Creek Entrance Management Policy, which included alerting residents in Hyland Park and Valla Beach Resort, as well as disseminating information via the Valla Community Association.
The General Manager, Michael Coulter, said water quality tests done at the time showed it was very poor with a high faecal coliform count.
“For a short period people were warned not to swim there,” Mr Coulter said.
Cr Susan Jenvey said the general public needed to know about the protocols that applied when Deep Creek was closed and moved the following amendment to the original motion:
*Council staff report on the feasibility of erecting a plank style sign, near a picnic and toilet facility along Deep Creek in the Valla Beach precinct.
* That the sign conforms to good design principles, as well as the appropriate construction, safety standards, and planning requirements with information on ICOLLS and Council’s Deep Creek Entrance Management Policy for when the entrance is closed.
* That a draft sign be brought back to the Council.
The amendment was unanimously supported and then passed as the motion.
The report noted that funds to monitor the water quality were provided by the Water Quality Monitoring budget within the environmental levy.