Lauderdale Canal Master Plan – community update

Because the land lease negotiations were confidential, we were limited in what we could share regarding the Master Plan and the water quality issues. We appreciate your patience during this period.

Between 2022 and 2024, council conducted a water quality study of the Lauderdale Canal. This involved extensive scientific sampling, data analysis and tidal modelling.

Here is a summary of the key findings:

The Main Problem – Stagnant Water
The study confirmed that the water doesn’t move enough to stay clean.

• Slow turnover – In the upper canal (near the beach end), it currently takes over 100 days for the water to completely refresh.
• The cause – sand build up at the canal entrance blocking the natural flow of the tides (see image below).

What’s in the water?

• at times, levels of bacteria (such as enterococci) exceeded public health guidelines, posing risks to both aquatic ecosystems and people
• most contamination comes from natural sources, primarily bird waste with very low levels from nearby septic systems
• Because the source of contamination is natural, we can’t simply ‘turn it off’. The real solution is to get the stagnant water moving again.

A Potential Solution – Dredging

The study modelled what would happen if we removed approximately 200 cubic metres of sand from the canal entrance.

• Tidal flushing would improve significantly. Refresh rates would drop from 100 days down to 40 days at the beach end, and just 8 days in the middle.
• However, this isn’t a one-time fix. Dredging would likely need to be repeated every 5 to 10 years.
• The area is home to special natural values, and any work would require environmental and planning approvals.

City of Clarence has no current plans or allocated funding to begin dredging. While the study shows dredging could help, there are three major reasons why council cannot proceed at this time:

• Land ownership (Crown Land): the Lauderdale Canal and the surrounding areas (including Ralphs Bay and Frederick Henry Bay) is Crown Land. This means the land is owned and managed by the State Government not Council. Although we have leased an area of land surrounding the canal for many years, we believe the responsibility for major works in the waterway like dredging rests with the state.
• Cost: A dredging project requires massive investment in investigation, engineering, and planning. We do not currently have the financial or staff resources required to manage a project of this scale.
• Environmental impacts and approvals: the sensitive coastal environment in Ralphs Bay is home to various species of endangered plants and animals. Dredging could negatively impact these species.  Any proposed dredging would need significant environmental investigations and approvals, and there is no guarantee these would be granted.

We are currently discussing future responsibilities for managing the canal with DNRET.  Because this is State-owned land, any future works would require a coordinated approach and support from the State Government given it is Crown Land and scale of the works.

Yes, the full report is available to read here: Lauderdale Canal – Water Quality Investigation

Yes, the lease agreement is available to read here: Lauderdale Canal Lease Agreement

We recognise that these facilities are aging and due for renewal. Their replacement is being considered as part of our new Open Space Strategy, which is currently in development. However, the exact timing and scale of these renewals will depend on the outcome of our lease negotiations with the State Government.

We are working closely with the State Government to find a shared approach to the future management of the canal. 

Because these discussions about land ownership and management of the area are ongoing, the Lauderdale Canal Master Plan will remain on hold for the time being. This ensures that any future design for the area is based on a clear understanding of who is responsible for the water and the land.