A recent attempt by someone to open the mouth of Tallow Creek at Suffolk Park has prompted Byron Shire Council and NSW Government authorities to remind people that this is illegal.
Last week, staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) found someone had dug a trench from the mouth of Tallow Creek to the ocean.
Tallow Creek is an ICOLL, an intermittently closed and open lake or lagoon.
Depending on the build-up of sand at the mouth of the creek and rainfall, it opens periodically to the ocean.
Because it is a highly sensitive marine environment and cultural site, there are strict rules and regulations about the management of the entrance to Tallow Creek, with input required from Council, NPWS, the NSW Marine Parks Authority and the Arakwal Corporation.
Chloe Dowsett, Council’s Coast and Biodiversity Coordinator, said interference with the ICOLL, such as a digging trench, is a fineable offence of up to $110,000.
“A sudden release of water out of an ICOLL into the ocean can cause fish kills, and long-lasting impacts on the marine environment,” Ms Dowsett said.
“Council’s preference, and that of the NPWS and other agencies, is to allow Mother Nature to do her job in relation to Tallow Creek, and in the rare instances that we do take action we consider many factors including predicted rainfall to minimise the chance of a fish kill,” she said.
There are two ICOLLs in the Byron Shire, Tallow Creek and Belongil Creek, and Council is currently reviewing its Entrance Opening Strategies.
