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State Algal Advisory Committee

NSW has established a State Algal Advisory Committee for the purpose of overseeing the coordination of state-wide responses to algal blooms by the Regional Algal Coordinating Committees (RACCs), and operating as an expert body to provide guidance and advice on algal management issues.

The Algal Advisory Group makes recommendations and reports to the Department of Natural Resources.

The RACCs will continue to provide the management and coordination of algal issues on a daily basis.

For further information on algal management in NSW contact

Dr Simon Mitrovic, State Algae Coordinator, PO Box 3720 Parramatta 2124 NSW, Australia (02) 9895 7647 simon.mitrovic@dnr.nsw.gov.au

Regional Management

For regional enquiries contact the relevant Regional Algal Coordinating Committee (RACC). The objectives of the RACCs are to:

Develop, coordinate and implement algal bloom contingency strategies for the region.
Cooperate with neighbouring regions (and neighbouring States, as appropriate) on algal management issues.
Coordinate regional media relations and public information programs, maintaining the focus on the region and regional issues.
Develop, coordinate and implement regional algal monitoring systems.
Coordinate and implement training in algae identification, monitoring and sampling in the region.
Identify when an algal warning should be issued and which agency will issue statements of warning and clearance.
Monitor the costs incurred as a result of algal blooms (including economic, financial, social and environmental costs).

For information on each of the Regional Algal Coordinating Committees click on the map below.

Need more information?

Publications available from DNR

What scum is that?
Warning Blue-green Algae - What you need to know.
Riverwise Advisory Notes - Blue-green Algae in Farm Dams
Riverwise Advisory Notes - Filter Zones for Farm Dams
Riverwise Advisory Notes - Emergency Farm Water Supplies
Riverwise Advisory Notes - Algae in Wetlands
Improving Water Quality in Reservoirs
Nardoo cd rom

For information about obtaining publications, contact the department Information Centre or most offices .

Algal Identification Courses

The Department runs courses on algal identification. Courses are for staff from the Department, other natural resource agencies, councils, and anyone interested in understanding algal growth, identification and enumeration.

Topics covered in the course include:

Introduction to algae.
Conditions best suited to algal growth.
Water quality problems caused by algae.
Care and use of the microscope.
Identification of blue-green algae and other types of algae under the microscope.
Algal counting methods.
Algal sampling.
Field identification of impending blue-green algal blooms.
Contingencies in case there is an algal bloom.
The role of the Regional Algal Coordinating Committee (RACC).

For more information on algal identification courses please contact:

Dr Lee Bowling
Principle Scientist
10 Valentine Avenue
Parramatta NSW 2150
( PO Box 3720 Parramatta NSW 2124)
lbowling@dnr.nsw.gov.au
ph: 02 9895 7466

References

ARMCANZ (1997). Algicide and Algistat use in Australia . Proceedings of a National Workshop, Sydney , February 18-19, 1997 . Sustainable Land and Water Resources Management Committee. Canberra , Australia .

Carmichael, W. W. (1994). The Toxins of Cyanobacteria. Scientific American. pp. 64 - 72.

Chorus, I. and Bartram, J. (1999). Toxic Cyanobacteria in Water: A Guide to their Public Health Consequences, Monitoring and Management. E &FN Spon. London .

Griffiths , D. J., Saker, M. L. and Hawkins, P. R. (1998). Cyanobacteria in a small tropical reservoir. Water. January - February pp.14 -19

Jones, G. (draft). National Protocol for the Monitoring of Cyanobacteria and their Toxins in Surface Waters. Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand .

Riding, T. and Carter, R. (1992). The Importance of the Riparian Zone in Water Resource Management: A Literature Review. Department of Water Resources

Riverwise (1994). Buffer Zones Along Rivers and Creeks. Riverwise Advisory Notes from the Department of Natural Resources.