Overview

Estuary name Painkalac Creek Estuary
CMA Corangamite CMA
Description

Painkalac Creek Estuary is approximately 3.5km in length and has a catchment area of 318.1Ha. It is a beautiful coastal lagoon system which attracts the spotted green frog and the eastern banjo frog (Pobblebonk).

Estuary Values
  • the Painkalac Creek estuary has been identified as an Important Bird Area
  • significant birds can be found on the Painkalac Creek estuary such as the Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta) Status: Vulnerable (Adv list), Nankeen Night Heron (Nycticorax caledonicus) Status: Near Threatened (Adv list), Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) Status: Vulnerable (Adv List)
  • Riparian Forest Ecological Vegetation Class (Vulnerable)
  • Swampy Riparian Woodland Ecological Vegetation Class (Endangered)
  • Riparian Scrub/Swampy Riparian Woodland Complex Ecological Vegetation Class (Depleted)
  • Sedgy Riparian Woodland Ecological Vegetation Class (Depleted)
  • canoeing, kayaking and stand up paddling
  • picnics and barbecues
  • recreational fishing
  • sightseeing
  • swimming
Estuary Threats
  • Degraded estuarine vegetation
  • Disturbance of Acid Sulphate Soils
  • Artificial estuary openings
  • Flow deviation
  • Stock access
  • Bed instability
Data Site observations
Status Active
Monitor group Painkalac Creek EstuaryWatchers
Document Painkalac_Estuary_Management_Plan.pdf
Document Science_behind_estuary_openings_Painkalac_Creek_Factsheet_2022_FINAL.pdf
Document Painkalac Creek Estuary Fact Sheet

Map

Sites

Site details Options

P1 Estuary mouth area approximately 20m behind sand dune at estuary mouth

Retired Physico-Chemical 23-05-2007 - 23-05-2007

Estuary mouth area approximately 20m behind sand dune at estuary mouth

Observations 1

P2 Great Ocean Road Bridge at Aireys Inlet

Active Physico-Chemical 11-05-2007 - 10-03-2024

Great Ocean Road Bridge at Aireys Inlet - centre post

Observations 217

P3 Coastal Court Fishing Platform

Active Physico-Chemical 14-07-2007 - 10-03-2024
Fishing platform adjacent to Coastal Court
Observations 153

P4 The Bend

Active Physico-Chemical 19-10-2007 - 10-03-2024
Fishing platform at The Bend in the estuary
Observations 176

P5 Woods Property Fairhaven

Active Physico-Chemical 23-05-2007 - 10-03-2024
Fishing jetty at private property. Property owner consent required for access.
Observations 171

PGB Painkalac Creek Water Level Gauge Board

Active Gauge Board
The water level gauge board, used in the mouth condition monitoring process, is located under the Great Ocean bridge. It can be read from the western bank on the inland side of the bridge.

PMC Painkalac Creek Observation Site

Active Mouth Condition 23-05-2007 - 11-03-2024
Lookout platform on eastern side of estuary
Observations 272

Pp1 Painkalac Creek Photopoint

Active Photopoint 13-08-2010 - 26-03-2024
Lookout platform on eastern side of estuary
Photos 703

Recent Events

Event Details
20-06-2018 Estuary Entrance Opening

Surf Coast Shire has artificially opened the estuary around 20th June. Water level (m AHD) at the bridge is still high at just on 2m AHD and Coastal Court and Butlers Bend monitoring sites are still underwater.

17-06-2018 Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence!

High tides 1.8m on Saturday and Sunday saw the sea go over the berm on both days. Photos are from Sunday 17th June at 2.40pm. Very windy day and a big sea following high rainfall. 1.9m AHD at the Bridge

20-06-2018 13:50
20-06-2018 13:50
20-06-2018 13:50
20-06-2018 13:50
21-05-2018 Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence!

High tide 1.8m Monday 21st

24-05-2018 07:30
24-05-2018 07:30
24-05-2018 07:30
24-05-2018 07:30
20-05-2018 Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence!

1.8m high tides again on Sunday 20th and Monday 21st May. Sea water over the berm both days. Water level at the Bridge was 1.45m

24-05-2018 07:30
24-05-2018 07:30
18-05-2018 Unusual/Extraordinary occurrence!

The high 1.8m tide at 2.08pm broke over the berm and sea water entered the estuary. Not a lot of sea water but it looked like it may have happened a few times this week as there was quite a lot of seaweed over the berm. Estuary height was 1.4m

FriMG_2250.jpg
IFriMG_2252.JPG
View all events

Estuary Snapshots

The EstuaryWatch snapshots provide a summary of estuary condition on a particular day. For all EstuaryWatch Snapshots, photopoint photos and a longitudinal water quality profile from the estuary mouth  to the inland extent is displayed. Read more

Full and partial estuary snapshots displayed below View full snapshots only

Autumn 2019


Summer 2019


Spring 2018


Winter 2018


Autumn 2018


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