DOCSLIB.ORG

STEP Matters Number 207 August 2020

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
STEP Matters Number 207 August 2020 STEP Matters Number 207 August 2020 As spring is upon us there is lots of activity in STEP WALKS the bush and opportunities to get out and Judging by the number of people, especially observe the action. There are a number of families, seen around the streets and bush citizen science projects that we can all trails, walking has become a very popular participate in (see page 11). Many, like FrogID recreation. Our map sales have been very run by the Australian Museum and iNaturalist strong. are open to receive observation data all the time. Some projects aim to focus on sightings We currently have a limit of 15 participants on over a set period or in a limited area. each walk. Please book online at www.step.org.au/walks-talks. Following the Black Summer bushfires of 2019–20, many people throughout Australia, If you make a booking but your plans change, and across the world, wanted to know how they please let us know ASAP. Also, if you do not could help in response to the environmental feel well on the morning of a walk please disaster. Hundreds contacted the Australian contact [email protected] or Helen Citizen Science Association (ACSA), Australia’s Wortham (0423 534 148). peak citizen science body, for guidance on how to participate in relevant scientific projects. Sunday 13 September – Strickland Forest Already fully booked. A project finder database was set up by ACSA. They partnered with the CSIRO and the Atlas Sunday 18 October – Darri Track of Living Australia to assist the search for vetted projects that could contribute to our See a variety of typical Ku-ring-gai bushland understanding of post-bushfire recovery. and riparian vegetation and maybe a lyrebird! Sunday 15 November – Sheldon Forest In this issue of STEP Matters we cover: Sheldon Forest contains the second largest area remaining of the critically endangered Blue STEP Walks ............................................................. 1 Gum High Forest covering an area of 5.4 ha. Hornsby Council’s Plan for Rehabilitation of the Quarry – New Documents Released ..................... 2 Sheldon Forest is linked to Rofe Park and Comenarra Creek Reserve so that the Hornsby Twin Towers Development to Proceed bushland extends from the railway line at Overlooking Hornsby Park .................................... 3 Turramurra to Lane Cove National Park and Some Encouraging Hornsby Council Decisions ....... 3 provides an essential wildlife corridor. Mirvac’s Forest Protection won’t be Fast Tracked.... 3 Mixed Response to EPBC Act Interim Report .......... 4 Greener Places Design Guide – Many Objectives but is there the will and Money for Action? ............ 5 1080: A Weighty Ethical Issue.................................. 6 A Viral Witch Hunt .................................................... 7 Australia has Failed Miserably on Energy Efficiency – and Government Figures Hide the Truth ............ 9 Recognition of the Work of Bill Jones and Noela Kirkwoods ............................................................ 11 Great Southern Bioblitz: A Massive Citizen Science Project (25 to 28 September) ................. 11 Survey of People’s Connection with Nature ........... 12 STEP Information ................................................... 12 STEP Inc Community-based Environmental Conservation since 1978 [email protected] PO Box 5136, Turramurra, NSW 2074 ABN 55 851 372 043 www.step.org.au Facebook: www.facebook.com/STEP.Inc.Sydney Twitter: @STEPSydney The Voluntary Conservation Agreement will be HORNSBY COUNCIL’S PLAN FOR co-signed by Hornsby Council and the NSW REHABILITATION OF THE QUARRY – NEW Biodiversity Conservation Trust. DOCUMENTS RELEASED There is one concern that funding has not been On 6 May the Sydney North Planning Panel specifically allocated for the VMP so its conducted a hearing into Hornsby Council’s DA sufficiency is not certain. for the works of Hornsby Quarry. Some individuals and community groups made STEP would like to have seen a VMP that is submissions explaining their serious concerns more progressive in recognising the resilience about some aspects of the proposed works. benefits of selecting plants from nearby areas outside Hornsby Shire with similar soils or more The panel found that more information is likely to cope with changing climate or could needed and deferred the application so that the have been present before the quarry area was following detail can be completed and made developed but have since disappeared. public for further consultation: biodiversity offsets package, vegetation 2. Powerful Owl protection management plan (VMP) and habitat A staging plan has been completed highlighting creation and enhancement plans earthworks that will not be undertaken within the recommended Powerful Owl exclusion rehabilitation works around the Powerful zones if a breeding pair are occupying a nest Owl breeding pair’s roosting tree on site. Post works habitat creation and information about extent of the volcanic appropriate vegetation management practises diatreme rock face exposure when the filling are also stipulated in the VMP. and creation of the lake and wetland in front The Powerful Owl Coalition is concerned that of the face have been completed the language in the documents is not strong This information has now been published and enough. Words like ‘should’ are used when the further submissions could be made up to particular actions are a ‘must’. 21 August. Another panel hearing will be held in due course. 3. Recognition of the scientific value of the ‘Jurassic’ diatreme rock face 1. Biodiversity offsets package Ian Percival from the Geological Society of The development involves the clearing of some Australia toured the site with council officers. In areas and the replanting or restoration of other a follow-up letter he explained that the society’s parts. The development assessment concluded concerns have been addressed. The proposed that there will be a residual impact on level of the quarry floor in the redevelopment biodiversity values that need to be offset. will be entirely comparable with the exposure more than four decades ago. The letter states: Three options were considered. One option was to use offsets from another site. This is It is apparent that council now recognises what we were most concerned about. The good the geoheritage significance of its own news is that priority has been given to offsets ‘Jurassic Park’ (a reference to the known that can occur around the quarry and age of the diatreme) which is right in its surrounding bushland. This land will be backyard. As the centrepiece of the managed as part of the VMP. In-perpetuity redevelopment of the old Hornsby Quarry it protection of the offset areas will be provided will no doubt be a remarkable tourist by a Voluntary Conservation Agreement which drawcard if properly protected, allowing will comprise the offset area and additional public (and restricted research/educational) lands managed under the VMP. access with suitable interpretation. Hornsby Quarry Rehabilitation offset area 2 The motion also stated that a councillor HORNSBY TWIN TOWERS DEVELOPMENT workshop be held to review the planning TO PROCEED OVERLOOKING HORNSBY controls to protect environmental qualities of PARK residential properties adjoining open space The Powerful Owl Coalition, of which STEP is a lands within the Byles Creek catchment. member, presented a submission to a Sydney So there is some hope for improved recognition North Planning Panel on 10 June on the of this beautiful valley and pristine waterway on proposed development of two high rise the edge of Lane Cove National Park. apartment buildings on Peats Ferry Road (the old Pacific Highway). The site overlooks Native vegetation mapping Hornsby Park and is close to the Quarry site The vegetation mapping that is used to define and Berowra Valley National Park. where clearing must have council approval was As the buildings will be at the top of the ridge reviewed as part of updating the Local their effective height relative to the valley will be Environment Plan. Council approved option 2 similar to the high rises of Chatswood or that will allow for the protection of all of the Parramatta. significant vegetation as mapped within the shire. This is wonderful news for our tree The submission highlighted the risks to birdlife canopy and our precious forests. from the development, in particular: the risk of birds flying into reflective glass MIRVAC’S FOREST PROTECTION WON’T BE FAST TRACKED disturbance to nocturnal birds – a Powerful Owl breeding site is only 900 m away The last issue of STEP Matters explained the bad news that the rezoning of the IBM site was light pollution into Hornsby Park and on the list of projects being ‘fast tracked’ by the Berowra Valley National Park – biological NSW government. The approval applies to the systems are arguably organised foremost by rezoning required from that of a business park the daily and seasonal rhythm cycle of light to enable Mirvac to proceed with the and dark construction of 600 apartments. interruption to the movement of birds We did explain that there are some between catchments both north/south and modifications that appeared to address some of east/west the concerns held by local community groups. Sadly, all these issues were ignored by the However, it has since been discovered that panel. This is likely to be the first of many more there are conditions that may put these similar developments along the old Pacific improvements in doubt. Highway that will exacerbate the issues The NSW government and Mirvac promised the explained above. community that the critically endangered forest on the Mirvac site would be incorporated into SOME ENCOURAGING HORNSBY COUNCIL the Cumberland State Forest. Residents have DECISIONS found out that Mirvac intends to dedicate the On 14 August some good Hornsby Council forest to the Minister for Planning only just prior decisions were made. to the issue of the occupation certificate for the final stage of the proposed development. It will Byles Creek Valley be at least five years before this stage will be Local residents of the Byles Creek Valley and reached.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Ku-Ring-Gai DCP No. 55 2004
    Contents 1 Introduction 5 1.1 Name of this DCP 5 1.2 Commencement date 5 1.3 Land affected by this DCP 5 1.4 Consistency of DCP with the EP&A Act 1979 5 1.5 Purpose of the plan 5 1.6 General aims of the plan 6 1.7 Which applications does this DCP apply to? 6 1.8 Relationship to SEPP 65 and NSW Residential Flat Design Code 7 1.9 Relationship to Planning Instruments and Other Plans 8 1.10 Preparing and lodging a Development Application (DA) 9 1.11 How to use the DCP design objectives and controls 9 1.12 Definitions 10 2 Elements of Good Design 14 3 Local Context 17 3.1 Existing Character of Ku-ring-gai 17 3.2 Desired future character 18 3.3 Landscape and Visual Character 19 3.4 Development within an Urban Conservation Area 21 3.5 Development within the Vicinity of a Heritage Item 23 4 Design principles and controls 24 4.1 Landscape Design 24 4.2 Density 27 4.3 Setbacks 29 4.4 Built Form and Articulation 33 4.5 Residential amenity 35 4.6 Safety and security 40 4.7 Social dimensions 41 4.8 Building Sustainability 42 5 Parking and vehicular access 44 5.1 General Controls 44 5.2 Development Adjoining Arterial Roads 47 6 Consideration of isolated sites 48 7 Specific Controls for nominated areas 49 7.1 Nola Road Precinct, Roseville 49 7.2 1580-1596 Pacific Highway, Wahroonga 56 7.3 Memorial Avenue Precinct, St Ives 61 Effective 22 December 2004 Ku-ring-gai Multi-unit Housing 2 of 107 Amended 28 April 2006 DCP No.55 Railway / Pacific Highway Corridor and St Ives Centre Appendix A Extract from Ku-ring-gai Planning Scheme Ordinance 1971 (As amended)
    [Show full text]
  • Sheldon Forest by Tein Mcdonald, Kevin Wale and Virginia Bear
    FEATURE Restoring Blue Gum High Forest: lessons from Sheldon Forest By Tein McDonald, Kevin Wale and Virginia Bear We know we must restore Blue Gum High Forest remnants — but how resilient are they to the urban impacts to which they have been exposed for decades? Responses to initial restoration trials provide a range of important clues. Figure 1. Low intensity ‘prescribed fire’ at Sheldon Forest, Pymble, conducted by Ku-ring- gai Council as part of their ecological restoration trials for endangered Blue Gum High Forest. (Photo: National Herbarium) heldon Forest, located in Ku-ring-gai and some advice from National Herba- SMunicipality in Sydney’s northern rium staff, we opted for a regeneration suburbs, contains a rare remnant of Blue approach on the basis that we monitored Gum High Forest. In the late 1980s when the results of early treatments to guide our bush regeneration team first entered future works. this degraded site, the normally pleasant Monitoring was something field regen- tall open forest ‘ambience’ and our usual erators were unaccustomed to, so we felt optimism was muted by the intense weed our way and designed and implemented a infestation.We were not afraid of the chal- small field trial, comparing effects of The authors worked together in the Bushland lenge of weed control, but this site had so manual and fire-assisted treatments with Management Section of Ku-ring-gai Council little native vegetation left in the under- an untreated control strip.Monitoring con- (PO Box 15 Gordon, NSW 2072) from 1987 storey we were unsure whether our usual tinued over a 5 year period and demon- to 1991.
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Gum High Forest
    Endangered Ecological Communities in Ku-ring-gai Blue Gum High Forest Description Blue Gum High Forest is a tall, wet sclerophyll forest dominated by tall trees of Sydney Blue Gum (Eucalyptus saligna) and Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis). Smaller trees and shrubs form a sparse and open cover above a ground layer of grasses, herbs, ferns and vines. In Ku-ring-gai it is typically associated with ridgelines, slopes and gully heads where deep shale soils accumulate. Found along the Pacific Highway between Pymble and Wahroonga, the largest surviving remnant is around Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve and Browns Forest. Protection and Threats Blue Gum High Forest is a Critically Endangered Ecological Community, protected under both the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Threats include: clearing of ridgelines, small-scale residential clearing, nutrient enrichment, weed invasion and garden escapes. Fragmentation of the forest is a further threat, creating challenges for regeneration. Wildlife This forest provides layers of habitat for a range of native wildlife, including the Grey-headed Flying Fox and Glossy Black Cockatoo. What can you do? Ku-ring-gai is home to Sydney’s There’s lots you can do to help preserve Blue Gum High Forest largest remaining area of • Join a Bushcare group Blue Gum High Forest. • Keep your pets under control and report any fox sightings to us • Never dump rubbish in bushland - penalties apply • Remove weeds from your garden to
    [Show full text]
  • Approved Conservation Advice for Turpentine–Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion
    This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 11 April 2014 Approved Conservation Advice for Turpentine–Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion (s266B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) This Conservation Advice has been developed based on the best available information at the time this Conservation Advice was approved; this includes existing plans, records or management prescriptions for this ecological community. Description The Turpentine–Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion ecological community is typically a type of open forest that is endemic to the Sydney Basin bioregion. The ecological community comprises a canopy of eucalypts and related trees that may reach a height of over 30 metres, above a midstorey of shrubs and small trees over a ground layer of herbs and grasses. Some patches may show a woodland structure in response to site condition and disturbance history. The tree canopy of the Turpentine–Ironbark Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion is typically dominated to co-dominated by Syncarpia glomulifera (turpentine). Turpentine occurs throughout the ecological community but the associated tree species varies with local site conditions. Ironbark species are commonly present, such as Eucalyptus paniculata (grey ironbark), E. crebra (narrow-leaved ironbark) and/or E. fibrosa (red ironbark). On the Cumberland Plain, grey ironbark, narrow-leaved ironbark and red ironbark are common co- dominants, as is E. punctata (grey gum). On the plateaux shale caps, grey ironbark and E. notabilis (mountain mahogany) may become common in association with turpentine. At the upper end of its rainfall/elevation range the Turpentine–Ironbark Forest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion may be dominated to co-dominated by E.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecological Assessment for Rezoning of the North Ryde Station Precinct Report ADP-1207-ECO-01
    Ecological Assessment for the Rezoning of North Ryde Station Precinct Ecological Assessment for Rezoning of the North Ryde Station Precinct Report ADP-1207-ECO-01 Prepared for Transport for NSW st 1 August 2011 © ECO LOGICAL AUSTRALIA P T Y L T D i Ecological Assessment for the Rezoning of North Ryde Station Precinct DOCUMENT TRACKING ITEM DETAIL Project Name Ecological Assessment for Rezoning: North Ryde Station Precinct Project Number 11SYDECO-0039 Transport for ADP-1207-ECO NSW project G:\Synergy\Projects\11SYDECO\11SYDECO-0039 North Ryde TOD 3A Ecological File location Assessment\Report\Draft Reports Prepared by Enhua Lee, Danielle Bennett Approved by David Bonjer Status Final Version Number 05 Last saved on 21 November 2012 Clockwise from top left: OSL site, northern part of RMS site, watercourse near Wicks Road, Cover photo northern part of M2 site. Photos by Danielle Bennett, July 2011. This report should be cited as „Eco Logical Australia 2012. Ecological Assessment for Rezoning of the North Ryde Station Precinct. Prepared for Transport for NSW.‟ ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document has been prepared by Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd with support from Transport for NSW and Erin Saunders of Urbis. Disclaimer This document may only be used for the purpose for which it was commissioned and in accordance with the contract between Eco Logical Australia Pty Ltd and the Transport for NSW. The scope of services was defined in consultation with the Transport for NSW, by time and budgetary constraints imposed by the client, and the availability of reports and other data on the subject area. Changes to available information, legislation and schedules are made on an ongoing basis and readers should obtain up to date information.
    [Show full text]
  • The Native Vegetation of the Cumberland Plain, Western Sydney: Systematic Classification and Field Identification of Communities
    Tozer, Native vegetation of the Cumberland Plain 1 The native vegetation of the Cumberland Plain, western Sydney: systematic classification and field identification of communities Mark Tozer NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, PO Box 1967 Hurstville 2220, AUSTRALIA phone: (02) 9585 6496, fax.: (02) 9585 6606, e-mail: [email protected] Abstract: Twenty-two vascular plant communities occurring on, and adjacent to the Cumberland Plain and Hornsby Plateau, are defined using a multi-variate analysis of quantitative field survey data. Communities are described using structural features, habitat characteristics and diagnostic species. Diagnostic species are identified using a statistical fidelity measure. The pre–European spatial distribution of communities is estimated using a decision tree approach to derive relationships between community distribution and geological, climatic and topographical variables. Contemporary vegetation cover is estimated from 1:16 000 scale aerial photography (1997/98) and sorted into six categories based on cover of Eucalyptus species. These categories are only approximately related to vegetation condition: high Eucalyptus cover classes are most likely to contain high levels of floristic diversity, but areas with scattered cover or no cover at all may have either high or low diversity. Map accuracy is assessed using independent field samples and is primarily limited by the accuracy of 1:100 000 geological maps. Patterns in overstorey composition were mapped at 1:16 000 scale but were less useful in delineating community boundaries than was hoped because few species are confined to a single community. The extent to which observer bias may influence estimates of the present extent of remnant vegetation is investigated by comparing the interpretations of two observers for a subset of the study area.
    [Show full text]
  • Draft Conservation Advice for Shale Sandstone Transition Forest in The
    1 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) 2 Draft Conservation Advice for 3 Shale Sandstone Transition Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion 4 5 6 1. The Threatened Species Scientific Committee (the Committee) was established under the 7 EPBC Act and has obligations to present advice to the Minister for the Environment (the 8 Minister) in relation to the listing and conservation of threatened ecological communities, 9 including under sections 189, 194N and 266B of the EPBC Act. 10 2. The Committee provided its advice on the Shale Sandstone Transition Forest in the Sydney 11 Basin Bioregion ecological community to the Minister as a draft of this <approved> 12 conservation advice. In 2014, the Minister <accepted> the Committee’s advice, adopting it 13 as the <approved> conservation advice. 14 3. The Minister amended the list of threatened ecological communities under section 184 of 15 the EPBC Act to include the Shale Sandstone Transition Forest in the Sydney Basin 16 Bioregion ecological community in the critically endangered category. It is noted that the 17 equivalent ecological community Shale Sandstone Transition Forest is listed under the 18 New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. 19 4. A draft conservation advice for this ecological community was made available for expert 20 and public comment for a minimum of 30 business days. The Committee and Minister had 21 regard to all public and expert comment that was relevant to the consideration of the 22 ecological community. 23 5. This <approved> conservation advice has been developed based on the best available 24 information <at the time it was approved>; this includes scientific literature, advice from 25 consultations, existing plans, records or management prescriptions for this ecological 26 community.
    [Show full text]
  • Best Practice Guidelines: Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest
    Best practice guidelines Sydney Turpentine–Ironbark Forest Sydney Turpentine–Ironbark Forest 1 © State of NSW and Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW This work is copyright. However, with the exception of photographs, material presented in these guidelines may be copied for personal use or educational purposes, providing that any extracts are fully acknowledged. Apart from this and any other use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part may be reproduced without prior written permission from the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW. Cover photos: Main photo: Wallumatta Nature Reserve – photo: M Cufer/DECC Inset photo: Acacia decurrens, a wattle occurring in Sydney Turpentine–Ironbark Forest – photo: T Auld/DECC Published by: Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW 59–61 Goulburn Street, Sydney PO Box A290, Sydney South 1232 Phone: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard) Phone: 131 555 (environment information and publications requests) TTY: (02) 9211 4723 Fax: (02) 9995 5999 Email: [email protected] Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au DECC 2008/528 ISBN 978 1 74122 990 5 November 2008 Printed on environmentally sustainable stock Best practice guidelines Contents 1 Introduction.............................................................................................................................................................................................................1 1.1 About the Sydney Turpentine–Ironbark Forest community ................................................................................................1
    [Show full text]
  • Blue Gum High Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion Draft Strategy
    SAVING OUR SPECIES Help save Blue Gum High Forest in the Sydney Basin Bioregion Saving our Species aims to secure as many threatened species and ecological communities as possible. This conservation strategy aims to secure the ecological community in the long term. The strategy was developed by experts who identified the priority management sites and conservation actions required to manage critical threats to conserve the ecological community. Six priority management sites were identified in NSW (ordered north to south and including local government area (LGA)). They are: Hornsby Diatreme in Hornsby LGA Conservation status Burns Rd Sites in Ku-Ring-Gai LGA in NSW: Dalrymple / Browns Forest in Ku-Ring-Gai LGA Critically Endangered Sheldon Forest and Warrawee Public School in Ku-Ring-Gai Ecological Community LGA Cumberland State Forest and Reserve in Hornsby, The Hills Commonwealth Shire LGA status: Paramatta / Ryde Council Reserves in City Of Parramatta, Critically Endangered Ryde LGA Saving our Species More information about each site is provided on the following pages. management stream: Saving our Species is based on a cost-effective approach that Ecological community (range- maximises the number of threatened species and ecological restricted) communities conserved through on-ground management action. If you want to contact us please email Community profile: [email protected] http://www.environment.nsw.g ov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/p Map of Blue Gum High Forest in the Sydney Basin rofile.aspx?id=10094 Bioregion occurrence and priority management Saving our Species delivers site(s) on the NSW Government's legislative requirements under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
    [Show full text]
  • Approved Conservation Advice for Blue Gum High Forest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion
    This Conservation Advice was approved by the Delegate of the Minister on 11 April 2014 Approved Conservation Advice for Blue Gum High Forest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion (s266B of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999) This Conservation Advice has been developed based on the best available information at the time this Conservation Advice was approved; this includes existing plans, records or management prescriptions for this ecological community. Description The Blue Gum High Forest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion ecological community is a type of moist, tall open forest that is endemic to Sydney’s northern suburbs, where there is high rainfall. The ecological community comprises a tall canopy of dominant trees that may reach a height of over 30 metres, above a midstorey of shrubs and small trees over a diverse ground layer, commonly with ferns. The tree canopy of the Blue Gum High Forest of the Sydney Basin Bioregion is dominated by Eucalyptus pilularis (blackbutt) and/or E. saligna (Sydney blue gum). Other canopy trees that may be present, but are not dominant, include: Angophora costata (smooth-barked apple, Sydney red gum, rusty gum) and Eucalyptus paniculata (grey ironbark). A relatively diverse stratum of small trees is usually present, including Pittosporum undulatum (sweet pittosporum), Elaeocarpus reticulatus (blueberry ash), Allocasuarina torulosa (forest oak), Acmena smithii (lilly pilly) and Ficus coronata (sandpaper fig). Many shrub species are typically mesic, such as Breynia oblongifolia (coffee bush), Pittosporum revolutum (rough-fruited pittosporum), Clerodendrum tomentosum (hairy clerodendrum), Notelaea longifolia f. longifolia (mock olive), Maytenus sylvestris (narrow-leafed orangebark), Polyscias sambucifolia subsp.
    [Show full text]
  • 50 Park Proposals
    50 Park Proposals A Compilation of National Park, Nature Reserve and Regional Parks Proposals for New South Wales in 2017. Overview This document provides an identifiable listing of 50 new (including additions to) protected areas to be reserved under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974 (NP&W Act) within NSW. These proposals represent areas which are considered to be catch-up areas, areas that should already be protected. As at 2017, there is approximately 9% of the State within protected areas under the NP&W Act. The proposals found within this report, have been largely tested against the principles and approaches of the Draft NSW National Parks System Directions Statement (dated November 2017) and as such has been used as an attachment to the NPA’s submission to that Draft Directions Statement. The major exception relates to the proposed Sydney Marine Park within the Hawkesbury Shelf Bioregion which not being terrestrial in nature, may fall outside of the Draft Directions Statement. This document has been developed around some key themes in an attempt to resolve outstanding reservations and ‘to clear the decks’ of community expectations and concerns prior to tackling some longer term policy issues. A long term strategic view of protected areas will identify additional areas. The key themes identified in this document, and which complement those of the Draft Directions Statement are: • Protection of Sydney’s water catchments not already reserved as national parks; • Protection of key new areas which provide recreational and conservation
    [Show full text]
  • Protecting and Restoring Blue Gum High
    The Department of Environment and Climate Change and Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority would like to thank Ku-ring-gai Council, the Blue Gum High Forest Group and the Bushland and Rainforest Regeneration Cooperative (BARRC) for their assistance with this project. Front cover photographs: Blue gum high forest and powerful owl. Photos: Alan Kwok. Protecting and restoring Published by: Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW; Blue Gum High Forest 59–61 Goulburn Street; PO Box A290 Sydney South 1232 Ph: (02) 9995 5000 (switchboard) Ph: 131 555 (environment information and publications requests) Ph: 1300 361 967 (national parks information and publications requests) Fax: (02) 9995 5999 TTY: (02) 9211 4723 Email: [email protected] Website: www.environment.nsw.gov.au DECC 2008/185 ISBN 978 1 74122 8021 September 2008 Printed on recycled paper Contents Further reading Australian Museum Online 2007, ‘Swamp wallaby, black wallaby fact file’, Introduction 1 Wildlife of Sydney, www.faunanet.gov.au/wos/factfile.cfm?Fact_ID=305, What is blue gum high forest? 1 viewed 4 June 2008 Why is it so important? 2 Australian Museum 2003, ‘Australian Brush-turkey’, www.amonline.net.au/ History of blue gum high forest 2 factsheets/ brush_turkey.htm, viewed 4 June 2008 Here today, gone tomorrow? 3 Benson DH and Howell J 1995, Taken for granted: the bushland of Sydney and its suburbs, Kangaroo Press, Kenthurst St Ives blue gum high forest 3 Getting there 3 Blue Gum High Forest Group 2007, www.step.org.au/bghf.html, viewed 14 March
    [Show full text]