ordinary meeting of council to be held on tuesday, 18 july 2006

Bushfire prone land mapping
In February 2006 Council commenced the formal review <strong>of</strong> the Bushfire Prone Lands
map. The desk<strong>to</strong>p investigation using air pho<strong>to</strong>s has <strong>be</strong>en completed and validation <strong>of</strong>
the data is now underway through field investigation. 20 per cent <strong>of</strong> the initial field
work has <strong>be</strong>en completed with a working draft <strong>of</strong> the revised map expected <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong>
completed in July 2006. This project is ahead <strong>of</strong> schedule and should <strong>be</strong> reported <strong>to</strong>
Council for exhibition in Novem<strong>be</strong>r 2006.
Walking tracks
In 2005 Council adopted a classification, construction and maintenance standard for
recreational tracks for Ku-ring-gai. As part <strong>of</strong> this review, the Environmental Levy
has identified the creation <strong>of</strong> a num<strong>be</strong>r <strong>of</strong> new walking tracks and as part <strong>of</strong> the
operations area new and existing tracks are <strong>be</strong>ing maintained as part <strong>of</strong> our
maintenance and renewal activities. Key actions this year have included:
• Trimming <strong>of</strong> walking tracks (6.5km) within the Ku-ring-gai Wildflower
Garden <strong>to</strong> res<strong>to</strong>re the required track width
• Trimming along the Two Creeks track (3.5km).
• Major vegetation trimming <strong>to</strong> an informal track <strong>of</strong>f George Christie Oval
(313metres) and reclassification <strong>to</strong> <strong>be</strong> incorporated as part <strong>of</strong> Council’s routine
maintenance program
• Construction <strong>of</strong> 72 metres or track linking Browns Road, Wahroonga <strong>to</strong> the
fire trail. This provides an alternative entry/exit point <strong>to</strong> elevate users
accessing the bush through the private property at 100-106 Browns Road.
• As part <strong>of</strong> the Environmental Levy two new tracks are in the process <strong>of</strong>
construction. The first linking Ryde Road <strong>to</strong> the rear <strong>of</strong> the AGAL land,
Pymble. The second linking Warragal Road <strong>to</strong> Mimosa Oval, Turramurra.
Surveys and social research
There have <strong>be</strong>en two surveys developed this year <strong>to</strong> ascertain the community’s use <strong>of</strong>
bushland and receptivity <strong>to</strong> water reuse associated with the proposed sewer mining
project at Gordon Golf Course.
The recreation use survey was conducted during February <strong>to</strong> April 2006. This built
on a previous recreational use <strong>of</strong> bushland survey undertaken in 1993 and the
community environment survey in 2004.
Over 160 people responded <strong>to</strong> the survey through Council’s web site or via hard copy
available at Council facilities. Attachment 3 provides a summary <strong>of</strong> the results. Of
note, bushwalking remained the most popular activity nominated by respondents. In
terms <strong>of</strong> encouraging use <strong>of</strong> the bushland areas, increased and improved signage,
provision <strong>of</strong> picnic areas and parking facilities and guided walks were rated highly.
A large proportion <strong>of</strong> respondents had lived within the Ku-ring-gai area for over 20
years and were able <strong>to</strong> give some valuable observations on how they <strong>be</strong>lieve the area
has changed both positively and negatively over the last 20 years, as summaries in
Table 1. Information from this survey will <strong>be</strong> used <strong>to</strong> guide future programs as part <strong>of</strong>
the Environmental Levy and operational activities.
Ku-ring-gai Council Summary <strong>of</strong> programs within the Sustainability and Natural
Environment sections 2005/2006
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