Byron Flora and Fauna Study 1999 - Byron Shire Council

BYRON FLORA AND FAUNA STUDY, 1999
Mayor’s foreword
The Byron Flora and Fauna Study was initiated in response to a strong community desire to preserve flora
and fauna through the promotion of ecologically sustainable land use planning and decision making. The
Study provides detailed ecological information, including the occurrence and distribution of the Shire’s
vegetation associations and flora and fauna species (with particular regard to Threatened and significant
species). The Study relied on the involvement of the community, environmental consultants and government
agencies. Landowners were particularly helpful in providing access to their properties for the collection and
verification of field and mapping data. I am grateful to everyone who was involved in its preparation.
The Study shows that much of the Shire’s vegetation has been heavily impacted by rural and urban development
over the past 100 years. This has resulted in a matrix of fragmented patches of remnant vegetation and the
establishment of large areas of regrowth forests, many of which are dominated by environmental weeds,
particularly the exotic tree Camphor Laurel. Despite this the Shire remains an area of extremely high
biodiversity, with amongst the highest number of Threatened flora and fauna species in NSW. The sort of
knowledge gained through this Study places a great obligation on the Council, landholders and the community
to protect remaining habitats outside of conservation reserves and develop appropriate strategies and priorities
for the restoration and enhancement of degraded lands and species habitats.
If the ‘green image’ of the Shire is to survive actions are needed to incorporate specific ecological requirements
for species, populations and ecological communities into land management and development processes.
The challenge ahead is to protect, restore and manage our biodiversity in a manner that enhances the social,
economic and ecological attributes of our community and the lifestyles it supports. The Study provides a
benchmark by which future generations can measure how well today’s generation met this challenge.
Tom Wilson,
Mayor
February 2000
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