Pittwater Council Annual Report - Pittwater Council - NSW ...

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Section 2 - Statutory StatementsEnvironmental Programs Summary - cont.Aquatic and Marine Biodiversity• High nutrient levels including from on-site waste-water systems into waterways• Illegal dumping of rubbish in aquatic areas• Spread of invasive flora and fauna• Stormwater discharges reducing water quality• Anchoring and ballast water from boats spreading weeds and exotic species of fauna• Moorings damaging sea-grass beds• Increasing frequency and intensity of storm events• Replacement of swimming nets• Climate change impacts including sea level rise; increased intrusion of salt water vegetation intofreshwater ecosystems in coastal area; altered rainfall and runoff patterns; and increased occurrenceof eutrophication of lagoons, wetlands and estuariesRegional response to biodiversity issuesBiodiversity issues were addressed as part of the SHOROC SoE community consultation meeting held on6 August 2009. Participants in the consultation were asked to identify priority issues of concern to themrelating to biodiversity, and to work together to make recommendations for addressing these issues. Thepriority biodiversity issues and recommendations identified are provided below:IssueRetain/improve/protectareas of remaining nativevegetationLack of Council ability toenforce environmentalconditionsRecommendation• Councils to survey, identify and rank remaining natural areas on bothpublic and private land, including consideration of climate change• Develop ways to protect biodiversity through Plans of Management, LocalEnvironment Plans and Development Control Plans• Implement targeted education programs about the significance and valueof natural areas• Improve ranking and identification of natural areas to enable appropriatezoning of land• Allocate resources in councils to improve enforcement of environmentalconditions often attached to developments e.g. restrictions relating to catsand dogsPittwater Programs - BiodiversityEradication of Bitou Bush and Boneseed from Sand Dunes, Headlands and SeacliffsThis initiative is part of the NSW Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) – ‘Invasion of native Plant Communitiesby Chrysanthemoides Monilifera (Bitou Bush and Boneseed) Project funded by the Sydney Metropolitanand Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authorities; a 5 year project which commenced in2007/08.The project aims to restore endangered ecological communities (e.g. Themeda Grasslands and LittoralRainforest) on coastal cliffs and headlands to a healthy condition by removing invasive weeds such asBitou bush, Boneseed and Asparagus Fern and facilitate natural regeneration. Asparagus Fern will also betargeted where it occurs within the Bitou infestation as it is envisaged that Asparagus Fern will proliferateafter Bitou removal and hence threaten endangered ecological communities if it too is not controlled.Restoration of Coastal Shale Heath and Littoral Rainforest at Little Head & Norma ParkLittle Head Reserve and Norma Park Reserve are composed of Coastal Shale Heath, a forest type verydifferent from what is found in the Sydney basin area, which is mostly sandstone. Coastal Shale Heath isfound intermixed with Littoral Rainforest on several headlands of the Pittwater peninsula. Pittwater Council,the NSW Environmental Trust, and Bushcare Volunteers are engaged in a joint project to help restore andprotect this endangered ecological community in NSW. This project is also made possible through thefinancial support of the local community.Pittwater Spotted Gum Forest RestorationPittwater Spotted Gum Forest is listed under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 as anendangered ecological communitY. Pittwater Spotted Gum Forest is home to a large number of local nativeanimals, including many bird species and the endangered Squirrel Glider.Community workshops revealed that the community values and identifies with the “leafy” look of Pittwater.The Spotted Gums and other Eucalyptus trees make up much of this valued “green look”. Over 70% ofPittwater Spotted Gum Forest is found on private land, with only 30% existing in Council bushland reserves.Council will continue to work with local property owners to ensure this forest community is going to bearound for generations to come. Council has undertaken works to help restore and protect the natural stateof the Pittwater Spotted Gum Forest in critical areas, especially in public reserves.38
Section 2 - Statutory StatementsEnvironmental Programs Summary - cont.Pittwater Estuary – seagrass friendly mooring projectAround 40 moorings in Pittwater Estuary have been converted to sea-grass friendly moorings. Thisjoint project between Pittwater Council, the Hawkesbury Nepean CMA, Department of Primary Industries(Fisheries) and NSW Maritime includes a 3-year trial of the moorings. The long-term aim is to stop thecurrent on-going damage to the seagrass beds.Pittwater Fauna Survey and Wildlife Corridors MappingBushland areas across Pittwater were surveyed for native animals as part of the Pittwater Fauna Surveyand Management Plan. Species recorded include some not previously noted including Little Bent Wing Batand Feather-tail Gliders. This study will form the baseline for information influencing future panning andactivities in Pittwater. The Draft Fauna Management Plan and Wildlife Corridors Plan were completed.Vegetation MappingVegetation mapping commenced in 2008/09. Over eight endangered ecological communities, as defined bythe Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, were found to occur in Pittwater. This mapping will assistCouncil to locate the different communities and to plan for their long-term survival.Northern Beaches Marine Care and Humpback Whale ProjectThis project was funded by the Australian Government. The key outcomes of the project were the productionof an extensive educational kit aimed at Kindergarten to Year 6. The kit included practical educationalactivities that teach young people about caring for our local environment and waterways. Another keyoutcome was the creation of a five-panel art piece by local Indigenous artist Jessica Birk.Local Ecostudy ProjectThis project involved a collaboration between local high schools (Pittwater and Barrenjoey) and primaryschools (Newport, Bilgola Plateau), Macquarie University and Coastal Environment Centre. Local ecosystemswere investigated to identify factors affecting survival of organisms in an ecosystem (Winnererremy Bay andAvalon Dunes). High school students were trained in the use of the mobile and collaborative technologiesin their school locations by both Coastal Environment Centre educators and Macquarie University teachers.The high school students mentored their primary school buddies on excursions jointly run by the CoastalEnvironment Centre and Macquarie University.v) Human SettlementThis section reports on human settlements including population, noise and waste. Improving, maintainingand balancing the diverse social, economic and environmental characteristics of the region are crucial inattaining a good quality of life for the community as a whole. The size, rate of increase and settlementpatterns of the region’s population has an impact on the environment both within and outside the region.Changes in land uses for human purposes can damage natural ecosystems, and alter air and water cycles.Population growth is also associated with a range of other issues, such as energy consumption, transportand waste management.The impacts of human settlement vary. They may:• Threaten the survival of plant or animal species• Degrade the quality of the water or air vital for the safe and sustained survival of all life in the region• Result in an increase in noise• Negatively impact the aesthetic appeal of an area.Local councils are responsible for urban planning, infrastructure, environmental restoration and protection,conservation of resources, provision of community facilities, and community services. Ecologically sustainabledevelopment practices are essential in managing and improving services and facilities and should includeattributes such as culture, community involvement, facility access, employment opportunities, human healthand safety. Community involvement in projects, including the opportunity for volunteering, fosters the senseof community for the area.Regional condition of our human settlementHuman settlement in the SHOROC region is characterised by a variety of land uses incorporating residential,commercial, industrial and open space areas. These highly modified environments are interspersed withremnant bushland and natural waterways, which contribute to the desirable character of the area.Land available for development is minimal, therefore the region continues to experience higher densityliving. The increased number of people living in the area can have both positive and negative implications.Negative implications include an increase in waste and noise which can have an effect on human healthand wellbeing. Positive implications can include a greater sense of community.39
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