Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority has merged with Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority

The NSW Government recently announced that the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority has been merged with the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority as part of the changes to the regional service delivery model. From January, 2014 Local Land Services, a new regionally-based organisation will replace the Catchment Management Authorities, Livestock, Health & Pest Authorities and incorporate agricultural services currently provided by Agriculture NSW.

The Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority's area of operation now includes all the areas previously covered by the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority. This website will now become an archived website. For more information about Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Authority, and to find out about upcoming events visit www.hn.cma.nsw.gov.au

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Home Kurnell Corridors

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Botany Bay WQIP
Sydney Harbour Catchment Water Quality Improvement Plan
Cooks River Urban Water Initiative
Kurnell Corridors
 
Kurnell Corridors

 

 

 

 

 

Kurnell Peninsula is some 15 kilometres south of the Sydney CBD and contains the Ramsar-listed wetland within the Towra Point Nature Reserve. The remnant vegetation is fragmented and severely impacted by weeds and pest animals.
Cane Toad Control at Kurnell Print E-mail

Cane Toads are being captured across the Kurnell Peninsula

• January 2010: Sutherland Shire Council receives funding from SMCMA to investigate reports of a breeding population of cane toads in the Taren Point area.
• March 2010: Research by Sutherland Shire Council indicates an existing population and potential breeding population. Collections and engagement of property owners commenced. 

• May 2010: Sutherland Shire Council, Kamay Botany Bay National Park, SMCMA and the Threatened Species Unit and other staff from the Biodiversity Conservation Section of the former Department of Environment, Climate Change and form a Cane Toad Working Group and produce a Plan of Action to address Cane Toads in Sydney.

• July 2010: The group includes University of Sydney, Sniffer Dog Trainer and Frog and Tadpole Study Group. Sniffer dogs are trained for cane toad marking. Private Property agreements, trapping and wetland surveys commence.

Sniffer Dog Max marking cane toads with owner Steve Austin:• August 2010:  An Environment Trust grant funds the University of Sydney to work with  Sutherland Shire Council in cane toad studies for viruses and reproduction information. A Sutherland Shire Community Fact Sheet is produced providing information and advice on cane toad identification and the need to report cane toad sightings to Council.

• December 2010: Sutherland Shire Council conducts the first Community Cane Toad Musters. Four musters have now been held.

Community Cane Toad Muster, Kurnell December 2010
• Monthly surveys are undertaken at Towra Point Nature Reserve using spotlights and auditory (call) equipment.  Park rangers have also used the aid of Max, the sniffer dog.  No cane toads have been found on the Ramsar wetland to date.

• December 2011: Cane toad control has been undertaken across 1150 hectares a with 142 property agreements signed with private landholders providing access for cane toad control.

 

 
 
Kurnell Corridors Towra Point and Buffer Area Restoration Print E-mail

Kurnell 2020 Biodiversity Corridors

Project overview

The project aims to connect Towra Point Wetlands with Botany Bay National Park via native vegetation corridors. These proposed native vegetation corridors are described in the Corridors Delineation Report (former) NSW Department of Climate Change, 2009.

This project has been funded through the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country Initiative since 2009.

The Project addresses the threats posed by invasive plant and animal species to the ecological character of Towra Point Nature Reserve (Ramsar listed wetlands) and degraded bushland on public land and private land at Kurnell.  These outcomes are being achieved through collaboration with public and private landholders, La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council and coastal community groups.

Invasive plant species include bitou bush, lantana, alligator weed and Ludwigea peruviana.  Invasive animal species includes rabbits, rats and cane toads. Pest control programs are addressing habitat loss for the threatened species including the Little Tern the White fronted chat, migratory shorebirds and the Green Golden Bell Frog.  Works will protect vegetation listed under Threatened Ecological Communities listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. These proposed native vegetation corridors are described in the Corridors Delineation Report DECC 2009.

Project update:

The location and extent of weed control funded under this project since 2009 is shown on this map.

 

 


Outcomes:

The following activities were undertaken between July 2010 and June 2011:

  • 416 hectares of pest animal (rabbit and rat) control
  • 25.2 hectares pest plant control
  • 1150 hectares cane toad control across 142 property agreements signed with private landholders for cane toad control
  • 4000 letters sent to residents providing information and instructions on cane toad control.
  • 0.8 hectares revegetation using coastal native species
  • 2 Corporate volunteer days
  • 4 Community activities
  • 2 School native gardens funded
  • 2900 copies of “Kurnell Peninsula a guide to plants animals ecology and landscape” delivered
 
Kurnell Peninsula: A Guide to the plants, animals, ecology and landscapes Print E-mail

Kurnell Peninsula Field Guide

A close-up view of the natural assets of the Kurnell Peninsula

Download your copy here.
 


 
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