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Updates on Major Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (BCS) Achievements: October to December 2008

Biodiversity Extension Service

Extension properties visited

  • Conducted 7 extension service visits to properties with High Conservation Value Vegetation and/or Wildlife Corridors located in Coorabell, Nashua, Mullumbimby, Main Arm, Middle Pocket and Billinudgel.
  • Four of above were part of the mentorship project with BVL.
  • Provided support for
    • Byron/Tweed Indian Myna Project Officer to inform community of project through media and meeting with interested members of public and distribute traps
    • Cane Toad Muster at Arakwal National Park
  • Promotional activities
    • Attended Rainforest rehabilitation training day hosted by Big Scrub Rainforest Landcare at Clunes. Spoke with participants about available services for restoration
    • ABC Bush Telegraph feature on owls and macadamias was rerun over Christmas period.

Bush Regeneration Team

Cat’s claw treatment - Billinudgel

During the quarter, the team has:

  • Worked in conjunction with Brunswick Valley Landcare and the Madhima Gulgan indigenous regeneration team to treat a roadside Cat's Claw infestation at Billinudgel;
  • Undertaken follow up weed control at Patersons Hill Reserve subsequent to the recent ecological and hazard reduction burn;
  • Worked in conjunction with Big Scrub Landcare to remove weeds from endangered lowland rainforest community at Booyong Flora Reserve;
  • Targeted Glory Lily at coastal Bitou control project sites. Glory lily is toxic to humans and animals, readily infests disturbed dunes and requires specific control methods to be effective.
  • Assisted with establishment of demonstration toad exclusion site at Mullumbimby Golf Course

Completed toad exclusion site

Indian Myna project

Indian myna project information stall

  • Joint project underway with Tweed Shire Council
  • 2 year control and research program funded by the NSW State Government Environmental Trust
  • More than 250 calls from community
  • 32 traps deployed
  • 46 birds captured and euthanased
  • Four veterinarians assisting with euthanasia using materials provided through the project
  • Engagement of professional shooters from Sporting Shooters Association for removal of birds at appropriate

Successful NRM grant applications

Tweed Byron Bushland Futures is a three year project that aims to improve ecological sustainability, institutional commitment and community attitudes toward urban bushland. On ground works will focus on habitat protection and restoration, management of stormwater pollution and erosion, removal of rubbish, pest species management and interpretive works. Priority sites will be selected on the basis of a comprehensive audit of management issues and requirements. The project has been funded by the Environmental Trust Urban Sustainability Program.

  • Council has been highly successful in the recent Environmental Trust and Caring for Our Country Community Coastcare & Open Grants programs
  • Almost $1.9 million of grants has been received for a variety of projects including:
    1. $1.7 million joint project with Tweed Shire Council - Tweed Byron Bushland Futures;
    2. $55,000 for implementation of the Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan;
    3. $21,000 for restoration of the endangered lowland rainforest ecological community on Council land;
    4. $48,000 for restoration of coastal vegetation at New Brighton and preparation of a bushland friendly neighbourhood guide;
    5. $37,000 for review of Vegetation Management Plans for community dunecare sites.