Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Byron Shire helps to care for the coast
As anyone who visits the beach in eastern Australia knows, we're at risk of loving it to death.
Development, overuse and a lack of awareness are just some of the factors threatening the native species and diversity of our coastal lands.
In Byron Shire in northern New South Wales, community groups have participated in a project targeting eight coastal sites, to restore and protect key habitats for threatened plants and animals.
Funding
The Australian Government provided more than $26,000 to the 2004 project. Administered by EnviTE - Environmental Training and Employment Inc - it operated on Main Beach Byron Bay as well as New Brighton, Brunswick Heads, Suffolk Park and South Golden, Belongil, Cavanbah and Northern Seven Mile beaches.
Activities
Vegetation management plans had already been developed for many of the sites detailing existing vegetation, site history and management issues and recommending ways to restore the area.
"The project allowed the plans developed for these sites to be put into effect," said Paul O'Connor from EnviTE.
Volunteer groups had already undertaken considerable work protecting coastal plants in the Byron Shire over the previous decade, and Dunecare groups were operating in a number of places.
However they needed extra practical help and a training boost. As well as working on the sites, the project aimed to increase the skills of existing volunteers and raise public awareness of how to protect coastal environments.
More than 50 working bees were held over the year with assistance from EnviTE bush regenerators. Work included spraying weeds like the pervasive bitou bush and lantana, fencing to control pedestrian access, replanting and mulching.
"We also held a number of workshops and field days and these, coupled with on-the-job training, helped to increase understanding of coastal land management issues," said Paul.
"Our focus is on identifying what's native and what's exotic, and what circumstances favour one over the other, plus providing information on specific weed control techniques and bush regeneration."
Promotion of the project aims and activities in local media was used to raise public awareness and to increase membership of the volunteer groups.
Achievements
The 2004 work proved a major step in improving habitat at the eight sites and in increasing the skills of existing volunteer coastal care groups in Byron Shire. Work on maintaining the sites is being undertaken by volunteer groups with assistance from Byron Shire.
More information
- Paul O'Connor, EnviTE: (02) 6621 9588 or paulo@envite.org.au
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