North Coast Local Land Services is working with Port Macquarie-Hastings Council on a new project that aims to reduce impacts from feral animals and environmental weeds in the lower Camden Haven catchment.
“The project aims to protect known threatened plant and animal species and ultimately improve the condition of over 50 hectares of high conservation value native vegetation known to exist within public reserves in the lower Camden Haven catchment,” Hugo Marree, Land Services officer, said.
“The project also aims to build community capacity by coordinating activities with Landcare groups and private landholders to improve the outcomes over a broader area.”
Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area is one of the fastest growing local government areas in NSW. The area has the highest rate of population growth for the Mid North Coast which demonstrates the lifestyle attraction associated with the natural beauty of the area.
Protecting biodiversity of this area has become a high priority due to development and population impacts in an area valued for threatened species and native vegetation communities. Invasive weeds, feral animals and human disturbances, such as loss of hollow bearing trees, have been identified by the council as key threats that will increasingly degrade ecological assets of the Camden Haven if left unchecked.
The project is supported by North Coast Local Land Services with funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme and NSW Catchment Action. Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will implement the project over three years with additional funding also being received from the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage.
“This kind of project provides the whole community with an opportunity to address high priority environmental problems and to protect and enhance the natural value of the North Coast region,” Hugo said.
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Kate Dwyer
Journo. Wife. Mother of three.
Journo. Wife. Mother of three.
