Threatened Ecological Communities

Enhancing and Restoring Threatened Ecological Communities in Estuaries

Council received grant funding from the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water earlier this year to undertake weed control and revegetation works in a number of Threatened Ecological Communities (TECs) identified in several Shoalhaven estuaries. These TECs were mapped by Council through another grant funded project in 2022 that identified locations where TECs were at risk from coastal hazards such as tidal flooding and erosion.

Works are being undertaken within three main TECs – the Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest, Bangalay Sand Forest and Coastal Saltmarsh. The works to be completed under this project involve weed control activities for woody and herbaceous weeds and revegetation. These works are to be completed over the life of the three-year grant funding to allow greater success in managing weeds and supporting new vegetation to establish. These works form part of the regular operations and activities in Council’s management of natural areas and support the management objectives for the land where works are scheduled.

Sites for these works include:

· Lake Conjola (Fisherman’s Paradise, Cunjurong Point and Lake Conjola Entrance)

· Sussex Inlet and St Georges Basin (Opposite Fairview Crescent and The Basin Walking Track)

· Swan Lake Foreshore

· Crookhaven River (Orient Point and Curley’s Bay adjacent to the Culburra Skate Park)

Consultation on these works has been undertaken throughout the development of Council’s various Coastal Management Programs (CMPs). The CMPs have identified that works to improve the condition of sensitive TECs in coastal environments provide an opportunity to reduce the risk of exposure to coastal hazards within these estuaries while also supporting local biodiversity.

If you have questions about these works, please contact the Coastal Management Unit at coastal.management@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au or call Council on 1300 293 111.