The Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority leading the recovery of Sydney s biodiversity into the future

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1 The Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority leading the recovery of Sydney s biodiversity into the future Bob Junor SMCMA PO Box 3720 Parramatta NSW (This paper reflects the position as presented, in 2007 by the then Chair, Mr Bob Junor, with a subsequent review in 2010) ABSTRACT Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA) is a NSW Government agency with the aim of providing the community of Sydney with the knowledge and skill to achieve healthy waterways and bushland that all Sydneysiders can enjoy, now and in the future. It covers the surface water catchments of Sydney Harbour (and Parramatta River), Botany Bay (including Georges and Cooks Rivers), the Hacking River and northern and eastern beaches. This is approximatly three quarters of the Sydney Metropolitan area. The Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003 identifies the generic functions of the NSW CMAs, which include developing Catchment Action Plans (CAPs). Investment Priority Areas include improved river health including stable and healthy riparian areas and protection of biodiversity values, improving the extent, quality and connectivity of native terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The Threatened Species Demonstration Sites project aims to demonstrate best practice for the conservation of 11 priority threatened species, populations and communities. One of the sites is the Cabramatta Creek Flying-Fox Reserve which, with partners Fairfield and Liverpool Councils, demonstrates best practice in the management of the Grey-headed Flying-fox. The restoration of the Cabramatta Creek Flying-fox Reserve exemplifies how the SMCMA is leading the way to recover Sydney s biodiversity. Key words: threatened species; pest management; green web; Grey-headed Flying-fox; river health; catchment action plans. Background The Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA) is a NSW Government agency responsible for facilitating the coordination and management of Sydney s natural resources with the focus on the land, rivers, estuaries and coastal systems. The SMCMA reports to the NSW Minister for Climate Change, Environment and Water. The 2007 Vision Statement of the SMCMA is to provide The community of Sydney with the knowledge and skill to achieve healthy waterways and bushland that all Sydneysiders can enjoy, now and in the future. The SMCMA has been established for the purpose of coordinating land manager efforts with investments from the Australian, State and Local Governments to better manage urban stormwater, rehabilitate degraded urban waterways and restore ecological systems. It covers the surface water catchments of Sydney Harbour (and Parramatta River), Botany Bay (including Georges and Cooks Rivers), the Hacking River and northern and eastern beaches. Some statistics about the CMA: Population: Approximately 3 million Area: 1860 square sq. km. (the area extends offshore to include state waters to the three nautical mile limit) Natural resource protection areas: National Parks: 7; Nature Reserves: 5; State Conservation Areas: 3; State Forests: 1; Aquatic Reserves 11; and Intertidal Protection Areas: 7, Local Government Areas: 39 Local Aboriginal Land Councils: 6 (Deerubbin, Gandangara, Illawarra, La Perouse, Metropolitan and Tharawal) approximately 21,000 Aboriginal population Endangered Ecological Communities: 22; Threatened Ecological Communities: 5 Endangered Populations: 8 Regular Community Volunteers: Around 7,000 people in Bushcare and Landcare activities every year. Volunteer numbers in 2005: over 14,000 volunteers helped look after our beaches, bushland and parklands. Environmental Interest Groups: 30 Conservation values in these catchments compete with liveability values, particularly with recreation space, scenic values and the economics of tourism. Accessibility to areas considered to have natural resource values is considered important by many. In Sydney even National Park spaces have recreational and tourism values at least equivalent to their natural values. Heavy recreation demand means that access arrangements need to be robust and structured. The economic importance of the major estuarine waterways is greater than for any other waterway in NSW. There is an extremely high investment in urban, industrial and recreational assets along the coastline, so risks to the short term and long term natural processes from human impacts also become extreme. The role and functions of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority The Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003 identifies the generic functions of the CMAs. When establishing the SMCMA, the State Government identified additional specific roles to those generic functions. Pp in The Natural History of Sydney, edited by Daniel Lunney, Pat Hutchings and Dieter Hochuli. Royal Zoological Society of NSW, Mosman, NSW, Australia. 2010

2 Sydney Metropolitan CMA Figure 1. Map of the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority area The generic functions for NSW CMAs include: to develop Catchment Action Plans (CAPs) and give effect to any such approved plans through Annual Implementation Programs; to provide loans, grants, subsidies or other financial assistance for the purposes of the catchment activities it is authorised to fund; enter contracts or do any work for the purposes of the catchment activities it is authorised to carry out; assist landholders to further the objectives of its Catchment Action Plan (including providing information about native vegetation); provide educational and training courses and materials in connection with natural resource management; to exercise any other function relating to natural resource management as is prescribed by the regulations, to implement controls on the clearing of native vegetation under the Native Vegetation Act, 2003; The specific roles identified by the State Government for the operation of the SMCMA are: 1. The SMCMA will play an important coordination role in vegetation management by identifying priority projects, working with local councils and promoting consistent outcomes in the protection of remnant vegetation and control of weeds. (Note: the SMCMA will not undertake the same native vegetation management functions as other CMAs as the Native Vegetation Act does not generally apply in the SMCMA) 2. The SMCMA will have specific natural resource management objectives to improve and sustain the health of urban streams, waterways, harbours, lagoons, foreshores, estuaries and beaches and remnant urban bushland areas The natural histor y of Sydney 333

3 Junor 3. The SMCMA will provide the coordination role in the management of natural resources including stormwater in the CMA region, within the context of the Catchment Management Authorities Act, The SMCMA will undertake natural resources activities and programs and facilitate their implementation, including: Setting priorities for natural resources projects through the CAP, including regionally significant stormwater management projects that improve natural resources outcomes, on the advice of an investment advisory group including relevant local councils. Working collaboratively with local councils and others to ensure that CAPs are integrated and consistent with local plans, including local stormwater plans, local environmental plans, other council management plans and capital works programs. Offering incentive funding and working in partnership with local councils and Government agencies to identify and implement joint projects, and preparing and managing contracts on behalf of partners to implement agreed projects. Funding and supporting projects that have regional significance and a broader community benefit beyond one Local Government area, including natural resources restoration projects and community education programs. 5. The SMCMA will undertake the following specific bay, harbour, estuary and coastal land management activities: assuming a leadership and coordination role in relation to the natural resources management of Botany Bay, Sydney Harbour, the Georges and Cooks River and other key locations; implementing the natural resource components of State Government strategies and plans; promoting sustainable management of coastal lands, lagoons and estuaries; and identifying priorities and offering incentive funding for coastal management projects of regional significance. The SMCMA demonstrates strong partnering with local government and agencies and this underpins its ability to provide the necessary leadership in NRM issues. The Sydney Metropolitan Catchment action plan The SMCMA has completed its draft Catchment Action Plan (CAP). The draft CAP will guide the activities of the SMCMA while forming the basis for partnerships with the community, business, industry and government. The CAP has the five theme areas of biodiversity, land, water, community and coastal. The draft CAP will assist the SMCMA in ensuring that natural resource management projects are undertaken in priority areas within the catchment, and that these projects lead to the best outcomes for the environment and the community. The draft CAP is currently under review by the Natural Resources Commission. They are providing further input regarding the Catchment Targets and Management Targets. The revised targets will be incorporated into the final version of the CAP expected in early Investment Priority Areas are: Improved river health including stable and healthy riparian areas: Protection of biodiversity values, improving the extent, quality and connectivity of native terrestrial and aquatic habitats; Best practice in land management that supports management of the land within its capability and sustainability and addresses salinity and degradation; Strategic pest plant and animal management that focuses on emerging weeds and localised weeds and implementing effective coordinated control; Greater involvement of the Aboriginal community in NRM particularly where it provides ongoing business opportunities, including the identification of Aboriginal cultural values; and Stakeholder education and awareness; organisational capacity and community empowerment; and resources that supports the implementation of the CAP. Current investment activities Water Theme: The Waterways Health Strategy includes a multi criteria assessment to define the condition of waterways and assign each waterway to the most appropriate condition category. The Water Sensitive Urban Design program is designed to assist council staff to promote and implement integrated urban water management practices in urban development and urban renewal projects. Coastal Theme: The Tide to Table program is a partnership with fishing industry, Landcare groups and others in undertaking natural waterway rehabilitation works. The Botany Bay Coastal Catchments Initiative seeks to prepare a scientifically derived ecological response model of Botany Bay and its estuaries. The Wetland Management Project will provide the SMCMA with an overview of the extent, condition, recovery potential and indicative management actions required for each of the wetlands listed in the Natural Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia. The Coastal Dune Restoration Program focuses on developing a strategic and consistent approach to the protection and management of the coastal dune systems. The Estuary Management Program aims to implement high priority actions of Estuary Management Plans. Land Theme: The Local Government Salinity Initiative aims to increase the awareness of the risk of salinity in the development industry and to build the capacity of local councils to effectively manage urban salinity. 334 The natural histor y of Sydney

4 Sydney Metropolitan CMA The Erosion and Sediment Control program aims at controlling erosion and sedimentation on Crown lands and restoration of vegetation and habitat values. Community Theme: Investments in the community theme are focused on a range of professional development programs to local government and community members; community support and environmental education projects and to encourage community engagement in natural resource management practices including planning processes. Four community support officers are funded from an Australian government program who deliver a wide range of programs including environmental forums, publications, and training materials and establishing significant Networks to coordinate people with activities. Biodiversity theme: The biodiversity theme focuses on the conservation of native vegetation recognising that healthy vegetation communities provide the base habitat for other forms of life. The SMCMA is currently working on the following programs and projects: The Integrated Weed Management program coordinates the work of several of the weeds committees including developing strategies and the works of councils and agencies. The Aquatic and Terrestrial Pest Management program works with the regional pest animal action groups and agencies to co-ordinate the development of pest species action plans and on-ground work to manage those pest species populations and reduce the areas affected. The Green Web project in partnership with Councils identifies and funds on-ground works to establish biodiversity corridors. The Local Government Biodiversity Capacity Building Project aims to improve the capacity of local councils to manage biodiversity in the Sydney Metropolitan area. The Biodiversity Mapping Program is a suite of projects aimed at developing comprehensive maps and associated data on terrestrial vegetation and fauna in the catchment and for aquatic vegetation in Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River, eg. various mapping products from the SMCMA. See Figures 2 and 3. The Threatened Species Demonstration Sites project aims to demonstrate best practice for the conservation of 11 priority threatened species, populations and communities. One of the sites is the Dalrymple-Hay Nature Reserve & Brown s Forest with partners Ku-ringgai Council and NPWS demonstrating best practice in the management of Blue Gum High Forest. Another Threatened Species Demonstration Site is the Cabramatta Creek Flying-Fox Reserve which, with partners Fairfield and Liverpool Councils, aims to demonstrate best practice in the management of the Grey-headed Flying-fox. This site is, in fact, a very good example of the way in which the SMCMA works with other NRM managers to improve biodiversity. The Cabramatta Creek Flying-fox Reserve is an area of about 8 hectares bisected by a meandering section of Cabramatta Creek, a tributary of the Georges River, about 30km south-west of the city. The Reserve is owned by Liverpool council on the western side of the creek and Fairfield on the eastern side. The Reserve is surrounded by urban residential development, a hotel, the Hume Highway and sporting fields. Historically the Reserve was cleared before the 1930s (apart from the riparian strip along either side of the creek). Up until around 1950 land within the Reserve was used for growing fruit and vegetables. Grapes were grown and wine made on the site by the Sunnybrook Vineyard. Vegetation consisting of a mixture of natives and exotics species took over once agricultural was abandoned. The Reserve also suffered the similar fate of other disused land surrounded by urbanisation as an informal dumping ground. By the mid-1980 s there were enough trees present for a small a colony of Grey-headed Flying-foxes (Pteropus poliocephalus) to form on the Reserve. The change in tree density is shown in Figure 4. In 1995 a group of dedicated volunteers formed the Cabramatta Creek Flying-fox Committee. Working in partnership with Fairfield and Liverpool City Councils, the Committee is committed to the conservation of the bats and their habitat and has helped contribute significant improvements to the Reserve and its management. These improvements have included: Weed removal, rubbish removal, bush regeneration and bat habitat improvements. Signage, a viewing platform and community education on the bats and their habitat. The removal of a weir to improve the passage of fish. Today the site is host to between 10,000 and 30,000 Grey-headed Flying-foxes depending upon the time of year. It one of only a few breeding places on the metropolitan area. The SMCMA has been an integral partner in the implementation of these improvements through the provision of funds via its regional weed management program to remove weeds and regenerate the remnant Sydney Coastal River Flat Forest. Signage, educational material, and best practice guidelines are also being provided by the SMCMA as part of its Threatened Species demonstration project. Conclusion In partnership with the community, councils, land managers and other State agencies the SMCMA is developing a range of projects to address the priorities of its 10 year Catchment Action Plan. The SMCMA assists in implementing these projects by securing and directing Government funds and the provision of coordination and/or management resources. The restoration of the Cabramatta Creek Flying-fox Reserve exemplifies how the CMA is leading the way to recover Sydney s biodiversity. The natural history of Sydney 335

5 Junor Figure 2. Vegetation communities, Reid Park Mosman (NSW Maritime). ± Legend Estuarine Saltmarsh Aerial Photo: Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd, 2005 Kilometers Saltmarsh of the Upper Parramatta River, 2007 Figure 3. Saltmarsh, upper Paramatta River 336 The natural histor y of Sydney

6 Sydney Metropolitan CMA ± Ausimage SKM2007 from RTA Photography Meters Cabramatta Creek Flying Fox Reserve A. ± B. Sinclair Knight Merz Pty Ltd, 2005 Meters Cabramatta Creek Flying Fox Reserve Figure 4. Before and after (A) Cabramatta Creek Flying fox reserve in 1943 and (B) in 2005 The natural history of Sydney 337

7 Junor APPENDIX 1 Freshwater Park, Strathfield Council restoration project. Freshwater Park, Strathfield Council restoration project - completed restoration. Community volunteers monitoring Water Quality, Georges River. Bushcare stall at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, an SMCMA community project with Willoughby City Council and other partners. 338 The natural histor y of Sydney