This World Environment Day (5 June 2023), Kiama Council celebrates our success in a local ecological rehabilitation project.
With assistance of the Bush Regeneration Team at Toolijooa Environmental Restoration, we have completed year three of the Bailey's Island Rehabilitation Project undertaking maintenance and weed control over 9.3ha along the Crooked River, Gerroa.
The area has Aboriginal significance and is a rare example of multiple endangered ecological communities – from dune systems through to riverine / floodplain communities – in a very small area that includes swamp oak forest, coastal saltmarsh, littoral rainforest and Bangalay sand forests.
Work has been done in the forests to control major invasive weed issues including asparagus fern, Norfolk island hibiscus and lantana. These weeds have been inhibiting the ability of the vegetation communities to naturally regenerate.
Improvement in the resilience of these vegetation communities and reduction of invasive weed seed source by the project will benefit adjoining areas of vegetation in the Seven Mile Beach Reserve, as well as reducing the likelihood of weeds affecting adjoining rural properties.
Kiama Council would like to thank all our Local Landcare Groups for their continued environmental protection and bush regeneration work.
Technical and financial assistance for the Bailey's Island Rehabilitation Project has been provided by the NSW Government's Coastal Management Program.
Main image: Kiama Council's Environmental Health Officer and a Coastal Estuaries Officer from Department of Planning and Environment at Baileys Island, Gerroa.
