Work in New Farm Road Reserve, West Pennant Hills

Natural and Cultural Heritage

  • Soil derived from Hawkesbury Sandstone and Wianamatta Shale
  • Vegetation community E.saligna Blue Gum High Forest
  • Wetland was formed through siltation following development
  • Lot 16 DP 212664 has been listed as a heritage item of local significance

 

Conservation Status

  • Vegetation Community is of State conservation significance as it is listed as an Endangered Ecological Community under the Threatened Species Conservation Act (1995)
  • Reserve contains significant bushland habitat

Condition / Impacts

  • The bushland vegetation suffers from varying degrees of degradation
  • Weed invasion is particularly prevalent in understorey along the creekline and boundaries with residential properties
  • Informal trails through bushland exist
  • Garden escapes
  • Rubbish dumping
  • Stormwater
  • Sampling has been carried out since 1996, 2000 and 1998 at three sites within this reserve as part of Council’s Water Quality Monitoring Program. All three sites are in Berowra Creek, one 100m upstream of the wetland, one directly upstream of the wetland, and one 75m downstream of the wetland, above Boundary Road. In 1999 at the site 100m upstream of the wetland physical indicators were ranked as ‘fair’ and chemical indicators were ranked as ‘poor’ with high levels of faecal coliforms  In 2002 at the site just upstream of the wetland physical indicators were ranked ‘very poor’, chemical indicators were ranked ‘very poor’ and primary contact recreation was ranked ‘very poor’. In 1999 at the site downstream of the wetland physical indicators were ranked as - ‘very poor’ and chemical indicators were ranked as ‘very poor’ with high turbidity and faecal coliforms.

 

Overall Condition

  • Poor

 

Main Weeds

  • Privet, Wandering Jew, Bamboo, Willow, Madeira Vine, Castor Oil Plant, Lantana, Ginger, Ehrharta, Banana, Cassis, Coral Tree, Jasmine, Camphor Laurel, Arundo and Wild Tobacco
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