Environment
The Harbour Trust is dedicated to protecting and preserving the natural environment of its sites.
These sites contain some rare species of flora, including Bangalay (Eucalyptus botryoides), Coastal Banksia (Banksia integrifolia), Sydney Red Gum (Angophora costata) andSydney Peppermint (Eucalyptus piperita).
These sites are also home for many rare and endangered animals, including long-nosed bandicoots, water dragons, blue tongue lizards, brush tail and ring tail possums, water rats, echidnas, kookaburras and rainbow lorikeets.
Bush Regeneration
The Harbour Trust has several sites of pristine and rare vegetation. Urban development and activities over the past 200 years has resulted in many disturbances to bushland. Weeds have invaded many areas as a result of disturbance, landfill and altered drainage patterns, with Crofton Weed, Lantana, Asparagus Fern and Morning Glory particularly evident.
Through a variety of bush regeneration programs and activities, the Harbour Trust is addressing this issue. A volunteer team is currently caring for bushland at North Head Sanctuary.
What is Bush Regeneration?
Bush regeneration is defined by the Australian Association of Bush Regenerators (AABR) as ‘the practice of restoring bushland by focusing on reinstating and reinforcing the system’s ongoing natural regeneration processes’.
In practice, bush regeneration consists of carrying out works in degraded areas of bushland, which reverses degrading impacts and allows natural regeneration and on-site generation of local species to occur. It is typically associated with urban and urban fringe bushland, maintenance of public reserves, transport corridors and walking tracks.
Bush Regeneration Strategies
There are many strategies that may be used to regenerate bushland. The Bradley sisters developed the first documented method in 1971 that adopted a philosophy of controlled weeding without replanting. This approach has been gradually altered to include activities other than the removal of weeds, such as:
- collecting local seeds, propagation and selected planting;
- replanting native species lost from the bush or no longer germinating naturally;
- planting of native species better suited to a particular area, such as species that may provide resistance to fire, or certain conditions and diseases;
- working to reverse the biophysical factors that result in ecosystem degradation, such as improvement of stormwater condition, prevention of soil erosion or stabilisation of drainage lines.
Can I get involved?
Yes! You can volunteer to join one of the Harbour Trust's two programs that aim to return Sydney's beautiful headlands to their natural condition.
Find out more about volunteering
Phytophthora cinnamomi management
The Harbour Trust is committed to minimising the spread of the Phytophthora cinnamomi on its lands.
What is Phytophthora cinnamomi?
Phytophthora cinnamomi (pronounced phy-toph-thora) is a water mould that thrives in warm moist soils and attacks the roots of susceptible plants. It causes roots to rot, making them unable to absorb water and nutrients. This may lead to dieback and death. Dieback simply means dying plants.
What is the Harbour Trust doing?
In 2003, the Harbour Trust brought together a working group of landowners and experts in the field to share their knowledge and experience in the control of Phytophthora.
The working group has held two major forums, and is currently working on best practice guidelines for the management of Phytophthora.
A brochure has been produced to explain what Phytophthora is, how it spreads and what we can all do to help stop the spread.
Download the phytophthora brochure (PDF, 1922 KB). Hard copies of the brochure are available by phoning (02) 8969 2100.
How can you help minimise the spread of Phytophthora cinnamomi?
All visitors to the bushlands around Sydney harbour foreshores are encouraged to enjoy the views and help to protect these important pieces of urban bushland by:
- remaining on dedicated walking tracks at all times;
- not removing any soil, plants or rocks from the bushland;
- remove any soil from clothes or shoes before you enter and leave the bush; and
- if possible, disinfect shoes with a spray of household disinfectant.
