Current Projects

TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE BIOLINKS STUDY, PLEASE CONTACT THE SECRETARY VIA EMAIL AT valleywatchinc@gmail.com

A known flying-fox colony has occupied the site known as the Maclean Rainforest Reserve [MRR] with fidelity dating back to the late 1880’s. Flying-foxes fill a crucial role in the environment, and may be considered as a keystone species as many other species of flora and fauna are dependent on the ecological roles filled by flying-foxes. Flying-foxes have been identified as primary pollinators and seed dispersers in Australian eucalypt forests and rain forests, and due to their large flight range, these unique mammals are able to perform these functions more efficiently, and over a wider area, than insects or birds. The diversity and continued existence of the iconic forests of the Clarence Valley are dependent on the survival and health of flying-foxes. In July 2008 Clarence Valley Council [CVC] and the Department of Education [DET], submitted a joint application to the Department of Environment and Climate Change [DECC] for a licence to relocate/disturb the flying-foxes in areas throughout Maclean. As the Grey-headed flying-fox is listed as vulnerable under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999, the applicants also need approval from the Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. [DEWHA].

During September 2008, DECC issued a S95 certificate to disturb the flying-foxes at the Maclean Rainforest Reserve and the “gully”. Subsequently, DEWHA has classified the relocation as a ‘controlled action’, which suggests the relocation could have significant impact on the flying- foxes.

The management of flying-fox camps is a complex and sometimes controversial issue, particularly where camps are located in or adjacent to urban areas. It is an issue with which Valley Watch has had long term involvement in the hope that an appropriate range of strategies can be employed to manage the flying-fox camp in the best interest of the community and the flying-foxes.

Recent information obtained by Valley Watch indicates koala numbers are in decline in the Lower Clarence areas of Iluka, Woombah and Ashby. The impact of coastal development, with concurrent land clearing, is generally considered to be a significant factor in the decline of these iconic native animals. The community of the Clarence Valley are deeply concerned about the prospect of loosing our koalas. To that end, in November 2008, Valley Watch presented a petition requesting Council recognize and protect koala habitat. The Valley Watch petition was signed by 211 people, with over 100 people identified in photographs in support of the petition. People of all ages, and all walks of life, willingly donned furry koala ears, and a smile, for a cause they strongly believe in. (A compilation poster of these beautiful photos is available for purchase at Fletchers Photos, Yamba) In late 2008, Valley Watch was successful in convincing Council to agree to a Koala Management Plan for Ashby, Woombah & Iluka. This completes a project begun by Valley watch five years earlier in 2003. A draft plan is to be presented to the CV community in 2009.

In Iluka, a few koalas have recently been recorded near to, and in the vicinity of Bundjalung National Park. In Woombah, where koalas were observed to be plentiful just 10 years ago, alterations to the habitat such as bush fires and subdivisions within core habitat, have most likely resulted in perilously low numbers of koala. Ecological reports from the area of Ashby, have estimated the resident koala population to be in the vicinity of 30-50 individual koala - a dangerously low level for future survival. However, local sightings of koala activity at Ashby indicate this population is an ac-tive and hopefully viable population.

About Ashby Koalas: According to Ecograph Consultants (2003) all of Ashby peninsula is in koala habitat of varying importance. Most significant are Primary Habitat and Core Habitat. Core Habitat is protected under State environmental law SEPP 44. At present, individual properties as small as 1 hectare must prepare koala plans when those properties are in Core Koala Habitat. However, there is currently no requirement to link to other koala lands, and that is an important factor. When the area-wide plan is in place, better habitat protection can be achieved when an overall and comprehensive plan will provide continuous links for all adjoining prop-erties. This will allow for continuous and wide ranging movement of koalas and in doing so will provide habitat suitable for feeding, breeding and raising of young.

Valley Watch is excited about the Koala Management Plan being completed, be-cause koalas are still being sighted on a regular basis in Ashby. A map compiled by Valley Watch, with input from Ashby residents at the October ’08 market, included 42 sightings over 10 years, 29 of which were from the last two years. In talking with locals, the most frequent comments were that “loose dogs are killing koalas”, and “What kinds of trees can I plant to encourage koalas?” Clearly, villag-ers, rural residents, cattle and cane farmers in Ashby all share a strong love and ap-preciation of koalas. With careful planning and better protections, our children and grandchildren may experience the wonder of interacting with koalas in our own backyards.

The Angourie to Wooloweyah area is a highly ecologically valuable coastal landscape, containing a wide range of coastal and floodplain Endangered Ecological Communities, rare and poorly conserved vegetation communities, the habitats of at least 31 threatened species, an endangered population (of the Coastal Emu), numerous significant species and critically important coastal corridors linking the nationally recognised coastal habitats of Yuraygir and Bundjalung National Parks.

The Wooloweyah to Angourie area contains extensive areas of 8 (eight) Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs) as defined within the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (TSC Act), namely:

1. Saltmarsh
2. Swamp Sclerophyll Forest on Coastal Floodplain
3. Swamp Oak Forest
4. Littoral Rainforest
5. Lowland Rainforest
6. Subtropical Coastal Floodplain Forest
7. Freshwater Wetlands on Coastal Floodplain and
8. Headland Grasslands.

Other vegetation communities of very high conservation value in the Wooloweyah to Angourie area include:
Graminoid Clay Heath
Sedgeland
Wet Heath
Dunal Systems
Mangroves
Seagrass beds.

These areas are of national conservation significance due to their size, location, excellent condition, and the fact that they collectively provide habitat for over 31 (thirty one) species listed as Threatened under either the TSC Act and/or the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (EPBC Act) and an Endangered Population of the Coastal Emu (list appended)

Any developments within the areas of native vegetation surrounding Angourie and Wooloweyah will lead to major impacts upon those areas recognised by the NSW and Commonwealth Governments as high conservation value habitats and national reservation and conservation priorities.

This is primarily attributable to:
1. The clearance and fragmentation of existing native vegetation, particularly considering the entire area is covered in high conservation value native vegetation
2. Increased sediment and nutrient loads as a result of construction activities and subsequent urban development and human occupation
3. Massive increases in feral animal populations leading to increased predation of the 31 threatened species present within the area, and
4. Massive increases in environmental weed invasion leading to ongoing and irreversible degradation to the high conservation value native vegetation in the area.

The area has bioregionally significant coastal wildlife corridors and key habitats recognised by both the NSW and Commonwealth Governments and the Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority (NRCMA) as essential for maintenance of biodiversity. This locality is a critical component of the north-south corridor linking Yuraygir and Bundjalung National Parks.

Lake Wooloweyah Committee
Athena Batcheldor Email
Ros Woodward
Billie Roberts