A New Loves Bay Landcare Group on the Kiama Coast
Empowering locals to restore a coastal reserve
Capacity building - LEP23-014-LLC07-4
The issue
A council reserve at the end of Elanora Road, Kiama Heights, marks the final section of the Kiama Coast Walk to Werri Beach. It is a popular tourist destination, attracting hundreds of visitors each weekend.
While Council maintains the kikuyu grass on the headlands, large areas along the creek have become overrun with weeds. Dense infestations of Lantana, Broad-leaf and Narrow-leaf Privet, Cassia, Coastal Morning Glory, Japanese Honeysuckle and Turkey Rhubarb have created an impenetrable weed thicket, preventing natural regeneration and producing a continual source of weed seed.
Local residents initially approached Landcare Illawarra because they wanted to tidy the site and create a picnic area near the track.
The solution
Through several meetings, Landcare Illawarra introduced the principles of bush regeneration and explained the difference between ecological restoration and simply removing weeds. The residents embraced the Landcare approach and committed to caring for the site over the next 10 years. Council approved the formation of a new Landcare group.
As the new group coordinator had no bush regeneration experience, Landcare Illawarra engaged a professional bush regenerator to prepare a simple work plan and lead the group during its first six months, providing practical training at each working bee.
The group's first session, held in February 2026 and promoted through a community letterbox drop, attracted a strong turnout of local residents.
The impact
The group now meets monthly, with around eight volunteers attending each session and sharing morning tea afterwards. Members have gained confidence and practical bush regeneration skills, recognising the value of gradual weed removal and restoration.
The group has already planted more than 50 locally sourced native plants, including Ficus coronata, Glochidion ferdinandi, Archontophoenix cunninghamiana and Livistona australis. The site will also host Kiama High School students for National Tree Day planting in August.
The long-term vision is to restore a corridor of Littoral Rainforest linking Saddleback Mountain to the coast. Work has begun by creating access along the creek before progressively expanding restoration activities using a staged, mosaic approach to weed management.
Key facts
- A new Landcare group was established through collaboration between local residents, Council and Landcare Illawarra.
- Professional bush regeneration support helped build local skills and confidence during the group's first six months.
- Volunteers are now restoring one of the Illawarra's most popular coastal reserves using best-practice ecological restoration.