Restoration of fire-affected threatened ecological communities and species around Hat Head National Park
An 18 month (April 09 - Oct 10), $45 055 grant through the Caring for our Country community coastcare Federal Government program (Project id: CC081822). Aim: a) Protect and rehabilitate the coastal environment around Smoky Cape and South West Rocks b) Enhance the protection and resilience of Littoral Rainforest by creating a buffer of healthy transition species, achieved by the removal of invasive weed species such as Bitou Bush, Lantana, Passionvine and Senna c) Enhance the knowledge and skills of volunteers and the local community to improve future outcomes in coastal bush regeneration
Littoral rainforest occurs at Smoky Cape and along the hind dune abutting Saltwater Creek at South West Rocks. Both these communities were severely impacted by fire, initially in 2001 and again in 2007. Consequently, the rainforest area has been reduced and the edges colonised by invasive weed species such as Bitou, Lantana and Passionvine.
This project’s objectives are to restore native species diversity and the resilience of native plant communities by creating a buffer of healthy transition species to adjacent foredune Themeda grasslands and Eucalypt forest. This will enhance the protection and resilience of the Littoral rainforest from future fires in areas of high human activity. Funding will enable the employment of regeneration contractors to complement volunteer activities.
Ongoing monitoring and photographic records performed in conjunction with NPWS will provide evidence of the improvement in the health of the native plant communities.
The skills and knowledge of volunteers and the local community will be enhanced by field days and local media coverage. The production of a website and instructional videos will also improve the skills of other volunteer groups engaged in this type of work.
The project will contribute to the Caring for our Country priority of protecting and rehabilitating the coastal environment around Smoky Cape and South West Rocks.