New environment group forms

A new environmental group has been formed on the Peninsula.

The Peninsula Community Environmental Committee combines existing Peninsula community environmental groups and includes "local people who actively commit their time to conserve and protect the natural environment of the Woy Woy Peninsula".

Organiser Mr Tony Whitehead said that environmental awareness was necessary if the Peninsula was to become the tourist and holiday gateway to the Central Coast.

"The fast ferry from Sydney, high-quality housing development and a focused, much-needed upgrading of the central business districts are priorities within the area," he said.

"Community awareness of the close association that exists between social, economic and ecological systems is also a priority," he said.

The committee was proposing a Coast Care group, "conserving our magnificent beach dunes by helping to stop vegetation vandalism and removing invading weed species destroying native dune vegetation", he said.

It would also address "issues such as the habitat values and enhancement of Blackwall Mountain Reserve as a nature reserve and the need to help conserve the small, locally-threatened and magnificent Superb Lyrebird population isolated by urban development within the reserve".

Also to receive attention would be the wetland areas of Umina, "habitat for many unique migratory water-birds and another magnificent natural area in need of important long-term community environmental input now".

Water and air quality, flooding and erosion, management of renewable and non-renewable natural resources (for example, soils), recreational, educational and aesthetic beauty of the area were all issues to be considered by the committee.

"The committee welcomes all community and business input and support," said Mr Whitehead.

"Experience is not necessary as environmental training is supplied in conjunction with Gosford City Council's Bush Care Program."

For more information, contact Tony Whitehead on 4342-7849.

December 7