Wetland to be offered to parks service

Six Council-owned wetland reserve allotments in Palmers Lane, Empire Bay, are to be offered to the Department of Environment and Conservation for inclusion in the Cockle Bay Nature Reserve.

Gosford Council adopted the recommendations of its natural resource officer Mr Peter Freewater who tabled a copy of a draft report and map at a meeting of Council on November 4.

It suggested transferring the land to the Department's Park Services Division.

Cockle Bay and its surrounds were the largest example of an estuarine wetland in Brisbane Water, he said.

It was an extremely important area for avian fauna, such as wading birds and cormorants that utilised the wetland for feeding, breeding and shelter sites, he said.

There were also a number of reptiles and mammals inhabiting the area.

Most of the SEPP 14-wetland area had been transferred to the Department of Environment and Conservation, formerly the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

However, six lots remained under the ownership of Gosford Council:

Lots: 6, 7, 48, 54, 151 and 551 were classified public reserves.

The transfer of the lots to the Department of Environment and Conservation would provide a natural extension to the Cockle Bay Nature Reserve and greater consistency in the land management outcomes.

It would also provide an enhancement of the Nature Reserve conservation values, including biodiversity, foreshore protection and linkages with Bouddi National Park; as well as greater protection of the entire Cockle Bay wetland system.

In addition, it would provide savings to Council in the form of resources previously spent on maintenance and management of the lands.

Mr Freewater advised that he had also investigated cattle grazing in the area and found that the grazing was on private land but the zoning of the property did not allow grazing.

The issue of the dumped cars was investigated by Council's rangers and a quote had been provided.

Council Agenda WM 016, EP 039 November 12