Wildlife management plan on display

The National Parks and Wildlife Service is inviting comments on a draft plan of management for Rileys Island, Pelican Island, Saratoga Island and Cockle Bay Nature Reserves.

NPWS regional manager Mr Tom Bagnat said that Rileys Island, Cockle Bay, Pelican Island and Saratoga Island Nature Reserves were "protected important areas of estuarine wetland and remnant vegetation".

"The reserves play a significant role in the preservation of endangered ecological communities, seagrass beds and intertidal mudflats," Mr Bagnat said.

"They contain extensive feeding and roosting habitat for a large number of wading birds, several of which are listed on international agreements for the protection of migratory birds."

Mr Bagnat said that all four of the reserves contained areas which were identified as significant coastal wetlands under State Environmental Planning Policy 14.

The plan will be on public exhibition between January 18 and April 21.

Copies of the draft plan can be inspected during office hours at Woy Woy Library on the corner of Blackwall Rd and Oval Ave, Woy Woy.

Copies of the plan can also be obtained from the service's Gosford office or downloaded from its website at www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au.

Press release, 21 Jan 2007 Susan Davis, National Parks and Wildlife Service