Ecological Restoration - Ocean Shores - Conservation Connection

Property, size and landowner

The ‘Fish Habitat Action’ project occurred on the Ocean Shores Country Club (OSCC), Ocean Shores, NSW. The Clubs property is approximately 91 ha and the project area is approximately 10 ha.

The property is jointly owned by OSCC and Byron Shire Council (BSC).

Period of management

From January 2017 to January 2018

Project location

The project site is located in Ocean Shores Byron Shire, NSW, specifically on the Marshalls Creek estuary which is a tributary of the Brunswick River.

Project description/issues

Numerous projects have operated over time to address weed invasion of High Conservation Value rainforest. Land clearing, logging and habitat disturbance, in the past, has allowed weed species to invade the property thus competing with native plants and their associated ecosystems.

The project is implementing the Marshalls Creek Estuary Plan and aims to improve fish nursery habitat through weed control, erosion control and revegetation of coastal forests and wetlands.

There is approximately 9 km’s of creek front on the golf course which filters and transfers local stormwater runoff from developed areas to Marshalls creek. There is small remnants of native vegetation on the course, including an Endangered Ecological Community (EEC), Swamp Sclerophyll Forest on coastal floodplains of the NSW North Coast.

This project aims to improve native habitat by restoring existing ecosystems, adding more vegetation through planting and implementing erosion control mitigation to protect existing watercourses

Services Provided

Site monitoring, project reporting and educational field days are carried out as well to compliment on-ground works.

Planning and implementing strategic on-ground works in Ecological restoration (weed control and revegetation).

Supervising OSCC staff in certain on-ground activities. Increasing community awareness on issues regarding fish habitat, weeds and threats to native habitat.

Monitoring and reporting on project.

Grants

This Habitat Action Grant was funded by Recreational Fishing Trusts in conjunction with NSW Primary Industries (DPI). It is important to acknowledge other partners to the project;

Brunswick Valley Landcare (BVL), Byron Shire Council, Cape Byron Marine Parks, National Parks and Wildlife Service (OEH), Pottsville fishing club and Madhima Gulgan (local, indigenous Bush Regeneration group).