Your Bushland Reserves

Bushland reserves are a place the community can connect with the environment and a refuge for many species of native wildlife.  

Community environmental program in Aberglasslyn and Largs

Council successfully received grant funding and NSW Government’s Resources for Regions program which aimed at creating environmental space for the benefit of the community in two bushland reserves that represent important natural areas in the locality and in need of rehabilitation due to their degraded state.

Weblands Street Reserve in Aberglasslyn and Dunmore Road Reserve in Largs, have been identified for development into passive community spaces due to the importance of preserving habitat for native wildlife in the locality and the potential to provide recreational opportunities.

This will be achieved by setting these reserves aside for biodiversity conservation and providing infrastructure to make them more accessible for local residents to connect with nature.

Council has already used the funds to:

  • Remove burnt cars from Weblands Reserve;
  • Investigate the opportunity to establish stewardship sites under the Biodiversity Offset Scheme
  • Develop Bushland Management Plans that will guide the long term management of these reserves for biodiversity conservation.
  • Undertake community consultation to better understand what local residents aspirations are for the future of these reserves and what council can do to make it a reality

Recent planting days held at the site brought the community together and enhanced the vegetation present through increasing species diversity and improving habitat for native fauna. Both events were a success with dozens of volunteers planting a combined 700 native trees and shrubs at the sites.

This project is proudly funded by the NSW Government.

Community consultation
Planned actions

Community consultation revealed that local residents value these reserves for their natural features and the habitat they provide for native fauna. The lack of formed tracks, weed invasion and illegal access vehicles represent major issues.

The grant funding will be spent on priorities raised by respondents:

  • Establish formal walking tracks to improve access
  • Fencing in strategic areas to limit vehicular access to the reserves
  • Undertake weed control to improve the health of the vegetation
  • Build picnic tables and seatings
  • Install educational/interpretative signage relating to the indigenous and European heritage as well as the ecology of the sites.
  • Continual partnership with Hunter Regional Landcare Network
  • Wildlife nesting boxes.
Weblands Street and Dunmore Road Reserve
Dunmore vegetation description

The vegetation covers approximately 5.5 hectares of remnant bushland with a canopy layer composed of scattered old trees but dominated by younger regrowth of Forest Red Gums. Some of the remnant trees are upward of 100 years old and possess numerous hollows that provide important nesting sites for numerous species of native fauna.

The midstory is composed of thickets of native shrubs and other areas of mainly grassy understory. Large parts of the vegetation have been colonised by lantana.

Weblands vegetation description

The vegetation covers approximately 20 hectares of remnant bushland with a mostly intact canopy layer composed of Spotted Gums and Ironbarks. Some of these trees are upward of 100 years old and possess numerous hollows that provide important nesting sites for a large number of species of native fauna.

The midstory is sparse with some regrowth of eucalyptus, thickets of native shrubs and other areas of the grassy understorey. Large areas of the vegetation present have been colonised by exotic species, especially herbaceous weeds and lantana.

An ephemeral creek runs through the centre of the site which provides suitable habitat for a number of amphibian species. This creek runs eastward along Denton Park Drive before draining into the local wetland.

Issues at your bushland reserves
Weed invasion

Weed invasion is a major issue faced by remnant bushland in urban environments. A weed can be broadly defined simply as a plant that is growing out of place, or in an unsuitable location.

Numerous introduced species are present within local bushland and represent a threat to the integrity and diversity of the native vegetation present.

Illegal use of the reserve
  • Illegal entry of the reserve by four wheel drive vehicles
  • Clearing of vegetation and disturbance to soil profile to create dirt bike tracks and jumps
  • Illegal dumping of waste, including garden refuse
  • Collection of timber for firewood.