Illawong Park, Swansea Headland Regeneration Project

Coastal/ Rainforest Site

Project Partners:

• NSW Government

Environmental Trust

• Lake Macquarie City Council

• Department of Primary

Industries (Crown Lands

Division)

• Illawong, Chalky Beach,

Crabs Beach, Frenchmans

Beach, Marine Rescue Lake

Macquarie Landcare Groups

• Bahtabah Local Aboriginal

Land Council

Illawong Park headland: Lomandra in the foreground and Acacias and Banksias behind.

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Background Illawong Park is located at Swansea Heads in the Lake Macquarie City Council Local Government Area (LGA).

The area contains a remnant of wind-sheared Littoral Rainforest and adjoins a Themeda grassland community. Both of these are Endangered Ecological Communities (EECs), with littoral rainforest listed as Critically Endangered under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Threatening processes include invasion of native vegetation communities by Bitou, Lantana and exotic grasses. Weed control programs, involving community Landcare, as well as signage and community education are needed to maintain the integrity of the EECs and prevent further degradation.

Aboriginal Heritage

Lake Macquarie is rich in Aboriginal cultural heritage dating back tens of thousands of years. The people who lived around Lake Macquarie and Newcastle were known as the Awabakal which means “the people of the flat surface” presumably referring to the Lake and its flat surrounds.

Swansea Heads was traditionally called Yirri-ta-ba, and is an important spiritual place with great archaeological significance (a Midden at Swansea Heads was dated at over 8000 years old). Several burials were found there in the 1970s and the remains have now been reburied within the reserve at Swansea Heads. Swansea

Lake Macquarie

Lake Macquarie has mountains, forests, waterfalls, extensive beaches, and a spectacular lake. The lake is a large coastal estuarine lake with an area of approximately 110 square km, and a catchment area of 605 square km. It contains 12 major, and many more minor, estuarine creek zones where freshwater tributaries interface with the saline body of the lake. These areas support a wide range of habitats and uses including nature conservation, recreation, residential and commercial development and rural activities. As a result, the natural environment has suffered a high degree of modification and degradation.

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Heads also contains Mul-lung-bu-la (two large vertical rocks) believed to be two women, who were transformed into rocks in consequence of their being beaten to death.

Much of the Aboriginal cultural heritage within the boundaries of the Lake Macquarie City Council has been damaged or destroyed by past development. It is therefore imperative that when planning any land management project, particularly when projects involve disturbing the ground surface, Local Aboriginal Land Councils are always consulted. Lake Macquarie Landcare is very pleased to be working closely with the Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council so that natural and cultural resources at Swansea Heads are protected now and in the future.

Above: The Awabakal Reburial Site at Swansea Heads

Illawong Park, Swansea Heads March 2008

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Fernleigh Track Green Corridor Project Site Map

Site Information The site is a section of extensive Crown reserve under the care and control of LMCC, zoned 7(4) Environmental (Coastline). The site has a current Plan of Management - Lake Macquarie Coastline Management Plan - Part B: Plan of Management IV Swansea Heads. Landcare activities are consistent with the recommendations within this Plan of Management.

ILLAWONG PARK

Pacific Drive

Track

Crabs Beach

Chalky Beach

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Trees

Acmena smithii- Creek Lillipilly Acronychia oblongifolia- Common Acronychia Allocasuarina distyla- Coastal Sheoak Alphitonia excelsa- Red Ash Banksia integrifolia- Coast Banksia Canthium coprosmoides- Coast Canthium Cassine australis- Red Olive Berry Casuarina glauca- Swamp Oak Cupaniopsis anacardioides- Tuckeroo Dysoxylum fraserianum- Rosewood (Regionally Significant Species) - occurs at Salts Bay Elaeocarpus obovatus- Hard Quandong Elaeocarpus reticulatus- Blueberry Ash Ficus fraseri- Fraser’s Fig Glochidion ferdinandi- Cheese Tree Guioa semiglauca- Guioa Leptospermum laevigatum- Coastal Tea Tree Livistona australis- Cabbage Tree Palm Melaleuca quinquenervia- Broad-leafed Paperbark Monotoca elliptica- Tree Broom Heath Rapanea variabilis- Muttonwood Syzygium paniculatum- Magenta Lillipilly (Threatened Species) occurs at Salts Bay - after consultation with the National Parks and Wildlife Service Shrubs Acacia myrtifolia- Red-stemmed Wattle, Myrtle-leafed Wattle Acacia sophorae- Coastal Wattle Bossiaea ensata- Small Leafless Bossiaea Breynia oblongifolia- Coffee Bush

Clerodendrum tomentosum- Hairy Clerodendrum Correa alba- Coastal Correa Correa reflexa- Correa Hibbertia sp. Lasiopetalum ferrugineum var ferrugineum- Rusty Petals Leucopogon parviflorus- Coastal Beard Heath Melaleuca nodosa- Ball Honeymyrtle Melaleuca thymifolia- Thyme-leafed Paperbark Melanthera biflora- Melanthera Myoporum boninense- Coastal Boobiala Pelargonium australe- Coastal Geranium Persoonia lanceolata- Geebung Pimelia linifolia- Slender Riceflower Pittosporum revolutum- Rough-fruited Pittosporum Pultanaea maritima- Coastal Headland Pea (Threatened Species) Westringea fruticosa- Coastal Rosemary

Syzygium paniculatum - Magenta Lillipilly at Swansea Heads

Vegetation At Illawong Park, a remnant of wind-sheared Littoral Rainforest adjoins a Themeda grassland community (both Endangered Ecological Communities). These communities contain the following species:

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Vines/Creepers Billardiera scandens- Appleberry Calystegia soldanella- Calystegia Cassytha glabella- Devil’s Twine Cayratia clematidea- Slender Grape Cissus antartica- Kangaroo Grape Cissus hypoglauca- Water Vine, Native Grape Clematis aristata- Old Man’s Beard Flagellaria indica- Whip Vine (Regionally Significant Plant) - at Salts Bay Geitenoplesium cymosum- Scrambling Lily Glycine clandestina- Love Creeper Hibbertia scandens- Golden Guinea flower, Snake Vine Kennedia rubicunda- Dusky Coral Pea Maclura cochinchinensis- Cockspur Thorn Marsdenia rostrata- Common Milk Vine Pandorea pandorana- Wonga Wonga Vine Parsonsia straminea- Silk Vine, Monkey Rope Sarcopetalum harveyanum- Pearl Vine Smilax australis- Smilax Stephania japonica- Snake Vine Ferns/Groundcovers Actinotus helianthi- Flannel Flower Apium prostratum- Sea Celery Baumea juncea- Coastal Rush Carex pumila- Dune Sedge Carpobrotus glaucescens- Pigface Cassytha spp.- Devil’s Twine Commelina cyanea- Scurvy Weed Dianella caerulea- Blue Flax Lily Dianella congesta- Coastal Flax Lily Dichelachne micrantha Long Hair Plume Grass Entolasia stricta- Entolasia Gahnia clarkei- Saw Sedge Gahnia melanocarpa- Sedge Goodenia sp.- Goodenia Imperata cylindrica- Blady Grass Isolepis nodosa- Nodding Club Rush Lepidosperma laterale- Sword Sedge Lomandra longifolia- Coastal Mat Rush

Melaleuca thymifolia, growing on a windswept cliff edge at Illawong Park

Maclura cochinchinensis - Cockspur Thorn, revealed in area cleared of Bitou

Coastal Headland Pea - Pultanaea maritima at Illawong Park

Themeda australis - Kangaroo grass

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Lomandra multiflora- Many-flowered Lomandra Microlaena stipoides- Weeping Grass Opercularia sp.- Stink Weed Oplismenis sp.- Basket Grass Samolus repens- Creeping Brookweed Scaevola albida- Pale Fan Flower Scaevola calendulacea- Beach Fan Flower Spinifex sericeus- Spinifex Sporobolus virginicus- Sand Couch Tetragonia tetragonoides- Warrigal Greens Themeda australis- Kangaroo Grass Viola hederacea- Native Violet

Fauna Swansea Headland is home to many birds and other animals. The White-bellied Sea Eagle, listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act, regularly soars around the cliff edges hunting fish, and, sometimes, the Threatened Species, Osprey, does the same. Other raptors spotted on the site include the Nankeen Kestrel and the Black-shouldered Kite.

A pair of Sooty Oystercatchers, also listed as Vulnerable under the Threatened Species Act, regularly patrol the rock platform below the headland. They probably nest on Moon Island, but forage on the rock platform at low tide in search of limpets and mussels.

Humpback Whales, another Threatened Species, can be observed in winter breaching, pectoral fin waving and slapping directly off Illawong Park headland and north to the bombora. Dolphins and Little Penguins are occasional visitors. For all of these species, entanglement or ingestion of discarded fishing tackle is a threat, and it is great to see Landcarers and residents of the Heads carrying a bag on their walks to clean up fishing debris and other rubbish from the shoreline.

Echidnas have been spotted at the edge of the littoral rainforest. It is amazing to find so much diversity in such a small place, and it demonstrates the importance of the local volunteers protecting and enhancing the natural environment of this special place.

Above: An Echinda photographed by the Landcare Bush Regeneration

Team during works in September 2012

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Landcare Groups The Illawong Landcare group formed in 2010 as a direct result of the Illawong Park Regeneration Project, although several community members have been working on the site for many years. Their maintenance and extensive weeding extends from the littoral rainforest zone along the clifftop to the North. Two more groups, Chalky Beach Landcare and Chalky Beach South Landcare, also formed during the project period, and work in the escarpment reserves immediately to the north of the Illawong Park site.

To the south, long established groups, Crabs Beach Landcare and Frenchmans Beach Landcare, continue to work in the coastal reserves, and extend the values of the project.

Project Aims The aim of the project was to commence the restoration of the Littoral Rainforest and Themeda grassland remnants at Illawong Park at Swansea Heads by:

• Engaging the local community in the restoration and interpretation of this ecologically and culturally significant site

• Informing the community generally about the importance and proposed management of these Endangered Ecological Communities

• Regenerating the rainforest remnants by targeting Threatening Processes (invasion of the native vegetation community by Bitou, Lantana and exotic vine species e.g. Madeira Vine, invasion by exotic grasses) and, where necessary, a structured planting program

• Involving professional rainforest regenerators in working with the community in the acquisition of natural resource management skills

• Minimising encroachments by creating a sympathetic buffer zone between the reserves and surrounding properties

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Target Weed Species Target weed species on this site included the following:

• Asparagus aethiopicus- Asparagus Fern

• Chrysanthemoides monilifera- Bitou Bush

• Gazania rigens- Gazania

• Ipomoea cairica- Coastal Morning Glory

• Lagunaria patersonia- Norfolk Island Hibiscus

• Lantana camara- Lantana

• Opuntia stricta- Prickly Pear

• Pennisetum clandestinum- Kikuyu

• Senna pendula- Cassia

• Stenotaphrum secundatum- Buffalo Grass

Crown Lands Funding 2009 Seed funding from the Department of Primary Industries (Crown Lands Division) (then the Department of Lands) of $5000 in 2009 allowed Lake Macquarie Landcare to assign two Bush Regenerators to remove environmental weeds (mainly Bitou) from the core of the littoral rainforest remnant and to remove weeds past the edge to allow for possible expansion of the Endangered Ecological Community. It was important that weed removal rates were matched to the regenerative capacity of the native vegetation community, particularly with rainforest species, as opening up the site to wind and sun in such an exposed position also presents a threat to the viability of the littoral rainforest.

Above: Bitou Bush before clearing work commenced (left) and after shot of the same area showing progress (Right).

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Environmental Trust Funding 2010-2013 Under the NSW State Government’s Environmental Trust Program, Lake Macquarie Landcare received funding in 2010 to continue the restoration of the Littoral Rainforest and Themeda grassland remnants at Illawong Park, Swansea Heads. The three year program addressed Key Threatening Processes and removed target weeds within the EECs and a protective buffer in adjoining vegetation communities.

In Year 1 of the project, primary weeding and some secondary weeding occurred in the area of closed canopy littoral rainforest. Themeda seed was collected and propagated for planting. Buffer areas below the cliff in Illawong Park were targeted for Bitou removal, using a mosaic pattern with Bitou left in strips to protect regenerating zones or planned planting zones from desiccating winds.

Resilience in these cleared zones was mixed. Some zones on the Chalky Beach side regenerated well with Themeda, Lomandra longifolia, Banksia integrifolia, Allocasuarina distyla, Hibbertia scandens, and Cupaniopsis anacardioides appearing amidst masses of Bitou seedlings, which could then be weeded around. Other zones on the Crabs Beach side had no natives appearing so were the focus of planting in Year 2.

A field day was held in October 2010 with 22 attendees (some from Frenchmans Beach/Crabs Beach/Chalky Beach Landcare groups, most from the wider community) and involved a plant giveaway - providing 120 indigenous plants to be planted locally.

In Year 2 of the project, secondary weeding occurred throughout the project site, targeting Bitou Bush regrowth, and small amounts of Lantana and Coastal Morning Glory. 1510 native species were planted in areas of low regeneration in the autumn and winter periods.

Another field day was held in November 2011 promoting stage 2 of the project. 18 community members attended this field day and were given a guided tour of the rainforest, Themeda grassland, Crabs Beach and Chalky Beach. The Landcare Vegetation Officer explained to the group the ecological values of the site and the environmental achievements of the project thus far.

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The track through the Littoral Rainforest was stabilised in 2011 using pine rounds fixed across the slope and mulch. All materials were an in-kind contribution of Lake Macquarie Landcare.

Most activity in Year 3 of the project focused on the extension of weeding into the buffer zones on each side of the Illawong Park Littoral Rainforest remnant. The buffer zones are being extended in mosaics to further protect the rainforest core. A field day in 2013 showcased the projects achievements to community members and political representatives.

The littoral rainforest zone is now in maintenance phase, and is being maintained by the Illawong Park Landcare group with minimal professional input.

Above: Mulched tracks with logs to help stabilise and prevent erosion

Landcare volunteers and community members at a guided tour of the site during 2011

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Above: The Bitou covering the hind dune area below Illawong Park was targeted for removal to create a buffer of weeded area to protect the adjacent Littoral Rainforest

(March 2012).

Below: After Bitou removal, with some regeneration of native plants (January 2013).

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Council Funding

Building on the outcomes of the Environmental Trust project, Lake Macquarie City Council (LMCC) funded two complementary projects in 2011-2012.

The Crabs Beach Midden Stabilisation Project provided $15,000 to stabilise a midden site at Crabs Beach (which is adjacent to Illawong Park). This project involved the following:

• Engagement of Bahtabah LALC to conduct onsite works, and liaise with the Crabs Beach Landcare group to ensure a cooperative approach to the site.

• Retaining existing Bitou at the top of the dune slope, as it was stabilising this zone and preventing open access to the Midden site.

• Stabilisation of the bottom of the dune by planting pioneer species such as Scaevola calendulacea (Beach Fan Flower), Spinifex sericeus (Spinifex), and Carpobrotus glaucescens (Pigface).

• Stabilisation of the area where Crabs Creek enters the beach by planting species such as Carpobrotus glaucescens (Pigface), Crinum pedunculatum (Swamp Lily), Isolepis nodosa (Club Rush), Lomandra longifolia (Mat Rush), and Spinifex sericeus (Spinifex).

• Design and installation of signage making beach users aware of the significance of the site, and encouraging them to use the constructed pathways.

• The planting of a dunal shrub layer with species such as Acacia sophorae (Coastal Wattle), Correa alba (Coastal Correa), Leucopogon parviflorus (Coastal Beard Heath), and Myoporum boninense (Coastal Boobiala).

Future actions (outside of this funding) would include mosaic removal of Bitou, once the native plants are stabilising the site.

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The second LMCC Project, which occurred in conjunction with and on the same site as the Environmental Trust project, was the Themeda Grassland Protection Project. Following meetings between Council officers and interested Swansea Heads residents regarding the need for better management and recognition of remnant Themeda grassland in the LGA, $10,000 was provided for this project. The project occurred in 2011-12 and involved:

• The establishment of low growing no-maintenance species along the cliff edge to reduce the risk to the public. This planting also enhanced the buffer zone of the Environmental Trust project area.

• Engagement with LMCC mowing crews to make them aware that the Themeda grassland was not to be mown.

• Notification of users (those who book the reserve) of the restrictions and penalties for mowing under the TSC Act.

• Landcare (volunteer) involvement in rehabilitation of the site and monitoring of its condition.

• The installation of interpretive signage, illustrating the value of the Themeda Grassland, how the community can help to care for the site and the penalties for mowing without authorisation.

• Clarification with park users that management of the site does not require total exclusion of the park users, only the mowing practices, which poses the greatest risks to the EEC, Council and community.

In 2011 Illawong Park Landcare also received funding through Council’s Environmental Grants which allowed them to install a seat and table to help direct public use to a suitable area in the park (thus helping protect Themeda grassland areas from overuse).

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Above: (Left) Lomandras and other low growing plants help discourage people from getting too close to the cliff edge. Note Themeda in foreground. (Right) Themeda

planted around Banksia.

Above: Signage in front of the mowing exclusion zone which protects regenerating Themeda.

References and Further Information

Lake Macquarie Coastal Planting Guide (LMCC), - www.lakemac.com.au

Lake Macquarie City Council, Sustainable Management of Aboriginal

Cultural Heritage in the Lake Macquarie Local Government Area: Lake

Macquarie Aboriginal Heritage Management Strategy, 2011, available

online at www.lakemac.com.au

Lake Macquarie: Past and Present - History of Suburbs available at www.lakemac.infohunt.nsw.gov.au/library/lhist/suburb/suburb.htm

Native Plant or Weed Pick the Difference Volumes 1 and 2 (Ann Loughran)

Restoring Natural Areas in Australia (Robin Buchanan)

Weeds Australia - www.weeds.org.au

The Lake Macquarie Landcare website - www.lakemacquarielandcare.org provides links to newsletters, environmental programs, grants, Landcare, weeds and trees.

If you wish to know more about this and other projects in Lake Macquarie please contact the Landcare Resource Centre.

Landcare Resource Centre

Cnr Toronto and Five Islands Rds, Teralba, NSW 2284

Postal Address: Box 1906 HRMC NSW 2310

Phone: (02) 4921 0392

Email: lro@lakemac.nsw.gov.au

www.lakemacquarielandcare.org

Lake Macquarie Landcare is proudly supported by Lake Macquarie City Council