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2002 (c) Peninsula Community Access Newspaper Inc

 

Council moves on plan of management

 

Gosford Council officers will initiate moves to create a Plan of Management for the Burrawang Bushland Reserve in Hillview St, Woy Woy, following a meeting with the reserve committee last week.

Council officers undertook to approach the Department of Land and Water Conservation as land owner for permission to prepare the plan, according to committee convenor Mr Mark Snell.

Mr Snell welcomed the initiative, saying the meeting was positive and productive.

"A Plan of Management is important because it defines the purpose of the reserve and sets out specific policies and actions for its management.

"We believe the reserve should be used for recreation, education and tourism as well as for conservation," he said.

An expert report prepared in 1992 stressed the need for active management of the reserve to protect the "recreational and nature conservation amenity" of the reserve.

"The adoption of a management plan by Council cannot come soon enough," said Mr Snell.

It is understood that the recommendations of the 1992 report will be used as interim guidelines until a Plan of Management is adopted.

Mr Snell said it was agreed that the council would remove the majority of the derelict car bodies in the reserve in the near future.

The committee would be consulted about any future work to be undertaken in the reserve by the council.

He said the meeting with council staff occurred after a Council tractor moved logs in the reserve, contrary to conservation management principles, to block vehicle access to the reserve.

"I believe Council staff accept that a mistake was made," said Mr Snell.

"I understand that a directive will be issued to staff that future work in bushland is to be undertaken through the Council's natural areas unit and in accordance with conservation principles.

"We are very happy with this outcome," he said.

Press release, October 16