Saving Blackwall's lyrebirds

Blackwall Mountain Reserve is a rare and endangered place.
Set amid the surrounding urban sprawl of Woy Woy and Ettalong, it is one of the last remaining remnants of Peninsula bushland vegetation and an isolated haven for the native flora and fauna of the area.
Along with the echidna, the Superb Lyrebird is one such resident and it has now been placed on the "locally threatened" list by the reserve’s trained and qualified bush care workers.
Since the Management Plan for the reserve was drafted by Gosford City Council in 1996, there has been a 200% increase in exotic weed invasion, despite vigilant efforts by the volunteer community group.
Co-ordinator Mr Tony Whitehead says that the group is disheartened by Council’s lack of response to requests for proper monitoring of the area and lack of support by way of equipment such as gloves for bush regeneration projects.
"Gosford City Council has excellent internal policies such as the ‘Precautionary Principle’ of not delaying environmental concerns and the protection of biodiversity but they are not doing enough to implement them," said Mr Whitehead.
"Here we have the last three remaining members of this lyre bird group and while we allow their habitat to be further degraded we are ensuring their demise.
"We have passed on expert opinions from both our own qualified members and the Australian Museum voicing their concerns and suggestions but the Council is just not responding."
A recent grant application for erosion control, track work and education programmes has also been delayed, putting in jeopardy future grant applications and further works projects.
Bushcare Officer for Gosford City Council, Ms Amelia Jones, says that the grant had been a joint project with the Catchment Management Committee, Gosford City Council and the Blackwall Mountain Bushcare Group.
The original grant application was being re-assessed to clarify details of the grant due to the nature of the proposed work.
"There are always legal considerations to be taken into account with such works, with insurance for volunteer workers and Occupational Health & Safety issues needing to be addressed, as well as having suitably qualified people to undertake the work," said Ms Jones.
"The reassessment for the grant is open to negotiation between the Council and Bushcare group.
"Due to the fragmentary nature of the reserve it is unlikely that a wildlife monitoring programme will be carried out as it is unsuitable as a wildlife reserve. There is no funding available at present for such a project.
"An education programme regarding the impact of domestic pets on nature reserves such as Blackwall Mountain is a more likely possibility."
The Blackwall Mountain Bush Care Group meets on the first Sunday of each month and volunteers are most welcome.
For further information, contact Tony Whitehead on 4342 7849.