Natural Environment of Lane Cove 2nd edition
This easy-to-read book is a useful educational resource for local community and schools. Topics covered include native vegetation, soils, wildlife, European and Aboriginal history, human impacts on their environment and environmental management. The reference list and web links allow readers to explore topics of interest further.
This book is available from Lane Cove library or purchase a copy for $22 from Council's Customer Service Desk, Lane Cove Civic Centre, 48 Longueville Rd, Lane Cove.
The Lane Cove municipality has approximately 90 hectares of bushland under the care, control and management of Council. The municipality consists of a series of ridges and gullies bounded by the Lane Cove River to the south.
Lane Cove’s bushland is generally located along the creeks and the river foreshores in long, narrow reserves which also thread through and separate various suburbs along the bushland lines.
Lane Cove bushland offers a diverse array of flora and fauna. There are around 625 species of indigenous plants among them a number of vegetation types such as wet and dry sclerophyll forest, heath land, mangroves and tidal flats.
Many bird and animal species co-exist with suburban development, bringing native animals close to many people.
Walking through various bush tracks will display the fascinating progression of vegetation zones from tall blue gums and turpentines to the succulent groundcovers growing in the saltmarsh at the river estuary.
Almost every part of Lane Cove is within 500 metres of bushland. It can also be found on private land and land owned by other government organisations.
This proximity to bushland defines the character of the municipality, creates a suburban identity, provides a bushland frame to many views and makes Lane Cove an attractive place to live..
Lane Cove's bushland also has several significant Aboriginal sites. These sites are a very important factor in Aboriginal culture today, and just as important to the broader community. There are a significant number of sites in the Lane Cove Council area and while most of these sites have been recorded, there are likely to be many more that have yet to be identified.
Find out more about local Aboriginal history at the Aboriginal Heritage Office website: www.aboriginalheritage.org
The Wildlife Habitat Corridor Study for Lane Cove Council by Ian McAllan and Danie Ondinea offers information on potential wildlife corridors through Lane Cove.
Sharing the Environment with Wildlife - This brochure, produced by Sydney Wildlife, has information on how to help wildlife in urbans areas.
Help preserve Powerful Owls
Lane Cove Bushland is home to several Powerful Owls. You can help preserve these wonderful creatures that are listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Act by participating in the Birds Australia's Birds in Backyards Program. They are currently looking for interested members of the public to find out about Powerful Owls nesting in the area. Visit the Bird's Australia website.
The wingspan of a Powerful Owl can vary but is roughly 140-150cm.
Managing Bushland
Lane Cove Council has employed bush regenerators since the 1970's to manage remnant bushland. The current Plan of Management for Bushland in Lane Cove was adopted 5 February 2007. This document sets out bushland management policies and strategies as well as management activities for each bushland reserve. The plan covers matters such as biodiversity, cultural heritage, recreational values of bushland, weed invasion, bushfire hazard reduction and Bushcare volunteers.
Plan of Management for Bushland in Lane Cove
Reserve profiles:
Batten Reserve
Bushland Park
Greendale Park
Hands Quarry and Moore St Reserves
Gore Creek Reserve
Warraroon Reserve
Help preserve your local bushland
You can help protect the bushland near your place by joining the Lane Cove Bushcare program! Or for advice about controlling your garden weeds and using native plants, why not join the Backyard Habitat Program.
Help preserve Powerful Owls
Lane Cove Bushland is home to several Powerful Owls. You can help preserve these wonderful creatures that are listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Act by participating in the Birds Australia's Birds in Backyards Program. They are currently looking for interested members of the public to find out about Powerful Owls nesting in the area. Visit the Bird's Australia website.
Bio-security alert - Myrtle Rust
Myrtle Rust is a newly detected fungus that is a serious threat to Australian native plants, particularly those from the Myrtaceae family such as Gum trees (Eucalyptus spp.), Tea trees (Leptospermum spp.) and Bottle Brush trees (Callistemon spp.).
Please report any suspected sightings to council. For more information visit the DPI website.
Feral Animal Control
Council manages feral animals in bushland, such as rabbits and foxes. You can register your fox sightings in Lane Cove to FOXSCAN. View Council's Feral Animal Control information for more details on control of rabbits and foxes.
The Lane Cove River is an important remnant natural area close to the CBD. The Lane Cove River estuary is the tidal part of the river between the weir at Lane Cove National Park and the mouth of the river between Greenwich Point and Woolwich. The estuary is highly valued as it preserves remnant bushland of significant ecological value and also acts as a resource for a variety of recreational pursuits.
Exploring the Lane Cove River Estuary map
The Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) has been prepared in line with the requirements set out in the NSW Government ‘Guidelines for Preparation of Coastal Zone Management Plans 2010’. There are four local Councils, State Government agencies and non-government organisations that play a role in management of the estuary.The Plan contains a series of actions to address the issues of water quality; climate change; aquatic and riparian habitat; foreshore protection; and estuary health monitoring and evaluation. Refer to the links below to view the plan and maps.
Lane Cove River Coastal Zone Management Plan, July 2013, prepared by BMT WMB Pty Ltd
Lane Cove River Coastal Zone Maps
Coastal Saltmarsh is an Endangered Ecological Community found along the Lane Cove River Estuary. It occurs in the intertidal zone on the shores of estuaries and lagoons that are permanently or intermittently open to the sea. In Lane Cove, this vegetation is frequently found on the landward side of mangrove stands, though mangroves can occasionally be found scattered through saltmarsh areas. To find out more about saltmarsh along the Lane Cove Estuary, refer to the reports and maps below.
Saltmarsh Management Tools for the Lane Cove River Estuary, April 2010, prepared by Applied Ecology.
There are a number of other studies on specific aspects of the Lane Cove River, its estuary and its catchment. Refer to the reports below.
Lane Cove River Estuary Recreation and Public Health Facilities Needs Study, July 2011, prepared by Gondwana Consulting
Lane Cove River – Our Backyard, Lane Cove River Estuary Community Education Kit, prepared by T Issues Consultancy & terra cordis, undated
An Environmental Investigation of Sediments in the Lane Cove Estuary, prepared by the Environmental Geology Group, School of Geosciences, The University of Sydney, undated
Lane Cove River Estuary Processes Study, October 2000, prepared by Paterson Britton & Partners
Lane Cove River Estuary Data Compilation Study, November 1997, prepared by Sinclair Knight Merz
Lane Cove River Catchment Stormwater Management Plan Part 1: Issues Report, January 1999, prepared by Egis Consulting Australia
Lane Cove River Catchment Stormwater Management Plan Part 2: Stormwater Management Options, November 1999, prepared by Egis Consulting Australia
