Byron Shire Council has spent five years developing a conservation strategy to guide Council and the community in improving biodiversity conservation across the Shire. The Byron Biodiversity Conservation Strategy (BCS) was developed with limited resources, relying largely on a single project officer to steer its development.
Located on the New South Wales north coast, Byron Shire supports some of the State’s highest biodiversity values. However, it has also been subject to high levels of degradation from agricultural clearing and coastal development.
Mayor Jan Barham said the strategy is aimed at reversing these impacts by providing educational materials, land use planning tools and incentives to guide landowners and Council staff.
“The strategy has mapped lands of high conservation value and wildlife corridors to guide the development of planning controls and increase public awareness of ecological issues,” Mayor Barham said. “Reducing threats to our high conservation value vegetation and habitats will require the control of weeds and pest animals. This will be implemented through the delivery of education to specific groups and by developing partnerships with Landcare and other community groups to undertake onground works.”
She said the strategy identifies land that may require better land use planning controls. Preparation of the strategy since 1999 has included community workshops, research and development, GIS modelling and mapping, public exhibition and submissions and peer review.
In June 2004, Council successfully applied for a two per cent variation to the general rate to fund the employment of a Biodiversity Extension Officer and a bush regeneration team.
“We anticipate that these services will attract further funding to enable Council and the community to implement more actions over a greater area,” Mayor Barham said.
For further information contact Project Officer, Hank Bower, telephone (02) 6626 7135 or email hank.bower@byron.nsw.gov.au
