Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland Rehabilitation
Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland (UCSW) is a unique group of plants and animals that co-exist together on the coastal sands of the Umina-Woy Woy Peninsula, and is listed as an endangered ecological community (EEC).
Council undertakes works including access control, rubbish removal, weed control and bush regeneration, community awareness and education which are funded through The Protection of the Environment Trust Management Committee.
A number of informal access tracks have been developed throughout the area at Hillview Street Reserve and Umina Oval which are impacting this vulnerable ecological community. To help protect, rehabilitate, and manage this area - whilst still providing the community with access routes - the track network will be consolidated, and some tracks closed.
Council sought feedback from the community on the proposed plan for consolidating the network of informal tracks and seeking feedback on any other management actions or issues they consider to be impacting UCSW.
Have your say
The community were invited to have their say on the proposed track consolidation plans between 17 March and 14 April 2022 by:
- Viewing the Umina Oval Track Consolidation Plans
- Viewing the Hillview St Reserve Track Consolidation Plans
- Completing the Feedback Form (now closed)
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What is the Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland?
Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland (UCSW) is a unique group of plants and animals that occur together on the coastal sands of the Woy Woy soil landscape, such as on the Umina-Woy Woy Peninsula. It was originally the dominant vegetation across the Peninsula but has since been extensively cleared for urban development. There is now less than 10% of its original extent remaining. It has been listed as an endangered ecological community (EEC).
Why is Council consolidating tracks in UCSW?
Many informal tracks occur at Hillview Street Reserve and Umina Oval. The total footprint of the tracks and the continued expansion is impacting UCSW. Council wishes to consolidate the track network maintaining access for the community whilst maximising the area of UCSW that is rehabilitated.
Why is UCSW rehabilitation important?
Rehabilitation and management of the remaining fragments of UCSW will help to protect the local biodiversity, mitigate urban heat island effects, maintain local character and visual amenity. Woy Woy and Umina Beach were identified as priority suburbs for urban greening in Council’s Greener Places Strategy 2021-2031.
What tracks will be closed?
A number of informal access tracks have been identified at Hillview Street Reserve and Umina Oval which are impacting the vulnerable ecological community:
View the Umina Oval Track Consolidation Plans
View the Hillview St Reserve Track Consolidation Plans
How has Council decided which tracks to close?
Council has undertaken a track audit and considered a number of factors to determine which tracks should be closed to best rehabilitate and manage UCSW. Plans have been prepared showing the informal tracks proposed to be closed at the Hillview Street Reserve and Umina Oval to enable rehabilitation of UCSW whilst maintaining community access.
What previous consultation has been conducted?
In December 2021 Project Officer met with the Burrawang Bushcare and Ettymalong Creek Landcare groups to discuss which tracks they use or would like to see closed. Their feedback has been incorporated into the plans.
How is this project being funded?
The Protection of the Environment Trust Management Committee has released funds held in the Trust for UCSW to Council to undertake works including access control, rubbish removal, weed control and bush regeneration, community awareness and education and preparing management plans in the 2021/22 financial year.
Works will be undertaken at the three largest remaining fragments at Burrawang/Hillview Street Reserve (Woy Woy), McEvoy Oval (Umina Beach) and Umina Oval (Umina Beach).
What is the UCSW Management Plan?
The ‘Umina Coastal Sandplain Woodland Endangered Ecological Community Restoration and Rehabilitation Management Plan’ was prepared in 2007 to identify and prioritise the management actions to restore the community.
How will Council raise community awareness?
To raise community awareness, Council will be installing interpretative signs at the three priority sites to improve community’s understanding and value of UCSW.
How can you have your say?
Staff wish to hear feedback from members of the community on the tracks proposed to be closed. Community feedback will be taken into consideration in finalising the plans for which tracks will be closed.