VEGETATION MANAGEMENT
The Master Plan lists a total of 52,821m² (13 acres) including old-growth trees with wildlife-supporting hollows to be lost, and under Revegetation and Restoration: This vegetation loss has been calculated using the footprint of facilities only, and does not include the removal of vegetation during construction or removal of vegetation to create buffers. It does not include the impact on surrounding vegetation from changes to ground levels or water flow, or include 'Asset Protection Zone' (fire protection) clearing that may be required in the future.
Urban tree planting: 300 approx. - We ask whether this is appropriate within Fred Caterson Reserve, particularly when more than 350 old-growth and hollow-bearing trees are to be removed for the rugby union fields alone.
Native revegetation: 8,710m² approx. - Area shown contains old-growth bushland already.
Bushland restoration: 130,035m² approx. - Most of the area shown is arbitrary, being along the creek lines and/or areas that have already been restored in the past. This restoration does not replace the types of bushland that are to be removed.
Master Plan - Fred Caterson Reserve Analysis 4.4 Existing Vegetation Habitats:
Fred Caterson Reserve is one of the Shire's largest sporting complexes and also accommodates a significant parcel of natural bushland set within a busy and growing suburban area. The site is linked to habitat corridors that are environmentally significant indigenous habitat for both flora and fauna. Five key ecological communities found within the reserve include:
Sydney Sandstone Ridgetop Woodland Forest
Sandstone Transition Forest
Sydney Sandstone Gully Forest
Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest (*)
Shale Transition Forest (*)
With the fringe effects and impacts of the surrounding development some of these communities are rare and recognised as endangered ecological plant communities (*). The site derives a lot of its character and aesthetic quality from this flora and fauna and it is vital that these qualities are conserved and maintained to ensure its enduring presence into the future.
