Biodiversity Strategy - Gosford City Council - NSW Government

A - 7.0 ISSUES FOR BIODIVERSITY
This section considers the factors that impact on biodiversity in Gosford City as
residential and other development in the area continues to expand and pressures on
native habitats and species increase.
Key points
• There is a range of threats that may reduce biodiversity values in Gosford City.
• Major threats include land clearing, fragmentation of native vegetation, introduced
plants and animals that impact on natural systems, degradation and pollution of
waterways, recreational and commercial use of natural resources and climate
change.
• Almost 30 key threatening processes have been identified at state level that are
relevant to Gosford City.
• These threats continue to increase in the area although early detection and action
(particularly for feral animals and weeds) may reduce the severity of future impacts.
• Actions such as protecting and restoring corridor linkages, improving the condition of
bushland and waterways as well as controlling feral animals such as foxes will
improve the chances of survival of native species.
• This is particularly important because of the challenges for biodiversity associated
with climate change.
A - 7.1
Introduction
The Central Coast continues to experience population growth. Increasing density in residential
areas, land subdivision (in particular of rural and scenic protection zoned lands), the desire for
larger dwellings and associated works and the need for bushfire protection all place pressure on
limited land area. Greater population numbers are being planned for with an expected increase
of 30,000 people in the Gosford LGA by 2050 under the State government’s regional plan. As
human activity increases, so too the pressures on native species and ecosystems continue to
escalate. Further, remaining bushland is under threat from a number of other impacts such as
weed invasion and consequent loss of species diversity. Feral and introduced animals such as
foxes prey on a range of native species whilst others such as introduced birds and feral bees
reduce habitat areas by occupying valuable tree hollows.
Figures 7.1 – 7.3
Increasing urbanisation can result in increasing impacts on riparian areas such as this
urban creek in Umina and foreshore areas adjacent to Avoca Lagoon. (R. Lonie).
Biodiversity - Technical Report Page 153