Biodiversity Strategy - Gosford City Council - NSW Government

the Central Coast. The returned surveys were electronically scanned to capture all responses
including written text where it was requested. Mapped information was entered manually.
Survey results were provided back to the community through the following means:
• Direct mail to respondents who provided contact details
• A leaflet summarising the survey results (see Appendix 7)
• Articles in the local press
• If requested presentations for the community and interested groups
• Via Council internet
• Though environmental information newsletters and publications as opportunities
arise.
The project created a basis for delivering a range of environmental education and involvement
initiatives, integrated with a range of council management tools. Respondents who requested
further information received lists of local plant species and a site inspection from Council’s
Corridor Officer if their property qualified under the Corridors Project to provide plant
identification and advice on bush regeneration principles. Others requested a Nature Watch
Diary in order to be able to record the changes that they observe in the natural environment
over the course of a year.
Several issues emerged through the responses from the community that came through via
telephone calls, letters and photos. One is the issue of feeding of animals. Many people seem
to value this as a way of interacting with local wildlife. This confirmed the findings of market
research that had been undertaken by NPWS that there appears to be a need to care for native
animals in the community. This is an important area for future environmental education, as we
now know that there are some significant concerns for native species as a result of
inappropriate diet including disease.
Another issue that has emerged strongly is that many respondents identified control of domestic
cats as an important threat to native wildlife. Councils may consider future projects such as an
educational campaign on responsible pet ownership as a result of this response. The response
to the fox brochure was also significant with over 100 additional new sightings as a result of a
request to report foxes sightings. The project highlighted that some residents were not aware
that foxes were an introduced species and that they pose a threat to native animals.
The survey was considered to have been highly successful in engaging a considerable part of
the community in participation in a regional wildlife survey. Feedback to Council, both formal
and informal has been overwhelmingly supportive of this initiative. With over a ten percent
response to the survey in Gosford City and an eight percent response rate for Wyong Shire,
both councils gained a significant insight into the attitudes and concerns of the community
regarding native and introduced animals in our area. The large number of phonecalls, letters
and detailed species lists that have been received illustrated that there is enormous interest and
knowledge in the community on this issue. In terms of community consultation and education, it
is considered that the project has reached and involved a broad audience and that results of the
survey will have some far reaching and important lessons for Council to consider in future
biodiversity management programs and intiatives.
Future projects identified as a result of this project were:
• Need for a responsible pet/ companion animal program.
• Further environmental education, especially regarding feeding of native species.
Biodiversity - Technical Report Page 62