Biodiversity Strategy - Gosford City Council - NSW Government

• Generation and maintenance of topsoil and mitigation of erosion;
• Disposal of wastes and recycling of nutrients;
• Provision of a genetic store for the future;
• Provision of all food and pollination of crops;
• Provision of many medicines;
• Provision of renewable resources such as building materials, clothing, paper and
leather;
• Creation of tourism and recreation resources;
• Maintains viability of industries such as forestry, fishing and agriculture;
• Enhancement of landscape and aesthetic amenity;
• Enhancement of the overall health of the community.
"Biodiversity is also valued by many Australians for aesthetic, scientific, recreational and cultural
reasons" (NSW Biodiversity Strategy 1999). There are also many economic benefits to
biodiversity, including tourism and employment in national parks. The costs associated when
biodiversity is not protected can also be economically devastating.
Despite the rich natural diversity that is currently enjoyed by its residents and visitors to the
area, the natural environment of Gosford City is under enormous pressure. Of the 1400 or so
plant species found in the local government area, over 340 are introduced and known to
become weeds in bushland areas. Of the 70 or so known mammals, 10 are introduced and
almost 40% of our native mammals are at risk of becoming endangered in the future.
Increasing pressures also impact on natural resources including water quality. There are
increasing threats from introduced plants and animals in bushland, waterways and other natural
areas. These compete with native species for habitat and resources. Our natural areas need to
be actively protected and managed to conserve biodiversity for now and for future generations.
Measuring biodiversity is difficult; we just don’t know enough about the native plants, animals
and micro-organisms around us, or about the complex interrelations that exist between them.
Because we don’t have definite measures for biodiversity, the extent and condition of native
vegetation communities is often used as a ‘surrogate’ measure for biodiversity. The Gosford
Biodiversity Strategy is underpinned by qualitative and scientific data that provides the basis for
conservation priorities and actions. (see attached appendix titled Gosford city Council -
Biodiversity Technical Report)
1.3 Who is this strategy for?
The Biodiversity Strategy is intended for:
• The people of Gosford - to engage the community in biodiversity conservation and
to demonstrate Council's commitment to this aim and future strategies to achieve it.
• Council staff – to assist in developing policy, informing strategic planning and
improving management activities and procedures.
• Land managers and business and industry groups of all scales - to involve other
land managers and all sectors of the business community in conservation initiatives.
• Government and non government agencies that have natural resource
management roles and that Council works in partnership with – to ensure clear
direction for partnership activities and definition of roles, responsibilities and future
directions.
Biodiversity Strategy Page 7