Current local issues that ACF-CC is involved in:
- The push by the state government for increased population on the Central Coast.
- Lobbying on feral animal controls (foxes) and domestic animal curfews (cats)
- Pushing to get water tanks on houses in new developments in Gosford.
- Waste and Water problems on the Central Coast.
- Involved in Environmental Garden (+ Bush Tucker) at Berkeley Vale.
- Support for Waterfall Springs, Kulnura wallaby preservation program.
- Support for Burrawang Reserve, Woy Woy management plan by Gosford Council.
- Support revitalisation of Gosford CBD under current zonings(7 storeys).
New website address: acf.ccoast.cc
NPWS has been made aware of new
fox sightings
(eg. in the Wyrrabalong National Park). So far no action has been taken,
according to National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS) Gosford, which is in
charge, because of a 'lack of funds'; but we understand a new Gosford Council
Staff person will take up the running on this.
There are allegedly also herds of
feral goats
on Umina Heights that NPWS has been asked to take action against.
Bush Care groups (eg. Wamberal Lagoon Conservation Society) constantly battle
the
asparagus fern
, which is a very intrusive stranger to the native vegetation. Birds carry the
red-orange seeds everywhere. Council had been asked years ago to declare it as
a
noxious weed.
The same should happen to the
South American firewood
, a beautifully yellow-flowering shrub that, however, takes over from native
vegetation, for example in many parts of the Wyrrabalong Park. Both Councils
have received State Government funds for weed control. People should help by
not planting any or let them escape by dumping garden clippings in native
reserve areas.
Gas exploration off shore Terrigal
We have information and guidelines from the Federal Government, which we will
follow up in due course. At the moment only a collection of seismic data will
take place under strict environmental guidelines for the protection of
migration paths and feeding grounds of any cetaceans (whales, dolphins,
porpoises etc.)
With the new deregulations for electricity supply you have the choice to switch
to any
Green power.
The
Green Electricity watch
(log onto ACF main website and Nature Conservation Council) can help you with
your decision. Gosford Council has decided to purchase 6% green energy already,
and has adopted a 3.5 star energy rating for its Energy Smart Homes Development
Control Plan (DCP) 108.
Water conservation
for our region has become one of the main concerns, with our growing
population stretching the reserves to their limit. Is it really reasonable for
Council to contemplate the development of a
centre of aquaculture
(that despite a recycling system would still use lots of water for
replenishment) – instead of seriously start thinking of further water resources
for Gosford and Wyong Shire for the whole of the population?
General water tank installation (hopefully
closed
systems!) for all buildings is one way to go. Highly water-conserving
appliances should be a must. Isn't it absurd that with the growing import of
cheap clothes from our neighbouring countries we are forced (according to the
instruction) to wash more and more clothes
by hand!
Draft of Council's Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy
– has been adopted after a public exhibition period.
Safari Appeal
Our group donated money towards the solar power project for the medical centre,
hospital, houses and water pumps for the boy's Kenyan village. A private
initiative like this of the Narara couple can only be encouraged!
Schools to come forward, please!
We encourage all schools in the Gosford and Wyong Shire region to apply for our
assistance in any environmental project they may envisage.
