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GREEN LEGACY FOR SYDNEY

The National Parks Association of NSW congratulates the NSW Environment Minister for delivering a Government promise to create the Silverwater Nature Reserve in time for the 2000 Olympics.

NPA Executive Officer, Andrew Cox said, "Just as the Olympics commenced, the final steps in the process to create the nature reserve in the Homebush Bay Millennium Parklands were completed. The dedication has just been published in the NSW Government Gazette, formally creating the 48 hectare nature reserve."

"This will be a lasting Olympic legacy, ensuring this unique and nationally significant part of western Sydney bushland is preserved and honours a 1995 pre-election pledge by Premier Bob Carr."

"Silverwater Nature Reserve permanently safeguards a unique part of western Sydney bushland within the Millennium Parklands, right next to the Athletes Village."

"The reserve protects the eastern-most remnant of Cumberland Plain vegetation, including Sydney Turpentine-Ironbark Forest, a listed endangered ecological community."

"It contains the only remaining example in Sydney of a complete estuarine zonal succession, from Eucalypt woodland to saltmarsh, and then to mangrove wetlands in the intertidal zone. In 1991 it was listed on the Commonwealth Register of the National Estate.

Peter Caldwell, NPA Sydney Branch President, said, "NPA efforts which began with a 135 hectare proposal in the Bicentennial year have finally been rewarded.

"NPA has been seeking its protection for 12 years. Most recently, the 1999 NPA Latham Report: Proposed National Parks Additions in the Sydney Region reduced the proposal to 100 hectares after a grassland area was converted to a landfill mound".

"After the Olympics, NPA will be seeking legislative protection of the remainder of the proposal that Government committed to manage as a buffer zone to the Nature Reserve."

Contact: Andrew Cox, Executive Officer, 9299 0000

Peter Caldwell, Sydney Branch President, 9439 4915


KEY FACTS - Silverwater Nature Reserve

In 1988 NPA proposes a 135 ha Silverwater Nature Reserve

Contains the only remaining example in Sydney of a complete estuarine zonal succession, from Eucalypt woodland to saltmarsh, and then to mangrove wetlands in the intertidal zone

Includes more than 157 plant species and the threatened Cumberland Plain Woodland

Is in remarkably good condition having been fenced within the Newington Armaments Depot for 90 years

140 bird species recorded in the reserve proposal, including 40 found nesting

Demonstrates remarkable diversity within an urban location

At least 25 birds are migratory waders such as Latham’s Snipe, Curlew Sandpiper and Red-necked Stint, all protected by international migratory bird treaties.

The only forest vegetation in Sydney’s inner-west suitable for long-term conservation.

 

LOCATION OF SILVERWATER NATURE RESERVE

[map to follow]

 

Some Photographs taken during one of the announcement ceremonies last year: click here.


National Parks Association of NSW