Determining the distribution of Koala habitat across a shire as a basis for conservation: a case study from Port Stephens, New South Wales

1998 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 186 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Lunney ◽  
Stephen Phillips ◽  
John Callaghan ◽  
Dionne Coburn
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
New South ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Conservation Strategy ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Remnant Vegetation ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Government Planning ◽  
Port Stephens

The Australian National Koala Conservation Strategy recognizes the importance of conserving Koalas in their existing habitat, particularly through the integration of Koala conservation into local government planning (ANZECC 1998). The aim of this study was to define, rank and map the distribution of Koala habitat in Port Stephens Shire, New South Wales. The procedure was to merge the results of two independent survey techniques, each of which was interpreted using a vegetation map specifically prepared for this study. A field survey used a plot-based sampling protocol to determine tree species preferences based on the presence/absence of Koala faecal pellets. Data were obtained on 8 764 trees comprising 19 eucalypt and 12 non-eucalypt species. A high-profile community survey obtained 2 756 Koala records. Koala habitat maps from both survey methods were examined as overlapping GIS layers. Combined Koala habitat categories were then devised, ranked and mapped across the Shire. This study provides a practical and repeatable means of identifying and conserving Koala habitat in existing remnant vegetation over which local government has planning jurisdiction.

The tree species preferences of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) inhabiting forest and woodland communities on Quaternary deposits in the Port Stephens area, New South Wales

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Phillips ◽  
John Callaghan ◽  
Valerie Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
Quaternary Deposits ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Species Preferences ◽  
Woodland Communities ◽  
Port Stephens

An assessment of the tree species preferences of koalas inhabiting forest and woodland communities growing on Quaternary deposits in the Port Stephens area, New South Wales, was undertaken between November 1994 and March 1996. Using a plot-based methodology, 3847 trees were sampled, comprising 15 Eucalyptus species and 17 species of non-eucalypt. Evidence of tree use by koalas, specifically the presence of koala faecal pellets, was recorded from beneath 10 Eucalyptus species and 9 species of non-eucalypt. Tree species preferences were determined by analyses of log- likelihood ratios derived from data based on the presence/absence of koala faecal pellets, rather than on gross counts. This approach confirmed significant variation in the levels of utilisation amongst and between different tree species, and that two in particular – swamp mahogany (E. robusta) and drooping red gum (E. parramattensis) – were most preferred. Increases in the levels of use of other tree species were also positively associated with the presence of E. robusta and/or E. parramattensis. Levels of utilisation of E. robusta and E. parramattensis did not alter significantly in response to changes in their respective densities, suggesting that the relative abundance of both was important in terms of understanding the carrying capacity of vegetation communities utilised by koalas. The results have established the success with which an enumerative approach to the interpretation of faecal pellet data can be utilised to clarify the tree species preferences of koalas. Application of the approach for habitat assessment and mapping purposes is also discussed.

The Crown land accounting dilemma in New South Wales local government

2022 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor Ivannikov ◽  
Brian Dollery ◽  
Leopold Bayerlein
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Financial Accounting ◽  
Local Authorities ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Balance Sheets ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe paper addresses the question of whether Crown land managed by local authorities in the New South Wales (NSW) local government system should be recognised as assets on municipal balance sheets.Design/methodology/approachThe paper provides a synoptic review of the literature on accounting for public goods assets followed by a critical analysis of the official requirements of the NSW government on the recognition of Crown land.FindingsThe NSW government holds that Crown land managed by local councils should be recognised as an asset on council books. However, following an assessment of the problem through the analytical prism of financial accounting, it is argued that councils do not possess control over Crown land and that such land should thus not be recognised by councils.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper covers the legal and accounting framework applicable to NSW local government. However, it has broader implications for other local government systems with similar institutional and legislative foundations, such as other Australian states, New Zealand and South Africa, and these implications are highlighted in the paper.Practical implicationsIt is argued that NSW government policymakers should re-consider the requirement for Crown land to be recognised on councils' books. Local authorities would then be able to save money and time on external auditing, management of land asset registers and the mandatory valuation of land.Originality/valueAlthough Crown land shares some of the characteristics of other public good assets, unique accounting challenges arise due to the existence of a market in which such land could be traded not by councils, but by its legal owner (the Crown). In financial accounting, legal ownership is not considered as the main criterion over assets. However, the authors argue that for Crown land vested with councils, it becomes a critical factor in decision making.

Detection of the eastern pygmy-possum Cercartetus nanus (Marsupialia: Burramyidae) at Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, New South Wales.

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 85 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Harris ◽  
RL Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
New South ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Detection Methods ◽  
Isolated Populations ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Cercartetus Nanus

THE eastern pygmy-possum (Cercartetus nanus) has an extensive distribution, from south-eastern Queensland to south-eastern South Australia, and also into Tasmania (Strahan 1995). Despite this it is rarely detected in fauna surveys (Bowen and Goldingay 2000). This rarity in detection suggested that the species may be characterised by small and isolated populations, and therefore vulnerable to extinction. Consequently, it became listed as a 'Vulnerable' species in New South Wales (NSW) in 2001. Unless resolved, the low rate of detection of C. nanus will continue to hinder the acquisition of basic ecological information that is needed to more clearly define its conservation status and that is fundamental to the development of a recovery plan. An extensive body of survey data for NSW involving C. nanus has been reviewed by Bowen and Goldingay (2000). Among a range of survey methods aimed at detecting this species, trapping within flowering banksias and checking installed nest-boxes had the highest rates of detection. Indeed, one study in northern NSW captured 98 individuals over a 3- year period from within nest-boxes (Bladon et al. 2002). All other studies detected fewer than 15 C. nanus. It is clear that further research is required to investigate the effectiveness of a range of detection methods.

scholarly journals Warriewood

1970 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-67
Author(s):  
Virginia Macleod
Keyword(s):  
Nineteenth Century ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
East Coast ◽  
Aboriginal People ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Early Nineteenth Century ◽  
Southern Boundary ◽  
South Wales

Warriewood is on Sydney's northern beaches, between Mona Vale and North Narrabeen, in the Pittwater local government area.This was once a 'wet' part of the coast. Lagoons and swamps were typical of the northern beaches and east coast of New South Wales. Narrabeen Creek flows through the middle of Warriewood, and Mullet Creek marks its southern boundary. Early nineteenth-century maps mark most of the land between the south-east corner of Pittwater across to Mona Vale Beach and south, including Warriewood Valley, as swamp. The local Guringai Aboriginal people would have found these swamps rich in food supplies – fish, birds, plants and naturally fresh water.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document