This is a cross regional project being undertaken by the 5 coastal CMA?s, local councils, community groups and the Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water (DECCW).

The project is designed to implement the NSW Bitou Bush Threat Abatement Plan (TAP) at four sites in the Sydney Metropolitan CMA region to achieve the following outcomes:

• Bitou Bush controlled and impacts to threatened native plants and ecological communities reduced,
• Recovery and protection of threatened species, endangered populations and endangered ecological communities improved,
• Condition of coastal zone ecosystems and biodiversity improved and their resilience to the impacts of climate change increased,
• Land managers and community engaged in strategic control of Bitou Bush to protect biodiversity,
• Awareness of the threats posed by Bitou Bush and methods of effective control increased.  

Bitou Bush has been identified as a Weed of National Significance (WONS), a Key Threatening Process under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995, and the number one priority weed in the SMCMA region. It is causing significant environmental impacts on threatened plant species and endangered ecological communities in the region such as the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub and Themeda grasslands. It also has the potential to spread much more widely along the coastline than it currently occurs.

The project concentrates on managing and reducing the extent and spread of this weed on council land, private land and DECCW ? NPWS managed land. This will greatly assist in protecting the catchments? environmental resources.

The grant funding will be used to employ contractors to control & eradicate infestations of Bitou Bush using best practice management techniques and to conduct new & ongoing survey, monitoring and mapping. The aim is to consolidate & follow up on works undertaken in previous years, by reducing the density and spread of large infestations & to eradicate small and isolated infestations.

Project Progress:

Stage 1 works have been completed, with 8.62 ha of Bitou Bush treated and controlled at Pittwater, Warringah and Sutherland. Stage 2 on ground works are complete at Warringah, Randwick , Pittwater and Botany Bay National Park , with 36.1ha of Bitou Bush treated.

Stage 2 on ground works are complete at Warringah, Randwick, Pittwater and Botany Bay National Park, with 36.1ha of Bitou Bush treated.

Relevant Publications: 

- NSW Threat Abatement Plan ? Invasion of native plant communities by Chrysanthemoides monilifera (bitou bush and boneseed) (2006). Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC)  

- Sydney Bitou Bush / Boneseed Regional Management Plan (2004-09). Sydney Weeds Committees 

- Weed Management Strategy for the Sydney Metropolitan CMA Region (2007-11). Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA)

- Noxious and Environmental Weed Control Handbook (3^rd Edition) (2007). NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI)

Coordinator/Project delivered by: Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority (SMCMA) 

Project Partners: Sutherland Shire Council, Warringah Council, Pittwater Council, Randwick City Council, NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change (NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service)

Funding Source: Caring for Our Country

Total funding amount (including in-kind contributions): $287,182.00

Project timeframe: May 2007 ? August 2009

Status: Completed

Webpage Last updated: September 09