THE restoration of native vegetation in Bonville Creek is underway with local environmental restoration organisation Envite working with local landholders to manage riparian areas on their property.

Each of the properties have been accessed under the Land for Wildlife program by a restoration ecologist and provided with a property assessment plan outlining recommendations for property management.

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Evite Area Manager Environmental Services Mick Webb said professional bush regenerators have utilised these plans and worked with landholders to use best practice weed control techniques to firstly undertake weed control activities and secondly revegetate riparian areas.

“The landholders are all committed to conservation and ecological restoration,” Mr Webb said.

Evite Supervisor Jason Page said the revegetation of 700 trees had also been carried out.

“Locally sourced native tube stock is planted to establish native plants along the riverbank,” Mr Page said.

“Planting will contribute to stable stream bank, erosion reduction, improved water quality and health and connectivity of riparian corridors.”

Mr Page said primary koala food trees have also been included in the planting, providing food for local koalas and other native mammals and birds for many years to come.

The Bonville catchment area lies within a regional corridor which links to National Parks and State Forest.

Local NPWS Ranger Martin Smith supports the restoration project and said it is the beginning of a longer-term strategy that will grow and radiate outward, permanently reducing the prevalence of problem weeds especially Camphor Laurel in the remnant forests of Bonville and bring back koalas by replacing weeds with primary koala food trees.

Mr Webb said the Bonville Creek estuary catchment system represents both visually intact and aesthetically pleasing tributaries in rural residential areas of the Coffs Harbour Local Government Area.

“It provides the catalyst of a healthy estuary system feeding popular recreational use downstream,” Mr Webb said.

“Swimming, recreational fishing and boating are the major pursuits undertaken within the estuary.

“Sections of the upper catchment are in poor condition especially along the creek bank which adversely impacts estuary condition including the increase in weed species which readily outcompetes native trees for space, soil nutrients, moisture and sunlight.”

To get involved in the restoration project or to find out about upcoming events in the Bonville Catchment contact Mick Webb at Envite via email mickw@envite.org.au.

This project is an initiative delivered by Coffs Harbour City Council, as part of the Environmental Levy Grants Program.