Conserving the unique flora and fauna of the Central Coast for future generations is at the core of Central Coast Council’s draft Biodiversity Strategy which goes on public exhibition today.

The draft Biodiversity Strategy is the first single strategy that combines the progress of the two former Councils in conservation planning and presents a scientifically-robust roadmap for the future of the biodiversity of the Central Coast.

Council Director, Environment and Planning, Scott Cox, said the draft Strategy reflected Council’s understanding of the critical importance of biodiversity to the Central Coast community.

“The draft Strategy highlights the roles that Council plays to support biodiversity: as a land use planning authority, a community leader, and a major landholder and land manager,” Mr Cox said.

“It outlines Council’s administrative and policy framework for responding to the actions identified to progress and implement on-ground change as well as guides Council’s own actions and informs the actions of the community and a wide range of other organisations who together will shape the future of the Central Coast.”

The draft Strategy identifies five key priority targets including the need to:

• plan and manage biodiversity in Council’s natural areas
• ensure adequate resourcing is available to effectively manage and expand the conservation estate
• continue to promote community appreciation and participation in biodiversity conservation
•  protect biodiversity through land use planning and information management
• demonstrate leadership in biodiversity conservation.

Mayor Jane Smith said the community had a strong connection and love for the natural environment on the Central Coast and want to see it protected. 

“We are lucky here on the Coast as we contain a unique, rich and diverse range of biodiversity across the landscape from our Coastal Open Space System (COSS), to our rich hinterland, national parks, lakes and oceans,” Mayor Smith said.

“We share our home with many amazing and iconic creatures including the Powerful Owl, Bush Stone Curlew, and the Squirrel Glider, and other plant and animal species increasingly under threat from urban growth.

“That is why we need to work hard to protect biodiversity so that plants and animals don’t reach the point where they are at risk – and that is what this Strategy aims to do.

“We also intend to increase our COSS lands and natural reserves too so that future generations on the Central Coast get to enjoy the natural environment of the Coast as much as we do today.”

The draft Biodiversity Strategy will be on display at the Gosford and Wyong Council Offices until 11 November. In addition, two community drop-in information sessions will be held on:

• Thursday 19 September, 4-7pm. Erina Library, Erina Fair, Erina
• Tuesday 24 September, 4-7pm. Council’s Wyong Office, 2 Hely Street, Wyong

Residents are also urged to have their say online by visiting www.yourvoiceourcoast.com/greeningcentralcoast

Public consultation closes on 11 November 2019.