Endangered!

Duffys Forest was listed as an Endangered Ecological Community in the Sydney Basin Bioregion under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 in late 1998. his means that all the native plants occurring as part of this vegetation community are protected including all the trees, shrubs, ferns, groundcovers, grasses and native vines.

It is estimated that only 15% of the original distribution of this community now exists, and given its fragmentation, and numerous threats, the NSW Scientific Committee is of the opinion that Duffys Forest Ecological Community is likely to become extinct in nature unless the factors threatening its survival cease to operate.

What is it like?

This community is an open-forest or woodland that can range in height from 11- 20m. The dominant tree species are Corymbia gummifera (Red Bloodwood), Eucalyptus seeberi (Silvertop Ash), Angophora costata (Sydney Red Gum) and Eucalyptus capitellata (Brown Stringy Bark). Not all of these occur in every stand and other tree species can be present.

This community is habitat for the endangered Grevillea caleyi and other threatened species including Persoonia hirsuta, Tetratheca glandulosa, Pimelea curviflora var. curviflora and Epacris purpurascens ver. purpurascens.

Where do you find it?

Duffys Forest Ecological Community is found on Hawksbury Sandstone Ridges and is generally associated with shale lenses and lateritic soils.

Only two small stands of this community are know in the Pittwater Council area, one in Plateau Park, Bilgola and the other around the Baha'i Temple in Ingleside.  Combined, these stands represent about 1.5% of the total remaining area of Duffys Forest Ecological Community. All remaining stands are considered significant.

Duffys Forest Ecological Community is the only known habitat for the endangered plant Grevillea caleyi.

What has happened Plateau Park?

The Duffys Forest Ecological Community of Plateau Park was the subject of a Local Government Biodiversity Partnership Project, jointly funded by Pittwater Council and the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority.

The project aimed to restore and protect the Duffys Forest Ecological Community by:

• Informing the community about the management of this precious vegetation
• Regenerating bushland, including targeted weed removal
• Ecological pile burns to trigger regeneration
• Minimising encroachments and damage caused by recreational activities and
• Creating a sympathetic buffer zone between the reserve and surrounding properties

As part of the project, adjoining residents were encouraged to become active in the reserves management, by joining the Plateau Park Bushcare Group, reducing their encroachments, and planting local native species on their property.

Residents can become involved by contacting Pittwater Council's Bushcare Officer on 9970 1367.

Duffys Forest Vegetation - be a good neighbour!

Properties surrounding Duffys Forest vegetation play a vital role in the health and ultimate survival of this community.  Creating and maintaining a sympathetic boundary with your reserve will decrease the impact of edge effects. Be a good neighbour by:

• Protecting native vegetation on your property, they could be remnants of this endangered forest
• Planting local natives associated with Duffys Forest vegetation on your property and maintaining a diverse community
• Removing your encroachments - compost bins, gardens and lawn clippings increase nutrients and promote weed growth
• Removing materials stored in the reserve - if you don't want it on your property, we don't want it on public land
• Identifying, controlling and removing weeds
• Educating your children on the conservation significance of this community. Previous damage from illegal bike tracks and jumps diverted funds away from regeneration and weed control works. Damage to this vegetation community is not only in breach of Council's Tree Preservation and Management Order, it is also in breach of the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Substantial fines and even imprisonment can apply.
• Join the Bushcare Group, get outdoors, learn more about the bush and get to know your neighbours. Groups meet once a month. Call 9970 1367.

Updated: 05 Dec 2011