The Trust’s 2020 year commenced with the huge success of our Climate Change expert presentation at the Killcare Surf Club with over 150 attendees. Unfortunately our intention to build on the momentum of this event was knocked by the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic which still casts a shadow on our capacity to campaign and hold large public events.
Despite COVID the Trust continued to be active throughout the year. The highlights were: Protection of Bouddi National Park The influx of temporary residents and holidaymakers put extreme pressure on Bouddi during the year. Increased littering, dumping, vandalism and mountain bike damage was a result of this. The Trust continued to lobby NPWS to ensure that significant environmental values were maintained. The Trust also made a detailed submission to the development of the new Plan of Management for Bouddi NP. Killcare Beach Bushcare The Trust continued to support volunteer bushcare activists operating in both the southern and northern precincts of the Council reserve in the dune areas behind Killcare Beach. During the year, Council funding was obtained for weed eradication in the stormwater gully beside the dog car park track to the beach. Regeneration of the gully is currently underway. Bouddi NP Walks To enhance public appreciation of our locality, the Trust organized three well-attended walks to more remote parts of the park to significant ecological and historical sites. Our expert committee members provided insightful commentary. Political Lobbying The Trust continued its strategy of lobbying politicians of all persuasions seeking assurances that essential environmental and ecological standards and compliance regimes are not compromised. A prime focus was the negative implications of the new amendments to the Federal Environmental Planning and Biodiversity Conservation Act. At the State level the Trust continued to lobby for the creation of an E5 zoning classification to protect environmentally significant public land, such as the COSS lands, from developers. Unfortunately, some Trust initiatives could not be progressed during the year, COVID, combined with the Central Coast Council financial crisis stalled the following initiatives: Community Garden at Turo Park The Trust hoped to commence work on establishing a community garden at Turo Park. This will require Council consent and seeking local resource funding as money from Council is now unlikely to be forthcoming. Hardys Bay Foreshore Enhancement The Trust, in conjunction with WTKCA and other motivated locals, have been planning and negotiating with Council to build a new seawall, establish paths and plantings along the southern foreshore of Hardys Bay. New works were on the verge of commencing mid-year until the Council financial crisis was publicly revealed. As a result, there is no timeframe for this significant local initiative. During the coming year the Trust will continue the above activities, particularly environmental lobbying, climate change activism, bush regeneration, community garden establishment, guided Bouddi walks as well as maintaining a constant vigilance for development proposals incompatible with the local character of our unique community. We invite all KWT members to tell the Committee what your priorities are and what issues you would like the Trust to pursue in the future.
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