Cowan Catchment Weeds Strategy

About the Cowan Catchment Weeds Strategy

The Cowan catchment occurs within the greater Hawkesbury-Nepean catchment. It covers approximately 16,430 ha and extends from the Pacific Highway (on its western and southern boundaries) to Telegraph Rd, Mona Vale Rd, the Centre Track, West Head Rd to the east and the Hawkesbury River to the north.

The Cowan Catchment Weed Strategy is a component of a broader goal that seeks to enhance biodiversity within the Cowan catchment. While the focus of the strategy is on weeds, the underlying aim is the protection of native bushland that is under serious threat and increasing threat. Consistent with regional priorities, the impact of all weeds in the catchment, whether existing in urban areas or bushland, is therefore considered in the light of their affect on bushland.

The strategy was prepared by a Steering Committee made up of representatives of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Hornsby Shire Council, Ku-ring-gai Municipal Council, Warringah Council, Roads and Traffic Authority, Rail Access Corporation, the former Hawkesbury Nepean Catchment Management Trust, and the former Cowan Catchment Management Committee.

In May 2001, the Strategy was formally adopted by the Sydney North Noxious Weeds Committee at its regional committee meeting.

Main Objective

The protection of bushland from incremental degradation by weeds is the overarching theme of the strategy.

Although there is willingness by land managers to address the problems, many constraints exist to achieving a significant net reduction in weeds. They include limited financial resources, competing priorities, low levels of public awareness, and a perception that the magnitude of the task is impossibly large.

Overcoming these constraints requires a long-term strategic approach and long-term commitment. The strategy, therefore, focuses on the ongoing education of landholders regarding their responsibilities, the potential to reduce weeds arising from private property and the actions land managers need to take to reduce weeds on public land.

The strategy identifies an equal need to control weed in bushland and urban areas. Both the urban and bushland programs must be based on ecologically effective weed control and revegetation - rather than haphazard treatments that have only short-term effects.

Implementing the Strategy

While a range of areas and species require treatment, three action plans have been developed to meet the main priorities of this strategy:
• the control of Pampas Grass
• the protection and treatment of the riparian zone of the catchment (focusing on the control of bird-spread and other weed)
• the treatment of the North-South Transport Corridor

These action plans are subject to the guiding principles outlined in the strategy. Further action plans will be developed as needs arise.