Sydney North Strategy

About the Strategy

Stretching from Sydney Harbour and the Parramatta River in the south to the Hawkesbury River in the north, the northern region of Sydney is characterised by corridor systems of bushland often in steep terrain through urban areas, and large tracts of National Parks.

Bushland edges are significantly impacted on by invasive weeds, associated with adjacent urban pressures such as stormwater runoff, garden escapes and high nutrient loads.

The Strategy has been developed to be consistent with the provisions of the National and State Weed Management Strategies but offers a greater degree of detail relevant to the region.

Local and Catchment Strategies developed under the 'umbrella' of the Regional Strategy provide direction for the 'on-ground' (ie. organisation, species and location specific) management of weeds.

Given that the majority of the land managed in Sydney North is bushland rather than agriculture, the emphasis of the strategy is on the control of bushland weeds rather than agricultural weeds.

The impact of all weeds in the region, whether existing in urban areas or bushland, is therefore considered in the light of their affect on bushland.

The Regional Weeds Strategy and the noxious weeds brochure "Stop the Spread" were launched by the Minister for Agriculture, Richard Amery at Lane Cove National Park in December 1998.

Main Objective

The Regional Weeds Strategy was developed to provide a framework for the coordinated, regional approach to weed management in the Sydney North region.

The Strategy doesn't seek to impose uniformity across the region or aim to instruct landholders on where and how to undertake weed management, but rather provides a framework for the exchange of information leading to more effective weed management.

Implementing the Strategy

"Implementing the Strategy requires a partnership between all the land owners involved. Without this the resolve of the remainder is weakened." Jack Gregory, Cowan Catchment Management Committee

The Strategy is a living document and is reported on quarterly. Following its adoption by the SNRWC, the Strategy was then endorsed by the respective organisations ensuring commitment towards the achievement of its actions and objectives.