Recent studies have identified areas of Wallis Lake as having exceptionally high ecological and water qualtiy values.

The lake has been found to be home to some of the most diverse sponge communities in NSW lakes and lagoons, with at least eight species of sponges occuring in the southern basin of Wallis Lake. The unique sponges found in Wallis Lake are particularly important as most are likely to be new to science and yet to be formally named. Many of the sponges depend on seagrass/macrophyte communities for habitat, and as Wallis Lake is home to about 20% of seagrass beds in NSW, scientists believe the ecosystem is worthy of protection. As very little is known about the Wallis Lake sponges, it is important that we conduct further research and community education. Council has been successful in securing funding under the Federal Governments 'Caring for Our Country' program to carry out further research on Wallis Lake sponges, and to provide information to the community about how we can protect them and minimise the threats they face.

The project will complete a formal scientific assessment of the southern basin of Wallis Lake, examining the sponge, macrophyte and faunal assemblages found there, as well as completing a full literature review for Wallis Lake. An expert panel comprised of land managers, scientists and key agency stakeholders will direct the project and examine the options for protection of the unique estuarine ecosystems found in Wallis Lake.

Summary of Ecological Information for the Wallis Lake Potential RAMSAR site

Sponges and Ascidians of the Southern Basin of Wallis Lake, NSW

Macrophytes, Fishes and Invertebrates of Wallis Lake, NSW

The Coast Catchments Initiative (CCI) was a Federal Government program that sought to achieve reduction in land based pollution of coastal environments.

Great Lakes Council's Coastal Catchments Initiative was one of eight projects across Australia. The purpose of the Great Lakes CCI was to identify ways to reduce the impact of sediments, nutrients and faecal coliforms on Wallis, Smiths and Myall Lakes. As a result of the initiative, Great Lakes Council produced a Water Quality Improvement Plan. This is the overarching plan for water quality improvement in the Great Lakes area. It outlines the actions required to protect and rehabilitate Wallis, Smiths and Myall Lakes.

To inform the Water Quality Improvement Plan, a number of projects have been completed through the Coastal Catchments Initiative, these include:

• A computer based decision support system which can be used to assess the impact of different water quality management actions on the health of the lakes
• A water quality assessment and planning tool to assist catchment officers and landholders identify where to focus water quality improvement activities
• Economic analysis on the benefits of water quality improvements in the Great Lakes
• An assessment of options for nutrient and development offset schemes in the Great Lakes
• Designs for river bank rehabilitation projects and urban water quality improvement structures
• A survey about the land management practices of rural landholders
• An assessment of the benefits of riparian (stream bank) fencing and off stream watering on water quality and stream health on rural land
• A strategy for water sensitive development and design
• Head of consideration for negotiating water quality provisions with developers

The Coastal Catchments Initiative was delivered in partnership with the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water and guided by an Advisory Committee of community, industry and agency representatives.

This project was majority funded by the Australian Government through the Natural Heritage Trust.

Council has commenced a series of programs and actions to ensure wetlands in our LGA and the Wallis Lake catchment are appropriately conserved, managed and where required, restored.

The Great Lakes LGA on the lower north coast of New South Walkes, contains a series of significant coastal lake and estuary systems including Wallis Lake, Smiths Lake, Myall Lake and the northern foreshore of Port Stephens. The economy of the region critically relies on the health and quality of its environment and particularly and health of its rivers, estuaries and lakes. As such, Great Lakes Council is acutely aware of the importance of wetlands and their ecosystem services they provide.

A recovery plan is being implemented in an effort to protect and assist the recovery of the Hawks Nest - Tea Gardens Koala population.

In 1999 the Hawks nest and Tea Gardens Koala population was listed as endangered on the Threatened Species Conservation (TSC) Act 1995. The TSC Act provides a framework to protect and encourage the recovery of endangered species through the development of a Recovery Plan. As such, the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water developed the Hawks Nest - Tea Gardens Endangered Recovery Plan, which was approved in 2004.

Priority actions listed within the plan include:

• Further mapping of populations and habitat
• Revegetation and tree planting
• The development of a Koala sighting database
• The preparation of local survey and assessment guidelines
• Traffic calming and streetscaping
• The development of an education and awareness program. The education program has a strong community focus and aims to establish effective working partnerships between Government, local businesses and the general community

Click here for details on the Hawks Nest - Tea Gardens Recovery Plan

This special rate was introduced to fund environmental projects/works throughout the region.

In 2001 the Great Lakes Community and State Government approved a rate increase of 3.89%. This has raised funds for environmental management and restoration. Initially awarded for a three year period, the rate has since been extended for an additional five years.

ESR Funded Projects:

• Healthy Lakes Program
• Business Partners Program
• Community Seagrass Monitoring
• Structural Solutions for Urban Water Quality
• Restoring our Urban Creeks
• Water Quality Monitoring (Waterwatch)
• Stormwater Pollution Awareness
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Hawks Nest - Tea Gardens Endangered Koala Recovery Plan
• Vegetation Strategy
• Smiths Lake Estuary Management Plan
• Darawakh/Frogalla Wetland Management Plan
• Gravel Roads Best Practice Erosion Control
• Lower Wallamba River: Rivercare Plan

This project engages and assists rural landholders to protect and restore the environment and adopt sustainable land management practices throughout the Wallis, Smiths, Myall and Karuah catchments.

The Great Lakes Sustainable Farming Program aims to facilitate sustainable, productive landuse in the Great Lakes. Our vision is a viable, resilient local food economy that supports and is supported by healthy natural systems.

We use localised and regional networking, particapatory action learning and action research to help empower land managers to develop locally adapted, co-operative solutions for sustainable agriculture. The program combines facilitated local Sustainable Farming Groups, workshops presented by farmers, technical officers and educators, on farm trials and demonstration sites.

We also continue to assist landholders to apply for incentives funding for Natural Resource Management projects through the Catchment Management Authority.

The Sustainable Farming Program is run in partnership with Karuah - Great Lakes Landcare, with the assistance of the Australian Governments Caring for our Country program and Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority.

For more information about the Sustainable Farming Program, to subscribe to our email list, or to connect with your local Sustainable Farming or Landcare group, please contact Council.

Land for Wildlife (LFW) is a national voluntary registration scheme for landowners who manage areas of their property for biodiversity and wildlife habitat. The program encourages and assists landholders to include nature conservation in their land management objectives. The LFW program is free to join, it is not legally binding and registration does not change the legal status of a property.

Great Lakes Council and Karuah Great Lakes Landcare are partners in delivering the LFW program in our area. There is a team of regional providers to help identify and assess your wildlife habitats and their connectivity across the landscape, enabling your registration with the program. In NSW, LFW is coordinated by the Community Environment Network (CEN). CEN is an alliance of community and environment groups that actively campaigns for ecologically sustainable development.

What are the Benefits for Members?

LFW supports people who manage for wildlife on their property and provides opportunities for like-minded landholders to share their experiences. Members registered under the scheme will receive a property sign acknowledging their efforts to protect native vegetation and wildlife on their property.

How to Join the Program
For general information on the Land for Wildlife program visit  the CEN website http://www.cen.org.au/Land-for-Wildlife/   If you would like to join the Great Lakes program, please download and complete the Landholder Expression of Interest Form (below) or contact Great Lakes Council (Natural Systems Department) on 02 6591 7222.

Landholder Expression of Interest Form 

An overview of Councils responsibility and committment to protecting plants and animals within the Local Government Area (LGA).

The responsibilities of Local Government for biodiversity conservation have been established under the NSW Biodiversity Strategy. Council has commenced the planning and implementation of biodiversity conservation in the LGA through a variety of mechanisms, including the development of a draft biodiversity conservation framework and engagement of a consultant to prepare a draft biodiversity toolkit for the LGA. Biodiversity conservation principles underpin the strategic plans of Council (including the implementation and development of Conservation and Development Strategies and Catchment Management Plans). Further, continued refinement and implementation of biodiversity conservation tools shall be pursued such that Councils obligations and responsibilities in this regard can be achieved.

An overview of Councils contribution and available assitance to voluntary groups dedicated to protecting and restoring the natural environment.

Council recognises the significant contribution of voluntary groups in the care, protection and restoration of the environment. As such, it assists and facilitates local groups across the LGA, including Dunecare, Landcare and Coastcare as well as Progress Associations and environmental organisations. It does this through work program planning, provision of tools, equipment and stock, technical advice, training and provision of funding. Currently there are over 15 volunteer groups operating across the LGA in a variety of projects, including weed management, bush regeneration and revegetation.

In addition, Council administers funding for specialist bushland regeneration contractors and work teams (Greencorps, Conservation Colunteers Australia, etc) in sensitive and important bushland environments including land that provides habitat for threatened species.

Council has a responsibility to protect and restore threatened species populations through sensitive planning and participation in population recovery programs.

The Great Lakes is home to 16 threatened plants, 82 threatened animals, 2 endangered populations and 8 endangered ecological communities. Consequently, Council has a legal responsibility to consider the protection and management of these species in its decisions and activities. Furthermore, Council has key responsibilities, with other agencies and organisations, to assist in the recovery and management of identified threatened species. Consequently considerations are made in all strategic and development planning stages to protect threatened species where present.