Native plants and wildlife

• About half of the Tweed is covered by bushland (52%, 68571ha). Most of this occurs in steeper areas and outside National Parks. (NPs = 16% area and 29% bush).
• There are at least 50 distinct vegetation communities. Many of these are highly depleted, inadequately conserved or listed as Endangered under the Threatened species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act).
• 80% of bushland has high conservation status. Much of this occurs outside of National Parks and along the coastal strip.
• Some 55 plant species are essentially confined to Tweed Shire and the region supports Australia’s highest concentration of Threatened plant species. There are over 200 significant plant species (207 spp.). Under the TSC Act, one is thought to be Extinct, 25 are listed as Endangered and 29 are Vulnerable to extinction. In addition, some 96 species are ROTAP listed (ROTAP is a national non-regulatory schedule).
• There are over 100 significant animal species (105 spp.). Under the TSC Act, 17 are listed as Endangered and 88 are considered Vulnerable. Over 50 species of migratory birds protected under international agreements (JAMBA, CAMBA).
• The vertebrate biodiversity is comparable to the Queensland Wet Tropics.
• Stott’s Is Nature Reserve declared as Critical Habitat under the TSC act.
• Tweed occupies a unique and complex landform dominated by the remnant caldera of the Mt Warning shield volcano. It is one of the best and largest examples of its type in the world and is listed on the NSW Geological Heritage Register.
• Tweed’s National Parks encompass much of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia (external link) World Heritage Area listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Register. For further information see the Heritage Register

Threats to biodiversity in the Tweed include:

Clearing and fragmentation of native vegetation associated with urban and other development especially along the coast. This issue is an important component of the planning reforms program area. It is recognised at State and National levels as a Key Threatening Process

Draining of swamps and wetlands. This issue is an important component of the planning reforms program area. Recognised at the State level as a Key Threatening Process

Invasion of coastal plant communities by bitou bush and other weeds. Bitou bush is a particularly invasive weed that infests most areas on the Tweed coast. Recognised at the State level as a Key Threatening Process. Much of the Tweed Coast is covered by post-mining regeneration and requires significant intervention to restore it to a near-natural state. For further information please see Weeds

Degradation of riparian habitats by camphor laurel, privet and numerous exotic vines. Riparian habitats have been decimated through out the Tweed and the remaining areas are almost universally degraded by the invasion of these species. Recognised at the State level as a Key Threatening Process. For further information please see Camphor Laurel Trees.

Grazing and disturbance by cattle in riparian and wetland areas. Cattle are commonly able to graze within these sensitive habitats without restriction causing erosion, sedimentation, pollution, physical damage to trees and other habitat and facilitating weed invasion.

Degradation of native vegetation at bushland edges from weed invasion. Fragmentation of natural areas due to clearing creates edges which enable weed invasion and other undesirable influences.

Suppression of native regrowth by camphor laurel and other exotic species - While many exotic weeds persist for the early phases of regeneration, and are eventually out competed by slower-growing but longer-lived native species, camphor laurel is both fast growing and long-lived (300-400yrs). Without active management regrowth forests dominated by camphor laurel may well persist indefinitely

Predation on native fauna by cats, dogs and foxes. These animals prey on many small native mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs. Recognised at State and National levels as a Key Threatening Process. For further information please see weeds.

Barriers to fish movement on freshwater streams. Impoundments and river crossings frequently prevent the normal migratory movements of fish reducing their range and affecting their life cycles.

Competition from exotic birds such as the Indian Myna. This species has only arrived on the Tweed in the last few years but is recognised internationally as one of the top 100 most invasive alien species. It forms aggressive colonies and nests in tree hollows, potentially threatening many parrots, cockatoos, owls, possums and gliders. For further information visit the Indian Myna page.

Competition and poisoning of native fauna by cane toads. This species is also recognised internationally as one of the top 100 most invasive alien species. It is also poisonous to native species (particularly reptiles) that commonly attempt to eat them. For further information visit the cane toads page.

Inappropriate bushfire management. Bushfires that are too frequent are recognised at the State level as a Key Threatening Process. For further information please see lighting fires and permits.

Roadside vegetation management. Large numbers of threatened plants occur along roadsides on the Tweed. For further information see: Roadside Vegetation Management Plan(PDF, 3MB)

Road mortality of native fauna. Cars and trucks represent a considerable threat to some species especially those confined to populated coastal areas. Road kills account for a major source of mortality for koalas in the Tweed.

Other important overarching State and Federal legislation and policy documents that guide biodiversity protection include the following:

• Protected species
• Threatened species
• Native vegetation
• Far North Coast Regional Strategy and Conservation Plan
• State Environmental Planning Policies - SEPP 14 Coastal Wetlands, SEPP 26 Littoral Rainforests, SEPP 44 Koala Habitat Protection and SEPP 71 Coastal Protection
• Australia's Biodiversity Conservation Strategy 2010-2030
• NSW Local Land Services North Coast