KAROO BAY SALTMARSH RESTORATION PROJECT CALLS FOR VOLUNTEERS

A subtle yet significant restoration will turn a saltmarsh area of Lake Illawarra into a thriving ecosystem. This collaborative initiative promises to enhance both the natural environment and our local community.

Shellharbour City Council has partnered with OzFish, a not-for-profit dedicated to protecting Australia’s fishing habitats, to deliver a new project which aims to restore a deteriorated section of saltmarsh along the lake’s foreshore at Oak Park, Karoo Bay.

Funded by the NSW Government’s Endeavour Energy Community Grants Program, the initiative is supported by partnerships with Illawarra Landcare, Tullimbah Landcare, and OzFish.

The project aims to create a sustainable and resilient natural environment within the lake. To rejuvenate the ecosystem, invasive weeds will be removed and 1800 low-lying plants will be strategically planted to restore the lakeside estuary which has been identified as an endangered ecological community.

Regeneration activities will be held in July and August 2024. OzFish and the Council are seeking volunteers passionate about conservation to participate in these hands-on learning and skill-building events.

Each volunteer event will feature activities such as planting, weeding, mulching, and litter removal, providing a practical, immersive experience. Additionally, educational talks by experts from OzFish and the Council will enrich volunteers' understanding of local conservation efforts.

If you would like to help restore the saltmarsh at Karoo Bay, please register on the OzFish event page.

Shellharbour City Mayor Chris Homer, noting topical community concerns about ecological sustainability in Lake Illawarra, expressed enthusiasm for the restoration efforts.

“I have always advocated for the proactive protection and improvement of our local natural environments,” he said.

“The saltmarsh restoration at Karoo Bay marks a significant step towards preserving our natural heritage and ensuring a sustainable future.”

Saltmarshes are coastal wetlands that are flooded and drained by the tides. They harbor plants that adapt and thrive in salty conditions, unlike many other types of vegetation.

The vital saltmarsh ecosystems link land and sea, providing productive habitats for various species, such as migratory shorebirds, and supporting both commercial and recreational fishing. Found in the high tide zone, these wetlands play a critical role in maintaining a healthy lake environment and offer crucial flood protection to the urban area.

Identified as a priority in the Lake Illawarra Bank Management Strategy, the Karoo Bay revegetation works form part of the broader Lake Illawarra Coastal Management Plan, aimed at effectively managing degraded and eroding foreshores.

Completing this project will reduce soil erosion and runoff in urban areas, support more aquatic life, and improve water quality.

Mayor Homer added, "We are committed to making lasting improvements to our natural environments and ecosystems so that they can be enjoyed by generations to come."

For more information, please contact Shellharbour City Council on (02)4221 6111.