1. Lake Illawarra - Catchment to Coast

The Lake Illawarra Authority (LIA) was established in 1988 with a charter to rehabilitate Lake Illawarra. The condition of the lake is a result of its geomorphology and extensive development in its catchment. Recently the construction of twin breakwaters, channel dredging and associated beach nourishment was completed. Work of this scale on a coastal lake in NSW is unprecedented in recent years. The aim of the works is to keep the entrance open for longer periods and increase tidal flushing. However, development in the lake’s catchment continues with major release areas planned for West Dapto. This field trip will be a journey from the catchment to the coast examining the major features impacting upon Lake Illawarra and inspecting some of the rehabilitation initiatives undertaken by the LIA.

2. Ngaraba-aan Education Trail

Ngaraba-aan is a local Aboriginal word meaning past, present and future. Along the Illawarra foreshore a cultural trail that links Aboriginal and European sites of cultural, heritage and environmental significance is being built to ensure they don’t disappear. The development of the Ngaraba-aan Education Trail is a unique partnership between three aboriginal community groups, the Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority and Wollongong City Council. The coastal trail will be a 9km “educational walking trail” that links existing attractions such as Coomaditchie Lagoon, Hill 60 Scenic Lookout, and existing established walking tracks. Significant coastal revegetation and restoration activities and weed control works are also being undertaken. The field trip will take in key sites of the coastal trail, examining the major features of the trail and revegetation works, finishing off with a showcase of aboriginal artworks.

3. Coastal Escarpment

The Illawarra coastline near Wollongong provides a magnificent vista. However, nature provides many challenges for regulators within the coastal environment. Whilst the spectacular coastal cliff lines and steep slopes provide attractions for visitors and residents alike, including the spectacular SeaCliff Bridge that will be visited as part of this tour. The clifflines also pose challenges for regulators in the management of judicious, low risk development. Landslides have been problematic from first European settlement. Due to the combination of a relatively wet coastal climate and escarpment geology, the Wollongong area is prone to periodic landslides in their various forms. As consent authority, Wollongong City Council is in the forefront of addressing landslide issues. A Development Control Plan is in place specifically for geotechnical aspects of hillside development; and Wollongong City has sponsored landslide research at the University of Wollongong over the last 12 years to keep at the leading edge of the management of its landslide risk. A Landslide Action Plan is incorporated in the Wollongong Disaster Plan (Wollongong City was both State and National winner of the EMA Safer Community Awards 1998-9 in the category of Post Disaster - Local Government organisational stream).

4. Port Kembla / Wollongong Innovations

Port Kembla has traditionally provided a focal point for trade and industry in the Illawarra. Businesses located within and adjacent to the port are working with community groups, governments and each other to take large steps towards sustainability. This tour will demonstrate how industrial precincts with associated infrastructure can generate a rich web of sustainable interactions. Tour highlights include a working prototype wave-energy generator, re-use of tertiary treated effluent for steelmaking and coal handling, restoration of remnant coastal saltmarsh and an adjacent landfill site, constructed breeding habitat for endangered green and golden bell frogs and historical features commemorating the indigenous, maritime and military heritage of the Port Kembla area.

5. Environment Fund & Bush Restoration Projects

Over the past five years, Wollongong City Council has established a $1 million per year Environment Fund to undertake a variety of environmental works across the city. The Environment Fund has been used to leverage matching funds from a variety of agencies including Department Environment and Climate Change, Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority, NSW Environment Trust and NHT Envirofund. The Environment Fund and grants has been used for a variety of environmental programs including undertaking restoration of degraded riparian and bushland habitats at about 80 sites, installation of stormwater quality improvement devices to improve water quality and installation of an automatic water quality monitoring device. This tour will involve visiting a range of riparian and bushland sites showing the restoration works that are being undertaken ,as well as inspecting capital projects to monitor and improve water quality.