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The Advertiser
8 hours ago
- General
- The Advertiser
72 buildings in danger: 'In limbo' residents plea for Minns to save homes from erosion
Central Coast residents are calling on Premier Chris Minns to act swiftly on a recent pledge to protect Wamberal beach, as a new report has revealed escalating risks due to severe coastal erosion. A draft Coastal Management Plan (CMP) released by Central Coast Council has confirmed 72 buildings and vital infrastructure are in immediate danger, and a significantly wider area at risk of future erosion and inundation than previously estimated. "This is a clear signal to Premier Minns that we urgently need a viable solution to safeguard Wamberal Beach and the broader community," Wamberal Protection Association president Chris Rogers said. Wamberal is among a number of communities on the Mid Coast, Hunter and Central Coast that have had significant volumes of sand stripped from their beaches due to storm surges in the past month. Stockton, in particular, has lost more sand from the southern end of the beach. Of significant concern to Wamberal residents is a coastal hazard assessment, which forecasts that future erosion could extend beyond Ocean View Drive, potentially breaking through into Terrigal Lagoon during major storm events. "While we welcome the Premier's promise to deliver a sand nourishment program for Wamberal beach, it will not guarantee the protection of our coastline," Mr Rogers said. "It is vital the Premier recognises that successful sand nourishment programs, such as on the Gold Coast and Stockton beach, can only work with coastal protection structures such as revetments or seawalls." Mr Minns told a recent Central Coast community cabinet meeting he was not convinced sea walls were a sustainable solution to coastal erosion. Instead, he argued that sand renourishment programs, such as those under way in Newcastle, were a better solution. The draft CMP forecasts the coastal erosion limit reaching Terrigal Lagoon by 2070 in a one-in-a-hundred-year storm event. "This isn't just about beachfront homes. It's about protecting an entire suburb," Mr Rogers said. A state government spokeswoman said the ministers for the Central Coast, environment and recovery met with the Central Coast Council mayor and general manager on May 15 to determine how the government could support the council and landowners to undertake emergency protection works at Entrance North and Wamberal. "Following subsequent meetings between state and council officials, the NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin signed a reconstruction area order on Wednesday, May 21. This order applies only to areas where erosion has impacted properties in the Entrance North and at Wamberal," she said. "Under the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, the order enables the possible use of ministerial powers which could allow for Central Coast Council to undertake temporary emergency coastal erosion protection works." The spokeswoman said the proposed scope of temporary protection works and the carrying out of such works are matters for Central Coast Council and affected landowners. "Council has procured its own technical advice to develop a possible scope of works. Council will work with landowners on this proposal, as is appropriate," she said. But Mr Rogers said Wamberal residents were still unable to carry out authorised emergency works to stabilise vulnerable coastal banks, despite Ms Saffin having signed the reconstruction order. "We have a plan developed by the well-regarded Gold Coast coastal engineer, Angus Jackson, for low-impact emergency works funded by residents and designed to protect public safety. But we remain in limbo as the council has yet to properly brief the minister so the relevant powers under the Reconstruction Authority Act can be activated," Mr Rogers said. "We're calling on Premier Minns to break the deadlock that's preventing urgent works from going ahead." Central Coast residents are calling on Premier Chris Minns to act swiftly on a recent pledge to protect Wamberal beach, as a new report has revealed escalating risks due to severe coastal erosion. A draft Coastal Management Plan (CMP) released by Central Coast Council has confirmed 72 buildings and vital infrastructure are in immediate danger, and a significantly wider area at risk of future erosion and inundation than previously estimated. "This is a clear signal to Premier Minns that we urgently need a viable solution to safeguard Wamberal Beach and the broader community," Wamberal Protection Association president Chris Rogers said. Wamberal is among a number of communities on the Mid Coast, Hunter and Central Coast that have had significant volumes of sand stripped from their beaches due to storm surges in the past month. Stockton, in particular, has lost more sand from the southern end of the beach. Of significant concern to Wamberal residents is a coastal hazard assessment, which forecasts that future erosion could extend beyond Ocean View Drive, potentially breaking through into Terrigal Lagoon during major storm events. "While we welcome the Premier's promise to deliver a sand nourishment program for Wamberal beach, it will not guarantee the protection of our coastline," Mr Rogers said. "It is vital the Premier recognises that successful sand nourishment programs, such as on the Gold Coast and Stockton beach, can only work with coastal protection structures such as revetments or seawalls." Mr Minns told a recent Central Coast community cabinet meeting he was not convinced sea walls were a sustainable solution to coastal erosion. Instead, he argued that sand renourishment programs, such as those under way in Newcastle, were a better solution. The draft CMP forecasts the coastal erosion limit reaching Terrigal Lagoon by 2070 in a one-in-a-hundred-year storm event. "This isn't just about beachfront homes. It's about protecting an entire suburb," Mr Rogers said. A state government spokeswoman said the ministers for the Central Coast, environment and recovery met with the Central Coast Council mayor and general manager on May 15 to determine how the government could support the council and landowners to undertake emergency protection works at Entrance North and Wamberal. "Following subsequent meetings between state and council officials, the NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin signed a reconstruction area order on Wednesday, May 21. This order applies only to areas where erosion has impacted properties in the Entrance North and at Wamberal," she said. "Under the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, the order enables the possible use of ministerial powers which could allow for Central Coast Council to undertake temporary emergency coastal erosion protection works." The spokeswoman said the proposed scope of temporary protection works and the carrying out of such works are matters for Central Coast Council and affected landowners. "Council has procured its own technical advice to develop a possible scope of works. Council will work with landowners on this proposal, as is appropriate," she said. But Mr Rogers said Wamberal residents were still unable to carry out authorised emergency works to stabilise vulnerable coastal banks, despite Ms Saffin having signed the reconstruction order. "We have a plan developed by the well-regarded Gold Coast coastal engineer, Angus Jackson, for low-impact emergency works funded by residents and designed to protect public safety. But we remain in limbo as the council has yet to properly brief the minister so the relevant powers under the Reconstruction Authority Act can be activated," Mr Rogers said. "We're calling on Premier Minns to break the deadlock that's preventing urgent works from going ahead." Central Coast residents are calling on Premier Chris Minns to act swiftly on a recent pledge to protect Wamberal beach, as a new report has revealed escalating risks due to severe coastal erosion. A draft Coastal Management Plan (CMP) released by Central Coast Council has confirmed 72 buildings and vital infrastructure are in immediate danger, and a significantly wider area at risk of future erosion and inundation than previously estimated. "This is a clear signal to Premier Minns that we urgently need a viable solution to safeguard Wamberal Beach and the broader community," Wamberal Protection Association president Chris Rogers said. Wamberal is among a number of communities on the Mid Coast, Hunter and Central Coast that have had significant volumes of sand stripped from their beaches due to storm surges in the past month. Stockton, in particular, has lost more sand from the southern end of the beach. Of significant concern to Wamberal residents is a coastal hazard assessment, which forecasts that future erosion could extend beyond Ocean View Drive, potentially breaking through into Terrigal Lagoon during major storm events. "While we welcome the Premier's promise to deliver a sand nourishment program for Wamberal beach, it will not guarantee the protection of our coastline," Mr Rogers said. "It is vital the Premier recognises that successful sand nourishment programs, such as on the Gold Coast and Stockton beach, can only work with coastal protection structures such as revetments or seawalls." Mr Minns told a recent Central Coast community cabinet meeting he was not convinced sea walls were a sustainable solution to coastal erosion. Instead, he argued that sand renourishment programs, such as those under way in Newcastle, were a better solution. The draft CMP forecasts the coastal erosion limit reaching Terrigal Lagoon by 2070 in a one-in-a-hundred-year storm event. "This isn't just about beachfront homes. It's about protecting an entire suburb," Mr Rogers said. A state government spokeswoman said the ministers for the Central Coast, environment and recovery met with the Central Coast Council mayor and general manager on May 15 to determine how the government could support the council and landowners to undertake emergency protection works at Entrance North and Wamberal. "Following subsequent meetings between state and council officials, the NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin signed a reconstruction area order on Wednesday, May 21. This order applies only to areas where erosion has impacted properties in the Entrance North and at Wamberal," she said. "Under the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, the order enables the possible use of ministerial powers which could allow for Central Coast Council to undertake temporary emergency coastal erosion protection works." The spokeswoman said the proposed scope of temporary protection works and the carrying out of such works are matters for Central Coast Council and affected landowners. "Council has procured its own technical advice to develop a possible scope of works. Council will work with landowners on this proposal, as is appropriate," she said. But Mr Rogers said Wamberal residents were still unable to carry out authorised emergency works to stabilise vulnerable coastal banks, despite Ms Saffin having signed the reconstruction order. "We have a plan developed by the well-regarded Gold Coast coastal engineer, Angus Jackson, for low-impact emergency works funded by residents and designed to protect public safety. But we remain in limbo as the council has yet to properly brief the minister so the relevant powers under the Reconstruction Authority Act can be activated," Mr Rogers said. "We're calling on Premier Minns to break the deadlock that's preventing urgent works from going ahead." Central Coast residents are calling on Premier Chris Minns to act swiftly on a recent pledge to protect Wamberal beach, as a new report has revealed escalating risks due to severe coastal erosion. A draft Coastal Management Plan (CMP) released by Central Coast Council has confirmed 72 buildings and vital infrastructure are in immediate danger, and a significantly wider area at risk of future erosion and inundation than previously estimated. "This is a clear signal to Premier Minns that we urgently need a viable solution to safeguard Wamberal Beach and the broader community," Wamberal Protection Association president Chris Rogers said. Wamberal is among a number of communities on the Mid Coast, Hunter and Central Coast that have had significant volumes of sand stripped from their beaches due to storm surges in the past month. Stockton, in particular, has lost more sand from the southern end of the beach. Of significant concern to Wamberal residents is a coastal hazard assessment, which forecasts that future erosion could extend beyond Ocean View Drive, potentially breaking through into Terrigal Lagoon during major storm events. "While we welcome the Premier's promise to deliver a sand nourishment program for Wamberal beach, it will not guarantee the protection of our coastline," Mr Rogers said. "It is vital the Premier recognises that successful sand nourishment programs, such as on the Gold Coast and Stockton beach, can only work with coastal protection structures such as revetments or seawalls." Mr Minns told a recent Central Coast community cabinet meeting he was not convinced sea walls were a sustainable solution to coastal erosion. Instead, he argued that sand renourishment programs, such as those under way in Newcastle, were a better solution. The draft CMP forecasts the coastal erosion limit reaching Terrigal Lagoon by 2070 in a one-in-a-hundred-year storm event. "This isn't just about beachfront homes. It's about protecting an entire suburb," Mr Rogers said. A state government spokeswoman said the ministers for the Central Coast, environment and recovery met with the Central Coast Council mayor and general manager on May 15 to determine how the government could support the council and landowners to undertake emergency protection works at Entrance North and Wamberal. "Following subsequent meetings between state and council officials, the NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin signed a reconstruction area order on Wednesday, May 21. This order applies only to areas where erosion has impacted properties in the Entrance North and at Wamberal," she said. "Under the NSW Reconstruction Authority Act 2022, the order enables the possible use of ministerial powers which could allow for Central Coast Council to undertake temporary emergency coastal erosion protection works." The spokeswoman said the proposed scope of temporary protection works and the carrying out of such works are matters for Central Coast Council and affected landowners. "Council has procured its own technical advice to develop a possible scope of works. Council will work with landowners on this proposal, as is appropriate," she said. But Mr Rogers said Wamberal residents were still unable to carry out authorised emergency works to stabilise vulnerable coastal banks, despite Ms Saffin having signed the reconstruction order. "We have a plan developed by the well-regarded Gold Coast coastal engineer, Angus Jackson, for low-impact emergency works funded by residents and designed to protect public safety. But we remain in limbo as the council has yet to properly brief the minister so the relevant powers under the Reconstruction Authority Act can be activated," Mr Rogers said. "We're calling on Premier Minns to break the deadlock that's preventing urgent works from going ahead."
The Advertiser
20-05-2025
- Climate
- The Advertiser
Fragile coastline cops another beating as nervous property owners look on
The region's fragile coastline has taken another battering as nervous property owners and councils brace for the fallout from this week's wild weather. Strong and gusty winds and elevated east to southeasterly waves are expected to persist between the Hunter and Mid North coasts until the end of the week. Erosion control measures at Stockton have withstood the worst of the wild weather, however, other parts of the coast have been severely damaged. Midcoast Council crews were forced to launch yet another rescue operation at Jimmys Beach as waves gnawed away at the thin strip of sand protecting homes along the Boulevard. "There are some concerns for erosion at Jimmys Beach with the direction of the swell having an impact," a MidCoast Council spokesman said. "At this stage there hasn't been severe coastal erosion from this event. The wall has been exposed since the last weather event." Trucks recently dumped approximately 20,000 cubic metres of sand on the beach to shore-up the erosion hotspot. While most of the sand has been swept away, it helped prevent a repeat of the events of April 2021 and August 2024 when an estimated six metres of foreshore was stripped from the beach within 24 hours. The cost of repairing and protecting coastal areas can vary widely, with sand nourishment potentially costing between $15 and $30 per cubic meter. "Sand that was placed on the beach following the previous storm was shifted by the swells after less than a week," the council spokesman said. "As a result, the erosion is back to the part of the stabilised gravel wall but not threatening its integrity or behind it at this stage. "We will continue to monitor the conditions over this week." Meanwhile, a two-kilometre pipeline designed to pump sand from a stockpile at Winda Woppa to 10 points along the beach sits idle. South of the Hunter, powerful seas continued to pound beaches at Wamberal and North Entrance. More than 50 beachfront homes in the area have been exposed to the effects of coastal erosion in recent years. Central Coast Council has met with multiple government ministers and officials about the impact of coastal erosion on the region. "The NSW government will continue to work with council and the federal government to consider options for longer-term solutions for coastal erosion," a state government spokesperson said. In an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, the council discussed using powers under Section 124 of the Local Government Act, which would allow residents facing an immediate threat to their property to do emergency coastal protection work without a development application. An estimated $25 billion worth of NSW coastal property is at risk, according to the Insurance Council of Australia. It estimates about $30 billion would need to be invested to fully protect the coastline. The region's fragile coastline has taken another battering as nervous property owners and councils brace for the fallout from this week's wild weather. Strong and gusty winds and elevated east to southeasterly waves are expected to persist between the Hunter and Mid North coasts until the end of the week. Erosion control measures at Stockton have withstood the worst of the wild weather, however, other parts of the coast have been severely damaged. Midcoast Council crews were forced to launch yet another rescue operation at Jimmys Beach as waves gnawed away at the thin strip of sand protecting homes along the Boulevard. "There are some concerns for erosion at Jimmys Beach with the direction of the swell having an impact," a MidCoast Council spokesman said. "At this stage there hasn't been severe coastal erosion from this event. The wall has been exposed since the last weather event." Trucks recently dumped approximately 20,000 cubic metres of sand on the beach to shore-up the erosion hotspot. While most of the sand has been swept away, it helped prevent a repeat of the events of April 2021 and August 2024 when an estimated six metres of foreshore was stripped from the beach within 24 hours. The cost of repairing and protecting coastal areas can vary widely, with sand nourishment potentially costing between $15 and $30 per cubic meter. "Sand that was placed on the beach following the previous storm was shifted by the swells after less than a week," the council spokesman said. "As a result, the erosion is back to the part of the stabilised gravel wall but not threatening its integrity or behind it at this stage. "We will continue to monitor the conditions over this week." Meanwhile, a two-kilometre pipeline designed to pump sand from a stockpile at Winda Woppa to 10 points along the beach sits idle. South of the Hunter, powerful seas continued to pound beaches at Wamberal and North Entrance. More than 50 beachfront homes in the area have been exposed to the effects of coastal erosion in recent years. Central Coast Council has met with multiple government ministers and officials about the impact of coastal erosion on the region. "The NSW government will continue to work with council and the federal government to consider options for longer-term solutions for coastal erosion," a state government spokesperson said. In an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, the council discussed using powers under Section 124 of the Local Government Act, which would allow residents facing an immediate threat to their property to do emergency coastal protection work without a development application. An estimated $25 billion worth of NSW coastal property is at risk, according to the Insurance Council of Australia. It estimates about $30 billion would need to be invested to fully protect the coastline. The region's fragile coastline has taken another battering as nervous property owners and councils brace for the fallout from this week's wild weather. Strong and gusty winds and elevated east to southeasterly waves are expected to persist between the Hunter and Mid North coasts until the end of the week. Erosion control measures at Stockton have withstood the worst of the wild weather, however, other parts of the coast have been severely damaged. Midcoast Council crews were forced to launch yet another rescue operation at Jimmys Beach as waves gnawed away at the thin strip of sand protecting homes along the Boulevard. "There are some concerns for erosion at Jimmys Beach with the direction of the swell having an impact," a MidCoast Council spokesman said. "At this stage there hasn't been severe coastal erosion from this event. The wall has been exposed since the last weather event." Trucks recently dumped approximately 20,000 cubic metres of sand on the beach to shore-up the erosion hotspot. While most of the sand has been swept away, it helped prevent a repeat of the events of April 2021 and August 2024 when an estimated six metres of foreshore was stripped from the beach within 24 hours. The cost of repairing and protecting coastal areas can vary widely, with sand nourishment potentially costing between $15 and $30 per cubic meter. "Sand that was placed on the beach following the previous storm was shifted by the swells after less than a week," the council spokesman said. "As a result, the erosion is back to the part of the stabilised gravel wall but not threatening its integrity or behind it at this stage. "We will continue to monitor the conditions over this week." Meanwhile, a two-kilometre pipeline designed to pump sand from a stockpile at Winda Woppa to 10 points along the beach sits idle. South of the Hunter, powerful seas continued to pound beaches at Wamberal and North Entrance. More than 50 beachfront homes in the area have been exposed to the effects of coastal erosion in recent years. Central Coast Council has met with multiple government ministers and officials about the impact of coastal erosion on the region. "The NSW government will continue to work with council and the federal government to consider options for longer-term solutions for coastal erosion," a state government spokesperson said. In an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, the council discussed using powers under Section 124 of the Local Government Act, which would allow residents facing an immediate threat to their property to do emergency coastal protection work without a development application. An estimated $25 billion worth of NSW coastal property is at risk, according to the Insurance Council of Australia. It estimates about $30 billion would need to be invested to fully protect the coastline. The region's fragile coastline has taken another battering as nervous property owners and councils brace for the fallout from this week's wild weather. Strong and gusty winds and elevated east to southeasterly waves are expected to persist between the Hunter and Mid North coasts until the end of the week. Erosion control measures at Stockton have withstood the worst of the wild weather, however, other parts of the coast have been severely damaged. Midcoast Council crews were forced to launch yet another rescue operation at Jimmys Beach as waves gnawed away at the thin strip of sand protecting homes along the Boulevard. "There are some concerns for erosion at Jimmys Beach with the direction of the swell having an impact," a MidCoast Council spokesman said. "At this stage there hasn't been severe coastal erosion from this event. The wall has been exposed since the last weather event." Trucks recently dumped approximately 20,000 cubic metres of sand on the beach to shore-up the erosion hotspot. While most of the sand has been swept away, it helped prevent a repeat of the events of April 2021 and August 2024 when an estimated six metres of foreshore was stripped from the beach within 24 hours. The cost of repairing and protecting coastal areas can vary widely, with sand nourishment potentially costing between $15 and $30 per cubic meter. "Sand that was placed on the beach following the previous storm was shifted by the swells after less than a week," the council spokesman said. "As a result, the erosion is back to the part of the stabilised gravel wall but not threatening its integrity or behind it at this stage. "We will continue to monitor the conditions over this week." Meanwhile, a two-kilometre pipeline designed to pump sand from a stockpile at Winda Woppa to 10 points along the beach sits idle. South of the Hunter, powerful seas continued to pound beaches at Wamberal and North Entrance. More than 50 beachfront homes in the area have been exposed to the effects of coastal erosion in recent years. Central Coast Council has met with multiple government ministers and officials about the impact of coastal erosion on the region. "The NSW government will continue to work with council and the federal government to consider options for longer-term solutions for coastal erosion," a state government spokesperson said. In an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, the council discussed using powers under Section 124 of the Local Government Act, which would allow residents facing an immediate threat to their property to do emergency coastal protection work without a development application. An estimated $25 billion worth of NSW coastal property is at risk, according to the Insurance Council of Australia. It estimates about $30 billion would need to be invested to fully protect the coastline.
Miami Herald
07-05-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
Tiny creature — with ‘invisible' eggs — marks amazing comeback on Australia coast
World Tiny creature — with 'invisible' eggs — marks amazing comeback on Australia coast On the beaches of New South Wales, Australia, a small creature is making a record-breaking comeback. Bailey Rytenskild via Unsplash As spring approaches in the Southern Hemisphere, a group of little birds make a long journey. Little terns, a small seabird, travel hundreds or even thousands of miles across the ocean to land on the beaches of Australia to breed. This year, they came in record numbers. 'Little terns in (New South Wales) have experienced another great breeding season, with more than 900 nests counted across the state, the second-highest number in 24 years,' wildlife officials said in a May 5 news release from the environment and heritage department. There were 24 nesting sites found along the coast, including nests from 485 breeding pairs, officials said. This was a jump from the year before, which saw 430 breeding pairs. 'This incredible number of breeding pairs resulted in an estimated 510 fledglings, making it the highest count of fledglings recorded and a substantial jump from last year's figure of around 370,' officials said. Little terns nest right on the beach, and their eggs become nearly invisible in the sand. Andrew Robinson/Central Coast Council New South Wales Government Little terns face threats similar to other beach-nesting birds, including native and invasive predators, being crushed or disturbed by vehicles or people, and flooding of their nesting sites, according to the release. 'Beach-nesting birds, like little terns, lay eggs directly on the sand where they are so well camouflaged, they become almost invisible, making them vulnerable to beach visitors,' officials said. 'It's important beach goers understand the impact they can have on the breeding season of these endangered birds over spring and summer every year.' The nests were counted by an army of volunteers, park staff, local councils, land managers and contractors who conducted 5,000 observations this season, officials said. 'Despite these promising numbers, these birds remain on the edge, and continued efforts are vital to protect them along our coast, and every person can play a role in making a difference,' said Trish Harrup, the acting deputy secretary of the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, in the release. New South Wales is an Australian state on the southeastern coast of the country. Irene Wright McClatchy DC Email this person Irene Wright is a McClatchy Real-Time reporter. She earned a B.A. in ecology and an M.A. in health and medical journalism from the University of Georgia and is now based in Atlanta. Irene previously worked as a business reporter at The Dallas Morning News.
ABC News
06-05-2025
- General
- ABC News
Endangered little terns record highly successful NSW breeding season
The endangered little tern has experienced one of its best recorded breeding seasons across New South Wales, sparking hope among conservationists. Each spring, the small seabirds migrate thousands of kilometres across the ocean from East and South-east Asia to nest on Australian shores. They lay eggs directly on the sand where they are so well camouflaged they become almost invisible, making them vulnerable to beach visitors and cars. They are also at risk from predators, flooding and, adverse weather conditions. For the past 25 years, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has been involved in trying to conserve and monitor the species. The NPWS said since 2019 the breeding population had more than doubled. NPWS North Coast Branch threatened species project officer Kaitlyn York said in the most recent breeding season, more than 900 nests were recorded across the state, which was the second-highest number recorded in the past 24 years of monitoring. Little tern chicks can be easily missed on the sand, leaving them vulnerable. ( Supplied: Andrew Wilkinson ) "It was an incredible year for the birds. We also counted at least 485 breeding pairs," she said. "That's a jump from last year's 430 breeding pairs, which was an increase on the previous year." The high number of breeding pairs resulted in an estimated 510 fledglings, the highest count of fledglings recorded and a jump from last year's figure of around 370. "This is a really positive result, that we will keep checking on every year," Ms York said. "There's a lot of effort going into the monitoring of these birds, and then, of course, the threat management." Stand-out breeding sites Nests were spotted at 24 sites along the NSW coast, ranging from Wilsons Head in Yuraygir National Park in the Grafton area on the North Coast to Merimbula on the far South Coast. "The birds are very particular in where they choose to nest, there can be stretches of coast where there are no nesting birds," Ms York said. A Conjola little tern nest. ( Supplied: Anne Mueller ) Ms York said Karagi Point on the Central Coast was a stand-out breeding site, where almost 45 per cent of the state's little tern fledglings were hatched in the last season. The NPWS said the Central Coast Council's "exemplary management" of the site was key to the breeding success. Sites at Lake Conjola and Lake Wollumboola on the South Coast also experienced positive results, as did sites on the Mid North Coast. "Red Rock had a really good year, just north of Coffs Harbour, and one fledgling came out of a site called Station Creek at Yuraygir National Park north of Coffs Harbour," she said. " We've not recorded a successful fledgling there [possibly] ever, and definitely not in the last few years, so that's a great result. " A little tern on a nest on the NSW Central Coast. ( Supplied: Andrew Robinson ) Species remains 'on edge' Ms York said going forward, it was important people did not become complacent. The conservation of migratory birds is complex because birds can face a range of threats at different stages — at nesting sites, during migration and at "wintering" sites, where birds congregate during the colder months. "They [little terns] are hopefully on the up, but we can't be sure [numbers] are increasing a lot, as these results could also be due to survey efforts and other factors, so they aren't out of the woods yet," Ms York said. Ms York said threat management remained a strong focus. "These birds face multiple threats. A big thing we push is making sure beachgoers pay attention to signage and fencing … and keeping dogs on a lead and not disturbing these birds," she said. A little tern in flight. ( Supplied: Andrew Robinson, Central Coast Council ) "Bad weather and big tides is another big one, which can unfortunately inundate their nests. " Given the number of obstacles they face to get their eggs through each season, to see these breeding numbers is incredible. " The acting deputy secretary of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, Trish Harrup, said protecting little terns was a combined effort and there had been a "groundswell" of community support. A sign on a Mid North Coast beach warning people about a little tern nesting area. ( ABC Mid North Coast: Gabrielle Lyons ) "[It included] volunteers, NPWS staff, local councils, land managers, contractors and stakeholders who conducted over 5,000 observations at nest sites this season," she said. "Despite these promising numbers, these birds remain on the edge, and continued efforts are vital to protect them."
ABC News
28-04-2025
- Science
- ABC News
Scent-detection dogs trained to track elusive Wyong sun orchid
Noses at the ready — Paddy, Sully, and Vera have a critical job. The three dogs have been trained to locate underground tubers of the Wyong sun orchid in a trial that is an Australian first. The plant lies dormant beneath the earth's surface most of the time and is hard to see unless it's flowering. Found on the New South Wales Central Coast, the orchid blooms only on warm, sunny days between September and November, and has dark, bluish-purple flowers. The dark, bluish-purple Wyong sun orchid is critically endangered, primarily due to habitat loss. ( Supplied: Central Coast Council ) Senior regional biodiversity conservation officer Paul Hillier is working on the trial as part of the NSW government's Saving Our Species program, in collaboration with the Central Coast Council. Mr Hillier said if the furry trio had not been introduced, the orchid's future could have been "tragic". "[The dogs'] noses are pretty remarkable, they can pick up a whole other ecosystem beneath our feet," he said. " Without them, our conservation efforts would be limited because they're almost impossible to find with the naked eye. " Mr Hillier said the orchid was critically endangered, primarily due to the loss of its habitat. "Because they're so dormant and hard to find, we never know when we're losing them," he said. "But now we can ensure that things like landscape works or controlled burns can occur without damaging the species." Paul Hillier says the trial could revolutionise how threatened species are monitored and protected. ( ABC Central Coast: Emma Simkin ) Mr Hillier said the trial, which had been underway for more than 12 months, had been very successful. He said it could revolutionise how threatened species were monitored and protected. "There are a lot of species, particularly flowers, that are extremely elusive and don't want to be found the traditional way," he said. " [The dogs] open up a whole new door to conservation. " A ripple effect The Central Coast Council's unit manager of environmental management, Luke Sulkowski, said the trial had been key to providing insights into the local biodiversity. Paddy, Sully and Vera have been trained to find the underground tubers of the Wyong sun orchid. ( ABC Central Coast: Emma Simkin ) "[Council's] landscape is more than 6,000 hectares, and unfortunately, we still lack so much knowledge about it," he said. Mr Sulkowski said conservation efforts, such as this program, also allowed the council to be critical of where future developments would be located. "Australia has one of the worst species extinction rates in the world, and we don't want our region to be part of that," he said. "So when we identify species like this, we really want to do whatever we can to identify them, understand them and do what needs to be done to protect and support them." Mr Hillier says the project will help contribute to the orchid's conservation. ( ABC Central Coast: Emma Simkin ) Mr Hillier said if the Wyong sun orchid disappeared, it would be detrimental to the rest of the habitat. "It's very dangerous when a species leaves the ecosystem; it has a ripple effect down the whole chain," he said. "That plant is a food source for bees and other insects, and then those bugs are food for bigger animals — so it disrupts everything." For the love of sniffing Dog handlers Mel Daly and Philly Carruthers have been working alongside the three pooches the entire time. Philly Carruthers with Vera (left) and Mel Daly with Paddy and Sully. ( Supplied: Central Coast Council ) The trial was made possible by Wyong sun orchid propagation at the Victoria Botanic Gardens, and Ms Daly said the propagated seeds enabled Paddy, Sully, and Vera to be trained. "It's been so rewarding to see them head out so quickly after initial training, and they're doing so well," she said. Ms Daly said the three dogs were selected from a very young age to undergo scent detection. "The cocker spaniel is a really desired breed for this type of work, and they train their entire lives," she said. Photo shows Two green and maroon orchids. With only a few hundred charming spider orchids left in the wild, the species' complex relationships with other organisms are thought to be hindering its survival. "Before orchids, they worked in koala detection, which was very important in helping conserve that species' habitat, so I'm glad they get to be part of something great again." Ms Carruthers said the project had made her feel "like a proud mum". "Sometimes they find it immediately, or it takes a couple of hours, but no matter what, I am so pleased with them," she said. " [They] absolutely love what they do, whether it's pouring rain or a hot day, they love their job. "
