The North Head Sanctuary Foundation was formed in 2002 with the vision of a Sanctuary to celebrate the natural and cultural heritage of our ancient land.
The North Head Sewage Treatment Plant is surrounded by National Park and the largest area of bushland in Sydney Harbour, a large area of Threatened Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub borders the plant and a Threatened Population of Long-nosed Bandicoots is found in the grounds.
The indigenous vegetation communities originally associated with Manly lagoon and its tributaries have been heavily altered by urban development. There has been widespread introduction of ornamental exotic species such as Coral Trees which seasonally contribute very substantial amounts of leaf matter into the tributaries and the lagoon to the detriment of water quality. Weed infestations are common throughout the area, particularly where maintenance is less intensive, detracting from the water quality, habitat value and recreational amenity of the waterways.
There is little habitat for aquatic life because:
Weirs:
Bore: to water Manly Golf Course
Manly Dam: to water Wakehurst Golf Course
Reversing the Dead-End Trend ....
The Manly Lagoon Estuary Management Study (1995) states that:
Development within the Manly area became rapid following completion of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in l932. All suitable residential areas were quickly taken up and market gardens sprang up along the creeks, which fed into the lagoon in North Manly and Brookvale.
Table of Land use in Manly Lagoon Catchment
| Type of Land Use | Area (km2) | Area (%) |
| Residential - low density | 6.62 | 37 |
| - low-medium density | 2.31 | 13 |
| 8.93 | 50 | |
| Industrial | 1.22 | 7 |
| Business | 0.24 | 1 |
| Open Spaces - Recreation | 2.67 | 20.3 |
| Bushland | 3.7 | 14.7 |
| Education & Technical Facilities | 11.7 | 7 |
| TOTAL | 17.9 | 100 |
The open space generally lies adjacent to the lagoon and its tributaries. Approximately half of the open space is linked to Manly Dam, which ceased operating as a water supply source in 1942 and is now a recreational resource.
Source: Manly Lagoon Estuary Management Study 1995
The Water Quality Monitoring & Rehabilitation of Manly Lagoon Catchment Project
A National Landcare Grant to the Manly Environment Centre (MEC) has funded the continued employment of a Catchment Liaison Officer (CLO) whose role is to work with the community, industry, golf courses, students and other stakeholders to enhance the Manly Lagoon Catchment.
14.10.2010
The bandicoots in North Head Manly are endangered, with less than 100 assumed to be left. Their number has decreased significantly over the last years, but scientists have not found the reasons for the declining population yet. Consequently, Australian Wildlife Conservation has launched an 8 week research program. Together with Earthwatch volunteers, scientists monitor the animal activity around North Head in order to find solutions for the protection of Manly’s bandicoots.
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