Albion Park bush undergoes protection work

Louisa Rust

An endangered pocket of bushland near Albion Park is receiving new fencing and upgrades to walking tracks and fire trails in an effort to protect it from rubbish dumping, arson and trampling.

The Croom Voluntary Conservation Area (VCA), off Croom Rd, contains an endangered ecological habitat and is also home to threatened plant the Illawarra Greenhood Orchid.

Shellharbour City Council, with assistance from the Department of Environment and Climate Change Community Partners Program, has recently completed fencing work at the site, aimed at restricting access to ecologically sensitive areas in the southern section of the VCA.

The project also involves the closure of some tracks that pass through the areas, and the installation of signs and barriers.

“The fencing project was primarily aimed to restrict unauthorised vehicle access and restrict pedestrian access to designated tracks,” Council environmental officer Kellie Parker said.

“It’s an endangered ecological community and it is important people recognise what we have.”

With the fencing aspect of the project completed, Ms Parker said signs advising forbidden activities in the VCA would be erected in coming weeks.

Track improvement works funded by the Council, with assistance from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government’s Natural Disaster Mitigation Program, are also expected to start soon.

Tracks designated for pedestrian and authorised vehicle use will be upgraded to ensure they are in good condition and accessible to fire fighting vehicles.

According to the Rural Fire Service, over the last year there has been seven bushfires and one car fire in the Croom VCA.

The Council has appealed to members of the public to take particular care when visiting the Croom VCA while works are in progress, and abide by the signs indicating activities that are not allowed in the area.