WITH post-winter growth emerging and animals waking up, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service will be at the Mount Canobolas summit this long weekend to talk about post-fire recovery.
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NPWS Ranger Steve Woodhall said the dry and cold conditions since the February blaze, which took out more than 1500 hectares of bushland, had slowed regrowth.
“However fresh growth is starting to appear as we head into October and November,” he said.
“Monitoring has commenced on the orchids and the threatened Silver-leaf candlebark and Giles’ mintbush, with both threatened species showing early signs of recovery.
“Some of the threatened animals have made a reappearance with three endangered flame robins observed in recent weeks.”
He said monitoring programs for plants and animals would start in November, in conjunction with the Orange Field Naturalist and Conservation Society, the Environmentally Concerned Citizens of Orange (ECCO) and other interested volunteers.
Among them will be Dr Colin Bower, who is one half of a duo applying to have the mountain classified as an Area of Outstanding Biodiversity Value.
“We will be searching for endangered orchids, to see if they survived the fire,” he said.
The summit remains the only open part of the park, with the rest remaining closed while repairs works are underway, however Mr Woodhall confirmed the park would be open in time for the Great Volcanic Mountain Challenge in March.
“NPWS is currently tendering out the repairs, including removing and replacing around 300 burnt timber steps, several signs and a bridge,” he said.
An information stand will be open between 10am and 3pm this Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Dr Bower and other concerned residents recently started the Save Mount Canobolas SCA campaign website to protect the mountain’s unique species against the mountain bike centre proposal.
He said Friends of Mount Canobolas group was also being considered and those interested in volunteering should visit the website here or its Facebook page.
“There’s been a lot of bottles exposed, but quite a few people have already been picking them up,” he said.
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Danielle Cetinski
Danielle started at the Kiama Independent in 2010 before moving to the Central Western Daily in 2014. She covers council, court, politics, general news and business, and elections are her favourite time of the year. Got a tip? Email danielle.cetinski@centralwesterndaily.com.au
Danielle started at the Kiama Independent in 2010 before moving to the Central Western Daily in 2014. She covers council, court, politics, general news and business, and elections are her favourite time of the year. Got a tip? Email danielle.cetinski@centralwesterndaily.com.au
