Article: 50 years of Lane Cove Bushland & Conservation Society

50 years of activism, advocating and appreciation

Lane Cove Bushland & Conservation Society has a proud history and without it, the local area could look a lot different to how it is now. Shauna Forrest tells the story.

LCB&CS past presidents Meron W. Doug Graham. Corinne F. Doug S. Ruth Neumann. Ron Gornall.

When you next enjoy the laughter and song of birds in the cooling canopy of giant native trees in Lane Cove, offer thanks to the Cammeraygal people, the indigenous custodians, and then beyond the time of orchards and dairy farms in more recent decades, give credit to the restoration work by pioneering bush regenerators. The conservation strategies of locals have ensured that vital wildlife sanctuaries and healthy bushland remains today.

In March 1971, the beautiful bushland of the Gore Creek Valley gave birth to the Lane Cove Bushland & Conservation Society (LCB&CS) which formed to campaign against Council’s decision to allow the extension of the golf course into adjacent bushland of the Osborne Park valley, now named ‘Bushland Park.’ The attitude to natural bushland in an urban environment was changing; it was no longer seen as scrub to be cleared for development, but a precious asset. 19 acres of the Valley, including the former farm site known as Kelly’s Flat, was granted to Lane Cove Council by local resident F.E. Cogan in 1948 for ‘public recreation.’ A golf course was created in the 1960s and Council leased the land to the Lane Cove Country Club in March 1970. When the Country Club proposed to extend the area of the golf course, a group of local residents sprung into action. They recognised the value and beauty of this bushland, organised a meeting and within four days presented a petition signed by 1,049 people against the development to Council. This meeting, 50 years ago, was the launch of the Society. The bulldozers had already started work so 60 men, women and children from the newly-formed Society flocked to the site to stop further destruction while Cogan took out an injunction against the work.

Eventually settled out of court, Bushland Park was formally declared a wildlife refuge under the National Parks & Wildlife Service of NSW in 1980, working to a management plan largely informed by the Lane Cove Bushland & Conservation Society. In 2000, it was listed on the National Estate for its rare, critically endangered species of Hygrocybeae fungi. ‘Beyond the Untidy Fringe: A history of the Lane Cove Bushland & Conservation Society’ by Virginia Macleod records the dramatic story saving the park.

This year, 2021, LCB&CS celebrates 50 years of activism, advocating for the conservation of Lane Cove’s natural heritage, promoting the regeneration and planting of native species, bushland protection and management. The Society is sometimes confused with the Council’s Bushcare Program and we do share common aims, but from our inception we’ve addressed wider issues on environmental protection, entering local politics so as to influence decision making.

Doug Graham, a founding member, botanist and research scientist, advocated for the scientific study of Lane Cove’s bushland reserves, their hydrology and benchmarking the ecology of each reserve. During 1971-72, Doug Stuart, an architect and founding executive member organised a large team of volunteers to survey all of Lane Cove’s bushland to identify sites suitable for regeneration. He drew maps of each site, checked ownership and created the first cohesive document the local council had ever had - the ‘Survey of Open Space’ published by the Society. Supportive Council staff in the 1970s employed consultant Landscape Architect Harry Howard, who transformed the local landscape, planting native trees and designing the Plaza. The Society began its Native Plant Stalls in the Plaza in 1975 to promote the benefits of planting locally indigenous species and has continually organised guided bushwalks and guest speakers to encourage an appreciation of our natural heritage. Following nearly 20 years of research, education and lobbying by Society members, the Lane Cove Council’s first ‘Bushland Plan of Management’ was approved in 1990. The Plan’s development resulted in a dedicated Council bushland officer; the establishment of the ‘Bushland Management Advisory Committee’ (BMAC) and a guaranteed budget to fund ongoing work in bushland. BMAC includes three dedicated representatives of the Society, as well as community members with experience and knowledge in bush regeneration.

It is unsurprising then that the Society actively campaigned in 2017 to stop NSW State government’s attempts to amalgamate Lane Cove (LC) Council with the geographically larger Ryde Council LGA. We feared the comparatively greater funding for bushland management by LC Council would be diminished.

As with the battle to save Kelly’s Bush in Hunters Hill, women in Lane Cove actively campaigned to protect the biodiversity of local ecosystems, both for their intrinsic value and for the use and enjoyment of present and future generation. During her 21 years on Council, LCB&CS member Rosilyn Baxter OAM was an early advocate of the pioneering Bradley method of bush regeneration used by LC Council, the first Council to do so. The threat of invasive and exotic weeds on indigenous flora led Ros to chair the first meeting considering the formation of an association of bush regenerators in 1985.

She was also the driving force behind ‘Project Environment’, environmental education to be funded by LC Council. Educational activities such as ‘Every Child a Bush Experience’ continues today and involves quality, curriculum based and experiential education for local primary school children in our bushland. Along with local experts such as Lynne McLoughlin, author of ‘The Natural Environment of Lane Cove’, the Project undertook some of the work initiated by the Bushland Society including publications by Society foundation members: ‘Growing the Native Plants of Lane Cove’ by Judy Messer, available on the Council’s website and Don Dove’s ‘Bushwalks of Lane Cove.’ Today’s award-winning LC Bush Kids program (started in 2010) was the brainchild of three Society members, mothers wishing to engage young children with nature. It was developed and run by the Society until it partnered with Council in 2016. Bush Kids received numerous environmental awards when run by the Society, was shortlisted for the Sustainability Education Award category Emma Grimes, Michael Fitzgerald & Peter Louridasof the United Nations Association of Australia World A family business, now in our 48th year in Lane CoveEnvironment Day Awards 2014. The program’s success

continues today in partnership with LC Council.

The Society relies on the expertise of a dedicated few to make formal submissions concerning development applications that have the potential to adversely impact our green heritage and environment.

Can you help? In the 1980’s, Doug Graham warned the Society against complacency, reflecting “now that the Lane Cove Council is generally sympathetic to environmental matters …. there is a tendency to think we can sit back and relax. Such complacency must be avoided”.

Do join us – we seek help to continue the environmental work of the past generation.

Corinne F, Ann P - Bush Kids founders VISIT: lanecovebushland.org.au OR: facebook.com/LCBCS/

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Emma Grimes, Michael Fitzgerald & Peter Louridas A family business, now in our 48th year in Lane Cove

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Voices of North Sydney calls for transparency of Independents

There’s a new initiative pushing local political candidates and sitting councillors towards greater community transparency. The ‘declaration of independents’ is a new democratic project that’s emerged on the lower north shore, says Madeleine Hinchy

The declaration was developed by local group Voices of North Sydney. It aims to differentiate ‘community-minded independents’ from ‘independents’ who are affiliated with political parties.

The grassroots community group has been holding kitchen table conversations across the lower north shore for the past two years. They found local residents strongly believe integrity, accountability, and improvements in democratic process is needed at all levels of Australian government.

Their declaration is a direct response to this community wish. It was created to coincide with the upcoming NSW Local Government elections on Saturday 4 December.

“We want to provide the community with more transparency around the true allegiances of those who hold office at local councils, and those who aspire to,” says Rod Simpson, co-founder of Voices of North Sydney.

As of early October, more than 25 candidates have signed the declaration from Lane Cove, North Sydney, Willoughby, and Hunters Hill councils. There’s interest from community-minded independents beyond our area to sign on too.

What is a community-minded or focused independent?

The ‘declaration’ is part of a broader push to discuss what it means to be a true community-focused political representative.

Not all independent political candidates are created equal. Just because they aren’t running with a party, doesn’t mean they share the same values, approach, or commitment to transparency and integrity in politics.

Some are not as motivated as others by a desire to truly represent their community above all else. Many so-called independents are closely aligned with large political parties - and they don’t disclose it.

“I really don’t think party politics should play any part in local government,” says Bridget Kennedy, first-time candidate for Lane Cove Council. “Councillors should be there to represent, support and enable the community.”

All three members of Bridget’s independent group ticket have taken the pledge.

“As someone who’s lived in the Lane Cove Council local area for over 20 years and been involved in many grassroots community projects, I’m standing up as I want to advocate solely on the issues my community cares about. That’s the only agenda I have.”

The declaration recognises there are many ways you can have strong links to a political party that your community might want to be aware of. Those signing are asked to not only confirm they are not a recent member of a political party. You must also disclose whether you have worked as a paid political staffer and if you have made donations to a political party of more than $50 in the past three years.

You’re also asked if you have an immediate family member or partner who has held political office as a member of a political party.

Voices in our community are becoming louder

The declaration also asks independent candidates to commit to certain democratic values and principles. There is a strong emphasis on ongoing community consultation.

It is just one of many recent democratically focused initiatives to emerge from the growing ‘Voices of’ movement in Australia.

You may have heard of Voices of Indi and Voices of Warringah - both were pivotal to the rise of Federal Independent candidates Cathy McGowan, Helen Haines, and Zali Steggal.

There are an estimated 35 independent ‘Voices of’ support groups established around Australia as of today. More are popping up almost every week.

On the lower north shore, this movement has led to the emergence of Kylea Tink as the community-based independent candidate for the North Sydney electorate.

From the 4 November, when nominations for the local government elections close, we’ll have a clearer picture of all the candidates running for council on the lower north shore.

You’ll be able to see which of these independent candidates have signed the declaration via the Voices of North Sydney website. Be sure to ask to see a copy of their pledge to identify their possible political alliances. It will make for some interesting reading.

“The Declaration gives true community-focused independent candidates like myself the opportunity to start conversations in our local areas about what should be driving council decision-making - partisan politics or better participation and engagement with the community?” says Bridget.

The NSW Local Government elections are on Saturday 4 December. Madeleine Hinchy is a writer and communications specialist, and a member of Bridget Kennedy’s independent team for Lane Cove Council. Find out more about Bridget Kennedy at www.bk4lc.com and Voices for North Sydney at voicesfornorthsydney.org. You can see Bridget’s team’s signed pledges at www.bk4lc.com/independent-declaration2021

Rolling down the river

In November 2020, when we were carefree in NSW and only welcome in Victoria so long as we wore masks, I took a trip “down south”. One of my intentions was to check out the Murray River Cruise operations to consider its suitability for a small group tour and just get a feel for things generally. By Adrienne Witteman.

Certainly the towns were pleasant enough, and the history of the paddle steamers and their role in transporting goods and passengers in bygone times similarly interesting. Yet despite its obvious appeal the concept did not quite gel for me, given past experience on the Mississippi. Maybe I needed to find an Aussie version of Huck’ Finn! Maybe, it’s just that I feel more comfortable on bigger vessels traversing wider waterways. Waterways so wide that they carry a multitude of both riverboats and freight services. I recall counting one ship towing a dozen coal barges and am told they even transport some of the bits of space rockets that are too big to transport by road. A trip on the Mississippi is endlessly fascinating. I was last on the Mississippi in 2019 and looking back I’m reminded of a journey that was both satisfying in the scenery stakes and enriching in the cultural stakes. Naturally, most Australians bite on California, New York and Miami when they first visit the USA. The Deep South is a whole new ball game. People speak long and slowly. They are generally unfailingly polite and being addressed as Ma’am, a not uncommon experience, causes me to feel that I’ve dropped into the set of Gone with the Wind. At least momentarily. Visits to several plantation houses, the most famous of these being Oak Alley, is further reinforcement albeit temporary. Oak Alley (https://www. oakalleyplantation.com/) is now a major tourist experience though once it was a thriving plantation. How it documents slavery jolts one out of any fancy lady aspirations, for these were dark times. There’s also an excellent Civil War exhibit and of course the Big House, standing grandly proud and in your sights, as you walk up the driveway shaded by 28 magnificent oak trees. You can’t travel in the Deep South without facing the history of slavery. Here it is owned, the truth put out there so clearly that it cannot be ignored. If you visit only museum in America, I recommend the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis (https://www.civilrightsmuseum.org/) for a visit that will be both compelling and confronting. I love the Deep South for another reason. It’s the music. Heck, what’s not to love when you can start your cruise serenaded by Elvis and be moved by the man and his life at Graceland (https://www.graceland. com/) and then celebrate the end of a fabulous journey in jazz happy New Orleans. Or if jazz is not your style, how about some rhythm ‘n blues? The best part is that you don’t have to join the party – simply walk around the French Quarter and soak up the music coming out from within. My first big 2022 trip will be back to the Mississippi with a group, that like me, has been keenly waiting two years for this experience. And such is the interest I will lead two more tours each with 3 nights Memphis, 7 nights cruising and 3 nights New Orleans, in September 2022 and April 2023. You’re welcome to sign up for a spot and roll down the river with Trendsetter, Ma’am, Sir, if you’d like to …. Covidsafe of course.

3 NORTHWOOD ROAD, LONGUEVILLE 9428 5900

www.trendsettertravel.com.au

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