Working with the Environment

During the preparation of the Master Plan and Development Control Plan for the Randwick Defence Site, many environmental conservation strategies and Ecological Sustainable Development (ESD) principles were put in place to ensure the environment is protected for the future users and an environmentally sensitive approach is taken in regards to the Site Works.

Randwick City Council Bushland Management Unit marking out an area for conservation in the Randwick Environmental Park.

The rejuvenation of wetland in the Randwick Environmental Park will promote the return of many flora and fauna species associated with them.

The Randwick Environmental Park contains between 5% - 10% of all remaining population of ESBS.

Conservation Strategies
Extensive surveys were undertaken on the flora and fauna present within the Randwick Defence Site, as well as recognising the migrating species that may inhabit areas of the Site periodically. Areas of conservation significance were identified and designated for retention. Among these areas warranting conservation were the ephemeral wetland and local communities of native and threatened species.

An entire portion of the Site, totalling more than 13 hectares was designated for retention as the Randwick Environmental Park. It is to be zoned 'Environmental Protection' and open space.

Plan of Management for Randwick Environmental Park
A comprehensive Plan of Management for the Randwick Environmental Park (REP) has been developed by Randwick City Council to ensure the appropriate care and management of this environmentally sensitive area. The Plan identifies specific conservation issues within the Park and outlines corresponding management and protection strategies for implementation during the Park's revegetation. It also incorporates the usability of the Park to provide the community with a valuable and accessible environmental asset.

An ESBS Recovery Plan for the Site was prepared by the National Parks & Wildlife Services (NPWS). This identified and mapped the communities of the endangered Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS) and local specimens of native and threatened species such as Acacia Terminalis subsp. terminalis within the REP. The Plan of Management incorporates the ESBS Recovery Plan.

A minimum buffer of 10 metres around any identified area of conservation significance is one of the strategies specified in the Plan of Management to be implemented within the REP The buffer will provide protection and allow regeneration of endangered species

Along with protecting the areas of conservation significance, the Plan also recommends the removal of introduced weed species such as the lantana, which has infested much of the parkland and begun dominating over the native species. The removal of these unwanted species, in conjunction with a re-planting program is hoped to promote the rehabilitation of the endangered and native species present within the Randwick Environmental Park.

Ecologically Sustainable Development
Ecological Sustainable Development incorporates the design and building practices that encourage the conservation of our environment and natural resources, promotes safe and environmentally friendly living and allows for the infrastructure to be adapted efficiently to the requirements of the future.

ESD principles incorporated into the Master Plan controls for the Randwick Defence Site include:

• efficient use of surplus under-utilised land in a serviced residential area
• areas of ecological significance are protected during and after construction, thus contributing to bio-diversity
• pedestrian and cycle movement is encouraged through he provision of a safe and permeable street design, connecting to the surrounding street system and open space
• the use of public transport is encouraged through the street system providing the opportunity to extend the local bus services
• the proximity to shopping, education, recreation and community facilities, and the provision of a local retail centre on the site further reduces car dependency
• all utility services are available and can be readily and efficiently augmented to meet the needs of the development
• direct aquifer recharge of stormwater
• provision of pollution control devices on all stormwater pipes before discharge into the wetland / detention basin
• solar water heaters shall be installed on all buildings to maximise the use of renewable energy
• the remediation of the land through approved screening and bio-remediation techniques allows for the reuse of the soil, rather than the material going to landfill
• the crushing of the on-site concrete and using the material in the construction of the subdivision roads is another resource recycling activity that is minimising Site waste.
• waste minimisation also reduces truck movements to and from the Site, as less material is required for disposal and less is needed to be imported from other sources. This reduces associated air pollution from truck haulage and also traffic disruption.