Natural Areas Management
More than a third of Clarence is natural bushland. With 191 kilometres of coastline and the Meehan Range, a skyline reserve which runs right along the eastern shore of the Derwent River, the city of Clarence has a unique and diverse environment.
We are in partnership with key stakeholders, land and coast-carers where appropriate, and the wider community to manage reserve land, wildlife, research and cultural heritage within the City.
We aim to apply best practice techniques to protect, maintain, and enhance natural, cultural, recreational, educational, scientific and scenic values of the city by reducing threatening processes, and restoring and regenerating degraded natural areas.
This includes the management of water quality, quantity and biodiversity of wetlands and waterways.
We continue to assess the potential climate change impacts and plan and implement adaptive management responses for Council natural areas.
We actively encourage the retention and appropriate management of private bushland and coast and promote, and encourage recreational activities and provide appropriate facilities to enhance the health and wellbeing of the community. This includes the facilitation and encouragement of community awareness and participation in protection and maintenance of natural area management using best practice volunteer management.
Reserve Activity Plans
A key recommendation in the Clarence Bushland and Coastal Strategy was to develop, implement and periodically review Reserve Activity Plans for all Clarence Bush and Coast Reserves.
As a result, since 2012 Clarence has both developed and partially implemented over 20 Reserve Activity Plans (RAPs), which feature a detailed prioritised works program which can be carried out by either Council staff or recognised volunteer groups.
Every year Council invests significant funding to implement activity programs from the RAPs and also provides grants to Landcare or Coastcare groups to implement activities listed in their local RAP.
The development of RAPs is based around an extensive community consultation program which includes two separate letters with response sheets to all local residents. These letters are advertisements in the local Eastern Shore Sun newspaper and on the Council website as well as an informative Reserve Report Card.
This Consultation program aims to gather the local community’s interests and preferences as a means to not only encourage strong ownership in the development of the RAP, but importantly, foster enthusiasm towards carrying out the implementation of the plans.
Reserve Activity Plans
Show / Hide- Acton Trails and Reserves Reserve Activtiy Plan 2018 - 202212.7MB
- Avoca Hill Bushland Reserve and North Warrane Bushland Reserve Activity Plan 2014-20186.8MB
- Bedlam Walls Bushland Reserve Activity Plan 2017-20217.6MB
- Bellerive Howrah Coastal Reserve Activity Plan 2015 - 201918.3MB
- Blessington Coastal Reserve Activity Plan 2013-20185.8MB
- Brinktop Bushland Reserve Activity Plan 2020-20306.6MB
- Canopus-Centauri Bushland Reserve Activity Plan 2017-202114.6MB
- Clarence Plains Reserve Activity Plan 2016-202014.1MB
- Cremorne Coastal Reserve Activity Plan 2019 - 20294.5MB
- Glebe Hill Bushland Reserve Activity Plan 2014 - 20187.3MB
- Lauderdale Saltmash Reserve Activity Plan 2020-20302.8MB
- Lauderdale Saltmash Reserve Activity Plan 2020-2030 - Executive Summary1.8MB
- Mortimer Bay Coastal Reserve Activity Plan 2019 - 202311.1MB
- Natone Hill Bushland and Geilston Bay Coastal Reserve Activity Plan 2015 - 201922.1MB
- Otago Lagoon and Coastal Reserves Activity Plan 2016 - 202014.2MB
- Pilchers Hill Bushland Reserve Activity Plan 2013-20186.9MB
- Potters Hill Bushland Reserve Activity Plan 2015 - 20196.3MB
- Richmond Reserve Activity Plan 2017 - 20218.8MB
- Risdon Vale Creek and Grasstree Hill Rivulet Reserve Activity Plan 2013-201811.9MB
- Rokeby Hills Bushland Reserve Activity Plan 2016-20204.3MB
- Roscommon Reserve Activity Plan 2012 - 20173.7MB
- Rosny-Montagu Bay Coastal Reserve Activity Plan 2011 - 201610.1MB
- Seven Mile Beach Reserve Activity Plan 2019-202910.9MB
- Thoona Bushland Reserve Activity Plan 2013-20176.4MB
- Tranmere Coastal Reserve Activity Plan 2018 - 20227.6MB
- Waverley Flora Park Activity Plan 2013-20186MB
Management of trees on council land
If you consider a tree on Council land to be either dangerous, unhealthy or simply in need of some maintenance then please contact Council. The tree will be assessed by either one of Council’s qualified horticulturists or a professional Arborist.
Council’s Tree Policy provides generally for:
- the planning, planting and maintenance of trees on Council land
- the assessment criteria for removal and replacement of trees on Council land
Download the policy for Management of Trees on Council Land
Download an Application form for felling of trees on Council land
Lauderdale seasonal seaweed deposition
The seasonal deposition of seaweed in Ralphs Bay near Lauderdale Primary School is the result of a combination of factors that present themselves often in Spring, this generally includes an increase in nutrients in the water column and an increase in sunlight as well as the right kind of southerly swells to push seaweeds in toward Lauderdale and above the high tide line. The resulting anaerobic decomposition of organic materials causes a strong odour predominately attributed to the volatile sulphur compounds produced, particularly Hydrogen Sulphide.
You can read more about the seasonal seaweed deposition at Lauderdale here.
Red Tides
From time to time a phenomenon commonly known as a ‘red tide’ can occur at in waterways and at beaches.
A ‘red tide’ is a marine environmental event, where tiny organisms, such as algae, go through an intense growth period (called an algal bloom), which can colour the waters red.
The red colouring comes from the algae and is a natural occurrence, not a pollutant.
You can read more about red tides here on the Derwent Estuary Program website.