Oak Flats Community Landcare

Site Description

Oak Flats Community Landcare has been working on restoring the bushland surrounding Horsley Creek. The group kicked off around nine years ago after some concerned residents realised the potential of the area and the need to protect it. Horsley Creek flows directly into Lake Illawarra and so it is important that the creek be in the best condition that it can.

Group mission statement:

We learn that life only thrives by care and generosity, that we depend on the land's health and an economy that considers nature. If you are rooted in a specific place, then you will take care of the land there. It will matter to you if the lake in your backyard is polluted; if the wildlife in your area is threatened; if the green spaces go. Solutions to these problems are  local and individual.  The health of our society rests on the health of our land.

The founders of the group wanted to protect a little piece of unique bushland surrounding Horsley Creek. Oak Flats Community Landcare has concentrated on this area because it is the only remaining piece of bushland in an area that has been highly urbanised and has a significant amount of industrialisation. Many residents use the area to jog or walk their dogs and the group feels that it is important that the residents have a nice, natural area that they can use for their enjoyment.

Oak Flats Landcare group has spent over nine years regenerating the bush.  Some areas that were initially severely degraded have regenerated to the point that they are now self-sustaining. It has been extremely rewarding to help the bush regenerate to the point that the bush, in some areas, can look after itself. However there is still a lot of work that needs to be done. 

Oaks Flats Community Landcare is very much a community group. Oak Flats Garden Club really helped to get the group started.  In fact, many of the members of Oak Flats Garden Club joined this Landcare group to help with initial set-up costs. While the Oak Flats Bush Fire Brigade joins in on big clean-up days as well.

The group recently received a Mitre 10 grant to help continue to restore this unique and valuable remnant bushland. 

Meeting Times

The group meet one Sunday a month for two hours and are always keen to increase membership. Oak Flats Community Landcare has 15 members aged from 17 to 70. 

The reason that the group still exists after such a long time is because the members thoroughly enjoy one another's company.  They are a diverse bunch of people who work in a relaxed atmosphere.  Everyone knows what work is involved in Landcare but many people never hear about the social aspect. Many strong friendships have been made in this group and they hope to make many more.

Group members have been working with a bush regenerator who has taught them so much about the bush and how it works. Through Landcare the knowledge base of this group has increased substantially. It is a very satisfying and rewarding experience being a Landcarer. 

Each month coordinators send out a newsletter with the details of the next month's working bee. 

Coordinator

Kim Doron or Louise Shaw

To view Google aerial map of site click here.