Swamped by Threats

Conserving species reliant on upland swamps

This project has been assisted by the New South Wales Government through its Environmental Trust

We will work with partners, volunteers and others to protect and enhance the upland swamps of the Newnes Plateau and Blue Mountains to help secure the threatened species that rely on them.

Swamped By Threats is a 10 year project that began in July 2016. This extended project time frame will allow us to establish strong partnerships, track progress and make real change for the swamps and threatened species .

The uplands swamps of the Newnes Plateau and the Blue Mountains are unique landforms that began developing between 12,000-14,000 years ago. They are very fragmented and diverse in form and provide specialised habitat for swamp-dependent plants and animals. Also, they provide important environmental benefits including clean and healthy waterways.

These swamps are known as Temperate Highland Peat Swamps on Sandstone and are listed as an endangered ecological community (EEC) under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. Only 3,000 hectares of this EEC remains; it faces a number of threats to its long term survival and the variety of plants and animals that make it their home.

Threatened species, including the giant dragonfly and blue mountains water skink, that rely on the upland swamps are at risk of extinction. If these unique swamps are not healthy, there is a real risk the species that rely on them could decline into the future and be lost forever.

The target species for this project include:

• Giant Dragonfly
• Blue Mountains Water Skink
• Deane's Boronia

FAQs

• How is the project funded?
• Who are the project partners?
• What are the threats to upland swamps?
• Where will we work?
• What will we do?
• Want to get involved?
• Need more information?

How is the project funded?

The NSW Environmental Trust's Saving Our Species Partnership Grants Program has awarded $742,500 for the project.  An additional $1.1 million will be contributed by partner organisations over the 10 years.

Who are the project partners?

Central Tablelands Local Lands Services will take a lead role. We will work with species expert and a wide range of stakeholders. Our partners include:

• Blue Mountains City Council
• Forestry Corporation of NSW
• Greater Sydney Local Land Services
• Lithgow and Oberon Landcare Association
• Lithgow City Council
• National Parks and Wildlife Service
• NSW Environmental Trust
• Office of Environment and Heritage

What are the threats?

Threats include climate change, loss of ground water resources, storm water runoff, changes to hydrology, inappropriate access, feral animals, weed invasion and fire.

Where will work occur?

Work will occur in priority swamps on the Newnes Plateau near Lithgow, and in the Blue Mountains between Hazelbrook and Blackheath.

What activities will occur?

Swamped by Threats will address threats and improve the condition of the swamps through activities such as:

• erosion control,
• storm water management,
• access management,
• weed and pest animal control
• awareness raising for the public and other stakeholders
• volunteer involvement.

The project will improve our understanding of how the target species are tracking and the impact of threats to their long-term survival.

Want to get involved?

If you want to get involved in caring for our upland swamps, the giant dragonfly and blue mountains water skink,  please fill in the Swampcare Volunteer Form and we will contact you when activities are planned.

Need more information?

Please contact Huw Evans, Senior Land Services Officer, Central Tablelands Local Land Services

Phone: 02 6350 3117

Email: huw.evans@lls.nsw.gov.au