The Leura Falls Creek Catchment Group works to conserve the indigenous biodiversity of the natural areas of Leura Falls Creek catchment. In order to achieve this outcome, the group has developed a number of specific objectives, and an appropriate action plan and strategies. Since the group commenced its work in 2012, many positive environmental outcomes have been recorded.

• Conserving and communicating. The Catchment Group has formulated an environmental management vision for the catchment. This vision guides the action plan. 

• Communicating. The Catchment Group acknowledges the presence, importance and sensitivity of Australian First Nations cultural heritage within the catchment site, and is always receptive to assisting with the management of that heritage, in the ways and at the times considered appropriate by the Traditional Owners.

• Cleaning up and restoring. The Catchment Group, in conjunction with BMCC Bushcare Officers and other environmental managers, has regularly organised annual catchment working days and special catchment events. On these days bushcare volunteers and local residents have come together to conduct environmental repair work on a specific site within the catchment. Sites have included Kingsford Smith Park, Carrington Park, Leura Cascades, Vale Street tributary and Megalong Street tributary (see Archives). Promotional material associated with these days and the catchment’s environmental values has been distributed to the local community.

• Connecting. Since its formation, the Catchment Group has supported BMCC environmental managers with the preparation of environmental repair and management grant applications for degraded sites within the catchment. Examples include stormwater management grants from Sydney Catchment Authority (see Archives/Leura Falls Creek 2014), community environmental education grants from Greater Sydney Local Land Services, and National Landcare Program grants from Greater Sydney Local Land Services that addressed environmental degradation concerns at Rest Park swamp, Leura and the Everglades Avenue tributary of Gordon Creek.

• Communicating. The Catchment Group has prepared correspondence and submissions relating to catchment environmental issues, problems, and planning matters. Connections have been established with BMCC managers, local NPWS managers, NSW state government ministers and administrators, and other organisations. For example, the group has contributed to the Draft Local Environment Plan 2015 (BMCC), Kingsford Smith Park Plan of Management (BMCC) and the Southern Scenic Escarpment Master Plan (BMCC). Other catchment issues addressed include the installation of bio-filtration plants and gross pollutant traps; erosion problems; management of stormwater and sediment flows; bushfire and landslip impacts; drain and kerb works; sewage and pollution incidents. The Catchment Group has provided input to specific development projects such as the Great Blue Mountains Trail, Leura Cascades/Carrington Park Precinct Plan (BMCC), Grand Cliff Top Walk and Gordon Falls Accessibility Project (NPWS).

• Cleaning up and restoring. Successful management of severe weed infestations within the catchment has been undertaken, and continues. Regular inspections and informal monitoring of public access riparian and bushland areas are conducted. These inspections have informed detailed polygon weed mapping undertaken in conjunction with BMCC environmental managers. The mapping has enabled treatment prioritisation of weed infestations, and effective intervention by BMCC environmental managers, field workers and bushcare groups. Severe weed infestation sites within the catchment have been integrated into the BMCC Urban Weeds Program.

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