Native Plants

Catchment survey

The catchment vegetation is in comparatively good condition, particularly in those areas away from human habitation. There is little of the native bushland remaining along the roadsides or at the front of most properties. However, good bushland remains at the rear of approximately 50% of properties and down to the creeks and is worth protecting.

There were plenty of examples of continuous weed encroachment into native areas. In the areas downstream from habitation, there were weeds in the creeks and at other isolated locations.

There was great variation in the treatment of creeks on properties. In some cases, native vegetation lined the banks and considerable effort had gone into removing weeds. In other cases, horses grazed across the watercourse resulting in significant erosion.

It was clear that people value native trees, but that many people saw the native grassed areas and shrubs as scrub to be tidied by clearing. A mindset of clearing areas without good reason is unsustainable in the long term.

The following additional survey information is available:

Catchment Survey

Vegetation Type Map

Vegetation Survey Data

Roadside Weed Map

Sydney Ironbark Turpentine Forest ( or STIF )

A stand of this once enormous forest survives in Carrs Bush at the north-eastern corner of Fagan Park, with a further stand, including E. acmenoides (White Mahogany), survives along the western edge of the Park and along the Arcadia Road boundary. Small isolated stands still exist in other parts of the catchment.

Only about 0.5% of the original extent of the STIF ecological community survives. It lives on the Wianamatta Shale-derived soils of Sydney and the lower Blue Mountains where much of Sydneys urban sprawl has taken place. The Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest (STIF) remnant at Fagan Park is of such importance that it is listed as an endangered ecological community under Schedule 1 of the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (TSC Act).

For small native trees as an example see our article on Native Trees.

Also, see our brochure on “The Value of Trees” by Leon Limberiou of Goanna Tree Care.

Trees and Shrubs

See our articles on the following topics:

Ground Covers

Grasses form the base layer and some native grasses can be left unmown. Also other types of groundcovers provide good alternatives for some conditions: see the brochure Ground covers for your Garden

Native Grasses and Sedges

Native grasses and sedges make up an important part of the flora in our catchment.

For more information, please see our Native Grasses brochure or the comprehensive presentation from Tim Berryman at Cumberland Plain Seeds (part 1, part 2)

Plant protection

See our article on Wallaby Protection for plants