Northlakes Estate is a carefully planned estate with much consideration given to environmental considerations.

Lake Macquarie City Council has been an active participant in the planning process and, together with the landowner and other authorities, has worked to optimise the environmental outcomes. This has been achieved by:

  • Zoning of land for conservation around the northern, north western and eastern perimeter of the site;
  • Conserving a natural bushland corridor, up to 400 metres wide, along Cocked Hat Creek;
  • Conserving natural bushland, at least 40m wide, along other creeks in the estate;
  • Incorporating an innovative stormwater system to remove nutrients from stormwater before it enters the natural watercourses;
  • A Plan of Management being implemented for the natural bushland areas which are being conserved;
  • In a few especially sensitive areas, imposing restrictions on the use of land (e.g. identifying a building envelope on which a house can be constructed).

These measures have all been directed at protecting the environment generally and, in particular, at minimising the impact of the development on the six threatened species which are found at Northlakes. These species comprise one plant and five animals:

  • Black-eyed Susan (Tetratheca juncea)
  • Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis)
  • Eastern Freetail-bat (Mormopterus norfolkensis)
  • Little Bentwing-bat (Miniopterus australis)
  • Common Bentwing-Bat (Miniopterus schreibersii)
  • Greater Broad-nosed bat (Scoteanax rueppellii)

Above and beyond the measures already taken, the residents of Northlakes also have an ongoing role to play in protecting the inherent environmental sensitivity of the site. Ways you can help protect native animals

  • Limit the extent of clearing carried out on your property;
  • Restrain dogs and cats during both day and night to avoid attacks on native fauna;
  • While travelling in your car at night along roadside vegetation, reduce your speed as native animals may be crossing roads in search of food;
  • Provide food trees and shrubs by planting high nectar producing species such as Banksia, Grevillea, Wattles and winter flowering Eucalypts;
  • Choose species that flower at different times of the year to provide a steady food supply;
  • Retain dead trees and branches that contain hollows, as these provide nesting habitat, and establish artificial nest boxes in trees on your property.

Ways you can help protect the creeklines and downstream Lake Macquarie

  • Sweep and rake leaves from your garden and from adjoining street gutters;
  • Apply fertiliser and topsoil sparingly so that it doesn't get washed or blown into the stormwater system;
  • Wash cars, boats or caravans on grassed areas, rather than paved areas;
  • Make sure you collect and dispose of your pet's waste either by burying it in the garden or putting it in a bin;
  • Hand weed or mulch to control weeds in your garden instead of using chemicals;
  • Never pour oils or unwanted paints down the drain.

Ways you can help protect the natural bushland

  • Use locally indigenous plants when planting your garden, and certainly don't use plants that become weeds in our bushland;
  • Confine your garden to your property, and never dispose of lawn or garden clippings in the bush;
  • Do not dump rubbish in the bushland areas;
  • When walking in bushland keep to existing walking tracks and avoid trampling on native vegetation;
  • Do not clear native vegetation that may border your property;
  • Control weed infestations in adjoining areas.

Every resident can contribute to conserving the natural features that make Northlakes such a great place to live.


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