STEP launches Bushland Tracks and Trails Position Paper

For many years, STEP has been concerned at the absence of an accepted robust framework for local authorities and others to use to make sound environmental judgements when they assess the likely impacts of new tracks and trails. As a result we formed a subcommittee to produce a position paper which specifically addresses the issue of track and trail building in bushland.

Whilst we support the construction of properly designed and professionally constructed tracks and trails in degraded and non-sensitive urban bushland we are concerned at the environmental damage that thoughtlessly designed tracks and trails in more sensitive areas can, and do, cause. Also, given the pressures arising from a growing urban population, the demand for recreational access to bushland is leading to long-term damage and a loss of biodiversity across the region.

We launch our position paper with a public Q&A forum at St Andrews Church (coner Chisholm and Vernon Streets, South Turramurra) this Tuesday 10 August. For more information see our activities and Bushland Tracks and Trails pages.

STEP Walks and Talks 2010

Following our Q&A forum on Tusesday 10 August (see above), we continue our walks and talks program with a visit to to Katandra Bushland Sanctuary this Sunday 15 August.

On Sunday 5 September, Jim Wells leads a lower Lane Cover River bushwalk. As always, for more information see our activities page and current newsletter.

St Ives Showground Development

The showground site at North St Ives attracts nearly 500,000 users per year - a well-used community asset with a multitude of local and regional activities. Its strategic environmental location, consisting of a critical bush link for wildlife and threatened Duffys Forest Ecological Community means careful planning is required to improve use of existing facilities, and independent expert environmental and traffic impact reports for all future development proposals.

Read STEP's presentation and recommendations for St Ives Showground here.

STEP Publications

STEP is indebted to long-time member Dr John Martyn for the production of two books plus walking maps of the Lane Cove Valley and Middle Harbour Valley. John's most recent publication, Sydney's Natural World, contains over 400 colour photographs illustrating the beauty and variety of Sydney's landscape and ecosystems. He is currently working on a new edition of the Field Guide to the Bushland of the Upper Lane Cove Valley.

President's Report 2009

Read about STEP's achievements in 2009 and outlook for 2010.

STEP Matters, July 2010 - NEW!

Our bimonthly newsletter.  To access previously published editions, click here.