In early 2010, Ku-ring-gai Council placed the draft options for St Ives Showground and precinct lands on public exhibition. STEP made the following points in its submission:
- the need to protect in perpetuity the endangered ecological community known as Duffys Forest
- the removal of the Ku-ring-gai Mini Wheels Training Club (KMWTC) from this environmentally sensitive site
- the retention of the Wildflower Garden in its current location
In June Ku-ring-gai Council released a report which recommended a departure from the exhibited plan by retaining the KMWTC, despite recognising the widespread environmental damage being done. Indeed on this issue the report specifically noted the need ‘to carry out associated environmental management works to regenerate the Duffys Forest vegetation community’.
On the positive side, the report recommended that Duffys Forest and other existing natural vegetation be protected from encroachment, vehicles, compaction, nutrients, weeds and rubbish. Noting again, the exception of ‘the KMWTC area, which has been damaged over a long period of time. A separate plan will be devised to guide use in the KMWTC area.’
Should this report be adopted by Ku-ring-gai Council, community and stakeholders will again be invited to contribute to the draft plan of management. STEP will review the report and monitor progress.