History
Over 20 years ago, STEP incorporated with the name STEP Inc. STEP is not an acronym.
STEP was originally the South Turramurra Natural Bushland Conservation Society, formed in 1971 to fight Ku-ring-gai Council's plans for a garbage tip in the Lane Cove Valley between Canoon Road and Cove Street. This proposal was defeated but later morphed into a development proposal for a complex of community halls, sports ovals and courts.
In 1978 Ku-ring-gai Council pressed for a complex of netball courts. The South Turramurra Natural Bushland Conservation Society assembled to form South Turramurra Environment Protection (STEP). In 1986 STEP became an incorporated association with the name STEP Inc and its objectives were enshrined in its constitution.
In 1999 KUBES merged with STEP followed by the Thornleigh Area Bushland Society (TABS) in 2007. TABS was established in 1987 out of concern about threats to, and degradation of, the bushland around Thornleigh. TABS brought to STEP two new committee members and strong ties with Hornsby Shire Council and bushcare in the Thornleigh area.
Aims and Objectives
- To preserve all natural bushland within Ku-ring-gai and its environs from alienation and degradation
- To ensure proper management of this bushland in accordance with principles of Australian natural bush management
- To be concerned with environmental issues within Ku-ring-gai and its environs
- To be concerned with education and the promotion of our objectives by publishing booklets, information sheets and maps; conducting conferences, seminars and meetings; and lobbying persons in public office
- To provide for representation on committees, other organisations, and in proceedings or inquiries relating to environmental matters
Achievements
- Campaign against freeways through the Lane Cove Valley, including the protection of the bushland along the B2–B3 road reservation
- Long-term protection of, and adequate funding for, the bushland within Lane Cove National Park
- Reduction of sediment, litter, nutrients and the velocity of stormwater entering the Fox Valley section of Lane Cove National Park, made possible by the acquisition of an EPA Stormwater Grant
- Involved with the formation of the Blue Gum High Forest Group to preserve the Blue Gum High Forest in St Ives for perpetuity
- Protection of the bushland at the University of Technology Sydney (Ku-ring-gai Campus)
- Development of a method of selective hand clearing for bushfire hazard reduction
- Implementation of modern bushland management techniques in the field until they became generally accepted
- Environmental education by giving grants to schools and supporting the Young Scientist Awards
- Publication of books:
- Field Guide to the Lane Cove Valley Bushland (2010)
- Sydney's Natural World (2007)
- Field Guide to the Bushland of the Upper Lane Cove Valley (1994, out of print)
- Publication of maps of walking tracks:
- Walking Tracks of Middle Harbour Valley and Northern Harbour Foreshore - Sheets 1 and 2 Bungaroo and Roseville Bridge (2004)
- Walking Tracks of Middle Harbour Valley and Northern Harbour Foreshore - Sheets 3 and 4 Northbridge and North Harbour (2004)
- Walking Tracks of the Lane Cove Valley (2000)
- Walking Tracks in the Upper Lane Cove Valley (out of print)
- Publication of position papers:
- Position Paper on Bushland Tracks and Trails (2010)
- Position Paper on Extending Lane Cove National Park
- Position Paper on UTS Rezoning Proposal, Ku-ring-gai Campus (2003)
- Position Paper on the F3-M2 Proposed Link (2002)
- Lane Cove Valley Freeway Position Paper
- Plan of Management for South Turramurra Bushland (1980)
President's Reports
2011 /2010 / 2009 / 2008 / 2007 / 2006 / 2005 / 2004 / 2003 / 2002 / 2001