Natural Areas

Council manages over 30 areas where the community are able to relax and enjoy the beauty and tranquility of a natural landscape.


Tura Beach headland.Bega Valley Shire Council manages over 30 areas where the community are able to recreate in a natural landscape.  From Murunna Point in Wallaga Lake (north of Bermagui) to the natural reserves in and around Wonboyn Lake, south of Eden, Council manages these areas on Council owned land or on Council managed crown land so that the community can enjoy the beauty and tranquillity of the Australian bushland and natural coastal areas.  Walking tracks, picnic tables and viewing platforms are among some of the built recreational assets that exist within these natural areas for the enjoyment by the public.  Importantly, Council looks to manage the native vegetation within these areas with the aim to foster a healthy indigenous vegetation communities within each area. In doing so, Council endeavours to manage the proliferation of feral plants (weeds such as blackberry and African lovegrass for example) and feral animals (foxes, rabbits, cats) into these areas by undertaking works to control these feral populations. 

Further to managing the native vegetation, Council manages bushfire risk under the NSW Rural Fires Act 1997  to manage the potential impacts to neighbouring properties.  Council manages the risk of bushfire within natural areas in conjunction with the Rural Fire Service and other members of the Bega Valley Bushfire Management Committee the through the development of the Bega Valley Bush Fire Risk Management Plan.

The natural environment is a key asset of the Bega Valley Shire. The natural amenity and undeveloped nature of the Bega Valley coastline is a key marketing advantage of the region’s tourism industry and a large part of the appeal of living in and visiting the Bega Valley Shire.

Tura Head Coastal Reserve and Dolphin Cove Reserve

The Tura Head Coastal Reserve and Dolphin Cove Reserve natural area is an extensive area of coastal vegetation extending from the Tura Beach Country Club along the Tura Beach coastline all the way to Bournda National Park.  These two coastal areas cover an area in excess of 80ha and is either solely owned and managed by Bega Valley Shire Council or is managed by Council on behalf of the NSW Government (Crown land).

These two coastal reserves are not only wonderful recreational areas for locals and visitors alike to enjoy, they function as an important habitat and wildlife corridor for native wildlife especially providing a link from Bournda National Park to the north down to Back Lake and Short Point in Merimbula.

Council has recently completed a Site Management Plan for the northern section of Tura Head Coastal Reserve (adjacent to an area known as the Point) and Dolphin Cove Reserve.  This plan sets out the capital, operational and maintenance requirements required to manage the area adjacent to The Point and Dolphin Cove, Tura Beach, in accordance with legislative requirements.  In preparing this plan, Council has considered the recreational use of the site, including the number of access tracks within the area; the existing natural assets located on site, including threatened species management and the management of weeds and feral animals; bushfire management; emergency access to both The Point and Dolphin Cove; and the restriction of unauthorised vehicles to the site.

Do you wish to volunteer?

In finalising this document and in accord with the October 11, 2017 Council resolution relating to this site, Council is calling on members of the public who would like to volunteer to be involved in the ongoing management of the site.  If you are interested in volunteering to manage these two coastal reserves, Council encourages you to email with your interest to council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au or contact Council’s Recreation and Natural Assets team on 02 6499 2222.

Nominate to Volunteer
 

Tura Beach Flora Reserve

Tura Beach Flora Reserve is a small remnant of native coastal forest vegetation in suburban Tura Beach.
Flora Reserve Map
Flora Reserve Phamplet

 

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