Belmont Wetlands was established in 2005 as the 10th State Park in New South Wales. The former BHP site, which adjoins the Pacific Ocean between Belmont and Redhead south of Newcastle, is now under management of a Community Trust Board that will plan and direct the remediation and improvement of the Belmont reserve to ensure environmental values are sustained and public access is improved.
Belmont Wetlands State Park comprises seven coastal wetlands, some of which drain into Lake Macquarie. It features the largest single open water wetland in Lake Macquarie and is fed by an extensive wetland system from the north and north east.
Bordering the South Pacific Ocean are extensive sand dunes fringed by forest. This 514 ha site is host to a diverse range of over 170 species of native wildlife.
Belmont Wetlands also has sites of value to our cultural heritage, with evidence of Aboriginal occupation and early European settlement.
Download our Belmont Wetlands brochure (PDF 1MB)
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Adoption of the Plan of Management
In 2005, LPMA declared Belmont Wetlands as New South Wales' 10th state park. Lands Public Reserves Management Fund supplied initial seed funding for the community based trust, as caretakers of the park, to undertake revegetation. In addition, LPMA has provided $250,000 for the trust to prepare of a draft plan of management (PoM) to address immediate on-ground management needs.
The final Plan of Management was approved by the Minister for Lands on 2 August 2010. Details are available on the LPMA website, or contact gregwrig@hotmail.com.
Some benefits of the project include:
- environmental rehabilitation of degradation caused by sand mining
- environmental rehabilitation following 4WD and trail bike use
- protection of the park from illegal dumping, arson and other antisocial activities
- an extensive weed and feral animal control program to help protect biodiversity and sensitive habitats
- protection and rehabilitation from soil erosion
- continual bush fire mitigation works to protect wildlife and surrounding communities
- extensive revegetation and dune stabilisation works utilising Green Corps volunteers
- protection of important cultural heritage sites for future generations
- enhancement of the environmental and recreation values of the reserve
- engagement of community members in the long-term care of the park
- achievement of better outcomes for native vegetation, biodiversity, land, rivers and coastal waterways as per the NSW State Plan.
Flora and fauna
Belmont Wetlands State Park NSW holds a range of important environments, from coastal wetlands with their abundance of wildlife, to rare examples of coastal woodlands; housing over 113 bird species, and a number of rare plant species. The Belmont Wetlands area is important for maintaining both local and regional biodiversity, offering a range of habitat types which support a rich mix of plant and animal species dependent on the area for their survival. Over 113 bird species make the area home, as well as threatened wildlife species, and a number of rare and endangered plant species are found in the wetlands.
Landcare
A new Landcare grouop, Friends of the Wetlands Park, has already made significant inroads in the regeneration of a 600m long section at one of the northern entry points to the state park at Kallaroo Road. We encourage you to join this exciting community venture. To find out more contact gregwrig@hotmail.com.
