Illawarra Coke Company signs agreement to protect Illawarra escarpment

The Illawarra Coke Company has signed an agreement with the NSW Government to permanently protect approximately 75ha of the Illawarra escarpment that falls within its boundaries.

The Illawarra Coke Company has signed an agreement to protect the Illawarra escarpment.

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The Illawarra Coke Company (ICC), owner of the former Coalcliff Coke Works property, has signed an agreement with the NSW Government to permanently protect approximately 75ha of the Illawarra escarpment that falls within its boundaries.

In signing the Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement, ICC has undertaken to protect and manage the ecological communities present at the site to improve and maintain the conservation values of the land.

The Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement will be registered on the title of the land and, under the agreement, ICC will implement a management plan which includes access control, weed and feral animal control, and fire management.

ICC Director Kate Strahorn said the agreement would offer ongoing protection for a valued part of the Illawarra escarpment.

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“We understand the importance of the ecological communities on the former Coalcliff Coke Works property and are pleased to have signed this agreement,” she said.

The primary objective of the Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement is conservation management, however other uses such as passive recreation are permissible, as long as they do not harm the ecological community being protected.

The existing walking trail which traverses ICC property along the Illawarra escarpment linking to the adjacent state conservation area will still be accessible to walkers.

The remaining land that does not meet the criteria for the Biodiversity Stewardship Agreement is currently being assessed for future uses including informal conservation, heritage, public amenity and development.