Board applications open for Central Coast Wetlands - Pioneer Dairy

Central Coast residents with appropriate skills are invited to apply for the board of one of the region’s most important Crown land environmental and community assets, the Central Coast Wetlands – Pioneer Dairy.

Seven board members will be appointed for up to five years to help enhance the Crown reserve as an outstanding recreational, environmental and community parkland for the Central Coast.

Applicants will need to be qualified to help:

• Develop and consult on a masterplan for the site which involves a range of quality environmental, community and recreational uses.
• Investigate and scope out infrastructure upgrades that are needed to implement the masterplan.
• Develop a business model for future uses of the reserve, and funding sources for infrastructure upgrades.
• Manage ongoing short-term uses of the reserve.
• Engage and support volunteers in the ongoing maintenance and environmental management of the site.

Central Coast Wetlands – Pioneer Dairy has important heritage as the largest of more than 200 dairies operating in Wyong Shire in the 19th century and remains a tangible link with the agricultural heritage of the area.

Today the reserve is the region’s largest area of open space with public access with 155-hectares of woodland, wetland and open paddocks, making it highly popular for nature lovers, families and community groups for recreation, environmental education and celebrations.

The site is home to hundreds of bird species and an enormous biodiversity of plants and animals, as well as historic buildings, licenced cattle grazing, a golf driving range, plant nursery, wetlands rehabilitation, community gardens and education activities.

Crown Lands Executive Director of Land and Asset Management Greg Sullivan said Crown land is held in trust for the community.

“Central Coast Wetlands - Pioneer Dairy site is an environmental and recreational gem so recruiting community members with the right skills and enthusiasm to the board will help support its long- term sustainability,” Mr Sullivan said.

“While the role of board members will be voluntary there will be great personal rewards in knowing that you are managing public land and assets for the benefit of the entire community.”

Applications can be made online until Thursday, 21 September 2023 or submitted by email at [email protected] or posted to NSW Crown Lands at PO Box 2155 DANGAR NSW 2309.

For further information contact Peter Draper on (02) 4937 9311 or visit reservemanager.crownland.nsw.gov.au