As at Feb 2004

We are a community based non-profit group formed in April 2000 to help protect the natural and cultural heritage of Malabar Headland.

60 + members from Sydney’s eastern suburbs and beyond. FoMH is also supported by the local community, the Greens, and Local and State government, and others.

12km south of Sydney CBD, between Maroubra beach and Malabar beach

Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Telephone: 02 6277 7600, Fax: 02 6273 4541

The Commonwealth Government has recently taken some positive action on the headland (eg. weed and rubbish removal), but there is much more this government can and must do.

Malabar Headland (200ha) is a nationally recognised local treasure. The headland is the largest, most diverse, best quality unprotected coastal bushland on the Sydney coastline. The headland contains the largest remnant of the endangered "Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub", provides habitat for a wide range of fauna (plants 341 species, birds 198 species), and contains large open space and important Aboriginal and World War 2 heritage sites. The adjacent marine environment is also of great importance (eg. endangered grey nurse sharks - only site in Sydney, weedy sea dragons, penguins, albatross)

Endangered Place, Aust. Council of National Trusts – 2001

Register of National Estate Listing, Aust. Heritage Commission – 1987, 2003

National Trust of Australia (NSW) listing – 2001

Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, endangered plant community (listed by Commonwealth and State legislation)

The headland is under threat from:

• a proposed Commonwealth Government sale of the headland’s western bushland (15ha)
• access to headland is only permitted by target rifle shooters, horse riders, and model aeroplane flying. Bushwalking, bird and whale watching, rock fishing and scuba diving are popular uses, but unfortunately not legally permitted.
• poor site management - damage to headland from rubbish dumping, motorbikes, 4WDs, vandalism, weeds, fire, horses, and feral animals (cats, foxes, dogs, rabbits)
• contamination of land and water from the former landfill under the rifle range
• major reluctance by the Commonwealth Government to communicate with the local community regarding the headland

Extract from "Draft Community Plan Of Management for Malabar Headland 2002 (prepared by FoMH)". FoMH is a community based group. Our key recommendations include:

• protection of the natural and cultural values of the headland
• establishment of a National Park and public open space on the headland
• completion of the headland section of the Eastern Suburbs coastal walk
• clean up of contamination from the former landfill
• handover of headland to State govt

The Draft Community Plan Of Management for Malabar Headland 2002 and above recommendations have been adopted by Randwick City Council. The local and wider community and Bob Carr also support these recommendations.

At 7.00 pm on the first Thursday of each month at St Marks Church Hall, cnr Franklin Street and Victoria Lane, Malabar

Bush Regeneration: Thursdays and Sundays

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/malabar

PO Box 6023 Malabar NSW 2035