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Towra Point Nature Reserve (TPNR) Site Overview 

In carefully selecting TPNR as the proposed site for ‘Future Of Fish in Sydney Hotspots', the following research material has proved absolutely compelling.  TPNR is of clear National historic and ecological significance with a very low level of community awareness and education about its existence.

Future Of Fish has selected this site as its National and International showcase for Episode 1 of Series 1, Future Of Fish in Oz.  TV, DVD & Community series; Episode 1 titled ‘Future Of Fish in Sydney Hotspots'.

The audio visual messages available at TPNR go to the heart of the Future Of Fish vision and mission to conserve, preserve and improve the health and future of Our Kids and Our Environment.  For all Australians, for all future generations, being a true representative leadership Nation for philanthropy and the environment.

Future Of Fish strongly believes that an active Community, Corporate Sector & Government ‘One-Voice' approach showcasing this region, will aid Community Coastcare objectives to:

• Protect and rehabilitate the coastal environment and critical aquatic habitat of Towra Point; and

• Enhance community skills, knowledge and engagement within indigenous Australians, volunteers, coastal communities, the corporate sector and Government

Vegetation at Towra Point is of great scientific importance, being the site for some of the first botanical collections in Australia, by Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander in 1770.  It contains habitat for a small population of Syzygium paniculatam, which is listed as vulnerable under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

Less than 5 metres above sea level, approximately 16km south of Sydney CBD it adjoins Kurnell Peninsula forming the southern and eastern boundaries of Botany Bay.

Botanically diverse, almost 300 plant species have been identified.  TPNR contains approximately 50% of the remaining mangrove communities and 90% of the remaining saltmarsh communities in Sydney.

Towra Point is important for the survival of many species of birds.  Approximately 200 bird species have been recorded in the Towra Point area.

Areas of Towra Point provide for almost 50% (31 out of 66) bird species listed on the Japan-Australia Migratory Birds Agreement.  Of note, several species listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 are within the Reserve.

Towra Point has a regular occurrence of 2% of the Australian population of the Eastern Curlew (Numenius madagascariensis), 6.1% of the Lesser Golden Plover (Pluvialis dominica) and 1.1% of the Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres).  The sand spit is used for breeding by species such as Little Tern (Sterna albifrons) and Pied Oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus) which are listed on the endangered and threatened lists, respectively.

Towra Point has large populations of migratory waders stopping to feed on route to larger summer feeding grounds in the south.  It supplies rich nutrient grounds for fish nurseries and an array of invertebrate species.

The tidal range for Botany Bay is approximately 0.1 to 2.0m.  A number of small freshwater ponds once existed (1770) on Towra Point, however, seawater contamination has caused them to become brackish.  The surrounding catchment comprises industrial, residential and recreational areas.

Towra Point is an estuarine landform comprising a mixture of spits, bars, mudflats, dunes and beaches.  The shape of Towra Point is influenced by changes in the topology of Botany Bay due to tidal currents, erosive and transporting forces caused by waves from ocean swells entering through the heads, and movements in the mouth and scour channels of the Georges River.

The flat intertidal areas of muddy sand at Towra Point, Towra Spit and Quibray Bay are of particular importance as they provide roosting grounds and feeding habitat for a number of waterfowl and migratory birds.  The muddy sand flats at the eastern end of Towra Point and at the western end of Towra Point are being damaged by coastal erosion.

Towra Spit is actively extending in a south-westerly direction and the beaches on the eastern and western faces of Towra Point are eroding and contributing sand to the growth of the spit.  Recent erosion has been partly attributed to dredging and port works within Botany Bay.

In 1991, erosion caused the western portion of Towra Point to separate from the mainland and to form a highly mobile island west of the spit.  The island rejoined the mainland in 1997 at the eastern end after a large local storm.  Works are proposed to stabilise Towra Point island and to protect shorebird.  Continuing measures to mitigate coastal erosion are required.

TPNR has some historic structure and three known Aboriginal sites.  It is primarily surrounded by a highly industrial environment.  Oil pollution from shipping movements is a moderate threat.  Dredging within Botany Bay and revetment walls construction are possibly altering wave movements within the bay, which may affect seagrass meadows adjacent to the Reserve.

Shoreline instability and erosion, and invasive weed infestations, are ongoing management problems.

Shoreline erosion causes impacts on wader roosting, feeding and nesting habitats.  This poses serious threat to the viability of wading bird populations at Towra Point.

Introduced plants and animals and litter are continuous management problems and a medium to high threat to the Reserve.

Access to the Reserve by trail bike and horseback riders are a medium threat, which facilitates the propagation of weeds.  Access by day users in boats are a lower threat.  There also may be threats from proposed sandmining, landfill, dredging activities and tourist developments in the vicinity of the Reserve.

Current recreational usage of parts of the Reserve are high.  In summer months in excess of 500 people and 120 boats have been recorded from the western face of Towra Point.

In saving Towra Point forever we save the Coast and the Future Of Fish living and breeding in its surrounds.  An initiative of National and International significance, to rival the nearby founding location set in our history by Captain Cook in 1770.  Where it all began, so we always need to look back with pride on how we managed the environment since then, by doing all we possibly can today and in the future.