Pittwater Online News

Salt Pan Public Wharf, Regatta Reserve (note baths are now gone; just the posts where the netting may have been remains), Florence Park, Salt Pan Cove Reserve, Refuge Cove Reserve

Site investigations for History page, photos taken Friday November 22, 2024, for Salt Pan Cove Public Wharf on Regatta Reserve + Florence Park: Some History

Hawkesbury River/Broken Bay maps

All available to download from: www.nsw.gov.au/navigation-communication-maps-times-and-restrictions/boating-maps

9A (PDF 2.02MB) 

Pittwater (PDF 2.27MB) **

Cowan Creek and Narrabeen Lakes (PDF 1.95MB)

Last update: September 2022

Map no. Area Last update

8B (PDF 1.2MB)

Tuggerah, Budgewoi and Munmorah Lakes (PDF 7.72MB)

Brisbane Water and Broken Bay (PDF 3.33MB)

Last update: December 2023

9B (PDF 1.4MB)

Lower Hawkesbury River, Berowra, Patonga and lower Mooney Mooney Creeks (PDF 1.51MB)

Mid Hawkesbury River, Spencer to Wisemans Ferry (PDF 919.07KB)

Last update: September 2022

9C (PDF 781.49KB)

Upper Hawkesbury and Colo Rivers (PDF 9.22MB)

Nepean River at Penrith (PDF 2.68MB)

Last update: December 2023

HY2023-7: Mid and Upper Hawkesbury River - indicative bathymetry post-flood – surveys of June 2022 to April 2023 (PDF 11.04MB)

**Pittwater

(and relevant section from)

Salt Pan Public Wharf

Florence Park as seen from end of Salt Pan Cove public wharf

View across to opposite shore

just across the bay - Scotland Island -

Salt Pan Cove Total Moorings: 268. 

Refuge Cove: Total Moorings: 131 

Netted swimming area (baths) now gone:

Regatta Reserve

Florence Park

Salt Pan Public Wharf can be seen from Florence Park - the park may even have been a camping venue during Pittwater Regattas

A new seawall was installed in May 2020

Mangroves growing - towards south and Regatta Reserve

Mangroves growing - towards north

Salt Pan Cove Reserve

Travelling further north, to the other little bay of Salt Pan Bay just before South Beach and the further north Refuge Cove, a description of Salt Pan Cove Reserve from Pittwater Council's Urban Bushland Inventory and Action Plan, Volume 2, published by the Natural Resource Unit, June 1998 - Central Ward Reserves - Saltpan Cove Reserve, Newport

Salt Pan Cove Reserve, Newport
Reserve Number: 0075
Street Address: 146A Prince Alfred Parade, Newport. 

Salt Pan Cove Reserve is located on the eastern foreshores of Pittwater in Newport. This narrow Reserve occupies 1.214ha to Prince Alfred Parade and is bounded by residences, roads and Salt Pan Cove. 

Salt Pan Cove Reserve is situated on Pittwater's eastern tidal foreshore and extends from a mudflat cove along a south facing slope. The grade of the slope diminishes towards the west as a spur extends into Pittwater to form the cove.

The foreshore is rocky with the exception of the mudflat at the eastern end of the Reserve. 

The parent geology is made up of the shales and sandstones of the Newport Formation of the Narrabeen Group. The derived soils are the moderately deep brown, red and gleyed colluvial podzols of the Watagan soil landscape. These soils are prone to mass movement and present a severe soil erosion hazard when disturbed.

Hydrology

The Reserve is at the bottom of the catchment which features residential development on Bilgola Plateau and steep slopes adjacent to the Reserve. The eastern end contains a boulder-lined creekline that discharges through mangroves and mudflats into Pittwater. The remainder of the Reserve contains no defined natural drainage lines.

Vegetation

On the slopes, Salt Pan Cove Reserve is dominated by Spotted Gum (Corymbia maculata) Forest. On the north facing slope the Spotted Gum is associated with Grey Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata) and Rough-barked Apple (Angophora floribunda). Common species in the understorey include Forest Oak (Allocasuarina torulosa), Common Hop Bush (Dodonaea triquetra) and Burrawang (Macrozamia communis).

Cabbage-tree Forest dominated by Cabbagetree Palm (Livistona australis) and Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum) occurs along the creekline. Beneath the canopy the dense low tree layer of rainforest species includes Smooth Mock Olive (Notelaea venosa), Sandpaper Fig (Ficus coronata) and Mutton Wood (Rapanea variabilis). Groundlayer species present include Rasp Fern (Doodia aspera), Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum formosum), Tender Brake (Pteris tremula) and Water Vine (Cissus hypoglauca). On the mudflats, remnant Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca) Woodland dominates and a  mangrove community of Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina var australasica) occur. In the past, both these communities would have continued further along the foreshore. 

Fauna

Although weed invasion has badly degraded fauna habitat in this Reserve, a few habitat trees such as Spotted Gum, Cabbage-tree Palm, Swamp Oak, Forest Oak and Blueberry Ash remain. Squirrel gliders, a threatened species in NSW and an endangered population in Pittwater, have been recorded nearby. Regeneration of fauna habitat would assist the gliders and other species as usable trees are too far apart.

Council's Habitat and Wildlife Corridor Conservation Strategy maps the Reserve as "Corridor - Co1 " which indicates corridors or habitat areas though disturbed are likely to be of value due to good crown cover and/or understorey.

Aboriginal and Non-aboriginal sites

Several sites exist in this Reserve:

• an open midden located above South Beach consists mainly of oyster shell.
• an open midden located to the north of the Reserve, consists of 70% shells. The shell types include oyster, mussel, cockle and mud oyster.
• an open midden severely eroded by wave action, consisting of oyster, mud oyster, mussels and cockle shell types.
• an open midden, similar to the above site, severely eroded by wave action. Oyster, mud oyster, periwinkle and mussel shell types make up 50% of the midden contents.

There is potential for further Aboriginal sites such as axe grinding grooves and engravings to occur in the area.

There are no known European Heritage sites in the Reserve. 

Statement of Significance

Salt Pan Cove Reserve is significant as:

• It provides a small sample of Spotted Gum Forest, a plant community considered significant in NSW;
• It provides intertidal habitats of rocky shores, mudflats, Grey mangrove (Avicennia marina var australasica and Swamp Oak (Casuarina glauca) Woodland;
• It provides potential habitat for Squirrel gliders, a threatened species in NSW and an endangered population in Pittwater;
• It acts as a stepping stone to aid faunal movement throughout the peninsula;
• It contributes to the landscape quality of Newport and the eastern foreshore of Pittwater while providing a record of the original landscape and the changes wrought by urban development;
• It provides a number of Aboriginal sites on the foreshore indicative of food resources used by the original inhabitants of the area;
• It is an educational resource and a contact point with nature for residents; and
• It allows urban residents to undertake informal recreational pursuits in a bushland and foreshore setting.

Management Objectives

The management objectives for Salt Pan Cove are:

• to protect the natural features of the Reserve;
• to maintain the natural range of structural and floristic diversity of bushland in the Reserve;
• to protect the significant plant communities, namely Spotted Gum forest, and habitats, namely potential habitat for Squirrel Glider, and intertidal habitats including rocky shore, mudflats, mangroves and remnant Swamp Oak forest;
• to protect the natural features of the Reserve;
• to adequately manage the bushland in relation to encroachments and weed invasion;
• to protect life and property from wildfire and to maintain ecological processes by seeking to maintain a near-natural fire regime in those parts of the Reserve with the exception of the closed forest area to conserve native flora and fauna in the Reserve;
• to control introduced animals in the Reserve;
• to provide low impact recreational and educational use of the Reserve consistent with the other objectives, and
• to encourage community appreciation and neighbourhood participation in the bushland management of the Reserve.

Management Issues

Weed Invasion

Along the narrow western arm of the Reserve, Lantana and Honeysuckle have established as a result of dumping. Soil and vegetative dumping from the road have also contributed to weed infestation in the Reserve. The gully area is generally dominated by Lantana and occasionally by Morning glory.

Bush regeneration

A regeneration program previously undertaken, defined an informal access track from Prince Alfred Parade and included some weeding of the adjacent bush, needs to be followed up. As the Closed Forest area is least weed infested, the slope above this area should be seen as a priority. It should be then progressively weeded out from the areas of good bush, gradually expanding in an east and westerly direction to the limits of the Reserve. 

Access, walking tracks and neighbours

There is an informal track from Prince Alfred  Parade leading south down to the creek and cove via log timber steps. It provides access to a sandy beach where some dinghies are located.

The rest of the Reserve allows adjacent residents to pass through the Reserve to jetties and the foreshore.

There is a history of garden refuse dumping, as well as understorey clearing generally to provide views. Notably some mangroves have been cleared to provide boat access to some residents and improve views. There is a need to educate residents about living near bushland and issues including control of domestic animals, dumping, bush rock removal and appropriate bushfire hazard reduction practices. 

_______________________________________________

Some photos taken Friday November 22 2024, as part of the site investigations undertaken, shows this end part of Salt Pan Cove needs the residents it is for to form a neighbourhood Bushcare Group and reclaim this public space. It badly needs some TLC - the weeds Morning Glory and Lantana are killing everything else in this area:

Refuge Cove Beach Reserve

Refuge Cove Reserve, Clareville is 1.16 hectares of public foreshore land and a nice spot for a sunny afternoon dip or a picnic - just remember to check the tides.

Access is via a very steep and slippery public path, with several flights of equally steep steps, alongside 320a Hudson Parade - not for the faint-hearted or those not wearing sensible shoes.

When we checked on Friday November 22 2024 the signage to indicate the public path and accessway has been removed:

Pittwater Council Sign in place in October 2018

November 2024 - no longer here

Refuge Cove Reserve from the water, February 2024

In November 2024:

Access along the beachfront has been blocked by this structure, which is filled with large stones:

At the Tuesday 30 April 2024 General Meeting of the Northern Beaches Council, Item No 13.2 – Outcome of Public Exhibition Draft Plan of Management for Lot 2 DP827733, 316 Hudson Parade, Clareville, details from Council documents state:

''Purpose

To consider an application for a 20 year licence from the owner of 316 Hudson Parade, Clareville for use of an area of adjoining Community Land (Lot 2 DP 827733) for the purpose of access stairs and part boatshed.

Executive summary

The owner of 316 Hudson Parade, Clareville (the applicant) has applied to enter into a licence agreement with Council to use an area of Community Land within Refuge Cove Reserve which adjoins 316 Hudson Parade to facilitate the construction of a boatshed and associated access stairs on Lot 2 DP 827733 (Lot 2) and the ongoing use of these structures. The subject area is approximately 58 sqm.

Lot 2 was the subject of a lease between Pittwater Council and a previous owner which commenced on 4 March 1993 and terminated on 4 March 2013.

On 7 March 2016, Pittwater Council resolved to re-categorise Lot 2 from ‘Natural Area’ to ‘General Community Use’ and to grant the General Manager (now known as the CEO) delegation to negotiate the terms and conditions of a new lease. At that time, a timber boatshed existed partially on Lot 2 and partially on Crown Land adjoining Lot 2, being the Pittwater waterway.

On 14 September 2018 Council served a Stop Work Order following the complete demolition of the boatshed. The Stop Work Order was appealed to the Land and Environment Court (Proceedings No. 2018/00308701) by the applicant. The appeal was subsequently discontinued with Council’s consent. A development application has subsequently been lodged for the boatshed works.

Public notice of the application for a licence was given for a period of 28 days in August and September 2020 in accordance with section 47 of the Local Government Act 1993. Council received a total of 46 submissions on the proposed licence during the notification period (30 in support and 16 against). The Local Government Act 1993 provides that a council must not grant a licence in respect of community land for a period exceeding 5 years except with the Minister’s consent, if a person makes a submission by way of objection to the proposal. Accordingly, should Council wish to grant the licence, Council will need to apply for the Minister’s consent to do so.

This report recommends that Council authorise the grant of the licence subject to Minister’s consent. The approval of a licence does not authorise specific works on the site and the current development application for proposed works will be assessed separately in accordance with the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979. It is intended that the proposed licence would be subject to the grant of development consent. 

The licence application was addressed in the business papers for the Ordinary meeting of Council held on 27 April 2021 at Item 13.5 - Consideration of Licence Request for Council Community Land Lot 2 DP 827733 (within Refuge Cove Reserve) and adjoining 316 Hudson Parade, Clareville. Following correspondence from the applicant, Council unanimously resolved at the meeting to defer the item. Since that time Council staff have further communicated with members of the community and the applicant regarding the matter. As a result, the report has been updated and the recommendation amended.

BACKGROUND

In 1993, a previous owner of 316 Hudson Parade, Clareville dedicated to Council foreshore land at Refuge Cove Reserve, now Lot 2. The transfer was conditional upon a lease being provided over the access way to the foreshore and the section of the original boatshed above the mean high water mark. A lease was subsequently granted by Pittwater Council to the owner in accordance with this condition.

The previous lease agreement expired on 4 March 2013. In 2015 the applicant, after purchasing the property at 316 Hudson Parade approached Pittwater Council seeking to renew the agreement for a further twenty (20) year term.

Pittwater Council at its meeting on 7 March 2016 resolved (the 2016 Resolution) as follows:

C10.1 316 Hudson Parade Clareville - Renewal of Expired Lease

1. That the report by the Independent Chairperson regarding the re-categorisation of Lot 2, DP827733 be noted.

2. That the land, Lot 2, DP927733 in Refuge Cove be re-categorised from Natural Area to General Community Use.

3. That the General Manager be delegated to negotiate the terms and conditions of a new lease based on the expired lease following the re-categorisation of the land.

On 15 November 2016, a complying development certificate (CDC) was issued by an accredited certifier for development on foreshore land including Lot 2 described as “Repairs and restoration of existing structures”. The CDC related to the boatshed that existed on Lot 2 and the adjoining Crown Land. 

On 14 September 2018, Council served a Stop Work Order following the complete demolition of the existing boatshed. It was Council’s view that this work was not carried out in accordance with the CDC, the CDC was not lawfully issued and the works were undertaken without owner’s consent. The Stop Work Order was appealed to the Land and Environment Court (Proceedings No. 2018/00308701). The appeal was subsequently discontinued by the applicant with Council’s consent. In connection with the discontinuance of the proceedings, the applicant agreed to surrender the CDC and Council agreed to act on any outstanding Council resolutions made on 7 March 2016 (specifically the 2016 Resolution).

Item 2 of the 2016 resolution relating to the re-categorisation of the land has been completed by Council.

This report is to address item 3 of the 2016 Resolution. To action this item of the resolution, Council staff have undertaken public notification of the proposed licence in accordance with section 47 of the Local Government Act 1993 which concluded on 24 September 2020. A summary of submissions is noted in the table within this report. Copies of all submissions are in Attachment 2.

While the previous formal agreement for the subject land was a lease, following consultation with the applicant, the proposed form of agreement that was notified was a licence granting permission to use the land rather than provide exclusive use.

Concurrent to the licence application, Development Application (DA) DA2020/1762 for demolition works and the construction of a boatshed, ramp, slipway, jetty and steps which contemplates works over various parcels of land in the vicinity of 316 Hudson Parade, Clareville including Council land at Lot 2 was lodged with Council on 15 February 2021 and has not yet been determined. Owner’s consent from Council as the land owner of Lot 2 has been given the applicant to lodge the DA. The DA will be reported to the Northern Beaches Local Planning Panel for determination in due course.

[NB: Consent was given on 4/4/2022] DPI Fisheries reviewed the revised plans had no objections - 16 July 2021

The licence application was addressed in the business papers for the Ordinary meeting of Council held on 27 April 2021 at Item 13.5 - Consideration of Licence Request for Council Community Land Lot 2 DP 827733 (within Refuge Cove Reserve) and adjoining 316 Hudson Parade, Clareville. Following correspondence from the applicant, Council unanimously resolved at the meeting to defer the item. Since that time, Council staff have further communicated with members of the community and the applicant regarding the matter. As a result, the report has been updated and the recommendation amended.

CONSULTATION

Public notice of the application for a licence was given for a period of 28 days in accordance with section 47 of the Local Government Act 1993. The public notification included a notice on Council’s website, notice letters to surrounding property owners and notice signs adjoining 316 Hudson Parade, Clareville.

The submission period specified in the public notice commenced on 27 August 2020 and concluded on 24 September 2020.

Council received a total of 46 submissions on the proposed licence during the notification period (30 in support and 16 against).

Objections to - Council response: A licence over this land does not specifically exclude the public’s access other than to any private structures on the land (where appropriate DA approval is granted). The licence is for a renewal of an existing 20 year licence not a licence for the use of the foreshore area for the first time. It is noted that the applicant considers that existing use rights apply. 

The licence itself does not change the access to the foreshore that is currently in place. 

The licence of itself would not permit the re-building of the boatshed. This development will be considered separately under a DA.

In accordance with section 47(5) of the Local Government Act 1993, if an objection to the proposal is received and Council proposes to grant a licence, Council is required to apply to the Minister for Local Government for consent to grant the licence. Alternatively, Council may choose to refuse the application and no application to the Minister would be required.

Having regard to all the circumstances including the submissions received in respect of the proposal it is recommended that Council authorise the proposed licence.

The steps required to enter into licence over Lot 2 DP 827733 are expected to be completed within 6 months, subject to the grant of the relevant consents.''

According to the plans ''Public access behind boat shed (shown hatched)''.