Lake Macquarie (23842)
Australia, Australasia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, D1a

Year of last assessment: 2009

National site name: Lake Macquarie

Central coordinates: Latitude: -33.1272, Longitude: 151.5442

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 50

Area of KBA (km²): 123.14044

Protected area coverage (%): 9.63

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Lake Macquarie is a large coastal lake north of Sydney. The Lake Macquarie IBA is defined as the southern edges of the lake, which support swamp mahogany, ironbark, forest red gum and spotted gum, which are key food species of Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater. This area covers the southern margins of the lake south of the town of Belmont, including Belmont Lagoon and Blacksmiths Reserves, from the lake to the sea; then between the lake shore and the Pacific Highway, south from the lake outlet at Swansea; then between the lake shore and the Sydney-Newcastle freeway to Dora Creek; then between the lake shore and Wangi Road north to Kilaben Bay. The area is primarily residential blocks with many large trees. Many coal mines extend under the IBA and there are two power stations.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.

Additional biodiversity: Masked Owl; Ospreys nest regularly (this is the southernmost regular breeding site for this species in eastern Australia).

Other site values: New South Wales state parks; private freeholds; traditionally owned lands; council foreshore and other reserved lands.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research (20%) | urban/industrial/transport (75%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Forest	33
Artificial - Terrestrial	33
Marine Coastal/Supratidal	33

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Swamp Mahogany and other key trees need to be actively protected by the Lake Macquarie Shire Council.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Natural system modifications	Fire & fire suppression	Increase in fire frequency/intensity	Only in the future
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Named species	Only in the future
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Problematic native species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Housing & urban areas		Only in the future
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Only in the future
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Only in the future

Additional information

References: Hunter Bird Observers Club Annual Bird Reports (1997-2008). New South Wales Annual Bird Reports (1997-2007). Regent Honeyeater recovery team database (2007). Swift Parrot recovery team database (2007).