Chapter Four

Benefits of the Pedestrian Loop Concept

1. Implementing spine routes for the Way
2. Promoting cross community ties
3. A focus for social and environmental projects
4. A focus for schools and educational projects
5. Contributing to more liveable communities
6. Health fitness and well being
7. Life long learning

Community Biodiversity Surveys

These can provide important information on which to base future community bushcare, species recovery programs and stream restoration work. The NPA and NPWS have developed an excellent manual explaining all aspects of surveys from inception to completion and review. Two types of survey are suggested: baseline survey and comprehensive.

The baseline survey is for groups with little or no previous experience, requires fewer resources to set up and is likely to suit the majority of communities along the Way. It utilises data collection methods, which are easy to follow. Scientific experts can support groups in choosing a suitable local habitat, setting up "transects" - a single line usually between 200 and 500m long. Along the transect are sampling points every 100 m where birds mammals and reptiles are surveyed and a 20m x 20m Square area or "quadrant" in the middle used to survey invertebrates and plants.

The baseline survey results can be used to share knowledge with neighbouring communities to build up a larger picture of flora and fauna; produce local fact sheets and educational material for schools; and contribute to Council rezoning and plans of management decisions.

Bush regeneration

The loop walks have the benefit of providing access to bushland reserves and of raising awareness of weed infestation and other issues which could be the focus for new voluntary bushcare groups, or new initiatives, such as indigenous seed collection, by existing groups supported by SSC Bushcare team.

Creeks and bushland monitoring

Loop walks provide access to local creeks and riparian zones affected by natural and man made processes. There are opportunities to support existing Streamwatch Groups set up under a Sydney Water Corporation program and start new ones to monitor catchment health.

Physical Education

Promoting walking as a physical activity for children not involved in team sports. One benefit is its non-competitive nature. A small pilot project emerged from the Feasibility Study on which future school involvement might be modelled;

Menai Public School - Pilot Project May to August 2003

The Project team responded to a request by teachers at Menai Public School concerning local tracks that could be walked as part of physical education for students in years 4, 5 and 6. Students discovered more about the project concept, the Aboriginal Dreaming Story of the Kia'mia, and located their homes in relation to the track network and natural features via a large scale map of the catchment.

An initial guided walk was conducted along a section of Burnum Burnum Track (W6-D4) overlooking Barden Creek valley. For the rest of the winter term, different walks of increasing length were undertaken by staff and students, including a visit to the tidal section of Mill Creek. Staff have reported:

• Improvements in children's fitness, stamina and mental well-being.
• Impromptu biology classes were held on route.
• Some children were inspired to revisit tracks with parents/carers at the weekend.
• Species encountered included: Rock Wallabies, Pelicans, New England Honey Eaters, Yellow Robins, Silver Eyes, blue wrens, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos, Rock Hoppers and a Fox (unconfirmed).
• Trail bike tracks have appeared on some routes.

Students and staff have both benefited from the program and feel that it should be repeated next winter as part of the curriculum.

Environmental Education

Using the tracks to access different habitats, vegetation communities, rivers and creeks, cultural and heritage sites to study biology, ecological processes, flora and fauna, geology, geography, indigenous and non-indigenous cultural and social history.

Cultural Education

Learning about Aboriginal occupation and the significance of the area to indigenous people. Bush foods, medicines, spiritual links to the land, Dreaming, the meaning of "Country". Learning to respect protocols and traditions.

In providing a facility for life long learning by people of all ages the loop walk project has potentially a valuable contribution to make to "Learning for Sustainability" Program - part of NSW Environmental Education Plan 2002-2005.

Natural Realms

Walks can link the four "natural realms" of the neighbourhood and improve opportunities for people to encounter the natural environment and feel connected to the web of life. Recent research by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service suggests that people tend to mentally construct 4 natural realms:

1. Urban paces, yards, streets - these are places made by humans for humans to live in. Only attractive and beneficial or harmless forms of wildlife are considered appropriate here - small attractive birds, lady bugs, blue-tongue lizards, kookaburras, frogs, butterflies and earthworms.

2. Urban nature - local parks and gardens - these are considered leisure places with lawns and manicured trees. Their purpose is human recreation. A wider range of wildlife is appropriate here, but needs to make room for humans.

3. Accessible bush - urban bushland, bush reserve/parks. These are managed bush areas e.g. Burnum Burnum Sanctuary, Bonnet Bay. They should be reasonably safe for humans to visit. Nevertheless they are basically there for the wildlife.

4. The natural environment - unspoiled original nature, not really intended for humans. Visits may involve discomfort and a degree of danger i.e. snakes, spiders wasps.

Home Range

"Home range" is the territory within which a person's day to day movements and activities normally take place. It increases as children grow up. Historically planners have placed barriers to people movement, which have severely limited young people's home range.

The development of loop walks has the potential to widen the home range and increase young people's freedom for independent exploration.

Children and young people require access to diverse learning experiences to discover their natural talents and develop their abilities. By providing safe accessible routes, ideally linking public open spaces of varying character such a s bushland and parks (natural realms) in close proximity to residential areas, opportunities are created which can complement formal schooling. These include:

• a focus for a healthy walks program;
• a facility for aged and probus groups;
• routes for families with strollers and the less mobile;
• routes for joggers and power walkers; and
• an informal facility for people seeking exercise or guided exploration of the neighbourhood before, during and after work where time is a constraint.