Rockview

 

Rockview

Rockview is a 1,957 hectare wilderness property near Inverell in northern NSW. It supports significant areas of old growth forest, including nationally threatened Box-Gum Grassy Woodland.

 

South Endeavour Trust purchased the property in 2009 to protect it from encroaching agricultural development and to ensure proper control of feral animals that threatened its ecological values.

Rockview features dramatic areas of exposed granite

 

 

Rockview is home to 418 native plant species, 12 vegetation communities and 130 bird species. It has a spectacular landscape, with dramatic exposed granite rock shelves and slopes and large balanced tors.

 

The most significant of Rockview's values include:

 

Extensive areas of Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands which are recognized as an endangered ecological community under the NSW  Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 and federal Environmental Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

 

Two plant species which are recognised as threatened in NSW.  These are:

  • Homoranthus prolixus (Barraba Heath Myrtle)  (e) (=Homoranthus bornhardtiensis)
  • Goodenia macbarronii (Narrow Goodenia)   (v)

 

 

Six other plants recognized as Rare or Threatened Australian Plants (RoTAP). These are:

  • Callistemon pungens
  • Veronica arenaria (=Derwentia arenaria)
  • Eucalyptus quinniorum
  • Thelionema grande 
  • Zieria odorifera
  • Pultenaea setulosa (=Pultenaea campbellii)

 

Over 130 bird species, seven of which are recognized as threatened in NSW including the Regent Honeyeater which is also recognized as endangered under federal legislation.  These are:

  • Regent Honeyeater Xanthomyza phrygia (e, E)
  • Hooded Robin Melanodryas cucullata cucullata (v)
  • Turquoise Parrot Neophema pulchella (v)
  • Barking Owl Ninox connivens (v)
  • Speckled Warbler Pyrrholaemus saggitatus (v)
  • Brown Treecreeper Climacteris picumnus (v)
  • Diamond Firetail Stagonopleura guttata (v)

 

The presence of at least 13 frog species, 28 mammal species and 30 reptile species. Seven of these are recognized as threatened in NSW including the Border Thick-tailed Gecko which is also recognized as vulnerable by federal legislation. These are:

  • Border Thick-tailed Gecko Underwoodisaurus sphyrurus (v, V)
  • Squirrel Glider Petaurus norfolcensis (v)
  • Eastern Bent-wing Bat Miniopterus australis (v)
  • Eastern Freetail Bat Mormopterus norfolkensis (v)
  • Yellow-bellied Sheathtail Bat Saccolaimus flaviventris (v)
  • Greater Broad-nosed Bat Scoteanax rueppellii (v)
  • Eastern Cave Bat Vespadelus troughtoni (v)

 

A total of twelve vegetation communities, none of which are adequately represented in the formal reserve system:

  • The presence of old growth forest in good condition with minimal human disturbance, low intensity weed incursion and Box Woodlands with abundant hollows;
  • The proximity of the Conservation Area to the adjacent Ironbark Nature Reserve and Bornhardtia Voluntary Conservation Area giving a combined 4250 ha of contiguous protected area; and
  • The location of the Conservation Area within a Regional Habitat Corridor and an area identified as a priority for conservation.