Dignams Creek

Dignams Creek is an area of near coastal forest and hinterland adjoining Gulaga (Mt Dromedary) and the coastal Wallaga Lake National Park, providing a link to the coast from the escarpment forests. It is an area of high biodiversity, including what is likely one of the major koala populations in southern NSW and a major population of the threatened long-nosed potoroo. One of the main coastal flowing waterways flowing out of this area is Dignams Creek.

Dignams Creek covers part of Bodalla State Forest near Tilba and Mt Dromedary, extending over 9,708 ha.

Some of the conservation values of Dignams Creek are listed below:

Dignams Creek is a very significant area for the threatened koala, after a large number of koala scat findings have been recorded in the area. This population appears to be an extremely significant breeding population, and is associated with the population in Murrah and Bermagui directly to the south. Between them these populations may well be the most important breeding colony for the koala in south-east NSW.

Dignams Creek is crucial for a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative reserve system. It is required for its contributions to, or achievement of, several JANIS scientific criteria ­ almost the entire area contributes significantly to forest ecosystem or old-growth targets. The most significant contributions are to forest ecosystems 14 (70% of target), 42 (100% of target) and 152 (for which it is the largest contributor of any proposed National Park), and old-growth ecosystems 14 and 42 (for which it is also the largest contributor of any proposed National Park).

Dignams Creek was almost entirely deferred in the Interim Assessment Process in recognition of these high JANIS values, or has been placed at the end of the harvesting schedule, because of its recognised high conservation values.

Dignams Creek is an area of high local community concern and value. Many local residents are voicing strong concern at logging proposals for the area, and have signalled strong support for the area's protection.

Dignams Creek protects the upper catchment of Dignams Creek, an important local community water supply.