Kanahooka - Environment

See also Dapto history page

The environment of Kanahooka is largely influenced by its location on the western shore of Lake Illawarra. Lake Illawarra lies approximately 8 kilometres south of the Wollongong central business district and is an important ecological asset for the Illawarra region. It is a natural habitat for wildlife and a valuable commercial and recreational fishing ground. Mullet Creek contributes to areas of sand and mudflats at the edge of the lake which gives rise to large concentrations of wading birds during summer. Some of these species include:

Pelicans
Cormorants
Musk Ducks
Hoary-headed Grebes
Black Swans
Black Ducks
Grey Teal Ducks
Herons
Ibises
Spoonbills

(Mills, 1983)

There are no large areas of native vegetation remaining in Kanahooka. There are remnants of subtropical rainforest on Hooka and Goosebery Islands. The low lying land to the west of the lake once supported forests of Swamp Oak Casuarina glauca. Most of this remnant vegetation has been cleared from around the lake.

(Lake Illawarra Authority, 1988.)