Russell Vale - Environment

Russell Vale is part of the Illawarra coastal plain and is surround by Corrimal, Bellambi and Woonona with the Escarpment to the rear. The coastal plain is approximately 3km wide at Russell Vale. There are three distinct areas in Russell Vale, the Escarpment, the mine site and low density residential housing. Russell Vale is also part of the Bellambi Creek catchments area, as Rasts Gully Creek is a tributary leading to Bellambi Creek. (Environmental Impact Statement Coal Washery Reject Emplacement in the Southern Gully, Russell Vale, NSW, Stage 3, Aug 1989)

The most dominant feature of Russell Vale is the Escarpment. At some points the Escarpment rises to a height of 500m. The Escarpment is mostly in its natural state with the slopes covered in dense tree coverage. Rainforest is found in scattered pockets along the Escarpment. (Environmental Impact Statement Coal Washery Reject Emplacement in the Southern Gully, Russell Vale, NSW, Stage 3, Aug 1989)

The Gujurat NRE No. 1 Colliery takes up a large section of Russell Vale and has resulted in the clearance of native vegetation in this area. On the mine site lantana and blackberries are prevalent, as well as large areas of grasses. The land which the Russell Vale Golf Course is on has also been cleared. This land was previously used as a garbage dump and mine waste dump. (Environmental Impact Statement Coal Washery Reject Emplacement in the Southern Gully, Russell Vale, NSW, May, 1985)

Spread throughout Russell Vale amongst the houses are many varieties of trees including - Blackbutt, Grey Ironbark, Forest Red Gum, Turpentine, Ironwood, Cabbage Palms, Red Cedar and Cheese Trees to name a few. (Environmental Impact Statement Coal Washery Reject Emplacement in the Southern Gully, Russell Vale, NSW, May, 1985)

The native fauna includes small mammals such as bandicoots, rats and echidnas. Wallabies and kangaroos can be found on the Escarpment as well. The bird life includes Kookaburras, pigeons, butcher birds, magpies and an abundance of Yellow Crested Cockatoos. (Anthony, 1994)