History and Environment
Camden Head Pilot Station Statement of Significance

Wash House Beach Rock Platform
Wash House Beach is one of the most diverse rock platforms in NSW. In 2008, a study was undertaken by Dr Debbie Geronomi and a team of four Year 12 studnets from Camden Haven High. The study identified and measured some 128 species of organisms living on the platform. An interpretative sign was unveiled by the Federal Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott, on Friday 14th November 2008.

Alina Tipper, Rachel Evans, Dr Debbie Geronomi, Jade Drayton, Kate Buchanan

Unique Heritage
The Birpai people are the traditional owners of the lands and waterways of the Port Macquarie - Hastings region. European settlement of the Camden Haven occurred from the early 1800s, associated with the penal settlement of Port Macquarie.

In 1890 land was reserved at Camden Head for a Pilot Station to assist ships to navigate the treacherous bar at the Camden Haven River inlet. In 1889 work began on breakwalls to improve river navigation and a signal shed was the first building on the site, erected in 1890. In the late 1890s, a pilot's residence was built. This was destroyed by fire in the 1950s. The current dwelling was erected circa 1950.

The Pilot Station was vital to the well being of the Camden Haven during the coastal shipping era. With the advent of rail transport in 1915 and improved road services, coastal shipping and the need for piloting services declined. However, a range of important Maritime Services Board functions continued at the Station until its closure in 1990.

The Pilot Station is heritage listed as ‘a rare surviving intact group of buildings which provides physical evidence of the living and working conditions of the pilot and boatmen’. It was refurbished in 2001-2002 with assistance from State and Local Government.

Today the Pilot Station has a new role, to preserve and enhance cultural and natural heritage and to contribute to community well being. Camden Haven Community College is Reserve Trust Manager of the Pilot Station.

Wash House Beach Wetland
Adjacent to the Pilot Station, this ephemeral wetland is located in a low dune swale behind the Wash House Beach foredune. The wetland was formed due to changing patterns of sand deposition following the construction of a spur wall in 1971-2. The structure of the Wash House wetland is still evolving and the site is a unique natural and educational resource.

In 2001 and 2002 Camden Haven Community College and the Bushcare group commissioned two studies of the wetland – Flora and Fauna Study (Geoffrey James and Joanne Green; December 2001) and Wash House Beach Wetland Report (TF Rolls Forest Regen November 20020) to assess the condition of the wetland and make recommendations for its future management.

The reports identified that the wetland is home to several species of bats including the Little Bent-wing (vulnerable) and the Eastern Free-tail Bat (threatened). Also recorded on the site were several species of bird including the Glossy Back Cockatoo (vulnerable) and Osprey (vulnerable).

A boardwalk with interpretive and educational signage was constructed using Coastcare funds to increase visitor safety and enjoyment, reduce the high traffic impact and create all weather access to Wash House Beach.

Wash House Beach
There are many stories about how Wash House Beach got its name. Whatever the origin, it's a fascinating place to see nature at its best from rock platforms with intricate rock pools to soaring sea eagles. The beach to mean high tide mark is part of Kattang Nature Reserve.

Kattang Nature Reserve
Natural diversity and spectacular coastal cliff scenery make Kattang an ideal place for bushwalking, photography and bird watching. In spring, Kattang comes alive with wildflowers. Enjoy frolicking dolphins or observe the whale migration from many scenic vantage points.

Landscape and Heritage Interpretation Masterplan
A plan was developed between 2001 and 2003 by Artist Dianne Beevers and Landscape Architect, Rupert Milne Holme in consultation with the Pilot Station Committee and local residents. The plan was funded by the Community Cultural Development Board of the Australia Council. It identifies opportunities to creatively interpret the rich natural, social and cultural heritage of the site and is being implemented in stages as funding becomes available.

Watch Out for Wash House
In 2002, Camden Haven Community College commissioned a study funded by Coastcare to assess the biodiversity of the Perpendicular Point rocky intertidal zone on Wash House Beach and determine if it is a candidate for consideration as an aquatic reserve. The study found that Perpendicular Point had the second highest number of species of the 10 rocky intertidal shores in the Manning Shelf bioregion. It also had 15 species that were not found on other shores. The report concluded that the zone meets the criteria for nomination as an aquatic reserve. A final determination is dependent on the outcomes of the Manning Shelf Bioregion Assessment Study being carried out by the NSW Marine Parks Authority.

Bush Regeneration
The Camden Head Pilot Station Bushcare Group was formed in 2000 to control the spread of invasive weeds including Bitou Bush and Lantana and to support the natural regeneration of native species on the Pilot Station bushland reserve. The group also undertakes projects which protect and conserve the natural and cultural heritage of the reserve and surrounding areas.

The Camden Head Pilot Station Vegetation Management Plan (Terrence F. Rolls – Forest Regen May 2000) describes six different vegetation communities occurring on the reserve and outlines strategies to manage weeds and increase the site’s biodiversity. The regeneration work includes spraying with Roundup biactive, hand treatment of weeds and selective planting and is undertaken by contract Bush Regenerators and volunteers using Bush Regeneration principles and practices.

The ongoing regeneration program is supported by Hastings Council and has been funded by the Federal government’s Natural Heritage Trust through the Coastcare and Envirofund programs and the Department of Land and Water Conservation.

Since 2000 the Wauchope Campus of the Mid North Coast Institute of TAFE, has used the reserve as a field studies site for students in the Bush Regeneration and Bushland Weed Control Training courses.