Koalatown

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Consultation has concluded

Consultation has concluded
  • An update on Mt Gilead

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    Media Release - 14 October 2020

    Campbelltown councillors and the public were last night given an update on the actions being taken to protect the local koala population as part of the Draft Biodiversity Certification Application for Mt Gilead Stage Two.

    Last year, Council provided conditional support for the submission of the Draft Biodiversity Certification Application to the NSW Government on the provision that it be amended to align with specialised studies and feedback from relevant Federal and State agencies.

    Since then, the proponent commissioned a report to clarify the necessary size of the koala movement corridors, which was peer reviewed by Dr Steve Phillips on the request of Council.

    The findings of these reports concluded that for the preservation of koalas and the provision of suitable and viable habitat, the corridor habitat would require a width ranging from 425m to a minimum width of 250m, resulting in an average corridor width of 350m.

    Safe crossing points across Appin Road have been recommended at key fauna corridor linkages as well as protection fencing along Appin Road.

    In August, the NSW Chief Scientist’s report was released and included a number of recommendations for the protection of the Campbelltown koala population.

    Council expects that any proposed amendments to the biodiversity certification for Mt Gilead Stage Two would include koala protection measures such as the recommended corridor widths as well as appropriate fencing and safe fauna crossing points along Appin Rd.

    Staff will continue to work with the Chief Scientist, Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and the proponent, Lendlease, to enable the implementation of these important protection measures as soon as possible ensuring both the safety of our local koala population, and people travelling along Appin Road.

  • Koalatown room opens at Visitor Information Centre

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    Media Release - 9 October 2020

    Visitors and residents can now learn about Campbelltown’s unique local koala population in the new Koalatown room at the Campbelltown Visitor Information Centre.

    The room contains a wealth of educational information on the local koala colony including European and Aboriginal historical information and ways we can protect our koalas.

    Visitors can also go on a ‘pick your koala’ adventure by getting information on the best places to find koala habitat and tips for when they are onsite to increase chances of seeing a koala in the wild.

    “Our koalas are unique to our area and precious to locals so it’s important that we educate visitors to our region about the history and importance of the Campbelltown koalas,” Mayor George Brticevic said.

    “The Visitor Information Centre attracts people from all over the world but also has a healthy number of visitors from the local area seeking to discover some of our region’s hidden gems,” Cr Brticevic said.

    “This is a great opportunity to educate everyone on our local koalas and encourage people to think about threats to koalas and what you can do to make a difference like driving carefully at night and walking your dog on a leash in our bushland reserves,” he said.

    “I’d encourage locals and all visitors to our area to get down to the centre and visit the Koalatown room. You can also pick up some great gifts crafted locally and discover some of the great natural experiences that Campbelltown has to offer.”

    Visitors will also be able to purchase a koala-themed souvenir with all the profits going to support Campbelltown’s dedicated wildlife carers.

  • Council programs nominated for environment awards

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    Media Release - 29 September 2020

    The work of Council’s Natural Areas team has been recognised as finalists in the Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards.

    The Koalatown campaign has been nominated for the Communication, Education and Empowerment category while Council’s work to eradicate the Amazon Frogbit invasive weed from the Georges River has been nominated in the Invasive Species Management category.

    Koalatown is a campaign that encourages residents to take ownership of the protection of local koalas by reducing threats such as dog attacks, vehicle strikes and habitat loss through responsible behaviour. The campaign also increases awareness among the next generation of Campbelltown kids through school education programs.

    Since May last year, Council has been working to clear Amazon Frogbit from the Georges River. The infestation was the first time the aquatic weed had been found in open waters in NSW and had the potential to cause significant damage to local biodiversity.

    “We know that our residents value our environment and the amazing biodiversity that we have here in Campbelltown which is why we are so proud to have been recognised with a nomination in the LG NSW awards,” Mayor George Brticevic said.

    “The first few months of our Koalatown initiative have successfully raised awareness among our community of some of the threats facing our beloved local koalas. We’ve been in local schools and held a number of planting days to get students on board with the Koalatown message,” Cr Brticevic said.

    “The Georges River is one of our great natural assets and we were really proud of the efforts of our staff to contain and eradicate the Amazon Frogbit weed before it significantly infested the waterway,” he said.

    The awards are expected to be announced online on Tuesday 13 October.

  • Next stage of Smiths Creek enhancement project begins

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    Media Release - 31 August 2020

    Koala habitat in Campbelltown’s largest urban bushland reserve will be restored as part of the next stage of the Smiths Creek Enhancing Koala Habitat project in Ruse.

    More than 30ha of bushland has been restored and large amounts of invasive woody and vine weed species, particularly Small and Large-leaf Privet and Lantana, have been removed since 2015 as part of the ongoing project.

    Stage five of Smiths Creek Enhancing Koala Habitat will see further weed removal and habitat restoration take place near Richmond Crescent.

    The project is a partnership between Council and the Greater Sydney Local Land Services and has seen Council’s Bushcare volunteers contribute 437 work hours to help regeneration efforts.

    “Smiths Creek Reserve runs through the heart of Campbelltown and is one of our most important urban bushland reserves, providing an important corridor for the movement of koalas and other animals like the endangered gang-gang cockatoo,” Mayor George Brticevic said.

    “This project also engages local schools to educate students about the importance of this habitat and the wildlife who live there,” Cr Brticevic said.

    “Our environment team have installed nest boxes and remote sensor cameras to monitor local wildlife as well as host education sessions and provide teachers with learning materials,” he said.

    “Our Bushcare volunteers have done an amazing job helping to regenerate this bushland and I’d encourage anyone with a passion for their local environment and the amazing animals that live there to join their local Bushcare group.”

    Greater Sydney Land Services officer Linda Dedovic said Greater Sydney Local Land Services was proud to have supported such a crucial project for the Campbelltown area.

    “We have funded on ground projects in this important reserve for more than five years through the NSW Government’s Catchment Action program,” she said.

    “Council have been an outstanding project partner providing critical support through volunteer and community engagement which is second to none.”

    The project is part of council’s commitment to delivering the habitat restoration objectives identified in the Koalatown campaign and the recently approved Campbelltown Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management.

  • NSW Chief Scientist’s report to protect local koalas

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    Media Release - 31 August 2020

    Council has welcomed the release of NSW Chief Scientist’s report into the protection of the Campbelltown koala population.

    An independent panel of expert scientists have provided the report to the NSW Government that includes proposed measures and strategies to mitigate risk to koalas and their habitat.

    The draft Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan was also announced last week, which included plans for a Georges River Koala Reserve, which is on public exhibition until 25 September.

    Mayor George Brticevic said any increased protections for Campbelltown’s precious koala colony were welcomed by Council.

    “Council has long been advocating for increased protections for our local koalas and the wildlife who share their habitat including the provision of adequate fauna crossings as part of any upgrade to Appin Road,” Cr Brticevic said.

    “We have been vocal for many years about the need to establish a Georges River National Park and look forward to seeing more detail on the proposed reserve,” he said.

    “It is pleasing to see that many of the recommendations and findings from the Chief Scientist’s Report have vindicated actions taken by and advocated for by Council for many years, as part of our Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management and more recently, our Koalatown campaign.”

    Staff will review the detail of the reports and provide its response to the NSW Government.

    Residents are encouraged to put in their own submissions to the draft Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan.

  • Koala Plan of Management approved

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    Media Release - 21 August 2020

    Campbelltown’s Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management has been approved by the State Government, facilitating further protections to koala habitat in the LGA.

    The plan was submitted to the Department of Planning, Infrastructure and Environment for review in 2016, detailing conservation actions and planning guidelines for properties within koala habitat

    Council is now working to align the final version of the plan with the State Government’s new Koala State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP), established in March.

    “This plan of management provides clear planning guidance for residents living in areas of koala habitat while ensuring its preservation is a priority in the planning process,” said Mayor George Brticevic.

    “The objectives of the plan are also being delivered through our Koalatown program to enhance community awareness and opportunities to support our koalas through their own actions,” Cr Brticevic said.

    “I’ve been pleased to see many of the actions and frameworks in our plan, which was first submitted to the State Government in 2016, have been incorporated into the Koala SEPP,” he said.

    Under the plan Council will take a number of actions including:

    • Undertaking and supporting habitat rehabilitation works
    • Monitoring koala populations and the effectiveness of the plan
    • Implementing education programs
    • Developing and enforcing planning controls relating to habitat management
    • Supporting koala welfare groups
    • Integrating the plan into other Council policies

    Residents living on properties more than one hectare in size can now rely on the new comprehensive plan of management when undertaking home improvements instead of being required to go through the time consuming and costly preparation of their own plans of management.

    Development applications will also be fast tracked for people who are completing home improvements that do not remove any vegetation or impact on koala habitat to help speed up the planning process.

    The plan was prepared in consultation with internationally renowned professional wildlife ecologist and koala expert Dr Stephen Phillips of Biolink ecological consultancy.

  • Council investigating illegal tree clearing

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    Media Release - 20 August 2020

    Council is asking for help from the public who may have witnessed the illegal cutting down of trees at a property at Hansens Rd in Minto Heights from 13 to 16 August.

    More than 200 trees of different sizes and species within a critically endangered ecological community that also contains koala habitat are alleged to have been illegally cut down during this period.

    Any members of the public who may have witnessed trees being removed are being asked to contact Council’s compliance team.

    Council investigators are collecting evidence including photos, videos or witness statements.

    Anyone with information can call Council’s compliance team on 46454604 or email council@campbelltown.nsw.gov.au.

  • Community and students help plant hundreds of trees

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    Media Release - 7 August 2020

    Koalas will be the beneficiaries of hundreds of koala habitat and food trees planted by school students and the community at recent Koalatown events.

    Campbelltown East Public School was the first to be officially declared a Koalatown school during a tree planting day held last week.

    Eighteen schools have signed on to partner with Council on the Koalatown program.

    Students planted hundreds of trees on school grounds next to Smiths Creek Reserve, a regular koala movement corridor.

    Hundreds more trees were planted by community members during the first Koalatown Tree Planting Day at Ingleburn Reserve which is part of the Strategic Koala Revegetation project funded by Council and the Federal Government’s 20 Million Trees Program.

    “Engaging local schools and students to build awareness about the importance of our local koalas is a core part of our Koalatown program,” Mayor George Brticevic said.

    “Our aim is to inspire the next generation to help us to take meaningful actions that will protect and conserve koalas. The trees planted at the school will enhance the existing habitat at the nearby Smith’s Creek Reserve,” Cr Brticevic said.

    “Thank you to everyone in our community who joined in the tree planting event at Ingleburn Reserve. We look forward to welcoming more people next year when COVID restrictions are eased,” he said.

  • Major upgrade planned for Ingleburn Reserve

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    Media Release - 30 June 2020

    Ingleburn Reserve is set to be transformed into a weekend destination for families and friends to enjoy the get outdoors and nature as part of a major upgrade that will improve the local environment and recreation facilities at the reserve.

    The community’s views are now being sought on a draft concept plan for the site during the consultation period until 7 August.

    The $1.5 million project includes environmental improvements such as weed control and tree planting as well as upgrades tracks and trails, access paths, picnic facilities, roads, parking and signage and is expected to be completed in June next year.

    The draft concept plan aims to celebrate the many important plant animal species that live in the area as well as acknowledging the local European and Aboriginal history.

    “Ingleburn Reserve is one of our hidden gems that provides a clear pathway to the Georges River and is a great spot for picnicking, swimming, fishing, bushwalking and birdwatching,” Mayor George Brticevic said.

    “These upgrades will not only ensure the local fauna and flora benefit from the improvements made, but that people will also be better able to enjoy Campbelltown’s natural environment,” Cr Brticevic said.

    “A key part of our Koalatown initiative is to support our harmonious coexistence with the koalas living and traversing our area and this project will help achieve that by making significant environmental improvements to the area,” he said.

  • Planting project to revitalise endangered koala vegetation

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    Media Release - 17 June 2020

    More than 15,000 trees are being planted across four sites in Ingleburn and Macquarie Fields over the coming months as part of Council’s Strategic Koala Revegetation Project.

    The project will see a total of 3.9ha, or eight football fields of land, planted.

    The project began two weeks ago with the planting of 5000 trees at Loftus Reserve in Macquarie Fields, which will complement works already completed over the past two years as part of Council’s Simmos Beach Catchment Rehabilitation Project.

    “This tree planting project will greatly improve critically endangered shale sandstone transition forest vegetation, increase canopy cover and provide important koala habitat,” Mayor George Brticevic said.

    “The project is a direct action from our Draft Comprehensive Koala Plan of Management and is also a pillar of our new Koalatown initiative to engage the community, improve key koala corridors and increase koala habitat,” Cr Brticevic said.

    “You can also do your bit by getting involved in the Koalatown initiative and making your home and suburb a koala-friendly place,” he said.

    A further 10,250 trees will be installed at three sites at Ingleburn Reserve.

    Work is already underway to remove weeds, install fencing and prepare the ground for the planting.

    The Strategic Koala Revegetation Project is funded by $82,000 from the Federal Government’s 20 Million Trees program and $22,000 from Council.