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    Thursday, 24 July 2008   |  13ºC – Showers in the Vicinity   |  Telephone: 02 9777 1000

Bushland

View of CastlecragA defining characteristic of the Willoughby Local Government Area is the presence of significant areas of native bushland. This bushland is fragmented throughout Willoughby, and some areas are quite small, but there are large concentrations along the Lane Cove River and along Middle Harbour.

Bushland is valuable to the community as a recreational, educational and scientific resource as well as being an aesthetic natural heritage. Bushland contains rare plants, animals and archaeological sites as well as stabilising the soil and increasing surrounding land values.

Council controls and cares for around 300 hectares of bushland, while some is privately owned or belongs to other Government organisations. There are three distinct types of land in Willoughby, each with special plant species.

Your bushland is under threat due to existing within a very urban area, often as long narrow strips. This makes it very vulnerable to:

  • Weed invasion
  • Pets and feral animals
  • Dumping of rubbish, including weeds and other plant material
  • Stormwater and urban run-off, including erosion
  • Clearing for residential and development purposes
  • Removal of plants, logs and rocks
  • Fragmentation into even small areas

The community-based program Bushcare consists of volunteers who are supported by Council who help preserve Council managed reserves. These dedicated people have contributed much to the community by maintaining the natural environment, and you are welcome to join them. Examples of their work, showing the before and after states, are great proof of what we can do to help restore nature.

You can help Willoughby’s bushland by:

  • Removing plants in your garden that become weeds in the bushland and replacing them with local native species
  • Not letting your garden grow outside your own property
  • Not dumping garden waste or other rubbish in bushland
  • Controlling your pet so it cannot attack native wildlife
  • Joining a Bushcare group
  • Learning more about the environment by going to workshops, open days and seminars

You might also want to check out bushwalks and e.restore.