Next stage of Smiths Creek enhancement project begins
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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.