A nature oasis in the city

Tucked in an urban landscape in one of the fastest-growing areas of Sydney, Bidjigal and Excelsior Reserves - with their Aboriginal heritage values and unique bushland - offer residents a haven of peace in the midst of city living.

But the invasion of weeds has been threatening the reserves’ amazing array of plants and wildlife.

Now the weeds are facing their biggest challenge, with Baulkham Hills Shire Council taking a coordinated approach to combating the threat.

“The bushland within the reserves ranges from really good, to really bad where there are only weeds and no native plants left,” said Baulkham Hills Shire Council Bushcare Volunteer Coordinator Helen Pollard.

“But a number of volunteer groups and individuals are working throughout the reserves to protect the bush, and our role is to help organise them.”

The Bidjigal Reserve Trust has also been formed to manage Bidjigal Reserve. The Trust was set up after descendants of the Darug people lodged a claim for a role in managing part of Excelsior Reserve.

Funding

Since 2002 the Australian Government has provided Baulkham Hills Shire Council, in northwest Sydney, with more than $50,000 to help coordinate volunteer work within Bidjigal and Excelsior Reserves.

Activities

“Volunteers pull out the weeds, then follow up with annual removal of any weeds coming up,” Helen said. “We have to continuously keep on top of it. It can take up to 10 years to remove weeds completely.

“Once the weeds are gone we plant native trees and shrubs in some areas, while in others, we let nature do the work and regenerate by itself.”

Helen said each group worked in their own area in the reserve, with some groups having been active for 15 years, and others just a couple of years.

“Then if anyone wants to start a new group, they ring me and I work with them to raise interest in the community and recruit volunteers with letterbox drops,” she said.

Achievements

Helen said the volunteers’ dedication over the years had shown great results for native plants and wildlife alike.

“When you see the variety of species and the beautiful flowers that show up the following year, it’s really worth coming back.

“Work is also helping the huge range of native animals like the Powerful Owl, Glossy Black Cockatoo, Echidnas and Sugar Gliders that call the reserve home.”

More information

1. Helen Pollard, Baulkham Hills Shire Council Bushcare Volunteer Coordinator: (02) 9686 4842 or hpollard@bhsc.nsw.gov.au
2. Judy Christie, Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authority: (02) 9895 7753 or judy.christie@cma.nsw.gov.au

Australian Government NRM Team
GPO Box 787
Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
1800 552 008 (toll-free)

DEWHA  | DAFF  | australia.gov.au  | NAP  | NHT 
Caring for our Country is an Australian Government initiative jointly administered by the Australian Government departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts