Saving our Wildlife

January 2023

Due to the extensive clearing of vegetation at 55 Coonara Ave, our local native wildlife population needs your help. Already over 1,250 mature trees and understorey have been removed, and there are a further 1,877 trees that will be removed this coming year.

Any surviving native wildlife, including the birds and bats that would normally live or forage on this site, will be under increased pressure for food, and many will have to disperse into the Cumberland State Forest and nearby gardens for their survival. This creates undue competition for resources within the area and within Cumberland State Forest itself.

To that end, we have been asked by local wildlife rescuers to consider planting 'native food’, ‘habitat and corridor’ plant species to help the displaced animals and reduce the pressure on the surrounding environment. Even a small garden can provide much-needed food and shelter.

Scroll down for a list of local plants that will help our wildlife survive the destruction of their habitat at 55 Coonara Ave.

Additionally, many animals will be under pressure to find places to live because so many mature trees with hollows are being felled at this site. Trees with hollows are valuable to so many species including raptors, parrots, possums, gliders and bats. Powerful Owls live in this area and so do numerous threatened microbat species and the vulnerable Eastern Pygmy Possum. Please consider putting up nesting boxes to provide a home for displaced fauna. Visit https://nestboxtales.com to learn how to make nest boxes yourself. There is also a companion Facebook Group - “NestBox Tales” for tips on the types of nest boxes that work best for each species, and to ensure correct placement.

The wildlife would very much appreciate the help we can all offer them following the extensive destruction of habitat at 55 Coonara Ave.

Recommended plant species

Ground covers/Grasses: - Blue Flax Lily - Dianella caerulea

Native Viola - Viola hederacea

Creeping Shade Grass - Oplismenus aemulus

Basket Grass - Oplismenus imbecillis

Tussock Grass - Poa affinis

Spiney-head mat rush - Lomandra longifolia

Bracket Fern - Pteridium esculentum

Vines/climbing: - Wonga wonga vine - Pandora pandorana

Shrubs: - Midyam Berry - Austromyrtus dulcis

Larger Bushes:- Lilly Pilly - Syzygium smithii

Bottle Brush - Callistemon salignus/ Callistemon viminalis

Paperbarks - Melaleuca bracteate/ Melaleuca styphelioides

Dwarf Flowering Gums - (Corymbia ficifolia)

Lemon Myrtle - Backhousia myrtifolia

Larger Trees:- Smooth Barked Apple - Angophora costata

Eucalypt – Eucalyptus saligna/ Eucalyptus paniculate/ Eucalyptus pilularis/ Eucalyptus globoidea.

Any other native understorey plants and low shrubs would help to provide wildlife shelter and ground cover.

Hills Shire Council grow many local species at their Bidjiwong Community Nursery, and Hills Residents can receive 4 free tube stock plants every year. More information at https://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Services/Environmental-Management/Bidjiwong-Community-Nursery