If you find injured or displaced native wildlife on your property, please call one of the following for assistance:
WIRES on 1300 094 737 or Sydney Wildlife on 02 9413 4300
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