Use and care of bushland reserves

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Our bushland reserves are at risk from a range of human and environmental factors. It is important that visitors and bushland neighbours enjoy our bushland reserves responsibly and help to preserve and protect them.

About human and environmental threats

Important indigenous plants and animals continue to disappear through:

passive recreation and overuse by people eroding or compacting soil and trampling plants
weeds out-competing native plants
vandalism, such as dumping and mowing, destroying native plants and spreading weeds
new dangers to wildlife, such as foxes, roads and a lack of healthy vegetative cover.

How you can help

We encourage residents to help us manage and maintain our reserves by:

Volunteering

Join an active Friends Group and get involved with activities ranging from planting and weeding to rubbish removal and water testing

Supporting local wildlife

Local residents can contribute to our bushland by joining the free Gardens for Wildlife Program.

Enjoy our bushland responsibly

As a visitor or bushland neighbour, you can help by:

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Tread gently in the bush

Many of our most beautiful and sensitive native plants and insects can easily be damaged or destroyed by careless trampling. Try to stay on formed tracks, this prevents erosion and minimises the spread of weeds.

Leave the bush in the bush

Rocks and fallen branches provide homes for native animals, while flowers and seeds ensure that plants will reproduce. Removing these can harm the animals and plants that live in the reserve.

Do not feed human food

The feeding of human food to wildlife can lead to many detrimental effects:

unhealthy wildlife – nutrient deficiencies, weight problems and gum/beak diseases to birds
aggressive behaviour – wildlife can grow to rely heavily on food provided by humans and become quite threatening and aggressive in their demand for it. Animals that become used to being fed might also lose their fear of people. This puts them at risk around people who don’t appreciate wildlife.
spreading disease – the increased contact between wildlife and humans can lead to the spread of disease.

Provide natural sources of food

You can provide food for wildlife by increasing the amount of habitat available to them. An animal’s habitat will provide natural sources of food, such as:

nectar
foliage
insects.

You can create this habitat by planting native plants in your garden.

Pets belong at home

Keep your cat inside (especially at night) and make sure that your dog is secure on your property.

Keep your backyard in your backyard

Don’t expand your lawn or garden into the bush or ‘improve’ the bush by planting.

Dumping rubbish and lawn clippings over the back fence damages our bushland. It can:

spread weeds
create fire hazards
smother native plants
change the soil nutrient levels to favour weed growth.

If you notice anybody dumping waste on public land, call Council’s Local Laws team on 9298 8000.

Get to know your local plants and animals

Find out about the amazing diversity of plants and animals in your local bushland.

Observant residents are often the first to notice ecological changes such as a decline in small bird numbers or increasing numbers of pest species.

Need help?

Or call our Customer Service team on 9298 8000.