Wollondilly Shire Council delivered strong environmental and community benefits by transforming three open spaces with an ambitious large-scale planting effort. Council planted locally endemic trees and large shrubs to enhance canopy coverage and boost biodiversity across Tahmoor Park, Dudley Chesham Oval, and the Yallambi Street vegetated drainage line.
Council set clear canopy cover targets for each site: 40% at Tahmoor Park, 30% at Dudley Chesham Oval, and 90% at Yallambi Street. As the plantings mature, these targets will improve shade, foster biodiversity, and elevate community comfort.
Bringing back biodiversity in open spaces
Council supported spaces for easy community recreation by layering trees with canopy and midstory species that cool the environment and enrich natural habitats. Local climate resilience was increased through carbon sequestration and air filtration, and water runoff quality was enhanced to protect ecosystems.
Volunteers at the Wollondilly Community Nursery propagated 10,000 tube stock trees and shrubs from locally collected seeds. Using a diverse planting palette, teams ensured the trees would fruit, seed, and flower throughout the year to create a continuous food source and habitat for native wildlife. They included nectar-producing species like Eucalyptus sideroxylon and Eucalyptus crebra to support threatened birds such as little lorikeets and swift parrots.
Lessons and collaboration
During planting, teams faced access challenges caused by wet ground at Tahmoor Park, underscoring the importance of planning around seasonal site conditions.
Council addressed rabbit disturbances impacting planting areas. With support from Local Land Services, they identified effective control methods and sourced suitable baits — a valuable step in managing open space ecology.
Council also involved the community by inviting the public to join a planting day at Tahmoor Park involving volunteers, including those from Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) NSW.