Sydney Airport, in partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia and Bayside Council, as launched a three-year project to revive the Rockdale Wetlands Biodiversity Corridor.
Members of the community are being sought to help in the Reviving Rockdale Wetlands project, described as a critically important habitat and key community space.
Bayside Mayor Bill Saravinovski said the council’s partnership with Conservation Volunteers Australia and Sydney Airport is helping improve the natural environment in Bayside.
“This work complements the work of our Bushcare volunteers and supports our plan for the Hawthorne Street Natural Area and Scarborough Ponds,” Cr Saravinovski said.
The Rockdale Wetlands runs from the Cooks River to Sans Souci and has been identified as critically important habitat for the protection of declining flora and fauna species in the local rea.
The parklands and riparian areas attract birdwatchers and nature study groups while also supporting a range of other recreational activities, including extensive cycling tracks, sporting fields, tennis courts and playgrounds used by the community.
Sydney Airport chief executive officer, Geoff Culbert said the airport was focused on supporting community and environmental assets in the Botany area.
“Not only do the Rockdale Wetlands play an incredibly important role in supporting biodiversity in the area, but they also bring the community together,” Mr Culbert said.
“We’re very pleased to partner with Conservation Volunteers Australia and Bayside Council to revive this critical habitat and nurture it for the benefit of the entire local community.
“We’re committed to supporting our local communities and making a tangible contribution to protecting biodiversity and preserving Sydney’s world-renowned natural beauty.”
Conservation Volunteers Australia chief executive officer Phil Harrison welcomed the partnership.
“Over the years this unique wetland area has been affected by serious environmental degradation through littering, green waste dumping and of course, infestation from a host of different weeds,” he said.
“Despite this, it’s remained home to key fish as a breeding habitat, seven Endangered Ecological Communities and 28 fauna species listed as either threatened or migratory in the area.”
Volunteers can register to participate on the Reviving Rockdale Wetlands project by visiting www.conservationvolunteers.com.au<http://www.conservationvolunteers.com.au or contacting Conservation Volunteers Sydney on 9331 1610.
