News

Biodiversity Strategy - Adopted by Council

6 December 2024

At its meeting on Tuesday 3 December 2024 Council considered a report including community feedback and adopted the Biodiversity Strategy. Read the resolution below:

1. That Council adopt the Biodiversity Strategy with the inclusion of the following items in the Action Plan:

  • continue investigations into establishing microforest trial sites in the Ashfield-Djarrawunang and Stanmore-Damun wards;
  • investigate opportunities to progressively remove Camphor laurel and Himalayan ash trees on Council-owned land and replace them with appropriate native trees, including the feasibility of setting a target for removal;
  • investigate opportunities to reduce or cease regular maintenance and mowing of areas of green space in parks and other Council-owned land to allow native bush to regenerate and establish bushcare corridors, including a trial at Robson Park, Haberfield;
  • recognise that well-planned medium and high density housing can provide opportunities to increase biodiversity, and investigate and prioritise opportunities to protect and enhance biodiversity when planning for housing growth and accompanying infrastructure, including as part of the Inner West LEP and DCPs;
  • report annually to Council on progress of key actions, implementation plans, and targets contained within the strategy; and
  • explore how data collection undertaken by volunteers can be provided by Council to the public, with sensitive data removed.

2. That Council update the Policy Register and publish, as applicable, internally and externally the adopted Biodiversity Strategy.

3. That Council acknowledge the contribution made by local resident David Noble to the visual development of this strategy through the supply of Inner West wildlife photographs.