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Wollondilly Shire Council

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Flying Foxes

Home > Environment, Biodiversity & Sustainability > Wildlife & Nature > Flying Foxes

Council is working on reducing opportunities for flying foxes to roost near homes. Find out more.

 

Flying Foxes During Hot Weather

Grey-headed Flying-foxes are extremely susceptible to heat stress which can cause death when temperatures exceed 42°C, especially when subjected to consecutive extreme heat days. Visit our Handling and Disposing of Dead Flying-foxes page to find out how to correctly handle dead flying foxes.

 

Grey Headed Flying Foxes at Stonequarry Creek Presentation

Presented by Conservation Biologist Dr Peggy Eby

 

Stonequarry Creek Grey Headed Flying-fox Camp

Status March 2021

Council completed the community survey about how the Grey-headed flying foxes are affecting the community.

Here are some of the results.

 

 

Survey Summary page 2  survey summary page 4

 

Survey summary pg 3

Council has secured further funding to support the community in dealing with some of the issues from the camp. We will be making this available soon.

Status December 2020

The Grey Headed Flying Fox camp in Picton has expanded to over 15,000 individuals and is the largest the camp has been since monitoring started in 2013.

Wollondilly Council is looking into ways to help neighbouring residents deal with the impacts created by the camp.

Mayor Robert Khan said, “Council is aware of the impact that the flying-foxes are having on neighbouring residents including noise, smell and mess and we know that it can be very challenging to live alongside the camp.”

“We are keen to hear from residents on the best ways that we can help them, for example car covers, access to high pressure water cleaners and aromatic plants,” he said.

The camp at Stonequarry Creek is currently home to numerous females with young pups, making this a very delicate time as the mothers birth and raise their young.

Last summer most of the young pups died due to the extreme conditions coming out of a drought and with the impact of the bushfires.

Food sources for flying foxes across the country have been on the decline for a number of years and so has their population - consequently the Grey Headed Flying Fox is now listed as a vulnerable species.

Much of their habitat was severely burnt by the fires last season and this is a major reason why the camp has expanded so much in 2020.

Reviews of flying fox dispersals over the last 20 years have revealed that dispersal can be very costly, with over $1 million spent at the Sydney Royal Botanic Gardens and over $3 million spent at Melbourne Botanic Gardens.

Of 20 different locations where flying fox dispersal was attempted, the review showed that the majority of cases resulted in them returning to the site within a year or two.

Council is limited in what activities can be undertaken around the camp by Threatened Species Licensing provided by the State Government. This means no works can be undertaken around the camp during this current period of birthing and raising young pups.

However, Council is investigating actions that can help neighbouring residents deal with the impacts created by the camp. We are keen to hear your feedback on ways that we can help.

Please submit your responses in our survey through the link https://www.yoursay.wollondilly.nsw.gov.au/

Status July 2020

Wollondilly Shire Council is currently organising works to create a buffer for nearby residents from the Stonequarry Creek Grey Headed Flying-foxes camp. These works are only now able to be enacted due to the flying-foxes mostly moving on to another location.

Grey Headed Flying Foxes are significant pollinators of native plant species and make an invaluable contribution to ecosystem health. They are also listed as vulnerable at both a state and commonwealth level, so their habitat is protected. Any removal or disturbance to the camp requires licencing by the state government. Council’s works will be in accordance with licencing conditions.

The licence stipulates when activities can occur. Works can be undertaken between the months of May and July and not within 30m of any Grey Headed Flying-foxes. As part of the licence conditions Council must also engaged a Grey Headed Flying-fox expert to be present if works are being carried out with flying-foxes still present in the area.

Council’s licence is specifically for weed removal around the fringes of the Stonequarry Creek Grey Headed Flying-foxes camp. The main weed to be removed as part of the works are the privet trees that the flying foxes use for roosting. These will be cut using chainsaws and left on site as a form of erosion control. The vegetation removed will not pose a risk of fire or flood to residents.

Works will most likely be conducted from 21st – 24th July 2020. Please contact Council should you have any concerns.

 

Status September 2019

Council received a $15,000 in July to undertake buffer zone weed clearing works to push back the camp edge from private properties. The Threatened Species licence stipulates that works can be carried out between May and July as long as those works are not within 30m of the flying foxes. The licence also stipulates that work can be carried out from August to November as long as there are no pregnant females on site. 

As part of the licencing requirements council engaged a flying fox expert to assess the camp. The current estimate of the camp size is over 9,000 individuals and there is currently a high proportion of pregnant females within the camp. Due to the conditions of the licence and the time of year council has been unable to implement the buffer zone works.

We have engaged with the Office of Environment and Heritage to see if there is any flexibility in the licencing conditions to undertake works in the new year. 

Download the flying fox expert camp assessment September 2019.

 

Status July 2019

Wollondilly Council have been approved for a Threatened Species Licence by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage requesting approval to undertake habitat modification of the camp area to create a buffer zone between the camp and neighbouring residences, which is a Level 2 action identified in the Stonequarry Creek Grey Headed Flying-fox Camp Management Plan.

Click here to view the threatened species licence conditions.

Wollondilly Council have been successful in receiving a funding grant from Local Government NSW to employ contractors to undertake the buffer zone creation works through the removal of woody weeds, such as privet, and to trim native vegetation to reduce opportunities for flying foxes to roost close to houses.  

Public demands for roost relocation's have increased over the past two decades as flying-foxes have been roosting and foraging in urban areas more frequently. It has been recognised that relocation of a flying-fox camp from one site to a specific alternative site has never been successful. More information about this can be found in the fact sheet Why can't Flying-foxes simply be relocated?

Page 1 NSW Flying Fox

Page 2 NSW Flying Fox

Download information about Living Near Flying-foxes

 

Click here to view the Stonequarry Creek Grey Headed Flying-fox Camp Plan of Management

 

Frequently asked questions about Flying-foxes.

Background to the Flying Fox Camp at Stonequarry Creek

The camp is located on Stonequarry Creek between the railway Viaduct, at the end of Webster St, and the Prince St. Bridge, Picton. The camp varies in size seasonally depending on weather conditions, available food sources, mating and migration.

Since February 2014 council has monitored the camp with it peaking in excess of 10,000 Grey Headed Flying-foxes for a period of 2-3 weeks in March/April 2018. The camp does fluctuate seasonally with the core area of the camp being located on Stonequarry Creek between the railway viaduct at the end of Webster Street and the Prince Street Bridge in Picton.

The core camp area partially crosses 26 private residential properties, as well as Crown water reserve along the creek. At the peak the camp covered over 50 private residential properties and portions the creek bordering Victoria Oval and upstream past the Picton Show Society land.

It has been noted by local residents that Flying-foxes have been present in this area since 2011 however it would seem that the camp numbers grew substantially after habitat destruction following the Halls Road fire in October 2013 which destroyed 15,600 Ha of bush land.

The current site provides many attributes required for a Flying-fox camp site including close access to water and food sources and protection from extreme weather. The site is also large enough to accommodate the entire camp population that seasonally fluctuates. Grey Headed Flying-foxes are a nocturnal species and travel within a foraging radius of 50 km's of their camp site each night. However some Flying-foxes have been observed travelling 500 km's between camp sites.

Grey Headed Flying-foxes play a significant ecological role and contribute to ecosystem health by dispersing seed and pollen over the large distances they travel. Long distance dispersal creates genetic diversity which is important for the long term survival of various plant communities. This species is considered an important ‘keystone’ species that protects the long term health of Australia’s biodiversity.

As numbers of this species have continued to decline by as much as 30% over the last 10 years, the NSW Government have determined Grey Headed Flying-foxes as a vulnerable species and in 2001 listed them under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995.

Can I drink the water from my rainwater tank?

It is recommended to drink from town water supplies as much as possible and leave the tank water for the garden and flushing toilets etc. It also should be noted that is the responsibility of the owner to ensure rainwater collected is treated to a healthy standard prior to consumption.

Faecal contamination in rainwater tanks from wildlife is a known risk not just associated with flying foxes, but also birds, possums, and other animals. For households using rainwater for food preparation and drinking, the risk of getting a gastro illness from bat faeces is no different than for other animals. Australian Bat Lyssavirus cannot be contracted from drinking or using water from rainwater tanks that is contaminated with bat faeces.

To minimise the risk of faecal bacteria and other microorganisms contaminating your rainwater tank, here are some methods you can use:

  • Install a ‘first flush’ device that will divert the first dirty water flow away from the tank;
  • Clear and trim vegetation (eg. overhanging tree branches) away from awnings, gutters, and tanks to reduce accessibility from wildlife;
  • Install a <1mm screen to filter material entering the tank;
  • Regularly flush your tank to ‘de-sludge’ and remove accumulated debris;
  • Disinfect your tank (eg. add 40ml of sodium hypochlorite per 1KL of water);
  • Disinfect water prior to use through filtration and boiling;
  • Regularly inspect the tank for signs of animal access.

Visit his link to the NSW health website to find more advice on safely managing rainwater for drinking purposes where there is no alternate supply.

http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/rainwater.aspx 

Local water catchment

There is no evidence that a flying fox camp has any impact on publicly available drinking water provided by local authorities. The water continues to be treated and this eliminates any contamination from additional flying fox faeces in the catchment.

Can I get sick from Flying-foxes?

There have been cases that humans can get sick by having contact with flying foxes however it is very rare for this to occur.

The two main viruses associated with the flying foxes are the Lyssavirus and the Hendra virus. 

Contact or exposures to bat faeces, urine or blood do not pose a risk of exposure to Lyssavirus, nor do living, playing or walking near bat roosting areas, and can only be contracted through bites or scratches.

Hendra virus has only been contracted through human contact with an infected horse. All confirmed human cases to date became infected following high level exposures to body fluids of an infected horse, such as doing autopsies on horses without wearing appropriate personal protective equipment, or being extensively sprayed with respiratory secretions.

 There is no evidence of human to human, bat to human, bat to dog, or dog to human transmission.

 If any injured bats have been found please don't handle them,  it is best to ring the local WIRES Volunteers on 4684 1656.

Managing the risk of Hendra Virus in horses.

What is Hendra virus?

"Hendra virus is a virus carried by flying foxes that inhabit Australia, Papua New Guinea, and surrounding islands. So far, clinical disease due to Hendra virus infection has only been recognised in Australia. Flying foxes appear to be unaffected by the virus. Rarely, Hendra virus spreads from flying foxes to horses, (spillover events) causing severe disease, and may then spread to people or animals in close contact with infected horses. The virus can be deadly to both humans and horses." Hendra Virus, June 2018, Primefact 970 eleventh edition Animal Biosecurity, NSW Department of Primary Industries.

Download Complete Fact Sheet

 

What about my pets?

There have been no known incidents of dogs/cats contracting viruses through eating a deceased flying fox carcass, but if a pet becomes sick after contact with a flying fox, seek advice from a veterinarian.

The risk of contracting the Hendra virus is more common in horses by eating food that may be contaminated by bat urine and/or other bodily fluids. Horse owners within 20 km of the camp should be aware that preventative vaccines are available from your vet.  

There is no evidence of human to human, bat to human, bat to dog, or dog to human transmission of Hendra Virus. 

Contact or exposures to bat faeces, urine or blood do not pose a risk of exposure to Lyssavirus, nor do living, playing or walking near bat roosting areas, as long as bats are not handled. Apart from two horses, no wild or domestic animals in Australia have ever been found to be infected with ABL.

What are the impacts of Flying-foxes and how can I reduce them?

Simple, non-harmful deterrents that could also be of assistance on your property include:

•           Creating visual/sound/smell barriers with fencing or hedges using plants that do not produce edible fruit or nectar-exuding flowers

•           Placing predator decoys (e.g. owls) on verandas or in trees

•           Keeping food or habitat trees in your yard trimmed and pruned

•           Placing reflective or shiny deterrents (e.g. CDs or aluminium foil strips) in tree branches

•           When landscaping, plant fruit or habitat trees away from the home, or don’t use these plants at all.

It should be noted that residents are not allowed to conduct flying-fox removal or dispersal activities. Any activities that may result in the disturbance of a roosting flying fox colony or individual flying-fox can result in prosecution under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. 

Food source

Flying foxes tend to feed at night on fruiting or flowering trees and shrubs, including palm trees and will keep feeding in your backyard until the fruit is finished. If you do not wish flying foxes feeding in your backyard you could remove the fruit manually or cover the fruiting tree in a net to reduce access. To minimise injuring the flying foxes by becoming trapped inside the netting only use fine netting with holes smaller than what you could fit your finger through.

Find more information about safe netting on http://www.wildlifefriendlyfencing.com/WFF/Netting.html

Noise

Flying foxes tend to be noisiest early in the evening to feed and when they return in the early morning. They can continue to be noisy during the day as they fly around trying to find a roost. Unfortunately this is a daily event while the camp is active.

Colonies tend to be noisiest when they are disturbed by people due to stress and least noisy when left alone. Therefore, if you plan on making some noise, such as mowing the lawn, you can expect the flying foxes to get rowdy for a while.

Smell

Humans have different sensitivities to smells. Not all people will find the smell of a flying fox camp difficult to live with, others more so. This may explain why residents sometimes find it difficult to get others to understand how much impact the odour has on their daily life.

The main odour associated with flying foxes is the scent male flying foxes use to mark their territory and is strongest at the camp. It is not associated with the faeces dropped during flight or around the camp. The most important thing to note is that the odour is not a risk to human health.

Managing the smell within the home- Planting vegetation with fragrant flowers can assist with masking the odour. Fragrant deodorisers can assist within the home and it also helps to close all windows and doors.

Faeces

The flying fox digestive system is much faster than a human system (12 to 30 minutes between eating and poo-ing) and they often don't physically chew and swallow their food – they crush it against the roof of their mouth and spit it out after swallowing the juice. This primarily liquid diet contributes to their quick digestive system.

Faecal drop increases under the flying fox foraging routes and flight paths. Lighting assists flying fox navigation and increases fly-over, so where possible, turn off outdoor lighting at night,

Drying your clothes outdoors

Residents will experience the greatest impact from faeces 'bombs' on washing as the flying foxes fly over when they are leaving their camp in the evening or arriving in the morning. It is advisable to take in washing in between the dusk and dawn periods when the bats are most active.

To remove flying fox faeces from clothes, treat them like fruit stains. Soak the item as soon as possible (preferably while the stain is still wet) in a good stain remover. Unfortunately some fruits with strong coloured flesh (e.g. mulberries) may leave a permanent stain.

Cars and other painted or outdoor surfaces

Some residents have reported that flying fox faeces seem to strip paint from cars, houses and garden furniture. There is some information to suggest that this is more likely due to the faeces drying and peeling off a surface and, especially if the underlying paint is older, lifting off a patch of the surface paint with it.

Flying fox droppings are less corrosive than bird droppings, and the best response is to remove the faeces as soon as possible with soapy water, as you would for bird droppings.

Swimming Pools

If your pool has a filter system installed already and you follow the correct maintenance for your pool, this will be adequate to keep it clean and you shouldn’t have to take any extra action specifically to address flying fox faeces. If you’re experiencing a large volume of faeces, a pool cover is an option, but in general, flying fox faeces are no different to bird droppings landing in your pool.

What if a Flying-fox scratches or bites me?

It is very rare for this to occur, but if you have been bitten or scratched it is advised to gently but thoroughly wash the wound straight away with soap and water for at least 5 minutes. Then cover the area with an antiseptic cream/serum and see a doctor as soon as possible.

Again, it is advised to avoid the handling of flying foxes to deter bites and scratches to occur in the first place. If any injured bats have been found it would be best to ring the local WIRES on 4684 1656.

What should I do about damage to my property or power outages?

Residents who are concerned about damage to their property should contact their home insurer for advice on making a claim.

Council is not responsible for electricity supply. Any residents who have suffered damages as a result of power outages should contact their electrical provider or their home insurer.

Who would be most affected by the growing numbers of the local bat colony?

The main stakeholders affected will be:

-          the local community members whose land adjoins the bat colony and surrounding neighbours

-          Local fruit growers either for private or public use

-          People who own horses within 20km of the bat colony that may need to vaccinate their livestock

-          Wildlife carers and conservationist who may need to handle the sick or injured animals

-          Local/state and federal government agencies that implement management procedures and legislate the protection of the threatened native species.  

Why are there so many Flying-foxes in Wollondilly Council?

Flying foxes prefer sheltered areas, preferably near water and with an abundance of food sources nearby.

They have seemed to relocate closer to Picton after the Halls Road Fire which occurred in October 2013. This fire was quite extensive, burning out 15,600 Ha of bushland between the areas of Balmoral, Bargo, Yanderra, Picton and Wilton.

It is believed to have burnt out their previously existing natural habitat, also there has been a state wide food shortage with flying fox habitat being removed due to development and land clearing with more flying foxes relocating closer to urban areas.

Why can't Flying-foxes simply be relocated?

 

Public demands for roost relocation's have increased over the past two decades as flying-foxes have been roosting and foraging in urban areas more frequently. This has been occurring due to; displacement of natural habitat from naturally occurring events such as fire, urban expansion and food availability within range of urban areas. Flying-fox species inhabiting Australia are the target of community concerns in relation to public health, amenity and impacts on agriculture.


It has been recognised that relocation of a flying-fox camp from one site to a specific alternative site has never been successful. It is well understood that if flying-fox camps are intentionally dispersed from one location and community, they will end up in another community.
Such dispersal's however may result in new camps establishing in an equally problematic locations and those establishments may only be on a temporary basis.

In some cases, individuals will remain at the site even when subject to extraordinary levels of human induced disturbances. This is largely due to the species level of strong fidelity to the camp location.

Click here for a more detailed report on Why can'y Flying Foxes simply be relocated?

Why is a Threatened species licence required to do activities in the Flying-fox camp

Grey Headed Flying-foxes are a nationally listed threatened species listed as 'vulnerable' because there has been a national decline in population numbers by up to 30%.

The main threat to Grey-headed Flying-foxes in NSW is clearing or modification of native vegetation. This removes appropriate camp habitat and limits the availability of natural food resources, particularly winter-spring feeding habitat in north-eastern NSW. In N.S.W less than 15% of potentially suitable forest for the Grey-headed Flying-fox occurs in conservation reserves; only 5% of roost sites are similarly reserved (Hall and Richards 2000).

For any work to occur within the flying fox camp area a threatened species licence approval is required under the Biodiversity Act 2016. Council has recently be approved for a licence to create buffer zones between residential properties and the camp as per the Stonequarry Creek Grey Headed Flying-fox Camp Management Plan.

A copy of the threatened species licence can be seen here. 

For more information about the conservation status of Grey Headed flying-foxes click here.

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62-64 Menangle St

Picton NSW 2571

(02) 4677 1100

council@wollondilly.nsw.gov.au

 

PO Box 21, Picton, NSW, 2571

 

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      • Plumbing and Drainage
      • Wood Heaters and Fires
      • Onsite Sewage/Septic
      • Driveways
      • Dividing Fences
      • Farm Dams
    • Guidelines & Controls
      • Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan
      • Wollondilly Development Control Plan
      • Plans of Management for Community Land
      • Community Participation Plan
      • Local Strategic Planning Statement - Wollondilly 2040
      • Development Standards Variation Register
    • Local Planning Panel
      • Local Planning Panel Agenda and Minutes
      • Local Planning Panel - speaking request
      • Local Planning Panel (Wollondilly Shire)
    • Developers Information
    • Development Contributions
      • Planning Agreements Register
    • Booking a Duty Planner Appointment
  • Projects & Growth
    • Projects
      • Wollondilly Cultural Precinct
        • Plans
        • Stages
          • Stage 1
          • Stage 2
          • Stage 3
          • Stage 4
        • Updates
        • FAQ's
      • Picton Town Centre Transport Master Plan
        • Plans
        • FAQs
      • Tahmoor Sporting Complex
        • Updates
      • Broughton Pass Landslide Remediation
      • Picton Bypass Petition
      • Picton to Tahmoor Shareway
        • Updates
      • Old School Site at Menangle
      • Capital Works Program
      • Wilton Recreation Reserve
      • Warragamba Inclusive Play Space
      • Appin Skate Park
      • Silverdale Road Safety Upgrades
        • Stages
          • Stage 1A
          • Stage 1B
          • Stage 2
      • Finns Road / Remembrance Driveway Roundabout
      • Major Works Program - Buildings & Open Space
      • Environment Zones Re-Naming
      • A New Park for Appin
      • M9 Orbital Consultation
      • Western Sydney International Airport
      • Picton High School Redevelopment
      • M12 Motorway
      • Draft Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan
      • Telopea Park Upgrades
      • Douglas Park Sportsground Master Plan
      • Dudley Chesham Sportsground Master Plan
      • Appin Park Master Plan
      • Redbank Reserve Master Plan
      • Birrahlee Park Playground Upgrades
      • Old Razorback Road Multiple Landslide Remediations
      • Big Hill Road Landslide Remediation
      • Barkers Lodge Road Landslides
    • Strategic Planning & Land Use Policies
      • Planning Proposals
        • Rezoning Land and Making Changes to the Wollondilly Local Environment Plan
        • Current Planning Proposals
        • Pre-Lodgement Service
      • Land Use Policies and Plans
        • Local Strategic Planning Statement - Wollondilly 2040
        • Wollondilly Local Environmental Plan
        • Wollondilly Development Control Plan
        • Community Participation Plan
      • Environment Zones Re-Naming
      • Current Consultations
      • Health in Planning
      • Heritage Conservation
      • Studies and Strategies
    • Growth In Wollondilly
      • Wilton New Town
      • Sydney Peri Urban Network (SPUN)
      • Greater Macarthur Growth Area
      • Local Strategic Planning Statement - Wollondilly 2040
      • Western Sydney City Deal
      • Western Sydney International Airport
      • M9 Orbital Consultation
      • M12 Motorway Development
      • Changes to Business and Industrial Zones
    • Guidelines & Controls
    • Smart Shire
      • Why Open Data?
  • Roads
    • Roadwork Notifications
    • Working on the Road - Road Management Approvals (s138)
    • Heavy Vehicle Transport on Council’s Roads
      • Application for Permit to Exceed Sign Posted Load Limit
      • Application for Permit for Oversize/ Overmass Vehicle
    • Driveways
    • Road Safety
    • Road Naming
    • Bike Plan
    • Wollondilly Road Reclassification
  • Services & Facilities
    • Children's Services
      • Our Centre
      • Become an Educator
      • School Holiday Care
      • Family Day Care
      • Year Round Care
      • Child Care Subsidy
    • Council Facilities for Hire
      • Community Halls
        • Application for Hire - Casual Hirer
        • Application for Hire - Regular Hirer
          • Conditions of Hire for Council Halls & Community Centres
        • Halls for Hire
          • Appin AIS Community Hall
          • Appin AIS Sportsground Clubhouse
          • Bargo Community Centre
          • Douglas Park Community Centre
          • Mount Hunter Community Hall
          • Tahmoor CWA Hall
          • The Oaks Community Hall
          • Warragamba Town Hall
          • Wilton Community Centre
          • Wollondilly Shire Hall
      • Council Sportsgrounds
        • Search Sportsgrounds and their facilities
        • Sportsgrounds for Hire
          • Appin AIS Sportsground
          • Appin Park Reserve
          • Bargo Sportsground
          • Douglas Park Sportsground
          • Dudley Chesham Sportsground
          • Hume Oval
          • Picton Sportsground
          • Tahmoor Sportsground
          • Thirlmere Sportsground
          • Victoria Park
          • Warragamba Sportsground
          • Warragamba Waterboard Oval
          • Willis Park
          • Wilton Recreational Reserve
      • Parks and Reserves
    • Library
    • Cemeteries
    • Warragamba Pool
  • Emergency Information
    • Fire
      • Preparing Your Family
      • Preparing Your Home
      • Council's Role
      • Have You Been Affected by a Bushfire?
      • Fire Safety in the Home
      • 2019/20 Bushfire Support
        • Being Prepared
        • Response and Recovery
          • Moveable Dwellings on Land Affected by Bushfire
          • Commonwealth Bank Support
          • Bushfire Relief Meeting
          • Pets and Livestock
          • Feeding Wildlife
          • Injured Wildlife
          • Local Recovery and Resilience Committee Meeting Minutes
          • Bushfire Recovery Meeting, Buxton
          • Recovery Workshop with Anne Leadbeater
          • Bushfire Recovery Assistance Fund
        • Make a Donation
        • Bushfire Community Forums
        • Re-Building Your Home Online Workshop
      • Response, Recovery & Resilience Expo 2022
        • Response, Recovery & Resilience Expo 2021
    • Flood
      • Preparing Your Home & Family
      • Council's Role
      • Have You Been Affected by a Flood?
      • Flood Support
    • Activate Wollondilly: Long Term Recovery & Resilience Plan
    • Get Ready Wollondilly- Climate Wise Communities
    • Committees
    • Hardship
    • Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates
    • Emergency Dashboard
  • Events & Community
    • Dilly Wanderer
    • Youth
      • Dilly YAC
      • Youth Week
        • Battle of the Bands Expression of Interest
        • Short Film Competition Entry Form
      • Mental Health
      • Youth Up-Skill
      • Wollondilly Wellbeing
      • Skate Sessions 2022
    • Seniors
      • Men's Shed
      • Café Connect
        • Cafe Connect Brochure Request Form
      • Emergency Preparedness
      • Wollondilly Seniors Healthy Lifestyle Guide
      • Wollondilly Aged Care Connect
      • My Aged Care
    • Grants & Sponsorship
      • Community Grants Program
        • Community Grants Application Form
        • Community Grants Program - Evaluation Report
      • Sponsorship Program
        • Sponsorship Program Application
      • Annual Assistance Program
        • Annual Assistance Program Application
      • Donations Program
        • Donation Program Application Form
      • 2021 Carols by Candlelight or Christmas Themed Activity Grant
      • Wollondilly Dangerous Tree Removal Community Grants Program
    • Inclusion & Access
      • Disability Inclusion Access Plan
      • Accessible Toilets and Master Locksmith Access Keys (MLAK)
    • Annual Events
      • Australia Day
        • Australia Day Awards Nomination Form 2022
        • Australian National Anthem: Advance Australia Fair
        • Australia Day 2021 - Live Stream
      • Spring Garden Competition
      • Mayoral Charity Event 2021
        • Mayoral Charity Event 2021 Booking Form
      • Senior's Festival
      • Dilly Doggy Day Out
        • Dilly Doggy Day In Competition Terms & Conditions
      • Christmas Light's Competition
        • Christmas Lights Competition 2021 Terms & Conditions
      • Thirlmere Festival of Steam
        • Thirlmere Festival of Steam Stallholder Application
      • Get Involved With an Event
        • Council Facilities for Hire
        • Organising Community Events
          • Notification of Event
        • Sponsor an Event
        • Stallholder Expression of Interest
    • Wollondilly Health Alliance
      • About the WHA
        • What is the WHA?
        • What We Do
        • Our Governance (Framework)
      • Our Projects
      • Contact Wollondilly Health Alliance
      • Find a Service
      • Wollondilly Health & Wellbeing Map
    • Alcohol Free Zones
      • Request an Alcohol Free Zone
    • Community News
  • Tourism & Business
    • Visit Wollondilly
      • The Great Burragorang Valley Walk
    • Visit Wollondilly Guide
    • Business Wollondilly
    • Destination Management Plan
    • Economic Development Strategy
    • The Great Burragorang Valley Walk
    • Filming in Wollondilly
    • Health & Regulatory Services
      • Food Safety
        • Food Business Notification
      • Onsite Sewage/Septic
        • Request for Copy of Approval to Operate Sewage Management System License
      • Wood Heaters and Fires
      • Skin Penetration
    • Tenders & Procurement
      • Open Tenders
      • Closed Tenders
  • Environment, Biodiversity & Sustainability
    • The Robin Davies Wollondilly Community Nursery
    • Water Management
      • Integrated Water Management
      • Stormwater Management Charge
      • Stormwater Pollution Control at Work
      • Stormwater Pollution Control at Home
      • Onsite Sewage/Septic
      • Floodplain Risk Management
      • George's Riverkeeper
      • Watercourses
      • Love Your Waterways
    • General Approval to Burn
    • Tree & Vegetation Management
      • New- Tree Planting
      • Trees on Private Property
      • Trees on Public Land
      • Trees on Neighbouring Properties
      • Tree Management Application
      • Fire Affected Tree Removal
      • 10/50 Vegetation Clearing Scheme
      • Clearing of Native Vegetation
    • Sustainable Living
      • Sustainadilly Events and Workshops
      • Sustainable Living Guide
        • Garden
          • Grow Your Own Food
          • Worm Farming
          • Composting
          • Keep Chickens For Eggs
          • Water Efficient Gardening
          • Use Plants to Remove Toxins
          • Mulch Your Patch
          • Nurture and Conserve Biodiversity
          • Grow an Indigenous Garden
          • Guild Planting
        • House and Home
          • Assess your homes sustainability
          • Buy renewable electricity
          • Cultivate energy saving habits
          • Cultivate water saving habits
          • DIY environmental checklist
          • Embrace energy efficiency
          • Generate your own electricity
          • Harvest and use your rainwater
          • Install efficient appliances and fixtures
          • Install solar hot water
          • Insulate, shade and weather proof your house
          • Make your renovations green
          • Reduce your stormwater pollution
          • Reuse your greywater
          • Use water efficiently
        • Food and Drink
          • Eat Organic Food
          • Eat Less Meat
          • Buy Local and Seasonal Food
          • Avoid Genetically Modified (GM) Food
          • Avoid Bottled Water
          • Reduce Dairy in Your Diet
          • Avoid Eating Endangered Fish
          • Adopt a Vegetarian Diet
        • Products
          • Purchase Recycled Products
          • Buy Paper and Wood Responsibly
          • Buy Fair-trade Food and Products
          • Use Non-toxic Cleaners
          • Buy Secondhand Goods
          • Environmentally Friendly Mindset
          • Avoid Excessive Packaging
        • Services
          • Choose Green Service Providers
          • Invest Ethically
        • Community
          • Help Protect Our Waterways
          • Promote Sustainable Living
          • Join a Revegetation Group
          • Help Protect Our Coast
          • Support Local Indigenous Culture
          • Be a Responsible Pet Owner
          • Join a Bushcare / Landcare Group
        • Recreation
          • Eco Aid and Travel
          • Immerse Yourself in Nature
          • Slow and Local Travel
        • Waste
          • Recycle Technical Waste
          • Cultivate Waste Reduction Habits
          • Cull Your 'Stuff'
          • Recycle Organic Waste
          • Recycle Building Waste
          • No Junk Mail or Spam
        • Transport
          • Reduce and Offset Car Emissions
          • Car Pool
          • Use Public Transport
          • Reduce and Offset Air Travel Emissions
          • Ride a Bike
          • Buy an Efficient Car
        • Work
          • Join the Green Team
          • Make Your Profession Sustainable
          • Save Paper and Forests
          • Buy Green Office Products
          • Travel Together to Meetings
          • Prevent Stormwater Pollution
          • Recycle Office Waste
          • Power Down
          • Make Your Business Carbon Neutral
        • Small and Medium Enterprises
          • Upgrade to energy efficient lighting
          • Configure your lighting for efficiency
          • Implement efficient air conditioning and heating
          • Switch off un-used appliances
          • Maintain, downsize and turn off your fridge
          • Purchase energy efficient appliances
          • Teach energy efficient driving
          • Use your recycled printer paper twice
          • Establish a recycling program
          • Conserve water in your business
      • Garage Sale Trail 2021
    • Weed Management
    • Wildlife & Nature
      • Land For Wildlife
      • Wild Rabbit Management Program
      • Fox Trapping Program
      • Aussie Backyard Bird Count
      • Flying Foxes
        • Handling and Disposing of Dead Flying-foxes
      • Caring for Wildlife
      • Biodiversity
      • Landcare/Bushcare in Wollondilly
      • Citizen Science
        • FROG ID
        • NatureMapr and the Wollondilly Nature Map
        • Platypus
      • Wollondilly Koala Conservation Project
      • Bushland Restoration
      • Native Bees
      • Koala Hotline
    • Schools Environmental & Sustainability Education
  • News
  • What's on