HELP SUPPORT RAINFOREST RECOVERY AT STONY RANGE

Shellharbour City Council is inviting the community to help restore one of our important natural areas by joining a Community Planting Day at Stony Range on Tuesday 14 April. 

Caption: Stony Range planting site. Image courtesy of Shellharbour City Council.  

The free event will run from 9.30am to 11.30am, with participants meeting at the walkway to the playground between 14 and 16 Westwood Drive in Blackbutt. The morning includes planting native trees and shrubs and learning how these plants support the health of the local environment.  

The planting day takes place during the school holidays, which makes it easy for families to join in. It is a fun and relaxed way to spend time outdoors, meet new people and help care for one of our important natural areas.  

Participants are encouraged to wear enclosed footwear suitable for uneven ground, along with comfortable clothing that can get dirty. Hats, sunscreen and drinking water are also recommended to stay sun safe while working outdoors. 

Shellharbour City Council Mayor Chris Homer said the event is a great opportunity for people of all ages to get involved in caring for local bushland. 

“Every plant makes a difference, and everyone is welcome to be part of restoring Stony Range,” Mayor Homer said. 

“It’s a great way for the community to come together, enjoy the outdoors and help protect this important natural area.” 

The Community Planting Day is part of a wider restoration project at Stony Range funded by the NSW Environmental Trust. The project aims to protect and repair the Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest, an important ecological community. It also supports several threatened plant species found in the area. 

Event details: 

• Tuesday 14 April 
• 9.30am to 11.30am 
• Walkway to the playground between 14 and 16 Westwood Drive, Blackbutt 
• Register here: bit.ly/4rM3TZm  

Council’s Natural Areas team manages more than 443 hectares of bushland across Shellharbour including Bass Point, Blackbutt Forest, Flinders Reserve and coastal dunes. Their work includes bush regeneration, planting native species and improving the health of waterways and habitats. 

Residents can also take part in Council’s Bushcare program, which provides regular opportunities for community members to help care for local natural areas. 

KEY MESSAGES: 

• Council is hosting a Community Planting Day at Stony Range on Tuesday 14 April, inviting the community to help restore an important local natural area. 
• The event supports rainforest recovery and helps protect threatened species and ecological communities found in Shellharbour. 
• Everyone is welcome to join in this free, family‑friendly activity and learn more about how to care for local bushland.