Join the Bushcare Movement!
Become part of a dedicated community working to preserve and restore our beautiful bushland. Shellharbour City Bushcare brings together passionate volunteers, supported by Shellharbour City Council, to rehabilitate native bushland and promote environmental awareness.
Why join us?
- Enjoy a healthy, active working environment
- Be part of a friendly and supportive local community
- Gain valuable knowledge and experience in bush regeneration
- Receive support from Council through tools, training and materials
Everyone is welcome!
No experience is necessary—everyone is welcome to join us. Just come along with a positive attitude and a love for nature!
What to bring:
- Comfortable clothing and sturdy shoes
- A hat and sunscreen
- A water bottle
- Gloves and tools (if you have them), though these will be provided if needed
Local Bushcare Groups
Bushcare Group | Day Each Month | Time | Meeting Location |
First Sunday | 9am – 12pm | Main carpark at the top of Blackbutt Way | |
Koona Bay | First Sunday | 1pm – 3pm | Reserve gate entrance, located at 29 Bridge Ave. For more details, contact Christine on 0439 114 955 |
Warilla Dunes | Second Saturday | 8am – 11am | North side of Surf Club on Osborne Parade |
Ellenbrook Close | Second Sunday | 1pm – 3pm | The cul-de-sac of Ellenbrook Way |
Third Sunday | 8am – 11 am | Maloneys Bay car park | |
Fourth Wednesday | 9am - 12pm | Oakey Creek Reserve, located at 1 The Esplanade | |
Tullimbar Landcare | Fourth Saturday | 9am – 11am | Elizabeth Brownlee Reserve (end of Digby Close, Albion Park). For more details, contact Ruth Jenkins on 0402 027 221 |
Interested in starting a new Bushcare group? Sessions can be run midweek or on weekends.
For more information or to propose a new Bushcare site, contact Shellharbour City Council’s Bushland Management Coordinator.
Contact Us:
- General Enquiries: 4221 6212
- Team Coordinator Bushland Management: 0439 689 349
Caring for Our Bushland Areas
Shellharbour City Council’s team of dedicated Bush Regenerators manage and preserve over 430 hectares of bushland, including Blackbutt Forest, Bass Point, and Croom Reserves. These precious reserves have high environmental value, being home to many threatened animals, plants, and ecological communities.
Adhering to comprehensive Plans of Management, and with the help of our passionate volunteers in Bushcare and Landcare groups, our Bushland Management team is committed to the maintenance and restoration of these valuable natural areas.
If you have any questions or enquiries about our bushland areas, please feel free to contact our Environment team at 4221 6111.
Discover Illawarra's Native Plants
Did you know that the Illawarra region is home to approximately 2,500 species of native plants? These local treasures are not only beautiful but also excellent choices for landscaping and can complement any garden style.
For more information on cultivating native plants in your garden, check out our Grow Local Native Garden Guide.
And the best part? Everyone is welcome to buy native plants from our Nursery in Oak Flats, not just Shellharbour residents!
Contribute to our understanding of local biodiversity by uploading your observations of native plants and wildlife to iNaturalist and NatureMapr. Your participation in these citizen science projects is invaluable in helping us protect and document the rich ecosystem of the Shellharbour LGA.
Weeds: A Threat to Our Environment
Weeds pose a significant threat to our environment by competing with native plants, attracting pest animals, and disrupting the natural balance of our ecosystems. They also create challenges for farmers, damaging crops and impacting agriculture.
In the Shellharbour City Council area, the most concerning weeds are identified as priority weeds. The South East Regional Strategic Weed Management Plan provides guidance on managing these priority weeds.
Under the Biosecurity Act 2015, everyone has a General Biosecurity Duty (GBD) to prevent, eliminate, or minimise the biosecurity risk posed by priority weeds. The Illawarra District Weeds Authority oversees the control of priority weeds in our area. For more information on priority weeds and control measures, visit their website.
Weed Control Efforts in Shellharbour
At Shellharbour City Council, we're committed to maintaining our beautiful public lands by actively controlling weeds. Our comprehensive approach includes:
- Bushland Management Team: Our dedicated team of Bush Regenerators work tirelessly to remove invasive weeds and plant native species, helping to restore the natural balance of our ecosystems.
- Ground and Aerial Spraying: We use targeted ground and aerial spraying to manage problem weeds effectively. For more details, check out our Pesticides Notification Policy.
- Collaborative Planning and Research: We partner with the NSW Government, Illawarra District Weeds Authority, and neighbouring councils to share knowledge and coordinate efforts in weed management.
Together, we're making a positive impact on our environment and ensuring that our public lands remain healthy and vibrant.
Managing Pest Animals to Protect Our Wildlife
Threatened species and other native animals are increasingly pressured by predation and competition from pest animals. To combat this, Shellharbour City Council, in collaboration with neighbouring Councils, NSW Local Land Services (LLS), and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), is collecting data on the locations and populations of feral animals in our area.
This information will help identify current risks and priority areas for on-ground pest control efforts.
We encourage community members to download the FeralScan app and report sightings of pest animals such as wild foxes, deer, or rabbits. Your contributions will assist local land managers in understanding feral animal populations and informing regional pest management programs.
Local Land Services offers valuable information and resources for pest management on their website.