Cumberland Stepping Stones project announced

On 29 August the Australian Government announced funding for four environmental restoration projects being completed by Greening Australia in the Cumberland Plain region of Western Sydney.

The projects are part of the $2.89 million, two year, Cumberland Stepping Stones programme which will enhance connectivity between significant remnant bushland by revegetating 266 hectares of degraded land in three regional corridors across the Cumberland Plain.

CEO, Brendan Foran said Greening Australia’s vision is “healthy and productive landscapes where people and nature thrive.”

“The funding announcement will give the conservation and restoration effort in Western Sydney a huge boost all whilst the population continues to grow.

“The four projects consist of three ‘corridor projects’ and a ‘Community Project’.

“The three ‘corridor projects’ are: the Ropes and South Creek Corridor, the Eastern Creek Corridor and the Scheyville to Wianamatta Corridor.

“The three corridor projects involve planting a diverse mix of over 280,000 plants in the regional corridors, with each corridor having a dedicated Green Army team assigned to them.

“The fourth, the Community Project, will work with the community to extend the conservation effort into the urban landscape areas and up to the Blue Mountains, through the provision of an additional 82,000 plants.” Brendan said.

The Community Project will be innovative, with conservation activities engaging with the general, school and corporate communities in practical environmental activities across the Blue Mountains, Penrith, Liverpool, Fairfield, Blacktown and Hawkesbury Local Government Areas.

“Everyone in the community wants to hand the Earth to the next generation in better shape than they found it, especially the area they live in. That’s why it’s so important to extend the conservation effort into homes, schools, small businesses and council reserves at a local level.

“The Community Project will amplify the Cumberland Stepping Stones programme to increase the capacity of the Cumberland Plain to support native flora and fauna and in doing so provide habitat, foraging resources and stepping stones across Western Sydney.

“We at Greening Australia and our conservation partners are delighted the Federal Government has recognised the significance of the Cumberland Stepping Stones and the conservation outcomes the programme seeks to achieve.

“We are certain that once the programme is complete and the landscapes restored there will be a huge ecological boost for the region.” Brendan said.

The Cumberland Stepping Stones is included in the Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees Programme, which in turn is part of the National Landcare Programme.

Key delivery partners in this project are:

• University of Western Sydney
• NSW Office of Strategic Lands and Greater Sydney LLS
• National Parks and Wildlife Service, Cumberland Area
• Western Sydney Parklands Trust
• Mulgoa Valley Landcare Group
• Cumberland Bird Observers
• The Catholic Care Social Services of the Parramatta Archdiocese NSW Office of Strategic Lands
• NSW Office of Environment and Heritage

Supported by the Australian Government’s 20 Million Trees Programme (part of the National Landcare Programme) and Greening Australia.

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