Marrickville Council

Marrickville Council adopted the final Biodiversity Strategy 2011-2021, and the Biodiversity Action Plan 2011-2015.

Council first endorsed a proposal to develop a Biodiversity Strategy for Marrickville in November 2009. The Strategy and Action went before Council in July 2011, and was followed by an extended period of public exhibition and consultation.

Biodiversity is the complete range of life forms from birds, mammals and flowering plants to fungi and soil microorganisms. Biodiversity is important for the ecosystem ‘services' it provides, like clean air and water, soil formation, the pollination of plants that produce oxygen, and food and medicines. Biodiversity provides recreation, tourism, scientific research, education and cultural identity.

Marrickville Council recognises the importance of biodiversity, and that the local community is committed to improving the natural environment. While the original native flora and fauna in the Marrickville LGA have been almost completely destroyed by urban development, the pockets of remnant vegetation that do remain host a surprising number of native animals including Long-nosed Bandicoots. Initiatives such as verge plantings and rain gardens can also support biodiversity.

The Strategy provides the overall direction for biodiversity management in Marrickville, an overview of the existing biodiversity values, and sets out six strategic Focus Areas to conserve and enhance those values. These are:

1. Priority Biodiversity Areas
2. Connectivity
3. Threats
4. Community and Partnerships
5. Monitoring and Evaluation
6. Knowledge Gaps

The Action Plan has been developed to guide staff in implementation of the Strategy over a four year period and includes action maps for the Priority Biodiversity Areas. It deals with the incorporation of biodiversity into Council planning documents, prioritising resources for onground works, guidelines for biodiversity friendly restoration techniques, and for recurrent Council issues that affect biodiversity, for example lighting.

The Appendices also provide supporting documentation, including more detailed biodiversity inventories and monitoring protocols. Over the next year, a number of projects will be implemented as priority actions now that the Strategy has been completed.