Decision details

Moved by Councillor Thompson, seconded by Councillor Miller –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note that:

(i)           World Frog Day and World Rewilding Day will both be observed on the 20 March;

(ii)         the City of Sydney is home to at least 5 frog species, including the Green and Golden Bell Frog, Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog and Peron’s Tree Frog;

(iii)        frogs are a vital part of the ecosystem, serving as a natural control for mosquito and other pest populations;

(iv)        once abundant across the coast of NSW and Sydney, the Green and Golden Bell Frog species is now facing a major population decline due to the threat of habitat loss and degradation, pollution, introduced species, parasites and pathogens;

(v)         major cities, including Melbourne, Berlin, New York City and Paris have transformed urban spaces into green corridors to protect native fauna and flora species; and

(vi)        neighbouring councils, such as the Inner West Council and Woollahra Council have both committed to the implementation of green and biodiversity corridors;

(B)        Council further note the findings and targets included in the City’s Urban Ecology Strategic Action Plan:

(i)           the Green and Golden Bell Frog is among 8 species classified as ‘priority fauna’ species, as they are threatened species generally uncommon in urban areas;

(ii)         limited habitat availability, lack of habitat connectivity, destruction and fragmentation of remaining habitats were identified as key threats to biodiversity within the Local Government Area;

(iii)        the City aimed to meet a target of recording priority fauna species from a greater number of locations and in higher numbers compared to 2012 baseline by 2023; and

(iv)        the City aimed to meet a target of a progressive increase in the number of habitat features for priority fauna species established along potential habitat linkages by 2030;

(C)        Council reaffirm its commitment to protecting and supporting important species such as our frog populations; and

(D)        the Chief Executive Officer be requested to:

(i)           review the environmental targets, timelines, and actions resulting from the Urban Ecology Strategic Action Plan and the Greening Sydney Strategy;

(ii)         review findings from the ‘Hop to it’ biodiversity health check survey and request recommendations from the Urban Ecology Coordinator as to how the City can support local frog species;

(iii)        report back to Council through the CEO Update as soon as practical;

(a)         what is the status and timeline of the following actions for City-managed priority sites as set out in Table 9 of the Urban Ecology Strategic Action Plan:

                                                    i.        the establishment of a continuous habitat corridor (G.2);

                                                   ii.        the incorporation of bush restoration and habitat enhancement principles into landscaping of new open space (G.4);

                                                  iii.        the enhancement of coastal saltmarsh habitat (G.6);

                                                 iv.        the naturalisation and any continued development of Johnstons Creek Canal (G.7); and

                                                   v.        the construction of a pond at Orphan School Creek (G.8);

(b)         what actions have been taken since 2013 to implement biodiversity corridors and to support pre-existing habitats;

(c)         what were the findings of the ‘Hop to it’ biodiversity health check survey and what recommendations were provided by the Urban Ecology Coordinator;

(d)         what is the current conservation status of all species classified as ‘priority fauna’ within the Urban Ecology Strategic Action Plan;

(e)         what population fluctuations have been observed in the Green and Golden Bell Frog species since 2013; and

(f)          what steps Council can take to grow a network of biodiversity corridors to support local wildlife.

Carried unanimously.

X113760