Decision details

Moved by Councillor Thompson, seconded by Councillor Ellsmore –

It is resolved that:

(A)       Council note:

(i)         World Bee Day will be observed on 20 May;

(ii)        Sydney is home to around 200 native bee species, including the Blue-Banded Bee, Teddy Bear Bee and the Resin Bee;

(iii)       bees play an important role in maintaining global food security, as pollination is essential to the reproduction of plants, including most food crops consumed by animals, including humans, and farm livestock;

(iv)       the Blue Banded Bee is vital to Australia’s ecosystem, as these species can perform ‘buzz pollination’, a specific method of insect-mediated pollination that is crucial for the distribution of pollen for many native plant species, such as the hairy guinea-flower and the silver cassia; and

(v)        in recent years, bee populations in Australia have been in decline due to the use of pesticides, varroa mite outbreaks, major habitat fragmentation resulting from urban development and food insecurity driven by monocultural planting practices and changes in climate;

(B)       Council further note:

(i)         in Melbourne, the community-led organisation Heartscapes, have started to transform portions of council-owned land into native gardens to support Indigenous bee species and, once complete, it will offer an 8km-long, ecology-centred, community-driven wildlife corridor for native pollinating insects;

(ii)        localised pollinator-enthusiast and natural architect Jon Hazelwood has brought public awareness to the ecological threat of monocultural planting methods by exploring innovative ways to integrate people and pollinators within urban environments;

(iii)       in response to a drop in pollinating insect numbers in the United Kingdom, Brent Council have sown 22 wildflower meadows in parks and open spaces to create an 11km long bee corridor;

(iv)       City of Sydney’s sister city, Wellington City Council, raises awareness of bee population decline throughout Bee Aware Month in September by encouraging residents to plant bee-friendly plants; and

(v)        the City of Sydney supports native bees through its Indigenous beehive installation program which aims to support biodiversity and pollination within community gardens;

(C)       the Lord Mayor be requested to write to the Minister for Transport, John Graham to:

(i)         reiterate support on behalf of the Council for the Save Our Bees project which aims to restore native bee habitat by providing beehives on sites managed by Transport NSW; and

(ii)        request for any land owned by Transport for NSW that is within the City of Sydney to be assessed and, if applicable, be fitted with native beehives; and

(D)       the Chief Executive Officer be requested to investigate and report back to Council on the following and incorporate advice and findings into the new Urban Ecology Strategic Action Plan, as to how the City can support native bees, including but not limited to:

(i)         exploring ways the City can collaborate with, and be advised by Transport NSW to review findings from the Save our Bees project and implement recommendations to effectively install native beehives in and around sites;

(ii)        investigating ways the City can grow pollinator corridors by planting diverse bee-friendly plant species to connect habitat in supporting sites, future parks and priority sites, as outlined in Figure 17 of the Urban Ecology Strategic Action Plan;

(iii)       eliminating pesticide use in areas frequented by native bees, including community gardens, planter boxes and city parks;

(iv)       prioritising the planting of climate-resilient and pollinator-friendly species of plant on council-owned land, including but not limited to parks, street verges and community centre gardens;

(v)        transitioning the City away from monocultural planting methods through the implementation of diverse planting practices that prioritise function and trait over aesthetics;

(vi)       investigating ways the city can celebrate Australian Pollinator Week that will run from 8 to 16 November 2025, to educate the public about the importance of native bees in the ecosystem; and

(vii)      investigating ways the City can encourage its residents to support native bee species within their own gardens, including more frequent plant and seed giveaways and gardening workshops.

Carried unanimously.

X113760