Native vegetation refers to trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses that are indigenous to our local area, as opposed to species of plants that have been introduced from other countries.
Native vegetation plays an important role in the survival of our native ecosystems, land productivity and human wellbeing. There are many benefits in retaining a healthy mix on native plants including;
- providing habitat for our local wildlife
- increasing farming productivity through pollination of crops and reduction of pests
- reducing land degradation and salinity
- providing shelter and shade
- increasing air quality
The Wagga Wagga LGA hosts 22 vegetation communities, occupying an area of approximately 61,188 hectares, consisting of remnant vegetation, mature vegetation as well as recent plantings.
Our native vegetation is under threat with more native vegetation cleared from our bioregion than any other in NSW, with 90% of remnant vegetation removed. The remaining 10% exists in highly fragmented patches and is threatened by over clearing, isolation, grazing, climate change, weed and pest invasion.
Less than 0.8% of the Wagga Wagga LGA is government owned land managed for conservation. Majority of the LGA is privately owned rural zoned land occupying 95%.
Due to historic and current clearing practices, the Wagga Wagga LGA has limited vegetation that provides habitat for native wildlife including shelter and foraging habitat as well as corridor connective. As a result, the Wagga Wagga LGA has a total of five Endangered Ecological Communities (EEC) currently listed under state and commonwealth legislation.
Species Spotlights
There are a number of species that occur within our local ecosystem however we don’t have time to list them all. Instead we are shining a light on a select few.
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There are some things you can do in your own backyard to help increase and protect native vegetation in our region, including:
- Plant native plants suitable for your space, including plants with flowers and plants of different shapes and heights
- Minimise water hungry grass with natives Tussock Grass, Lomandra, and Wallaby and Kangaroo Grass
- Leave dead or fallen timber in place, including on roadsides.
- Purchase firewood from a reputable dealer or make an application to collect from a NSW State Forest
- Join your local Landcare group to get involved in local projects.
What is Council doing to increase and protect local native vegetation?
Wagga Wagga City Council is contributing to the increase and protection of local native vegetation through the following plans and initiatives:
- Delivering the Biodiversity Strategy: Maldhangilanha 2020-2030 which aims to increase our native vegetation by 10 per cent
- Implementing the Wagga Wagga Roadside Vegetation Management Plan
- Implementing the Bomen Revegetation Project
- Setting aside land for its environmental value and making sure it is protected
- Planting trees, shrubs and grasses through the annual National Tree Day initiative and supporting schools to participate in Schools National Tree Day by providing seedlings
- Educating students through the Schools Sustainability Sessions program
- Implementing Council’s Urban Cooling Strategy aiming to increase canopy coverage on existing public and private land
Threatened species, populations and ecological communities found in the Wagga Wagga LGA
The table below identifies species at risk within the Wagga Wagga Local Government Area. Efforts should be made for the protection and restoration of habitats that support these species.
Claypan Daisy | Brachycome muelleroides | Vulnerable |
Mossgiel Daisy | Brachycome papillosa | Vulnerable |
Pine Donkey Orchid | Diuris tricolour | Vulnerable |
Woolly Ragwort | Senecio garlandii | Vulnerable |
Yass Daisy | Ammobium craspedioides | Vulnerable |
White Box-Yellow Box-Blakely's Red Gum Woodland | Endangered |
Fuzzy Box Woodland | Endangered |
Inland Grey Box Woodland | Endangered |
Myall Woodland | Endangered |
Aquatic Ecological Community in Natural Drainage System of Lower Murray River Catchment | Endangered |
Sources: Database records from: NSW Office of Environment and Heritage; Industry and Investment NSW, Primary Industries Fishing and Aquaculture.