FROM bird nesting on rooftops to stamping out littering at reserves, Wagga residents have offered the city council wide-ranging ideas about how to improve the city's biodiversity.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Earlier this month, the council called on the community to bolster its first-ever biodiversity strategy across the local government area.
The strategy will act as a key document that outlines how the council and the broader community can enhance biodiversity by developing a range of objectives and actions that address various issues impacting biodiversity.
Project officer Sam Pascall said the feedback so far centres around native species, vegetation and environmental education.
"People want to see more native species - including bees, birds and insects - whether that's in their own backyards or wildlife corridors," Ms Pascall said.
"There are also calls for more environmental education activities, ot just for children but also adults."
Among the submissions - from high-level policies to specific sites - on the project's website, one resident suggested building structures on rooftops to encourage and support bird nesting.
Another suggested care was needed if central trees were removed.
"Be careful removing trees with hollows in the CBD - even exotics. Three generations of Kookaburras nesting in a cedar tree in Best street," the user said.
Another suggested more protection from litter at Eunony Reserve while increasing resources for environment has also been suggested numerous times.
In other news
Ms Pascall said that while they have received various suggestions already, more submissions are needed.
"Biodiversity does affect everyone, so we want every to suggest ideas," she said.
"No suggestion is too far out of the box as they could lead to something else. More heads together is better than one person coming up with ideas."
Ms Pascall also encourages landholders to provide feedback.
As part of the consultation process, the council has already held a number of consultation sessions at various sustainability events earlier this month.
These included the Sustainable Living Festival, a community drop-in session and at the Rewild Community Markets.
Residents have until December 13 to share their ideas for the future and they can be submitted in person or online.
The community's thoughts will inform the draft strategy, which will then be placed on public exhibition in March 2020 for further feedback.