Restoration Of An Endangered Ecosystem For Local Community

An endangered ecosystem is being restored, thanks to the efforts of our supporters.

Southwest of Sydney, Greenfleet is restoring part of the Lucas Heights Conservation Area on Dharawal Country, a large-scale area of bushland which is bringing environmental benefits to the local community.

Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest is an endangered ecosystem and unique to the region. By restoring this native forest, we are extending biodiversity and growing habitat to support koalas and other wildlife.

Location and Map

This property is on the lands of Dharawal people, southwest of Sydney in the Sutherland Shire of New South Wales.

The planting of native vegetation at this site will provide habitat for local wildlife, restore biodiversity and provide environmental benefits to the region.

This is one of many native reforestation projects that Greenfleet has undertaken in New South Wales since 1997. To see where some of our other projects are growing, explore our forest map.

Bringing Back A Unique And Endangered Forest

Since 2024, we have invited team members of our corporate supporters to help us plant native trees on the site. Here they get to take hands-on action to rehabilitate the endangered Ecological Community of Sydney Turpentine Ironbark Forest. Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) and Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata) are among the species essential to restoring this ecosystem. Our supporter's efforts are not only helping preserve a legally protected ecosystem but providing homes for the local native wildlife. 

Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) is a species found mainly in New South Wales and Queensland. It can grow to heights of 60 metres and forms part of the all-important Scrub Turpentine-Ironbark Forest canopy, protecting and enabling other species to flourish underneath its branches.

Found mainly along the New South Wales coast, Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata) is a tall and fast-growing tree, vital to forest canopy formation. It produces clusters of fragrant, white flowers which attract native birds with their nectar. In 2019 Ironbark was assessed for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and listed as Near Threatened under criteria A2c. It is important we continue to revegetate this species to maintain is survival.

Another key species we are planting are wattles, also called acacias. These trees create the mid-canopy, and are valuable for wildlife, as they grow quickly to establish food, producing flowers, seeds and seed pods. In particular, we chose Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia) to stabilise sand dunes and prevent erosion.

Wildlife Habitat Restoration

This project is located near the Dharawal National Park and will extend habitat for many local wildlife species, including koalas, which are listed as endangered in New South Wales. We have planted grey gum (Eucalyptus punctata) and blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) which will provide food and shelter for known populations in the region.

The area is also rich with birdlife, and by including flowering species like acacias, this forest will attract bees and insects for their diet. Lucas Heights will also provide potential habitat for possums, lizards and other wildlife.

Connection To Country

We are fortunate to have Graham Avery, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Officer at Sutherland Shire, join us at the project on planting days to share his knowledge. His First Nations heritage includes Dharawal, Dhurga, Djirrinjanj, Gumbaynggirr, Dhanghutti, and Ngiyampaa language groups within New South Wales. He Acknowledges Country and provides unique insights into the plants and animals found at Lucas Heights and beyond.

Engagement With Our Supporters

By inviting our supporters to take an active part in our work, they are connecting to Country and gaining a deeper insight into how we are growing climate hope. As they experience digging, fertilising, planting and watering, each person is part of a shared sense of purpose, forming bonds in their teams and understanding that they are leaving a lasting legacy for future generations.

A participant at the 2025 planting day at Lucas Heights told us:

"Thanks so much for such a great day. I love what your company does and am so glad I could be a small part of helping repopulate the habitat in Lucas Heights." Rachel Crampton, Telstra.

To date we have welcomed more than 60 companies and 220 people, all keen to roll up their sleeves and get dirty in the name of forest restoration.

We are restoring sections of this site through revegetation, creating long-term environmental benefits that will continue to grow for generations to come. By investing in this work today, we are helping to build a more resilient ecosystem for the future. Our supporters, who have participated across successive planting days, can return to witness firsthand the positive impact they are making, and clearly see the progress as the forest develops over time.

Together, we’re growing our forests and growing climate hope.

Location  

1 hour’s drive southwest of Sydney 

Planting Dates 

2024, 2025, 2026 

Species 

We are planting species which include:  

  1. Sydney green wattle (Acacia decurrens) 
  2. Sickle wattle (Acacia falcata) 
  3. Hickory wattle (Acacia implexa) 
  4. Sydney golden wattle (Acacia longifolia) 
  5. Parramatta wattle (Acacia parramattensis) 
  6. Silver stemmed wattle (Acacia parvipinula) 
  7. Hop wattle (Acacia stricta) 
  8. Black sheoak (Allocasuarina littoralis) 
  9. Forest oak (Allocasuarina torrulosa) 
  10. Sydney red gum (Angophora costata) 
  11. Bottlebrush (Callistemon) 
  12. Hop bush (Dodonaea triquetra) 
  13. Ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata)  
  14. Blackbutt (Eucalyptus pilularis) 
  15. Grey gum (Eucalyptus punctata) 
  16. Red mahogany (Eucalyptus resinifera) 
  17. Blady grass (Imperata cylindrica) 
  18. Austral indigo (Indigofera australis) 
  19. Spiny mat rush (Lomandra longiflora) 
  20. Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera)