Over multiple years, we restored key wetland habitats within the Sydney Airport precinct, balancing ecological rehabilitation with aviation safety requirements. Through our weed management services, we transform degraded areas into strong ecosystems.

Method & Technique:

• Bush Regeneration
• Broadscale Herbicide Spraying
• Aquatic Weed Control
• Planting
• Ecological Restoration
• Aquatic Weed Treatment
• Habitat Management

Project Outcomes:

We successfully completed a multi-year bush and wetland regeneration project for our client, Sydney Airport, spanning from 2019 to 2022. The project began with a focus on intensive primary works to control dense infestations of invasive species such as Cestrum parqui (Green Cestrum), Lantana camara, Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata (Bitou Bush), Ludwigia peruviana (Water Primrose), and various exotic climbers. These weeds were treated in staged sections to support effective restoration and site recovery.

Sydney Airport’s vision was to rehabilitate the riparian habitat around two wetland ponds, creating a functional and resilient natural area while minimising the risk of attracting large bird populations near the airport. Our team worked to achieve this balance by restoring native vegetation and managing habitat complexity appropriately.

From 2020 to 2022, we carried out regular maintenance works to consolidate earlier progress. Weed densities were effectively maintained or reduced across most work zones, with major improvements noted in Engine Pond West, Engine Pond East , and Mill Stream . Native vegetation showed strong regeneration, supported by our follow-up work and favorable seasonal rainfall.

In 2022, the final year of the contract, our efforts shifted to controlling vine and herbaceous weeds such as Rumex sagittatus and Anredera cordifolia, particularly in areas with good native cover or previous plantings. We also carried out supplementary planting to increase biodiversity, enhance habitat corridors, and reduce future weed re-establishment in cleared zones.

Throughout the project, a diverse range of native fauna were observed, including Striped Marsh Frogs, Eastern Water Skinks, Blue-tongued Skinks, Black Swans, Pelicans, Honeyeaters, Swamp Hens, and Superb Fairy-wrens — highlighting the ecological value of this urban stepping stone habitat.

This project was completed to a high standard, with all objectives met through careful planning, consistent follow-up, and strong teamwork. It stands as a successful example of large-scale ecological restoration in a complex urban setting.

Before	After

Before	After

Our project at the Upper Ponds Creek spans over nine different sites, we utilised many of our services to enhance both the environmental health and community resources along the Upper Ponds Creek entrance. We are proud to continue to work on projects where we can tailor ecological solutions to diverse landscapes.

Services:

• Aquatic Weed Treatment
• Broadscale Herbicide Spraying
• Bush Regeneration
• Revegetation
• Track Maintenance

Project Outcomes:

The Upper Ponds Creek project showcased our team’s ability to apply a broad range of ecological techniques and knowledge to deliver successful outcomes across nine diverse sites. This large-scale restoration effort required a tailored approach at each location, with focused strategies including track maintenance, edge weed control, resilient area management, and the preservation of regenerating zones—particularly through the protection of native shrubs and trees from invasive vines. Our work also enhanced the visual amenity of the area, with diligent weed control improving the outlook for visitors at key vantage points. We successfully maintained previously revegetated areas, executed primary and targeted weeding, and carried out routine maintenance to ensure long-term resilience. The effective management of the Hazard Reduction Zone (HRZ) further supported site safety and ecological balance. By combining expertise, industry-standard practices, and a commitment to ecological integrity, we’ve not only achieved the project’s objectives but also contributed to the lasting health and appeal of the Upper Ponds Creek landscape.

Before	After

Before	After

At Sydney Olympic Park’s Brickpit, we delivered a specialised habitat project designed to protect and support local frog populations. Through our ecology restoration services, we created a functional and resilient habitat within this highly sensitive environment.

Method & Technique:

• Special Project
• Habitat Restoration

Project Outcomes:

In March and April 2024, our team delivered a specialised on-ground project at the Brickpit, focused on ecological protection and habitat support. The works involved the placement of six metal tanks within a rigid frame enclosure, expertly wrapped in taut, commercial-grade bird netting.

This design was carefully constructed to exclude medium to large birds while allowing frogs to freely enter and exit. Transporting the tanks from the Brickpit car park to the site, we arranged them on a level sand bed reinforced with coir logs and connected them via frog-accessible gabion pathways. The entire enclosure stands at approximately 2 metres high and was engineered with steel supports and lockable, bird-proof access doors.

Despite biosecurity restrictions and limited site access via a dirt track, our team ensured high standards in ecological restoration and wetland enhancement, contributing to a secure, functional habitat within this sensitive, sandstone-based environment.

Our skilled staff completing construction with care and precision.	Tanks arranged on a leveled bed of brickies sand, with coir logs installed to prevent erosion as per project specifications

Completed installation of bird-proof netting—commercial grade, black, UV-resistant, and secured at the base to allow frog access while excluding larger birds	All done! Construction completed and site ready for action.

Our project aimed to create a breeding haven for the Green and Golden Bell Frog to support population growth for this declining species.

The Threats to Their Population and Habitat

From landfill and brick pits to golf courses, Green and Golden Bell Frogs have a peculiar habit of appearing in unlikely and disturbed habitats. Once an extremely common species across all of Sydney, now has only about 40 of its population left. The species has been suffering an ongoing decline and shrinking of their distribution since the 1970s. Loss of ideal habitat, and pressures from predators including native waterbirds, introduced Mosquito Fish and feral cats, are contributing factors behind why they are being found in degraded and unlikely habitats. This presents an urgent need for the creation and restoration of high quality, predator free habitat for the species.

Project Details

Our team has been working with the Sydney Olympic Park Authority to manage existing ponds to bring back much needed habitat for the Green and Golden Bell Frog. Kronos Hill is a wildlife corridor extending for 1.5km encompassing an area of remediated landfill adjacent to Haslam’s Creek. Currently there are a range of restoration projects being undertaken at the site. The pre-existing site’s ponds were suffering from sedimentation and were lacking appropriate shelter to protect struggling local Green and Gold Bell Frogs from predators.

To address these issues and provide a stable habitat for the species our team worked on restoring the ponds. We first started by draining existing water from the site’s ponds to eradicate the introduced Mosquito Fish. These Mosquito Fish decimate Green and Golden Bell Frog tadpoles, therefore hindering local breeding populations. Our team then removed thick accumulated sediment. This assisted in making way for the installation of impermeable pond liners, facilitating improved water retention and conforming to Green and Golden Bell Frog preference for habitat disturbance. Frog-friendly netting was then installed above the ponds to reduce predator access to breeding frogs and tadpoles. Due to the species apparent preference for ephemeral ponds and fluctuating water levels, the ponds were filled naturally with rainwater and runoff over time to entice the species to disperse to the site.

Continuing our support for the Green and Golden Bell Frog, this project not only aimed to provide the species with a safe space to live, but also to provide a breeding haven, free from the pressures of predators and degraded habitat. Our efforts will hopefully result in unhindered breeding site and facilitate increased dispersal of the species to other potential habitat sites in the locality.

This project focused on removal of weeds and planting native tune stock. From our services we reduced weed density from over 80% to less than 20% and less than 5% in some areas.

Assessment of site

Our team conducted a site assessment which identified:

• The presence and abundance of weeds 
• The priority for control
• Native plant abundance

On completion of the site assessment we made recommendations in order to control the extensive weed infestation on-site in a short time frame. The most predominant weed species on site were Asparagus Fern (Asparagus aethiopicus) and Lantana (Lantana camara).
The focus of these works was to treat weeds present and to restore the three remnant vegetation communities on site which included:

• Beach Spinifex Grassland
• Coastal Fore Dune Wattle Scrub
• Coastal Tea-tree Banksia Scrub

Our team developed two main stages to complete the ecological restoration of the North Palm Beach Dunes.

Primary stage

The primary stage involved extensive weeding that primarily targeted the most abundant weed species on site. In order to treat the Asparagus fern and Lantana widespread we carried out careful manual removal around all native vegetation coupled with herbicide spraying. After several weeks the site had shown a significant level of die-back of the treated weeds. The non-propagative remains of the treated weeds were mulched using a slasher then spread on the bare soil in preparation for planting.

Secondary stage

The secondary stage of the project involved the planting of native tube stock into the mulched areas. The planting was undertaken in stages with consistent irrigation. Furthermore, regular maintenance was carried out on site throughout this time and primarily consisted of manual weed removal as well as herbicide application in select areas.

Results 

The treatment and control of Asparagus aethiopicus and Lantana camara was successful throughout the site with many portions of the site now having little to no weed presence. Weed density was reduced from over 80% to less than 20% and less than 5% in some areas. The three coastal communities will need continued maintenance to control herbaceous weeds and exotic grasses now that mature weeds have been removed. It is vital that these works are undertaken for an extended period of time for the overall success of the dunes.

Our work at Viva Energy’s Clyde terminal aims to restore and rehabilitate habitats for the Green and Golden Bell Frogs.

Project Details 

Our aim is to develop and maintain a secure core habitat that is reasonably self-sustaining and meets the known ecological requirements of the entire life cycle of the Green and Golden Bell Frog (GGBF).

To meet this goal, our team planted 70,000 plants in three breeding ponds on site with associated frog corridor grasslands. We also conducted the maintenance works to ensure the habitat remained optimal for the GGBF.

The Green and Golden Bell Frog (Litoria aurea) has gone from being one of the most commonly found frogs on the east coast, to one of the most threatened, with the risk of extinction. A large contributing factor for this decline in population is habitat isolation. 

Their Habitat Preference 

The species live in large, open-water swamps or ponds that have a variable water level, dense vegetation with grassy and rocky areas around them. The species preferred habitats that they use for breeding, foraging, shelter and hibernation include waterbodies that:

• Are unshaded and free of predatory fish
• Have grassy areas and shelters nearby.

Site Map

Services Provided

Our team have been carefully clearing and disposing of vegetation to avoid harming any GGBF that may be present. Our team also focused on rebuilding the habitats that include the removal of She-Oak Trees that are shading Green and Golden Bell Frog Habitat. Additionally, we controlled large areas of Spiny Rush and conducted the planting of appropriate macrophyte species to enhance the natural habitat qualities for GGBF.

More details on the services we provided on this site include: 

• Weed control works that started from the banks of waterbodies, working outward towards dry land, replacing the weeds removed with native plants.
• Control of Gambusia (Mosquito Fish).
• Removal of all Swamp Oak individuals that occur within or fringing ponds and pools, including along the raised bund that intersects the central pools.
• All Juncus acutus are to be progressively removed from the Wetlands. The native Typha orientalis is to be culled from the centre of pools and ponds, with some T. orientalis retained around the banks of all waterbodies.
• Targeted small populations of unwanted emergent and aquatic vegetation for removal which was then followed by removal of the larger infestations.
• Extensive primary treatment on weeds such as Lantana Camara, Casurina Sp and Acacia Salinga have been cleared around the ponds. Opening up the area to allow 40% of the perennial wetland area with direct sunlight. This warms up the temperature of the water, creating more productivity for the aquatic vegetation.

Rebuilding and bringing back the natural habitats for the Green and Golden Bell Frogs is always a profound project to work on. Our efforts into restoring the land and natural habitats will result in unhindered breeding and promote increased activity.