A NEW project being launched in the Macarthur region aims to save the remnants of Elderslie Banksia Scrub Forest.

During a visit to Spring Farm last week, NSW Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton announced $239,250 would be put towards the preservation of the Elderslie Banksia Scrub as part of the State Government’s Save Our Species program.

Camden state Liberal MP Chris Patterson said it was important to protect and regenerate the bushland within new developments.

media_camera Environment Minister Gabrielle Upton, Liza Schaeper (Office of Environment and Heritage) and Camden MP Chris Patterson at Spring Farm. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“We’ve got these remnants of the Elderslie Banksia Scrub and have highlighted that this will be one of the last remaining sizeable remnants of that species,” he said. “This is to ensure that it is stabilised and then future money is going to come in to grow this community.”

Ms Upton said development and litter had left the banksia scrub under stress.

type_quote_start One of the works that we’ll be doing is collecting seeds and banking those seeds to save the genetics of the plants — Liza Schaeper type_quote_end

“We want to maintain this wonderful example of natural indigenous scrub and this money is going to enable that work to go on and also to understand how we can help it to grow into the future,” she said.

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage senior team leader ecosystems and threaten species, Liza Schaeper, said the area had been threatened by sand mining and development and only about 15 hectares remained.

media_camera Development and rubbish dumping has impacted the Elderslie Bush Scrub.

media_camera Banksia cones at May Gibbs Rise, Spring Farm. Pictures: Angelo Velardo

“It’s not just the Banksia tree that we’re interested in, it’s the whole community which includes plants and animals,” Ms Schaeper said.

“The banksia itself does have big nectar-filled flowers which birds eat but there’s also a range of mammals, birds and reptiles that use this community.

“One of the works that we’ll be doing is collecting seeds and banking those seeds to save the genetics of the plants.”

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