Protection of Australian Flora and Fauna

Australia has an inheritance of very unique flora and fauna. Let’s all take a proud part in protecting these wonders!

Most native animal species are protected by law in NSW.

NSW National Parks, Nature Reserves and Wildlife Protection Areas are specific areas where Native animals live with protection. However, native animals move between protected areas and live on unprotected land.
The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area is renowned for its great diversity of animal and plant species. In the Blue Mountains National Park alone, there are 331 different animal species and 37 of these species are now endangered and some species are extinct.
In the Blue Mountains we have Bushland Reserves bordering residential areas where wildlife are unprotected and need YOUR help to survive. More and more people are creating frog ponds and native gardens in their back yards to provide homes for native animals. These suburban native animals need protection too.

Have you thought of having wildlife in your backyard instead of pets? They are easier to care for, have fewer ongoing costs and you can go away on holiday more easily. Most of all, you will delight in wildlife activities in your native garden.

Caring for Wildlife

Some of the animals living in bushland are possums, bandicoots, swamp wallabies, bush rats and antechinus. There are small birds living in low shrubs and some birds have nests low to the ground in grass tussocks. Snakes, lizards and their food sources ants and insects live under rocks and logs and need them as habitat. The creeks are home to platypus and need yabbies, frogs and tadpoles in them to keep the water clean and drinkable.

Help protect our native animals living in Bushland by –

Staying on walking tracks in bushland.
Admiring and/or photographing wild flowers and plants - do not pick them.
Leaving natural features such as bushrock and fallen timber on the ground.
Leaving yabbies, tadpoles and water bugs in the creeks.
Taking out all your rubbish.
Using your compost bin for garden green waste – do not dump it in bushland
Walking, rather than riding a trail bike.
Containing your pets on your property

Report misplaced or injured wildlife in the Blue Mountains to:

WIRES on (02) 4754 2946 or
RRAIS on (02) 4759 1698

For more information online go to:

National Parks & Wildlife Website

Join the Land for Wildlife scheme

Protected species information :
Watching Wildlife: fact sheet 8
Wildlife Refuges on private land

Australian Conservation Foundation Website

Conservation on private land
Create your Eco-garden

Caring for your dog

Choose a small dog that is suitable to your lifestyle and is easy to exercise.

Desex, vaccinate and microchip your dog.

Keep your dog contained on your premises, with fencing according to your local council regulations.

Walk your dog on a leash in urban parks, rather than in bushland.

Walk your dog in Council approved off-leash areas, preferably not bushland.

When away on holidays, find another home for your dog such as a dog kennel.

Remove your dog's faeces from public places.

If your dog attacks a native animal, call WIRES or RRAIS and have the wildlife collected to receive medical treatment.

More information for Dog Owners can be obtained from :-

Choosing a suitable dog in the Blue Mountains - RSPCA: Phone (02) 4782-5040

Pet registration in the Blue Mountains - Blue Mountains City Council - Ph (02) 4780 5000

Information for Dog Owners in NSW ; Ph (02) 44284100    or    NSW Dept. of Local Goverment

Dogs in Rural Communities in NSW ; Ph (02) 44284100    or    NSW Dept. of Local Goverment

Restricted & Dangerous Dogs in NSW ; Ph (02) 44284100    or    NSW Dept. of Local Goverment

Caring for your cat

Give your cat a long and safe life -

Choose a breed of cat that is suited to living indoors.

Desex, vaccinate and microchip your cat.

Always keep your cat indoors overnight.

Train your cat to live indoors 24hours a day.

Keep your cat contained on your premises.

Build a cat enclosure in your garden.

Build a fence that slopes inwards at the top or attach floppy chicken wire to the top of your existing fence to stop your cat climbing out of your yard.

When away on holidays, find another home for your cat, e.g., a cattery

Do not feed and encourage stray cats.

If your cat attacks a native animal, call WIRES or RRAIS and have the wildlife collected to receive medical treatment.

For more information, contact :-

Advice on cat care Cat Protection Society

Building cat enclosures ; see Pet Shops Suppliers in the Yellow Pages.

Choosing a suitable indoor cat in the Blue Mountains ; RSPCA: Ph (02) 4782 5040

How to build cat proof fencing & cat enclosures or phone 136 186 (Victorian Gov.)

Information for cat owners in NSW ; Phone (02) 44284100 or NSW Dept. of Local Goverment

Pet registration in the Blue Mountains - Blue Mountains City Council - Ph (02) 4780 5000

Protect Your Cat, Protect Your Wildlife brochure ; Warringah Council Phone (02) 9942 2715

Training your cat to live indoors ; Humane Society International

What you can do if a neighbour's cat or dog is a nuisance ?

Try speaking to your neighbour in a friendly manner and ask for their co-operation.

Ring Blue Mountains Council Ranger on (02) 4780 5000

Make a written complaint to BM City Council about the problem if the ranger is not able to assist you i.e., when you are unable to identify the cat and its owner.

Catch troublesome cats and return them to their owners wherever possible.

Otherwise, catch the cats and take them to the RSPCA. The Companion Animal Act 1988 Sec 32 states that any person may lawfully seize a cat if that action is reasonable and necessary for the protection of any person or animal (other than vermin) from injury or death.
Any person who takes action under the authority of [the Act] that results in injury to or death of a cat must notify a Council Ranger and seek treatment for any injury.

Traps can be hired from local Vets or bought through the internet.

If you do not live in the Blue Mountains, contact your local Council; National Parks Office; RSPCA; WIRES etc to seek advice appropriate to your area.