Wollongong City Council’s new frog habitat has attracted its first visitor, a female Green and Golden Bell Frog.

The endangered species has been spotted in purpose built ponds at Wollongong Greenhouse Park.

The habitat was created in Greenhouse Park last year after the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog was sighted at the Coal Terminal. By creating the habitat in Greenhouse Park, a safe route was established along the creek line from the Coal Terminal for this native species to migrate and spawn.

Manager Environmental Strategy and Planning Vanni De Luca said the habitat is fenced off within Council’s regenerated Greenhouse Park.
 
“Bell Frogs need a special habitat, as they are ground dwelling frogs and require native grasses to hide amongst,” said Mr De Luca.

“Greenhouse Park is a 25 hectare site that was an old Builder's Tip. Council, Wollongong Rotary Club, the community and a dedicated team of over 30 volunteers have regenerated the site by planting trees and shrubs and to attract native birds and animals to the area.”

“We are excited to see the regenerated area attract the rare and endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog. We hope she attracts a mate in the near future to ensure the spawning of this native animal,” Mr De Luca said.

“The habitat was specifically designed as the frog prefers water bodies that support emergent vegetation such as reeds and bullrushes for basking, and winter habitats consist of available shelters around the breeding site, which can be vegetation, rocks, rubbish or human debris and discarded building materials. Grassy habitats are usually close at hand to provide suitable terrestrial feeding grounds.”

“Green and Golden  Bell Frogs spend most of their time within 10cm of the ground and rarely venture more than a metre above the ground.”

“Greenhouse Park has been a successful environmental project for Council.  A long term partnership with the Wollongong Rotary Club has resulted in many improvements to the site. The site also acts as an education centre for schools to come and learn about the environment and has become home to thousands of old newspapers from our own Council Administration building and other local businesses for composting,” Mr De Luca said.

“The newspapers lined the ground and put nutrients back into the soil which give the trees increased survival rates.”

Greenhouse Park is located on Springhill Road, just south of JJ Kelly Park. School and community groups or corporates wishing to get involved with the site can contact Mike McKeon on 4227 7266.