Illawarra Biodiversity and Food Project

Conservation targets for threatened species, community gardens, strategic natural area planning and locally grown food are just some of the plans Council has in mind to tackle climate change over the next three years.

The NSW Environmental Trust’s Urban Sustainability Program has awarded the Illawarra Councils a three year grant to fund the Illawarra Biodiversity a Local Food Strategy for Climate Change project. 

The Biodiversity component of the project will look at the impact of climate change on our unique ecosystems, develop a regional Biodiversity Strategy, and fund targeted on-ground works to restore and rehabilitate priority natural areas. Through this project we want to start to share resources with our regional partners, work together on conservation targets, and plan strategically across the region to protect threatened species and priority natural areas into the future.
 
We plan for clean air and water, healthy natural environments, shelter, community life and transport. Now with climate change a reality we’re making it our business as local government to look at improving regional food security through developing a strategy to support local food systems.

The Food component of the grant will also explore options for locally produced food, support school and community gardens, encourage people to make more sustainable food choices through education and training, as we prepare for the decline in availability of cheap fossil fuels.