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In December Clarence Valley Council won the 2022 Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Award for Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement for the collaborative project, Caring for our Coastal Emu – partnerships to protect an endangered population

The project incorporates a range of collaborative approaches our Natural Resource Management team took to protect the endangered Coastal Emu. With an estimated population of less than 50 birds remaining, a major focus of the project was reducing the risk of vehicle strike along the 7km section of Brooms Head Road at Taloumbi, where emus commonly cross the road.

Through key partnerships with Lions Club of Clarence – Environmental, NSW Department of Planning and Environment (Biodiversity and Conservation Division) and Transport for NSW, they achieved:

• Speed limit reductions
• ‘EMU ZONE’ pavement patches
• Fencing trials on road reserve boundaries to allow easier passage
• Installation of dedicated vehicle activated signs – a first for CVC area
• Reduction in vehicle strikes.

The strength and success of this project is firmly based in effective partnerships and authentic engagement with community to deliver effective on-ground management actions. We also worked with traditional owners; local landholders and businesses, Maclean Landcare Group, Bungawalbin Landcare, Western Sydney University, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Local Land Services and the CVC Local Traffic Committee.

If you see a Coastal Emu, please report your sighting on the Clarence Valley Council digital register!

Article Attrition: Clarence Valley Council