Following a successful community event in late 2024, the Future Proofing the Cabbage Tree Palm project is reconnecting remnant vegetation across the region.
A single Cabbage Tree Palm standing tall amidst Kiama’s green hills is an emblem of our local landscape. The Cabbage Tree Palm (Livistona australis), called Dharawal by the Wodi-Wodi, Yuin and Jerrinja First Nations people of the Illawarra, has significance as a source of food and material, with the leaves and trunks used for weaving and shelter building.
These majestic palms can live for hundreds of years, reaching heights of up to 30m. While they once thrived along NSW’s east coast much of their suitable habitat has been cleared, leaving only scattered paddock trees that are struggling to regenerate naturally. Without action, they will disappear.
Landcare Illawarra is working with community in the Kiama area to preserve this unique species and the ecological community it calls home. We support landholders but providing juvenile plants, assistance with fencing, and advice on maintenance and companion species to help ensure a thriving future for the Dharawal/Cabbage Tree Palm.
Our activities so far have included fencing trials, community planting events and habitat restoration activities to protect Dharawal/Cabbage Tree Palms and to restore the ecosystems of which they are an essential element.
The areas where these activities have been located so far, in Toolijooa and Foxground, are along important east-west biodiversity corridors between Saddleback Mountain and the Illawarra escarpment to the west and remnant coastal vegetation to the east. in 2026 we will expand into Jamberoo, focusing on restoring biodiversity corridors.
Next event!
Talking Landcare Future Proofing the Cabbage Tree Palm – Jamberoo
Help secure the future of Jamberoo’s iconic Cabbage Tree Palms 🌴
Join us for a community evening exploring the cultural history, ecology and future of the Cabbage Tree Palm (Livistona australis), known as Dharawal by the First Nations people of the Illawarra.
Hear from ecologists, botanists, historians and Landcare Illawarra about current research, past rainforest landscapes, and practical ways local landholders and community members can help protect and regenerate this important species.
🗓 Thursday 5 March
🕠 6.00–8.00pm
📍 Jamberoo Youth Hall
☕ Refreshments provided Everyone welcome.
Come along and be part of future-proofing our landscape
👉 More information: Event details
👉 Register here: Humanitix link
Want to get involved?
Landholders – If you’re interested in supporting this project on your property, please fill in this form and we’ll be in touch.
Volunteers – We’ll call for support as planting dates are confirmed. If you’d like to be involved—or if you have extra skills to offer—please fill in this form.
How do community plantings work?
The project so far has included fencing trials, community plantings, and habitat restoration activities to protect Dharawal/Cabbage Tree Palms (Livistona australis) and restore the ecosystems of which they are an essential part.
See more about the five community plantings we’ve held this year in this project update.
Want to donate?
Not everyone can join on-ground works and plantings—and that’s okay. This project is funded by private donors, and we’re deeply grateful for their support so far. Their contributions fund plants, planting equipment, essential fencing, and project management. We would love to scale up what we can achieve, and additional funding will help.
If you’d like to know more about donating to Landcare Illawarra for this project, this document explains how to make tax-deductible donations through Landcare NSW.
Please mention that you’d like to support the Cabbage Tree Palm Project—anonymous gifts are welcome too.
Thank you to our supporters
This project would not have been possible without generous contributions from:
• BlueScope WIN Community Partners Program– Fencing support
• Endeavour Energy Nature Positive Program– Partnership
• Private donors – Ongoing support
