Stream Hill Landcare Group

Location: Wollongong

The Stream Hill Landcare group is located in the newest suburb in the Illawarra and fastest growing residential housing area outside of Sydney, it was formerly called Kembla Grange, which is part of West Dapto precinct.

Location
The Stream Hill Landcare site is on Wollongong Council land at Integral Energy Park, which is home to the Kembla Joggers running club. The suburb name is Stream Hill, the newest suburb in the Illawarra and fastest growing residential housing area outside of Sydney, it was formerly called Kembla Grange, which is part of West Dapto precinct.

History
In 2022, the Australian Plants Society Illawarra group was launched. The President Michel Swire wanted both a natural area to restore, and a home base, and negotiated and signed an MOU with Kembla Joggers who lease the Wollongong City Council lands. The group started to regenerate the natural areas and it was hoped they could then start a community WWC Bushcare group. But unfortunately, WCC Bushcare program was at capacity. After discussions with Emma Rooksby, Landcare Illawarra signed an MOU with Council, and became Stream Hill Landcare in February 2024.

Work Plan
Stream Hill Landcare is focused on regeneration of an Illawarra riparian corridor, Robins Creek, a natural waterway which connects the Illawarra Escarpment to Lake Illawarra. There is also some bushland that is also part of the management plan.

Worst weed!
Green Cestrum, Privet, Wild Tobacco and Lantana.

Favourite plant and why?
Eucalyptus amplifolia the Cabbage Gum. It is a local species, and the four already planted are growing fast, and we need fast growing endemic plants, as part of the diverse first year plantings. All plants are supplied by the WCC Nursery, and we use the IRBD plant list for Integral Energy Park.