Community invited to join in tree planting day on 22 April at Bendalong and Lake Conjola

Local community members are invited to join Endeavour Energy, Greening Australia and Shoalhaven City Council for at a community tree planting and BBQ on Friday 22 April with sessions to be held at Bendalong Point (10am – 12pm) and Lake Conjola (2.30pm – 4.30pm).

The community tree planting aims to support regeneration of native habitat following the devastating impact of the 2020 bushfires, with an additional 1000 local native seedlings to be planted on the day at Bendalong Point and Lake Conjola.

Endeavour Energy Chief Asset & Operating Officer, Scott Ryan, said, “As the electricity network that powers the South Coast of NSW, Endeavour Energy is passionate about the communities in which we operate and investing in programs that make a difference. Through this program, we are looking to help increase the bushland habitat for native wildlife, stabilise lakeside sand dunes and reduce erosion following the significant impact from 2020 bushfires.

“Local community groups including Manyana Matters, Red Head Villages Association and the Conjola Community Association together with Shoalhaven City Council and Greening Australia have helped guide the planting and determine the locations where new bushland habitat can be most valuable.

“Local community groups and First Nations staff from Shoalhaven City Council have also provided guidance to ensure works are conducted in a culturally sensitive way, without any disturbance to Aboriginal heritage sites,” he said.

The planting project commenced in 2021 with more than 300 seedlings planted to date supporting  the coastal woodland area at Bendalong near Manyana on the South Coast of NSW. Species include She-oaks, which will contribute to foreshore stabilisation and habitat value, and Lilly Pilly, which produce berries eaten by a range of parrots as well as mammals.

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor, Amanda Findley, encourages everyone, young and old, to get involved. “Planting tree seedlings is a great way to help regenerate and preserve local bushland and it’s a wonderful way to connect with nature and meet new friends in the community,” Mayor Findley said.

Greening Australia Program Director Great Southern Landscapes, Paul Della Libera said, “Greening Australia are delighted to be working in partnership with Endeavour Energy to help people and nature thrive in the Shoalhaven region.

“Undertaking critical action to restore our local landscapes with community alongside us, not only helps rebuild our localised ecosystems after the recent bushfires but also builds future resilience into our landscapes, creating future homes and habitat for nature.

“We can’t wait to get people out there and seeing first-hand the impact that we can all make together with the power of restoration,” he said.

To participate in the community tree planting register below:

Bendalong Point Community Planting, 10am – 12pm, Friday 22 April  
Lake Conjola Community Planting, 2.30 - 4.30pm, Friday 22 April

BYO sun protection, gardening gloves and closed toed, sturdy shoes and clothing. Attendees are invited to a BBQ lunch at the Bendalong site.

Facts about the Endeavour Energy network 

• Endeavour Energy supplies safe, reliable and affordable power to over 2.6 million people living and working in the Illawarra and the South Coast of NSW, as well as Sydney’s Greater West, the Blue Mountains, the Southern Highlands.
• Endeavour Energy is independently rated the most efficient electricity distribution network service provider in NSW, with reliability of 99.999%
• The network spans over 25,000 square kilometres and is made up of more than 430,000 power poles and streetlight columns, 202 major substations and 32,600 distribution substations, connected by nearly 60,600 kilometres (more than the distance from Sydney to London and back) of underground and overhead cables
• Integrates with renewable energy sources including 200,000 residential solar connections, industrial solar and embedded large-scale batteries.

Media contact: Peter Payne 0409 664 608