Announced at a virtual ceremony last week, the award recognises Council’s ‘Discovering Mahony’s Toadlet – a journey to expand the Hunter and Central Coast Roadside Environmental Marker Scheme’ project.

Port Stephens Council General Manager Wayne Wallis recognises the contribution the project has made to protect wildlife across our region.

“As the newly discovered species was found in our region in 2016, and placed on the threatened species list the following year — we had to do our part to protect them.

“We maintain hundreds of kilometres of roadside reserves across Port Stephens, and needed to effectively manage and address the potential impacts our works could have on their local habitat.

“As part of the project we carried out a range of roadside surveys and data collection across the area which concluded in March 2020.

“The findings have now been incorporated into our environmental management system and standard operating procedures to protect the threatened species.

“This work has also created a new amphibian roadside marker category for the existing Hunter Joint Organisation Regional Roadside Environment Marker Scheme used by other road authorities across the Hunter Region,” he said.

The project was assisted by the NSW Government’s Environmental Trust and supported by LGNSW through the Council Roadside Reserves Environmental Grant Program.

More information about the project and the Roadside Environment Management Award can be found here: https://www.lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/Members-Services/Environment-Awards/2020-winners/REM_award.aspx