On Tuesday 2nd September 2025, Greater Sydney Landcare hosted a corporate volunteering day for Delta Electronics Australia at the Mount Schoenstatt Shrine & Retreat in Mulgoa, located in the Penrith Local Government Area.
12 Delta volunteers contributed an impressive 60 volunteer hours, removing 30 cubic metres of invasive Lantana from two areas on the property. One area was weeded for the first time whereas the second was re-treating to prevent weeds from returning as native plants re-establishโa vital aspect of long-term bush regeneration.
Battling a Weed of National Significance
Lantana camara is a Weed of National Significance in Australia due to its invasiveness, potential for spread, and significant environmental and economic impacts. It forms dense, impenetrable thickets that outcompete native vegetation, reduce biodiversity, and increase fire hazards. Managing Lantana is essential to protect native ecosystems and agricultural productivity.
Learning from Local Conservation Heroes
The day was led by Greater Sydney Landcareโs Corporate Engagement Manager, Sabina Roe, and Local Landcare Coordinator Sophie Blair alongside Lisa Harrold, President of Mulgoa Valley Landcare. Lisa shared her expertise on koala habitat conservation in the area with the group.
โThe Cumberland Plains area is known to support rich habitats and food trees that koalas love, but they are badly fragmented and disconnected,” said Lisa. “Weโre working with property owners in key areas to restore connectivity. Weโve had a few koalas passing through this area in the past and we hope that if more habitats are intact, weโll see more koalas back in this area over time as nearby populations grow. This work will also benefit a whole lot of other species that require intact corridors to move through in order to thrive.โ
Making Every Minute Count
Sabina praised the volunteersโ efforts, saying: โThe group was enthusiastic, committed to removing the biggest Lantana bush they could.โ
The volunteers reflected on their experiences, saying:
- โIt feels good to dig into the lantana and clear it.โ
- โLisa’s talk on koala conservation in the area was really interesting.โ
- โItโs so beautiful here.โ
- โThis is the furthest west I have beenโitโs great to see the bushland.โ
Even local wildlife seemed curious about the volunteersโ work, with kangaroos spotted nearby checking out the group as they cleared Lantana, a reminder of the direct connection between restoration efforts and the animals that benefit.
โThis wasnโt just about pulling weedsโit was about planting hope,โ saidย Tom Hew, Country Manager at Delta Electronics Australia. โSeeing our team come together for this cause, learning about koala conservation, and making a tangible difference in the environment was incredibly powerful. Itโs a perfect example of how corporate responsibility can translate into real-world impact. At Delta, weโre not only engineering energy-efficient solutionsโweโre also investing in the health of our planet and communities.โ
Caring for Greater Sydneyโs Environment, Together
This corporate volunteering day highlights how collaborative efforts can make a tangible impact on bushland restoration, wildlife conservation, and the protection of Sydneyโs natural environment.
Greater Sydney Landcare thanks Lisa Harrold and Mulgoa Valley Landcare for their support and expertise, and a big thank you to the Delta Electronics Australia volunteers for their energy, hard work, and commitment to restoring bushland. Your contribution makes a real difference for wildlife and the environment.
Volunteer for Bushcare in Penrith
If youโd like to contribute to environmental efforts in the Penrith LGA, you can become a Bushcare volunteer and regenerate bushland. No experience is necessary as training is provided.
Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare
Find out more about Corporate Volunteering with Greater Sydney Landcare here. Be sure to download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack.
