Cleanaway’s Leadership team from their NSW and ACT Solids division met over three days in late January 2025 to discuss strategy. So, when they asked Greater Sydney Landcare to help out with a half day environmental activity close to their base in Rooty Hill, we proposed an earlier start than usual at Nurragingy Reserve in Doonside.
On Thursday 23rd January 2025, at 8 am sharp, Cleanaway arrived in force and dressed to work. After an Acknowledgement of Country, WHS was covered off and tools distributed. With ten managers, from Finance and HR to Resource Recovery and Environment, it was obvious that this was a team committed to what they could bring to the day.
Cleanaway were really interested in what Greater Sydney Landcare does and how they could contribute. For us, a company the size of ASX-listed Cleanaway presents an opportunity to be able to get things done in hands-on restoration efforts now and in the future.
Preserving Nurragingy’s Native Vegetation
With guidance from Greater Sydney Landcare’s supervisors Matt Keighery and Sabina Roe and with a scope of work devised with Blacktown City Council Senior Bushland Officer Katrina Brown, the Cleanaway team focussed on the removal of invasive plant species across two key sites, where they keenly contributed to the ongoing restoration of Nurragingy’s native vegetation.
At the first site, guided by Matt, the team worked within an area of 100 square metres, among remnant River Red Gum, Tall Sedge (Carex appressa), and emerging native trees including Cheese Trees, Lilly Pilly, Tuckeroo, and White Cedar. In this area, approximately 15 cubic metres of woody weeds were removed, including Small and Large-leaved Privet, Ochna, and Phoenix Palm. These efforts are crucial as they allow remnant trees to prosper and the incredible diversity of plants, forbs (herbaceous flowering plants), grasses and small shrubs—a feature of the threatened ecological community of the Cumberland Plain Woodland—to re-emerge.
The second site, supervised by Sabina, involved the removal of approximately 18 cubic metres of invasive weeds, including Balloon Vine and both Small and Large-leaved Privet. This work uncovered native Acacias such as Parramatta Wattle, and contributed to the ongoing restoration of the site.
Balancing Conservation & Nature Connection with Busy Schedules
Two work sessions were separated by a healthy morning tea – mangoes, dates and other fruit in season and a walk to see other areas of the reserve. We took some bags to pick up rubbish and talked about previously worked areas around the freshwater wetlands of this part of Nurragingy Reserve.
Greater Sydney Landcare has been bringing corporate volunteers to Nurragingy for the past year. The areas we have worked, natives are returning and along with them invasive annuals such as such as Tobacco, Thistle and Fleabane. The Cleanway team had an opportunity to help remove some of these before the weeds reseeded. The walk also featured excellent wildlife viewing opportunities, including Eastern Water Dragons, abundant birdlife and even a few snakes.
At 12 pm it was time to down tools and a BBQ lunch was served with meat and vegetarian options. It was obvious that participants really enjoyed the opportunity and for Greater Sydney Landcare’s staff, the Cleanaway team were a delight to work with. Importantly, Cleanway were able to get back to their strategy sessions on time.
Building Stronger Partnerships
Cleanaway’s General Manager Solids, Michael Sankey, reflected on the event, stating: “The work was incredibly rewarding for our team, knowing that we are playing a small role and having a positive impact on Nurragingy’s environmental health and resilience.”
The shorter 8 am to 12 pm format and then a half hour for lunch allows volunteers to contribute meaningfully to ecosystem restoration while also deepening their understanding and appreciation of the natural environment, with plenty of time for other business activities in the afternoon.
Greater Sydney Landcare looks forward to continuing its partnership with Cleanaway. In a promising development, Cleanaway invited Greater Sydney Landcare to present at their half-day team meeting in March to explore further opportunities for collaboration and continue discussions we had during the day.
A special thanks goes to Cassidy Wainwright, Executive Assistant to Michael Sankey, GM – Solid Waste Services, NSW, ACT and Richie Farrell CFM – NSW, ACT. As Greater Sydney Landcare’s Matt Keighery said: “These days require organisation and trust, and it is important to acknowledge the behind the scenes people who provide a conduit and pass information to decision makers.”
Looking Ahead & Future Opportunities
With such a successful collaboration, Greater Sydney Landcare is excited to build on these efforts in 2025 and beyond. If your organisation is interested in meaningful corporate volunteering opportunities that support conservation in Greater Sydney, we’d love to hear from you! You can also download our Corporate Volunteering Info Pack to find out more.
