LOCAL LIFE
Help Hornsby Shire ’ s bushland flourish – claim your free native plants this March
Erin Meally Beautiful Destruction
Carol Bennett Still Waters Silent Wings
Neil Fletcher First Time
of renowned artist Blak Douglas at the Penrith Regional Gallery from Saturday , 15 March .
The photographs will then move to the Hawkesbury Central Library in Windsor in April .
Additionally , select images will be incorporated into the Disaster Adaptation Plan ( DAP )— a vital initiative by the RA to reduce flood risks in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley .
For those who wish to see the full collection of winning entries , they are available on the RA ’ s website and Facebook page at www . nsw . gov . au / departments-and-agencies / nswreconstruction-authority / living-river .
Through this competition , the Living with the River project has not only celebrated artistic talent but also reinforced the need for community resilience and flood awareness in the face of an ever-changing natural landscape .
Hornsby Shire Council is again welcoming the return of its popular Native Plant Giveaways program this March , inviting all residents of Hornsby Shire to nurture their local environment by booking an appointment to collect four free native plants .
Taking place at Council ’ s Warada Ngurang Community Nursery in Pennant Hills on Friday 28 and Saturday 29 March , residents can select plants from a great variety of grasses , groundcovers , shrubs , climbers and various-sized trees – all cultivated by dedicated volunteers and staff at the nursery .
Attendees of the plant giveaways can also make use of the expertise of Council ’ s staff and volunteers on the day as they help by making suggestions of the best plant species to meet everyone ’ s needs .
Information about each species on offer will also be displayed on handy posters , so you can choose plants that will suit the growing conditions in your garden as well as the size of plant and features you want .
Taking place since 2003 , Council ’ s Native Plant Giveaways have become a staple on the calendar of local green thumbs , supplying tens of thousands of native plants to local backyards around the Shire .
“ Our Native Plant Giveaways provide free local native plants which help preserve the integrity of our bushland and support ecosystems . Every home gardener has an important role in protecting our biodiversity , particularly our native flora and fauna ,” said Hornsby Shire Mayor , Warren Waddell .
“ Our experts on site can help identify the right plant for your property that will support biodiversity without creating future problems .
“ It ’ s always a delight to see our community ’ s enthusiasm for our native bushland and to know that these carefully grown native plants will find many homes around the Bushland Shire .”
Hornsby Shire Council ’ s Native Plant Giveaways take place at Warada Ngurang Community Nursery , located at 28 Britannia Street , Pennant Hills . Each residence in Hornsby Shire is entitled to collect four free native plants per calendar year .
Bookings are essential and will open at 9am on Friday 28 February . For additional information about the Native Plant Giveaways program and to book your plant collection appointment , please visit : www . hornsby . nsw . gov . au / npg
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 117 // MARCH 2025 9