Hundreds of native trees, shrubs and grasses have been planted in Kemps Creek as Western Sydney Airport workers teamed up with Liverpool City Council to help improve bushland in the community.
Western Sydney Airport Chief Executive Officer Graham Millett said more than 700 saplings were planted at Overett Reserve including eucalypts, flowering melaleuca shrubs and native grasses and herbs.
“We are building an airport for Western Sydney’s future and a big part of that is being a good neighbour and giving back to our local community,” Mr Millett said.
“We are focused on sustainability and minimising the impact of the Airport on the environment.
“There are strong rules around the environmental standards we must meet as we design and build the Airport, but we are always looking for opportunities to go further to ensure the Airport represents a commitment to future generations.
“Having our workers get out and plant hundreds of trees in our community is just one of the ways we are living our values.”
Western Sydney Airport Early Earthworks Project Manager Matthew Brecht said the team was proud to partner with Liverpool City Council on the important local bush regeneration initiative.
“Overett Reserve in Kemps Creek is an important green corridor along South Creek and supports a variety of native flora and fauna,” he said.
“With our construction works located nearby, we were keen to help Liverpool City Council’s bush regeneration program and plant native species that will ensure this green space continues to support local biodiversity including Cumberland Plain Woodland.
“A total of 37 volunteers took part in the planting day and donated more than 158 hours to the program. We were very happy to have the opportunity to give back to this great community and look forward to seeing the reserve grow.”
The partnership was part of the Airport’s early earthworks joint venture contractor Lendlease’s Community Day initiative, which involves employees volunteering their time to make a difference in their local community.
“Community Day offers our people the chance to choose where they want to have a meaningful and positive impact, volunteering their time and skills to make a difference,” Lendlease Group Head of Sustainability and Lendlease Foundation Cate Harris said.
“Last year more than 4,000 Lendlease employees globally joined community volunteers, supporting over 240 Community Day projects.”
“Through activities such as this, volunteers have helped improve bushland in the Liverpool LGA by planting over 134,100 native plants in the last 16 years,” Liverpool City Council Environment Restoration Plan Coordinator Alexi Gilchrist said.
