natural areas

Goodenia Gardens works with landholders across the Illawarra to care for and restore natural areas on private property.

This work focuses on improving the health of local ecosystems through bush regeneration, revegetation and thoughtful land management using plant species suited to local conditions.

Natural area work may include:

  • Bush regeneration and weed management

  • Revegetation with local native plants

  • Habitat restoration

  • Riparian planting along creeks and waterways

  • Ongoing care for bushland and natural areas

These services are suited to bush blocks, rural properties, creek lines and gardens that border natural bushland.

Led by conservation land manager Samantha King, Goodenia Gardens brings practical bush regeneration experience and local ecological knowledge to support healthy landscapes across the Illawarra.

Our Approach to Bush Regeneration

Goodenia Gardens specialise in low-impact best practices for bush regeneration, ensuring effective restoration while minimising environmental disturbance. Our approach is grounded in strategic intervention and comprehensive weed control.

Following the method of the Bradley sisters we start by beginning in areas of relative ecological health, we progress systematically towards more degraded areas, focusing our efforts where they are most needed to preserve sensitive habitats.

Weed Control

Primary Weed Control: This phase involves the initial control of woody weeds and ascending vines. GG uses methods where woody weeds are treated by cutting and applying herbicide (cut and paint technique). Importantly, all materials are processed with loppers into small pieces, which are then used as mulch. This mulch serves multiple purposes: it suppresses weed growth, retains moisture, and gives nutrients back to the soil naturally.

Secondary Weed Control: After the primary control phase, attention shifts to treating any regrowth from the initial efforts and begins to address lower priority weeds. This phased approach ensures that resources are used efficiently and effectively.

Maintenance: Ongoing maintenance is crucial for the long-term success of bush regeneration projects. GG emphasises continuous site management, including the identification and isolation of young local native species from weeds. This isolation helps native plants thrive by reducing competition from invasive species, thereby increasing their chances of survival.