Birds, possums, microbats and more are making new homes in the trees of Blacktown City - thanks to an innovation which creates tree hollows that usually take 100 years to form.
Blacktown City Council is working with ecologist Matt Stephens from Hollowhog to provide much-needed habitat for animals who depend on lofty, narrow spaces to thrive.
A combination of insect activity and natural elements create tree hollows over many years, but private land clearing leaves far fewer suitable trees in Blacktown City.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting was proud Council was using progressive techniques to fast-track habitat and biodiversity.
"Our community has told us how greatly it values our natural environment so Council is always working to ensure our bushland is the best it can be," he said.
Mr Stephens is renowned for his expertise in carving hollows that are safe for trees and animals.
Council and Mr Stephens identified suitable trees at a reserve in The Ponds and have created spaces that galahs, lorikeets and other animals have keenly adopted.
Mayor Bunting said: "While hollows can take about 100 years to form naturally, the Council I lead is about taking proactive action to help our environment rather than leaving it till the situation is too late."
The work is part of a 5-year Vegetation Management Plan conserving critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland.
The restoration project includes ecological monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness of earlier bush regeneration, flame weeding to control invasive weeds, site preparation for revegetation, seed collection for future planting and more.
Mr Stephens was pleased to play a part in the efforts.
"Our work providing tree hollows will go some way towards addressing the critical lack of this type of habitat for animals across Sydney," he said.
"Council should be congratulated on taking proactive action to help animals re-inhabit bushland and improve our ecosystem."
Council and Mr Stephens' first preference continues to be preserving trees with natural hollows before creating artificial ones.
Council has a strong track record in environmental achievement. Its recent project 'The Risk of Not Planting Trees Along our Streets' won 5 major awards while Council's environmental health team was named team of 2025 by Environmental Health Australia.
