Our project at the Upper Ponds Creek spans over nine different sites, we utilised many of our services to enhance both the environmental health and community resources along the Upper Ponds Creek entrance. We are proud to continue to work on projects where we can tailor ecological solutions to diverse landscapes.

Method & Technic:

• Aquatic Weed Treatment
• Broadscale Herbicide Spraying
• Bush Regeneration
• Revegetation
• Track Maintenance

Project Outcomes:

The Upper Ponds Creek project showcased our team’s ability to apply a broad range of ecological techniques and knowledge to deliver successful outcomes across nine diverse sites. This large-scale restoration effort required a tailored approach at each location, with focused strategies including track maintenance, edge weed control, resilient area management, and the preservation of regenerating zones—particularly through the protection of native shrubs and trees from invasive vines. Our work also enhanced the visual amenity of the area, with diligent weed control improving the outlook for visitors at key vantage points. We successfully maintained previously revegetated areas, executed primary and targeted weeding, and carried out routine maintenance to ensure long-term resilience. The effective management of the Hazard Reduction Zone (HRZ) further supported site safety and ecological balance. By combining expertise, industry-standard practices, and a commitment to ecological integrity, we’ve not only achieved the project’s objectives but also contributed to the lasting health and appeal of the Upper Ponds Creek landscape.

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Before	After

Method & Technic:

• Fuel Management
• Buffer Management
• Bush Regeneration
• Pre-Hazard reduction burns weeding

Project Outcomes:

Our team implemented a range of bush regeneration and hazard reduction techniques tailored to the specific needs of the Forestville/Killarney HR sites throughout the 2023–2024 contract period. These techniques included, but were not limited to, brush-cutting, vine skirting, hand-weeding, spot-spraying, manual fuel removal, and chainsaw work on woody weeds where required. We applied appropriate ecological practices to manage both native and exotic vegetation, with the aim of minimising fuel loads and enhancing overall site condition. Across all designated Asset Protection Zones (APZs)—with the exception of some steep slope areas—we carried out effective fire risk mitigation works, particularly focusing on separation zones adjoining bushland, such as those within Tipperary and Londonderry Reserves. Our team tailored treatment methods, including cut/scrape and paint, de-seeding, and selective pruning, to the site conditions and target species. As a result, we successfully reduced bushfire risk to surrounding properties, decreased overall weed densities, and supported natural regeneration wherever feasible.

Before	After

Before	After

Method & Technic:

• Fuel Management
• Buffer Management
• Bush Regeneration

Project Outcomes:

Our team has achieved a sustained reduction in fuel loads across multiple sites, significantly decreasing bushfire risk and improving access for firefighting efforts. We have created and maintained Asset Protection Zones (APZs) to protect nearby assets and support long-term site resilience. Through targeted weed control and ongoing maintenance, we’ve encouraged the natural expansion of priority native species. Additionally, our team has carried out selective under-pruning of native vegetation to establish vertical separation from the canopy layer, further enhancing fire safety and promoting healthy bushland structure.

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Before	After

Method & Technic:

• Broadscale Herbicide Spraying
• Bush Regeneration
• pre-burn, and post-burn Weed Management
• Habitat Piles

Project Outcomes:

In 2024, Dragonfly Environmental conducted extensive bush regeneration works at the NSW Golf Club, located within the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, which contains approximately 16 hectares of the critically endangered Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub (ESBS) in 21 distinct fragments. The project, fully funded by the NSW Golf Club, involved regular site visits once to twice a week throughout the year. The focus of the works was on primary, secondary, maintenance, pre-burn, and post-burn activities across the site, with particular emphasis on high-visibility areas such as fairways and zones adjacent to tee boxes and greens, in order to maintain and enhance the aesthetic appeal of the club.

Efforts were concentrated on managing and reducing difficult-to-control ‘coloniser’ species, including Turkey rhubarb (Rumex sagittatus), Pampas lily of the valley (Salpichroa origanifolia), Lantana camara, Bitou bush (Chrysanthemoides monilifera subsp. rotundata), Ludwigia peruviana, African love grass (Eragrostis curvula), and Giant paspalum (Paspalum urvillei). Regular maintenance and follow-up works targeted herbaceous and woody weeds, exotic grasses, vines, and groundcovers, while periodic primary works addressed woody weed incursions in less prominent bushland areas.

Additionally, Dragonfly Environmental carried out comprehensive primary burn preparation and post-burn maintenance activities in one of the zones, supporting ongoing restoration efforts. The team’s work throughout 2024 played a key role in the continued preservation and enhancement of the Eastern Suburbs Banksia Scrub, contributing to the health and resilience of this critically endangered ecological community.

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Before (Planting Work in 2025)	After

Method & Technic:

• Track Maintenance
• Bush Regeneration
• Mapping and Reporting
• Asset Protection and Hazard Reduction

Endangered Ecological Communities:

• Swamp Oak Floodplain Forest
• Swamp Sclerophyll Forest
• Sydney Freshwater Wetlands

Project Outcomes:

Our team successfully improved all Georges River Hazard Reduction APZs and SFAZs throughout the 2023-24 contract period, meeting the objectives of reducing fire risk to neighbouring properties, lowering overall weed densities, and encouraging natural regeneration where possible. Hazard reduction activities and weed control works were carried out across much of the project areas, excluding the most dense weed thickets and the most resilient areas with minimal weeds or woody debris. We employed a range of treatment methods, including chain-sawing, brush cutting, skirting, hand-weeding, de-seeding, spot spraying, and cut/scrape and paint techniques, tailored to the species and locations, all with the aim of reducing bushfire risk.

Before	After

Before	After

Record-breaking temperatures and months of severe drought have fuelled a series of massive bushfires across Australia.

Both Hornsby and Northern Beaches Council ordered urgent fuel reduction works and Asset Protection Zone (APZ) installation and/or maintenance within their Council areas and reserves. Due possible threat of the fires entering the Kur-ring-ai Chase National Park and with the true spread of devastation across the country it became a focus to increase the protection of the community from the fires reaching their homes.

The days started early and finished late, weekends were not for relaxing. It took collaboration between Dragonfly staff and local council to make sure that we got every mapped out area cleared and safe from fine fuels and combustible materials. This works was needed within a short time frame and a huge area was needed to be covered. The smell of smoke and the haze that filled our skies, the knowing of people losing their homes, fire-fighters risking their lives gave the team an essential motivation. This was to make sure we contributed everything to secure the path for those who need to fight the battle of the flames if the fires where to come into the national park. Here it is when you see the Dragonfly Environmental family pull it together, support and encourage one another in high spirited encouragement to get through a long and tireless day.

The APZ sites work areas are located on the interface between bushland and an asset at risk from bushfires, are generally 10 m in width and vary in length. Assets include private or public structures/items, sites of cultural and/or biological significance. For the purposes of these works, assets are primarily residential dwellings.

Sites are designed to provide a fuel reduced area which:

• facilitates fire fighter access,
• containment lines if requried
• prevents direct flame contact
• reduces heat radiation impacts from a bush fire
• Promote/maintain appropriate overall fuel levels
• Promote/maintain discontinuous fuel
• promote/maintain/establish appropriate species
• Promote soil stability
• Target weeds
• Facilitate expansion of appropriate native species
• Control weed dispersal
• Keep ground covers as intact as possible

The primary purpose of these works is to reduce or maintain appropriate fuel loads and promote ongoing vegetation and soil stability. Approaches range from broad scale general fuel management to fine scale bush regeneration.

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We would like to acknowledge all the courage and bravery from all the people out fighting the fires, leaving their jobs to volunteer, RFS, Wild Life Services, Wires, SES, Red Cross and so many more. To those who took time and care in rescuing animals, supporting those who have lost and suffered, cooking meals for those in need and volunteered, donated and supported people in need, Thank You.