Draft Invasive Species & Wildlife Protection Area Policy Review
Consultation period: 19 January – 16 February 2026
The Draft Invasive Species & Wildlife Protection Area Policy (formerly the Draft Wildlife Protection Policy) aims to minimise the environmental impact of invasive species and manage the effects of companion animals in areas of high conservation value. This includes dogs, cats, and other companion animals, both on and off-leash.
Between 17 September 2025 to 1 October 2025, Council consulted on the Draft Wildlife Protection Policy. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback as it has helped us to understand areas of most interest and importance to you. Some of the feedback we received highlighted the need for clearer articulation of the Policy’s intent and its practical application. In response, the draft Policy has been updated to further strengthen and clarify these aspects.
Key revisions to the Policy include:
revision of the Policy name to Draft Invasive Species & Wildlife Protection Area Policy
clarification that companion animals (on or off-leash) will not be permitted in areas of high conservation value that are declared Wildlife Protection Areas
update to clause 3.12 - Provide a Consistent Customer Response to include the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure (DPHI), Local Land Services, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the NSW Police.
Have your say
We are seeking feedback from our community on this important Policy until 16 February 2026:
In writing to Parks and Natural Areas Team, Sutherland Shire Council, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland 1499.
Next steps
Following community consultation, Council will review and consider all feedback. Some changes may be made to the Policy. It will then be finalised and reported to Council for adoption. We will keep interested members of the community updated.
Consultation period: 19 January – 16 February 2026
The Draft Invasive Species & Wildlife Protection Area Policy (formerly the Draft Wildlife Protection Policy) aims to minimise the environmental impact of invasive species and manage the effects of companion animals in areas of high conservation value. This includes dogs, cats, and other companion animals, both on and off-leash.
Between 17 September 2025 to 1 October 2025, Council consulted on the Draft Wildlife Protection Policy. Thank you to everyone who provided feedback as it has helped us to understand areas of most interest and importance to you. Some of the feedback we received highlighted the need for clearer articulation of the Policy’s intent and its practical application. In response, the draft Policy has been updated to further strengthen and clarify these aspects.
Key revisions to the Policy include:
revision of the Policy name to Draft Invasive Species & Wildlife Protection Area Policy
clarification that companion animals (on or off-leash) will not be permitted in areas of high conservation value that are declared Wildlife Protection Areas
update to clause 3.12 - Provide a Consistent Customer Response to include the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW), Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure (DPHI), Local Land Services, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, and the NSW Police.
Have your say
We are seeking feedback from our community on this important Policy until 16 February 2026:
In writing to Parks and Natural Areas Team, Sutherland Shire Council, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland 1499.
Next steps
Following community consultation, Council will review and consider all feedback. Some changes may be made to the Policy. It will then be finalised and reported to Council for adoption. We will keep interested members of the community updated.
Thank you for to everyone who provided feedback on our Invasive Species and Wildlife Protection Area Policy.
The Policy was adopted by Council on 28 April 2026 and is now available on the Council website.
As part of the next steps:
A report will be presented to the Infrastructure Committee by October 2026 to evaluate potential new areas in line with the adopted Policy and the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW).
A further report will be presented by June 2027 to assess the effectiveness of existing Wildlife Protection Areas.
If you have any questions, please contact the Parks and Natural Areas Team at pestspecies@ssc.nsw.gov.au
Thank you for to everyone who provided feedback on our Invasive Species and Wildlife Protection Area Policy.
The Policy was adopted by Council on 28 April 2026 and is now available on the Council website.
As part of the next steps:
A report will be presented to the Infrastructure Committee by October 2026 to evaluate potential new areas in line with the adopted Policy and the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW).
A further report will be presented by June 2027 to assess the effectiveness of existing Wildlife Protection Areas.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the Draft Invasive Species & Wildlife Protection Area Policy Review.
During the consultation period we received 223 visits to the webpage on Join the Conversation and 20 survey submissions.
Among online survey participants, 9were satisfiedthat the Policy meets its objective of reducing the environmental impact of invasive species and managing the effects of companion animals in high conservation areas, 6 were unsatisfied and 5were neutral.
Key themes from survey responses included:
a desire for a greater focus on the potential impact of cats on wildlife
support for increased penalties or restrictions
the need for ongoing community education about the effects of companion animals on native wildlife.
In addition we received 95 email submissions from BirdLife Australia-affiliated members highlighting a need for the enhanced protection of local nature reserves and shorebird habitats in the Port Hacking.
Council Officers are reviewing all feedback and some changes may be made to the Policy. The draft Policy will then be tabled to the Council Meeting in April 2026 for consideration and adoption.
If you have any questions, please contact the Parks and Natural Areas Team at pestspecies@ssc.nsw.gov.au.
Thank you to everyone who provided feedback on the Draft Invasive Species & Wildlife Protection Area Policy Review.
During the consultation period we received 223 visits to the webpage on Join the Conversation and 20 survey submissions.
Among online survey participants, 9were satisfiedthat the Policy meets its objective of reducing the environmental impact of invasive species and managing the effects of companion animals in high conservation areas, 6 were unsatisfied and 5were neutral.
Key themes from survey responses included:
a desire for a greater focus on the potential impact of cats on wildlife
support for increased penalties or restrictions
the need for ongoing community education about the effects of companion animals on native wildlife.
In addition we received 95 email submissions from BirdLife Australia-affiliated members highlighting a need for the enhanced protection of local nature reserves and shorebird habitats in the Port Hacking.
Council Officers are reviewing all feedback and some changes may be made to the Policy. The draft Policy will then be tabled to the Council Meeting in April 2026 for consideration and adoption.
If you have any questions, please contact the Parks and Natural Areas Team at pestspecies@ssc.nsw.gov.au.
Draft Invasive Species & Wildlife Protection Area Policy Review has finished this stage
This consultation is open for contributions.
Under review
Draft Invasive Species & Wildlife Protection Area Policy Review has finished this stage
Contributions to this consultation are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.
Final report
Draft Invasive Species & Wildlife Protection Area Policy Review is currently at this stage
The final outcomes of the consultation are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.
