Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre

Telephone02 4324 7200

Email rumbalara-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Platypus awareness and conservation team

The Platypus Awareness and Conservation Team (PACT) was formed in 2004 after Steve Woodley, a local resident living in one of the Wyong valleys. Contacted Rumbalara Environmental Education Centre about his concerns of platypus injury and deaths associated with illegal yabby traps.

The group formed with the aim of stopping the accidental drowning of platypuses in yabby traps on the Central Coast by raising community awareness that:

  •  platypuses live in local creeks and rivers
  •  platypuses get caught and drown in yabby traps
  •  it is illegal to use yabby traps where platypuses live.

Signs

Wyong Council provided funding for 11 metal road signs at $100 each (a photo of the sign can be seen on the right). These signs were located alongside water catchment signs at a number of visible locations in the rural areas of Wyong Shire.

An information sign was funded through an Australian Geographic grant and located the Woodbury Inn Reserve. The metal sign was costed at $3000. The site was chosen because it is a popular reserve and there are known sightings of platypus at the nearby creek. An additional sign has been installed at the Ourimbah rest area.

Attendance at community events

The PACT team provides displays at a number of community events and festivals. The major focus for the year is the annual PACT platypus information day at Glenola Farm.