The restoration of the Sandhills Wetlands is nearly finished, and Council is now considering making the area a wildlife protection area, which means it’s a dog-free zone.

The Sandhills Restoration project is one of the most significant environmental initiatives ever undertaken by Council, which, when finished, will see the reinstatement of wetlands that were destroyed during sandmining in the 1960s and 1970s.

During the construction of the wetlands, ecological surveys identified several threatened species, including:

• Sooty owl
• Wallum froglet
• Grey-headed flying fox
• Little bent-winged bat
• Large bent-winged bat

It is expected that the biodiversity on the site will increase as it develops into a thriving wetland system.

During construction, Council received community requests to make the wetlands a dog-free zone, and they will be banned as part of a wildlife protection area.

We are now seeking community feedback on this proposal.

People can get more information or make a submission on Council’s website.

Feedback closes 2 December 2025.