The Orchard Hills project covers approximately 45ha of degraded and disturbed soils mapped as Cumberland Plain Woodlands and Cumberland Plain River Flat Forest. These areas require soil remediation.

Project goals

Greater Sydney Local Land Services (GS LLS) is partnering with the Department of Defence to carry out environmental restoration at Orchard Hills, covering approximately 990ha. This project focuses on 45ha of degraded soils within the Cumberland Plain Woodlands and Cumberland Plain River Flat Forest.

Key issues include topsoil erosion, soil compaction, salinity, and elevated mineral-N levels, which are negatively affecting ecosystem health and the recovery of native groundcovers. The remediation efforts aim to restore these disturbed soils in preparation for native grass seeding, scheduled for mid to late 2025. Through this initiative, we aim to enhance biodiversity and promote sustainable land use in the area.

Scope

Greater Sydney Local Land Services is seeking services to undertake works across the northern buffer and southern buffer. These works include soil remediation of Cumberland Plain Woodland. A total of 45ha of soil remediation works are required to prepare the areas for upcoming grass seeding works which are to commence – late 2025. The remediation works include a combination of earth works, mulching, soil amelioration. GSLLS prefers that the methods chosen will cause minimal harm to the surrounding environment.