Hornsby Shire Council has developed a long term vision for the Shire that identifies Hornsby Shire’s special characteristics and the values that are to be preserved and how change will be managed into the future. Find Out More
Council has strict building codes and standards to ensure that all building, renovations and other development work are carried out to a safe standard.
Hornsby Shire is famous for its bushland and waterways. Along with vibrant commercial centres, many sporting facilities and parks, Hornsby Shire is a great place to live!
Hornsby Shire Council is directly responsible for 2,000 hectares of bushland. Council manages policies and strategies as well as operate programs to ensure that our bushlands and waterways and the flora and fauna that live in them are protected.
Call out to Citizen Scientists in local print and social media.
August/September 2023 – Project registration and eDNA sampling site nomination
Participants were asked to register an expression of interest in being a Creeks & Critters citizen scientist and provide relevant details via a Hornsby Council Yoursay project webpage.
Participants were asked to nominate a specific creek, dam or waterhole location (where they would like to sample for eDNA) by placing a pin on an online mapping tool and providing a relevant comment. Most proposed sampling locations were either a participant’s local creek or a favoured bushwalking spot. Some participants also shared local knowledge of their preferred location.
September/October 2023 – Finalise eDNA sampling site locations
The project team and scientific experts reviewed 91 creek sampling site locations submitted as part of the nomination process.
Based on a selection criterion, 40 sampling sites spread across Hornsby Shire were selected.
All sites selected were either a freshwater creek, waterhole, or dam within Hornsby LGA.
Creekline sampling sites were located downstream of upper catchment stormwater pipes to maximise natural habitat sampling.
Participants were informed that the project budget allows for the laboratory analysis of 40 eDNA samples in Spring 2023 and 40 eDNA samples in Autumn 2024. For this project, the significant cost of eDNA technology currently equates to approximately $500/site.
October 2023 – SPRING eDNA training workshops and field sampling Saturdays
The project requires each citizen scientist to undertake a short, in person training workshop to learn how to use an eDNA sampling kit and to be available to collect water samples on sampling Saturday field days. Workshops include a presentation from a local platypus expert and eDNA sampling kit pick-up.
Workshop locations and dates
Hornsby Library – Thursday 5 October
Galston Community Centre – Saturday 14 October
Sampling Saturdays include a base camp scenario where project team members are on hand for eDNA sampling kit pick-up/drop-off and general assistance.
Hornsby Council Chambers (Federation Room) – Saturday 7 October
Galston Community Centre – Saturday 14 October
April 2024 – AUTUMN eDNA training workshop and field sampling Saturdays
Saturday 6 April – eDNA Sampling Training Workshop and Sampling Saturday (Base camp at Hornsby Council Chambers)
Saturday 13 April – Sampling Saturday (Base camp at Galston Community Centre)
July 2024 – FINAL PROJECT PRESENTATION
Thursday, 25 July 2024, 6.30pm – Hornsby Library (to be confirmed)
