Caring for our bushland reserves
This page includes information about caring for Brisbane City Council's bushland reserves through responsible park use.
Council compliance officers undertake regular patrols in Brisbane's bushland reserves to improve safety and ensure native plants, wildlife and habitat are protected.
What does responsible park use mean?
1. Follow park signage
- Familiarise yourself with permitted activities in reserves. This includes knowing which tracks permit walking, cycling and/or horseriding.
- Do not construct or use unauthorised tracks.
Unauthorised activities and track construction pose a risk to park users and can damage protected vegetation and wildlife habitats.
2. Be a responsible pet owner
- Walk your dog on a leash in Council bushland reserves and parks, unless you are exercising your dog in a Council dog off-leash area.
- Fence your property to ensure domestic animals do not roam. Koalas are particularly susceptible to attack by wandering dogs.
- Pick up your dog's dropping and put them in a general waste bin or designated dog waste bin.
3. Don't dump rubbish and green waste in bushland reserves
Illegally dumped materials can:
- cause a dangerous build-up of fuel near houses
- hinder access for Council to undertake important planned burns
- increase bushfire risk to nearby residents.
4. Protect our trees
All plants are protected in Council's bushland reserves and contribute to valuable habitat and greenspace.
Report interference with protected vegetation
5. Report weeds
Keep an eye out for weeds and use Council's weed identification tool to identify pest plants.
6. Report pest animals
Feral cats, foxes and other invasive pest animals in or around bushland reserves put pressure on native wildlife.
7. Keep your garden contained on private property
If you live beside a bushland reserve, make sure your garden is maintained so that it does not extend into the reserve. Garden encroachment into a natural area is unlawful and risks the introduction of weeds and may hinder access for fire control activities.
8. Report fires
If you see a fire in a bushland reserve, call 000 immediately to report it.
9. Join a community bushcare group
Get hands-on and get involved in community bushcare by volunteering with a Habitat Brisbane or Creek Catchment group.
10. Learn about Brisbane's natural environment
Council offers free and low-cost events at bushland and wetland locations around Brisbane. Check out what's on at our environment centres.
11. Plant native plants in your garden
Council's Free Native Plants program provides residents with plants to help green their own backyards and contribute towards growing Brisbane's urban forest.