Wildlife Protection Areas in City of Ryde

Wildlife Protection Areas are declared for the protection of our unique native animals and their habitats under the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998.

Wildlife Protection Areas can be declared as one of two categories:

• Category 1 lands prohibit both cats and dogs (dog walking is not allowed, even on leash)
• Category 2 lands prohibit cats but permits dogs on leash on formed tracks, pathways or roads.

The declaration of Wildlife Protection Areas is intended to promote responsible pet ownership with community education being the will be the main focus.

Field of Mars Reserve, Kittys Creek and Terrys Creek corridor have all been identified as a high conservation priority areas with links to Lane Cove National Park. Vulnerable native animals have been recorded in all the proposed areas in Councils recent Flora and Fauna studies and there has been  evidence of cats and dogs off leash.

The proposed areas have all been carefully selected, taking into consideration the adjoining land use and the recreational needs of the community.

To better protect the wildlife in Field of Mars Reserve, Council is proposing to declare it as a Category 1 Wildlife Protection Area, prohibiting both dogs and cats from the reserve.

Under this proposal, there will be no change to the existing status of Field of Mars Reserve as a Wildlife Refuge that currently prohibits both dogs and cats. The proposal will provide additional protection and ensure a consistent approach to wildlife protection across the City of Ryde. 

To better protect the native wildlife in Kittys Creek corridor and ensure a consistent approach to wildlife protection across the City of Ryde, Council is proposing to declare it a Category 2 Wildlife.  This will continue to allow dogs to be walked on leash, however prohibit cats in the parks and reserves. The extent of this corridor includes Portius Park, Pryor Park and Kittys Creek Reserve. 

Council is proposing to declare Terrys Creek corridor a Category 2 Wildlife Protection Area. This will continue to allow dogs to be walked on leash, however prohibit cats in the parks and reserves. The extent of this corridor includes Forrester Park, Forsyth Park, Pembroke Park, Lucknow Park and Somerset Park.

This proposal will provide consistency with the City of Parramatta's existing Wildlife Protection Areas on the western side of Terrys Creek. 

We realise it’s really important to give dogs a chance to run around and socialise off lead. Council has 13 dedicated off leash areas which are great spots where you can do this. Click here for more information on the dog off-leash areas in the City of Ryde.