Biodiversity in Fairfield City - Eastern Water Dragon

The Eastern Water Dragon grows to about 80-90cm long and most of that is the tail.  

It inhabits the coastal water courses of eastern Australia.

It is a good tree climber and likes to laze on branches overhanging the water. If disturbed, it will drop into the water and swim to the bottom to wait for the danger to pass, staying under for up to 30 minutes if necessary.

When surprised on land, water dragons do a spectacular bipedal dash – up on their hind legs they do a dinosaur impersonation in miniature, presumably gathering that added speed that makes all the difference between capture and escape. 

The Natural Resources team regularly places logs from felled trees within the creek riparian vegetation to assist in providing habitat for reptiles such as the Eastern Water Dragon.  The logs are also good habitat for worms, insects and molluscs, which the water dragon eats. Their diet also comprises small reptiles, frogs, vegetation, fruit, and small mammals.

Threats

• Loss and fragmentation habitat through land-clearing for urban development.

Youth Advisory Committee needs you

Katrina Di Pietro from Fairfield West has volunteered her time for the past 12 months to serve on Fairfield City Council's Youth Advisory Committee.

Fairfield Youth who live in the Local Government Area and who are aged between 14 and 24 years are invited to apply to become a volunteer on Fairfield City Council's Youth Advisory Committee (YAC).

YAC focuses on raising awareness, advocating on behalf of young people in the community and contributing to the planning of Council's youth initiatives and major events.

Committee members play an integral role in providing representation for our City's youth at a local government level.

Katrina Di Pietro (pictured above) is one of 20 members serving on the committee. Through her involvement with YAC, Katrina has achieved a number of accolades and surpassed her own personal goals and expectations.

Recently named 2013 Outstanding Youth Leader at the annual ZEST Awards, the 22-year-old said her time with YAC had been one of the best experiences of her life.

"I feel blessed to have met so many people who have not only invited me into their lives, but also have shared with me their passion, drive and determination to better themselves and their
communities,'' she said.

"I am humbled by the things that I have learned and seen and been privileged enough to take part in. My time with YAC has been truly rewarding and I am certain that this is an experience that I will remember forever."

Katrina said one of the highlights of her time with YAC was knowing that her contribution to the City was valued and appreciated.

"Through volunteering in my local community, I can see first-hand the impact that I and other volunteers have had," she said.

''My experience has inspired me to become a youth counsellor in the future and continue to serve my local community." 

YAC volunteers are taught how to advocate, lead, liaise with media, coordinate and manage events.

Youth from the community are encouraged to apply for positions on the YAC and get involved to support young people and advocate for their interests at a local government level.

To be eligible to become a YAC member for 2014/15, you must be aged between 14 and 24 years and live within the Fairfield Local Government Area. Applications close on 16 June 2014 and can be submitted online at: www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/youth

For more information call, 9725 0222.