The Persoonia pauciflora grows only within a small area near North Rothbury within the Cessnock City Council Local Government Area.

Recent studies of the North Rothbury Persoonia population have recorded an increase in numbers over the past five years from under 350 mature individual plants to around 1000, including many juvenile plants.

However, these plants only occur at a small number of sites, with most occurring on private property or along road verges.

The Office of Environment and Heritage coordinated planting days, involving the community and the council, to establish new populations of the Persoonia in bushland around North Rothbury.

Nursery plants were used in an effort to increase the local population and give the species a better chance of survival.

“OEH undertook a survey of the North Rothbury Persoonia population to assist in understanding the species’ distribution and provide opportunity for seed and plant collection,” senior team leader – ecosystems and threatened species Sharon Molloy said.

“As a result seed and plant cuttings were collected from as many wild plants as possible to create healthy new populations of the Persoonia to help the species strengthen its foothold in the area and possibly increase its distribution.

“It was great to have the local community involved in the recovery program as we often rely on members of the community to supply information on the plants as they mostly occur on private property.

“Having the community involved in the program will further strengthen the plant’s chances of survival and we welcome their involvement.”

The plants were grown at the Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan as part of a research project to help conserve this species.

The Persoonia is also earmarked under the NSW Government’s Saving our Species program to ensure the population's viability in the long term.

For more information about future planting days, contact Sharon Molloy on 4927 3120 or sharon.molloy@environment.nsw.gov.au.