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Pollinators such as bees and insects provide essential ecosystem services, they are responsible for the majority of the pollination of flowering plants, both in urban and rural areas.Australia has around 1,700 species of native bees. Most of these are solitary bees. Meaning that they do not have queens and workers. Just one female mates with a male and then builds an individual nest for her eggs. Key species of solitary bees you can find in your yard are Blue Banded Bees, Resin Bees, Leafcutter Bees and Teddy Bear Bees.
Australia also has 11 species of social native bees. One local to our area is the native bee Tetragonula carbonari. It is a small, black stingless bee that helps pollinate plants, especially native plants. Tetragonula can be kept in a hive in your garden and are a fantastic asset. They pollinate plants that are close to their hive, they do not sting, and they can display fascinating behaviour. By supporting native bee populations, we can assist the maintenance of an essential pollination service. To learn more about these fascinating insects visit Sugarbag Bees.
You can help support native bee populations by planting bee friendly gardens in your yard. Click here to download recommendations for pollinator plants from the Australian Native Plant Society. You can also check out our Native Garden Guide. This guide can assist you with choosing the right plants for your yard.You can also set up a bee hotel to encourage native bees to your garden. This helps to create a safe place for solitary bees to nest.
Since 2018 more than 18 Tetragonula carbonari native bee hives have been placed in schools throughout Canterbury-Bankstown as part of our native bee program. This program assists with increasing native bee numbers in our area, assists the gardens at the schools to thrive as well as hands-on learning about bees!
Check out the video below of a hive that was re-homed to Canterbury South Public School.
We are currently not placing hives in schools. If you would like to express your interest, please contact tarah.slattery@cbcity.nsw.gov.au
Domestic honey bees are not native to Australia but are often kept on public and private lands for honey production and pollination of food crops and fruit trees. Regulation for the keeping of domestic honey bees (Apis mellifera) in the City of Canterbury Bankstown is outlined in the Local Orders Policy.
For more information, call Council's Customer Service Centre on 9707 9000.
