Central Coast Council has developed a draft Squirrel Glider Species Management Plan (SMP) to help ensure that local bushland continues to support this threatened species, while balancing development needs for a growing region.

The community is now invited to review the draft Plan and provide feedback online via Your Voice Our Coast, up to 16 September 2025.

The Squirrel Glider, listed as a Vulnerable Species under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, is under threat due to habitat loss and urban development.

The SMP outlines a framework for land use planning and development assessment to protect critical habitat areas and support the species’ recovery.

The draft Squirrel Glider Species Management Plan includes:

• an understanding of the Squirrel Glider’s ecology on the Central Coast
• a planning framework for development proposals in key habitat areas
• management requirements to support long-term conservation.

Council’s Director Environment and Planning, Luke Nicholls said the Plan seeks to balance development with environmental protection and ensure the survival of the Squirrel Glider on the Central Coast.

"The draft SMP responds to Council’s Biodiversity Strategy and Sustainability and Climate Change Action Plan, which call for targeted species management and monitoring," Mr Nicholls said.

“Over the past five years, Council has conducted specialised studies to identify suitable habitat areas, with regions around Tuggerah Lakes and Lake Macquarie highlighted as critical for the species. The SMP proposes ten recovery actions to ensure consistent and effective protection measures.

“This is the third Species Management Plan developed by Council, following plans for the Scrub Turpentine and Myotis.

“I encourage residents to participate in the consultation process to help ensure the final plan aligns with local values and priorities.

"All submissions will be reviewed and considered before the final SMP is presented to Council for adoption.”

For more information and to provide feedback, visit yourvoiceourcoast.com

About the squirrel glider 

The Squirrel Glider is nocturnal, prefers to live in tree hollows and stays off the ground by gliding between trees using a special skin membrane. The Squirrel Glider is threatened with extinction in NSW, mainly because much of the original bushland areas where the species lived has been cleared. On the Central Coast, the Squirrel Glider faces pressure from urban development including clearing of habitat and predation by domestic cats.