Mayor's Message

12 March

WEED WATCH

I’m urging all residents to keep an eye on any local bodies of freshwater following the discovery of Frogbit (Limnobium laevigatum) in the North Ryde area for the first time recently.

Frogbit is a floating freshwater plant that spreads quickly from a tiny piece into a thick floating mat covering the whole water surface, and can clog waterways and make the water colder, darker and harder to reach for native plants and animals as well as reducing the number of native flora and fauna that can live in or near a waterway.

The prohibited, invasive weed can also make it hard to use a waterway for fishing, swimming or boating and can create danger by making the water surface look like firm ground.

Residents should contact us on 9952 8222 as quickly as possible if they fear they have Frogbit on their property, as early treatment can help the cause immensely. Alternatively, they can call the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development Biosecurity Helpline on 1800 680 244.

For more details, click here.

BOOK DONATION

I was delighted to receive, on behalf of City of Ryde, a donation of 60 Chinese-language books by the Director-General of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, David Cheng-Wei Wu, at an official ceremony held in Council Chambers last week.

This generous contribution, featuring finalists and prize-winning titles from the 2023 and 2024 Taiwan Literature Awards, furthers the growing cultural ties between City of Ryde and the Republic of China, fostering a deeper appreciation of Taiwan’s rich literary heritage within the local community.

The donated books will tour City of Ryde Libraries and will be available for the public to read. After the tour, a curated selection of the books will permanently join West Ryde Library’s collection while the remaining books will be donated to our local community.

UNSUNG HEROES

Nominations are now open for 

City of Ryde’s annual Volunteer Recognition Awards, which is our chance to acknowledge and reward the many unsung heroes in our community.

Every year a committed and largely unseen army of volunteers give their time and skills to enhance and uplift the life of the community within the City of Ryde and we’re seeking nominations for individual volunteer, young volunteer and group volunteer.

Nominations close on 6 April 2025. For more details, click here.

Sincerely, 
Trenton Brown – Mayor