Tweed Shire Council, Media Release, 9 September 2021

Local artists brighten up Robert Dixon Park at Kingscliff 

New artwork and informative signage has been revealed at Robert Dixon Park at Kingscliff to draw attention to the rare Glossy black-cockatoo.

The Glossy black-cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), also affectionately known as Glossies, is listed as vulnerable in NSW. The Tweed is lucky enough to be home to both the Glossy black-cockatoo and the Yellow-tailed black-cockatoo however, there isn’t enough reliable data to confirm Glossy black-cockatoo numbers. An estimated total population indicates there could be as few as 50 birds across the whole of the Tweed.

Pairs and small groups have been recorded on the Tweed Coast, with Robert Dixon Park and Cudgen Headland at Kingscliff one of the few places they are regularly spotted feeding and coming down to drink.

To emphasise the need to conserve and protect the Glossies, Council has commissioned artwork from 2 local artists to highlight the plight of the Glossy black-cockatoo. It has also put together an informative sign to help people differentiate between the 2 black-cockatoos that visit the area.

The artwork installed on the toilet block at Robert Dixon Park is by Bundjalung/Yugambeh artist and graphic designer Christine Slabb and local artist Faith Falkner.

Council’s Project Officer – Wildlife Protection Emily Clarke welcomed the completion of this project and thanked the local artists for their contributions which she hopes will further educate the community about the Glossies.

“The artwork is a wonderful addition to the park and brightens up the area while also illustrating an important message about the Glossies and how we can best protect them,” Ms Clarke said.

“Christine’s designs show the spectacular colouring of the bird’s distinctive tail feathers and the main difference between the male and female Glossy Black-Cockatoos.

“Faith’s quirky portrayal of the Glossies also shows some of the differences between the male and female birds, including the female’s distinctive yellow patch and barred tail feathers.”

Glossy black-cockatoos are one of the smallest, quietest and most threatened of Australia’s cockatoos. Habitat removal and modification, together with the reduction of feed trees and safe watering points away from predators, have contributed to the decline of this species in NSW.

The artwork and signage was produced with funds received from the NSW Environmental Trust to bring attention to and improve the quality and safety of Glossy black-cockatoo habitat in the Tweed.

Council is committed to protecting and enhancing the Tweed’s internationally significant environment for current and future generations and is dedicated to ensuring the ongoing survival of these iconic species.

Visit the new artwork and informative signage in person at Robert Dixon Park in Kingscliff or find out more about the Glossy black-cockatoos at tweed.nsw.gov.au/conserving-cockatoos-curlews.