Protecting little wings in partnership with NorthWestern Roads

In the heart of Western Sydney, where the Westlink M7 Motorway stretches across a rapidly growing urban landscape, a quiet conservation revolution is taking place.

Through an innovative partnership between NorthWestern Roads and the NSW Government's Saving our Species program, the Bats in Backyards project is turning bushland within the Westlink M7 motorway corridor into a vital research and conservation zone for insect-eating bats.

These remarkable, often-overlooked creatures are the unsung heroes of our land; they provide information about the health of our ecosystems, and provide natural pest control, helping agricultural industries reduce pesticide use.

Leading the way to make room for nature

This 5-year project will install bat detectors along the M7 bushland within the corridor to monitor the variety of bat species in the area, and to understand how they exist within and adapt to human infrastructure.

Westlink M7 staff will be active contributors, helping install monitoring devices and supporting data collection. It's a great example of citizen science in action and of corporate sustainability leadership making room for nature.

Daniel Lovett, Group Manager Safety, Sustainability and Stakeholder for NorthWestern Roads says, 'NorthWestern Roads is excited to participate in the Bats in Backyards program. For NorthWestern Roads, this is a tangible example of our commitment to changing the way motorways are perceived. We know that infrastructure can contribute to restoring habitats and supporting key species. Our teams are thrilled to be part of a program on the Westlink M7 that contributes to protecting biodiversity beyond our boundaries and is making a real difference.'

Dr Joanna Haddock from Saving our Species says, 'Our Bats in Backyards program is all about connecting communities with the incredible insect-eating bats that quietly share our skies, from farmers and councils to scout groups and Traditional Owners. This new partnership with NorthWestern Roads is particularly special. By opening up what is essentially their own backyard, NorthWestern Roads is helping us shine a light on these often-misunderstood creatures and their vital role in healthy ecosystems even in our busiest, most urbanised landscapes. It's inspiring to see an infrastructure leader not only take an interest in the bats living alongside them, but to champion their conservation as part of their business. It's a powerful example of how industry and nature can work together and we're proud to be on this journey with them.'

Insect-eating bats are good for business

Beyond their ecological value, insect-eating bats are also great for the economy. In Australia's cotton industry alone, bats save an estimated $63.6 million annually by preying on pests like the cotton bollworm. That's not just an environmental win, it's smart business. A single bat can eat up to 3 times its body weight in insects each night, including moths that damage grapevines and other crops.

These remarkable bats like the yellow-bellied sheathtail-bat (Saccolaimus flaviventris) and the large bent-winged bat (Miniopterus orianae oceanensis) are facing the loss and break down of their habitat due to development.

This partnership along with restoring native vegetation, reducing light pollution, and protecting roosting sites, NorthWestern Roads show how industry can enhance, not hinder, conservation outcomes.

The results won't just benefit bats. The data will support better land-use decisions, inform planners and developers, and inspire local communities to become caretakers of biodiversity in their own backyards.

This is more than a conservation project. It's a powerful story of partnership, progress, and purpose where every wingbeat brings us closer to a thriving and sustainable Western Sydney.

Support insect-eating bat projects across New South Wales

NorthWestern Roads' partnership is a powerful example of urban infrastructure and conservation working together. If you feel inspired to get involved in supporting insect-eating bats in your area, start a conversation about conservation with us today.