During last year’s June long weekend storms, falling trees damaged many of Blackbutt Reserve’s wildlife exhibits.

Blackbutt support group president Brian Burns said progress had been made but it had been slow.

“They have done a good job on the wallaby enclosure.

“We understand there is a new design for the bird aviaries in the pipeline and they are very much on their way.”

Despite the damage, visitors have continued to frequent Blackbutt.

Mayfield resident Amanda Crick and her son Sebastian usually visit Blackbutt Reserve about once a week.

Ms Crick says it was disappointing the bird aviaries were still out of action.

“It’s hard to explain to him (Sebastian) why there is nothing in the cage.”

But the completion date for the damaged enclosures is hard to determine according to Newcastle City Council parks and recreation manager Graeme Matthews.

“Tenders for the re-design of the four damaged aviaries were called and the tender details have been with council’s insurers for about a month waiting on their approval.”

Once the approval is received Mr Matthews said the aviaries would be re-designed and then tenders would be called for the construction of the four aviaries by contract.

“These tenders will also be required to be submitted to council’s insurers as well as reported to council.

“As well as tender price, the construction period will be another factor to be considered in deciding on a preferred contractor.”

Mr Matthews said the task had been made more difficult by the remaining tree debris and trouble with the contractor gaining access to the perimeter.

A small macropod exhibit also destroyed in the long weekend storms has not been repaired.