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Woolshed Reserve Nature Refuge koala habitat restoration project

Woolshed Reserve Nature Refuge koala habitat restoration project

Specifications

  • Client: Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP)
  • Scope:

    This project falls under the Koala Nature Refuges Program, which provides landholders in the local government areas of Redlands, Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay, Brisbane, Logan, Gold Coast, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Lockyer Valley and Ipswich with an opportunity to partner with the State to restore koala habitat on their land.

    Verterra was engaged by EHP for site preparation, implementation and maintenance of a koala habitat restoration project covering approximately 25ha, incorporating planting of approximately 13,200 koala habitat trees, on the Woolshed Reserve Nature Refuge located at Heise Road, Hatton Vale. This is a key property in the Little Liverpool Range with connectivity to the Ipswich City Council Conservation Estate. The project involved establishment within a 6-month period with 4 years’ subsequent maintenance.

  • Challenge:

    All projects under the Koala Refuges Program must meet nominal planting densities of koala habitat trees, based on the regional ecosystem (allowing for tolerable mortality) with overall project planting density comprising 80% koala food trees and 20% koala shelter trees. Expectations of the projects generally align to the ‘Koala Nature Refuges Program – Guidelines for the Restoration of Koala Habitat’.

    Challenges of the site included: uneven terrain and difficulties of access during periods of wet weather due to some sections of the project site becoming water logged. 

  • Solution:

    Verterra brought its depth of experience in: forest establishment practices, site cultivation and land preparation, weed control and herbicide mangement, knowledge of weed ecology and growth habits, species selection and successional ecology, and a proven innovative modified bio-condition monitoring method (approved by the regulator) to the delivery of this project.

  • Benefit to Client:

    Establishment and maintenance of koala habitat that meets compliance requirements. The offset was delivered successfully 18 months ahead of schedule.

  • Market Sector: Environment and Natural Resources
  • Capabilities:
    • Vegetation and biodiversity offsets
    • General land, water and vegetation technical services
    • Vegetation and weed management
  • Location: Queensland
  • Year: 2013 - 2017