A local environmental group has taken a leading role in a massive tree planting project north of the Sunshine Coast.
Noosa Landcare is co-ordinating the planting of more than 100,000 native trees on 100 hectares of new koala habitat as part of a long-term carbon credits plan.
The trees, chosen specifically to help establish a sanctuary for wild koalas and other species including the glossy black cockatoo, will be planted over the next five years at a 170-hectare parcel of farmland called Corymbia, west of Gympie.
The land was secured by The Star Entertainment Group earlier this year to help manage its future carbon emissions reduction, support biodiversity and bolster native forest regeneration.
Corymbia is a genus of tree that forms part of the koala diet and is native to the property.
Rachel Lyons from Noosa Landcare, which designed the property reforestation plan, said months of groundwork had been undertaken to prepare for planting.
“We considered all aspects of the property from soil condition, erosion, weed incursion, waterway management through to incorporating a wide diversity of species to maximise habitat for local endangered species,” Ms Lyons said.
“Almost 30,000 eucalyptus and other tree species that would have naturally occurred will be planted on the first of four paddocks as part of stage one.
“Our mantra is plant it and they will come. We have seen on numerous sites that involved koala restoration planting that within a few years koalas have returned and occupied the site and that’s what we are aiming for here.
“Our mission as a local Landcare not-for profit is to improve landscapes for all of their values using best practice approaches and we appreciate The Star taking this broader view of carbon landscape restoration.”
The Star Entertainment Group’s head of sustainability, Amanda Visser, said there were high hopes for the future of the property.
“This big picture project has been years in the planning with expert partners like Noosa Landcare, so to finally start planting and get underway with the first stage of our native forest regeneration is exciting,” Ms Visser said.
“We will not only generate Australian carbon credit units but also support biodiversity and river health, create habitats for local, endangered species particularly koalas and importantly measure the positive impact we are having over time.”
“Working with our farm partner Odonata, we commissioned koala ecologists to conduct an initial survey to ensure that our biodiversity planning and tree selection supports local koala populations.
“The mapping of this area showed koala populations have been in locations close to this farm.
“So we are very hopeful we have adopted the right forest rehabilitation and that we will come back in a few years and koalas will be here.”
Ms Visser said The Star and its partners were also exploring a regenerative agriculture plan to grow and provide sustainable produce from Corymbia and other local farms for use in the tourism resort’s restaurants and bars.
The next stage of tree planting will include another four paddocks and get underway in 2024.
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