100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Council purchases land that is home to koalas, greater gliders and vulnerable species

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Ruff deal? More parks but less beach proposed for dogs

Sunshine Coast Council has revealed a draft plan for the region's network of dog exercise areas, with some significant changes proposed for several popular More

Hospital reopens with enhanced services after $10m revamp

A private hospital on the Sunshine Coast has reopened after a $10 million transformation. The Caloundra Private Day Hospital now boasts three state-of-the-art operating theatres More

Why this retro truck is selling 36-cent ice creams

A retro ice cream truck with retro prices will help locals beat the heat at a Sunshine Coast beach this weekend, helping a charity More

Photo of the day: summer stunner

Helen Browne was ready to capture a stunning start to the day at Mooloolaba at just the right time. If you have a photo of More

$450 a day: wave of cruise ships welcomed

Five cruise ships are set to visit the Sunshine Coast over the next two months, bringing about 4000 passengers to the region. Their arrival off More

Jane Stephens: give nutrition a sporting chance

Move. Sweat. Play. Enjoy. Now would you like fries with that? Junk food attached itself, sucker-like, to sport a couple of generations ago. I well recall More

A heavily forested property has been purchased to expand a reserve and safeguard endangered and vulnerable species.

The 17-hectare block at Ilkley will become part of Sunshine Coast Council’s existing Tall Gums Environment Reserve, which connects to the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens.

Councillor Tim Burns said the mature forests there would offer habitat for the likes of koalas and gliders.

“This purchase protects a range of threatened plants and animals, prevents core koala habitat from being cleared and keeps these adjoining reserves healthy,” he said.

“The ridge is covered in beautiful open forest and the gullies have lush areas perfect for the Richmond birdwing vine, an important food plant for our region’s incredible Richmond birdwing butterfly.”

The acquisition is part of the council’s Environment and Liveability Strategy, which helps to preserve and enhance the region’s biodiversity.

Council has purchased a site at Ilkley to expand a reserve.

Councillor Winston Johnston said protecting natural areas was a priority.

“The Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens and Tall Gums Environment Reserve is a beating heart for our community to gather and enjoy nature,” he said.

“We’re excited to be able to expand the reserve and in doing so, help strengthen our strategic biodiversity corridors that provide landscape connections from our coast to the hinterland.”

The purchase was funded through council’s Environment Levy, paid by every property owner through rates.

The acquired land will be an extension of the Tall Gums Environmental Reserve.

The land acquisition will protect habitat for endangered animal and plant species including koalas and greater gliders, and vulnerable species including the Richmond birdwing butterfly, tusked frog, glossy black cockatoo, wedding bush and rusty oak.

The purchase follows a 150-hectare land purchase near Peregian Beach, via a joint funding partnership with the state government.

That land, at 37 Monak Road at Peregian Beach, shares boundaries with the Doonan Wetland Nature Refuge and Noosa National Park.

It is an essential habitat for koalas, ground parrots, glossy black cockatoos, wallum froglets and tusked frogs.

Greater gliders will be better protected with the reserve expansion. Picture: Simone Forman (FPE).

Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

Hidden
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share