More wildlife habitat preserved

More than 60ha of koala and wildlife habitat has been saved from development after being bought by Moreton Bay Regional Council under its Land Buyback for Environmental Purposes program.

The land at Closeburn would otherwise likely have been developed into up to 14 lots of rural residential living.

Mayor Peter Flannery says the property is the largest purchase to date and would quadruple the program’s green networks to a total of 83ha bought since the scheme was introduced in 2020.

Fur-ever home

“Moreton Bay’s human population is set to increase by roughly 40 percent over the next 20 years, so we’re ramping up our efforts to lock away key habitat for preservation now before it’s too late,” he says.

“This rural-residential property at Closeburn could have been subdivided into a possible two to 14 lots, but instead it will be preserved and maintained by Council so that koalas, gliders, kangaroos and many more priority species will have a home in Moreton Bay forever.”

Mayor Flannery says about half the property is already covered with vegetation suitable for koalas and Council will plant more trees so the land can support even more wildlife species.

“Perhaps the best aspect of this property is that it connects two existing Council nature reserves at Dobson Rd and Jagera Court to effectively create a 90ha reserve to extend the Closeburn wildlife corridor.

“That means these animals will be able to pass through this area and into other green corridors without any harm or human interference.”

More wildlife corridors

Mayor Flannery says the plan is to unlock and connect more green corridors by buying key land parcels across the region.

“We have no plans of slowing down either as we turn our focus to future acquisitions that will help increase our green corridors and we’re looking at ways to increase our green networks further through the 2022-23 Budget.

“All acquisitions made under this program are willingly agreed to with the property owner and we are targeting properties that currently don’t have houses on them.”

Tree planting

Councillor Darren Grimwade (Div 11) says the latest purchase is a big win for the environment and a big win for the residents who have been asking for more positive environmental initiatives.

“Lake Samsonvale is the heart of Moreton Bay’s koala cradle where we’re hoping to grow our koala population and this new Land Buyback property will help support that,” he says.

“We are planting thousands of koala and native wildlife habitat trees all around this area and this site will be ensure more places for all wildlife to enjoy.

“Residents have been telling us they want to see more done to protect our wildlife and nature corridors and we’ve listened - this will not only protect those corridors but help grow them.”