New nesting boxes for Pine Valley

Unitywater is installing100 nesting boxes in Pine Valley to retain habitat for native owls, cockatoos, brush-tail and ringtail possums, microbats and small gliders.

It is part of the Pine Valley Water Supply project which will provide network infrastructure to support growth in Caboolture West, Morayfield and Narangba.

The project will also deliver a new 15-megalitre reservoir and eight kilometres of water pipelines for more than 100,000 new residents over the next 20 years.

Some essential vegetation has been removed, as part of the work, so the nesting boxes form part of the revegetation plan.

Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions, Mike Basterfield, said Unitywater was committed to revegetating with species native to the area.

“We’re increasing the number of trees in this area, replacing each tree that needs to be removed, with at least six new ones,” Unitywater Executive Manager Sustainable Infrastructure Solutions Mike Basterfield said.

“We’re mindful South-East Queensland has the highest density of koala populations in Australia and we want to ensure we’re doing our bit to maintain and enhance koala habitat.

“We have undertaken an extensive process of design and approvals to ensure any potential impacts to the surrounding environment are minimised.

“Additionally, we are relocating hollows in removed trees, where possible, to provide habitat for wildlife.”

Mr Basterfield said seven types of nesting boxes of different sizes and different openings will be used to cater for the variety of species.

“A qualified tree climber is used to select the safest and most appropriate trees for each nesting box,” he said.”

For more on this project visit www.unitywater.com/pine-valley