100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

'Forever home for iconic species': land secured to expand nature refuge

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

Draft plan for upgraded park includes range of features

A central Sunshine Coast park is in line for a significant upgrade, with a draft landscape plan showing it could have an array of More

Pub transforms into Asian-inspired dining spot

A pub at a lawn bowls site has been relaunched as a modern Asian-inspired casual dining location. The Your Mates BowlsPub, opened by Your Mates More

Photo of the day: brekky snack

“A pied cormorant having breakfast at the Mooloolaba Spit,” writes John Anderson. If you have a photo of the day offering, email photo@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. Photos must More

Meal team and mentoring program receive $20K boosts

A community organisation that provides food relief and a mentoring program for kids will be bolstered by $20,000 grants. The volunteer-run Urban Angels Community Kitchen, More

Resort concedes responsibility for ageing infrastructure

The mystery of who is responsible for a boardwalk and jetty linking a major Sunshine Coast resort with the water has been solved. The boardwalk More

Beach-inspired luxury apartments on the horizon

Plans have been submitted for a seven-storey luxury development featuring 36 apartments, which would be within easy walking distance of two popular beaches. Created by More

A 14-hectare parcel of native bushland in the Sunshine Coast hinterland will be protected for conservation, providing a key habitat for endangered and vulnerable species.

Sunshine Coast Council purchased the block on Old Gympie Road, Mount Mellum, expanding the adjoining East Mount Mellum Nature Refuge.

It will be a home for the endangered koala and vulnerable glossy black cockatoo and Richmond birdwing butterfly.

Councillor Winston Johnston said the site had strong conservation values as healthy bushland habitat and it was within a key area for biodiversity corridors and water quality flowing into the Pumicestone Passage.

“Among a suite of ecological values, this block also supports some of our region’s most beloved wildlife,” he said.

“It provides extensive food trees for glossy black cockatoos and vines for Richmond birdwing butterflies, and trees show plenty of evidence koalas occupy this area.

“This land will now be held as a nature refuge in perpetuity, expanding the East Mount Mellum Nature Refuge to a total 52.5ha and providing a forever home to help sustain these vulnerable and iconic species.”

The 14ha block will expand the existing East Mount Mellum Nature Refuge.

The $330,000 land purchase was funded through the Environment Levy, paid by Sunshine Coast ratepayers through their annual rates.

Councillor Peter Cox said the Environment Levy had funded the purchase and maintenance of more than 4000ha of land for conservation across the region.

“Expanding council’s environment reserve network is crucial to protecting regional biodiversity priorities, enhancing ecological connectivity and increasing the conservation estate’s resilience to climate change,” Cr Cox said.

“We’re committed to our ongoing target of maintaining at least 9.6ha of land for conservation per 1000 residents, which our annual reporting shows is on track with 11.09ha per 1000 residents in 2022-23.

“These efforts run in tandem with our targets set down in the Environment and Liveability Strategy, such as maintaining our 2016 extent of native vegetation with no net loss to 2041.

“By protecting and maintaining our environment, we also protect the enviable liveability of our region and contribute to a stronger Sunshine Coast Biosphere.”

Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.

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