
Meet the landholders transforming their land into a koala oasis
Passionate landholders Sam and Shane are dedicating significant time and effort to transforming their block at Purga into an oasis for native species of plants and animals, including threatened local koala populations.
Sam and Shane purchased their 28-hectare property in late 2016. The property had not been maintained for 40 years, was overgrazed, and in some parts was being overrun by Cats claw creepers and other invasiveMeet the landholders weeds. They set about removing cattle that were spreading weeds and causing damage to the creek, removing weeds, and establishing and implementing a property management plan.
Not long after they purchased the land, they discovered koalas living on the property. This discovery completely changed Sam and Shane’s mindset and plan for the property, which was initially going to be a hobby farm. They created a new property management plan and allocated about 4.5 hectares to preserving the creek and restoring koala habitat through regeneration and revegetation.
Part of the Land for Wildlife network for several years, Sam and Shane have both always had an interest in nature conservation. As a result of their hard work, Sam and Shane have already seen an increase in koalas, native grass species, and other wildlife. Go to the end of the article to learn more about the work Sam and Shane have been doing on their property.
The property has been selected for work as part of Healthy Land & Water’s koala protection project, funded through the Australian Government’s Environment Restoration Fund. Healthy Land & Water’s Land Restoration team is currently mapping out on-ground activities in collaboration with Sam and Shane to support them in their efforts. These activities will include removing weeds and erecting fencing to exclude cattle from sensitive koala habitats.
Healthy Land & Water lending a helping nose to sniff out koalas
Sam and Shane’s property is one of many in the area where Healthy Land & Water will be undertaking koala conservation efforts, thanks to recently announced funding.
Healthy Land & Water team members Dennis Gannaway and Tom Lally recently visited Sam and Shane’s property with koala detection dog Danny, to discuss and plan project activities, identify where the koalas live on the property, and conduct a habitat condition survey which will provide a baseline data to inform the scope of work.
This additional funding builds on Healthy Land & Water’s Protecting Koalas project which is focused on protecting, restoring, and increasing priority koala habitat, building collaboration on koala conservation, and improving understanding of South East Queensland koalas.
A series of community fire and property management awareness workshops will also be delivered as part of the program – keep an eye on our website and social media for more information.
Why is this koala conservation work important?
Koalas are vulnerable to extinction, and koala populations in South East Queensland are at elevated risk for a variety of reasons.
A growing human population has led to large-scale clearing of better-quality Koala habitats with many Koalas now struggling within smaller, fragmented patches of poorer-quality forest. This, combined with a decline in habitat conditions through drought, fire, climate change and disease, vehicle strikes, dog attacks, and reduced genetic diversity, has culminated in causing a further, substantial decline in koala populations.
The project is designed to conserve koalas in South East Queensland through activities that will protect and restore key koala habitats and build knowledge of koala numbers and distribution.
Some of the initiatives Sam and Shane have implemented include:
- Fire management using mosaic burning methodologies.
- Weed management including the removal of Cats Claw Creeper along the creek line.
- Soil improvement using a keyline plough and contours.
- Planting of over 700 trees and native shrubs to regenerate the property, including koala fodder.
- Desilting the dam and planting to establish a habitat for frogs, turtles, and birds.
- Predator management – Working with Ipswich City Council and neighbours on wild dog and fox management.
- Implementation of contours to assist with maintaining the moisture in the soil and setting up fire, wind, and sound barriers throughout the property. They are currently planting and finding a reduction in the watering of trees near contours due to soil moisture being contained.
- Working with like-minded people such as other Land for Wildlife community members.
- Establishment of water points – Off stream.
- Fencing – Including koala-friendly fencing in the koala conservation area.
This project is being delivered in partnership with Seqwater, landholders in the Land for Wildlife program around Grandchester, and landholders in the Flinders Peak area.
This project is supported by Healthy Land & Water through funding from the Australian Government.