Mountain ‘forever home’ secured for koalas, cockatoos
A parcel of untouched native bushland in the Sunshine Coast hinterland will be protected for conservation, supporting endangered koalas as well as the vulnerable glossy black cockatoo and Richmond birdwing butterfly.
Sunshine Coast Council purchased 14 hectares of land on Old Gympie Road, Mount Mellum, expanding the adjoining East Mount Mellum Nature Refuge.
The site has strong conservation values as healthy bushland habitat and is within a key area for biodiversity corridors and water quality flowing into the Pumicestone Passage.
The block 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 $330,000 land purchase was funded through the Environment Levy, paid by every Sunshine Coast ratepayer through their annual rates.
Learn more about land acquired through the Environment Levy Program.