Madeline Drive Park Koala Food Tree Plantation, Morayfield Queensland (2013/2015)
Queensland State Government Koala Rescue and Rehabilitation Grant Round 1 - $12,700
This project was one of many undertaken by Koala Action Inc. (KAI) to provide an ongoing source of koala food trees. This site’s particular focus has been on providing koala orphan carers with an accessible and ongoing food source.
Round 1 – Work began in September with funding obtained from the Queensland State Government’s Koala Rescue and Rehabilitation Grant.
Koala Action Inc sub-contracted Aust Care Environmental Services to prepare the site for planting.
The existing soil structure being predominantly clay, showed severe compaction requiring aeration. This is a process whereby the soil is ripped – the clay clods are broken down to a finer texture allowing greater air, water and nutrient flow.
Once completed, weed free forest mulch was purchased and delivered to the site to be spread over the designated planting beds.
The planting was undertaken over a two week period by members of KAI, Moreton Bay Koala Rescue, Queensland Koala Crusaders, Moreton Bay Eco Alliance and local residents.
Our volunteers were required to dig the holes, place organic native fertiliser and water crystals into each hole prior to placing the plant.
We selected koala food tree species native to the
area and those that are specifically preferred by koala joeys because they have a lower phenol and tannin content.
All plants were purchased from the Pine Rivers Community Nursery at Eaton’s Hill, Queensland.
- Spotted Gum (Corymbia citriodora)
- Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia)
- Narrow-leaf Ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra)
- Rose Gum (Eucalyptus grandis)
- Tallow Wood (Eucalyptus microcorys)
- Small-fruited Grey Gum (Eucalyptus propinqua)
- Narrow-leaf Red Gum (Eucalyptus seeana)
- Qld Blue Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis)
- Brush Box (Lophostemon confertus)
The grant included a watering regime of approximately four litres of water per plant on three separate occasions.
KAI also secured a commitment from Moreton Bay Regional Council to mow the grass between the beds on an ongoing basis.
Our commitment extended to undertaking two years of maintenance on all sites which includes manual removal of weeds surrounding the plant and the use of a broad-spectrum systemic Glyphosate herbicide to remove weed and grass species that negatively impact on the growth of the plants. To see other replanting and rehabilitation projects please follow this link.
KAI undertakes a range of koala based activities including educational, the raising and care of orphaned koala joeys, public awareness as well as environmental and medical research.
For further information, please follow this link.
