Young’s Crossing Road Reserve, Joyner Queensland. Stage 1 and 2 (2008/2011)
Moreton Bay Regional Council Community Assistance Scheme Grant Stage 1 - $5,000
Australian Koala Foundation Stage 2 - $5,650
This project was undertaken by Koala Action Inc. (KAI) and the Australian Koala Foundation (AKF) as a joint venture to provide an additional source of koala food trees as well as other natives to increase the site’s carrying capacity. Some of these trees will be used for shelter during hot summers and heavy rain.
Stage 1 – Moreton Bay Regional Council Community Assistance Scheme Grant of $5,000 (2008/2009). The funds were used to mark and spray the site to remove exotic weeds and grasses. Subsequently, weed free forest mulch was purchased, delivered and spread over the marked beds to soften and sweeten the soil to achieve optimal growth.
When soil is exposed, residual water evaporates. Mulching protects the soil and helps retain moisture. By mechanically digging the holes after good rainfall, water can penetrate the dry soil reducing evaporation rates after it is exposed.
In total 590 local native tube stock were planted of which 147 were koala food trees. The rest were a combination of ground cover, shrubs, pioneer species such as wattles and casuarinas. In addition, flowering plants such as bottle brush are planted because they attract butterflies and other native insects that help to keep native plants healthy.
Stage 2 – The Australian Koala Foundation donation of $5,650 (20010/2011) was used to mark and spray the site, purchase, deliver and spread mulch, augur the holes, buy endemic native tube stock and water for the plants as in stage 1 above. In 2010, 400 local native tube stock were planted that included 125 koala food trees.
- 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 three litres of water per plant on three separate occasions.
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.