Council buys third key wildlife habitat for preservation

Published 09 March 2022

Land Buyback Program

Moreton Bay Regional Council has purchased 12.75 hectares of key koala habitat at 309 Eatons Crossing Road that will be preserved and safeguarded from development as part of the new Land Buyback for Environmental Purposes Program.

Mayor Peter Flannery said this was the third and also the largest purchase to date, and there were plans to kick the program into overdrive over the coming years. 

“Moreton Bay is home to 119 rare, threatened or endangered wildlife species like koalas, the powerful owl, the rainforest acomis plant and many more that are integral to our local ecosystem,” he said.

“We will now preserve and maintain this 12.75 ha site at Eatons Hill so that these flora and fauna species will have a home in Moreton Bay forever.

“It’s the third parcel of land Council has purchased under the program, totalling 21 hectares, but this is just the beginning of this program as we aim to Green as we Grow over the coming years. 

“These properties are strategically placed within existing green corridors within Moreton Bay and the aim is to maintain, connect and enhance these green corridors so that wildlife can pass through safely and live happy lives.

“This is especially important for us to help balance our huge population growth over the coming years with the wildlife who have called this land their home for many years before we arrived.”

Councillor Cath Tonks (Div 9) said this was a proud moment for her and local residents who have called for more green initiatives to protect wildlife.

“Whenever I speak to residents about what matters to them it always comes back to protecting the local environment and wildlife species like koalas and possums,” she said.

“The Land Buyback for Environmental Purposes Program is a direct response to those calls and I’m so proud to deliver on those promises, so that our children and future grandchildren have a beautiful region to call home for decades to come.

“We’ve already planted 1,200 new trees at the Clear Mountain property we bought last year, which is just up the road from this one and we have more plantings scheduled so that we can restore and rehabilitate it back to its former glory.

“Council is delivering on a host of green initiatives that complement the Land Buyback Program too.

“We’re planting thousands of trees at sites right across the region, we’re delivering targeted conservation at The Mill at Moreton Bay, we’re building green infrastructure like fauna rope bridges, we’re installing new road signs urging motorists to slow down in wildlife areas and much more!”

Please visit Council’s website for more information about the Land Buyback Program: https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Reports-Policies/Policies/Land-buyback-program-for-environmental-purposes

Previous purchases under the Land Buyback Program: