HABITAT PROTECTION AND FAUNA MOVEMENT IN AND THROUGH GEMLIFE MORETON BAY HAVE BEEN A KEY FOCUS FOR THE SITE, WITH AUSTRALIA’S MOST BELOVED MARSUPIAL, THE KOALA, AT THE FOREFRONT.
Nearly 50 hectares at GemLife Moreton Bay, which is currently home to a small koala population, has been set aside for conservation and rehabilitation, providing a lifeline for these adorable yet vulnerable Aussie icons.
GemLife Director and CEO Adrian Puljich said the primary objective for the land was to establish a koala corridor of eucalypt open forest while providing optimal long-term habitat for the marsupials.
“One of the most important koala food trees in Queensland, Eucalyptus tereticornis – a species that grows 20 to 40 metres tall – is in plentiful supply. The koala corridor will be nestled throughout the western, northern and eastern parts of the site, in effect surrounding the resort,” Adrian said.
“Part of a five-year plan, rehabilitation works within the protected areas, particularly along the west of the site, will significantly boost and enhance habitat values for koalas, as well as other native species.”
In 2021, koalas were listed as an endangered species in Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory by the federal government. Because koalas need large and connected areas of habitat to eat, move, and breed, koala corridors give them safe passage across the landscape, and fauna-friendly fencing keeps them away from threats from human activity, dogs and foxes.
“The koala corridor will not only support and help the existing koala population to thrive, but it will also be an integral regional link between other koala habitats in the surrounding areas.
Arms of the corridor stretch along and through different parts of the site all the way through Deception Bay Conservation Park, Freshwater National Park, and westward as well,” Adrian said.
“The rehabilitated open forest areas will be abundant in primary koala food trees in the main canopy, with secondary food trees in the additional canopy. There will also be diverse native flora species throughout the layers to boost habitat for other native fauna calling Moreton Bay home,” he said.
Reestablishment of native canopy, midstorey, shrub, groundcovers and vines, including red ash, black she-oak, coastal banksia, acacia and wattle varieties, will form part of the management plan, as well as the removal of undesirable tree, shrub and groundcover weed species such as camphor laurel and lantana. All efforts will be made to retain and support regenerating native species, and in areas where there is little or no native coverage, planting will take place as soon as pest species are removed.
Practical connectivity is another important part of the koala corridor plan, allowing koalas and other animals such as possums and gilders to have safe passage through linkages. This will include one or two koala ‘canopy bridges’ – typically a suspended rope or pole – across Burpengary Creek.
“What sets this initiative apart is its commitment to sustainability. It’s not just about setting aside land; it’s about nurturing it and ensuring it remains a viable habitat for generations to come. It’s more than just a sanctuary – it’s a symbol of hope and a reminder that progress and preservation are not mutually exclusive,” Adrian said.
FOUR FUN FACTS ABOUT KOALAS
Their name means ‘no water’
‘Koala’ comes from an Aboriginal word meaning ‘no water’ because they don’t drink much water.
They have fingerprints
Just like humans, koalas have fingerprints that are completely unique to each of them.
They sleep a lot
Because eucalyptus leaves are low in nutrients and take a long time to digest, koalas need to sleep from 18 to 22 hours a day.
They smell like eucalyptus
Because they spend most of their time sitting in and eating the leaves of eucalyptus trees, koalas take on the aroma (which doubles as an insect repellent).