New Moreton Bay resort an ecological Eden
NESTLED WITHIN AN ECOLOGICALLY RICH AREA WITH A DIVERSE AND THRIVING RANGE OF PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES, THE SOON-TO-BE LAUNCHED GEMLIFE MORETON BAY OVER-50S LIFESTYLE RESORT WILL BE UNLIKE ANY OTHER COMMUNITY IN AUSTRALIA.
Set on a sprawling site of nearly 150 hectares, the development of the master planned residential resort aims to create a natural and sustainable environment for over 50s to enjoy their best years while promoting ecological conservation and protection.
GemLife Director and CEO Adrian Puljich said the new resort would stand as a testament to environmental stewardship, showcasing a development that seamlessly integrates with the natural landscape while prioritising the preservation and enhancement of ecological values.
“Through meticulous planning and sustainable design practices, GemLife Moreton Bay sets a benchmark for future developments, demonstrating that a harmonious balance between human ‘built’ habitation and environmental conservation is not only achievable but also essential for a fulfilling sustainable lifestyle,” Adrian said.
“More than 60 percent of the site has been set aside for native revegetation and protection of the existing koala habitat. A generous corridor of land – 93 hectares – will be preserved
and rehabilitated.”
IN HARMONY WITH NATURE
GemLife Moreton Bay will create a natural and sustainable environment for over 50s to enjoy their best years yet, while promoting ecological conservation and protection.
Adrian said the design philosophy was based on a landscape approach, highlighting the natural features of the site.
“Aside from the conservation areas, landscaped links throughout the resort separate residential hubs, recreational and greenway areas – all easily accessible on foot – with the overall design creating a well-connected community to encourage social interaction, active living and wellbeing,” Adrian said.
“GemLife Moreton Bay invites future residents to embrace a lifestyle that celebrates the harmony between humanity and the environment. With its dedication to preserving natural habitats, promoting sustainable design, and fostering a strong sense of community, this remarkable residential resort will offer a unique opportunity to live in harmony with nature.”
KOALAS AND NATIVE ANIMALS
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.
The site is currently home to a small koala population.
“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 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,” Adrian said.
Other native animals that could be spotted include the threatened Grey-Headed Flying Fox and vulnerable Water Mouse.
BIRDLIFE
One of the most striking features of the site is its booming bird population, making GemLife Moreton Bay a birdwatcher’s paradise.
Nearly 120 different bird species have been identified on or near the site, including threatened species such as the Grey Goshawk, Square-tailed Kite, Black-necked Stork – the only stork found in Australia, Little Tern, and the Australian Painted Snipe, an elusive and rarely seen wader.
Other special birdlife that could make an appearance include the endangered Regent honeyeater, the vivid green Swift Parrot and the Red Goshawk, one of the country’s rarest birds of prey.
Large numbers of migratory birds can also be spotted including the Cattle Egret, Common Tern, Eastern Great Egret, Glossy Ibis, Latham’s Snipe, White-bellied Sea-eagle, White-throated Needletail, and the striking, colourful Rainbow Bee-eater – the only species of bee-eater in Australia. And, thanks to the ideal habitat, other migratory species may be seen too, including the Pacific Golden Plover, Grey Plover, Broad-billed Sandpiper and Grey-tailed Tattler.
The Eastern Curlew, a threatened wader species, travels from the Arctic regions of Russia to Australia every year, making a stop at Deception Bay to rest and feed during their epic journey to breeding grounds. Considered one of the most awe-inspiring migration journeys in the natural world, these birds travel an incredible
20,000-kilometre round-trip between hemispheres.
WETLANDS, SALTMARSH AND NATIVE FLORA
The expansive GemLife Moreton Bay site is a mosaic of pasture grassland, wetland vegetation and patches of open forest and saltmarsh.
Among conservation areas to be set aside are more than 20 hectares of wetland and saltmarsh – special habitats that have great potential to support a wide range of flora species, including those of conservation significance.
“The north and eastern boundary of the site contains saltmarsh and mangrove forest adjoining Burpengary and Little Burpengary Creeks, with eucalypt woodland running along the western boundary as well as other perimeter areas,” Adrian said.
A large verdant swathe of land running along the south-eastern border of the site is dominated by swamp she-oak woodland – a threatened ecological community. The swamp-oak woodland, in addition to the mangrove shrubland and saltmarsh, will also provide ideal habitat for threatened fauna
species.
Forty-four native species have been identified on site, including the attractive Lesser Swamp Orchid and Yellow Swamp Orchid, both endangered and among the largest ground orchids in Australia.
Dominant flora species range from forest red gum, grey ironbark and pink bloodwood to Salt Couch, Ruby Saltbush and river and grey mangrove.
AMPHIBIANS
Two threatened native amphibian species have been recorded in or near the site, the Tusked Frog and the Wallum Froglet.
The small but remarkable Tusked Frogs have unusual pointed ‘tusks’ on their lower jaws, with the males of the species using their larger tusks to fight other males during breeding seasons. This cautious aquatic species is rarely seen and seek spots in wetland areas usually under logs or stones or other cavities and spaces.
The Wallum froglet is a unique and small ground-dwelling frog species of less than 20mm in length. This tiny amphibian makes itself at home in paperbark leaf litter areas.