The 50,000th Koala Connections tree was recently planted by volunteers in Pottsville as part of the Tweed Byron Koala Connections project.
The project, now in its third year, has seen extra habitat created throughout both Tweed and Byron Shires in an effort to halt the decline of the local koala population.
Council’s Project Manager and Senior Program Leader – Biodiversity, Scott Hetherington, said volunteers, landholders and contractors have been working together to plant trees and restore koala habitat.
“This plantation is just one of an extensive network that will provide additional habitat for koalas.
“Not only have the sites been chosen as the best to be used by koalas, they have also been designed to match their taste preferences.
“Trees such as swamp mahogany and forest red gum dominate the coastal plantings to make sure the menu matches what we know koalas prefer to eat in this area.
“The Koala Connections project is one of the largest koala habitat restoration projects undertaken and so this milestone is a fantastic achievement for all involved.”
A swamp mahogany, one of the coastal koala’s favourite feed species, was planted as the 50,000th tree to celebrate this highly significant milestone.
Mayor of Tweed Councillor Gary Bagnall said he would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the project.
“What a fantastic milestone after a huge amount of hard work.
“It is encouraging to see this type of environmental commitment from residents in our shire.
“Well done all.”
Project Officer – Natural Resource Management Tanya Fountain said the efforts of volunteers will help increase and maintain highly important koala habitat.
“In addition to being a significant milestone for the broader project, this planting means we have established more than 3000 trees over 34 hectares in the Pottsville Wetland area.”
Tweed Byron Koala Connections volunteers will continue to create and maintain koala habitat on the Tweed Coast.
