153,000 trees planted at Wivenhoe Dam to increase koala habitat and water quality

Koala habitat will be increased and water quality improved with the planting of 153,000 trees along Wivenhoe Dam to rehabilitate former grazing land.

One of the biggest revegetation projects in southeast Queensland, the Wivenhoe Dam revegetation program is part of the government’s $1 billion investment to protect the environment and create jobs as part of the state’s economic recovery.

Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the trees have been planted across 170 hectares adjacent to the dam and is supporting 26 jobs.

“This is one of the most ambitious tree planting projects in southeast Queensland,” Minister Scanlon said.

“Not just because of the number of trees we are planting but also because of the benefit it’ll have for koala habitat, water quality in the dam and jobs at a time when we need them most.”

The trees have been planted at seven sites on former grazing land and include eucalypts like Queensland blue gum, ironbarks, bloodwoods and grey gums, as well as rough-barked apple, river she-oak, and black tea-tree.

“Restoring koala habitat is crucial to the recovery and growth of koala populations in the future, and this project will make an important contribution towards the habitat restoration targets in the Southeast Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy,” Minister Scanlon said.  

“These trees will also increase crucial habitat for threatened species, such as the glossy black cockatoo, the squatter pigeon (southern) and red goshawk.”

The Department of Environment and Science (DES) is partnering with Seqwater to deliver this major project, along with CO2 Australia, who will plant and maintain the trees.

“Planting sites have been strategically selected to maximise the connectivity between existing remnants of untouched bushland,” Minister Scanlon said.

“Under the terms of the project, the trees cannot be removed from the site for 100 years.

“The Palaszczuk Government is protecting the environment, investing in our national parks and through projects like this is restoring crucial habitat across the state, while also creating jobs as part of our COVID-19 economic recovery.”

CO2 CEO Aaron Soanes said:

“CO2 Australia is proud to be delivering this project in partnership with Seqwater and demonstrating the truly innovative nature of the Land Restoration Fund - combining carbon farming with real, measurable co-benefits for the people of Queensland,” Mr Soanes said.

“We are also thrilled that this project is the first to be registered under the Accounting for Nature framework that will allow measurement of actual biodiversity co-benefits.

“The identification of the site as a priority for revegetation was the result of WWF Australia’s excellent work in koala conservation.”

Seqwater CEO Neil Brennan said:

“Seqwater manages its land in drinking water catchments to protect water quality, enhance wildlife habitat and add to the recreational experience at our lakes,” Mr Brennan said.

“Our partnership with DES and CO2 Australia to deliver the Land Restoration Fund pilot on 170 hectares of land owned by Seqwater will help us work towards achieving these outcomes.

“We are excited to be part of this collaboration that has seen thousands of koala trees be planted around Lake Wivenhoe.”

Project fast facts:

•             It will provide important habitat stepping-stones in southeast Queensland’s largest diversity corridor

•             It will rehabilitate previously cleared grazing land

•             Provide important habitat for threatened species

•             Increase an erosion buffer around SEQ’s largest drinking water supply

•             The trees will reflect native vegetation in the area

•             Planting trees will improve soil condition and water quality

•             Planting will be conducted from 2020 – 2025

•             The trees have a 100-year permanence period

ENDS

NOTE: Drone footage available.