The City has acquired another parcel of crucial wildlife land – the third in 12 months.
The 19ha property at Pimpama was purchased for $4.4 million and provides a link between existing conservation reserves through a major fauna underpass on the Pacific Motorway.
The purchase was secured through the City's Natural Areas Acquisition program, funded by the $2.55 component of the levy for wildlife habitat maintenance and enhancement, introduced by the City in 2020.
The first land purchase, in late 2021, was a 1.2ha site in Burleigh Heads. This is now providing a vital link in the Burleigh-to-Springbrook critical corridor.
The second purchase was made this year and is a 37.5ha site in Tallebudgera, linking the Currumbin-to-Springbrook critical corridor.
"It's a priority of council to protect and enhance natural habitats around the Gold Coast. That way, we can play our role in looking after our precious native wildlife," said Mayor Tom Tate.
Planned restoration of the latest property will contribute to the City's native vegetation targets.
The site was purchased due to its high strategic value including:
- location within a critical pinch point between the Pacific Motorway and heavy rail infrastructure, connecting with a major fauna underpass on the motorway;
- habitat connectivity for priority species including the glossy black cockatoo and koala;
- strategic habitat connectivity for the endangered East Coomera koala population;
- support towards the overall health of the Pimpama River, with site restoration to deliver improvements to waterway health;
- building a critical connection in the Southern Moreton Bay-to- Wongawallan Critical Corridor;
- consolidation of existing city managed parks to provide improved land management outcomes.
"Since 1999, we have spent more than $48.1 million to secure in excess of 4420ha of natural space,'' said Mayor Tate.
"Our vision is to not only secure this land but to enhance it through weed eradication, opening up walking trails where appropriate and regenerating the vegetation for flora and fauna.
"That's why we are committed to enhancing the 260ha of open space between Robina and Merrimac, to turn that land into the GreenHeart of our central suburbs.''
