Landholders invited to create vital koala habitat

Mornington Peninsula Koala Conservation is preparing for the 2024 stage of its biolink project and is keen to hear from landholders from Cerberus to Tyabb who would like to take part. The project, now in its fourth year, fundamentally aims to help the Peninsula’s koalas by strengthening existing indigenous vegetation in the region. So far, the group has added more than 70,000 plants, with a further 25,000 planned for 2024.

“The No.1 reason for the decline in koala numbers on the Mornington Peninsula is the reduction in indigenous vegetation due to development,” said group president Dirk Jansen.

The group’s aim is to offset the impact of urbanisation on the biodiversity of the Peninsula’s environment. By creating indigenous vegetation links between habitat pockets, koalas will be less likely to be injured or killed crossing roads, becoming caught in fences or suffering dog attacks. To continue this work for koalas and native fauna and flora, MPKC will collaborate with the community next year to plant indigenous vegetation on selected properties from Cerberus to Tyabb.

MPKC is encouraging landholders with more than 4ha to get in touch by email on MPKoalatreeplanting@outlook. com regarding the opportunity to create vital koala habitat on their property. The group would also like to talk to anyone who is considering a significant revegetation project in the target area. MPKC will work with individual property owners to create a suitable planting plan, supply native plants sourced from indigenous nurseries on the Peninsula, and schedule the volunteer planters for a suitable date during autumn and winter next year.

“We also welcome the community to join us at our familyfriendly planting days from May to October,” Dirk said. “Many hands make light work, and it is very satisfying to be a part of a keen group planting 500 trees in just two or three hours. It is a lovely way to start the weekend.”

Landowners in and around Tyabb, Hastings, Bittern and Crib Point are invited to get in touch with the group.