Koala habitat is set to be expanded with Ipswich City Council’s decision to move forward with the acquisition of 320,000 square metres (32 hectares) of land for environmental purposes.
Finance and Governance Committee Chairperson Councillor Paul Tully said the land at South Ripley sits within a significant ecological corridor that is home to several native animal species, including koalas, and important species of flora.
“Council’s Enviroplan program outlines our priority to strategically acquire land to protect, enhance and expand Ipswich’s environment and natural beauty, which are among the many things that make our city great,” Cr Tully said.
“The land was identified as having importance to the environment in building connections between core conservation areas, and council moved to purchase it with the funds raised through the Enviroplan levy.
“Council has a key role to play in protecting our local natural areas and takes seriously our obligation to the environment, as outlined by Enviroplan.”
Division 1 Councillor Pye Augustine said that with the council’s decision on the property acquisition, the purchase will now progress and continue to be finalised with the owners, ensuring the land that might have otherwise been lost will be secured for environmental purposes.
“This important piece of land sits between two of Ipswich’s biggest conservation areas – White Rock-Spring Mountain Conservation Estate and Flinders-Goolman Conservation Estate – both of which are major native animal habitats and places for nature-based recreation, including bushwalking,” Cr Augustine said.
“Council has taken a targeted approach to environmental land acquisition and to progress the purchase of this sprawling property will be a remarkable achievement.”
Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said council will continue to identify land that could be acquired for environmental and cultural heritage protection, including in growth areas such as the Ripley suburbs.
“With Ipswich growing as more people move to our city, it’s more important than ever for council to remain focused on ensuring we have the right balance between environmental protection and the need for housing and infrastructure,” Cr Madsen said.
“Ipswich City Council makes no apology for its commitment to preserving and enhancing nature, and we have acquired just under 6,000 hectares of land for environmental protection and management to date.
“Whether it be through these land acquisitions, our commitment to renewable power and energy efficiency or repurposing flood-hit properties as green spaces, council will always ensure Ipswich is one of the cleanest and greenest cities in southeast Queensland.”
In the interest of balance I would suggest that an article that covers a story about the environment and wildlife it would be good to hear from an expert in wildlife or the environment as well as a bunch of councillors.
I am glad to read that you are going to start protecting some of the wildlife in Ipswich. With the growing need for housing, the amount of old-growth forest that is being cleared is concerning, especially around Collingwood Park. It breaks my heart to see so much land ripped up and then traffic signs warning drivers that Koalas are on the move, meaning there were Koalas on there, and the bush was still ripped up. So change needs to happen; we need houses, but we need our planet to breathe and the wildlife to not live in fear.
This is the first time ever I have heard of a Council, purchasing more land for the koalas, they are loosing there enviroment and running out of space which should never happen as they were here first, well done Ipswich City Council and keep up the great work.