whites hill reserve precinct landscape plan march 2016
TRANSCRIPT
Whites Hill Reserve Precinct
Landscape Plan
March 2016
Photo: Queensland Glider Network
Prepared by:
Michael Fox
Project Director
Pollinator Link
www.pollinatorlink.org
Wayne Cameron
Catchment Manager
Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee (B4C)
www.bulimbacreek.org.au
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Table of Contents
1 Purpose 2
2 Environment 2
2.1 Consolidation 3
2.2 Linking 3
2.2.1 Effective Glider Corridors 3
3 Community – Development of Bill Hewitt Reserve 4
4 Business 5
5 References 6
Appendix A: Whites Hill Precinct Landscape Plan 7
Appendix B: Proposed Glider Bridges 8
Appendix C: Google Map of site 9
Appendix D: Bill Hewitt Reserve Contour Maps 10
Appendix E: Whites Hill to Phillips Creek Glider Path 12
Appendix F: Nest Box Monitoring Program 13
Appendix G: Whites Hill to Phillips Creek Glider Path 15
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1 Purpose
The purpose of the Whites Hill Precinct Landscape plan is to guide the recreation of wildlife
corridors and habitat suitable for movement of Squirrel Gliders Petaurus norfolcensis through the
urban matrix of houses and roads. Appendix A: Whites Hill Precinct Landscape Plan
Environment is the key focus of this Plan, however, building and maintaining long term financial
and community commitment requires identification of business opportunities and community
benefits derived from habitat restoration.
2 Environment
Environmental restoration is achieved through consolidation of existing habitat parcels and
creation of links between habitat parcels. The key focus of this plan is linking core habitats of
Whites Hill Reserve and Oates Hill Reserve with Squirrel Gliders as the target species. Effective
linking for Squirrel Gliders will also help other species, such as, Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps and
Ringtail Possums Pseudocheirus peregrinus.
Wildlife corridors linking habitat is a key factor in ensuring sustainable populations of native
species: reduce inbreeding and risk of population collapse in isolated habitat impacted by bushfire.
Gliders’ ability to cross canopy gaps of up to 70 metres (BAAM, 2005) represents an opportunity to
create non-contiguous corridors through the urban matrix.
The Pollinator LinkTM project is developing innovative urban wildlife corridors using backyards,
school grounds, commercial properties and Council parkland.
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2.1 Consolidation
In this plan, the focus is on consolidation of small habitat parcels along the link route.
Strategic infill planting in Bill Hewitt Reserve will create approx. 1.2 hectares of usable wildlife
habitat while enhancing the visual and physical amenity (shade from western sun) for Reserve users.
2.2 Linking
2.2.1 Effective Glider Corridors
Current research shows that 50% of juvenile Squirrel Gliders disperse up to 1.5 km from their natal
habitat.”(BAAM, 2005) That is, approximately the distance from Whites Hill Reserve to Oates Hill
Reserve. Squirrel Gliders have been recorded foraging over a range up to 1 km (home range)(Shape
& Goldingay, 2007) and have also been observed foraging in isolated trees up to 240m from
remnant habitat. However, the urban matrix of houses and roads is currently a barrier to
movement limiting the potential home range and restricting dispersion to different habitats.
Key factors in creating movement corridors for gliders are:
Safe road crossing locations – pole and rope substituting for missing trees;
Corridor widths of 20 to 30 metres where possible;
4 to 5 nest-hollows per hectare. Gliders are social with a group typically using one to six
hollows. Nest-boxes are a proven solution with boxes actively used at both Salvin Creek and
Fox Gully Bushcare sites.(Appendix E: Nest Box Monitoring Program)
Diversity of native flora for foraging - providing pollen and nectar (48%) and attracting a
range of moths and beetles (35%)
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3 Community – Development of Bill Hewitt Reserve
Development of glider habitat at Bill Hewitt Reserve in combination with Whites Hill State College
grounds will also create enhanced amenity for Reserve users. Reserve users include local sporting
teams, College students, dog walkers and individuals exercising. However, the Reserve has limited
amenity for picnicking and children’s play.
The BCC City Plan 2014 designates open space zones:
6.2.3.2 Open space zone code
(1) The purpose of the Open space zone code provides for informal recreation where the
built form is not essential to the enjoyment of the space. The Open space zone provides for
local-, district- and metropolitan-scale parks that serve the recreational needs of a wide
range of residents and visitors. Where required to meet community needs, development
may include shelters, amenity facilities, picnic tables and playgrounds and infrastructure to
support safe access and essential management.
Proposed development features:
Creating glider habitat along western boundary will provide increased shade for sporting
event spectators.
Development of The Knoll Outlook to include water refill station, picnic tables, BBQ and
children’s play equipment, combined with strategic planting, will create a peaceful
community space for individual and group use.
Seating at The Knoll Outlook combined with strategic planting on steep bank will create a
unique space for watching sporting events.
Samuel Street Pedestrian crossing aligns with The Knoll Outlook.
Maintaining key view lines from corner of Samuel and Jade Streets and along Samuel Street
will maintain security for the park and users.
Provision of water for wildlife will enhance the visitor experience as Scaly-breasted Lorikeets
and other birds visit a birdbath. Development of new “wildlife furniture” may be required,
as we are not aware of any auto-filling, mosquito proof, vandal proof birdbaths providing
water for wildlife in Brisbane parks.
Development of glider habitat in the College grounds and presentations by B4C members
are already part of the Science curriculum. Habitat consolidation, camera monitoring of
rope road crossings and nest-boxes all present research opportunities for students.
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4 Business
Trees and iconic wildlife like gliders and koalas are increasing recognised as increasing residential property
values:
“Ask any real estate agent & they will confirm that most people will pay more for a house that is in a
nice street, that is, a street that has good street trees. 30% more is an extra $25,000 for a property
worth $750,000.” (Yetzotis, 2012)
The cost of Brisbane real-estate now makes it increasingly difficult for Council to acquire undeveloped
property let alone purchase of existing housing stock for creating of wildlife corridors. BAAM(2005)
recommended purchase of two properties on Creek Road to create a link between Whites Hill Reserve and
Bulimba Creek.
Development of an effective glider corridor with rope bridges crossing Samuel and Indus Streets will provide
research evidence to support low cost urban wildlife corridor solutions.
One potential option to stretch the Council’s environment funds further is development of a small lot “Land
for Wildlife” style legal framework allowing property owners to host glider poles. Safe road crossings and
Pollinator LinkTM style wildlife corridors could then be created using backyards.
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5 References
Biodiversity Assessment & Management Pty Ltd [BAAM] (2005), Squirrel Glider Corridor Action Plan
– Bulimba Creek Catchment Area
Brisbane City Council – City Plan 2014
Brisbane City Council (2010), Glider – Conservation Action Statement
Brisbane City Council (2005), Squirrel Glider – Conservation Action Statement
Fox, M. J. & Jones, S. (2015), Flora and Fauna of Mt Gravatt Reserve, Mt Gravatt Environment
Group
Porter, Michael E. and Kramer, Mark R., (2011) Creating shared value: how to reinvent capitalism -
and unleash a wave of innovation and growth, Harvard Business Review, Vol: 89 Issue: 1-2 Page: 62
Queensland Glider Network, Wildlife Queensland - www.wildlife.org.au
Sharpe, D. & Goldingay, R.L. (2007), Home range of the Australian squirrel glider, Petaurus
norfolcensis (Diprotodontia), Journal of Mammalogy, vol 88, no 6, pp. 1515-1522.
Yetzotis, J. (2012), Street trees and property value, www.savingourtrees.wordpress.com
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Appendix A: Whites Hill Precinct Landscape Plan
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Appendix B: Proposed Glider Bridges
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Appendix D: Bill Hewitt Reserve Contour Maps
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Appendix E: Whites Hill to Phillips Creek Glider Path
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Appendix F: Nest Box Monitoring Program