A COMMUNITY group’s dedicated koala corridor is proving busy, just in time for Save the Koala Month.
Ingenia Lifestyle Natura joined forces with stakeholders including Port Stephens Council, Port Stephens Koala Hospital, and Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens, to build the koala habitat.
Koalas are now regularly spotted dozing in the eucalypts, a sign of success for the purpose-built corridor.
Ingenia Communities Head of Development NSW and Victoria, Simon Burk, said the community’s masterplan was reimagined to incorporate environmental preservation, with a koala corridor allowing the animals to move safely between Ingenia Lifestyle Natura and Nelson Bay Road.
“The koala visits being reported by our residents are a beautiful reminder of why we undertook this project to create a place where people and nature can thrive together,” Mr Burk said.
“Seeing them so at home among the trees shows the measures we’ve taken to protect the habitat are working, and it’s incredibly rewarding for our residents to witness wildlife flourishing right on their doorstep.”
The club has taken initiatives such as planting 700 new trees, moving the clubhouse to make space for the corridor and establishing a pet-free community to protect the koalas.
Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens convenor Carmel Northwood said she was delighted to work with Ingenia for the protection of koalas.
“They are setting a standard for how the industry can collaborate with organisations to conserve wildlife habitat,” she said.
“I respect that Ingenia has looked at the ecological aspects of their land and kept in mind the importance that wildlife connectivity and protection plays when they’re building in rural areas.”
By Cosette DE LORENZO
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