A grant has been awarded so that landholders that in areas surrounding the Armidale Area of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS) can restore habitat connectivity for threatened fauna and flora.
Southern New England Landcare is pleased to announce it has obtained funding from Northern Tablelands Local Land Services under the Northern Tablelands Koala Habitat Restoration and Protection Project to assist landholders to increase koala habitat.
The project will run from July 2023 to April 2024.
Southern New England Landcare Executive Officer, Karen Zirkler said, "We are very pleased to have been awarded the grant by the Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, because it enables our members to continue the important work they've been undertaking in our Northern Tablelands Koala Partnership Program to ensure the survival of Koalas in the future."
The project will occur adjacent to the Armidale ARKS within the Southern New England Landcare region and will deliver on ground actions to improve the quality, quantity, and connectivity of Koala habitat on the Northern Tablelands.
“The project will address the key threats to Koalas, including habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation of habitat which are considered to be the primary ecological threatening processes to Koalas,” said Karen.
Local landholders, land managers and community involved in this project will contribute to 20 hectares of new Koala habitat with 10,000 native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers.
"To this end, we will be calling for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from landholders who would like to be involved," she said.
“Revegetation works may include a variety of designs, suited to different landscapes, landholder preferences and production outcomes, and may include stepping-stone paddock tree plantings, island plantings, corridor plantings and traditional dense plantings,” said Karen.
“Overall, a variety of designs is needed to ensure that revegetation activities are effective in connecting existing habitat patches and providing habitat in areas where it is lacking,” she said.
Habitat establishment includes site preparation (weed control, ripping, fencing), planting of tube or hiko stock, installing tree guards, and watering in.
Landholder’s in-kind contributions include fencing, ground preparation, and follow up maintenance (watering and weed control) during the establishment phase (12-24 months).
Southern New England Landcare and Northern Tablelands Local Land Services will work together, with funding from the Australian Government's National Landcare Program to increase and protect koala habitat.
Expressions of interest are now welcome, and close on 31 August 2023. Download the EOI form here, or contact Southern New England Landcare on 02 6772 9123 or email our office.
Expressions of Interest will be assessed as they are received against a set of criteria including funding availability, landholder contribution, NSW and Australian Government priorities and value for money.
