Environment
The environment has been a primary consideration throughout the University's development. The University's location adjacent to the ecologically sensitive Mooloolah River National Park has placed importance on managed development of the site, including the need for structural, landscaping and waste management strategies to minimise impact on the National Park.
The National Park is a sensitive estuarine area of wallum heath, eucalypt woodlands and tea-tree swamps. The University's proximity to the National Park, combined with the open spaces on campus has seen an increasing population of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) finding sanctuary on site.
Around 50 of the kangaroos are now estimated to travel between the campus and the National Park. Plovers, wood ducks, Australian miner birds and butcherbirds also live in harmony with the University community.
To aid in the protection of this important and unique habitat, the University has implemented a number of environmentally sustainable initiatives:
- extending the natural local habitat of native fauna
- preserving a green finger corridor through the University's grounds into the National Park
- developing a stormwater management system of lakes, swales and settling ponds to protect the National Park's waterways from high nutrient levels and sediment run-off
- maximising use of natural lighting and ventilation in buildings to minimise electricity usage
- protecting the native fauna by prohibiting domestic animals on campus
- restoring and replanting of areas on campus (in excess of 50,000 new native trees have been planted)
- creating an island refuge for native birdlife in the centre of a feature lake
- identifying areas of the campus as wildlife reserves
- implementing a waste management plan to recycle, use recycled products and treat hazardous waste
- relocating rare and endangered boronia and acacia species from a nearby residential development site onto an area of the campus to preserve the local wallum heath habitat, and allocating a PhD research project to monitor the germination and revegetation of the species
- sharing sporting facilities, car parking and storm water run-off with the new Chancellor State College to minimise infrastructure
- working with Maroochy Shire Council to develop wildlife underpasses on Claymore Road to protect wildlife moving between the campus and the Mooloolah River National Park
- the University was the first Queensland university to sign the international Talloires Declaration, pledging its support of environmental initiatives around the campus and surrounding community.
The University has an Environmental Advisory Committee that meets four times a year and reports to the Vice-Chancellor. The Committee's role is to advise on strategies or initiatives that impact on the campus environment and surrounds.
The University has identified wildlife reserves around the campus.
Please do not approach the wild kangaroos.
Domestic animals are prohibited on University grounds at all times.