USC involved in landmark environmental project
The University of the Sunshine Coast has joined forces with development company Stockland in one of the largest environmental projects of its kind in Australia.
Stockland will spend $5 million over the next nine months translocating 12.2 hectares of rare and threatened native vegetation from Bundilla to a 15-hectare site at the University.
Stockland’s Sunshine Coast Project Director Mark van Wyk said the endangered plants were identified on the company’s 215-hectare site at Bundilla which is to become a new master-planned community.
“As part of our overall planning for this new community, we engaged environmental scientists who conducted a 20-month flora and fauna study of the area and its locality,” Mr van Wyk said.
“The study identified two conservation zones that should be retained in order to preserve endangered species of flora and fauna found on the Bundilla site.
“In addition to retaining these large tracts of native vegetation, we also decided to translocate a further 12.2 hectares of rare and threatened vegetation to the University site.’’
University of the Sunshine Coast Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the translocation project would bring environmental and research benefits.
"It fits seamlessly into our commitment to sustainability and regional partnerships," he said.
"With the University site being developed so quickly, it will be reassuring to see a representative component of the original habitat re-established on campus.
"The area will become a living laboratory for students and staff as well as a place to relax in natural surrounds.’’
— Terry Walsh