Transported habitat in scientific spotlight
Scientists at the University of the Sunshine Coast will be watching with interest the progress of an extensive environmental habitat that has been transferred in small sections from Bundilla to the USC campus at Sippy Downs.
Developer Stockland has spent $5 million over the past nine months translocating 12.2 hectares of rare and threatened native vegetation from its new Brightwater estate at Bundilla to a 15-hectare site at the University.
A special excavator was used to lift plants, roots, soil and turf in intact squares from the estate and to load them on to trucks bound for USC.
Senior Lecturer in Environmental Chemistry Dr Tindale attended the official opening of the Brightwater estate on Saturday 27 September to speak about USC's role in what has become one of the largest environmental projects of its kind in Australia.
Dr Tindale said it would take two years to determine whether the habitat had been re-established successfully at USC.
He said that once the squares had settled in, the university would monitor the habitat's health and record the biodiversity of its flora and fauna.
University of the Sunshine Coast Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the translocation project would bring many environmental and research benefits for USC.
“The project fits seamlessly into our commitment to sustainability and regional partnerships,” he said. “The new area on campus will become a living laboratory for students and staff as well as a place to relax in natural surrounds.’’
Professor Hill also said the development of estates like Brightwater provided interesting case studies for many USC students and researchers.
“There are some really interesting things going on here with regard to creating sustainable communities, and with sustainable planning regulation by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council,” he said.
“Our students in degrees like Regional and Urban Planning, Property and Asset Management, Construction Management and Environmental Science have nationally-significant projects like this to study right on their doorstep.
“It will give them a real professional advantage when they graduate, especially when we work closely with companies like Stockland.”
— Terry Walsh