Whites Hill Reserve Precinct Landscape Plan March 2016

Whites Hill Reserve Precinct

Landscape Plan

March 2016

Photo: Queensland Glider Network

Prepared by:

Michael Fox

Project Director

Pollinator Link

www.pollinatorlink.org

Wayne Cameron

Catchment Manager

Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee (B4C)

www.bulimbacreek.org.au

Whites Hills Reserve Precinct Landscape Plan - ver 2.0 P a g e | 1

Table of Contents

1 Purpose 2

2 Environment 2

2.1 Consolidation 3

2.2 Linking 3

2.2.1 Effective Glider Corridors 3

3 Community – Development of Bill Hewitt Reserve 4

4 Business 5

5 References 6

Appendix A: Whites Hill Precinct Landscape Plan 7

Appendix B: Proposed Glider Bridges 8

Appendix C: Google Map of site 9

Appendix D: Bill Hewitt Reserve Contour Maps 10

Appendix E: Whites Hill to Phillips Creek Glider Path 12

Appendix F: Nest Box Monitoring Program 13

Appendix G: Whites Hill to Phillips Creek Glider Path 15


1 Purpose

The purpose of the Whites Hill Precinct Landscape plan is to guide the recreation of wildlife

corridors and habitat suitable for movement of Squirrel Gliders Petaurus norfolcensis through the

urban matrix of houses and roads. Appendix A: Whites Hill Precinct Landscape Plan

Environment is the key focus of this Plan, however, building and maintaining long term financial

and community commitment requires identification of business opportunities and community

benefits derived from habitat restoration.

2 Environment

Environmental restoration is achieved through consolidation of existing habitat parcels and

creation of links between habitat parcels. The key focus of this plan is linking core habitats of

Whites Hill Reserve and Oates Hill Reserve with Squirrel Gliders as the target species. Effective

linking for Squirrel Gliders will also help other species, such as, Sugar Glider Petaurus breviceps and

Ringtail Possums Pseudocheirus peregrinus.

Wildlife corridors linking habitat is a key factor in ensuring sustainable populations of native

species: reduce inbreeding and risk of population collapse in isolated habitat impacted by bushfire.

Gliders’ ability to cross canopy gaps of up to 70 metres (BAAM, 2005) represents an opportunity to

create non-contiguous corridors through the urban matrix.

The Pollinator LinkTM project is developing innovative urban wildlife corridors using backyards,

school grounds, commercial properties and Council parkland.


2.1 Consolidation

In this plan, the focus is on consolidation of small habitat parcels along the link route.

Strategic infill planting in Bill Hewitt Reserve will create approx. 1.2 hectares of usable wildlife

habitat while enhancing the visual and physical amenity (shade from western sun) for Reserve users.

2.2 Linking

2.2.1 Effective Glider Corridors

Current research shows that 50% of juvenile Squirrel Gliders disperse up to 1.5 km from their natal

habitat.”(BAAM, 2005) That is, approximately the distance from Whites Hill Reserve to Oates Hill

Reserve. Squirrel Gliders have been recorded foraging over a range up to 1 km (home range)(Shape

& Goldingay, 2007) and have also been observed foraging in isolated trees up to 240m from

remnant habitat. However, the urban matrix of houses and roads is currently a barrier to

movement limiting the potential home range and restricting dispersion to different habitats.

Key factors in creating movement corridors for gliders are:

Safe road crossing locations – pole and rope substituting for missing trees;

Corridor widths of 20 to 30 metres where possible;

4 to 5 nest-hollows per hectare. Gliders are social with a group typically using one to six

hollows. Nest-boxes are a proven solution with boxes actively used at both Salvin Creek and

Fox Gully Bushcare sites.(Appendix E: Nest Box Monitoring Program)

Diversity of native flora for foraging - providing pollen and nectar (48%) and attracting a

range of moths and beetles (35%)


3 Community – Development of Bill Hewitt Reserve

Development of glider habitat at Bill Hewitt Reserve in combination with Whites Hill State College

grounds will also create enhanced amenity for Reserve users. Reserve users include local sporting

teams, College students, dog walkers and individuals exercising. However, the Reserve has limited

amenity for picnicking and children’s play.

The BCC City Plan 2014 designates open space zones:

6.2.3.2 Open space zone code

(1) The purpose of the Open space zone code provides for informal recreation where the

built form is not essential to the enjoyment of the space. The Open space zone provides for

local-, district- and metropolitan-scale parks that serve the recreational needs of a wide

range of residents and visitors. Where required to meet community needs, development

may include shelters, amenity facilities, picnic tables and playgrounds and infrastructure to

support safe access and essential management.

Proposed development features:

Creating glider habitat along western boundary will provide increased shade for sporting

event spectators.

Development of The Knoll Outlook to include water refill station, picnic tables, BBQ and

children’s play equipment, combined with strategic planting, will create a peaceful

community space for individual and group use.

Seating at The Knoll Outlook combined with strategic planting on steep bank will create a

unique space for watching sporting events.

Samuel Street Pedestrian crossing aligns with The Knoll Outlook.

Maintaining key view lines from corner of Samuel and Jade Streets and along Samuel Street

will maintain security for the park and users.

Provision of water for wildlife will enhance the visitor experience as Scaly-breasted Lorikeets

and other birds visit a birdbath. Development of new “wildlife furniture” may be required,

as we are not aware of any auto-filling, mosquito proof, vandal proof birdbaths providing

water for wildlife in Brisbane parks.

Development of glider habitat in the College grounds and presentations by B4C members

are already part of the Science curriculum. Habitat consolidation, camera monitoring of

rope road crossings and nest-boxes all present research opportunities for students.


4 Business

Trees and iconic wildlife like gliders and koalas are increasing recognised as increasing residential property

values:

“Ask any real estate agent & they will confirm that most people will pay more for a house that is in a

nice street, that is, a street that has good street trees. 30% more is an extra $25,000 for a property

worth $750,000.” (Yetzotis, 2012)

The cost of Brisbane real-estate now makes it increasingly difficult for Council to acquire undeveloped

property let alone purchase of existing housing stock for creating of wildlife corridors. BAAM(2005)

recommended purchase of two properties on Creek Road to create a link between Whites Hill Reserve and

Bulimba Creek.

Development of an effective glider corridor with rope bridges crossing Samuel and Indus Streets will provide

research evidence to support low cost urban wildlife corridor solutions.

One potential option to stretch the Council’s environment funds further is development of a small lot “Land

for Wildlife” style legal framework allowing property owners to host glider poles. Safe road crossings and

Pollinator LinkTM style wildlife corridors could then be created using backyards.


5 References

Biodiversity Assessment & Management Pty Ltd [BAAM] (2005), Squirrel Glider Corridor Action Plan

– Bulimba Creek Catchment Area

Brisbane City Council – City Plan 2014

Brisbane City Council (2010), Glider – Conservation Action Statement

Brisbane City Council (2005), Squirrel Glider – Conservation Action Statement

Fox, M. J. & Jones, S. (2015), Flora and Fauna of Mt Gravatt Reserve, Mt Gravatt Environment

Group

Porter, Michael E. and Kramer, Mark R., (2011) Creating shared value: how to reinvent capitalism -

and unleash a wave of innovation and growth, Harvard Business Review, Vol: 89 Issue: 1-2 Page: 62

Queensland Glider Network, Wildlife Queensland - www.wildlife.org.au

Sharpe, D. & Goldingay, R.L. (2007), Home range of the Australian squirrel glider, Petaurus

norfolcensis (Diprotodontia), Journal of Mammalogy, vol 88, no 6, pp. 1515-1522.

Yetzotis, J. (2012), Street trees and property value, www.savingourtrees.wordpress.com


Appendix A: Whites Hill Precinct Landscape Plan


Appendix B: Proposed Glider Bridges


Appendix C: Google Map of site


Appendix D: Bill Hewitt Reserve Contour Maps



Appendix E: Whites Hill to Phillips Creek Glider Path


Appendix F: Nest Box Monitoring Program



Appendix G: Whites Hill to Phillips Creek Glider Path

Documents

Whites Hill Reserve Precinct Landscape Plan March 2016