More wetland protected on the Sunshine Coast

 

West Coolum Wetland

In a new win for the environment on the Sunshine Coast, an additional 120ha of wetland and grassland has been acquired by the Sunshine Coast Council for protection as environmental reserve. This brings the total area of wetland and associated habitats in the heart of Australia’s tenth largest city to be protected to 1,700ha.

West Coolum Wetland (foreground) with newly acquired area above (Sunshine Coast Council pic)

The new area adjoins the Sunshine Coast Motorway behind Coolum and as with other acquisitions in recent years, it is former sugar cane land. The wetlands were created by the inundated of tidal waters following the collapse of floodgates after much of the region’s cane farming ended with the closure of the Nambour sugar mill two decades ago. Although human-modified, the wetlands are not dissimilar to those which occurred naturally around the Maroochy River floodplain prior to the development of cane farms a century ago.

West Coolum Wetland 

The latest acquisition more than doubles the size of what I have dubbed the West Coolum Wetland, a 90ha site acquired by the council in 2011 but not made a reserve until 2020. These acquisitions effectively expand the 190ha Yandina Creek Wetland, purchased by Unitywater in 2016 as part of the corporation's nutrient offsets program following a lengthy campaign to save the area from development. These and other acquisitions, along with the Coolum Creek Environment Reserve, are the backbone of the Blue Heart project - a joint endeavour by the council, the Queensland Government and Unitywater to protect and restore Maroochy River floodplain wetlands.

Royal Spoonbill

Sunshine Coast councillor Maria Suarez said of the latest land purchase: “This is another example of what’s exciting about Blue Heart: benefits for biodiversity; creating nature-based recreation opportunities; and increasing opportunities for Council’s ongoing Blue Carbon investigations and trials.” The $6 million land purchase was secured through the SEQ City Deal, a long-term partnership between the Australian Government, Queensland Government and Council of Mayors (SEQ) that allocated $35.3 million to Blue Heart.

West Coolum Wetland

The West Coolum Wetland provides habitat for a range of wetland and grassland wildlife species. During a brief visit this week I found good numbers of Little Grassbird and Spotless Crake, both relatively uncommon in South-East Queensland. Egrets, cormorants, spoonbills and herons were among the waterbirds present. Dollarbirds and an Australian Hobby perched on nearby overhead wires.

Dollarbird

Australian Hobby

The news is not all good, however. The council has given property development giant Stockland preliminary approval to build a 450-lot housing estate on the Maroochy River floodplain at Twin Waters. The development will result in the destruction of a fine swathe of grassland and a much-needed green space in the midst of a rapidly expanding urban footprint in the area. To say nothing of yet more housing developments in flood-prone sites. It says something that Stockland is required to provide an evacuation centre for residents to escape to in the event of flooding.

Spotless Crake

Across the motorway from Stockland’s project on Godfreys Road is the council’s next important test. Another area of excellent grassland there provides habitat for several rare species including the Eastern Grass Owl. (More on the owls here.) The council is presently determining whether to convert the grassland to sporting facilities or protect it as a reserve.

Eastern Grass Owl