Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Up to 10,000 eucalpyts will be planted in Gunnedah to ensure a future food supply for the shire's koalas.
About 3000 trees will be planted at the site of Gunnedah's future koala park and about 7000 at the Gunnedah Soil Conservation Research Station on the Kamilaroi Highway.
Funds for the plantation will be sourced from the Community Resilience - Farmer Army Project as the need for the army declines. Councillors voted to reallocate $60,000 at Wednesday's ordinary meeting.
Read also:
Gunnedah Shire Council Chief Engineer Dan Noble said an environmental consultant had advised that work could start to prepare the sites ahead of summer.
"It is now an opportune time of the year to start planting," Mr Noble said.
"This funding will allow the sites to be prepared and trees to be planted to ensure they are tended and growing ahead of the opening of the new koala park."
At the meeting, Cr Ann Luke questioned whether the council would have "ownership" of the plantation at the research station and whether such an investment should be made when the land was owned by the state government. The site was initially considered for the park.
Infrastructure services director Jeremy Bartlett said a lease agreement was "in the process of being prepared" and would provide access and "protect council's investment in that location".
The council hopes to get local contractors and community members involved in the plantations.
The $6.6 million koala park will be built on council-owned land next to Balcary Park on the Oxley Highway, and will include themed accommodation, a restaurant and function area, and a mini golf course. It will be run by the CaPTA Group.
