COUNCIL has adopted a plan to better protect remnant wildlife habitat.
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The Wildlife Connections Plan lists actions for the management, protection and enhancement of a network of core wildlife corridors.
Mayor Karen Williams said the plan not only met rigorous standards in terms of scientific analysis but had been peer reviewed to confirm its soundness and strategic planning value.
“The plan aims to geographically identify and provide priority actions for the management, protection and enhancement of a network of core wildlife habitat patches and connecting wildlife corridors in Redland City,” Cr Williams said.
Cr Wendy Boglary said she had moved an amendment to ensure the work would be included in the City Plan.
“Corridors help relieve heat stress in our urban areas, assist with the health and well-being of our wildlife and humans plus add significant value to our homes,” she said.
“Redlands is known for our unique environment attracting visitors to our area.
“Again this is an example of how the environment, economy and Redlands values are entwined.”
The plan defines five categories of wildlife corridors.
They are established; riparian regional; coastal foreshore; enhancement; and stepping stone.
Networks and corridors of wildlife habitat may consist of a combination of environmental (bushland habitat) areas, street tree plantings, recreational parks and reserves, residential backyards, non-urban private lands, foreshore areas, waterways and riparian areas.
“Redlands contains a diverse array of wildlife habitats, and all accommodate wide-ranging populations of native plants and animals that are part and parcel of what people love about living in Redlands and we need to preserve and manage it,” Cr Williams said.
“It’s so important to improve and protect corridor habitat, prevent wildlife deaths and reduce impacts on the corridors themselves when we’re faced with a changing landscape.”
External consultants generated a heat map of key wildlife corridor values that occurred between core vegetation areas throughout Redlands.
This formed the basis to geographically identify a habitat network of core patches and corridor connections.
Road and rail transport networks, clearing of native vegetation for agriculture, industrial and urban development are major threats to flora and fauna populations and cause habitat fragmentation.
This resulted in smaller disconnected patches of habitat and reduces safe movement of wildlife across the landscape and threatened the viability of healthy and native plant and animal populations.
Vegetation clearing on private property will continue to be subject to local laws or other legislative provisions.
Further information can be found at redland.qld.gov.au
