PLANTING on the western banks of Hilliard's Creek at Wellington Point has helped restore an endangered swamp she-oak forest, according to Cr Wendy Boglary.
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Cr Boglary said she had asked the council about three years to plant out the area next to the footpath - which will eventually lead to the Bligh Street Wetlands - on the creek banks at the end of Station Street that was being mowed.
It is part of the wildlife connection corridor that runs through the Redlands from the mouth of Hilliard's Creek to Mount Cotton.
She said seeing a Brahminy kite and hearing fairy wrens and other small birds during a recent visit were some evidence of the project's results.
"Council's conservation team, working with Redlands-based contractor Restore Nature's Balance, planted the swamp she-oak forest with other trees often associated with this forest including Queensland blue gum which is favoured by koalas and ground cover species that would accompany this ecosystem," Cr Boglary said.
"The endangered swamp oak forest is now maturing and will provide food and shelter for animals especially the vigorous and diverse bird life.
"The swamp oaks are also used by parrots including cockatoos while the often sighted koalas will also have more food sources.
"We are excited to see how well this area has rejuvenated."
Cr Boglary said that the team had controlled head-high weed grasses near to the planting site.
"Now we are starting to see native ground cover plants beginning to take over," she said.
"These native plants include delicate ruby saltbush, New Zealand spinach (or Warrigal greens), salt water couch and berry saltbush.
"There are also signs that swamp oaks are trying to regrow now that the weeds are gone."
Temporary fencing erected to protect the young plants in the swamp oak forest would soon be removed.
Cr Boglary said council was also restoring a large track of land along the Hilliard's Creek wildlife connection corridor near Bibury Street.
"There is a weed management program occurring and then this area will be vegetate with specific local native plants for our wildlife, including koala food trees," she said.
"The immediate bank has already been replanted to reduce erosion and secure the bank while the weed management continues."
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