More than one hundred new nesting boxes are being put up in Pine Valley as part of Unitywater’s project to build better water services for the growing areas of Caboolture West, Morayfield, and Narangba.
This initiative aims to support local wildlife that rely on tree hollows for homes, as some trees need to be removed for the essential water infrastructure upgrades. The project includes a new fifteen-megalitre water storage and eight kilometres of pipelines to supply water to an expected 100,000 new residents in the next two decades.
Supporting Local Animals
Unitywater is taking steps to protect the environment while building the new water network. As part of their plan, for every tree that needs to be removed, at least six new trees that are native to the area will be planted. They are also trying to move hollows from the removed trees to new locations so animals still have places to live.
Mike Basterfield, who oversees sustainable infrastructure solutions at Unitywater, explained that they are dedicated to planting local tree types. He also noted that South East Queensland has many koalas, and Unitywater wants to help protect their homes while providing important water services.
Careful Planning for Installation
The process of putting up the nesting boxes has been carefully thought out. Seven different types of boxes, in various sizes and with different-sized openings, are being used to suit the wide range of animals in the area.
This includes owls, cockatoos, brush-tailed and ring-tailed possums, microbats, and small gliders. A qualified tree climber chooses the safest and best trees for each nesting box. Mr Basterfield stated that, like all their projects, they assess sites properly to ensure environmental impacts are kept as small as possible.
Meeting the Needs of a Growing Community
Unitywater operates in one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions, with the population expected to increase by twenty per cent by 2032. Mr Basterfield said Unitywater will continue to improve and invest in sustainable water network infrastructure to meet the needs of the expanding community.
The design and approval process for the current project was extensive to minimise any possible environmental harm and ensure that any necessary tree removal followed the rules set by the City of Moreton Bay and the State Government.
Published Date 20-May-2025
Photo Credit: Supplied
