Gold Coast wildlife protection boosted with key land purchase by Council

Gold Coast City Council has acquired another crucial parcel of wildlife land to help restore the natural habitat for native animals

The purchase is the first time the City has conducted a part-acquisition, purchasing only the land of environmental significance and not the surrounding areas, such as houses.

It is Council’s fourth acquisition in less than two years.

The 9.95 hectare property is located on Monday Drive, Tallebudgera Valley and was secured for $800,000 as a part of the City's Natural Areas Acquisition Program.

Acquiring critical nature corridors is a key action of the recently adopted Our Natural City Strategy 2032.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate noted "This land acquisition is another step forward in our commitment to playing our role in looking after our native wildlife and protecting and enhancing their natural habitat on the Gold Coast.

"Once this land is acquired, the City will restore the natural vegetation and eradicate weeds to help restore the natural habitat for native animals.

"This acquisition ensures we are continuing to help provide safer pathways for wildlife and long-term viability. Since 1999 we have spent more than $48.6 million acquiring more than 4430 hectares of land to help conserve our native flora and fauna."

This piece of land was chosen because of its high environmental value due to its:

• location within a pinch point of the Burleigh to Springbrook critical corridor

• link to existing City-managed conservation estate and improved access

• important vegetation, priority species habitat and mapped koala habitat.

Other land purchased under the Natural Areas Acquisition Program includes:

• 19 hectares on Creek Street, Pimpama for $4.15 million in October last year

• 37.5 hectares on Tallebudgera Connection Road, Tallebudgera for $2.2 million in April last year

• 1.2 hectare on Old Coast Road, Burleigh Heads for $1.31 million in December 2021.

The acquisition program currently focuses on acquiring land in "pinch points" of the City's native habitat corridors.

Image. Monday Drive, Tallebudgera Valley