Logan City Council takes action to protect endangered tree species

Logan City Council has taken steps to ensure the survival of an extremely rare local species of myrtle tree.

Gossia gonoclada, a slow-growing shrub commonly known as the ‘angle-stemmed myrtle’, is currently only known to exist naturally in the City of Logan and parts of Brisbane.

Growing adjacent to, or near, the Logan and Albert Rivers, just 33 of the 73 identified naturally growing specimens of these rare and unique plants are in the City of Logan.

Habitat mapping and propagation programs are already underway with 160 new Gossia gonoclada saplings now planted near the waterways.

To complement these programs, Council has introduced the City of Logan Gossia gonoclada Recovery Plan 2019-2029.

Threatened by increased incidence of myrtle rust disease, habitat loss and degradation and competition from weeds and introduced exotic species, the Recovery Plan will lock in ongoing actions and annual reviews aimed at the long-term preservation and protection of this endangered species.

Advising that the success of the plan would require collaborative partnerships between Council, various stakeholders and the community, Logan City Council Director Strategy and Sustainability, David Hansen stated “this is an endangered species growing in our own back yard and Council is proudly taking the lead in providing pathways to ensure its preservation.”

The aims of the Gossia gonoclada Recovery Plan include:

• Developing and supporting practical and affordable actions to preserve the species
• Promoting and facilitating community engagement in conservation projects
• Contributing to wider efforts to conserve the species in South-East Queensland.

Images of Gossia gonoclada, top courtesy of Glenn Leiper and below courtesy of Logan City Council.