Project KOALA: Revitalising Habitat for Cape Paterson’s Native Koalas

We are very happy to see the progress of Project KOALA, an initiative to restore and enhance the local koala habitat in Cape Paterson.

Since kicking off in February 2021, Project KOALA has been making steady progress in building habitat for the small population of koalas that call Cape Paterson home. Recent DNA analysis has confirmed that the Cape Paterson koalas are a population of the rare and genetically intact endemic Strzelecki koala of South Gippsland which retain genetic variability that is important for the future of the species.

Recognising the impact of historical land clearance in the Bass Coast area and the impact this has had on native wildlife, the community at The Cape with the support of the Cape development team, initiated Project KOALA to restore a number of small forests for koala habitat. The project employs the Miyawaki method of dense, layered planting to create vibrant mini-forests of indigenous plant species, including Coastal Manna Gum, koalas’ preferred food source.

Brendan Condon, Director of The Cape, explained “It’s all about giving back to our environment and protecting local wildlife.” Over the past three years, we’ve spotted the local koala population in the newly planted areas. In April 2024, 60 community members, including enthusiastic youngsters, planted over 500 additional indigenous plants in five new mini-forest plots, with some of the plants grown on site in our nursery area in the https://capecommunityfarm.org.au. We hope the Cape becomes a refuge that can help this population increase in future.

But our work doesn’t stop here. We’re committed to expanding this vital habitat in future, to ensure the preservation and flourishing of our local wildlife. It’s just one of the many community-led initiatives here at The Cape.

For the latest updates and news, follow us on Facebook at liveatthecape or check out The Cape’s local resident naturalist, David Hartney, at capechatter.com.

Are you passionate about environmental conservation and interested in supporting nature? If so, The Cape might be the perfect place for you. With a limited number of homesites still available, now is an ideal time to start planning. To learn more please contact us today on (03) 7022 9790 or by email at info@liveatthecape.com.au