Environmental precinct opens at UQ Gatton

The University of Queensland’s Gatton Campus has enhanced its reputation as an environmental leader with the opening of the second stage of an Environmental Precinct development.

The project, which has been jointly funded by the University and Greening Lockyer, will provide a 10-hectare bushland park, including Lake Galletly. The park will be complete with animal shelters, bird-watching hides and re-vegetated native forest, which will be used by the students as part of their studies into the environment and migratory birds.

Campus Manager Janelle Zahmel said the area would serve dual roles as a conservation park for native plants and wildlife as well as an educational resource for students enrolled in UQ Gatton’s range of environmental programs.

“We expect the park will prove popular with birdwatchers as well, with Lake Galletly already a destination for thousands of local and migrating birds including magpie geese, egrets, Latham’s snipe (from Japan) or Asia’s marsh sandpiper,” Ms Zahmel said.

Work on the project began in November 2004 with more than 50 nesting boxes placed around the precinct for native animals and birds. The precinct now has 600 metres of walkways and over 1000 trees.

“The project is a truly joint effort, with a team of scientists led by Dr Greg Baxter, from the School of Natural & Rural Systems Management, staff from UQ’s Properties and Facilities division and the Student Wildlife Association of Gatton volunteering their time and expertise,” Ms Zahmel said.

“The park will be a major feature complementing the already striking landscape of the Gatton Campus and will be a living asset that future students, staff and the public will cherish.”

Project sponsor Greening Lockyer is an initiative of electricity transmission company, Powerlink Queensland, in partnership with Esk, Gatton and Laidley Shire Councils and WESROC.

Powerlink Queensland Chair Else Shepherd said that the Greening Lockyer partners were pleased to be able to contribute to this University of Queensland project.

“Greening Lockyer is aimed at enhancing the environment of the Lockyer Valley, minimising the impact of electricity infrastructure and creating training and employment opportunities for local residents,” Ms Shepherd said.

“This project, as well as enhancing the environment of the Lockyer Valley through the establishment of a bushland park, will be a positive resource to be used in the education of future environmental experts,” she said.

The second stage of the environmental park development has been officially opened by the Faculty Executive Dean, Professor Roger Swift.

Development of the precinct will be ongoing, ensuring current and future students’ continued involvement for years to come.

Media inquiries: Susanne Schick - UQ Gatton Campus (5460 1229, 0409 265 587).