First property gains Koalatown certification

A Minto Heights couple have become the first residents to have their property accredited as a Koalatown Certified Property.

Long-term residents Margaret and John Tacey are one of 20 landowners who recently registered with the Land for Wildlife voluntary property registration scheme and Koalatown Certified Properties Program and are the first to have their property inspected.

As part of the program, Council’s Natural Areas Team conduct a site visit to registered properties to survey biodiversity including plants and animals and can then offer a range of support initiatives to help residents manage their property, enhance native species, manage weed and restore habitat.

 “We have many properties in Campbelltown located on the fringes of our bushland so landholders can play an important role in helping to maintain a healthy bushland that is ripe for our koalas and other native animals to thrive,” Mayor George Brticevic said.

“This program can help you plant new native plants, remove weeds and connect you with other like-minded people so I encourage anyone interested in improving the conservation value of their property who lives on bushland properties to get involved,” Cr Brticevic said.

“Margaret and John have a number of threatened species on their property including seasonal koalas and powerful owls and have retained and enhanced koala habitat for 50 years,” he said.

In Campbelltown, just over 3000ha of core and potential koala habitat is located on private land.

The Land for Wildlife program is coordinated by the Community Environment Network in partnership with the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. Anyone with a bushland property over 0.5ha can join the scheme.