Have your say on the management of Doonan Creek Environmental Reserve

Local residents and community groups are encouraged to share their views on a draft management plan for Doonan Creek Environmental Reserve.

Council has today called for submissions on the draft management plan, which will will guide future community access and involvement on the reserve, and ongoing management and bush restoration over the next 10 years.

Environment portfolio Councillor, Jenny McKay, said the majority of the reserve (252ha) was acquired through Council’s environment levy land acquisition program in 2013.

“Combined with the adjoining conservation areas this creates a total reserve area of 334hectares of diverse habitat ranging from iconic coastal heath, scribbly gum forest to melaleuca wetlands,” Cr McKay said.

“Recent surveys have found a wide variety of native wildlife at this site, including 125 different bird species which makes this site a birdwatchers haven.”

Fauna surveys have also found a koala, vulnerable wallum frogs and more than 24 different mammal species living in the reserve, including the curious fishing bat ( Myotis macropus) which uses echo-location to fish in the water holes found deep within the reserve.

Councillor for Division 9 Steven Robinson said council’s reserve management plan for the Doonan Creek Environmental Reserve highlighted the reserve’s environmental, social, cultural and economic values and would provide a management guideline that will help protect the reserves biodiversity in the future.

“The development of this management plan will provide the both our local and broader regional community the opportunity to provide Council with their feedback on the future management of this wonderful reserve,” Cr Robinson said.

The plan is available online at haveyoursay.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/ .

Submissions can be made online or in writing and close at 4.00pm Friday 23rd February 2018.