While major works are progressing at Edithvale, Chelsea and Bonbeach, we’re protecting the Bayside suburbs’ furry and feathered residents.
We’ve placed 30 nest boxes and artificial hollows in trees to give animals such as microbats, brushtail and ringtail possums, and birds including lorikeets and rosellas, new places to stay.
Unfortunately, we had to take out vegetation along the Frankston rail corridor as part of works to remove 5 dangerous and congested level crossings and build 3 new stations.
Before any tree removals happened, the trunks and branches were carefully inspected by wildlife experts, with any animals safely moved.
Next year, we will start replanting a wide variety of vegetation — including more than 800 trees and 85,000 shrubs, groundcovers and grasses — to increase biodiversity and provide new wildlife habitats.
Our Environmental Coordinator Rebecca O’Connor said it was a great environmental initiative to minimise the project’s impact on local wildlife.
‘This is a great environmental initiative that will help to protect animals during the works and encourage other wildlife to the area once the job is done.’
‘When we were installing one of the artificial hollows, our ecologist saw a possum head straight for the box, so I think that’s a good sign!’
The nest boxes and artificial hollows will be monitored using pole cameras at six and 12-months after installation to collect information on their use.
Thanks to Kingston Council for giving us permission to install the shelters on council-controlled land.
