Eastern ground parrot financial offset project: a case study

Around eight hectares of eastern ground parrot habitat have been impacted by the expansion of the Sunshine Coast Airport runway. The developer, Sunshine Coast Council, paid approximately $1 million to the Queensland Government Offset Account as a condition of the activity, to compensate for the impacts caused by this project.

Coastal heath is essential habitat for the eastern ground parrot (Pezoporus wallicus wallicus) which is classed as ‘vulnerable’ in Queensland under the Nature Conservation Act 1992. Its natural habitat has been reduced by urban development and agriculture and around three quarters of its remaining habitat, south of Noosa, is now located within national park areas.

The Queensland Government has approved a project under the environmental offsets program to re-establish habitat for the eastern ground parrot in Mt Coolum National Park—home to the southernmost population of eastern ground parrots in Queensland.

Independent experts recommended Mt Coolum National Park as the most appropriate site for the offset project as it is located directly adjacent to the impact. The national park contains natural heathland ecosystem which is suitable habitat for the eastern ground parrot however, some work is required to restore the functionality of the ecosystem.

Under this project, approximately 60 hectares of the national park has been declared a Special Management Area, requiring a separate management plan.

Special Management Areas allow for special ‘controlled actions’ or works on a national park to protect and restore the area’s natural and cultural values.

Habitat restoration works

Scientific research has showed paper bark trees (Melaleuca quinquenervia) are encroaching on the heathland ecosystem found in Mt Coolum National Park. This is due to changes in local fire management regimes and the historic introduction of drainage lines—altering the natural hydrology of the area.

Mechanical removal of a number of these native trees has been undertaken to restore the heathland habitat for the ground parrot in the national park. This process included the limited use of herbicides, through stem injection or direct application to cut stumps, to prevent the paper bark trees from re-shooting.

A 20-year fire management plan has been developed to ensure the long-term conservation of the heathland ecosystem – this investment includes some fire trail construction and maintenance of existing tracks.

Consultation on this offset project included local community groups and has the support of the Kabi Kabi First Nations People.

An environmental management plan has been developed to ensure potential impacts to the broader national park are managed.

Implementation

Vegetation management works were undertaken throughout 2023 to restore approximately 22 hectares of heathland in priority management areas suitable for eastern ground parrot foraging and breeding.  Staged ground crew follow up over the subsequent 18 months will ensure successful delivery.

The Kabi Kabi First Nations People will be involved throughout the project to ensure that cultural heritage is protected during project delivery.

Ongoing monitoring will be undertaken to assess post disturbance habitat recovery and eastern ground parrot use of the Special Management Area.

If you are interested in providing an environmental offset or would like further information about offset delivery, please email financialoffsets@des.qld.gov.au