Greater Sydney Landcare has been working closely with the Macarthur District Motorcycle Sportsmen to protect and restore a significant property in the middle of a key Koala corridor in Appin.
The Macarthur District Motorcycle Complex (MDMC) is a well-known and loved recreation area, which has welcomed high level motorcycle competitions since the 1970s. It is a family-oriented outfit that wants to remain as it is, even with the high demand for developable land in the Appin area.
Walking around the site, there are bulldozers that can be heard across the gully, clearing koala habitat for houses nearby. In light of this pressure, the team at MDMC got in touch with the Southwest Sydney Koala Project (SWSKP), a project of Greater Sydney Landcare. At first only enquiring about what they could do, the MDMC are more than keen to do everything available to them to protect the local koala population – and restore their habitat.
SWSKP Officers Xuela Sledge and Eli Stead have been on site at the Motorcycle Complex, almost weekly for the last few months. This is due to the fact that the property is approximately 80 hectares and makes up a large portion of the mapped Ousedale Creek Koala corridor. The property, and the willing landholders, are well deserved of our attention in light of this.
Contract bush regenerators will be working on site to limit the number of weeds impacting the pristine and old growth natural areas present. Shale Sandstone Transition Forest (SSTF) is found on site, containing the favourite food of the Appin Koalas… Eucalyptus punctata (Grey Gum).
Due to the nature of the land use, SSTF is in great condition because the only areas used by the MDMC have been on tracks. Tracks have cut through the bush and made some impacts in certain areas, but otherwise remain in set zones. Track closing and remediation will also be funded by the SWSKP, which will increase the usability of the corridor, and be safer for the Motorcyclists and spectators.
Greater Sydney Landcare’s Creating Canopies project is also collaborating in the restoration of the site, with the planting of trees along the entire northern end of the property – currently unused and devoid of plants. Likewise, there will be infill planting in areas of scattered larger trees where shrubs and grasses are missing, to firm up refuge for all the local wildlife residing on site.
The Ousedale Creek gully is full of possibility and offers such a great path of connectivity for the emerging koalas heading west. The best part is, the landholders want to be included in Land for Wildlife and, ultimately on a Conservation Agreement with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust – making the property safe from development – and welcoming for koalas… forever! Thanks MacArthur District Motorcycle Sportsmen!
