Nature Reserved for Dural
Leonie Gale

“Bird Heaven” added to Dural Nature Reserve Photo Leonie Gale

In a landmark deal for New South Wales Australand has donated 9.267 hectares of land left over from a residential development to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife for conservation.

"This land donation is a great opportunity to demonstrate that we can have a sustainable balance between conservation and development in our cities that makes economic sense." said Nigel Edgar, General Manager of Australand.

Hornsby Shire Council’s biodiversity team worked hard to negotiate the deal which sees them receiving two bushland blocks from the Foundation for catchment protection and bushland conservation.

Local residents also benefit from the healthy environment as does local wildlife from the extension of Georges Creek wildlife corridor.

Galah feeding on wattle seeds Photo Leonie Gale

Changes to legislation that provide tax breaks to property donors has seen an increase in land protected through donations and bequests.

“Bird Heaven” preserved

8.1 hectares of pristine bushland will be gifted to National Parks as an addition to the adjoining Dural Nature Reserve, an untouched bird heaven. The tall angophora, blackbutt, ironbark and turpentine trees on the slopes provide habitat for many native species including King Parrots, Crimson and Eastern Rosellas, Galahs, Azure Kingfishers, Eastern Whipbirds and Kookaburras.

Hakeas, banksias and spiky shrubs offer food and shelter for smaller birds such as the Golden Whistler, Little Thornbills and Rufous Fantail. Signs of mammal life including wallabies and bandicoot can be seen.

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