Rail corridors to become habitat for Honeyeaters

Rail corridors to become habitat for Honeyeaters

Disused rail corridors are being transformed into habitat for the critically endangered Regent-Honeyeater and other native animals in the Hunter Region.


 John Holland Rail (on Behalf of Transport NSW), the Taronga Conservation Society and the Hunter Valley Partnership of the Great Eastern Ranges have come together in the project with local schools.


Merriwa Central and Sandy Hallow Primary Schools got together to kick-off the program with educational activities and planting. These two schools sit at either end of the disused corridor and have local ties to the project. The hope was to get kids involved in protecting their local environment, and to take pride in the project.


Taronga’s Zoomobile even paid a visit so the students could get up close with Aussie animals including an Echidna, Ring-tailed Possum and a Shingleback Lizard.  There was also a great opportunity for Year 5 and 6 students to create their own environmental action plans, which were presented to their schools and the community.


A two hectare area is set for the restoration and there are plans for 2100 woodland plant species to be planted to improve the habitat for Australian wildlife.


The corridor is between Goulburn River National Park and the Manobalai Nature Reserve, west of Muswellbrook, opening up movement for wildlife.


The Great Eastern Ranges are unique, being one of three areas along the eastern seaboard that extend ecosystems inland so enabling movement in all directions through those corridors which is vital for native animals.