Twenty-five years ago, Kylee Mallinson became a first-time property owner in Barney View, fulfilling a long-held dream of having her own piece of nature to relish in. She was instantly drawn to the natural bushland setting and was eager to learn more about it while helping preserve its unique qualities. After exploring all of the property’s 20 hectares including the big hill up the back, she realised it was something special and with good timing, she joined Land for Wildlife. She has made use of the program’s many services and resources such as a property management planning workshop, regular newsletters and fact sheets, and getting assistance with plant identification and weed management.
Over the past 20 years, the property has seen some changes, such as the planting of more than 100 trees and the construction of a home, but the local flora and fauna have continued to thrive.
More recently, Scenic Rim Regional Council conducted a flora and fauna survey to help Kylee better understand the incredible biodiversity she’s helped preserve on her property. Kylee’s property is a beautiful mix of dry sclerophyll ecosystems. The lower areas are dominated by Blue Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Gum-topped Box (Eucalyptus moluccana), Spotted Gum (Corymbia citriodora) and a rich understorey of native shrubs, herbs, grasses and groundcovers, with scattered dry rainforest species.
Further up the slope, the soils are thinner rhyolite and scattered rocks, supporting uncommon canopy species such as Mountain Turpentine (Syncarpia verecunda), Helidon Mahogany (Eucalyptus helidonica) and Gum-topped Ironbark (Eucalyptus dura).
Kylee’s flora list has grown to over 230 native species, including rarities like Fire Pea (Tephrosia bidwillii), Mauve Tephrosia (Tephrosia dietrichiae) and Red Pea-bush (Bossiaea rupicola).
We are grateful for Kylee’s commitment to conservation and look forward to continuing this journey together over the next 20 years.
Thanks to Kylee’s keen observations and data from two fauna cameras, her property now boasts a record of 11 species of native mammals — including koalas, gliders, Brush-tailed Phascogales, wallabies, and more.
“With so much more to look forward to, spotlighting nights, checking wildlife cameras and rarer species identification, the next 20 years are sure to be just as rewarding.” says Kylee.
Twenty years ago, former Scenic Rim Regional Council Biodiversity Officer, Keith McCosh, signed up local landholder Kylee to the Land for Wildlife program. A front gate photo was taken to feature in the Council’s original Biodiversity Strategy. Fast forward to today — current Biodiversity Officer, Greg Tasney, recently visited Kylee’s property and recreated that same photo, marking two decades of dedicated land stewardship.
Article by Greg Tasney
Land for Wildlife Officer
Scenic Rim Regional Council