The regular maintenance and planting of native plants, including Fig, Blue Gum, Ironbark, Bloodwoods and Stringybarks, boost the existing flora and give further environmental benefits — including providing habitat for local fauna, adding to the bush canopy (allowing fauna to move more safely), and protecting against erosion.
Many of the new plants in our program can have their roots traced right back to Ellendale. Throughout the year, our revegetation caretakers collect seed from existing flora in new development areas and bushland corridors, including Acacia species and groundcovers, like Variable Sword-Sedge and Rough Saw-Sedge. This seed is then taken off site, germinated and grown, until they are ready to be returned to Ellendale as new planting. This ensures the flora species onsite are preserved and adaptable to site conditions.
It’s our mission to not only protect our environment but to enhance it, with studies finding our replanting program to restore habitat links and the wildlife corridors will improve upon the original site. Our team have recorded decreased weed loads across much of the bushland and an increase in plant diversity — transforming mixed open pasture grasses to native trees that provide more habitat for parrots, cockatoos and possums.
Along with the thousands of extra plants we add each year, the Ellendale team further supports wildlife by creating nesting boxes, which are used for both nesting and shelter. To date, we've spotted a range of species, including common brush-tailed possums, pale headed rosellas, mountain brush-tailed possums, wood ducks, carpet pythons and lace monitor lizards. We’ve also installed glider poles to help sugar gliders and squirrel gliders travel through the treetops and built fauna fences and underpasses to assist in fauna movement and keep our critters safe in their natural habitat.
Residents of our community are also encouraged to consider the environment when landscaping around their homes by:
If you are establishing areas of turf, we recommend using Wintergreen couch, as it requires less water than other turf varieties. While for your garden, species like Grevillea, Leptospermum, and Syzygium have flowering shrubs, which are a great way to create colour and interest in your green spaces. For a full list of recommended trees, ground covers and shrubs ideal for our community, visit the Ellendale Design Standards – Landscaping guide.
Please don’t forget to keep any pruning matter or cuttings within your property, as some species may prove toxic to the flora and fauna living in our natural bushland areas. And keep your garden lush and green with regular watering to prevent soil from drying out.
If you’re considering a move to the Ellendale Upper Kedron community, or to find out more about our commitment to the environment, please contact our sales consultant Rod Scott on 1300 720 858 or visit us at 324 Canvey Road between 11am and 4pm Saturday to Wednesday.