Logan City Council has purchased a 47-hectare parcel of land at Bahrs Scrub for conservation.
The land is a koala habitat and contains several rare tree species.
Half of the site is rainforest. It also includes the bush tucker species small−leaved tamarind.
It is the first time the small-leaved tamarind has been found this far north.
Its most common distribution area is the Gold Coast’s Tallebudgera Valley.
Two new species of plant have been found on the site and named after the suburb.
They are the Bahrs Scrub croton and Bahrs Scrub devil’s needles.
The area also contains the endangered shiny-leaved Coondon, native Macadamia trees and several blue gums estimated by a botanist to be hundreds of years old.
The land is across two lots in Belivah Road at Bahrs Scrub.
Details of the sale are commercial in confidence.
The sale was fair market value as determined by an independent land valuation.
The funds came from the Environmental Levy reserve.
Logan City Council’s Director Strategy and Sustainability, David Hansen said the Environmental Levy reserve was set up by Council to have funds on hand should any significant environmental lands become available.
“The purchase of this land supports the building of a green infrastructure network across the City of Logan,” Mr Hansen said.
“Council has done extensive research and sought expert advice which confirmed this site is a critical habitat for endangered, vulnerable, near threatened and significant species.
“Council’s acquisition of this land is a responsible step in protecting the local environment.
“Its preservation will contribute significantly to the conservation value of the surrounding area.”
Environmentalist Glenn Leiper is co−author of the region’s native plant field guide Mangroves to Mountains.
Mr Leiper said the Bahrs Scrub/Belivah dry rainforest was one of the best surviving representations of that form of drier rainforest.
He described the area as a “plant diversity hotspot”.
It has significant populations of at least 10 State−listed threatened species.
“To have such a significant concentration of threatened species in one small area is quite extraordinary ,” Mr Leiper said.
“I commend Council for ensuring the preservation of this wonderful and important green space.”
