The Eastern Pygmy Possum and the Squirrel Glider are just two of many threatened species given a new lease on life with the installation of nest boxes on important Road and Maritime Services road upgrades.
A Roads and Maritime Services spokesperson said Roads and Maritime data is providing valuable information about animal species present in areas where major highway upgrades are being delivered.
“The nest boxes give us a better idea of the animals living in the upgrade areas, from bats to squirrel gliders, brush-tailed phascogales and a wide variety of birds.
“The design life of these nest boxes is constantly improving with recently installed nest boxes now having a design life of more than 40 years.
“Roads and Maritime contractors work with local organisations including Men’s Sheds to help build the nest boxes.
“Nest boxes are one of the mitigation measures implemented to help counteract biodiversity impacts of major road construction projects.
“The Ellerton Drive Extension, Pacific Highway, Mona Vale Road, Hume Highway and Northern Beaches Hospital road upgrades are just some of the projects where nest boxes are helping address biodiversity impacts of road infrastructure projects.
“Nest boxes provide a supplementary breeding habitat and shelter for hollow-dependent fauna when hollows have been removed.
“Care is taken in the design and placement to encourage native fauna use and minimise use by non-target species.
“Roads and Maritime uses cameras to regularly monitor nest boxes installed on highway projects.
“The outcome of this monitoring is used to improve and refine nest box design for future road construction projects,” the spokesperson said. Media Release
