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Habitat boxes a haven for wildlife

Find out how we are supporting local wildlife by creating habitat boxes, how they’re created, the species they benefit, and our plans to expand this initiative to protect local biodiversity.

Creating safe habitats for native wildlife in Mitcham

Urbanisation and the removal of older trees have significantly reduced natural tree hollows that many native species rely on for shelter and breeding. Habitat boxes provide an alternative by creating safe, purpose-built homes for wildlife.

The initiative, led by our Street Tree Maintenance team, is part of our ongoing commitment to preserving and enhancing biodiversity within the City of Mitcham.

Our Street Tree Maintenance team learned essential skills through a Habitat Pruning Workshop to create habitat havens tailored to the needs of specific species. Key steps include:

  • Assessing trees to ensure they can support nesting boxes.
  • Designing hollows of the correct size and orientation for different species.
  • Installing and monitoring boxes to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

This process ensures that each habitat box serves its purpose while keeping trees and wildlife safe.

Who benefits from habitat boxes?

The habitat boxes are designed to support a range of local species, including:

  • Native possums
  • Grey Shrike-thrush
  • Parrots
  • Microbats

Different species require specific habitat boxes to suit their unique needs, with variations in size including height, width and depth, along with their preferred orientation (vertical or horizontal) and installation height above the ground. For example:

  • Grey Shrike-thrush: 25 cm x 18 cm x 18 cm hollow with a 9x9 cm hole, installed at 2+ metres.
  • Parrots: Varied dimensions depending on size, with recommended installation at 4+ metres.
  • Microbats: Hollows measuring 30 cm x 15 cm x 15 cm, with small entry points, installed at 4+ metres.

Expanding the Program

Our work doesn’t stop here. We’re committed to retaining and repurposing significant trees wherever possible to create new habitats for wildlife. With approximately 75,000 trees in Mitcham, including 55,000 street trees and many in reserves and open spaces, the opportunity to expand this program is enormous.

A dead River Red Gum in Ragless Reserve was identified as an ideal tree to create a habitat box.
A dead River Red Gum in Ragless Reserve was identified as an ideal tree to create a habitat box.
The initial cuts to create a habitat box in the dead River Red Gum at Ragless Reserve
The initial cuts to create a habitat box in the dead River Red Gum at Ragless Reserve
A trained member of the Street Tree Maintenance Team uses a chainsaw to create the habitat box in a dead gum tree at Ragless Reserve.
A trained member of the Street Tree Maintenance Team uses a chainsaw to create the habitat box in a dead gum tree at Ragless Reserve.
Creating a habitat box in the River Red Gum at Ragless Reserve
Creating a habitat box in the River Red Gum at Ragless Reserve
Small cuts are made using a chainsaw to create the habitat box in a dead River Red Gum in Ragless Reserve
Small cuts are made using a chainsaw to create the habitat box in a dead River Red Gum in Ragless Reserve
Habitat box for small native animals at Ragless Reserve
Habitat box for small native animals at Ragless Reserve
A dead River Red Gum in Ragless Reserve was identified as an ideal tree to create a habitat box.
The initial cuts to create a habitat box in the dead River Red Gum at Ragless Reserve
A trained member of the Street Tree Maintenance Team uses a chainsaw to create the habitat box in a dead gum tree at Ragless Reserve.
Creating a habitat box in the River Red Gum at Ragless Reserve
Small cuts are made using a chainsaw to create the habitat box in a dead River Red Gum in Ragless Reserve
Habitat box for small native animals at Ragless Reserve

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