Woogaroo Forest

Pathway through the forest

Woogaroo Forest (also known as Woogaroo Scrub or Goodna Scrub) is an area of forest covered land in eastern Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. Woogaroo Forest currently covers over 450 hectares. Although not officially designated as protected bushland, it has been known locally for many years. Written references to Goodna Scrub date back to the early 1890s, when it was a popular destination for early European settlers, botanists and naturalists due to its diverse wildlife. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4]}

Woogaroo Forest is located within Six Mile, Woogaroo and Goodna Creeks sub-catchment of the highly urbanised Lower Brisbane River Catchment. ^{[5] [6]}

Fauna

A large variety of native Australian animals rely on Woogaroo Forest for habitat. Several species which are listed as 'threatened' in Queensland have been recorded in the area. Of note, this includes koalas, powerful owls, and brush-tailed phascogales. Sugar gliders, platypus, kangaroos, wallabies, frilled lizards, and echidnas have also been recorded there. ^{[6] [7]}

Flora

A wide range of native flora have been recorded at Woogaroo Forest. ^[1] The predominant vegetation types are eucalypt forest and dry rainforest. ^{[8] [9]}

Coleus habrophyllus , a highly rare and endangered species of herb, is known to exist only in seven, small populations in South East Queensland and nowhere else in the world. Two of which fall within the boundaries of Woogaroo Forest. ^[10]

Campaign for official recognition and protection

As of 2024 ^[update] , Woogaroo Forest is threatened by four development proposals. The proposed development site stretches over 320 hectares of native bushland. If approved, this would see 1,800 homes, a commercial centre, childcare centre, and a local sports park built. Additionally, approximately 14 metres would be removed from the ridge lines to flatten the landscape. ^[11]

A protest in opposition to the proposed development of Woogaroo Forest on 16 June 2024, saw hundreds of people in attendance. ^[12]

References

1. "Woogaroo Scrub Project: preserving flora and fauna for future Generations, c.1998". Picture Ipswich. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
2. "Field Naturalists' Club". Brisbane Courier. 26 March 1918. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
3. "Field Naturalists' Club". Brisbane Courier. 16 July 1912. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
4. Bolin, A. (1985). "Some Historical Collecting Localities in and Around Brisbane". Austrobaileya. 2 (2): 198–201. doi: 10.5962/p.365540 . ISSN   0155-4131. JSTOR   41738666. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
5. Council, Ipswich City (2 July 2018). "Catchments and Plans". www.ipswich.qld.gov.au. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
6. "Www.ipswich.qld.gov.au water". SlideShare. 8 April 2015. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
7. "Observations". iNaturalist. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
8. World Wildlife Fund (1997), Conservation of Vineforests in South-East Queensland, Final Report - 1996 WWF South-East Queensland Vineforests Project: https://bruceboyes.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/Conservation_of_Vineforests_in_South-East_Queensland.pdf
9. Keogh, L (2008), 'Returning to Eden', Crossroads: An interdisciplinary journal for the study of history, philosophy, religion and classics, vol. 3, issue. 1, pp. 52-57.
10. Department of the Environment (2024). Coleus habrophyllus in Species Profile and Threats Database, Department of the Environment, Canberra. Available from: https://www.environment.gov.au/sprat. Accessed Wed, 31 July 2024 19:26:44 +1000.
11. "New development described as 'total vandalism', destroying koala habitat". ABC News. 7 May 2024. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
12. Anderson, Rowan (28 June 2024). "Save Woogaroo Forest: Community Rallies Against Development". Local Ipswich News. Archived from the original on 6 August 2024. Retrieved 31 July 2024.

27°38′15″S152°54′00″E / 27.63750°S 152.90000°E / -27.63750; 152.90000