'Paradise' for wildlife
T ucked away in the quiet suburb of South Maclean is Bill and Maureen Allam’s slice of paradise, a 4.49ha pocket of land they have lovingly owned since the 1980s. Back then, petrol stations and schools were far and few in between, cooking was on a combustion stove, and KFC in Mt Gravatt was an annual treat. The Allams churned their own butter thanks to their own cow, and power strikes meant no water, so gravity-fed showers outside were common. Over the years, the couple juggled raising 5 children, breeding blue cattle dogs, running a piggery and growing cash crops such as pumpkins. When Maureen moved to South Maclean, the peace of rural living took some time to get used to, after growing up in inner-city Balmoral. She now can’t imagine living anywhere else. ‘I appreciate it every time I walk out the door and see greenery,’ Maureen says. About 30 years ago, Maureen started a subtropical garden in her undercover alfresco area, something she had always dreamed of. It is now thriving, and has even been the spot for a family wedding.
These days the duo are throwing their energy into caring for their native bushland. Maureen's dream is to create a haven on her land for koalas, more likely now the couple have joined the Land for Wildlife program – a free, voluntary initiative delivered by Council to encourage and help landholders to manage wildlife habitat on their land. ‘When we were told in September last year that we were the 500th landowners in Logan to sign up for the program, we felt pretty special,’ Bill says. Members of Land for Wildlife receive expert advice from Council officers about native plants, animals and ecosystems, managing weeds and pests, restoring land, wildlife corridors,
improving water quality, and reducing bushfire risks. Members receive an annual incentive package, including land management items, free native plants, and nest boxes if available. Since the couple’s bushland has been left largely untouched, it has naturally regenerated with native species to become quite a healthy ecosystem. ‘People used to make us feel guilty. But we now have a sense of relief because we know that by not mowing and trimming trees, we’re doing the right thing by our land,’ Bill says. ‘Having an unkept bushland area is not a bad thing in terms of encouraging wildlife.’ Bill says to ensure the safety of his and neighbouring properties, his property boundaries are managed to reduce the chance of bushfires. This year the couple celebrate 52 years of marriage, and they don’t have plans to move anytime soon. The Allams always shut the gate when leaving, because Bill loves the ritual of opening the gate upon their return. ‘After being away, the second we drive into our property all our stress just goes away,’ Bill says. For more information about Land for Wildlife visit logan.qld.gov.au/ecp
Loving landowners Maureen and Bill Allam.
OUR LOGAN | 9
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