- Home
- What's happening
- News
- Removal of pine trees at Koolunga Native Reserve
This month work will start to remove 14 pine trees from Koolunga Native Reserve in Ferntree Gully.
The staged removal of further pine trees has been put on hold until the affected area is rehabilitated, and new native plants have had a chance to become well-established.
A decision will be made by 2028 on any further pine tree removal and the staging and timing of these works.
Why are the pine trees being removed?
The trees are being removed because the toxins in their needles prevent other trees and plants from growing.
Pine trees are not native and are classified as an environmental weed. An Environmental Significance Overlay requires us to remove environmental weeds in the Reserve. One tree (circled in red on the map) has also been assessed as structurally unsafe.
Gradually removing some of the pines will make room for native trees and plants to flourish. Over time this will create important habitat for wildlife and shade for visitors.
Removing the pine trees was identified as an action in the Koolunga Native Reserve Future Direction Plan developed in consultation with the community and adopted in 2023.
This plan outlines how we will enhance biodiversity and ensure the reserve’s long-term sustainability. This includes more planting, managing stormwater to improve water quality, and upgrading paths, seating, and signs to provide more information about the reserve's unique attributes.
Access during the works
Temporary fencing will be installed from 13 February and work will start the following week.
The reserve will remain open during the works, but some areas may be temporarily fenced off.
Some minor temporary disruptions may occur due to machinery on-site. This will be limited to operating between 7 am and 5 pm.
Access and parking around the reserve will not be affected.
Works are taking place during warmer weather to avoid delays due to rain and reduce damage from heavy machinery on wet ground.
Once the work is complete all areas will continue to offer the same opportunities to explore and enjoy the bushland, waterway, walking track, and open space.
Map of Koolunga Native Reserve
14 trees will be removed in total. 1 tree (circled in red) will be removed due to safety concerns.
About Koolunga Native Reserve
Koolunga Native Reserve is a 6-hectare park in Ferntree Gully. It was once part of the Chandler Boronia and Daffodil Farm, which operated from 1898 to 1971. The reserve was acquired by Knox City Council in the early 1960s and opened to the public in 1967.
Koolunga is highly regarded as a place to exercise, connect with others, and enjoy the natural environment. Large sections of the reserve are set aside for conservation, protecting important natural areas where parts of the original ecosystem have been preserved and restored.
Parts of the reserve are recognised as having national biological significance due to the presence of critically endangered flora and regionally important habitat. It is also locally significant because of its position within the local habitat corridor.
Koolunga also features an open waterway that flows into Blind Creek and boasts two kilometres of walking tracks and a large open space for dog walking and passive recreation.
Further information
See the Koolunga Future Directions Plan.
For queries about the pine tree removal and revegetation works, please contact our team:
For removal works:
Sam Jones
Coordinator Urban Forest and City Presentation
9298 8430
[email protected]
For revegetation works:
Nadine Gaskell
Coordinator Biodiversity
9298 8579
[email protected]
Share
What's happening
-
Events, activities and festivals
- Knox Factor
- Festivals and civic events
- Bike education courses
- Community event info and registration
- Community training: Best practice financials for community groups and clubs
- Community training: Grant writing
- Community training: Knox City Council Grant Programs Information Session
- Make your home all electric
- Have Your Say
-
News
- A revitalised route for Boronia
- Buy right for a low waste future
- Check out our new Knox waste trucks
- Cr Susan Laukens elected Knox Mayor
- Electoral irregularities
- Free Community Training Workshops
- Get growing with Gardens for Harvest
- International Women's Day networking event
- Join our bike education courses
- Join the Community Development Fund panel
- Join the Environment Advisory Committee
- Join the Knox Multicultural Advisory Committee
- Kindergarten community panel
- Knox recycling efforts a huge success
- Knox retailer networking session
- LED streetlight upgrades across Knox
- Local play just got more exciting
- Move Your Way returns for 2025!
- New playground at Tim Neville Arboretum now open
- Paving the way, sustainably
- Protecting our green areas and significant spaces
- Race ready!
- Removal of pine trees at Koolunga Native Reserve
- Reusable Nappy Workshop
- Revitalising Boronia
- Safer streets for Boronia
- Showcase your creativity by reimagining waste
- Take time out in nature with Biodiversity Month
- Transform your home with all-electric solutions
- Winning government grants and tenders workshop
- Arts in Knox
-
Major projects and initiatives
- Capital Works Projects at Sports Facilities
- Chandler Road shared path and road renewal project
- Demolition of Knox Basketball Stadium (Boronia)
- Gilbert Park upgrades
- Kings Park pavilion
- Lewis Park Masterplan
- Marie Wallace Park Upgrade
- Park Ridge Reserve Upgrade
- Tormore Reserve pavilion upgrade
- Wantirna Reserve redevelopment
- Community groups and volunteering
- Explore Knox
-
Event Calendar
- Bee Gees Revival
- Both Sides, Rachel Beck
- Burt Bacharach (Featuring Michael Cormick)
- Diamond
- Downtown, the Songs of Petula Clark Featuring Melissa Langton
- Everly Brothers & Buddy Holly
- FRITZ (School Holiday Feature Show)
- Ferntree Gully Community Arts Centre - Term 2 Classes
- Knox StageScape (Music Night)
- Lady Be Good, The Songs of Ella Fitzgerald (Featuring Nina Ferro)
- Melbourne Comedy Showcase (ft. Dave O’Neil, Billy Stiles and Sonia Di Iorio)
- Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow
- Pets in the Park
- STUFF! (School Holiday Feature Show)
- Sincerely Yours, Dame Vera Lynn (Featuring Victoria Mantynen)
- Sunglasses at Night. The 80-‘s Apocalypse Sing-Along Cabaret
- Tenori
- The Beatlez
- The Waiting Room, Born in a Taxi
- Tis the Season – A Very Jazzy Christmas Spectacular
- Wish Upon A Star – The Disney Songbook (ft. Danielle Matthews)
- Women of Wit
- You’re An Instrument (School Holiday Feature Show)
- Knox eNews