A community project to create a wildlife corridor and walking track in southern Armidale has been backed by Council.

The July Council meeting resolved to support the corridor and walking track between Ross Street and Imbandja Lane and pursue a reclassification of the land.

The meeting was told an Angophora Bushland Reserve community group is heading the project, which will improve biodiversity and help wildlife move between gorges south of Armidale and Mount Duval, which is north of the city.

Wildlife habitat trees and other plants would be planted along the corridor, which would follow a series of roads with low traffic levels: Ross Street, Judith Street, Gentles Road, Translator Road and Imbandja Lane.

“This is a tremendous initiative to assist local wildlife and further enhance our wonderful natural environment,” Armidale Regional Council Mayor Simon Murray said.

“The walking track will be a great asset for residents to enjoy the flora and fauna.”

A report to the meeting says the bushland reserve group had offered to organise and finance the plantings and would link with landholder plantings in the Heatherleigh area.

The report says the corridor and walking track had the backing of Southern New England Landcare and the Armidale Tree Group.

Council’s resolution included applying to Crown Lands to have the current Crown Roads reserves gazetted as unformed council road.

Published on 09 Aug 2019