At Kingbilli, the long-term aim is to ensure (a) all local native species are amply provided for in terms of habitat and available resources and (b) these habitat areas are interconnected both within the property and to the neighbouring State Park, State Forest and ranges beyond. Blue Gully Sanctuary was the first step ... now, slowly but surely, each year brings progress towards achieving this goal.

The Summer of 2005-2006 saw the commencement of a new project, "Possum Wood". Kingbilli is home to 4 species of possum and 3 species of glider, and the time had come for their vivacious presence to be honoured with the establishment of a special sanctuary ... just for them!

An area adjoining the main garden ... between the Homestead Pond and what we, as kids, christened, 'the Waterhole' ... was selected as the site for this development. Already supporting a healthy stand of Victorian Blue Gums, it's the perfect place to develop the kind of dense, richly vegetated understorey our local possums adore. My plant wish-list is comprised solely of Australian natives ... and includes delectable species utilized by possums and gliders all around Australia.

The project will take a couple of years, countless truckloads of mulch, and several hundred plants to complete ... and I'm enjoying every minute of it. Little friends from the Marsupial Nursery pop out to help me from time to time ... Charlie and Katie Kangaroo prune my newly planted shrubs ... whilst Ariadne the wombat chews companionably on my ankle whilst I fill the wheelbarrow. Together we puddle along quite contentedly, and we hope Kingbilli visitors enjoy observing our progress.

Summer 2006/2007 being too dry for planting, we hope Autumn rains will make possible the 2nd stage of Possum Wood.

Also in 2006, earthworks commenced in the south-eastern corner of the property, expanding our wetlands area to provide enhanced accommodation for our wondrous range of waterbirds. In addition to reeds, rushes and all things watery, this area also will be thoroughly planted with Eucalypts of every size and shape, giving our burgeoning Koala population the perfect place for a good, three-course meal.

We're also particularly fortunate to have a very healthy Platypus population living in Kingbilli's two waterways … the Little River and Sterling Creek. In 2008, revegetation of the understorey and ground cover along these riparian strips is due to commence, blocking the invasion of blackberries, and providing additional shelter for caddisflies, mayflies and other insects, which make up a large portion of a Platypus's diet.

Keep an eye on this page from time to time to learn of our latest developments!

Georgina Egger