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Kirsty and Rob Starling, landholders from Reedy Creek, have taken a proactive step to improve biodiversity on their property by installing a new shelterbelt with support from the Limestone Coast Landscape Board.
Funded through the 2024–25 Habitat Conservation Grant round, the project involved establishing a 20-metre wide, 1,500-metre long shelterbelt on the windward side of a paddock. The shelterbelt provides protection for livestock from strong winds across the flat terrain southeast of Kingston SE. It also improves soil stability and creates habitat for native species.
“This initiative aligns with our long-term goal to establish shelterbelts across the entire property,” Kirsty said. “We’ve been working for years to enhance the natural habitat here, and this new planting helps connect existing vegetation and strengthens the habitat corridor.”
The property, which consists mainly of cleared agricultural land with low-lying areas prone to water inundation, now supports more than 1,000 native plants. These were planted in late May 2025 with help from Year 9 students at Kingston Community School.
The shelterbelt includes a diverse mix of native species, such as Coastal Mallee, Golden Wattle and several Melaleuca species. Flowering shrubs like Silver Banksia and Christmas Bush were also planted to attract pollinators and beneficial insects, increasing the ecological value of the site.
Bush Management Adviser Vanessa Freebairn from the Limestone Coast Landscape Board said the Habitat Conservation Grants support landholders to deliver long-term sustainable primary production projects.
“It’s encouraging to see ongoing landholder interest in revegetation and protection of native habitats. Projects like this provide primary production benefits while increasing biodiversity across the landscape.” Vanessa said.
The Limestone Coast Landscape Board commends Kirsty and Rob for their commitment to sustainable land management and thanks the Kingston Community School students for their valuable contribution.
With more than 55 sustainable primary production projects supported across the region, the LC Landscape Board continues to assist landholders in conservation efforts—including shelterbelt establishment, wetland protection and remnant vegetation preservation.
The next round of Habitat Conservation Grants opens in October 2025.
