Mid North Coast Correctional Centre Expansion

The project

The expansion of the Mid North Coast Correctional Centre has resulted in the provision of over 400 further beds as well as proposed centre upgrades and additional facilities including new buildings for industries and programs, health services, as well as an outdoor exercise area.

Our role in the project

Niche provided both heritage management and ecological services during approval and compliance stages of the project. This included an Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment; flora and fauna assessment; vegetation management plan; fauna management plan; nest box installation and monitoring; clearing surveys and a Koala Habitat Management Plan.

Koala feed tree planting program

The development of the original Koala Habitat Management Plan (KHMP) led to discussions with Corrective Services NSW. The objective was to amend the KHMP to create a planting program that benefited the correctional centre’s inmates, the community and the environment.

“It was a pleasure to work collaboratively with such enthusiastic representatives from local stakeholders. The cooperation and communication between groups with different aims resulted in a great planting program that satisfies everyone’s needs. It’s a terrific initiative that I’m proud to have participated in.”
Dr Radika Michniewicz, Senior Ecologist, Port Macquarie

Niche worked collaboratively with stakeholders Corrective Services NSW, Mid North Coast Correctional Centre (MNCCC), Kempsey Council, Port Macquarie Koala Hospital and Billabong Zoo. Together we developed a KHMP-addendum report that incorporated the outcomes of site studies, the latest in successful planting techniques, MNCCC constraints and inmate and community benefits.

The KHMP-addendum report brings the responsibility of the habitat planting back to the inmates to provide inmate programs and education opportunities and incorporates a Koala fodder planting area that will serve as a source of leaves for local Koala care facilities.

The advantages we delivered to this project

• Locally-based and experienced ecology and cultural heritage consultants
• Excellent collaborative working relationships with all project stakeholders including members of the local Aboriginal community
• Flexibility in compliance management and mitigation measure delivery
• Innovative Koala feed tree planting program that provided beneficial outcomes to inmates, the local community and threatened Koala populations.

Excellence in your environment

Read more about our Ecology and Biodiversity services or Heritage Management services and contact us to discuss how we can support your project.