Situated in the Grounds
of McAuley Campus.
The Melaleuca Reserve used to be within the grounds
of Australian Catholic University, McAuley Campus, Mitchelton. In recent years, the University shifted to Nundah and a housing development took over save for the Reserve itself. A small
creek adjacent to the Reserve flows into Kedron Brook.
Stand of Melaleuca quinquenerva predates
European Settlement.
The reserve consists of a large stand of
Melaleuca quinquenerva (paper-barked tea trees) which are very old and
possibly dates back before European Settlement. The Melaleuca stand is
classified as a dry Melaleuca Woodland, consisting of a Melaleuca
quinquenerva mixed with forest red gums (Eucalyptus tereticornis) and
swamp mahogany (Lophostemon sauveolens).
Site is used to teach Bush Regeneration
Units.
The site has been used to teach preservice
teachers the principles of bush regeneration so they can incorporate
bush regeneration into the school curriculum. Regeneration of the
Melaleuca Reserve is supported by the Brisbane City Council and
Department of Families, Youth and Community Care whose young people
contribute their services to help with the regeneration of the Reserve.
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Natural regeneration after
Camphor laurels removed.
 Camphor
laurels are the main weed species in the Reserve. A good percentage of
them have now been removed since the commencement of the project in
1997.
Camphor
laurels are the main weed species in the Reserve. A good percentage of
them have now been removed since the commencement of the project in
1997.
Camphor
laurels are the main weed species in the Reserve. A good percentage of
them have now been removed since the commencement of the project in
1997.
Part of the preservice teachers program is
to collect Melaleuca seeds from the site, geminate them and plant the
seedlings back in the Reserve.
In 2001, after most of the Camphor laurels
have been removed, naturally occurring Melaleuca seedlings were sighted
in the Reserve.
Contact person
Dr Barbara Odgers
Ph. 07 3855 7342
Email: b.odgers@mcauley.acu.edu.au
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