Melaleuca Reserve - Mitchelton

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.

The 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 was 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.

Back to top

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. 

Part of the preservice teachers program was 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