Sparkes Hill Bushcare Group

Location and History

Sparkes Hill is a prominent landmark to the East of Everton Park State High School, and bordered on the south-side by the Brook.  In the past, it has been quarried, used as a dump but more recently hosts a group of large important water resevoirs in amongst its thick cover of tall trees. 

A communication tower pokes its way out near the top where there is also a simple park with some wooden seats. A formed bush path, constructed by volunteer prisoners from Woodford Prison, joins the Matthews Street access to the main walkway entrance from Longland Street. (Refer to UBD Ref. 139 D6.)  

The Sparkes Hill BushCare Group has been active in the reserve for many years undertaking cleanup activities, planting, weed control, nature study and path construction. The Group also works in cooperation with teachers and students of the adjacent Everton Park State High School and Grovelly TAFE.

Ecosystems present

Sparkes Hill Reserve contains areas of open forest with a mixed eucalyptus canopy. Native plants dominate the shrub layer and understorey; relatively large areas of kangaroo grass are present. In moister sections of the reserve, and near drainage gullies, weeds are more common.

  Flying foxes in morning sunlight



















 

Flying foxes in morning sunshine

Sparks Hill 

Mixed Eucalyptus cover on slopes

Although much of Sparkes Hill Reserve has been cleared in the past, some old trees remain with a limited number of tree hollows. Standing and fallen timber has been retained on the site.

One interesting find amongst the eucalypts is a small grove of Ringy Rosewoods (Rhodozylon Acacia). These were only known to grow in one other Queensland area over 300 km away where they are common around Eidsvold, near Gayndah. Twenty or so young trees are about 10 metre or so to the North of two relatively mature specimens near the top of Longland Road. No one can say just how they may have grown there.

Observed fauna and activity on site

Numerous birds have been recorded from this site. Bandicoots and an old fox live in this area of bushland.

Flying foxes visit Brisbane in the summer months and roost in groups numbering in the thousands. There are eleven main roosting areas in Brisbane; one is situated on Sparkes Hill. There are three species that use the same daytime roost, the most common is the Black flying fox, but the Little-red and Grey-headed flying foxes are also present.

Lantana thickets form important shrubby cover and habitat. Clearing of these would threaten wildlife.

The flying-fox colony in Sparkes Hill Reserve is regionally significant. ‘Food for Wildlife’ habitat planting projects have been undertaken to supplement available food resources.

 

The Sparkes Hill Bushcare Group also help with the revegetation area in the park off Clover St where the main bike track crosses the Brook on a large bridge just south of the Everton Park State High School.

Group Contact

Contact the Coordinator, Bob Robbie, on 3856 -0729 (H), 0408560729 (Mobile) or by Email, pard38@telstra.com .

 
CI 07/07/2008
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