Arboreal mammals in Lewis Park and Blind Creek, Wantirna South, face fragmented habitats that limit safe movement between tree canopies. Following creek daylighting and re-imagining works, Knox City Council’s Civil Construction Team, in collaboration with the Biodiversity Team, was tasked to install a canopy-style fauna bridge to reconnect these habitats. The bridge will support species including brush-tailed phascogales, common brushtail and ringtail possums, and small gliders, enhancing biodiversity and the ecological function of the restored creek corridor.
Unlike traditional canopy bridges built over roads, this structure is integrated within the reserve to strengthen connectivity across the daylighted area. The project required an engineering-led approach balancing structural reliability, environmental sensitivity, and the movement patterns of native fauna.
Key considerations included aligning the bridge with tree canopy heights, maintaining public access during works, and scheduling installation in summer to minimise environmental impacts. Ensuring the rope-bridge system met structural performance requirements involved collaboration with ecological specialists and suppliers experienced in wildlife connectivity structures. A wildlife camera will also monitor usage and inform future habitat initiatives.
This project demonstrates how innovative engineering within naturalised open spaces can reconnect habitats, support native species, and deliver long-term ecological resilience.