Sunrise Beach rehabilitation flourishing
It’s been another year of exceptional progress for the environmental rehabilitation site created as part of BlueCare and Keyton’s independent living retirement and residential aged care project in Sunrise Beach.
Three hectares of degraded land at Noosa’s Girraween Nature Refuge has become a pocket of protected, high-quality bushland that has significantly increased local habitat for glossy black cockatoos and other wildlife.
At the three-year mark, more than 100 different plant species have been recorded, doubling last year’s total, and resulting in extensive vegetation coverage across the site.
Tree heights are exceeding three metres in many places, and a range of animals are frequenting the new habitat.
Project partners BlueCare and Keyton provided an update on the site in their latest video illustrating progress over the previous 12 months.
Rehabilitation work began on site in 2022/2023 to mitigate the impact of tree removal as part of the development. The program has a specific focus on she-oaks, the preferred feed trees of the local glossy black cockatoos.
One thousand she-oaks from active development site seed and hundreds of other natives were planted on the rehabilitation site, far exceeding project conditions. Seed-rich topsoil and mulch were also transported to give natural regeneration the best chance of success.
At the three-year mark, plant numbers, growth and health have exceeded all ecological management plan targets.
The planted she-oaks have a survival rate of 95% and weed presence is extremely low at around 1%.
Heights of many of the trees are greater than three metres and numerous she-oaks have been producing fruit for more than 12 months.
The past year also saw the beginning of quarterly bird surveys, recording activity on and surrounding the rehabilitation site, to track wildlife usage of the area. More than 50 bird species were recorded, alongside evidence of breeding and feeding.
“The rehabilitation site shows what’s possible when environmental responsibility is built in from day one — 95% she-oak survival, very low weeds and more than 100 plant species now established,” said Natalie Smith, Executive General Manager, BlueCare Retirement Living.
“For our Sunrise Beach precinct, this work helps care for the local landscape as we deliver homes and services that support people to age well in the community they love.”
Keyton, appointed by BlueCare to develop and operate the precinct’s retirement living community, Sunrise Beach Village, said it was proud to be part of a project that was producing such meaningful results for Noosa’s local environment.
“It’s incredible to see the site continuing to outperform every target, year after year,” Keyton CEO Nathan Cockerill said.
“This is exactly what we set out to achieve and it’s very rewarding to see it come to fruition.
“With our ecologists predicting we’ll see a noticeable increase in wildlife on site in the next 12 months, we’re looking forward to seeing what the next year can deliver for local fauna.”
The site is being cared for by an experienced team of independent ecologists and vegetation management specialists through to the end of 2028, when responsibility will be handed over to Noosa Shire Council.
Watch the video below:
Media Contacts
| BlueCare | Keyton |
| Erica Clydsdale 0401 718 112 erica.clydsdale2@ucareqld.com.au | Tim Mahony 0402 059 987 tim.mahony@keyton.com.au |
About BlueCare Sunrise Beach
BlueCare Sunrise Beach is a new integrated independent living retirement and residential aged care precinct in Grasstree Court, Sunrise Beach, Noosa. The precinct will allow people to age in place, remaining in the local area they already call home and maximising care outcomes for residents and their families. Sunrise Beach Aged Care opened in early-2024, while Sunrise Beach Village is currently under construction and set to welcome residents from late-2025. Homes are now selling. Keyton is constructing and will initially operate the retirement village on behalf of BlueCare. When completed, around 260 people will live in the integrated precinct, meeting community demand for better care close to home.
About BlueCare
Australia’s most trusted and respected health and community services provider, BlueCare is delivering exceptional, values-based care and accommodation to Queensland families in every corner of the community, and is globally recognised as a leading light in care model innovation for ageing Australians. With the state’s largest network of dedicated care professionals – 8,000 employees and 500 volunteers, supporting 46 age care homes, 33 retirement village and care at home services we are proud to make a meaningful difference, together. Making the everyday easier for the people we support, recognising and respecting their individuality, choice and freedom.
About Keyton
Keyton is a leading owner, operator and developer of retirement communities in Australia. Today, over 15,000 residents call Keyton home in more than 65 villages around the country, from vibrant inner-city residences to charming coastal communities. We focus on delivering the best possible retirement living experience for independent seniors with the help of our 900 passionate staff. We create places that support the wellbeing and happiness of residents while also generating long-term value in the assets we develop.
