Brannocks Environment Reserve is located in the upper catchment of the Mooloolah River, adjacent to Ewen Maddock Dam. The reserve forms an important biodiversity corridor linking Dularcha National Park, Mooloolah River National Park, and Racemosa Environment Reserve.

Covering 92 hectares, the reserve protects six regional ecosystems, including areas classified as ‘of concern’ and an endangered coastal swamp sclerophyll forest. These ecosystems support significant native species and contribute to the ecological health of the Sunshine Coast Biosphere.

Brannocks Environment Reserve lies within the traditional Country of the Kabi Kabi Peoples. Their custodianship, ecological knowledge, and cultural practices continue to shape the landscape and biodiversity of the region.

The reserve has enduring cultural significance for the Kabi Kabi Peoples and forms part of a wider cultural landscape that supports connection to Country and traditional cultural values.

The reserve was created through three strategic land acquisitions in 1999, 2002, and 2017, supported by Council’s Environment Levy and Land Acquisition Program. These lots now form a combined 92‑hectare conservation area.

The reserve is named after John Brannock, a former Ipswich City Council planner who championed the long‑term conservation of the site. His vision continues through the ongoing protection of this ecologically rich landscape.

Brannocks Environment Reserve is an important refuge habitat for eastern grey kangaroos and foraging habitat for endangered glossy black-cockatoos.

The reserve contains six regional ecosystems, including two listed as ‘of concern’ and one classified as an endangered ecological community: the coastal swamp sclerophyll forest of New South Wales and Southeast Queensland. This community supports threatened species such as the wallum froglet and other water‑dependent fauna.

Biological surveys in the reserve have recorded:

• 321 native plant species, including the critically endangered native guava (Rhodomyrtus psidioides)
• 47 bird species, including the vulnerable glossy black‑cockatoo
• 18 microbat species
• 10 marsupial species, including eastern grey kangaroos and squirrel gliders
• 7 frog species, including the vulnerable wallum froglet and tusked frog
• 1 megabat species, the vulnerable grey‑headed flying fox

The reserve is also identified as primary core and connecting koala habitat under Council’s Biodiversity Network Blueprint and is being considered for potential nomination as a Nature Refuge under the National Reserve System.

The reserve provides a range of cultural and social benefits to the community. An informal network of trails supports nature‑based recreation, including walking and wildlife observation. Cleared areas within the reserve can accommodate community gatherings and events.

The rich biodiversity and natural landscape provide opportunities for environmental education, citizen science, and research into ecological and cultural values.

The Environment and Liveability Strategy sets the strategic directions for the preservation and enhancement of the natural environment and the liveability of the region. From 1999, three lots were strategically acquired to constitute Brannocks Environment Reserve. The reserve adds 92 hectares to core wildlife habitat areas and preserves a strategic biodiversity corridor.

Based on Sunshine Coast Council’s Environmental Reserve Network Management Plan, the management intent of this Bushland Reserve is to:

• ensure the significant ecological values of the reserve are protected and enhanced
• support various sustainable nature-based activities, and
• facilitate unsupervised access through signage, a reserve landscape plan, and purpose-built infrastructure.

This management intent is achieved by developing a reserve management plan that is reviewed every 10 years.

A range of future management actions are recommended to enhance habitat quality, connectivity, and resilience. These actions include installing nest boxes, improving fauna crossing infrastructure, and managing risks associated with climate change and wildfire.

As the nearby Beerwah East SEQ Development Area progresses, the ecological and recreational importance of the reserve will increase. A detailed landscape plan will be developed to outline future trails, access points, and visitor experiences.

Council is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2009 (Qld) and the Queensland Privacy Principles.

This survey collects limited personal information, including your age group, suburb and email address. This information helps Council understand the diversity of community views informing the Brannocks Environment Reserve Management Plan. Email addresses are used only to send you a copy of your submission and to provide future project updates.

Participation in this survey is voluntary. However, choosing not to provide some demographic details may limit Council’s ability to fully understand the diversity of community feedback.

The information you provide will be:

• used primarily to understand community feedback on the draft Brannocks Environment Reserve Management Plan
• uploaded into an artificial intelligence program to help analyse open-text responses, including summarising responses and identifying themes and sentiment
• de‑identified before being included in any public reports or summaries.

Our privacy policy explains how you may request access to and/or correction of your personal information. Our policy also explains how you can complain to us if you consider we have breached our obligations to manage your personal information in accordance with the Queensland Privacy Principles, and how we deal with privacy complaints. For more information and Council’s privacy policy, please refer to: scc.qld.gov.au/privacy.