Inland Rail has delivered an Australian first in its efforts to protect local wildlife during construction, developing and installing special 3D-printed nesting boxes near Inland Rail construction sites in the Beveridge to Albury section to provide shelter for local wildlife species.
Inland Rail and its construction partner McConnell Dowell have joined with University of Melbourne researchers to install eighteen 3D-printed nesting boxes on the Seymour-Avenel Rd construction site in Victoria.
The new artificial hollows boost habitat opportunities for local wildlife that may have been disrupted by the nearby construction activity.
The hollows aim to provide safety and shelter for many native birds and mammals such as the crimson rosella, turquoise parrot, sugar glider and the brush-tailed phascogale.
University of Melbourne researcher Dan Parker said the organisation is trialling three different materials to compare which material attracts which species.
“The hollows will be monitored by cameras that notify researchers in real time when animals are attracted to and inspecting the hollows,” he said.
“Data loggers are installed in each 3D-printed hollow to record temperature and humidity to ensure there is a stable microclimate inside.
“We will continue to monitor the nesting boxes to determine the effectiveness and success of the designs.”
Computer-aided design and manufacturing techniques are used to mimic natural hollows, potentially improving the performance of attracting and protecting wildlife.
The artificial hollows are made from 3D-printed wood, mycelium (the root-like structures of mushrooms) or hempcrete, and cameras set-up to monitor the sites have already filmed wildlife moving into the new homes.
Ed Walker, ARTC Victoria and South Australian General Manager Projects said Inland Rail is determined to minimise the impact it makes on local communities and wildlife.
“Preserving the local flora and fauna is extremely important and we are working closely with our contractors to look after local wildlife,” he said.
