Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, Centre Alliance) Share this | Hansard source

In the last parliament I secured $250,000 in federal funding for the Sturt Upper Reaches Landcare Group to create a bandicoot superhighway to boost the recovery of our endangered southern brown bandicoot. Last week I was able to visit them on the ground to see their good work. The initiative connects, protects and improves ecological function and bandicoot habitat from Williamstown all the way down to Deep Creek.

Southern brown bandicoots are critical to our ecosystem because they act as engineers. They move approximately four tonnes of soil each and every year in search of food, improving soil condition, distributing fungi and supporting numerous plant species. Their small diggings and soil piles also help to provide the environment for the germination of precious native plants. These bandicoots were once right across Mount Lofty, but, sadly, they're on the brink of extinction. The superhighway project connects habitats of dense vegetation and cover throughout the Mount Lofty ranges so that bandicoots are able to stay safe from predators.

I applaud the many volunteers and landowners who are working on this exciting project. I'd like to do a quick shout-out to Stella, a year 10 student who is doing work experience in my office, who wrote this speech. Thanks, Stella, and thanks to all those involved in this highway.

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