Port Stephens Council is installing 45 augmented tree hollows across four local reserves to fast-track new homes for native wildlife as part of an innovative natural systems project.
The initiative includes newly carved hollows at Corlette Reserve, specifically designed to protect woodland birds, including several threatened species that struggle to find nesting spaces.
Across Australia, more than 300 native species, including 17% of native birds and 42% of mammals, rely entirely on tree cavities for survival, making the loss of hollow-bearing trees an officially recognised threat to local biodiversity.
Natural tree hollows can take over a century to form on their own, meaning many younger forests do not have habitat for some native animals. To help speed up the process, Council is using a modern conservation method called hollow augmentation.
Specialist arborists use an advanced carving tool to safely drill a small entry hole into a tree and scoop out a spacious internal cavity without harming the tree's structural health.
This innovative technique is superior to traditional wooden nest boxes, which can deteriorate within 10 years and leave animals vulnerable to extreme weather. They can also put strain on the tree where they are attached.
In contrast, these carved hollows mimic nature perfectly, blending into the forest while providing thick, insulated homes that protect birds from summer heat and winter cold. As they are carved directly into living trees, the hollows grow with the tree.
This keeps the tree completely stable while allowing the habitat to last for the tree's entire lifespan. For Port Stephens' unique wildlife, this means permanent, maintenance-free places to raise their young for decades to come.
