Rather than call pest control however, they teamed up with CSU Green and have made their neighbours feel more than welcome.

CSU Green provided funding through a grassroots grant to the division of facilities management at Orange campus to purchase several possum boxes to deter the possums sharing their residence with the students. 

Much like their human counterparts, the possums started moving in to their new residential boxes just in time for O Week.

Nathan Totten from the division of facilities management at CSU Orange explained how the initiative came about.

“It started as a bit of an off the cuff remark from our residential advisor, from there I thought 'hang on this might not be such a silly idea',” he said.

“Having possum boxes would give them a home rather than them looking for homes in the roof spaces.

“Ironbark Pet Homes produced the homes for us and from there CSU provided a grant to purchase and install the possum boxes.

“After instillation it didn’t take too long before they started moving in and we’ve now resolved our issue of them getting into the building.”

Throughout the year CSU Green hosts regular events and offers opportunities for staff and student to get involved in interesting, educational, social and engaging sustainability-related activities.

Mr Totten explained some of the other initiatives CSU Green is involved in throughout the Orange campus.

“A lot of energy efficient upgrades, such as lighting, and all sorts of energy management and reduction programs,” he said.

“We’ve recently introduced a green waste program which utilises the same green waste bins that are around Orange.

“Each kitchenette here has a caddy for green waste which is transferred to our central green bins - it’s proving to be another successful venture.”

CSU Green’s next event will be the official opening of Girinyalanha Aboriginal Nature and Bioscience Park, commencing at 10am on  Tuesday, March 15.

bryson.ferriera@

fairfaxmedia.com.au