Regis Resources announces tree planting program for koala habitat

The tree planting program will be spread over the life of the Regis-owned McPhillamys Gold Project, pending approval of the project which is currently being assessed as a State Significant Development Application (SSDA).

Regis resources manager special projects, Tony McPaul said the program would increase the habitat suitable for koalas and other native wildlife.

"After extensive surveys of the McPhillamys site we have only located one koala on the site, but there are still areas suitable for koala habitat within the project boundary," Mr McPaul said.

"Some of those areas will be cleared if the project is approved but we will be replacing them with a major investment in native tree planting both on and off the site, which will far exceed the number of trees that are lost," he said.

Mr McPaul said Regis had already planted more than 6,000 native trees and another 8,000 are being prepared for planting in 2021.

"If the project is approved we will continue the program over the life of the mine and in post-mining rehabilitation, leaving a legacy of up to 100,000 native trees in the Blayney Shire," he said.

"We have gone to great lengths to minimise disruption to all habitat areas and we are very focused on delivering long term habitat improvements for local wildlife," he said.

Regis has also purchased an offset property which it says will preserve in perpetuity another 388 hectares of koala habitat. Approximately 116 hectares of koala habitat will be cleared for the project.