This article was published on September 29th 2025.

Our vibrant community has been given the thumbs up from some furry neighbours!

The koalas, which actually have two ‘thumbs’ on each front paw, are often spotted dozing in the eucalypts along our purpose-built koala corridor, which allows the animals to move safely to and from Nelson Bay Road.

Their growing presence comes at a critical time, with September recognised as Save the Koala Month – a worldwide effort to raise awareness of the threats created by habitat loss, climate change and disease.

Ingenia Lifestyle Natura joined forces with a wide range of stakeholders, including Port Stephens Council, Port Stephens Koala Hospital and Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens, to help ensure the survival of our local koala habitat.

A range of initiatives were introduced to enhance biodiversity and safeguard wildlife, including:

• Expanding the koala habitat corridor by planting 700 new trees and incorporating 80 mature koala feed trees.
• Creating a sensory garden along the koala corridor with QR codes that allow residents to learn more about local flora and fauna.
• Removing a planned tennis court which cut directly through the koala corridor and moving the clubhouse to make space.
• Establishing Ingenia Lifestyle Natura as Ingenia’s first pet-free community to ensure koalas and other native species can move safely and freely.

Ingenia Communities Head of Development NSW & Victoria, Simon Burk said the community’s masterplan was reimagined to incorporate environmental preservation, with a koala corridor allowing the animals to move safely between Ingenia Lifestyle Natura and Nelson Bay Road.

“The koala visits being reported by our residents are a beautiful reminder of why we undertook this project to create a place where people and nature can thrive together,” Mr Burk said.

“Seeing them so at home among the trees shows the measures we’ve taken to protect the habitat are working, and it’s incredibly rewarding for our residents to witness wildlife flourishing right on their doorstep.”

Residents have also embraced opportunities to learn more about koala-safe practices, from planting native food trees to reducing habitat threats, fostering a collective commitment to caring for the area’s critically endangered population.

With Ingenia Lifestyle Natura’s multimillion-dollar clubhouse overlooking the koala corridor, residents can enjoy wellness-focused amenities such as a yoga and Pilates studio, gymnasium, cinema and resort-style pool – all while living harmoniously with the surrounding environment.

Koala Koalition EcoNetwork Port Stephens convenor Carmel Northwood said she was delighted to work with Ingenia for the protection of koalas.

“Ingenia is taking meaningful steps to protect our beloved koalas,” she said. “They are setting a standard for how the industry can collaborate with organisations to conserve wildlife habitat.

“I respect that Ingenia has looked at the ecological aspects of their land and kept in mind the importance that wildlife connectivity and protection plays when they’re building in rural areas.”

For more information about Ingenia Lifestyle Natura, click here to get in touch.