We’ve provided answers to the most frequently asked questions on the purchase and protection of Oakey Scrub.

Where is Oakey Scrub

Oakey Scrub (Lot 1 RP 157115) is 10km southwest of Cooktown, Cape York, Far North Queensland. It is located at the intersection of the Wet Tropics and Cape York bioregions in Far North Queensland and the Einasleigh Uplands.

Map of Oakey Scrub showing the Monsson Rainforest and Savannah

Why is Oakey Scrub Important? 

Oakey Scrub has the highest known population of Northern Quolls on Cape York Peninsular however this important property is privately owned and not managed for conservation. Without our intervention Quolls at Oakey Scrub remain at risk from fires and overgrazing. It has two adjoining ecosystems, Monsoon Rainforest (21 hectares of semi-deciduous notophyll vine forest) and Savannah (48 hectares of mixed woodland-grassland ecosystem). These two ecosystems provide habitat for a diverse range of flora and fauna including the endangered Northern Quoll and other Threatened species including the Southern Cassowary, Bennett’s Tree-Kangaroo, Large-eared Horseshoe Bat, Semon's Leaf-nosed Bat.

The white-lipped tree frog found on the Oakey Scrub 

Please, donate now to help purchase Oakey Scrub. 

Who will own the land? 

To purchase and protect Oakey Scrub we have partnered with South Endeavour Trust and we are both contributing $55,000. South Endeavour Trust was established in 2007 as an independent, not for profit, charitable trust with the sole purpose of contributing to nature conservation in Australia. South Endeavour currently owns and manages nineteen conservation reserves including Caloola Nature Refuge (18,100 hectares) which adjoins Oakey Scrub. Upon acquisition, Oakey Scrub will be added to the Caloola Nature Refuge. 

How will it be purchased? 

The property will be acquired in the same manner as other freehold properties in Australia. The current owner of Oakey Scrub has entered into a binding option agreement with our partners, South Endeavour Trust, so they cant sell it to anyone else. 

We have now exchanged a contract and have until the 24th of September to raise the funds.

As a charity, we are providing the opportunity for people to make donations to support the purchase and protection of land. We are unable to structure an opportunity for people to be joint owners, to have a share, or to have their name on the title. 

Please, donate now to help purchase Oakey Scrub. 

A curious Northern Quoll is captured with a motion-triggered camera on Oakey Scrub. 

How much will it cost? 

Oakey Scrub is 69 hectares. The purchase price is $110,000 and we require just $400 for acquisition expenses making the total cost to acquire Oakey Scrub $110,400. That makes the cost per hectare to purchase and protect Oakey Scrub only $1,600.  For every $4 we raise 25 square meters of Oakey Scrub land will be purchased. This is exceptional value for your investment in nature conservation

Has this been done successfully before? 

Yes, in 2017 South Endeavour Trust acquired Caloola Station, an 18,100-hectare property that adjoins Oakey Scrub. 

What are the threats to Oakey Scrub?

The major threats to the values of the property are:

• Fire entering the rainforest and impacting the rainforest boundary
• Too frequent fire
• Feral herbivores, cattle, horses, deer, pigs
• Feral predators, cats, wild dogs
• Weeds

Please, donate now to help purchase Oakey Scrub. 

What about future management including weeds and the risk of bushfires? 

South Endeavour Trust will own and manage the property. They build and maintain a sufficient capital base sufficient to meet management costs in perpetuity. Their management decisions are based on sound science focused on control weeds, reducing feral animal populations, and managing and where appropriate, using fire as a tool for diversity and resilience.

A particular focus of management will be:

• The exclusion of fire from the rainforest and the rainforest margin to provide for a continuous improvement in the condition of the rainforest and for an expansion of the rainforest area.
• The exclusion and/or active management of feral animals 
• Maintenance of strict weed quarantine to maintain its largely weed-free state

How can I make a donation to purchase Oakey Scrub?

You can make a donation now online.

Ways to Donate

If you want to donate with a cheque/money order or through a direct deposit, please see our Ways to Donate page.

Cheque or Money Order: 

You can donate by sending a cheque or money order made out to the Bunya Sustainability Fund to 27 Tuckeroo Avenue, Mullumbimby, NSW 2482.

PayPal:

You can donate using your PayPal account on our website.

You can send your donation to [email protected]

Direct Deposit:

If you would like to donate by direct deposit, the account details are:

Bank: ANZ Bank

Account Name: Bunya Sustainability Fund

BSB: 012 742

Account No. 2093 50036

If you contribute by direct deposit, please send an email to [email protected] with the details of the amount and any preference you have for supporting a project. Please also provide your name and postal address so we can issue a receipt.

CASH DONATIONS: 

You can make cash deposits at any branch of the ANZ Bank or their agents. The account details are:

Bank: ANZ Bank

Account Name: Bunya Sustainability Fund

BSB: 012 742

Account No. 2093 50036

If you contribute by a cash deposit, please send an email to [email protected] with the details of the amount and any preference you have for supporting a project. Please also provide your name and postal address so we can issue a receipt.

Please make a donation now online.

About the Rainforest 4 Foundation 

The Rainforest 4 Foundation is an Australian Company Limited by Guarantee (the legal structure of an Australian nonprofit organisation. We are registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (the Australian company regulator).

We are also registered with the Australian Charites and Not-for-profits Commission (the Australian charity regulator).

Australian Company Number (ACN): 628358323

Australian Business Number (ABN):  49628358323

Please, donate now to help purchase Oakey Scrub. 

If you have any questions please contact us or call Kelvin Davies on 0437 423 119.