Living Side by Side: Koalas and Community at Élan, Warner

When families move into the brand-new Élan estate at Warner, they won’t just be unpacking boxes and meeting neighbours—they’ll be sharing their backyards with some of Australia’s most iconic wildlife.

In a region often defined by its rapid growth, Élan is setting itself apart by weaving nature conservation into the very fabric of community life. Nearly 10 hectares of mature bushland within the development have been preserved as permanent habitat, ensuring that koalas, gliders, possums, and birdlife will continue to thrive alongside residents.

A First for Moreton Bay: Wildlife Crossings

Perhaps the most striking feature of Élan’s environmental commitment is the creation of Moreton Bay’s first koala overpass, planned to span Kremzow Road. This landmark structure is still in progress as part of the estate’s early stages of construction, but once complete, it will provide a safe green bridge for koalas and other wildlife to cross above the traffic.

The overpass is being built alongside two wildlife underpasses at the estate’s entrances. Together, these crossings will form crucial corridors that connect habitats divided by busy roads.

For future residents, this means more than just safer driving conditions. It represents an investment in the region’s biodiversity and a living classroom for children, who will grow up seeing firsthand how conservation and urban growth can work hand in hand. 

The overpass will also feature fauna monitoring technology, giving researchers new insights into how koalas move through the landscape and ensuring the infrastructure delivers real results for wildlife protection.

Protecting and Monitoring Local Wildlife

Beyond the crossings, Élan is introducing fauna monitoring technology. Special sensors and tracking systems will record animal movements, providing vital data for researchers and helping to keep koalas safe.

In July 2025, the latest survey confirmed the presence of five koalas in the area. The survey is part of an ongoing program that uses both drone surveillance and direct field observation to track and support the local koala population.

The monitoring program has also identified a variety of native species, including squirrel gliders, common brushtail and ringtail possums, short-eared possums, flying foxes, and birds such as the White-Bellied Sea Eagle.

For families settling into Warner, that means you may be lucky enough to spot a koala perched high in a gum tree right in your community.

A Community Effort

The development isn’t just about houses and infrastructure—it’s about people working together to protect what makes the Moreton Bay region special.

Tree-planting events, often led by local groups such as the Albany Creek Scouts, have already begun. Residents are encouraged to get involved in these stewardship programs, adding new trees to strengthen habitats and creating a greener neighbourhood for generations to come.

Élan’s planning aligns with the broader Better Housing Amendment and council’s $200,000 commitment to fauna infrastructure in Warner and nearby Joyner.

Everyday Living with Wildlife in Mind

For residents, living alongside koalas comes with both privileges and responsibilities. Families are encouraged to:

• Drive carefully near crossings, especially at night.
  
• Keep pets secure—dogs on leads and cats indoors after dark.
  
• Join local planting and conservation activities.
  

These small actions can make a big difference, helping to ensure that koalas continue to call Warner home.

Building a Future Together

Élan is designed as a community of four neighbourhoods, connected by walking and cycling trails, framed by green parklands, and supported by local stewardship. It’s more than bricks and mortar—it’s a new way of living, where people and nature can flourish side by side.

As construction progresses and the first homes are completed, new residents will be joining not just a housing estate, but a movement: a community that places equal value on the wellbeing of families and the wildlife that share their space.

At Élan, every sunrise brings not only the sounds of new neighbours but also the calls of native birds and, if you’re lucky, the gentle rustle of a koala moving through the trees. That’s the promise of a community built in harmony with nature.