Graham and Teresa Howle are the owners of a property situated in South Arm, approximately 60km south of Coffs Harbour, New South Wales. The property is a residence and small farm as well as a wildlife-friendly sanctuary. Graham and Teresa wish to maintain several hectares for an orchard and vegetable gardens as well as pasture for their cows, sheep and chickens. Most of the property will be preserved as habitat for local wildlife, and the owners wish to use the land as a release site for rehabilitated wildlife in the future. They also have plans to offer camping accommodation for travellers.
The property covers 71 hectares on a north-facing block spanning a diversity of landscapes. The land ranges from low to high ridges, gentle undulations and steep hills, with a cleared ridge in the centre of the block and eucalypt forest populating the boundary slopes. Other slopes are cleared, with banana tree and weed infestations. The property features three dams. Vegetation is largely characterized by eucalypt woodland and native grasslands, interspersed with lantana and other invasive weeds.
Wildlife is abundant and includes wallabies, black cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus sp.), magpies (Gymnorhina tibicen), crimson rosellas (Platycercus elegans), king parrots (Alisterus scapularis), diamond firetail finches (Stagonopleura guttata), red-backed (Malurus melanocephalus) and superb (Malurus cyaneus) fairy wrens and butcher birds (Cracticus sp.). Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) and gliders are also present on neighbouring properties.
