4-minute read

Australians are very attached to their nbn connections, but none more so than the feathered friends that have taken up residence on our Fixed Wireless towers.

Elevation innovation

To keep both the birds and broadband lovers happy, nbn has come up with an innovative solution.

We’re upgrading the roosting residents to penthouse suites, installing nesting platform extensions on top of existing towers, above the active equipment. These platforms provide a safe place for native birds to nest, lay, hatch and fledge, away from the critical infrastructure we need to access to maintain our network.

During the upgrade, existing nests are carefully bound with straps, lifted intact off the towers with a crane, then replaced on the nesting platforms.

The first platform was successfully installed in December 2023 and, this year, the first relocated nests were used to nurture a new generation of chicks.

New nest neighbourhoods

So far, seven nesting platforms have been installed on Fixed Wireless towers in Darawank, Hat Head, Old Bar and Salt Ash in New South Wales (NSW), and Boreen Point and Campwin Beach in Queensland (QLD).

Eight additional platforms are due to be installed in Minnie Water and Wooli in NSW, and Beachmere West, Cowley, Maaroom, Meldale, Mowbray and Toorbul in QLD.

Casie Scott, Regional Development and Engagement Manager at nbn, is thrilled the specially designed nesting platforms were used by returning native species this year.

“Protecting natural environments has always been a core responsibility of nbn, as the construction, operation and maintenance of Australia’s largest infrastructure project carries the potential for adverse impact.

“This work is a perfect example of how we can minimise impacts on native flora and fauna while delivering reliable high-speed connection to regional, rural and remote communities.”

Working on the project since its inception, Sam Turbill from SMT Ecologists believes it’s a great news story.

“This is the best possible outcome, both for the species and for the communities that rely on Fixed Wireless as a critical service.

“Given the loss of large, dead nesting trees on the east coast, these artificial nesting platforms are a great solution for providing stable long-term nest sites for species like the Osprey, while allowing for the required maintenance of infrastructure on the tower to be completed without disturbance to the species.”

Meet the Flockers

Peregrine Falcons

The fastest animal on the planet, Peregrine Falcons reach speeds of 322 kilometres per hour (kph) when in a hunting dive and horizontal cruising speeds of up to 90kph. Their nostrils guide shock waves of air to stop the high pressure from damaging their lungs. They inspired the first jet engine design.

Torresian Crows

Intelligent and adaptable, Torresian Crows are known to steal food from larger birds by working in teams, and attack larger birds of prey, particularly wedge-tailed eagles and most owl species, to defend their nest or territory. Large groups of all ages congregate and roam nomadically across farmlands, forests and city suburbs from January to August.

Eastern Ospreys

Known as excellent anglers, Eastern Ospreys' fishing success rate is as high as 70 per cent. They fold their wings and dive feet forward, often completely entering the water where they can see thanks to a unique third eyelid called a ‘nictitating membrane’, which works like a pair of goggles.

White-bellied Sea-Eagles

Found across Southern China, South and Southeast Asia, New Guinea and Australia, White-bellied Sea-Eagles mate for life and can continuously occupy nests for more than 50 years. Juveniles are dispersive, and one raised in Cowell, South Australia was identified 3,000 kilometres away on K’gari (Fraser Island), Queensland.