Businesses have been invited to tender for the opportunity to build more than 700 nest boxes for the Woolgoolga to Ballina section of the Pacific Highway upgrade. Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan said the nest boxes will allow animals to settle into new homes ahead of major highway works. “Management strategies to minimise impacts on the environment are an important part of projects on the Pacific Highway, including along this major section from Woolgoolga to Ballina,” Mr Hogan said. “The nest boxes will assist in the relocation of animals such as squirrel gliders, sugar gliders, brushtail and ringtail possums, microbats and lorikeets by providing them with new habitats. “Locations for nest boxes are chosen based on proximity to main roads, native vegetation and food supply. Structures will also be installed to help animals cross the highway, including sugar glider poles, underpasses and culverts.” Federal Member for Cowper Luke Hartsuyker said more than 2,000 nest boxes have been installed along Pacific Highway upgrades between Hexham and the Queensland border. “Businesses now have the opportunity to tender to build, install and maintain a further 700 nest boxes between Glenugie and Ballina,” Mr Hartsuyker said. “It is expected the boxes will be installed from this year and vary in size to suit the different species they will house.” NSW Parliamentary Secretary for the North Coast and Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis said the tender provides an opportunity for local industry participation. “The contract will also cover ongoing monitoring of the boxes, which is an important aspect of nest box maintenance because the data collected will help inform future environmental managements strategies,” Mr Gulaptis said. For more information on the tender process visit tenders.nsw.gov.au.