Professor of Ecology at Charles Sturt University (CSU), David Watson, led the plan and said the idea started from a lack of naturally-occurring tree hollows. 

“Endangered species like superb parrots and squirrel gliders depend on hollows naturally occurring but there’s not nearly enough to go around,” he said.

Nesting boxes for birds and other small animals are a common addition to gardens, but mostly rely on materials like plywood, which aren’t durable in extreme weather events.

“3D printing is an adaptable way of making complex, durable structures with sound insulation properties,” Professor Watson said. 

At this stage, Professor Watson said the experiment is monitored at Bathurst for data around temperature and thermal properties.

“We have a range of prototypes out recording a range of temperatures and numbers every minute to see what these structures can offer and how effective they will be,” he said.

Trials will be extended to Wagga, Tarcutta and Albury if the initial experiment is successful and Professor Watson said they are after specific results. 

“We are looking at various parameters in terms of thermal performance, as well as actually needing to be used by the animals - this means they find, accept, and move in to the boxes to then breed successfully,” Professor Watson said.

Professor Watson assured The Daily Advertiser the nesting boxes won’t upset the natural environment. 

“It’s filling a gap rather than interfering – the food is there, but places to live simply don’t exist,” he said.

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