Nest Boxes Help Rehabilitation of Possums

Addressing the Homeless Crisis

There is a homelessness crisis in Western Australia that rarely makes headlines. The South-West of WA is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, home to more than 8,000 plant and animal species, around 80% of which occur nowhere else on Earth. Yet despite this richness, the region is under mounting pressure.

Between 2012 and 2021, more than 66,000 hectares of habitat were cleared mainly as a result of urban sprawl and mining activity. The pace shows little sign of slowing. In 2025 alone, Western Australia accounted for 60% of all government-approved habitat destruction nationwide.

For native fauna, the consequences are stark. As landscapes are cleared and fragmented, many species are left without the tree hollows and shelter they depend on, effectively rendering them homeless in an increasingly degraded environment.

WA Nest Boxes builds durable, high quality boxes

It is a confronting problem. But in the Lake Clifton area, a local start-up is working towards a practical solution. WA Nesting Boxes, founded by Daniel O’Donnell and his business and life partner Shahn Nestor, aims to produce durable, high-quality nesting boxes for species displaced by land clearing and development. Their goal is to scale up production to meet growing demand for habitat solutions across the state.

The need is real. Species such as possums, black cockatoos, and phascogales, a small, tree-dwelling carnivorous marsupial, are particularly vulnerable due to their reliance on tree hollows that can take decades, even centuries, to form.

So is there really a need for large-scale production of Nest boxes?

According to Shahn, an environmental consultant, the answer is ‘Yes’. Habitat reinstatement requirements, at both state and federal levels, are increasingly driving demand for nesting boxes as part of environmental offset programs. These boxes are typically installed for long periods, often 10 to 20 years, making durability and safety critical.

Daniel has seen similar large-scale production models operating successfully in Queensland, and together they believe the time is right to bring this approach to Western Australia.

High Quality Data Collecting Nest boxes

A key challenge lies in ensuring the boxes can withstand harsh outdoor conditions over many years. WA Nesting Boxes has partnered with a European supplier to source specialised coatings that are waterproof, long-lasting, and, crucially, non-toxic to wildlife.

Looking ahead, the business is also exploring the integration of sensor technology. These devices could monitor whether boxes are occupied and frequency of occupation. They could also track internal temperatures, data that may prove vital as climate change alters habitat conditions. There is already evidence that some nocturnal species, such as possums, may abandon boxes during the day due to excessive heat. As Daniel explains, “We need to know if the boxes are working and sensors will help us do that.”

Supporting survival of threatened species

Shahn adds that the longer-term vision is to build a spatial map of fauna activity, offering insights into distribution, population density, and seasonal patterns. Such knowledge could play an important role in supporting the survival of threatened species.

Community involvement in testing and improving nest boxes

While the concept has strong commercial potential, community involvement remains central to their approach. Daniel sees community organisations as vital partners. “Wildlife centres and catchment groups can give us valuable feedback (about the effectiveness of the boxes) and we don’t want to miss anything,” he said.

Nest boxes facilitate

Mandurah Wildlife has already benefited from this partnership. WA Nesting Boxes recently donated two boxes, which have been successfully used in the rehabilitation of brushtail possums. When the animals were released, they were able to return to the wild along with their familiar shelters.

For Shahn, however, the motivation for setting up WA Nesting Boxes goes beyond just business. “You can get caught up in raising a family and pursuing a career,” she reflects. “But this is about coming back to something that really matters, taking care of our wildlife.”

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