New Bushcare Group gets down and dirty!

With the spirit of Clean Up Australia in the wind, a group of Headland Park residents decided it would be timely to start a long-term conservation project to improve a stand of original old-growth bushland near Deloraine Drive.

On the initiative of four families who for the previous two years adopted and worked in the Wilgan Lane Reserve nearby, Maroochy Shire Council offered the expertise of Nick Wills from Greening Australia to oversee their fortnightly working bees. Nick advises the volunteers on weed control, indigenous vs. invasive plants, wildlife corridors and sustainable replanting. Like 24 other local bushcare groups, such as the Foote Sanctuary and Maroochy Botanic Gardens groups, these projects will continue after council amalgamation in March.

“90% of our work is weed removal, many of which have taken hold after illegal dumping of exotic garden species, ” says co-ordinator John King. “Lantana, Singapore daisy and camphor laurels have also infiltrated. By removing these unfriendly species the native trees and shrubs, such as the majestic Rose or Flooded Gums can regenerate. Council also provides seedlings of local plants which we plant, especially on the reserve edges which are prone to infestation.”

The group expects its work to take at least two years to complete. The 4 hectare reserve extends from Deloraine Drive playground to Cumberland Way along a creek feeding into the Maroochy River catchment. Since council built a cycling and walking path integrating it with access to Maroochy Boulevard, many locals use it for recreation and non-motorised transport.

As well as getting down and dirty, the community conservation members hope that their work will educate people everywhere not to dump garden waste in reserves, plus create appreciation by beautifying an existing natural area. “On our first day we found a cache of reptile eggs and a rather lost scrub turkey chick. At Wilgan Lane we encountered wallabies, ducks, frogs and an echidna, emphasising these areas’ value as habitats.

The group meets at 9am every first and third Thursday of the month at Deloraine Drive playground. It’s amazing how much is achieved in only four hours per month. Helpers are always welcome.


Call Wendy King 54795529