By TANIA PHILLIPS
POTTSVILLE has been chosen as the place to launch a new Tweed bushland restoration plan aimed at giving Tweed Coast dunecare groups some added direction.
The plan is a combined effort between Tweed Shire Council, Tweed Landcare and consultant Bushland Restoration Services who worked together to create a bushland restoration implementation plan for each of the Tweed’s six active Dunecare groups – in Pottsville, Hastings Point, Bogangar, Casuarina, Kingscliff and Fingal Head.
The plans, to be launched at an information session at Pottsville Environment Park on Saturday (20 July) from 2-4pm, have been produced in a poster format.
Tweed Mayor Councillor Barry Longland said the plans will be able to be referenced by group members during their day-to-day work, and used to guide future projects.
He said they included detailed information on vegetation in each area, dominant weeds and methods of restoration.
“The plans not only provide information for new and current group members but also serve to promote the work undertaken by these dedicated volunteers,” Cr Barry Longland, said.
Tweed Landcare received funding for the plans through the Australian Government Caring for our Country, Community Action Grants Program.
Council provided technical advice and co-ordination for the project, through the Dunecare Co-ordinating Committee, and recently applied for further funding through a Caring for Our Country Target Area Grant to implement the plans and carry out works on an additional 70 hectares of coast bushland over the next five years.
Dunecare groups currently work in approximately 75 hectares of Tweed coastal bushland, with work days, times and activities varying between each group.
The Fingal Head, Bogangar and Hastings Point groups also have nurseries and propagate local native species for planting in dunal areas. Volunteers also engage in weed control, school and other visitor tours, as well as education on management of coastal dunes and vegetation.
Anyone interested in the restoration of coastal vegetation or becoming a volunteer with Dunecare can get more details at the information session, or contact Tweed Landcare representative Chris Roberts on (07) 5590 7514 or Council Biodiversity Planner Marama Hopkins on (02) 6670 2787.
