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TRANSCRIPT
Mimosa Creek Precinct
Landscape Plan
Version 1.6
Prepared by:
Michael Fox
President Mt Gravatt Environment Group
PO Box 5
Carina Qld 4152
Ph 3349 9443
www.megoutlook.wordpress.com
Table of Contents
1Purpose2
2Foundation of Plan2
2.1Environment2
2.1.1Consolidation2
2.1.2Linking3
2.2Community4
2.3Business5
3Issues5
3.1Property Ownership5
4Research6
4.1Flora & Fauna of Mt Gravatt Reserve6
4.2Baseline Flora & Fauna Assessment6
Appendix A: Mimosa Creek Precinct Map & Wildlife Corridors7
Appendix B: Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan8
Appendix C: Fox Gully Bushcare Plan8
Appendix D: Mt Gravatt Environment Group - Strategic Plan8
Appendix E: Chook Farm9
Appendix F: Fox Gully Stewardship10
Appendix G: Firefly Gully Link11
Appendix H – Mimosa Creek Precinct – Walking/Cycle Paths12
Appendix I – Mimosa Creek Precinct – Property Boundaries13
Purpose
The purpose of the Mimosa Creek Precinct Landscape plan is to guide the restoration, strengthening and protection of a unique urban bushland habitat which currently supports two hundred and fifty four native plant species, forty five butterfly species, as well as, gliders, echidnas and koalas. Appendix A: Mimosa Creek Precinct Map & Wildlife Corridors
Environment is the key focus of this Plan, however, building and maintaining long term financial and community commitment requires identification of business opportunities and community benefits derived from habitat restoration.
Foundation of PlanEnvironment
Environmental restoration is achieved through consolidation of existing habitat parcels and creation of links between habitat parcels.
Consolidation
Consolidation includes restoration of degraded habitat: weed removal/replanting, and strategic expansion of habitat parcels: reduce edge effect with buffers and acquisition of contiguous parcels.
Consolidation opportunities and threats for Mimosa Creek Precinct include:
· Roly Chapman Reserve
· Restoration – Appendix B: Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan
· Expansion of Reserve to include area of Mimosa Creek behind Klump Road Park&Ride and Hibiscus Sports Complex.
· Potential habitat fragmentation by inappropriate cycle path alignment.
· Large privately owned land parcels bridging Mimosa Creek
· Development/building restrictions in-place.
· Engage land owners in complementary habitat restoration – consider small allotment Land for Wildlife style agreements.
· Resumption of land parcels bridging Mimosa Creek.
· Main Roads Dept land where Mimosa Creek meets the Pacific Motorway.
· B4C restoration plan accepted and waiting on funding.
· Meckiff Street Park
· Southern side of Mimosa Creek near Motoway
· Mt Gravatt Reserve
· Resumption and restoration of the old Chook Farm on corner of Klump Road.
· Approximately 9ha – a strategic opportunity to create a 14% increase in existing Mt Gravatt Reserve - Appendix E: Chook Farm
· High environmental value – Powerful Owl habitat and three waterways.
· Restoration – Fox Gully Bushcare - Appendix C: Fox Gully Bushcare Plan
· Ten private property owners currently committed to restoration of wildlife corridor on their land. Potential for shared funding/grant application.
· Mt Gravatt Reserve Threats – Appendix D: MEG Strategic Plan 2010 - 2020
· Weeds/Garden Waste/Dumping
· Downhill Mountain Biking, Trail Bikes & unofficial tracks
· Feral and Domestic Animals
Linking
The three potential links between Mimosa Creek and Mt Gravatt Reserve are:
· Fox Gully – opposite Hibiscus Sports Complex – Appendix F: Fox Gully Stewardship
· Firefly Gully – behind Southern Cross Sports Club – Appendix G: Firefly Gully Link
· Old Chook Farm – corner of Klump Road - Appendix E: Chook Farm
The current link between Mimosa Creek and Toohey Forest is via large storm water drains under the Pacific Motorway.
Community
Benefits for local community members typically relate to access, education, nature-based recreation, community relationships and land values. The broader Brisbane community benefits typically relate to recreation and tourism.
· Walking/Cycle Paths – Appendix H – Mimosa Creek Precinct – Walking/Cycle Paths - key benefits include:
· Active engagement with bushland: Commonly parks are actively used by a relatively small percentage of our busy communities with many people being aware of and valuing the park without actively engaging and receiving direct benefit. Extending the existing Roly Chapman walking/cycle path to connect with the Hibiscus Sports Complex and Klump Road will significantly increase in community use of the Reserve and incidental contact with birds, butterflies or turtles in Mimosa Creek. Consider the emotional impact for someone seeing a Sugar Glider as they walk to work in the morning.
· Improved access to Hibiscus Sports Complex. Easier access via an almost flat walking/cycle track will be of particular benefit for pre-driving age children who are target users of the facility.
· Improved access to Southern Cross Sports.
· Improved access to shopping centres for residents of expanding student accommodation on Klump Road.
· Education
· Schools adjoining Precinct:
· Clairvaux MacKillop College
· St Bernard’s Catholic School
· Upper Mt Gravatt State School
· Griffith University
· School of Environment
· Toohey Forest Environmental Education Centre (Education Qld)
· Potential work experience initiatives
· First Contact
· Civic Solutions – Upper Mt Gravatt
· Recreation
· Bushwalking/bird watching
· Bushcare – bush experience, social contact, community contribution
· Land values
· Restoration directly contributes to land values particularly for adjoining properties.
Business
Mt Gravatt Corridor – Neighbourhood planning
· Higher density housing – increased local population will increase value of bushland.
Private developers
· Community landscape adds value
· Off sets – smaller footprint of high rise will create potential for wildlife corridors (Linking) and additions to Reserves (Consolidation) .
Tourism
· Indigenous Walking Tours linked to Echidna Magic Cafe.
IssuesProperty Ownership
Mimosa Creek Precinct includes a complex range of different property ownerships presenting different opportunities and risks. Appendix I – Mimosa Creek Precinct – Property Boundaries
· Translink Park&Ride – Queensland Government
· Main Roads Dept (MRD) – Queensland Government
· Hibiscus Sports Complex - Queensland Government & BCC
· Southern Cross Sports - Pepkin Investments Pty. Ltd.
· Roly Chapman Reserve - BCC
· Meckiff Street Park - BCC
· Clairvaux MacKillop College – sports fields
· Private ownership
· Old Chook Farm – approx 9ha - Appendix E: Chook Farm
· Properties adjoining Mimosa Creek
· Properties adjoining Fox Gully
ResearchFlora & Fauna of Mt Gravatt Reserve
A Mt Gravatt Environment Group action leaning research project recording and photographing flora and fauna of Mt Gravatt and Roly Chapman Reserves.
Baseline Flora & Fauna Assessment
Baseline research will provide a foundation for planning and measuring environmental restoration. Waiting on funding approval.
Appendix A: Mimosa Creek Precinct Map & Wildlife Corridors
Appendix B: Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan
Appendix C: Fox Gully Bushcare Plan
Appendix D: Mt Gravatt Environment Group - Strategic Plan
Appendix E: Chook Farm
Properties commited to restoration of Fox Gully wildlife corridor – March 2011.
(Chook Farm) (Fox Gully Bushcare) (Main Roads Dept land)
Appendix F: Fox Gully Stewardship
Owners, of fourteen properties in O’Grady & Arafura Streets, currently support restoration of the Fox Gully wildlife corridor – March 2011. Boundaries in yellow are the approximate areas covered by Environmental Protection corridor surrounding a waterway. For privacy reasons some properties are not shown.
Potential for involvement in shared funding/grants for restoration work.
Appendix G: Firefly Gully Link
Potential link via landscaping at eastern end of Park&Ride and Clairvaux MacKillop sportsfields.
(Clairvaux MacKillop) (Translink Park&Ride) (Firefly Gully)
Appendix H – Mimosa Creek Precinct – Walking/Cycle Paths
(Hibiscus Sports) (Student Accom.) (Southern Cross)
(Macgregor) (Garden City) (Mt Gravatt Village)Walking/Cycle Paths
Existing
Proposed
Access Routes
Appendix I – Mimosa Creek Precinct – Property Boundaries
Intentionally blank for online publication.
Mimosa Creek Precinct Landscape Plan - ver 1.6Page | 13
Roly Chapman
Bushcare Plan
Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan 2011
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011
Who
Roly Chapman Bushcare Plan - ver 1.5 26/03/2011 Page 1 of 9
Zone 1
Riparian
Significant restoration
completed
Weed management Fish traps found in creek. Monitor
Zone 2
Area cleared of weeds –
contractors/spraying
Maintenance of cleared area
Weed monoculture
Regrowth of Guinea Grass and
lantana
Rubbish – glass bottles
Weed management and rubbish removal
Zone 3
Native gardens behind
Larwood Street houses.
Lighted cycle path.
Area beside path mown by
BCC contractors.
Restoration and maintenance
of native gardens.
Promotion of interest in
indigenous gardens.
Weed invasion
Experienced/approved bushcare
site supervisor required at events.
Access for equipment
Lion’s Club team
• Confirm interest - monthly/bi-monthly • Site supervision at working bees –
shared by MF, SJ & KF?
o Sign on/off, WPH&S • Equipment storage – stored by MF/SJ
and delivered to site for working bees
o Tool trolley design o Existing tool supply?
• Rubbish/weed disposal o Plants in seed – bagged & removed o Large volume (Purple Succulent) –
LAS pick-up as required
SJ
MF/SJ
KF?
MF/SJ
MF
KF
MF/SJ
KF
Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan 2011
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011
Who
Roly Chapman Bushcare Plan - ver 1.5 26/03/2011 Page 2 of 9
Zone 4
Nature strip behind Hoad
Street houses.
Potential site for cycle path
extension to new Park &
Ride. Already mostly cleared.
Maintenance of weed cleared
bushland.
Regrowth of Purple Succulent.
Consult with BCC about location of new cycle
path through Zone 4 to extend current path
across Mimosa Creek to Park&Ride: providing
access to Hibiscus Netball Centre, pool, skate
park, PCYC, Southern Cross and high-density
residential accommodation in Klump Road.
MF/SJ
Zone 5
??
Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan 2011
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011
Who
Roly Chapman Bushcare Plan - ver 1.5 26/03/2011 Page 3 of 9
Zone 6
Area partially cleared of
weeds – contractors/spraying
Maintenance of cleared area
Some weed monoculture
Zone 7
Area adjoining Clairvaux
MacKillop
BCC contractor restoration –
Wipe Out Weeds program
Continue restoration work
started by WOW program.
Co-ordination of BCC contractors
and Roly Chapman Bushcare team
to eliminate re-work.
WOW??
KF?
Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan 2011
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011
Who
Roly Chapman Bushcare Plan - ver 1.5 26/03/2011 Page 4 of 9
Zone 10A
Riparian Zone
??
Zone 10B
Riparian Zone
??
Zone 10C
Riparian Zone
BCC contractor restoration –
Wipe Out Weeds program
Continue restoration work
started by WOW program.
Reduce rubbish entering site
via stormwater drains.
Co-ordination of BCC contractors
and Roly Chapman Bushcare team
to eliminate re-work.
Large stormwater drain coming
WOW??
Investigate potential for pollution traps to
reduce rubbish from stormwater drains.
KF?
KF?
Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan 2011
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011
Who
Roly Chapman Bushcare Plan - ver 1.5 26/03/2011 Page 5 of 9
from under Clairvaux with on
pollution trap.
Zone 10D
Riparian Zone
Not currently in Bushcare area
Adjoins new Park & Ride
Include in Roly Chapman
Bushcare area.
Parcel under negotiation with
private owner.
Negotiate restoration plan with BCC, Translink
and Clairvaux
MF
Park&Ride/Clairvaux Nature
Strip
Approx 5m strip on P&R side
Restore as wildlife corridor
between Roly Chapman and
Mt Gravatt Reserves
Park&Ride side currently
earmarked as bike path – BCC
City Planning.
Fence to be realigned to give
Clairvaux extra land – based on
correct survey.
Negotiate more appropriate bike path route.
• Understand reason for proposed. •
Plan complementary corridor planting on both
sides.
• Krista Adams – Clairvaux • Phil Reeves – Park&Ride
MF
Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan 2011
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011
Who
Roly Chapman Bushcare Plan - ver 1.5 26/03/2011 Page 6 of 9
Site Masterplan
Mapping
Progress reporting
Public relations
2010 – site map updated
Google Maps & existing Bushcare map
MF
MF Michael Fox – 0408 769 405
SJ Susan Jones
KF Kate Flink
Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan 2011
Roly Chapman Bushcare Plan - ver 1.5 26/03/2011 Page 7 of 9
Appendix A – Zone Map
Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan 2011
Roly Chapman Bushcare Plan - ver 1.5 26/03/2011 Page 8 of 9
Appendix B – Wildlife Corridors
Roly Chapman Reserve Bushcare Plan 2011
Roly Chapman Bushcare Plan - ver 1.5 26/03/2011 Page 9 of 9
Appendix C – Equipment Schedule – Lion’s Club Team
Equipment Units Fox Gully GPP
Trolley – modified for bushcare tools 1 1 0
BCC Bushcare Sign 1 0 1
First Aid Kit 1 1 1
Gloves – selection of sizes Ok ?
2 Prong Hoe 4 4 0
Weed tubs 4 4 5 small
buckets
Trowel 4 4 7
Small hoe 4 4 0
Secateurs 2 0 4
Loppers 2 2 1
Rake 1 0 0
Mulch Fork As required 2 1
Equipment Schedule is an estimate to guide planning.
Fox Gully Bushcare
Plan
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011 Who
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan 2011 - ver 3.6 Page 1 of 8
Zone 1
Behind fence (road reserve) –
numbers 42, 44 and 46
Fire break between bush &
house
• Keep clear –
mown/mulched
2009 - Grandis – lopped to
allow recovery from lightning
strike
2005 – loquat tree –
professionally removed
BCC contractors to finish work in Zone 1C/7
• No entry agreement in-place • No action to complete weed clearance
now re-infecting restored areas in Zone
7 and 15
• Golden Rain reshooting: poison/stumpgrind?
KF
Zone 2
From north of Zone 1 to fire
trail
Allow natural regeneration
• Mulch in strips retain
water
• Mark out/mulch path
• Monitor weeds
2008 – all Jacarandas removed
2006 - Creeping lantana –
removed by hand
2006 - Succulents – removed
bagged/binned
2005 - Umbrella trees, Chinese
Elm, Queens palms –
professionally removed – mulch
retained
Monitoring weeds
MF
Zone 3
Slope to east – Len’s yard to
steps and down to track
Refer Appendix B & C
Replant
• Prepare area/safety
• remove final weeds
• remove dead trees
Maintenance/weeding
2008 – Jacaranda trees removed
2008 – Infection of white
Wandering Jew – 2 cu metres
removed and composted onsite
2007 – re-planted
2007 – purple succulents –
removed & mulched (mower)
2007 dead trees & Dragon fruit
– falling risk - removed
2006 – Yellow Oleander &
Creeping lantana – removed
Monitor weeds
Dragon fruit high in Tallowwood – poison with
50% glyphosate/water – in-place 2009 –
monitor
MF
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011 Who
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan 2011 - ver 3.6 Page 2 of 8
Zone 4
Old bamboo area
Allow natural regeneration
• remove bamboo
• logs on slope for erosion
control
• monitor weeds
2008 – Jacaranda trees removed
2006 – bamboo removed &
mulched – roots dug out
2006 – concrete/rubbish
removed
Monitor weeds
MF
Zone 5
North of Zone 4 to culvert –
fire trail to half way down
slope
Example site for natural
regeneration
Allow natural regeneration
• hand removal of weeds
• logs on slope for erosion
control
2007 – Creeping lantana,
molasses grass, corky passion
vine – removed by
hand/mulched
Monitor weeds MF
Zone 6
Rocky area at curve of fire
trail, down to slope to west
and north to curve in fine trail
Allow natural regeneration
• hand removal of weeds
• monitor weeds
2008 – creeping lantana,
cobblers pegs
2007 – Creeping lantana
(mulched) mother or millions
(bagged/binned)
Monitor weeds
Continue removal of Creeping lantana,
cobblers pegs further down western slope
MF
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011 Who
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan 2011 - ver 3.6 Page 3 of 8
Zone 7
Agave area – rear of #44
beside fire road
Replant
• Prepare area/safety
• Remove Agave
• Remove and chip
Chinese Elm and
umbrella trees
• remove bricks, rubbish
• fill cut behind #42 (also
covering old garden
waste)
2010 – Imperial Hairstreak
butterflies returned and Noisy
Minor nesting
2008 – replanted October
2008 – gardens/brick edging
removed – plants bagged and
binned – soil used to start filling
cut behind #42
Negotiate with neighbours –
Done
• Edek & Cynthia # 42 – ok to
remove Golden Rain tree,
Agave, Umbrella tree &
clean up
• Sandra # 44 – ok to remove
Agave, bricks,umbrella trees
2007 – Loquat tree removed &
mulched, rubbish removed,
agaves removed and binned
Monitor weeds – some difficulty with access
behind #42 – agreed with Kylie Dennis not to
enter area immediately behind #42
MF
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011 Who
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan 2011 - ver 3.6 Page 4 of 8
Zone 8
Gully below track level –
Len’s yard to culvert
Access difficult – steps/track
inplace for ongoing access
Clear Fishbone fern, Cassia,
ochna, queens palm, Chinese
elms, Oleander, creeping
lantana, purple succulent,
camphor laurel, bamboo
Selective replanting to restore
tree ferns originally in gully
2010 – Purple Succulent
clearing completed by
neighbours- some replanting
2009 – ANZ team first stage
removal Purple Succulent
2008 – Jacaranda trees
removed/poisoned
2007 – logs placed on slope
below Zone 4 – stabilised and
improved access
2006 – bamboo removed &
mulched
Monitor weeds in restored areas.
Continue clearing upstream – ANZ team?
Remove remaining bamboo as priority
MF
MF
MF
Zone 9
Gully upstream of culvert
Allow natural regeneration
• hand removal of weeds
• monitor weeds
• protect cleared slope
from erosion – logs
pegged in place
2007 – Fishbone fern, ochna,
Chinese elm, stinking
passionfruit, creeping lantana
Continue removing fishbone fern MF
Zone 10
Monitor for future action –
natural regeneration
Cobblers Pegs, Creeping
Lantana and StPauls Wort
Monitor major infestations MF
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011 Who
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan 2011 - ver 3.6 Page 5 of 8
Zone 11
Monitor for future action –
natural regeneration
Creeping Lantana Monitor major infestations MF
Zone 12
Natural regeneration Cable drum
Creeping lantana
BCC contractor to remove cable drum KF
Zone 13
Natural regeneration once
Fishbone removed
Large infestation of Fishbone
Fern – not able to compost - bag
and remove off-site
FWR Group – four dates looked-in
BCC pick-up of weeds after FWR visits
MF
KF
Zone 14
Top o
Restoration replanting once
weeds/rubbish removed
Firebreak planting
2010 – Stage 2 planting October
2010 – four truckloads
weeds/rubbish removed stage 2
2010 – Imperial Hairstreak
butterflies returned
2009 – Stage 1 planting October
2008 – Cadgai trees removed
Stage 3 restoration – remove weed trees,
remainder of Singapore Daisy
Stage 3 – re-planting – October 2011
MF
Zone 15A
Behind #38 - 40 O’Grady St
Firebreak planting and natural
regeneration
Some weed regrowth
Creeping Lantana to be cleared
Manage weed regrowth
Clear Creeping Lantana
MF
Zone 15A
Behind #36 O’Grady St
Restoration of water course to
original path. Replanting with
Lomandras, tree ferns, native
grasses
Water diverted onto and eroding
access track. Limited access for
mulch delivery.
Major infestation of Singapore
Daisy and Brazilian Pepper Tree
Remove Sing Daisy and compost on-site.
Establish Oplismenus aemulus fast to manage
weeds.
MF
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan
Zone Plan Issues Action 2011 Who
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan 2011 - ver 3.6 Page 6 of 8
Zone 16
Top of Azania Street – on
right just inside Reserve
Start of wildlife corridor to
Klump Rd
Ideal picnic area - ferny gully
Progressively clear Cadgai as
replacement trees grow – current
trees act as wind break for
houses
Ongoing garden waste dumping
– significantly reduced but still
some dumping
Clear Singapore Daisy, Coral Ginger,
Fishbone, Mother of Millions
BCC contractor to remove first group of
Cadgai and Umbrella Trees
BE/MF
KF
Gully Stewardship Zones –
Wildlife Corridor
O’Grady St #48, 50, 52, 62, 64
& 68
Private property zones – gully
easement – Small Allotment
Land-for-Wildlife agreements
Most people not actively using
gully portion of their properties.
Engage neighbours both sides of gully – map
on Google Earth
Draft Wildlife agreement
MF
MF
Site Masterplan
Progress reporting
Education/Public relations
Access track erosion
Polluting water flowing gully
Bushcare signs
Fox Gully Updates
Fox Gully blog
Southside News articles
BOIC visit
Mulch filters at track run-off points
MF
MF
MF
MF
SJ/MJ
MF
MF Michael Fox – 0408 769 405
SJ Susan Jones
KF Kate Flink
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan 2011 - ver 3.6 Page 7 of 8
Appendix A – Zone Map
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan
Fox Gully Bushcare Plan 2011 - ver 3.6 Page 8 of 8
Appendix B – Wildlife Corridors
MEG Strategic Plan
26/03/2011
1
Mt Gravatt Environment Group
Strategic Plan – 2010 to 2020
26/03/2011
2
Mt Gravatt Environment GroupBringing birds and butterflies back to suburbia.
MEG Objectives
• Restoration and long term security of a unique flora and fauna sanctuary.
• Community education focused on stewardship of our unique Reserve.
– Diversity of native flora and fauna in the middle of our urban community.
– Damage caused by careless “I don’t own it so I can rubbish it” attitudes.
• Building long-term partnerships with Mountain stakeholders.
Mt Gravatt Reserve
A 66 hectare bushland experience just 10km from Brisbane CBD
Environmental Significance
• Unique flora and fauna diversity from unique geological influences
– 249 native plant species – 10% of species diversity of United Kingdom 32million hectares
– 39 butterfly species
– Koala, echidna, King Parrot, Pale Headed Rosella, Eastern Bearded Dragon
• Quartzite from Neranleigh-Fernvale seabeds - 290 – 240 million years old
– Rock pools, ephemeral waterlines, steep gullies and subtle changes in soil type
– Dry sclerophyll forest (typical) - less dense canopy and sparse shrub/grass understorey
– Wet eucalypt forest (patches) - taller open forest – well developed understorey
• some rainforest species such as ferns/shrubs
– Very different to sandstone and associated heath plants
of nearby Toohey Forest
26/03/2011
3
Mt Gravatt Reserve
A 66 hectare bushland experience just 10km from Brisbane CBD
Ownership issues
• Qld Government– BCC in Trust
• First Contact
• Road reserves– Shire, Mt Gravatt & Mains Rds
• Brisbane Water
• Electricity easements
• Telstra
• Griffith University
• “Unmanaged” bushland – GU, Shire Rd reserve & m/way
• Poultry farm (private)– South-western boundary
Mt Gravatt Reserve
A 66 hectare bushland experience just 10km from Brisbane CBD
Reserve in Trust
• Qld Government Land Act 1994
• Held in trust by BCC
Designated Purpose (Trust)
• Recreation
BCC recognises primary activities
• Conservation
• Recreation – Sustainable nature-based
• Tourism
26/03/2011
4
Mt Gravatt Reserve
Threats
Weeds/Garden Waste/Dumping
• Existing weeds – Creeping Lantana, Umbrella Tree, Chinese Elm, Singapore Daisy, Fishbone
• Garden waste dumping – spreads garden plants displacing native vegetation
• Dumping household rubbish – old furniture, piano
A 66 hectare bushland experience just 10km from Brisbane CBD
Mt Gravatt Reserve
Threats
Downhill Mountain Biking, Trail Bikes & unofficial tracks
• Erosion, disturbing restoration work
• Safety risk for walkers
• Public liability risk for BCC
A 66 hectare bushland experience just 10km from Brisbane CBD
26/03/2011
5
Mt Gravatt Reserve
Threats
Feral and Domestic Animals
• Foxes – raiding unsecured compost bins
• Dogs off leash & waste not picked-up
A 66 hectare bushland experience just 10km from Brisbane CBD
Smell of dog waste and territory marking keeps koalas away.
Mt Gravatt Reserve
MEG Restoration
Gertrude Petty Place 2005
• Community volunteers
• Weekly and monthly working bees
• Over 2,000 hours contribution to date
• Rubbish dumping, mountain bikes, dogs
Rover Street 2005
• GCCC Rangers 2005
• Community volunteers 2009
• Monthly working bees
• Garden waste, unofficial tracks
Bringing birds and butterflies back to suburbia.
26/03/2011
6
Mt Gravatt Reserve
MEG Restoration
Roly Chapman Reserve 2005
• Lion’s Club & community members
• Group leader recently retired
• Rubbish dumping, dogs
Fox Gully 2007
• Community and corporate volunteers
• Over 2,300 hours contribution to date
• Weekly working bees
• Garden waste, rubbish
Bringing birds and butterflies back to suburbia.
Mt Gravatt Reserve
MEG Supported by:
Jaeger-Moran
Environmental
Griffith University
EcoCentre
Bringing birds and butterflies back to suburbia.
26/03/2011
7
Mt Gravatt Environment GroupBringing birds and butterflies back to suburbia.
Short Term Goals
• Restoration of key buffer areas – property boundaries and picnic areas
– Natural regeneration – removal and monitoring of weeds
– Severe degradation – rubbish removal, weed control and native species planting
• Wildlife habitat restoration
– native bee hives at GPP
– butterfly planting Fox Gully
• Public education – change culture of
green waste dumping & poor dog control
– speaking to individuals at bushcare sites
“Green waste damages our native bush.”
– trialling “Doggy Bag” dispenser give away to dog walkers
– Fox Gully Updates distributed to local households
• Neighbours report changed behaviour weed removal/not dumping
Mt Gravatt Environment GroupBringing birds and butterflies back to suburbia.
Long Term Goals
• Network of restored buffer areas providing long term security for Reserve
• Strong community partnerships – share knowledge and combine effort
– First Contact – youth employment programs
– Mt Gravatt Historical Society – history of community relationships with Reserve
– BCC Habitat Brisbane – resources, expertise, co-ordination of stakeholder activity
• Green ‘corridors’ allowing wildlife movement to and from mountain
– Land for Wildlife style ‘small lot’ agreements – protect vital gully wildlife corridors
– Develop environmental solutions for real household security concerns
– Klump Road wildlife overpass – connect Fox Gully with Mimosa Creek
26/03/2011
8
Mt Gravatt Environment GroupBringing birds and butterflies back to suburbia.
Flora & Fauna of Mt Gravatt Reserve
Sue Jones and Michael Fox
• Action learning tool – as we photograph and document we learn.
• Provide reliable input for BCC planning – no BCC fauna/flora studies exist
• Community education – MEGOutlook blog – www.megoutlook.wordpress.com
– Fox Gully Updates – what is happening in bush and weeds to remove from gardens
– Media articles – regular articles in Southside Community News
– Griffith University EcoCentre – upload for school education programs
– Site specific documents for bushcare groups
– Environmental education events using information specific to Mt Gravatt
– Future – available as electronic book for iPad and Kindle
Mt Gravatt Environment GroupBringing birds and butterflies back to suburbia.
• Our unique flora and fauna is worth protecting.
• Building stewardship of our unique Reserve will create positive change.
• Strong partnerships create strong communities.
Information about MEG – www.megoutlook.wordpress.com