Record grants as interest grows for green projects

A record number of individuals and community groups will share in more than $100,000 of Council environmental grants to help preserve and enhance the Scenic Rim's green spaces and wildlife habitats.

Corporate and Community Services Chair Cr Virginia West said Council received a record number of 35 applications from schools, environmental groups, community groups and landholders for funding through Council's 2017 Environmental Grants Program - 15 more than in 2016.

"All but two of those applications, which were outside the scope of the Environmental Grants Program, were funded either fully or in part, which is a wonderful outcome for the region," she said.

"This year's Environmental Grants Program provides funding for new projects as well as the continuation of existing projects, highlighting Council's commitment to working hand-in-hand with the community on conservation initiatives."

Some 23 grants were allocated to landowners for Land for Wildlife projects on private property, while schools, landcare groups and community associations also shared in the $101,500 of available funding.

"Council recognises the significant contribution of landowners to preserving habitats for native plants and animals on private property through Land for Wildlife," Cr West said.

"It also values highly the work of community organisations such as Landcare, whose efforts to preserve and enhance our natural environment by maintaining Council reserves also represent cost savings for ratepayers."

Many of the grants were awarded for the control of invasive weeds and for tree planting, including projects by Tamborine Mountain State School and Canungra State School.

"Council is pleased to support the efforts of the next generation of Scenic Rim residents who are growing up with an awareness of the importance of protecting the natural environment for which this region is renowned," Cr West said.

Initiatives funded under Council's 2017 Environmental Grants Program:

LAND FOR WILDLIFE

Craig Bourke, for the control of weeds and planting of trees on a property at Darlington Range Road Witheren which contains remnant rainforest.

Paul Gardner, for the purchase and location of nesting boxes for a property on Tamborine Mountain.

Katrina McEwin, to undertake weed control and bush regeneration of notable vine scrub on property.

John Daniel Hellyer, to undertake weed control in rainforest area located in Canungra.

Beverley Hellyer, to undertake weed control in a forested area on the Albert River, Darlington, under a Voluntary Conservation Covenant with Council.

Jailene Santana, to continue increasing habitat on a Land For Wildlife property at Tarome.

John and Tonia Fletcher, to undertake weed control along Oaky Creek at Croftby.

Justine Reid, for fencing materials for an environmentally sensitive area. 

Garth Powell, for on-going weed control and tree planting in a land slip area on Beechmont plateau.

Varro Clarke - Rainforest Trust, to continue weed control on Trust properties on Tamborine Mountain.

Gregory Luck, to treat riparian weeds along Canungra Creek to allow endangered gallery rainforest regeneration.

Wendy Harris, to treat serious weed (Cats Claw Vine) in a sensitive Dry Vine Scrub area.

Neil Pedley, to treat Cats Claw Vine in Vine Scrub area.

Martin Moesker, to treat an area of weeds to allow regeneration of Vine Scrub species.

Christie Shrimpton, to continue to treat an area of weeds to allow regeneration on Vine Scrub species on the side of Mt French.

Trish Chadwick, to treat environmental weeds along Magpie Creek at Boyland.

Felicity Shapland, to treat a range of weeds on a large Trust property at Peak Crossing close to Flinders Peak and a known koala habitat.

Kate Harrison, to undertake weed control along Oaky Creek at Croftby.

John Maguire, to establish vegetation on a cleared portion of land adjacent to good remnant forest. 

Barry Jahnke, to treat environmental weeds and form maintenance tracks on a property at Kalbar.

David Parr, to treat Lantana in a vegetated gully on a property at Tarome/Moorang near the headwaters of the Bremer River.

Ian Johnson, to remedy a serious bank erosion problem on an outflow from a dam into the local creek.

Lise Leatherbarrow, to address erosion in Cainbable Creek where riparian vegetation has been destroyed and banks eroded.

COMMUNITY GROUP PROJECTS

Beechmont Landcare, for ongoing weed control in Denham Scenic Reserve.

Tamborine Mountain Landcare, to undertake weed management and revegetation works on more than fifteen Council reserves on Tamborine Mountain.

Biddaddaba Creek Group, for on-going weed control along Biddaddaba Creek.

Friends of Knoll Road, to continue treating weeds on a number of adjoining properties off Knoll Road Tamborine Mountain. 

Lamington Landcare, for contractors to treat weeds along Christmas Creek.

Beaudesert Landcare, to continue the planting of scrub trees in a Council Reserve at Barney View.

Ronda Green - Wildlife Qld, to run a series of fauna and flora surveys conducted by a panel of experts in the Tamborine Mountain area.

Boonah District Landcare, to treat weeds along Teviot Brook at Boonah.

SCHOOL PROJECTS

Tamborine Mountain State School, for a boardwalk through a rainforest planting in the school and also some weed treatment in a significant remnant rainforest on the Tamborine Mountain plateau.

Canungra State School, for ongoing weed control and tree planting along Canungra Creek beside the school.