Beach and bushcare

Gecko volunteers coordinate three of the many beach and bushcare groups on the Gold Coast, as below. For information on other groups contact:

• GCCC Beaches to Bushland Program
• Griffith Centre for Coastal Management
• Friends of Federation Walk
• Friends of the Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens

Bushcare Portfolio
Rose Adams

The Portfolio:
Gecko supports three bushcare groups with promotion, member involvement and involvement in consultation or policy development when required. The three groups are:-
Nicol’s Scrub in Currumbin Valley adjacent to the National Park and Coolamon, the Currumbin Sanctuary property. This is under the supervision of Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.
Tarrabora Reserve on the north bank of Currumbin Estuary. This is under the supervision of Natural Areas Management Unit of Gold Coast City Council.
Elanora Wetlands on the south bank of Tallebudgera Estuary, west of the M1. This is under the supervision of Natural Areas Management Unit of Gold Coast City Council
Each group undertakes planning, weeding, planting and other maintenance as required of these properties.
Vision:
A rehabilitated area of land which is self sustaining, supportive of native flora and fauna species and forms a vital link in the city’s natural areas.

Goals for 2012:
Nicol’s Scrub:

1. Recruit at least 5 new regular volunteers
2. Have a corflute sign made indicating a Bushcare activity is underway for placement at gate.
3. Maintain weed free zone around all plantings along the lower fence-line
4. Remove all Tobacco trees along lower fence line
5. Maintain track to southern boundary.

Tarrabora:

• Continue to control weed vines (namely, Mile-a-minute, Siratro, etc)
• Generally control weed infestations and flare ups
• Support Council in the removal of the Pampas grass from Motley Crew area
• Weed and plant dune from the Motley Crew area right along edge of beach
• Install interpretative notice board on back wall of toilet/storage block (something we have been wanting to do since 2003)
• Commence process to increase protection of Tarrabora by having it upgraded to a Conservation Reserve
• Re-instate sign: Tarrabora – Islands in the creek, saved by community action 1980 (one at each entrance of the park)
• Continue to protect the reserve against expansion/incursion of the Park Lands.
• Keep a record of wildlife
• Ensure our local councillor meets us at the site at least once per year.
• Grow the interest in Tarrabora.

Elanora Wetlands:

1. Zones 1a and 1b Previous regenerated area – To maintain this area as required.
2. Zone 4a (Back Area) – To clear weed growth the area along the southern bank of Tallebudgera Creek – meeting Zone 2. (Zones 2 and 3 are being attended to by GCCC contractors).
3. Monitor the Walking track to ensure mowing contractors attend to it when required. (If this is not being performed – Contact Cr Daphne McDonald’s Office).
4. Report any vandalism or fences, gates &c to GCCC Ranger, Wayne Abbott.

Resources and Methods.
Resources include access to a supervisor from either GCCC or QPWS to guide the progress of the group; gardening implements; plants; publicity through flyers and Gecko website;
Methods: each group attends the site once month and carries out weeding, maintenance and on occasions planting of endemic species.
Publicity for the groups is carried out by Gecko through the website and flyers given out a public events.
GCCC Community grants are provided on occasions for the benefit of the groups.