The South Lismore Duck Pond Landcare Group is getting ready for a busy few months.
On Monday the Mayor of Lismore, Isaac Smith visited the Duck Pond and was taken on a tour of the park by Derek Goodwin, President of the Landcare Group and Mark Bailey, Vice President.
The Duck Pond located in South Lismore is an area of 24 hectares that borders Leycester Creek.
Historically a play and swimming area, the Duck Pond area fell into neglect over a long period.
Five years ago the Landcare Group led by Mr Goodwin started to regenerate the Park. Over 700 coral trees and other exotic weeds have been removed from the site.
Mayor Smith was shown the large recreation area that has now been created with picnic tables for public use.
In addition, the Group has recently installed a large wooden pontoon on Leycester Creek which will enable the group to obtain water for planting purposes.
The Duck Pond has recently been awarded a $1,000 grant to enable work to be done on Ostrom Street to prevent sewer overrun into the park.
During the visit Mark Bailey showed the mayor the large area of Leycester Creek that will be regenerated in the coming months following a NSW Fisheries Grant.
Mr Bailey said the Grant, to be announced this coming Tuesday at the Duck Pond by local member for Lismore Thomas George will involve over $60,000 in remedial work along the river bank.
The grant is comprised of the NSW Fisheries Grant, funding from Council and volunteer work by the Duck Pond committee. Mr Bailey said this was the largest grant for the Group in its history, the Group mainly surviving on the generosity of local businesses and a small but dedicated band of volunteers.
Mayor Smith congratulated Mr Goodwin for the immense amount of work he has done over a long period of time for local Landcare groups.
The Mayor also announced a grant from the Mayoral Allowance. Mr Bailey said this money would enable the group to undertake repairs to equipment prior to commencement of the work.
Mr Bailey invited anyone who would like to volunteer at the Duck Pond to contact the Group through its South Lismore Duck Pond Facebook page or to call him on 0416 702 992.
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