The Tweed Shire Council has engaged Conservation Volunteers Australia (CVA) to work with the local community to help build ownership of the Banora Point Western Drainage Scheme and are encouraging residents to come along to the first Community Planting Day on Saturday.
Tweed residents are urged to connect with their environment this Saturday at the Riversdale Boulevard event designed to contribute to the health of the drainage scheme
In a budget review in November 2017, Council voted to inject more than $750,000 into restoring the health of this significant drainage system by undertaking structural changes to remove shallow points in the waterway, increase weed removal, extend the floating reed bed system and involve the community in revegetation.
CVA has met with the Banora Point Residents Association and will be working with the community to raise awareness and understanding of the role of the drainage system, restore degraded areas and improve water catchment values through weed removal and native revegetation of buffer areas.
On Saturday, the community can help plant native vegetation, undertake water bug and bird surveys and water testing. As well, CVA will provide tips on the best plants for your back yard and how to use water wisely.
After meeting on the pathway at 74 Riversdale Boulevard, at 9am, residents will get hands-on experience in tasks that will help improve the water quality of this system, which also acts as habitat for the endangered Comb-crested Jacana, in the heart of this large residential area.
Community Connect days will be held every week from 6 October to 14 December 2018, restarting on 11 January 2019. All up, 25 Community Connection days have been scheduled to June 2019 at sites along the drainage system at Lake Kimberley, Darlington Drive, Riversdale Boulevard, Fraser Drive and Port Drive.
All Community Connect days will include hand-weeding activities, rubbish clean-up and many will include small cluster plantings of approved native species.
Residents are asked to dress to get their hands dirty, remembering the hat, gloves, sunscreen and sunglasses. Refreshments will be provided to maintain energy levels. To assist catering needs, please nominate to attend by telephoning Shae Kolk on 0475 973 888 or emailing her at [email protected].
