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PETRIE CREEK BUSH CARE PROJECTS
Monthly BushCare Action Bees are held at three sites along Petrie Creek
-Florabunda Pocket: 1st Sat of each month except January.
-Namba Creek: 3rd Sat each month except December
-Gulung Gung: 4th Wednesday of each month except December
Starting Times: 0700 in hot weather months ie approx October/November to March/April, and 0800 in cool months ie approx
April/May to September/October. But times vary and updated details are provided on this site close to the date. Anyone interested in doing something to help the environment is welcome to join the following projects. Those involved already find that it is an enjoyable, pleasant and rewarding way to contribute to the wellbeing of the planet. Sometimes in the ongoing political and scientific debates that are a feature of our times, it’s hard to see how individuals can contribute to the improvement required. There are lots of learning opportunities here with how to restore degraded landscape, what wildlife lives in these places and lots more. And it’s good exercise in the open air, and it’s free. No gym fees, ever! It is possible to create new groups, so if you have some ideas, please let us know and we’ll see what we can do to help. Take a look at recent Facebook postings for details of how to join in activities relevant to you. The best way to learn, as we have the benefit of members with extensive experience and technical ability. Current Projects
Florabunda Pocket Bushcare Group
Located on a winding section of the creek at the end of Laidlaw Rd, Woombye, this project has been active for many years under several funding schemes and has created a section of revegetated creek with mature near self-sustaining forest as well as areas which still require significant attention mostly for exotic w**d control. There are also degraded sections of creek bank that are still to be touched. It is currently a Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) funded BushCare Sunshine Coast (BCSC) Site with volunteer labour (that’s us and our friends). A major project, funding for which was from an Everyone’s Environment Grant (EEG) from the State Government was finalised and acquitted in May 2017. The first part of the project was to clear a section of the high level bank about 150 metres long and to replant this with local native plants with particular emphasis on plants to deflect the Rugby balls from progressing down to the creek! Funding was used for contractors to do the base work of clearing w**d trees and ground preparation, leaving plenty of planting, mulching and maintenance w**ding for the dedicated volunteers. A major current project that has almost unlimited potential is largely “regeneration” of the relatively gently sloped creek bank going north towards and beside the rugby back oval. This area has many already existing local natives as well as the usual w**ds including Camphor Laurel, Broad-leaf Pepper, Chinese Elm etc and our efforts will be directed towards reducing the w**d infestation and allowing the natives to flourish. Select species of trees and vines have been planted in strategic locations. A major part of the work has been to clear the eastern edge of the forest of the exotic w**ds and replace them with appropriate edge species natives. The EEG grant project also contributed to this work in providing 1000 plants which were planted in one big day with the assistance of the Helping Hands group of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. BushCare Action Bees are held each 1st Saturday of the month (except for January) from 0700 in warm months and 0800 when the weather turns cool and the sun gets up late. We normally operate for about 2 hours and finish with a cuppa and a good chat. Contact by email to [email protected] for more info or check the page where upcoming events are advertised a day or two before. As for all working bees, wear covered shoes/boots and sensible clothing and a shade hat. Namba Creek Bushcare Group
This is another volunteer project under the SCC’s BCSC Program. Here we are removing w**ds and re-establishing local native vegetation for native animal habitat in the corridor of the creek, now formally named Namba Creek, between the Model Railway Park and Doolan St. This is also one of the sites included in the SCC Petrie Creek Parklands - Open Space Master-plan. Details here: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Council/Planning-and-Projects/Council-Plans/Petrie-Creek-Parklands-Open-Space-Master-Plan
The BushCare Group was started in May 2013 with an integrated activity held with Unity Water in one of its corporate planting days (Nambour Creek-side Greening) in the corridor. Sunshine Coast Council had cleared a large section of camphor laurels and prepared the specific site for planting and 1200 local native plants were planted on the day. Regular volunteer BushCare Action Bees and contract work provided by SCC have kept the w**ds down and infill planted along this western section of the site. Growth has been spectacular, and the area is well on the way to being self-sustaining. In 2019 the path planned by SCC in 2013 was constructed complete with walking bridge over the creek and local native plant landscaping to match the surrounding forest. The path now provides a wonderful and popular walking route for locals through the developing native forest along the creek. Since the initial planting, restoration has progressed downstream. A major feature of the site was the almost complete cover with the exotic and invasive Camphor Laurel trees and other woody w**ds. This project along with the two other projects shared the benefit of an Everyone’s Environment Grant applied for with the assistance of Petrie Creek Catchment Care Group and provided by the Qld Government. At this site the money was used for removal of the major w**ds and provision of new local native plant. Volunteers did the planting and w**d control while the creekside forest becomes established. In late 2017 we were again successful in an application for a grant by the Queensland Govt to remove the remaining camphor laurels down to the model railway bridge and replant native forest. The first stage of removal was completed in April 2018 with all the large woody w**ds on the south side of the creek in this section being cut and mulched. Access through the Sundale property made this operation much easier. A major planting day was held in May in conjunction with the Rotarians of Nambour. The second stage of woody w**d removal was completed in early 2019. Planting and w**d control is continuing. Future projects include replacement of other camphor laurels within the park along the creeks with appropriate local native species. BushCare Action Bees are held each 3rd Saturday of the month (except for December) from 0700 in warm months, and from 0800 when the weather turns cool and the sun gets up late. Gulung Gung (Quota Park Extension) Bushcare Group
This group, another project in the SCC’s BCSC scheme, had its first working bee in May 2014 following a mass planting of 1500 plants by Unitywater, Sunshine Coast Council, PCCCG and community members. This project is also being conducted in association with Council’s Nambour Central Park Plan and has many areas requiring attention over future years. The final aim is for it to become an open park area with walkways and play areas with local native forest areas. Stage 1 of creation of this park area was constructed in 2021/22. As well as maintaining and enhancing the initial planting, the group has extended it in various areas along the creeks. Gulung Gung is a local language term meaning “Family Connections Country”. Planting Bunya Pines for Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) families
Bunya Bunya Country Aboriginal Corporation with members from the Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) people has been working with us. The combined group has cleared and planted a badly w**d infested part of the area which has particular significance to their culture and history. Plantings include Bunya and Hoop pines that were planted at a major indigenous event in November 2014. Gulung Gung Creek Restoration of Habitat
Other areas of the park have progressed as well. A section behind the businesses in Howard St has been largely ecologically restored with initial clearing of a patch of mature Camphor Laurel trees by SCC. Funding from the State Government Everyone’s Environment Grant (EEG) successfully applied for in 2014 and again in 2016 was used for replanting and employing contract expertise and labour for major preparation. Creek banks in the area have been carefully w**ded and replanted with suitable species. Maintenance of the plantings continues. With assistance from regular SCC funded w**d control sessions, clearing and planting of the main tributary of Petrie Creek in the area has and will continue downstream towards the conjunction with Petrie Creek. This small creek (we call Gulung Gung Ck) has Koala Park as a major part of its catchment. Current activities in 2022 are concentrated in the area close to where Gulung Creek joins with Petrie Creek. Major event s for World Environment Day and National Tree Day were held resulting in a large section of Petrie Ck bank being planted. Restoration of the Petrie Creek Bank will continue upstream from here. to join up with already commenced areas. BushCare Action Bees are held on the 4th Wednesday morning of each month(except December), from 0700 in warm months, and from 0800 when the weather turns cool and the sun gets up late. Watch this page for information on where to meet for our BushCare Action Bees. Clothing suitable for bush work including covered shoes/boots is required, but all tools, equipment and materials will be provided along with expertise if required. Contact by email to [email protected] for more info or check the page where upcoming events are advertised a day or two before.
