Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
Key
site specific
region wide
Creative thinking tackles weed infestations
A commitment to see coastal rainforests in the Manning win the battle against weeds has gone much further, creating an opportunity for unemployed people to help change their part of the world.
"The eight rainforest remnants between Hallidays Point and Crowdy Head were badly degraded and invaded with weeds like bitou bush and asparagus fern," Manning Coastcare Group Coordinator, Daintry Gerrand, said.
The group knew something had to be done, but such extensive weed infestations required much more manpower than they had.
Funding
In 2002 and 2004 the Australian Government provided Manning Coastcare Group with grants worth nearly $53,000 to bring littoral rainforests on the Manning back from the brink.
Activities
The funding has helped them employ a bush regenerator to undertake specialist work, and a supervisor for volunteers who have been sourced through Centrelink. These volunteers, aged over 55, work at the sites two days per week all year round.
And Daintry said the rainforests are flourishing, with native seedlings now replacing the weeds.
"The volunteers have a sense of ownership in the project and their achievements have gone far beyond what we could have achieved on our own," she said.
"Over the past 10 years we've contributed thousands of hours of voluntary labour equating to some $2.9 million of work.
"Weed control and the natural regeneration of native bush has been a solid outcome, but we've also created employment for two people for the past six years, and we've provided a good opportunity to people over 55 who want to contribute to the community.
"It's been positive from an environmental, social and economic point of view."
Achievements
The volunteers have also re-opened the Greater Taree City Council nursery and are using it to produce a steady supply of plants for all kinds of tree-planting activities in the Manning.
With the support over the past 10 years of the former Australian Government Department of the Environment and Heritage (now Department of the Environment, Water Resources, Heritage and the Arts), Greater Taree City Council, the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the NSW Department of Natural Resources, the group has gone from strength to strength.
Their efforts earned them the Coastcare Award in the 2006 National Landcare Awards, and they have now secured five-years of funding from the Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority to continue their work.
More information
- Daintry Gerrand Coordinator, Manning Coastcare Group: (02) 6556 5099 or daintry@bigpond.com
See also
Key
Links to another web site
Opens a pop-up window