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Cooperative approach enhances Tibooburra Village
Each new plant is watered by a T-Tape irrigation system at the bottom of the plant
The information board at the Tibooburra Drive In entrance
Sunshade and trees now provide plenty of shade for children using the playground
What started off as a tree planting exercise has resulted in an environmental and aesthetic boost for the village of Tibooburra in New South Wales.
Funding
In 2000, Tibooburra Village Committee received more than $37,000 from the Australian Government, to which they added in-kind contributions. The State Government also provided assistance.
Activities
The funding was used to plant several thousand trees and fence five kilometres of the township with the aim of reducing dust and erosion enhancing the Tibooburra area.
Locals from church groups, the Progress Association, the Drive-in and other local businesses took up the planting challenge to attract an array of wildlife back into the dusty town.
Western Catchment Management Officer, Louise Turner, said the cooperative nature of the project was the key to its success.
"All the groups who had an interest in the project got together and worked strategically towards a common goal," Louise said. "We did landscape plans and worked out which plants would go where."
"People donated their machinery and their time - weekend after weekend. Tibooburra is a very tight-knit community. We had lots of fun in the heat and especially when it rained!"
Prior to planting, trenches were dug and T-tape - a flat plastic tape with holes in it used for irrigation - packed into the trenches before the plants were put in. Louise said T-Tape is extremely effective when attached to a timer.
Tibooburra Village Committee Secretary Dan Hough said residents also learned another important lesson about T-Tape. "Don't lay T-Tape on top of the soil. Dig it in deep. If you don't, 'roos'll have a go at it looking for moisture and so will the crows," Dan said.
Achievements
Over the years, residents have continued to maintain the trees, shrubs and ground cover and plant new ones, building on the original project.
"The people from the Drive-in - one of the pivotal sites as it is in the main street - have replaced plants over time and put in an information board and seats at the front of the area," Louise said. "The Telecentre has put in a paved walk-way and the park now has shade sails."
In an additional bonus, the Village Committee contributes $500 a year to residents who want to plant more trees. "Just recently we provided funding for about 30 plants native to the Western Catchment," Dan said.
More information
- Louise Turner, Western Catchment Management Officer: (08) 8082 5200
- Western CMA
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