Queanbeyan

 

Atmosphere & Weather | Biodiversity | Catchments | Resources Use

Summary of updates to Queanbeyan indicators for 2008/09.

Queanbeyan Snapshots

These "snapshot" profiles celebrate recent environmental initiatives within this LGA.

Archive of 2008 snapshots for Queanbeyan.

2009 Snapshots

1. Communities Working Together: Little Burra Estate Revegetation and Creek Stabilisation Project

2. Traditional Owner River Restoration

3. Environmental Expo 2009 – A Great Success!

Communities Working Together: Little Burra Estate Revegetation and Creek Stabilisation Project

Little Burra revegetation volunteers

Little Burra revegetation volunteers
Photo: Queanbeyan City Council

Between 2004 and 2008, Queanbeyan City Council supported the Little Burra Land Management Group to implement a revegetation and creek stabilisation project in their estate. The group is made up of a small number of residents of the Little Burra estate. The group aims to revegetate and stabilise a creek gully area on community land within the estate, which will provide benefits such as a windbreak, a wildlife corridor and decrease erosion levels along the creek.

Weeds present in the area will also decrease as a result of management work, including weed-removal and reseeding of native grasses.

The area was heavily infested with thistles, which presented a major challenge.. Many thistles were sprayed, however the seeds are regularly dispersed back onto the site through wind. Another challenge involved planting along the creek where vehicular access was difficult. This limited the possibilities of ripping, mulching and watering, however these issues did not deter the group’s motivation.

Little Burra revegetation

Little Burra revegetation
Photo: Queanbeyan City Council

There were a number of working bees held to remove thistles and revegetate the area. These working bees were undertaken by the group and supported by Molonglo Catchment Group, Greening Australia, and Landcare (Queanbeyan).

Lessons learned from this important project include: A) to plant only the number of plants that can be successfully maintained (watered, kept weed free and mulched, etc) and B) the importance of preparing planting holes carefully to avoid run-off. Tree guards were also effective in protecting plants from animals.

Little Burra revegetationBoorowa tree planting volunteers

Little Burra revegetation
Photo: Queanbeyan City Council

Lessons learned from this important project include: A) to plant only the number of plants that can be successfully maintained (watered, kept weed free and mulched, etc) and B) the importance of preparing planting holes carefully so that water is collected around the plant, rather than running off. Tree guards were also effective in protecting plants from kangaroos and other animals travelling through the area daily.

This project is an example of how communities working together with common goals can create positive environmental outcomes.

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Traditional Owner River Restoration

The team digs holes for fence posts

The team digs holes for fence posts
Photo: Queanbeyan City Council

In 2008/09, Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority (CMA) funded a Traditional Owner River Restoration project in Queanbeyan. This important project involved removal of willows and other pest species, and planting of native vegetation to improve the health and habitat of the Queanbeyan River.

The Traditional Owners of this land are the Ngambri people. Descendants of the Traditional Owners and the extended Indigenous community within Queanbeyan were supportive of this project. The Ngambri people are spiritually connected to the land and water, meaning that nature, culture and environmental health are fundamental to the people.

The team learn how to conduct an aquatic invertebrate study

The team learn how to conduct an
aquatic invertebrate study
Photo: Queanbeyan City Council

Willows were originally imported to Australia to assist in erosion control, although in most instances willows have a negative impact on river systems. For example, willow infestation in rivers causes changes to the natural flow as the growth of their root system subsequently alters the shape of the stream bed and banks. The spreading nature of willows along or near waterways can also block sunlight required by native plants and animals.

Work on Queanbeyan River targeted sections of willows between River Drive and Dane Street, as the willows were particularly dense in this area.

An important driving force behind the success of this project has been community support. Residents have been encouraged to take an interest in the work being undertaken on the river and to meet the project team.

In addition to enhancing biodiversity through removing weeds, protecting and encouraging native vegetation, this important project also enhanced the skills of the trainees who completed the majority of the work. Skills and experience gained by the trainees will help them to obtain a qualification in Conservation Land Management Certificate II.

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Environmental Expo 2009 – A Great Success!

On June 12-13, 2009, Queanbeyan held an Enviro Expo at the Queanbeyan Conference Centre.

A view of the main Enviro Expo exhibition space with the model waste facility taking pride of place

A view of the main Enviro Expo exhibition space
with the model waste facility taking pride of place
Photo: Queanbeyan City Council

More than 2,000 people attended the two day event. The Expo had more than 40 exhibitors, and a number of information sessions, competitions and specialised workshops.

The Enviro Expo was opened by the Hon. Mayor Tim Overall on the morning of Friday 12 June along with local school students making presentations on what they are doing to make their schools sustainable.

“To see so many school students not only at the Enviro Expo, but taking a great interest in what was being said and what was on show is a great sign for the event. Council will now evaluate the Enviro Expo to decide whether the event is run on a more regular basis, possibly annually or biannually.” Cr Overall said.

Exhibitors were thrilled with the set up and attendance at the Enviro Expo with comments including “Fantastic for the region, Queanbeyan was a captive audience”, “Would attend again, positive spin for the City.” “High standard of stalls”, “More than met peoples’ expectations”, “Extremely good – very pleased!”

The Farmers’ Market  in the courtyard outside the Expo

The Farmers’ Market
in the courtyard outside the Expo
Photo: Queanbeyan City Council

Participants listen carefully as Jeff explains  how to make your home more sustainable.

Participants listen carefully as Jeff explains
how to make your home more sustainable
Photo: Queanbeyan City Council

Designing sustainable homes was one of the more popular workshops over the two days, while some interesting ideas were presented at the Community Forum, by the expert panel and the audience. Other engaging events included landcare walks, water watch, sustainability in the home and at the table, water saving gardens, ethical investment, preserving food, indigenous food and rope making and basket weaving.

School students sample some Indigenous Australian food

School students sample some
Indigenous Australian food
Photo: Queanbeyan City Council

The Farmers’ Market on Saturday afternoon was also well attended with fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, honey, plants and second hand books sold. In keeping with the environmental theme, all exhibitors were contracted to reduce the amount of waste they created at the event.

“The variety of workshops and demonstrations at the Enviro Expo made the event attractive to a wide audience and I believe the people of Queanbeyan and the region will be better educated on the environment for attending this event,” Cr Overall said.

“The performance from the schools gave an insight into what our students are doing to help out the environment. Hopefully from this event new partnerships can be formed between schools so that they can learn from each other’s experiences and share resources.”

Queanbeyan City Council was supported by a number of sponsors including SERRROC, ACTEW Corporation, Village Building Company, the New South Wales (NSW) Department of Environment and Climate Change, ActewAGL and CEMEX.

 

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