By JOLENE OGLE
THE environmental health of the Noosa region had been given a boost, thanks to almost $66,000 in Landcare grants from the State Government.
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss said Noosa groups would use the funds to undertake environmental works as part of the government’s 25th Anniversary Landcare Grants.
The Noosa Integrated Catchment Association (NICA) has been awarded two grants of $22,000 for projects in the Sunshine Creek and Sunshine Beach areas.
NICA president Tony Haslam said the organisation was pleased to receive the grant and the money would be used to continue important rehabilitation works in coastal areas near Sunshine Beach.
Mr Haslam said the grant would also be used to employ natural area management contractors who would be able to carry out specific works.
Part of the works include weeding and replanting in the wetland area behind the frontal dune, creek mouth and remnant urban bushland areas of Sunshine Creek.
The rehabilitative works will help stabilise erosion along sections of Sunshine Creek.
The Sunshine Beach Bushland Care Group will partner with NICA on a second project to repair dune erosion along Sunshine Beach.
Eroded areas will be stabilised using jute mats and logs and revegetated with plantings, to improve biodiversity and wildlife habitat corridors.
The Noosa and District Landcare Group has also been awarded a grant of $21,997 and will work with the local community on a koala corridor project along Cooroy Creek.
The project will rehabilitate 4.6 hectares of land around the creek by removing weed plants and replacing them with lomandras, koala food trees, and Richmond birdwing vines. The project will also help to improve riverbank stabilisation.
Mr Truss said everyone had a part to play in caring for the land.
“These grants are focused on engaging the community to deliver local projects with lasting environmental benefits, so that our region can be preserved and enhanced for future generations,” Mr Truss said.
