30 | ANNUAL REPORT 2017-2018
Community groups:
valuable
partners
WE support community groups across the region with
funding and training so they can deliver more on-ground
work and gain skills and knowledge. Many of these groups
are staffed primarily by dedicated volunteers passionate
about protecting the local environment.
This year marked the culmination of our four-year
Engaging and Strengthening Communities project,
funded through the Australian Government’s National
Landcare Program.
The project assisted 36 groups through workshops, field
days, specialised training, and a Community Landcare
Grants program worth $460,000.
Protecting riparian zones
at Mundy Creek
Community group Mundy Creek Catchment Care
(MCCC) focuses on rehabilitating the riparian zone along
the west bank of Mundy Creek, which forms a green
corridor in the heart of Townsville.
Since 2012, coordinator Bernadette Boscacci and her
team have controlled weeds such as guinea grass
and sabi grass, and re-established 400m of native
riparian vegetation. They have also worked hard to
raise community awareness about the importance of
maintaining natural areas within urban environments.
“Community Landcare Grants supported us to undertake
weeding, revegetation, planning, and community
engagement, and has accelerated our progress,” she
said.