Tamborine Bush Volunteers and Tamborine Mountain Landcare worked side by side on Saturday, restoring the strip of rainforest along Main Street, North Tamborine near the RSL war memorial.
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| Tamborine Mountain Bush Volunteers and Tamborine Mountain Landcare Main Street Blitz |
The regeneration blitz began this month, to return this weed-contaminated swathe of the National Park fronting Main Street to its former natural glory.
Phase one of the project began on Saturday 2 April at 8:00 a.m. The timing of the working bee was an important factor as the upcoming 2011 Anzac Day commemoration will be held in the area on Tuesday 26 April.
"Lantana is our main problem on the mountain but we hope to eliminate other pests such as Morning Glory and Privet," said Cornelia Meesters.
"The project is an ambitious one, and the number of volunteers who turn out will determine how much we are able to achieve. Everyone is welcome to join in," she said.
Volunteers were asked to bring along gloves, a bottle of water and any appropriate tools such as secateurs, pruning saws, wheelbarrows, garden forks, rakes, shovels and mattocks.
Insect repellent and suitable clothing and footwear were other essential items on the list. 
The ever-increasing co-operation between environmental organizations has resulted in this shared undertaking.
Tamborine Bush Volunteers (TBV), who work under the auspices of the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS), and Tamborine Mountain Landcare will both contribute to the project.
The Landcare President, Cornelia Meesters was delighted that the two groups were working together. "The hope is that more joint projects like this can be done the the future," she said.
During phase one, volunteers will eradicate weeds and other noxious plants for disposal by QPWS rangers, and two truckloads of mulch will be spread.
In phase two, at a time to be advised, QPWS-certified native rainforest plants supplied by TBV will be planted.
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| A pile of rubbish collected and arranged during the Main Street Blitz |
On Saturday an extraordinary pile of treasures were found within the lantana. TML Project Coordinator, John Bestevaar said, "This pile of rubbish, including a motor bike helmet, plastic bottles and cans was an example of what we find on a regular basis amongst the weeds."
"It represents lots of memories - most of them bad, for the Landcare volunteers!"
Morning tea was available and curiosity and questions were answered. Landcare see this as an opportunity for all Mountain gardeners to learn to identify some of the weeds infesting our mountain.
John Bestevaar from Landcare said, "We could not fault the weather so someone was looking after us. We appreciate the support for the project from John Kennedy, Ranger in Charge, Gold Coast Management Unit, QPWS and Cornelia Meesters, President of TML."
"Thanks also to Judy Roland, Head of Regeneration Projects for TML for supplying a home baked morning tea. We should also mention the generous donation of a selection of scrumptious foods from Leo of Tamborine Mountain Bakery in Main Street. It is true of volunteers and armies that they march on their stomachs."
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Landcare Main Street Blitz Before
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Landcare Main Street Blitz During |
Landcare Main Street Blitz After |
Len Lowry from Tamborine Bush Volunteers concluded by saying, "We exceeded our estimate for the work to be achieved in a morning for Phase 1 of the project. The final result was a vast improvement on a very weedy section of Main Street - a welcome surprise for the public and the local traders."
For an interesting few hours in good company, come along to the next regeneration blitz.
For more information on this project call TBV Co-ordinator Len Lowry on:
Phone: 0428 335 572
Email: onthewallaby@acenet.net.au
or local Landcare representative John Bestevaar on:
Phone: 07 55451240
Email: Josephus@people.net.au