Ipswich City Council’s Bushcare program has received a boost with three new volunteer-led groups joining the environmental movement.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Jim Madden said the new groups would be based in Banyula Road Reserve in Thagoona, Bridgewater Park in Springfield and Tite Family Park in Bundamba.
“These groups have started through the passion of local residents who have put their hands up to volunteer and help improve the natural environment at these important sites,” Cr Madden said.
“We encourage residents to head down to a working bee and try out Bushcare. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and council provides equipment for registered volunteers.”
Cr Madden said the Bushcare program now had 12 groups across Ipswich.
“Somewhere in Ipswich – from Rosewood to Springfield – there is a Bushcare working bee every weekend where volunteers are growing a greener future,” Cr Madden said.
One of the newcomers to the program is also Thagoona’s first Bushcare group.
Banyula Road Reserve group leader Donna Lucas said they were inspired to create the volunteer group to ensure their local bushland reserve was resilient to the impacts of expanding residential development.
“Banyula Road Reserve is quite a large bushland area and is home for local wildlife, established trees and native plants. For me its specialness is its beauty of wildness and the dry watercourse,” Mrs Lucas said.
Mrs Lucas said the group have planned three stages for the site to manage the workload, with the first stage clearing invasive weeds such as Asparagus fern.
“Bushcare can help support our goals by providing tools and the support needed to make this area a thriving habitat for wildlife.”
Bushcare groups have regular working bees. For more information see Ipswich.qld.gov.au/volunteering