
(L-R) Angus Underwood, Team Leader - Natural Environment (Byron Shire Council), Claire Masters, Tweed Landcare Inc rep. and CSO Tweed Shire, Wendy Gibney, Byron Shire CSO and Brunswick Valley Landcare Inc. Coordinator, and John Turnbull, Bush Futures Project Manager
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National Landcare Award - Sydney - September 2012
The Project finished on a high note with the announcement on Tuesday 4 September 2012 in Sydney at the biennial National Landcare Awards the Project won the Local Government Landcare Partnership Award ahead of seven other State Award winners. The award was presented by Landcare Ambassador Jack Thompson.
The award recognised the key role that Landcare volunteers and groups played in delivery of numerous workshops and community engagement activities and their commitment to engaging with Green Corp teams and contractors on-ground.
Thanks go to the hands-on Steering Committee, contractors, bushland restoration crews, Council staff, Stakeholders, supporters, neighbours to work sites and residents of both Shires for their support of the Project.
Local Government and Shires Association - Excellence in the Environment Award - Sydney - November 2011
The Project was awarded the Natural Environment Protection and Enhancement: On-ground Works Award at the 2010/11 Local Government Excellence in the Environment Awards ceremony, held in Sydney on Tuesday 29 November, 2011.
The Award was presented by NSW Environment Minister Robyn Parker and the award sponsor, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Environment and Heritage Policy and Programs Group, Bernard Carlon.
The awards recognise NSW councils for their accomplishments in managing and protecting the environment. The Project initially won Category C of the On-ground Works Award at the ceremony, based on the population size of the combined shires, and followed up by winning the overall category award from seven other finalists.
State Landcare Awards - Parkes - September 2011
The Project won the Local Government Landcare Partnership Award at the 2011 NSW Landcare Awards night in Parkes on Tuesday 6th September. Three finalists, winners at Regional Landcare Awards in the same category, were selected from across the State to attend the Awards Ceremony where they presented a synopsis of their projects.
Chris Roberts, Chairperson, Tweed Landcare Inc. offered his congratulations saying that the award "reflected the strong working relationship between local Dunecare/Landcare groups and Tweed Council who have traditionally provided support for tasks that had fallen to care groups". He also commended the "focus on urban bushland restoration, an area that had traditionally missed out on funding but provides important refuge and habitat for a range of significant native species and communities."
Regional Landcare Awards - Grafton - April 2011
The Project was the 2011 winner in the Local Government Landcare Partnership category at the Northern Rivers Landcare Awards in Grafton on Friday 01 April 2011.
This award recognised the successful partnership between local government and community organisations. Held every two years, the Northern Rivers Landcare Awards recognise the achievements of the dedicated people who have committed their own time to care for our environment and contribute to sustainable production.
Endangered Bush Stone Curlew - Cabarita
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Sustainable Streets - Mullumbimby
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Bushland Audit
In order to direct on-ground works in a targeted and prioritised manner a bushland audit will be undertaken to determine bushland condition, threats to bushland and requirements for remediation. The audit will enable prioritisation of works at individual sites. Areas audited will include bushland situated within 2 km of all urban areas, both public and private, across Tweed and Byron Shires.
On-ground Works
The types of works likely to be undertaken as a result of a bushland audit include:
- Weed control and habitat restoration;
- Physical works to protect sensitive areas (e.g. fencing);
- Trapping and removal of pest species (e.g. cane toads, Indian mynas);
- Installation of interpretive signage;
- Removal and recycling of litter and rubbish; and
- Erosion control
Community engagement and involvement will be encouraged and Council staff across all spectrums of operation will be informed of current best practice environmental management practices.
Community Involvement
Numerous opportunities exist for community member involvement with Bush Futures projects through participation in:
- Workshops and field days;
- Local on-ground works;
- Training sessions for volunteers;
- Coastcare, Landcare and wildlife care group activities; and
- The ‘Sustainable Streets’ program
A training package will be developed for volunteers working on public land and a resource kit containing sustainable activity information sheets will be prepared to provide guidance to landholders and volunteers wanting to manage land sustainably.
Sustainable Streets - Murwillumbah
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The 'Sustainable Streets' program aims to foster community-inspired sustainable behaviour change at a street-by-street level. The program consists of regular neighbourhood gatherings and sustainability education workshops on topics ranging from local food production and biodiversity to energy and water efficiency and green cleaning.
Further information is available from the Sustainable Streets coordinator Nina Bishop (see 'Contact Details' below) and from the web pages listed below.
Byron Shire Council Sustainable Streets Site
Tweed Shire Council Sustainable Streets Site
Murwillumbah Sustainability Street Facebook Group
YouTube Sustainable Streets Documentary
The film showcases residents across the Tweed and Byron Shires that participated in the program, which was funded through the Bush Futures project.