By Trish Bowman
Capricorn Coast Landcare will sign the leases for Waru community gardens in Yeppoon this week in a move to maintain the community garden and enhance its use for a broader range of community events and initiatives.
Capricorn Coast Landcare President Malcolm Wells said the leases are ready for signing with Livingstone Shire Council and the volunteers are excited to get to work on the area.
“So far we have the support of the bat carers (who already use Waru), Capricorn Conservation who are keen to conduct events there, and Darumbal Corporation who want to use the area for ceremonies and other activities,” Mr Wells said.
“We are planning to get together with all Environmental or Community groups who are interested in using the area; and discuss how the place can be best utilized.
“We would love to see a broader use of this beautiful area and are open to hearing from other groups so we can make the best of this very conveniently located space.”
Mr Wells said last week the Lendlease team got very productive at Waru ahead of the lease being signed.
“Along with Landcare volunteers, we had a working bee to tidy up the area and remove weeds,” he said.
“The site is looking a lot better after a few working bees.
“Our next step is to seek grant funding or sponsorship to install new amenities to replace those that are on site and have been damaged.
“We will need to raise some funding for a new amenities block that will cater to all ability access and some other infrastructure to make the site more useable.
“We want this area to be a meeting point and gathering area for groups and clubs across the region.
“In the past there have been a variety of events held at the site and as such, we would like to see Waru re-energised to cater to more events, but we need to ensure amenities are resumed on site first and that will require funding.
“In the interim, we will continue to maintain and enrich the site.”
A Livingstone Shire Council spokesperson confirmed they have provided a copy of the executed lease between Council and Waru, and a draft deed of consent to assignment of lease to Waru CQ Permaculture Group and Capricorn Coast Landcare Group with review, prior to execution.
“Council is proud to support not-for-profit community organisations in conducting their activities for the benefit of Livingstone Shire residents and visitors.”
In addition to maintaining and re-energising Waru, Landcare volunteers will continue to maintain the new garden beds at the Yeppoon Community Centre on top of the work they already do at Mulambin Beach, three areas along Farnborough Beach, Alby Wooler Park in Yeppoon, Taranganba State School environmental area and regular clean-up and weeding days across the Capricorn Coast and islands.
If you are interested in volunteering with Landcare, please contact Sara Hillman at Envirolink on 4939 1002.