Background
Initial planting 15 October, 2011
Planting 21 January, 2012
Future planting program
Next working bee
Background
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| Queensland Rail and Brisbane City Council representatives meet to plan planting areas at Cassimaty Park on 15 September 2011 |
As part of the railway upgrade from Ferny Grove to Keperra over 2010-2012, Queensland Rail is committed to reducing its impact on the environment and is working with our local bushcare organisations and groups to enhance the habitat at various areas in Bob Cassimaty Park Picnic Grounds.
Queensland Rail completed and signed an agreement with Brisbane City Council and Kedron Brook Catchment Branch-Wildlife Queensland in September, 2011, and continues to strongly support the project . See a map of Bob Cassimaty Park, showing the layout of the four stages of planting in relation to Samford Road, Kedron Brook and the junction with Cedar Creek. Note that the sketch map may show incorrect dates, eg stage 3 is to be held on 21 April. Refer to 'Future planting program' below.
Kedron Brook Catchment Branch, alongside Brisbane City Council (Habitat Brisbane & Creek Ranger Field Services), put forward a four stage plan to plant over 3 300 native plants and trees in Bob Cassimaty Park Picnic Grounds. This will help to replace various native trees and vegetation lost in severe storms over the past two years in the vicinity and reduce the overall impact of the railway station and car park upgrade.
Men of the Trees (MOTT) has worked for many years to re-establish bushland areas around Ferny Grove (See their web site ). They enthusiastically agreed to come on board to assist with the plantings, which will continue over a two year period including ongoing maintenance. Other community assistance has come from the Wahminda Grove Bushcare Group and individual volunteers from around Ferny Grove.
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| Queensland Rail representative meets the volunteers at Bob Cassimaty Park on Saturday 15 October 2011 |
Initial planting 15 October, 2011
The first stage of plantings was carried out successfully on Saturday morning, 15 October, 2011. A heavy storm, from the previous night, cleared in time for the early setup for the planting next day. Participants from QR, BCC, MOTT, KBCB, Wahminda Grove Bushcare Group and local community volunteers combined well and were well-satisfied that the targets for planting were achieved.
A representative from Queensland Rail spoke with participants and welcomed the vigorous beginning to the project.
State Member for Ferny Grove and Minister for Health, Geoff Wilson MP, also visited the activity. He talked enthusiastically both to individual volunteers and more formally to the group expressing his thanks for the successful start of another important project in which government bodies worked closely together with the community.
Planting 21 January, 2012
The relatively large Stage 1 area of plantings at Bob Cassimaty Park, Ferny Grove, was completed on Saturday 21 January under warm to hot sunny conditions. By starting early (setup from 6 am!), we were able to complete the bulk of the work before the heat of the day that rose about 10.30 am or so. We could then cleanup around the plants, enjoy drinks and sausage sizzle and look back at our work.
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| Additional planting by volunteers over the Stage 1 area was carried out at Bob Cassimaty Park on Saturday 21 January 2012 |
There was a good representation from local groups, e.g. Wahminda Grove and Ferny Grove Bushcare Groups, an especially large representation from MOTT, volunteers of staff from Queensland Rail, members of KBCB and KBCN and community volunteers. Local member for Ferny Grove, Geoff Wilson MLA, State Minister for Health, commended those present for the valuable service they were doing for the community.
The next planting (Stage 2 target) will be carried out in two small weedy areas on the creek bank. Larger tree plants will be planted to help withstand the regular flooding periods expected .
Future planting program
It is important we keep this momentum going to obtain a reasonable time for establishment of the trees and plants before the onset of poorer growing conditions during winter. On the other hand, it is best not to plant down closer to the actual creek levels just before the flood/wet season because the young plants could be most easily plucked out by vigourous flooding waters.
Therefore, a Stage 1, section 2, of planting as an extension to the first planting area was programmed to be on 10 December 2011. Unfortunately, rainy conditions on that day caused this planting to be postponed to Saturday 21 January (see below). The remaining plantings were planned to be spread over the period from January through to June, 2012.
Subject to seasonal conditions, we have planned the following program (Refer to planting map):
- Stage 2 on Saturday 3 March 2012
- Stage 3 on Saturday 21 April 2012
- Stage 4, section 1, on Saturday 5 May, 2012
- Stage 4, section 2, on Saturday 2 June, 2012
This spreading of plantings also ensures the workload target for each occasion is not excessive and takes into account the seasonal conditions over this time.The vital parallel maintenance schedule has already begun; monthly over the planting period and then bimonthly through to January 2013. Details of these particular activities will be given at timely intervals on the MOTT and KBCB web sites.
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| Kedron Brook can be rather pretty behind Bob Cassimaty Park but not when weeds are so prolific. This Stage 2 plot will be revegetated on Saturday 3 March. (Photo: Jacinta Hamilton) |
Next working bee
If you would enjoy supporting our wildlife by the rejuvenation of their habitat with this project, come along to the third activity of this project. This next planting (Stage 2 target) is on Saturday 3 March, 2012, 8 am to 12 md at Bob Cassimaty Park Picnic Grounds (opposite BP Service Station on Samford Road) at Ferny Grove (UBD Map 137 ref LI). Our usual morning tea may be held towards the end of the planting depending upon the nature of the day.
Volunteers, please ensure you have proper personal sun and insect protection and closed footwear. Planting equipment is provided.
For further information, watch our web site and that of MOTT. You may also contact our Acting Creek Ranger, Jacinta Hamilton, or by mobile on 0439 788 459. For MOTT arrangements, contact Marion and Fran on 3851 0858.
C Ivin
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CI 03/02/2012