Greening Gunnedah
Greening Gunnedah
From degraded places to desirable spaces
Making a Difference -
LLCI022-064
The issue
Degraded riparian areas, a lack of remnant vegetation connectivity, salinity, poor habitat and a lack of trees in public spaces were all issues for Gunnedah 20 years ago. Declining membership and a lack of awareness of environmental issues were also a concern for Gunnedah Urban Landcare Group (GULG).
The solution
Since the mid 90’s GULG have worked tirelessly with multiple groups using grant funds to undertake various projects to achieve their goal of ‘Greening Gunnedah’. These activities cover an area of 100 hectares over 15 sites.
They have restored a large area along the Namoi River and in multiple reserves in and around Gunnedah. Extensive noxious weed control has been undertaken (including Osage orange, Honey locust, African boxthorn and Coolatai grass), planting around 10,000 trees and shrubs, stabilising the riverbank, removing dumped rubbish and rehabilitating and maintaining walking tracks.
To improve public participation and interest in natural areas and Landcare, GULG organised various community engagement activities including bird watching mornings, spotlighting, bus tours and kayaking tours along the Namoi to improve community understanding of riparian and forest ecosystems and Indigenous connections to rivers and Country.
The impact
With over 20 years of projects to monitor, GULG have noted Koalas and birds using several of the restored areas for shade and feeding, members of the public using spaces for passive recreation, an increase in the interest in Landcare and friends of Landcare, improved diversity of fauna species inhabiting particular areas, a massive reduction in weeds and an increase in community awareness of local environmental issues.
GULG’s ongoing passion for their local area is evident through multiple award nominations and also in their current project which aims to further stabilise the Namoi riverbank, control woody weeds and improve habitat for Koalas, birds and microbats.
Learnings
Building networks and relationships between community groups is the key to achieving long term goals. The activities could not have been undertaken without the wonderful support from Landcare volunteers, North West Local Land Services, Gunnedah Shire Council, Red Chief Land Council, local schools, media, Rotary and the NSW Department of Primary Industries – Fisheries.
Key facts
- Extensive restoration - over 100 hectares and planting of 10,000 trees and shrubs
- Weed control, riparian stabilisation and extensive plantings has resulted in improved habitat for many species
- Working with the community has improved understanding and awareness of Natural Resource Management issues and has increased interest in Landcare