As another busy year on the Precinct draws to an end, the rainforest continues to impress with an excellent growth and survival rate.  Most species have flourished  during the year and this has led the early removal of many of the pink tree guards installed as protectors during their early growth stage.

 

 

Our Bushcare team are enjoying these removal sessions as this generally means less hand weeding and more canopy cover as the forest gains its own independence.

 

The walking track popularity continues to increase with as many as one thousand people a week utilising this great local recreation facility and the newly erected platypus viewing deck is also attracting many locals and tourists alike. This facility is now becoming a regular rest and meeting area as well as providing a great outlook over the Obi Obi and a chance to take in many of the local species which inhabit the area.

 

Maleny District Green Hills Fund Board and members extends a huge thank you to all the generous volunteers who have given up their time to create this great space in Maleny and we look forward to another rewarding outcome in 2017.

 

Walking track November 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Annual Report 2015-2016

 

 

To view the Green Hills Annual Report for 2015-2016 please click on the link below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

NOTICE OF 2016 AGM

 

Proxy forms (available here), and can be sent to our PO Box 662 Maleny Qld 4552 by 10:00am Friday 23rd September.

 

 

Endangered wetland to receive facelift

 

The Southern Wetlands located on the Maleny Precinct is one of only two surviving wetlands in the Maleny hinterland district. The wetland is home to several rare and endangered native plant and wildlife species. This unique environmental landmark will soon undergo a long overdue rehabilitation project by local environmental groups and community volunteers.

 

Environmental areas on the Maleny Community Precinct (MCP) are taking shape with Stage 1, the Community Walking Trail nearing completion. Within the next month we can expect to see interpretive signage and various rubbish disposal bins including doggy bag dispensers throughout the Precinct.

 

During the past three years Maleny and District Green Hills Fund (MDGHF), the Sunshine Coast Council and a large number of community volunteers have delivered a top class walking trail which meanders through old and new growth forest areas on the MCP for approximately 4.5km.  Feedback has been positive with increasing numbers using the trail and many visitors enjoying the beauty of the MCP

 

Stage 2 of the MCP Environmental Plan will be the rehabilitation of the vulnerable Southern Wetlands. This area forms part of the environmental aspect of the Community Master Plan for the Maleny precinct as partnership by the SCC and MDGHF in 2011 to protect and preserve this unique wetland.

 

 

 

2015 Bushcare Roundup

 

 

2015 has been a very productive Bushcare year. Growth rates of the seedlings on the Precinct has been exceptional and we are already seeing the results through constant monotoring. A large number of fauna has made the new riparian margain home with over 20 new birds nests added in the last quarter of 2015. Richmond Birdwing Butterflies now frequent various sections of the older growth areas, soon the recent addition of 150 Birdswing vines will also bring many more to the region and provide walkers with a pleasent surprise. Earlier in the year two major flood events occured and washed away a number of seedlings, all have been replaced and are doing very well.

 

2016 will be particiturallty exciting due to the growth rate and canopy development of the new trees. Three monotoring sessions will be included in our Bushcare calender throughout the year to evaluate all aspects of the new growth on the ripirian margain. Keep and eye out for the monotoring results on this webpage.

 

Green Hills thanks everyone involved in the project for their contribution on the Precinct, and we look forward to another rewarding year delivering this outstanding contribution to the Maleny community and the environment.

 

Ron Sharp

Project Director

 

 

 

Annual Report 2014-2015

 

 

To view the GH Annual Report for 2014-2015 please click on the link below.

 

Annual Report 2014-2015

 

 

 

 

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NOTICE OF 2015 AGM

Bushcare Update

 

June 2015

June bushcare saw 175 plants go in beside the walking track to accommodate the track realignment within the stage 2 area. All plants were watered in and have done well to date. This effort was the final stage of the 15,000 rainforest species planted over the last two years to complete the riparian margin.

 

July 2015

July was a timely break from all the hard work to date. The group had a casual stroll through the plantings and took the opportunity to inspect all the sculptures recently erected by Edith-Ann Murray and contractor Reece Skodnik. Edith-Ann and Barry Smith from B.S.A Art worked hard in securing the grant to install these works of art on the riparian margin. A big thank you goes to all the local artists who donated their sculptures on the community Precinct.

 

August 2015

Bushcare was very well attended and was aimed at replacing stock damaged by the recent flood events and upkeep of the riparian margin. This finalises the planting stage of the margin and congratulations goes to all the group and community members who are involved in the project and who delivered a fantastic outcome on the Precinct.

 

 

 

World Environment Day 2015

 

On June the 5th Green Hills hosted the annual Unitywater corporate creek side tree plant. The day coincided with World Environment Day and proved a huge success with over 300 native rainforest species being planted, plus 100 Richmond Birdwing vines bringing the total to 250 Birdwing vines now  planted on the Precinct. This event has become a regular feature on the Precinct calendar and has been integral in the forming of a strong relationship and commitment to the shared environmental values between Unitywater and Green Hills.

 

The Event also coincided with the United Nations World Environment Day awards. Later in the evening both groups received the fantastic news that the Unitywater treatment plant had won the prestigious national award for the Best Specific Environmental Initiative, presented in Melbourne by the United Nations.

 

Executive Manager of Unitywater, Simon Taylor, was jubilant when receiving the news and praised the community and Green Hills by declaring that 'Unitywater shares this impressive award with the wonderful local community and the Maleny and District Green Hills Fund, who have partnered with us on this initiative.'

 

The Unitywater facility uses a membrane bioreactor to treat effluent before sending it to the irrigated wetland and rainforest on the community precinct.