Guest post from Tony Haslam: Noosa Integrated Catchment Association has obtained major funding for natural area regeneration in four locations. The total amount at $140.000 is significant and the projects are diverse.

The North Peregian is coastal dunes, North Shore is coastal dunes transitioning into melaleuca wetlands, Heritage Park is riparian areas along Wooroi Creek which runs into the Noosa River. The Sunshine Beach project involves weeding Seaview Creek, a freshwater creek that starts up in Noosa National Park and runs down through dunes into the sea.
In addition we have received a further $20,000 that will let us initiate Mangrove Watch on the Noosa River. This is a programme run by the University of Queensland (UQ) which gathers data from a number of Queensland sites, carries out analysis and reports on condition.  We will be kicking it off in earnest soon and will keep you informed.  The data gathering will be by NICA volunteers through our RiverWatch program.
We also have a number of other projects on the go.  If you have any questions please contact NICA on 07 5449 9650.
Regards

Tony Haslam, NICA
NBL Environment Sector Board

Wallum Frog, North Peregian - image courtesy of NICA

here is the full NICA MEDIA RELEASE

Boost For Natural Environment

The Natural Environment of the Noosa Biosphere will receive a $140,000 boost this year with rehabilitation projects at Noosa North Shore, Heritage Park, Sunshine Beach, and North Peregian being funded by the Federal Government’s ‘Caring for our Country’ programs, and the Sunshine Coast Council grants scheme.

The Noosa Integrated Catchment Association Inc (NICA) has acquired the funding on behalf of Community Nature Conservation groups at three sites, and for work on the Noosa North Shore in the Bill Huxley Nature Refuge and some areas of the Great Sandy National Park. 

In announcing the grants tribute was paid to the Community Nature Conservation coordinators who initiated the works in their areas.  NICA Treasurer Tony Haslam said, ‘Joan Heavey at Heritage Park, Jill Campbell at Sunshine Beach, and Steve McCready at North Peregian, together with their workers are tireless in their efforts to restore their bushland’. ‘These grants are additional to previous ones they have obtained and are an indication that these are people in there for the long haul’ he said.

NICA is pleased to facilitate the work of these groups Mr Haslam said, and he was particularly pleased to note that this work supports UNESCO Biosphere reserve functions in the conservation of the core land zones

‘The work in the Bill Huxley reserve has special significance as he, together with Dr Arthur Harrold, and the late Cr Jim Fearnley were in the vanguard of nature conservation in the Noosa Biosphere, and it is fitting that nearly $50,000 will be expended here’ Mr Haslam said.

Community based organisation, Noosa and District Landcare Group will be contracted to carry out the works under the guidance of Phil Moran and Damien Morley.