Cooroy in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is a picturesque town, with a vibrant community. It has grown steadily in the 20 years I have lived in the hinterland. One of the hiccups in this growth was the closure on the timber mills at the southern and northern ends of the town. This resulted in job losses to some of its residents.

The rebirth of a town

We are very close to the re-birth of the northern part of the town with the unveiling of ceramic art works on the site this week. The art works on the site are being done by Glen Manning & Kathy Daly [and helpers]. Mayor Bob attended the opening earlier this week together with Cr Lew Brennan [in about 36 degrees heat]

Mill Place

This site is known to locals as the "Lower Mill Site". It has undergone a transformation over the last couple of years. Local Award winning consultant, Shaun Walsh has created a really outstanding plan for the site. The whole project will be called "Mill Place" and will incorporate the new Cooroy library. This will be fantastic addition to the town and to all hinterland residents who will not have to travel to Tewantin to get a good book.

Shaun has also included landscaping which incorporates native plants and Noosa & District Landcare Group [NDLG] have been very pleased to be involved in the work on this site.

This work has involved clearing the nefarious weed tree Camphot laurel [Cinnamomum camphora], and replanting with appropriate species. This work is the fourth stage that Landcare has been involved in on Cooroy creek. We started behind the Scout Hall, then to the Soccer fields and the Tennis Courts and now the Lower Mill site. Many people have assisted in this work. Sunshine Coast Regional Council [SCRC] have been very helpful, particularly Geoff Black and his crew.

The Qld government though the 'Skilling Queenslanders for Work' program [with Tony] have played a big part in the development of the infrastructure. The Lower Mill Site board, Ricon, Cooroora woodworkers, the Camphor initiative, Rotary, the Burnett Mary Regional Group and local business people have all played a part in the project. Students from Noosa District High school have visited the site as part of Noosa Integrated catchment association's "What local native plant is that" program.

Macroinvertabrate sampling... or simply learning about water bugs!

Recently NDLG hosted 45 Cooroy School Grade 5/6 children for a day of learning and education at the site. As part of Energex's Junior Landcare day program, the students planted trees, learnt about the environment and energy issues and also conducted water quality monitoring. We call this macroinvertabrate sampling...the kids just like learning about water bugs! This day was also supported by Landcare Queensland and Cooroy Mountain Spring Water [it was hot then too!]. As a 'tree hugger' I never fail to get a lift when talking to our local kids. This group were outstanding, showing a great deal of knowledge about environmental issues, and a keen knowledge of weeds... One group could name 21 weeds ... How many can you name ? !

So, next time you are in Cooroy have a look. This will be a great community facility for the whole region.

visit http://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/sitePage.cfm?code=cooroy-library
and
www.noosalandcare.org
and
http://www.noosariver.com.au/whatplant/