By JONATHON HOWARD
SOUTHERN Downs Regional Council has joined forces with Warwick schools and the local Landcare group to begin a river bank planting program which started on Monday.
Mayor Cr Peter Blundell said the Warwick Shire River Improvement Trust, SDRC Parks, Condamine Alliance, Condamine Headwaters Landcare Group and the various schools had developed a four-week planting program in a co-ordinated approach to stabilise creek banks, improve fish habitat and local amenity.
“It’s wonderful to see Council and various organisations working together and also instilling environmental messages in our young people,” Cr Blundell said.
“The schools involved are Warwick East State School, Scots PGC, Warwick State High School and Warwick Central State School. Junior landcare members are also participating as part of the Landcare Conference at the end of the month.
“The planting areas will be on the Condamine River banks, within the town reach, with the school students walking to various sites or in the case of Scots PGC conducting planting in the school grounds where the river passes through,” he said.
“After the September/October school holidays there will also be some plantings with the Killarney School in the Killarney town area.”
Landcare Support Officer Angela Burrows said the planting program had a whole host of benefits both short and long term.
“In the short term, we are offering local students the opportunity to learn about the river environment that is right on our doorstep,” she said.
“This planting program engages the students, delivering a greater understanding of how the river functions and the value of vegetation on the banks for our native fish.
“In the long term we are creating resilient river systems and involving students in a program that could inspire possible career opportunities.”
