Dawson Parade Bushcare Group (Closed)

Location 
The group
The site
Project objectives
What, where & when
Contact details

Location

This site was situated along the south bank of Kedron Brook near the Arana Hills Leagues Club. The group started rehabilitation of this section of the stream at the Dawson Parade Bridge and worked downstream from the pedestrian causeway, which is about 400 metres from the road bridge.

Plants along the bank up from the concrete walkway causeway.

The Group

The Dawson Parade Bushcare Group started in May 2001 with the leadership of Judith Kerr (?). After the initial formation, this leadership was transferred to Ray and Di Loughrey. In the planing stages, and subsequently, personnel from the Grovely TAFE Centre provided valuable assistance. The Brisbane City Council 'Habitat' organisation also supported the group with expert advice from council officers, materials such as mulch and native shrubs, and the tools to achieve their goals.

The small group gradually improved their knowledge of native plants. However, after 2008, increased flooding and bank erosion caused much damage. Although attempts were made to repair the continuing erosion and revegatation washaways, they did not have sufficient numbers in the group to handle the work load involved.

At the same time, Ray and Di were also leading the local bushcare group on a larger area at Wahminda Grove. It is a tribute to their dedication and energy that over those formative years, both sites were being progressively changed into areas of diverse vegetation and aesthetic pleasure. The activities of both their working groups were conducted in a friendly social manner; working bees ended with a friendly 'cuppa and cake' and conversation about progress with their plans and aspirations.

Since 2010, Ray and Di ceased their excellent work at the Dawson Parade site to concentrate solely on the other site at Wahminda Grove. The continuous work input involved with combating storm damage to trees and bank erosion at Dawson Parade finally led Ray and Di to relinquish their roles as leaders there and to put all their effort where they felt there was more reward at the other site. Both Wahminda Grove and Dawson Parade still retain the legacy of their sound catchment habitat management with the growth of a diverse range of vegetation along both sections of the Brook.

Top

The Site

Ephemeral stream gullies collect rain water from hills in the Samford State Forest, which coalesce at Ferny Grove, and then wind down alongside the Keperra Golf course into a channel behind the Arana Hills K-Mart carpark. The water table allows a near continual, albeit small, flow in the Brook from this point.

The group's working bees endeavoured to rehabilitate the southern creek bank and flood-plain of the stream using the nucleus of remnant native vegetation, which includes some superb Waterhousia floribunda (Weeping Lillypilly tree).

The site altered over the years with major developments nearby and 'grey water' drainage pipes embedded in the creek ( reports have fish and birds being caught for food by locals in the 1930's and 1940's). Parts of the embankment consist of a thin veneer of mulch covering concrete and rock fill.

Project objectives

Apart from a few surviving shade trees, there was little native plant diversity and vegetative structural complexity remaining when the group first started. Physical degradation of the site had been accompanied by weed infestations.

Using a variety of methods the volunteers removed weeds, prepared the ground and selected plant species (as far as possible from seed collected from local plants) to replace the weeds. Replacement plants included natives that allowed a food source and a secure environment for small birds and animals.

Ray and Di Loughrey always shared a 'cuppa and cake" at the end of their working bees. (link to larger image)

The group hoped that users of the concrete walkway / bikeway would enjoy the restored bushland and perhaps get a feel for the rich, verdant habitat that once covered this part of the Kedron Brook. Adjacent grass lawns provide play areas for family outings.

Meetings

There are no regular revegetation planting or maintenance activities for the forseeable future. A great deal of work has been put into this area over recent years. It would be a pity to see all this development work go to waste.

Contact details

No present group. Interested volunteers, please contact Habitat Brisbane Officers - North, Fleur Sanderson or Jenny Leask, on 34070818 or on mobile 0417649980 or by .