Tuesday, November 23, 2010

community planting day

sunday, november 28 is our planting day at the fassifern reserve (near the corner of the Boonah Fassifern Road and the Cunningham Highway). this is the site of our caring for our country revegetation funded by the federal government and supported by council.

there's currently around 500 trees in, and by the time the project is complete, there will be around 2000. feel free to bring any friends along who may be interested, and a plate to share for morning tea. a chair would also be a good idea. it should be a fun morning.

the day will focus on the planting and starts at 9am to be followed by a short meeting with morning tea. this will be our last get together for the year, so we won't be having a lengthy meeting, however if you have any pressing agenda items, please let me know.

we are aiming to plant a few trees and spread some mulch, so please bring along your hat, garden gloves and water bottle. buckets, mattocks or picks, and brushcutters would also be handy if that's convenient. it would be best to wear long trousers and enclosed sturdy footwear. don't worry if you're not into getting your hands too dirty, i'm sure there'll be something you can help with.

if you have any questions, please send an email.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

ban the plastic bag rap

scenic rim 2030 vision on waste

council's draft waste strategy is open for comment.

Council has prepared a draft regional waste management strategy for 2010 - 2030. called
2030 Vision on Waste, the strategy considers how Council will cater for future waste and recycling needs.

this is the perfect opportunity to let council know what you think, such as the need for e-waste collections and public place recycling, the regularity of recycling bin collections, education etc.

Email comments to
Adrian Smith at council.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

boonah to ipswich trail

The proposed Boonah to Ipswich Trail (the Trail) is a 76km recreation trail with networks for walking, horse riding and mountain bike riding. It will connect central Ipswich to the centre of Boonah township and is located on existing properties owned by local governments, public roads (which may be formed or unformed) and small areas of state land.

The proposed Trail alignment passes through an extensive, rugged and regionally significant scenic landscape dominated by native vegetation. Major features include Flinders Peak, ridges forming the watershed between Purga Creek, Teviot Brook, Logan River and Bundamba and Deebing Creeks and the site of the proposed Wyaralong Dam on Teviot Brook.

High points along the Trail have views south and west to the Scenic Rim, east to the greater Brisbane area and Moreton Bay and north to the D’Aguilar Range.With the exception of areas managed by Ipswich City Council at Hardings Paddock and Flinders Peak, areas adjacent to the proposed Trail alignment have limited public access for outdoor recreation and few formal recreation trails.

Near the proposed Wyaralong Dam, however, there is potential to connect the Trail to future outdoor recreation facilities planned for the dam precinct.The Trail will provide recreation opportunities for the current and future populations of SEQ, especially Greater Ipswich and the Western Corridor, the planned Ripley Valley development, southern Logan City, Boonah, Beaudesert and the proposed urban centres of Greenbank Central, New Beith, Flagstone and Undullah. These nearby areas are expected to have a combined population of about 640,000 by 2026. Additional users are anticipated from elsewhere in SEQ and from around Australia and internationally.

A total of $2.4 million has been allocated for development of the Boonah to Ipswich Trail including design and construction of the trail and associated infrastructure such as horse yards, toilets, camping areas, water tanks, corridor fencing and gates, car parks, road crossings and safety, information, directional and regulatory signs.
The Boonah to Ipswich Trail Steering Committee had their first meeting on October 15. Chair is Wayne Wendt, MP, Ipswich West and BOSS is represented by Julie Jackson.
Anyone interested in testing the boonah to ipswich trail and giving feedback on what you think, should send an email to melanie.doheny@dip.qld.gov.au to register your interest by November 15 as space is limited. Priority will be given to those being a member of a local community or outdoor recreation organisation.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

scenic rim local food supply chain research

have you ever stopped to think where the food you buy every day comes from? Who produced it and how? How it was transported to the place where you bought it? How many hands were involved in getting your food from the farm gate to your plate?

see the sustainable scenic rim website for the full story on how the Scenic Rim Regional Council is thinking beyond today and considering how it might support innovation and diversification in the food production area. To help achieve this goal, Southern Cross University has been commissioned to undertake research that will help understand the regular food buying habits of the local community, the food service sector and food retailers as well as what farmers are producing now and potentially could produce into the future.

if you are a local resident of the Scenic Rim region and you buy food for home or eat out in local venues/restaurants and cafes please complete the local consumer survey.