Mackay urban greening news

Rail freight business Aurizon has partnered with Mackay Regional Council to deliver a native revegetation project at Koumala on 118-hectares of land previously disturbed by land clearing and grazing activities.

Reforestation has involved the planting of 59,000 native seedlings, comprised of a mixture of species found in the Hatfield and Connor Ranges, sourced from Mackay Regional Council’s nursery.

Adjoining the Kelvin National Park, the project brings important environmental and bio-diversity benefits to the region. In addition, it will provide more than 32,000 tonnes of carbon abatement over the next 25 years.

The trees were propagated by Mackay Regional Council nursery staff and community volunteers, with the planting completed by contractor Ecosure. Local contractors were engaged to provide equipment and complete ground preparation works for seedlings to be planted and get established.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said council was proud to partner with Aurizon on this reforestation project. “The successful restoration of this 118-hectare site is a shining example of what can be achieved when local government, private enterprise and the community work together,” Mayor Williamson said. "All the seedlings for this project were propagated locally by the dedicated staff at council’s Mackay Natural Environment Centre,” he said.

“Their expertise and hard work have ensured that these native plants are perfectly suited to thrive in this environment, making a lasting contribution to the region’s ecology.”

The reforested area, as it matures, will enhance biodiversity values in the region by increasing coverage of native vegetation. This is vital for the health and resilience of bio-regionally important ecosystems, including wildlife corridors.

Aurizon Managing Director and CEO, Andrew Harding, on a site visit today (September 4, 2024), congratulated Mackay Regional Council and the team of volunteers who have helped get the project finished.

“The council and local community volunteers have done an amazing job in helping Aurizon deliver this reforestation project for the Mackay region,” Andrew said.

“Aurizon is a major employer and proud contributor to the regional economy. Projects like these demonstrate how we can work together to deliver community and environmental benefit.

“This is also an Australian first for Aurizon, representing our first nature-based carbon-offsetting tree reserve. Over the next 25 years, it is expected to generate more than 32,000 tonnes of carbon abatement – an important initiative in delivering on our target of net zero operational emissions by 2050.”

Aurizon was able to successfully implement this sustainability project, in part, through financial support from a Federal Government Carbon + Biodiversity (C+B) Pilot grant. This funding stream supports establishment of such projects with environmental value for local regions while contributing to carbon sequestration initiatives. This project is registered under the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 as an Australian Carbon Credit Unit (ACCU) Scheme project. The land is expected to generate, on average, approximately 1,300 ACCUs per annum.

While many residents are starting to put up their Christmas trees at home, council is installing some trees of their own in the Northern Beaches.

Council will be planting 74 street trees along Eimeo and Blacks Beach roads next month.

This is the first major planting project of the Mackay Urban Greening Strategy, with more to come in the future.

The project supports the strategy’s vision of growing cooler, greener and more connected neighbourhoods. Mayor Williamson said the region’s urban vegetation cover was relatively low and declining in some areas.

“One of the primary goals of council’s Mackay Urban Greening Strategy is ensure that more trees are planted than removed each year,” Mayor Williamson said.

“We want to achieve an average of 40 per cent tree canopy coverage over pathways, public parks and council-owned open spaces by 2042,” he said.

“We currently have less than 20 per cent coverage over our pathways, so this is a positive step forward in providing more shade cover for residents in the growing Northern Beaches area.

“It will help in providing pedestrians with a much nicer experience walking to school and accessing any other essential services by footpath.”

There will be no impact to pedestrians or traffic as part of this work.

Ratepayers who want to add more greenery to their own gardens are reminded that they can sign up to council’s Gardens for Wildlife program to collect 10 free native plants for their property.

Visit www.mackay.qld.gov.au/gardensforwildlife for more details.

Map 1: Eimeo Road planting
Map 2: Blacks Beach Road planting

After the success of the Mackay Regional Council Free Native Plant Program, council is launching a new program for green thumbs in our region.

The Gardens for Wildlife program allows ratepayers to collect an additional 10 free native plants for their garden per year, on top of the four plants already available through the Free Native Plant Program.

Mayor Greg Williamson said applications were now open for residents who wanted to be involved in the program.

“We have 500 spots available for ratepayers who want to add more native plants to their garden,” Mayor Williamson said.

“Native plants support biodiversity by providing food and habitat for local wildlife,” he said.

“If you have ever wanted to attract more birds, bees or butterflies to your garden, this program will provide you with the perfect opportunity to give your garden a makeover at no cost to you.

“Best of all, native plants require less water than exotic plant species and are better suited to our climate.”

Mayor Williamson said the program would also help improve the Mackay region’s urban vegetation cover, which was relatively low and declining in some areas.

“The Mackay Urban Greening Strategy recognises the important role the community plays in achieving gains in canopy cover across the urban areas of our region,” he said.

“Council is committed to achieving canopy cover gains on public land, but 64 per cent of the urban area is private land, which the community is responsible for.

“Those who sign up to the program will be required to include at least one tree providing canopy cover in their selection.

“This will not only provide local wildlife with much needed habitat, but tree shade has also been shown to reduce household energy consumption by five to 10 per cent in a home during summer, saving you on electricity costs.”

As part of this program, ratepayers must:

- Fill out the application form online at mackay.qld.gov.au/gardensforwildlife to join the program. This program is capped at 500 gardens per year; first in, best dressed.

- Order your plants by emailing nursery@mackay.qld.gov.au.

- Include one tree in your plant selection. This is to provide canopy cover to create shade for cooler neighbourhoods as well as habitat and food for birds, butterflies and native bees.

- Receive a Gardens for Wildlife sign that can be installed on your fence.

The Gardens for Wildlife program supports the Mackay Urban Greening Strategy’s vision of growing cooler, greener and more connected neighbourhoods.

Council has a plan to make Mackay cooler, greener and more connected.

It’s all part of council’s new Mackay Urban Greening Strategy, which was adopted at today’s (December 7) ordinary council meeting.

Urban greening is the process of strategically identifying ways to protect, plan and plant vegetation across urban areas, including streets, parks, reserves, car parks and waterways.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the strategy would put a plan in place to increase vegetation coverage across the region over the next 20 years.

“Mackay’s urban vegetation cover is relatively low, and it is also declining in some areas,” he said.

“The Mackay Urban Greening Strategy was developed with community input, and it provides a vision, target, and actions to make Mackay cooler, greener and more connected into the future.

“It will include actions, such as more planting projects, tree management, policy reviews and community engagement.

“Urban greening is a priority for us as a council as it not only provides shade from the hot sun, but it also improves air quality, reduces stormwater run-off and contributes to the amenity of Mackay’s urban character and sense of place.”

The Mackay Urban Greening Strategy highlights four key objectives including:

• growing greener and cooler neighbourhoods
• protecting and nurturing our valued green assets
• building community stewardship and partnerships
• adapting and learning.

The strategy also sets the following key targets, which it aims to achieve by 2042:

• an average of 40 per cent tree canopy cover over pathways (up from 16.8 per cent in 2021)
• an average of 40 per cent tree canopy cover over public parks and open space network (up from 33.6 per cent in 2021)
• an annual net gain of public tree numbers, ensuring more trees are planted than removed.

View the Mackay Urban Greening Strategy.

Would you like to take home 10 free native plants for your garden?

Council has released its draft Mackay Urban Greening Strategy for public comment and everyone who leaves feedback on the strategy will go into the draw to win 10 free native plants from council’s Mackay Natural Environment Centre.

Urban greening is the process of strategically identifying ways to protect, plan and plant vegetation across urban areas including streets, parks, reserves, car parks and waterways.

Council’s draft Urban Greening Strategy also focuses on encouraging residents and businesses to plant more trees and vegetation on their private properties.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council recognised the importance of urban greening and the impacts it had on residents, the environment and the economy.

“Mackay’s urban vegetation cover is relatively low, and it is also declining in some areas,” he said.

“Responses to a recent community survey indicate that 99 per cent of residents support council initiatives that involve planting more trees in public spaces and 95 per cent of residents support council investment into programs that encourage private landholders to plant more trees on their own properties.

“Urban greening not only provides shade from the hot sun, but it also improves air quality, reduces stormwater run-off and contributes to the amenity of Mackay’s urban character and sense of place.

“With issues such as climate change expected to increase the demand for shade in the future, this is something we need to start planning for now as beautiful, big shady trees don’t just grow overnight.”

The draft Mackay Urban Greening Strategy sets four key objectives for the next 20 years:

1. grow greener and cooler neighbourhoods
2. protect and nurture our valued green assets
3. build community stewardship and partnerships
4. adapt and learn.

The draft strategy also sets the following key targets, which it aims to achieve by 2045:

• an average of 40 per cent tree canopy cover over pathways (up from 16.8 per cent in 2021)
• an average of 40 per cent tree canopy cover over public parks and open space network (up from 33.6 per cent in 2021)
• an annual net gain of public tree numbers ensuring more trees are planted than removed.

Click here to read the draft strategy and leave your feedback. You can also contribute a pin on the interactive map and suggest where more trees should be planted.

A hard copy version of the draft strategy will also be available at all council libraries and Customer Service Centres in Mackay, Mirani and Sarina for residents to read.

Consultation closes on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 11.59pm.

As part of the program, ratepayers can collect four free native plants from the Mackay Natural Environment Centre each year.

Additional plants can be purchased for $2.90 each (eftpos only) by ratepayers and non-ratepayers.

The open days will be held on Friday, August 12, from 9am to 3pm and Saturday, August 13, from 9am to noon.

Did you know? Native plants are better suited to our climate than other exotic plant species. They are low maintenance, require less water and provide a reliable food source and valuable habitat for native wildlife.

Click here to browse the collection.

We had 55 volunteers come along and together they planted 1300 trees.

DID YOU KNOW?
The plants that were used at this year's event were locally sourced. Many of the seeds were sourced from the Woodlands site and then propagated by council’s nursery team at the Mackay Natural Environment Centre.

Click here to learn more about the Woodlands District Park project.

Above: Volunteers lend a hand at our tree planting day.

The beautiful Woodlands Reserve in Andergrove will be the focus of this year’s National Tree Day in Mackay.

Council is calling on volunteers to lend a hand at this year’s event, which will be held on Sunday, July 31, from 8.30am to 12.30pm at Ficus Crescent, Andergrove.

This site has strong community interest, and the tree planting event will help to enhance the natural areas of reserve and will complement the upcoming Woodlands District Park project.

Council is aiming to plant up to 1300 plants at National Tree Day.

Come down and get your hands dirty for a good cause by registering as a volunteer for National Tree Day.

Please wear sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses and bring a water bottle. If you have your own gloves and gardening equipment, please bring them along. A free barbecue will be provided to everyone who participates in this event.

Registrations close at 5pm on Thursday, July 28.

School’s Tree Day will be held at a different location this year. Students will be revegetating the area beside the 2021 School’s Tree Day site on the Bluewater Trail, east of the Ron Camm Bridge.

School’s Tree Day will be held on Friday, July 29, and council is aiming to plant 700 plants as part of this event.

National Tree Day and School’s Tree Day in Mackay is supported by Mackay Regional Council and Mackay Toyota.

Click here to register for National Tree Day.

Stay up-to-date on all the latest urban greening events and initiatives by subscribing to council’s urban greening eNewsletter by clicking here.

For more information on plans for Woodlands District Park click here.

Above: Mayor Greg Williamson with volunteers from Swayneville State School at the 2021 School's Tree Day event in Mackay.

Our Free Native Plant Program is running on Friday, April 1, from 9am to 3pm and Saturday, April 2, from 9am to noon at the Mackay Natural Environment Centre (MNEC), located at 6 Swayne Street, North Mackay.

If you are a ratepayer you can collect four free plants each calendar year. Simply bring your latest rates notice along and choose four plants from our range. Additional plants can be purchased for $2.80 each (eftpos only).

Local native plants are not only beautiful but they thrive in our climate and require less water than other non-native species.

Pioneer Catchment & Landcare Group Inc. will also be running nature craft and nature hunt activities each day.

Council's Mackay Natural Environment Centre has given away more than 19,700 plants to ratepayers, schools and community groups over the last year as part of the Free Native Plant Program.

And, with more than 100 volunteers already registered to take part in next Sunday’s National Tree Day in Mackay, there are obviously more than a few green thumbs in our region.

To help guide council’s approach towards future greening initiatives, an urban greening survey has also kicked off today and is now open for comment.

The survey is seeking feedback from the community on a planned approach towards enhancing and protecting greenery in our region’s urban areas, which would include planting more trees on local streets and in public spaces.

Mayor Greg Williamson said council believed that creating greener neighbourhoods was an important priority for the region but wanted to ensure this view aligned with those of residents.

“Trees and other vegetation play a significant role in the community and provide a number of economic, social and environmental benefits,” he said.

“Greener neighbourhoods are cooler in summer, more attractive places to walk and cycle, they deliver a daily dose of nature closest to where we live, work and play, and offer many other benefits when carefully planned and managed.

“Council has a vision to become the best region in Australia for liveability and livelihood and we believe a planned approach towards urban greening could play a key role in supporting this vision.

“We would love residents to let us know where they want to see more greenery planted, what type of vegetation they would like to see more of, as well as sharing any other thoughts and suggestions on this subject.”

View the Mackay region urban greening area map and share your feedback by visiting connectingmackay.com.au/urban-greening and filling out the survey by Wednesday, September 1.

Residents can also request a hard copy survey by contacting council’s Community Engagement team on 1300 MACKAY (622 529) or emailing engagement@mackay.qld.gov.au.