Obi Obi Parklands

Obi Obi Parklands - News

Unitywater Maleny Update
25 September 2013

Unitywater have release a nice info sheet with an update on the progress of their new Maleny waste water treatment facilities. They are constructing a wetland on Maleny Community Precinct and will be planting a large area of forest in the coming year. Green Hills is pleased with the progress Unitywater is making and offers every encouragement for this important project. You can find out more by visiting their website.

Public Meeting Planned - Saturday 28th Sept 2013
20 September 2013

A public meeting will be held in the Maleny RSL Hall on Saturday 28th September at 10:30am.

The meeting is being convened by the Maleny and District Green Hills Fund to provide the people of Maleny district with the opportunity to be updated on progress of environmental restoration work on the Maleny Community Precinct and also to address some of the issues and concerns associated with that work.

Issues of concern:

Buffer zone along the riparian edge of Obi Obi Creek
Walking trail from Maleny town to Gardners Falls
Erosion of environmental restoration areas
Transparency - alterations to Master Plan, financing high-cost amenities etc.

Please spread the word about this meeting to all with an interest in seeing rainforest along our creek and a walking / bike riding trail to Gardners Falls becoming a reality.

Kids In Action Tree Planting Morning
06 September 2013

Children planting trees in the riparian zone along Obi Obi Creek in the Maleny Community Precinct. Part of the area being re-vegetated under an Australia's Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund grant. Part of the Sunshine Coast Council's 2013 Kids in Action environmental awareness program.

Unitywater Tree Planting Morning a Great Success
5 June 2013

Hundreds of young trees were planted in the Maleny Community Precinct in an event organised by Unitywater to coincide with World Environment Day 2013. Maleny District Green Hills Fund, Sunshine Coast Council, Barung Landcare, Maleny River School, and Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group were also involved. Friends of Obi Obi Parklands vollies were asked along to the event and we had a sausage sizzle to wrap up the morning.

The trees were planted downstream from the new wetland being constructed by Unitywater which will be the final polishing phase of the upgraded effluent treatment plant for Maleny.

Wildlife Nest Boxes Installed & Wetlands Sneak Peek
1 May 2013

Wildlife nest boxes have been installed. Maleny District Green Hills Fund arranged for two poles to be erected adjacent to the Unitywater wetlands in the Maleny Community Precinct. These have now been fitted with nesting boxes for flying wildlife (bats and birds). See some photos of the installation of the boxes here.

See a peek at Unitywater's work in the new Maleny Wetlands. The trees will be planted around the wetlands perimeter early in 2014. The walking tracks hopefully will be accessible to the public within the next 18 months. Already there is abundant wildlife moving in. I counted over 50 wading birds and ducks, saw a large raptor and could hear the calls of several frog species. All the wetland vegetation has taken well and will thicken in the coming few years. The site is currently fenced off and not open to public access. See some photos of the brand new wetlands under construction here.

Tree Planting Moves Into Cloudwalk Esplanade
21 April 2013

The bushcare group vollies work has moved closer to the town with work now being undertaken in the Council owned creekside esplanade near Cloudwalk subdivision. You are welcome to join in the planting Sunday mornings. Future events are listed on the Green Hills website here: http://www.greenhills.org.au

New Trees

Exotic Pine Tree Removal In Progress
16 March 2013

A stand of exotic pine trees planted after WWII are being removed as part of an environmental restoration project along the bank of Obi Obi Creek near Maleny. This may appear destructive, but local wildlife far prefer local provenance native trees and shrubs as their habitat.

This work has been undertaken by contractors mainly at their own expense in exchange for the lumber for milling. The large trees will not be wasted, nor their captured carbon lost back to the atmosphere. Branches and smaller vegetation will be chipped and spread on site. Native trees are being carefully left unaffected. The entire area will be replanted within the next 12 months. We expect a canopy covered rainforest to exist here within 15 years.

Arranged by Maleny District Green Hills Fund in conjunction with Sunshine Coast Council, utilising some funding from the Australian Government's Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund, as part of a much larger revegetation project along the riparian edge of Obi Obi Creek within the Maleny Community Precinct.

Map Briefing of Precinct Work
21 February 2013

This video shows in map form the work Green Hills has participated in or arranged on the Maleny Community Precinct since October 2010.

Next Stage Riparian Restoration Being Determined
15 February 2013

On Friday 15th February people from Green Hills, Barung, LBCCG and Sunshine Coast Council got together on the precinct and braved quite bleak weather for a look at the riparian zone near the outflow from the northen wetlands towards town. The clearing of exotic pine trees near Obi Obi Creek has commenced, but is now delayed by the wet weather. We had a look at the riparian strip all the way towards town, and then had a brief look at ongoing work with the southern wetland outflow all weather crossing being constructed by Council. See all the photos here.

Wildlife Poles Installed
22 January 2013

Two tall timber poles have been installed near the new wetlands being constructed by Unitywater. A selection of suitable nesting boxes will be attached to these in the near future to provide homes for some of the Maleny Community Precinct's feathered residents. The poles and nest boxes have been arranged and funded by Maleny District Green Hills Fund, and the poles were erected by Unitywater contractors. We intend to undertake monitoring of these nest boxes to see who makes them home.

See some photos here of the poles being erected (scroll down to see them).

Tree Removal And Wetlands Progressing
21 January 2013

Wednesday 23rd January sees the commencement of the removal of a large stand of slash pines from the bank of Obi Obi Creek near the outflow of the small creek from the northern wetland area currently under construction by Unitywater.

A pair of Rainbow Lorikeets have a home in the hollow of a dead tree amongst the pines and we shall ensure that their home is not disturbed during the tree removal work.

The Unitywater wetlands construction is progressing. You can see some photos taken on the precinct showing the area where the exotic pines will be removed, current photos of the November 2012 tree planting area, and progress on the Unitywater wetland project.

See all the photos here.

November 24th Tree Planting Event
15 December 2012

Green Hills, in conjunction with Barung Landcare and Sunshine Coast Council held a big tree planting event in the Maleny Community Precinct on the morning of Saturday 24th November. This was our biggest event of the year and over a hundred of people turned up. Trees were planted along the bank of Obi Obi Creek, across from Erowal and also across from the primary school. Here are some photos of the event.

Mayor Jamieson urges Maleny Golf Club to reveal the Business Plan for its 9 hole Golf Course
1 December 2012 - By Michael Berry, Editor of Hinterland Times

Sunshine Coast Mayor, Mark Jamieson has told the Hinterland Times that the Maleny Golf Club should let the local community see the business plan for the Club’s planned 9 hole golf course on the Maleny Precinct.

There is growing local concern that the Golf Club does not have access to finance for construction of its proposed golf course and that it is trying to secure a grant of $450,000 from Council to help kick-start the project.

The Hinterland Times has requested a copy of the business plan which has been submitted to Council, but both Council and the Golf Club will not release the document.
Mayor Jamieson claims the business plan is commercial in confidence, despite the fact that the Golf Club is a community organisation and they have a monopoly over the golf course construction on the Precinct land.

At the crux of the secrecy surrounding this issue is that many in the Maleny community have for some years wanted a walkway across the Precinct as its priority, allowing a wide range of people to enjoy the amenity of the land.

However, there is still no walkway and Council appears willing to provide money for a golf course which surveys have shown is not wanted by a majority of locals.

There is a current stand-off between Council and the Golf Club over whether they should get $450,000 as a loan or a grant.

Those close to this process, on the Precinct Advisory Committee, are concerned that the community is being short-changed over how money is being allocated to the Precinct development. Steven Lang, President of the prime environment group, Maleny Green Hills Fund told the Hinterland Times that, “The agreement that was reached, through the master planning process, was that this would be a loan, not a grant. The community clearly stated its preferences regarding the Maleny Community Precinct were for walking trails and parklands (93% of Maleny residents). Council has only limited funds and these should be directed towards trails, not subsidising Golf.

“If the Maleny Golf Club wants to build a course they have to demonstrate that they can raise the funds to do so, not rely on ratepayers.”

The Hinterland Times has been informed from inside Council that the Maleny Golf Club has definitely not been offered a grant and that there are no Council grants providing for up to $450,000 for community groups.

Mayor Jamieson acknowledged that the community had a right to know the full implications of the course funding.

“That would be a fair and reasonable response,” he said. “But if it was to swing from a loan to a grant, that would be a different matter altogether.

“I can only assure you that irrespective of individual councillors who may support the Golf Club, Council would not approve something where there was confusion over whether it was a loan or a grant.”

Mayor Jamieson expressed surprised the financing of the proposed golf course on the Precinct was still not resolved.

“I find it a little unusual that we are still talking about the funding which I thought would have been resolved upfront.

“They are going to have to demonstrate their financial ability to run that business ... how the club will construct the golf course and how it will finance the construction and future maintenance.”

Mayor Jamieson was asked to respond to rumours that the first nine holes of the course would be constructed by sympathetic local contractors at mates rates for $1.2 million.
“Council would want to be certain that what was going to be done could be funded, could be sustained and certainly maintained in a way that was in keeping with the other parts of the Precinct. The golf course is going to be there for a long time so it needs to be a legacy that people are comfortable with and fits in with that environment. “

Mayor Jamieson recognised the golf club’s right to commercial-in-confidence but also acknowledged that the lack of information over the business plan, and how Council was involved financially with the project, was causing tensions in the community.

“I think it would be a whole lot simpler for everyone if the golf course proponents shared that information with the community and explained in detail what it is they are seeking to achieve, and how things were going to be done. I think that would be the sensible way to do it. And I would encourage them to do that.”

October Bushcare Working Bee
21 October 2012

A dedicated group of Friends of Obi Obi Parklands braved the hot conditions to continue the tree planting and weeding work above Reynold's Crossing in the Maleny Community Precinct this morning. Over 150 additional trees and shrubs were planted. Despite the prolonged dry spell the soil still holds a surprising amount of moisture. Survival rates for the previously planted trees are very good.

Exotic Pines To Be Removed
19 October 2012

This advice received from Sunshine Coast Council: The Precinct Advisory Group has been advised of a proposal to remove two areas of exotic pines on the Precinct. The proposal is part of the ongoing partnership between the Sunshine Coast Council and Maleny District Green Hills Fund. The pine removal is consistent with the Master Plan for the Precinct and a rehabilitation plan to restore a continuous corridor of native vegetation along the Obi Obi Creek, to improve habitat, fauna movement, bank stability and visitor amenity. The work has been supported by grants to Green Hills from the Federal Government’s Biodiversity Fund, along with assistance form Sunshine Coast Council and other community volunteers working along the Obi Obi Creek.

However, prior to any works Council needed to investigate any potential impacts to both natural and cultural heritage values at the site. A flora and fauna survey and specialist advice has indicated that works will not impact on any threatened species or significant natural values. A report by a heritage Landscape Architect indicated that the cultural heritage significance of the pines is only likely to be ‘local’. That is, the pines would not warrant listing or protection under heritage legislation. The report also suggests the eastern stand of pines would be likely to have the greater significance of the two stands. Furthermore, the report acknowledges the need to balance any heritage considerations with the aims of restoring ecological values along the Obi Obi Ck corridor and managing potential weeds.

Based on the landscape architects report, flora/fauna surveys and specialist advice, Council has decided to proceed with removal of the larger western stand of pines but to preserve the eastern stand as a reminder of earlier farming activities at the Precinct. Golf has also indicated they intend maintaining several stands of pines on the future course, including stands closer to historical Pattemore House. Council believes this is a good outcome, balancing the need to manage both local heritage and natural values.

Council will be overseeing removal of the western hectare stand of exotic pines along the Obi Obi Creek. Specialist contractors will be engaged to remove the pines, under supervision from council staff, ensuring that any surrounding native vegetation is protected, and works completed as quickly as possible. Tree heads will be chipped for mulch to be re-used as part of subsequent planting work.

The works are scheduled to start in November 2012, weather and ground conditions permitting, and would be completed in about two weeks. Once the pines are removed, Council will work with Green Hills to revegetate the site with local native plants, to complement the broader re-vegetation project along the Obi Obi Creek.

Green Hills 2012 AGM
22 September 2012

The 2012 Annual General Meeting of the Maleny District Green Hills Fund was held in the Maleny RSL Hall on Saturday 22nd September 2012. Local Councillor Jenny Mackay and Queensland Minister for the Environment and Heritage, local member Andrew Powell attended.

September Bushcare Working Bee
16 September 2012

The Friends of Obi Obi Parklands bushcare undertook some infill planting in the "Jill Jordan Memorial Grove" area near Obi Obi Creek on Sunday 16th September 2012. After a few hours work we enjoyed a BBQ by the creek.

Bushcare Group Plants Another 350 Trees
27 August 2012

The Friends of Obi Obi Parklands bushcare group planted around 350 trees and shrubs in the riparian rainforest red volcanic soil along Obi Obi Creek in the Maleny Community Precinct on Sunday morning, 26th August 2012. The site is close to the Reynold's Crossing old track to Maleny, and is adjacent to last month's plantings. This month we held a BBQ after a good morning's work, under clear blue skies.

All the trees and shrubs we plant have machine dug holes with nice rich loose soil, they are provided with a weed mat, are surrounded with a tree guard and firm stake and are well watered in to ensure maximum survival rates. The ground is always well prepared with all weeds being removed first.

The trees were local provenance species supplied by Barung Nursery. The event was arranged by Barung Landcare and Maleny District Green Hills Fund. The Friends of Obi Obi Parklands bushcare group meets once per month and you are most welcome to join us for active fun in the outdoors followed by nice morning tea and a chat.

See some photos from the morning taken by Susie Duncan here.

Bushcare Group Plants Another 300 Trees
23 July 2012

The Friends of Obi Obi Parklands bushcare group planted around 300 trees and shrubs in the riparian rainforest red volcanic soil along Obi Obi Creek in the Maleny Community Precinct on Sunday morning, 22nd July 2012. The site is close to the Reynold's Crossing old track to Maleny.

The trees were local provenance species supplied by Barung Nursery. The event was arranged by Barung Landcare, Maleny District Green Hills Fund, and Sunshine Coast Council. The bushcare group meets once per month and you are most welcome to join us for active fun in the outdoors followed by nice morning tea and a chat.

Unfortunately, the major public tree planting event planned for August 2012 has been postponed. We will keep you all informed of the revised date, which should be in Spring.

Bushcare Group Plants 550 Trees
17 June 2012

The Friends of Obi Obi Parklands bushcare group planted 550 trees in the riparian rainforest along Obi Obi Creek in the Maleny Community Precinct on Sunday morning, 17th June 2012.

The trees were local provenance species supplied by Barung Nursery. The event was arranged by Barung Landcare, Maleny District Green Hills Fund, and Sunshine Coast Council.

Green Hills Precinct Information Update
16 June 2012

Green Hills hosted a public meeting in the Maleny RSL Hall on Saturday 16th June 2012. We provided info about the status of revegetation projects in the Maleny Community Precinct and also Unitywater provided info about their big reveg project on the Precinct.

The meeting was well attended (over 160 people). Lots of good questions were asked by the public. See an overview of our restoration projects in the Maleny Community Precinct.

Meetings Have Been Held
15 June 2012

Directors from Green Hills have held on-site meetings with both Sunshine Coast Council senior staff and also a representative from the Federal Government's Biodiversity Fund. We seek to define boundaries for revegetation work and set up our three year program to revegetate 7 Ha of riparian land from Cloudwalk right to the site of current sewerage effluent dispersal (see map). Here are two short videos of the meetings:

Major Grant Funding Awarded
5 June 2012

Green Hills has been awarded $175 000 from Round One of the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future Biodiversity Fund for rehabilitation work on Maleny Community Precinct.

This is the second grant Green Hills have received from the Federal Government in the last six months. It means the community group, operated entirely by volunteers, now has funding to complete bank revegetation on Obi Obi Creek between the town centre and the Southern Wetlands.

The two grants have provided seed funding for projects of a total value of $345 000.

Steven Lang, President of Green Hills, said: ‘This is an extraordinary win for Maleny and the Sunshine Coast. The area we’re going to plant is the major missing link for wildlife on the Range. Obi Obi Creek provides a natural corridor running right through the centre of the range and this 2 kms of creek bank has no trees at all'.

‘Green Hills have been tirelessly campaigning for a walkway to be built between town and Gardners Falls as both a local amenity and a major tourist attraction. Reforestation of this area will bring the pathway construction forward'.

'In the last few years a lot of conservation energy has gone into stopping Global Warming but in that debate the importance of biodiversity has been forgotten. It doesn’t mean it’s gone away. Australia is losing animal and plant species at an alarming rate, largely through loss of habitat. A project like this helps to mitigate that loss, while at the same time tackling Global Warming'.

‘The Biodiversity Fund has $1 billion to allocate over the next six years. Round One was hotly contested. It’s a testament to the importance of this connecting strip of land that Green Hills have been awarded funds to do the work'.

Other groups contributing to the project are: Lake Baroon Catchment Care, Barung Landcare, SEQ Water and Sunshine Coast Council.

Green Hills’s reforestation work will connect to the construction of the Northern Wetlands by Unity Water on the Precinct.

Green Hills, Barung Landcare, Lake Baroon and Council will hold a grand community tree plant in spring 2012 to start the process off.

Green Hills also runs a bushcare group one day a month.

Unitywater Announces Major Reforestation Project
21 May 2012

Unitywater, the authority which supplies water to Maleny homes and treats town sewage, has announced a major upgrade to the Maleny sewage treatment system which will incorporate treated effluent dispersal through a rainforest and wetlands area to be established in the Maleny Community Precinct. Maleny District Green Hills Fund has been instrumental in seeing this project come to fruition, and many of the elements that were planned for Obi Obi Parklands will be incorporated in the design for the precinct land. Walking tracks, interpretive signage, reforestation of rainforest on the hillsides, and wetland areas will be established in the $3 million project.

Details of the Unitywater announcement.
Maleny Sewerage Treatment Plant Upgrade webpages.

Weed Trees Have Been Cleared
13 January 2012

Green Hills directors have for the past two days been overseeing the clearing of a stretch of riparian land in the Maleny Community Precinct. This was the removal of weed trees and shrubs prior to revegetation with riparian rainforest species. Mainly privet, camphor laurel and pine trees.

See some photos on Flickr here.

South of the southern wetland area along the bank of Obi Obi Creek in the Maleny Community Precinct. The work was arranged by Maleny District Green Hills Fund, using grant money from the Australian Government. Community tree planting will be taking place in this area later in 2012. Watch this page or on facebook for details...

Video of the weed trees and shrubs being removed (4 mins)
You can see this video in HD using YouTube.

Green Hills Receives Grant Funding
23 November 2011

Welcome news has been received. Green Hills has been granted $20,000 towards a restoration project in Obi Obi Parklands.

The southern wetland on the Maleny Community Precinct is the last palustrine wetland in the Obi Obi catchment (VMA REC 12.3.8) (DERM ID 131692). Sunshine Coast Council’s Report (McG&E 2011) identifies the outflow as ‘actively eroding’. The outflow is adjacent to endangered gallery rainforest (RE 12.3.1). The wetland sits in open farmland, unfenced from cattle. The Obi Obi Creek is the main waterway on the Blackall Range. At the wetland junction it has no native riparian cover only weed species (lantana, blackberry [Weeds of National Significance] and woody weeds). Green Hills, Sunshine Coast Council, Barung Landcare and Lake Baroon Catchment Care Group will work together to repair the outflow, remove weeds and plant natives in the buffer zones, as part of a larger conservation strategy for the whole wetland.

http://www.nrm.gov.au/cag/cag-projects/2011-12/pubs/cag-11-12-all-projects.pdf

See earlier Obi Obi Parklands NEWS here.