Bushcare groups welcome volunteers

Eight bushcare groups on the Peninsula are welcoming new volunteers.

Gosford Council's bushcare program assists community volunteers to undertake bush regeneration on land under the care and control of the Council, said the council's natural open space co-ordinator Mr Larry Melican.

"Bush regeneration is a method of maintaining and improving areas of native vegetation by removing the burden of weeds and encouraging the natural recruitment of native plants," he said.

"A more complete and healthy plant community provides additional opportunities for native animals.

"Council supports Bushcare groups by providing them with training, tools, supervision and technical advice."

Mr Melican said a bushcare officer could arrange for a new volunteer to join an existing group, or help create a new group in an area of concern if resources are available.

Mr Melican listed meeting times for the eight groups in the Peninsula area:

The Blackwall Mountain Bushcare group meet on the third Saturday of every month from 8:30am -11:30am at the end of Mullbong Rd in Blackwall.

The Burrawang Bushcare group meets on the third Tuesday of every month from 8am-11am in summer and 9am-12pm in winter at the Hillview Reserve in Woy Woy.

Melaleuca Wetlands Bushcare meet on the second and fourth Saturday from 8am-11am in summer and 9am-12pm in winter at the end of Boronia St in Woy Woy.

Patonga Bushcare meets on the first Monday of every month from 8am-11am opposite Eve Williams Oval.

Pearl Beach Bushcare meets on the first Saturday of every month from 9am-12pm at Paul Landa Park, Green Point Rd.

Peninsula Dunecare meets on the first Saturday of every month from 9am-12 pm in winter and 8am-11am in summer at the intersection of Barrenjoey Rd and the Esplanade.

Putty Beach Bushcare meets on the first Thursday of every month from 8am-11am at the dune area, at the first carpark on Beach Dr.

Umina-Ettymalong Creek Landcare meets on the third Sunday of every month from 8am-11am at the end of Etta Road near Umina Oval.

Mr Melican said: "The Council bushcare program includes a free, year-long series of educational seminars and workshops, a quarterly newsletter, and an end of year barbeque to thank all the volunteers for their contributions.

"It is illegal for any member of the public to remove or interfere with any vegetation on Council land without prior permission.

"Every Bushcare group and individual registered with Council is empowered to undertake work on behalf of Council following a well-planned strategy.

"Bushcare officers maintain records of volunteers, the amount of work undertaken on each site, and the support that each group receives.

"These records assist Council to manage the Bushcare program as well as allowing the contribution made by the community to be fully recognised and included in documents such as the Gosford Council's State of the Environment Report.

"Registration of each Bushcarer is vital to ensuring that every volunteer receives adequate training and direction for the work they are undertaking.

"Adequate training and direction ensures that each volunteer acts as a safe and productive member of the program and is protected under Council's insurance policy.

"Each new bushcare volunteer must complete a registration form and preferably undertake an Introduction to Bushcare training workshop prior to working on a site.

"Additional training in bush regeneration, herbicide use and other topics relevant to Bushcare is available through training calendars provided free of charge to all Bushcare volunteers throughout the year."

One example is a Native Bees Workshop which will be held at the Pearl Beach Progress Hall on Saturday, May 5, and is open to all registered Gosford Council Bushcare volunteers.

Media statement, 28 Mar 2012 Larry Melican, Gosford Council Website, 29 Mar 2012 Gosford Council