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They're the passionate guardians of Queensland's national parks and forests, and now hardworking volunteer groups across the state are set to receive a $700,000 boost to turn their latest green projects into a reality.
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon has announced the Palaszczuk Government will fund 43 projects to create thriving spaces for native wildlife and that people can explore.
It follows the Palaszczuk Government's announcement last month that it would lock in the single-largest investment in the state's history to expand and acquire new national parks.
"After the floods in February devastated many of our parks, we reached out to community groups across Queensland for their best projects to help to help our environment get back up and running again," Minister Scanlon said.
"From habitat protection, flora and fauna surveys, and monitoring and mapping to visitor education programs, track monitoring and maintenance – these 40-odd projects will lay the foundations for our national parks and forests to flourish for generations to come.
Minister Scanlon said not only would the projects provide significant environmental value, they would also create greater awareness of the environment and more nature-based tourism in the state.
"We know that national parks inject more than $2.6 billion into our economy and support upwards of 17,000 indirect jobs every year – that's nothing to scoff at.
"That's why we want to continue to invest in these spaces, so they can create good jobs and protect the great lifestyle that makes Queensland so famous.
Among those to receive funding are Austinville Landcare whose $20,000 grant will remove weeds from 34 hectares of the Austinville section of Springbrook National Park.
They join other groups on the Gold Coast receiving $20,000 in funding each like Friends of Burleigh Head National Park, Nerang National Park, Toyota Landcruiser Club and Friends of Tallebudgera Creek.
The Austinville Section of the park was once used as a Solider Settlement Scheme, but has become overgrown with weeds.
"Austinville Landcare, with support from Watergum, has been working hard to rehabilitate the area for several years and is hoping to restore up to 80% of the native species canopy to sub-tropical lowland rainforest habitat.
"Once completed, the restored area will be the ideal growing environment for 12 threatened flora species and will provide habitat for 5 threatened fauna species including the tusked frog, cascade tree frog, powerful owl, Richmond birdwing butterfly and grey-headed flying fox."
Walter Mayr, Coordinator of Austinville Landcare, said the group had a long-standing and positive working relationship with the rangers of Springbrook National Park.
"Thanks to this funding, we are now able to complete our five-year project to restore one of the largest areas of native habitat in the Gold Coast Hinterland," Mr Mayr said.
"We will engage qualified weeding specialists to work in the most badly affected, hard to access areas, while volunteers and community members will take part in hand weeding and re-planting activities as part of at least three planned field days.
"Grants such as these provide us a level of continuity that is critical to winning the war on weeds."
For a full list of recipients and more information: www.qld.gov.au/environment/management/funding/community-sustainability
