Despite the cold and the fierce wind, we had an enjoyable walk around Queanbeyan’s Bicentennial Park, led by Helen Hadobas who coordinates the Bicentennial Park sub-group. Additional expert information was provided by others participating in the walk.

We saw the results of projects undertaken by the sub-group over the last five years, looked at the plants of the park, talked about its birds and animals and even saw a bearded dragon basking in the sun on the flagpole hill!

The walk was followed by a delicious morning tea featuring home-made goodies, in a sunny spot sheltered from the wind.

Purchase heavy duty brush cutter

QLc, with funding assistance from Molonglo Catchment Group, has purchased a brush cutter for use by Friends of Mt Jerrabomberra and Stringybark Ridge Bushcare Group and other members of Queanbeyan Landcare.

FOMJASR is a sub-group of Queanbeyan Landcare and is a new community group formed to help the Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC) control woody weeds in these and other nearby reserves. Formed in response to the amount of woody weeds slowly taking over areas within the urban bush areas and with the encouragement of Queanbeyan Landcare, an equipment grant was applied for through the QPRC ‘Building better communities’ fund. Since March 2017, using equipment purchased through the grant, a small group of community volunteers have been ‘cutting and dabbing’ woody weeds within the Mt Jerrabomberra, Stringy Bark Ridge and the QPRC ‘Old Cooma Road Offset block’ urban bush reserves.

FOMJASR has a number of large blackberry bushes (approximately 6m plus in diameter) within the series of reserves that we work in. FOMJASR proposes to purchase a heavy duty brush cutter to destroy rabbit harbors that herbicide spraying alone wouldn’t accomplish. Queanbeyan Landcare would also utilize this piece of equipment in other areas around Queanbeyan (the Poplars/Bicentennial Park/Fernleigh Park etc) to control weeds and grasses around revegetation plantings in these areas.

Volunteer hours have been invested into these worthwhile community bushland reserves and visible weed control outcomes can already be seen. As well as the satisfaction of removing woody weeds from the areas, the group has been enjoying glorious sunny mornings in the bushland reserves with magnificent views over Jerrabomberra and Canberra, across to the Brindabella ranges as well as the lovely Eucalypt woodland closer at hand while enjoying morning tea on our monthly meetings.

FOMJASR is looking for more people to get involved. Not only does FOMJASR hold activities overlooking Jerrabomberra in Stringybark Ridge and the Old Cooma Road Offset Block, they also hold activities on Mt Jerrabomberra. Activity is on the first Sunday of each month, March to December, from 9-12pm. Community members are welcome, staying the entire time or working for only an hour or two, coming along each month or only as often as they can. There are also other sub-groups in Queanbeyan Landcare, so there is bound to be something for everyone to get involved with in the environment.

For anyone interested in finding out more or getting involved, please contact Queanbeyan Landcare on chairperson@queanbeyanlandcare.org.au or jerrabushlandgroup@queanbeyanlandcare.org.au.