Recently Completed Projects
NATIONAL TREE DAY 2025
National Tree Day in 2025 was held on Sunday 27 July at The Scar off Southbar Road, Karabar. Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council (QPRC), Queanbeyan Landcare and more than 120 community volunteers started the task of turning a disturbed, bare site into a multi-species, structurally diverse area of native vegetation for wildlife and urban cooling.
The planting site selected sits between the BMX Track and the Dog Park. The area was a quarry and then the city rubbish tip. The soil used to remediate the site is poor with previous plantings showing slow growth, but pH testing showed only slightly acid soils and soil moisture in 2025 was good. Two planting sites were selected, the main one being on the flat at the base of the steeper eroded slopes of Mount Jerrabomberra. The Mount Jerrabomberra Story has further history on this site.
The site was ripped in June by Marc Van Dyk from Black Earthworks & Civil who once again assisted preparation for this significant community event. The second site is under a line of small Eucalypts that were planted some years ago between Southbar Road and the main planting area, suitable for additional understory plantings.
Ian Johnson, Tom Baker and Steve Dovers from Queanbeyan Landcare created a plant list sourced from our own local stock (50), stock held from the Upper Murrumbidgee/Shoalhaven Landcare network’s Tree Start Program (154) and plants donated by the Royalla Landcare Group (40) and cared for by Bill Hall. Plants from these sources totalled 244.
Community Provided Species:
Eucalyptus mannifera (Brittle Gum) – 45
Eucalyptus sideroxylon (Iron Bark) - 5
E. macrorhyncha Red Stringy Bark) - 15
E. melliodora (Yellow Box) - 25
E. Polyanthemos (Red Box) - 10
E. nortonii (Large flowered Mealy Bundy) – 15
Allocasuarina verticillata (Drooping Sheoak) - 5
Acacia falciformis (Broad leafed hickory wattle) – 5
Acacia dealbata (Silver Wattle) – 23
Acacia melanyoxylon (Blackwood Wattle) - 12
Dodonaea viscosa (sp angustissima) - 14
Melaleuca (?) - 2
Dianellas and Lomandras – 12
Danthonia sp (Wallaby grass) – 50
QPRC purchased 350 plants from Greening Australia:
Acacia rubida (Red-stemmed Wattle) – 40
Callitris endlicheri (Black cypress pine – 20
Hakea decurrens ssp decurrens (Bushy needlewood) – 20
Allocasuarine verticillata (Drooping sheoak) – 20
Callistemon sieberi (River Bottlebrush) – 20
Eucalytus polyanthemos (Red Box) – 20
Hardenbergia violacea (False Sarsaparilla) – 60
Vittadinia muelleri (Narrowleaf New-Holland-Daisy) – 20
Xerochrysum viscosum (Sticky everlasting) – 20
Chrysocephalum semipapposum (Clustered Everlasting) – 10
Chrysocephalum apiculatum (Common Everlasting or Yellow Buttons) – 10
Craspedia variabilis (Billy Buttons) – 10
Leptospermum obovatum (River teatree) – 20
Acacia gunnii (Ploughshare Wattle, Dog's-tooth Wattle) – 20
Brachychiton populneus (Kurrajong) - 40
Planting Plan:
The Eucalyptus and Casuarina were planted 5 metres apart along the rip lines. These were infilled with Acacias, Callitris and Kurrajongs. In addition, unusual for community plantings in Queanbeyan, patches of various groundcover daisies, hardenbergia vines and native grasses were added.
The planting was relatively dense, insurance for a site with poor, compacted soil (mostly fill) with poor drainage. Soil was moist from recent rain, pooling on lower patches. Most of the site had been ripped prior to the event - ripping makes planting easier, and enables water and root penetration, especially on harder ground like this.
However on the day at least 200 holes were dug with powered augers. This enabled expansion of the main planting site and was used throughout the second planting site for the groundcovers that will be a feature in this area. Auger holes are not always as successful as ripping, being shallower and not as wide as rip lines, but useful in areas not accessible to machinery.
It will be important to compare how the two approaches perform and also how plants in the very wet areas perform.
There are many advantages with grouping a variety of types of plants fairly close together. It increases microclimate protection, habitat diversity, soil health, pest and disease resistance, pollinator attraction and aesthetic appeal. Small birds benefit significantly from these denser plantings as they provide nesting and feeding habitat and refuge from predators and threat.
Emery J from QPRC was the organiser of this event however he included Ian, Tom and Steve at all stages of the planning of this day and was more than happy to discuss and revise plant choice and planting position with Bruce D, Ian and Tom on the day.
Additional Queanbeyan Landcare members attended to assist with the crowd of more than 120 community volunteers, to ensure plants were placed correctly in the harsh soil - explaining site preparation, planting techniques, placement of tree guards and stakes, watering and the spreading of mulch. Thanks to all our members who attended on the day - including Fran C, Bob C, Mark P, Marc v D, Helen E, Lizzy S, Michele D, Gary M, David G, Tom J, Malcolm B, Lindsay P, Di J, Lindsay J, Jodie R, Chris H, Melissa C and David B.
Community volunteers included 10 – 15 from a local Queanbeyan companies, 10 Scouts and their families from across the region and 50 volunteers from the Sikh community.
It was cold and windy, but the plants were in the ground, warm drinks from the Peak-me-up coffee van consumed and the site cleaned up by 12 noon. The Sikh community provided a lovely curry for the end of a great day.
The site at The Scar will require continued care and monitoring in the months and years to come. Follow-up watering, weeding, and maintenance will be critical to ensuring the survival and flourishing of the young plants but Queanbeyan Landcare has a proven long-term commitment to this area, including planting for shade in the adjacent off-lead and BMX complex many years ago.
We will be supporting Council to ensure this site provides additional habitat for native wildlife, a cool space to escape urban heating and an important community asset. Over time if growth occurs as we imagine we could change the name from ‘The Scar’ to ‘Southbar Community Park’.
Photos courtesy of Michele Dovers, Leanne Coleman and Fran Curtis
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY QUEANBEYAN RIVER PLANTING 2025
On Sunday, 15 June Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council held a community planting to celebrate World Environment Day. The event commenced at the end of Dane Street and extended for some distance upstream. It brought together community members, regular Landcare members and about 40 volunteers from the Shah Satnam Ji group, known for their dedication to community-focused tree planting activities. Together the volunteers managed to plant over 200 seedlings before the rain set in.
A variety of native plant species were selected for their suitability to the local environment and their ability to support biodiversity.
They included:
• Eucalyptus viminalis and Eucalyptus pauciflora
• Ovens and Red-stemmed wattle
• Hakea and Leptospermum
• Grasses such as Lomandra, Carex, and River Tussock
To ensure the survival and growth of the newly planted vegetation, tree guards were installed to protect them during their crucial first year. Queanbeyan Landcare has committed to regularly monitoring these plants and maintaining previous plantings in the area. This initiative aligns with ongoing efforts under the major Urban Rivers project, which aims to improve the health and sustainability of local waterways and their surroundings.
Queanbeyan River Corridor and Habitat Rehabilitation - Queanbeyan-Palerang.
QUEANBEYAN LANDCARE CELEBRATES WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2025
On 8 June, Queanbeyan Landcare marked World Environment Day with a walk along the Queanbeyan River. Starting at Dane Street, our group explored the river upstream to Barracks Creek footbridge, learning about major floods from 1925 to 2010. A Platypus even made an appearance!
The walk showcased revegetation efforts by Council and Landcare, vital habitats for bird species like superb fairy wrens and red-browed firetail finches. In total, 91 bird species are recorded in the area, with private lists exceeding 100.
Several larger birds such as the great cormorant, white-faced heron and black duck were observed, along with some smaller species including red-browed firetail finches, yellow-rumped thornbills, superb fairy wrens and white-throated treecreeper.
Jed from Waterwatch displayed aquatic invertebrates indicating great water quality, though concerns remain with introduced snails and declining frog numbers. Feral deer sightings were also reported near Dane Street.
Morning tea was held among flourishing young Casuarinas, and Emery from Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council shared news of a Commonwealth grant for replanting and weed removal.
Thanks to everyone who celebrated with us!
Photos courtesy of Leanne Coleman
HERITAGE FESTIVAL 2025 OLD SYDNEY ROAD WALK
As part of this year’s Heritage Festival, with the theme “Unearthed – revealing the past, bringing to light lesser-known histories and stories,” Queanbeyan Landcare organised a guided walk along remnants of the Old Sydney Road in Cuumbeun Nature Reserve on Sunday 4th May. Local Carwoola residents Graeme Clifton and David Hanzl were on hand to relate different aspects of the history of European settlement and land-use changes in the area on top of the escarpment above Queanbeyan.
Graeme discussed the impact on Cuumbeun Nature Reserve of its proximity to the growing Queanbeyan population in the early 1900's. Evidence of timber harvesting, damage to the “chain of ponds” creek lines, sheep grazing with associated shepherds’ huts, its use as a rubbish tip, and for recreation, was discussed and remnants of wooden and rock camp sites remain. A large aerial photo was used to show the changes to the alignment of the Old Sydney Road to Bungendore, evidence of native vegetation clearing and subsequent regrowth.
David Hanzl then led us across Captains Flat Road and down towards the 1920's site of the brickworks established by a local entrepreneur builder in 1926. After winning major contracts for buildings in early Canberra, Walter Mason expanded his businesses rapidly using the brickworks to construct, amongst other buildings, the 97-room Queanbeyan Hotel (now Top Pub). Unfortunately Walter over-extended himself, and his assets were sold up in 1928. Although no original photos exist, there is some evidence of significant infrastructure associated with the brickworks, which originally included kilns, drying sheds, an elevator, offices and dams. At liquidation some 50,000 bricks and 600 cords of firewood (21.7 cubic metres!) were sold off the site, indicative of the massive removal of trees from the surrounding area.
NATIONAL EUCALYPT DAY 2025
Launched 2014 to raise the awareness of Eucalypts and to celebrate them, National Eucalypt Day was held at Bicentennial Park on Sunday 23 March 2025.
Did you know not all Eucalypts are Eucalyptus. Eucalypteae is large tribe of flowering plants in the family Myrtaceae. Members of this tribe are known as ‘Eucalypts’. In Australia, they are known as Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Angophora. There are about 900 odd species of Eucalypts, over 700 of which belong to the genus Eucalyptus.
22 attendees participated in the walk led by Queanbeyan Landcare members Tom B, Helen H, Sandra D, Paul H, Bill W, Ian J and Steve D.
Attendees were also treated to many bird sightings including 24 different species and 63 individual birds.
Check out the bird sightings at https://ebird.org/checklist/S220143055
TIDY TOWNS BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION WINNER 2024
Queanbeyan Landcare was thrilled to receive the 2024 Tidy Towns Biodiversity Conservation Award.
The judges highlights of our entry included:
“Queanbeyan River Corridor Rehabilitation project is an exemplary initiative that combines ecological restoration with community engagement to enhance both biodiversity and recreational value”.
“The project's success demonstrates the power of collaboration and volunteerism in achieving meaningful conservation outcomes, with long-term benefits for both nature and the local community”.
“The "Queanbeyan River Corridor Rehabilitation" project excels in several key areas. Its success in halting the spread of invasive species and significantly increasing riparian vegetation showcases effective ecological restoration efforts, which have directly improved wildlife habitats for species like the platypus and rakali”. View the video here
NATIONAL TREE DAY 2024
In late 2023 and throughout 2024 the group has tended to the 2023 planting site and prepared the 2024 site. Mulching, mowing, spraying, staking and replacing damaged tree guards took place. Most of the plants were thriving, though some were damaged due to a tree fall and we suspect feral deer.
The 2024 site was an extension of the 2023 site, continuing along Barracks Creek towards Queanbeyan River.
The planting plan remained the same, strengthening and thickening the corridor along the creek towards the Queanbeyan River.
Site preparation focussed on weed control and ripping. We would like to thank and acknowledge Marc van Dyk from Black Earthworks & Civil who volunteered their time and machinery to rip the site. Members who regularly volunteered their time and energy include Glen & Alison Crawley, Ian Johnsson, Bruce Taloni, Dave Grey, Michele & Steve Dovers and Tom Baker. Also John, Kat, Joel, Lindsay and Di & Lindsay. QPRC helped with spraying and mulch supply. And Les Murray who along with Tom and Michele propagated many of the plants provided by Queanbeyan Landcare.
Sunday started with light rain, some hail and temperatures around 0 degree Celsius but the clouds soon cleared, and the wind dropped so a very pleasant working temperature. Over 100 Volunteers turned up and planted over 600 plants guided by our team of wonderful Supervisors. Once again many Community Groups joined the many local volunteers.
The logistics of the event were organised by staff at QPRC. They promoted the event, organised a bus to bring volunteers to the site, provided the tools, tree guards, stakes, mulch, gloves, first aid kits, the coffee van Bean Culture. Josie Grenfell from Food2Soil brought along a nutritious tonic for the plantings.
Queanbeyan Landcare’s tasks included site preparation, plant selection, plant placement and the identification of Supervisors who would guide the many volunteers on how to plant, where to plant, tree guard construction, watering and mulching. Once again Black Earthworks & Civil stepped in and provided a water truck for the event.
Over 600 plants were sourced:
279 from Queanbeyan Landcare (propagated by Tom, Michele or Les)
70 x Callistemon sieberi, River Bottlebrush
35 x Melalueca parvistaminea, River Melaleuca or Swampy Paperbark
65 x Gynatrix pulchella, Hemp Bush
20 x Kunzea ericoides, Burgan
35 x Dodonea viscosa, Hopbush
30 x Poa labillardieri, River Tussock
20 x Lomandra longifolia, Spiny Headed Matrush
4 x Callitris endlicheri, Black Cypress Pine
79 from Greening Australia (old stock, many root bound - free)
26 x Bursaria spinosa, Sweet Bursaria or Australian Blackthorn
41 x assorted Wattles, mainly Acacia mearnsii, Green Wattle and Acacia rubida, Red-stemmed Wattle
10 x Dodonea viscosa, hopbush
2 x Eucalypts (species unknown
280 by QPRC
15 x Eucalyptus viminalis, Ribbon Gum
10 x Eucalyptus melliodora, Yellow Box
40 x Eucalyptus blakeleyi, Blakely’s Red Gum
35 x Casuarina cunninghamiana, River Sheoak
25 x Acacia mearnsii, Black Wattle
25 x Acacia dealbata, Silver Wattle
40 x Acacia pravissima, Ovens Wattle
10 x Callitris endlicheri, Black Cypress Pine
40 x Acacia rubida, Red-stemmed Wattle
20 x Acacia implexa, Hickory Wattle
20 x Acacia pycnantha, Golden Wattle
ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORKING EVENT 2024
The Environmental Networking event with community groups, local environmental organisations and passionate members of our community was held on 5 June 2024.
Queanbeyan Landcare President Ian Johnson was one of those who participated.
QPRC’s waste team provided information about some of the challenges they are managing and the success of the food and organics (FOGO) collection that has been rolled out in Queanbeyan.
The Ecosystems and Threatened Species team from the NSW Government's Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water provided information about some of their current initiatives. This important work supports the recovery of threatened native species, including the flame robin and woodland birds and well as ecological communities.
Thank you to QPRC for organising the event and everyone who participated and shared information about environmental initiatives in our region.
Organisations that took part include:
ACT for Bees
Braidwood Urban Landcare
DCCEEW with NPWS
Canberra Nature Map (NatureMapr)
Molonglo Conservation Group
Molonglo Waterwatch (Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch)
Queanbeyan Landcare
Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment Network
QPRC Waste and Sustainability teams.
WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 2024
The World Environment Day Education Walk on 2 June 2024 was a great success. Over 50 people turned up to Queanbeyan River to learn and share information about the history and ecology of the river.
The highlight was the fantastic display the platypus that lives just upstream of the Barracks Creek Bridge put on for the entire group.
Special thanks to our group leaders and organisers Steve, Tom, Michele and Ian. Also thanks to Jed from Waterwatch who provided a great display of the aquatic invertebrates that live in the water.
Local residents and members of the Field Naturalists Association of Canberra enjoyed the morning tea provided by QPRC who organised, promoted and participated in this event.
FIFTEEN TREES
A grant was received from the Fifteen Trees organisation in Victoria in late 2023 to co-fund the purchase of 1430 native trees, shrubs and grasses. 6 landholders in Carwoola participated sharing over 800 plants and the Wandiyali Restoration Trust planting approximately 600 plants. Cool Country Natives, Pialligo supplied the plants for delivery and planting in autumn 2024.
Ian Johnsson from Queanbeyan Landcare managed all aspects of this project including the grant application and reporting, co-payments, species selection, plant orders and delivery. Members advised on planting methods, supplied equipment and volunteered their labour.
The objectives of these plantings varied between landowners: e.g. restoring habitat lost in the 2017 Carwoola bushfire, expanding stands of existing native species vegetation to improve habitat for local vulnerable species, re-creating vegetation corridors, stabilising gully erosion and improving property values.
NATIONAL
TREE DAY 2023
Queanbeyan Landcare and Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council worked together to plant 400 native trees, shrubs and grasses for National Tree Day on 30 July in 2023.
Over 160 volunteers joined the planting which took place at Barracks Flat Creek in Karabar, over an area of 600 square metres (seen above). The site was chosen as it reinforces a critical vegetation and habitat link between surrounding natural areas, achieves many of the goals identified in the QPRC Urban Forest Cooling Strategy, provides habitat and stabilisation along Barracks Creek, and has potential for extension including possible future National Tree Day plantings.
Members of Queanbeyan Landcare took account of the recent history of the site to develop a planting plan (Initial plan, history, and other observations). They viewed aerial images of the area from 2010 to 2023 and searched QPRC archives to identify what plantings had previously occurred on the site and who had been involved.
The final species list was determined with reference to publications from QPRC, Molonglo Conservation, the local knowledge of our members and an understanding of the plants most suitable to a warming climate. Some 400 plants were planted, staked and mulched, including several local Eucalypt species, along with wattles, tea-tree and other native shrubs, and a range of smaller shrubs and grasses. Many community groups and families from Queanbeyan and Canberra pitched in along with Queanbeyan Landcare Members and QPRC staff. It was a great day as the images below show.
References:
QPRC Urban Forest Cooling Strategy December 2021
QPRC Climate Change vulnerability of Urban Trees
Barracks Creek Aerial Maps 2010-2023
Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Planting 2022
Queanbeyan Landcare participated in the Planting of Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program which provided up to $15.1 million of grant funding to eligible groups and organisations for community-based tree planting events across Australia .
Queanbeyan Landcare's proposal for a Street Beautification Project at Fernleigh Park focussed on increasing the density of existing roadside plantings in Fernleigh. The planting took place on Sunday 23 October with details and photos of this event in the section, Current Projects - Fernleigh Park.
Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council also organized a planting for this event. It was held on Sunday 6 November 2022 at Garryowen Park. See Our History and Achievements - West Queanbeyan Remnant Bushland. The flyer for the event is shown as is a poster QPRC developed to recognise the role of Queanbeyan Landcare in the history of Garryowen Park and reinforces the close ties between Queanbeyan Landcare and Council.
The formal commemorative event for both plantings was held at Garryowen Park. The ceremony, held on Friday 25 November 2022 included the unveiling of a plaque which is secured to a rock at the site entrance and the planting of a Grevillea.
A plaque for the site at Fernleigh was also presented and can be found attached to the Community Centre.
The Honorable Kristy McBain MP, Nicole Overall MP, Kenrick Winchester (mayor of QPRC), Esma Livermore (Deputy Mayor), members of QPRC and Queanbeyan Landcare and local residents attended. Kristy McBain and Esma Livermore spoke. Refreshments served included a Jubilee cake made by a local business.
Left to right: Nicole Overall MP, Honorable Kristy McBain MP, President Queanbeyan Landcare Bill Hall, Esma Livermore (Deputy Mayor).
