Local Bushcare Groups - Hands On Environmental Restoration
Northern Habitat Brisbane groups
Find a list of the Habitat Brisbane volunteer groups in the Northern suburbs of Brisbane. To join a Habitat Brisbane group, or if you would like more information, phone Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888.
Boondall Wetlands
Bushcare volunteers have been working in the Boondall Wetlands Reserve since 2006. This is a natural bushland area which includes the edge of the salt marsh, casuarina, melaleuca and eucalypt woodlands. This group works by hand weeding to reduce the concentration of weeds to allow the natural re-generation of native vegetation. Native vegetation re-establishes itself quite quickly after weeds have been removed. Over the years the number and size of the weeds in the group's areas have been significantly reduced and regeneration of native species has been and remains an on-going success story. Boondall Wetlands Bushcare group meets on Friday morning, and also on the first and third Monday morning of each month. For more information phone Noel on 3216 5410 or Jean on 3260 6503.
Brighton Wetlands Habitat Group
An enthusiastic and talented bunch of local residents who adjoin the Brighton Wetlands have joined together to look after the Wetlands, drawing on local expertise to help identify the myriad of wetland plants and animals. The group has identified key areas in each of the three woodlands: Goodenia, Pimelea and Dianella which make up the Brighton Wetlands, where they can make a difference by selective weeding and replanting with appropriate species. There is also a small tidal creek, Copold Creek, which runs through into Bramble Bay. For more information phone Jenny Kingdom on 0439 746 905 or Nev Kingdom on 0411 535 240 or send them an email.
Carseldine Bush Crew
This group is working in riparian (or riverbank) rainforest along Cabbage Tree Creek. This beautiful section of creek is an important squirrel glider habitat. The group is dedicated to removing vine weeds from the site and replanting to fill the gaps and increase the width of the current corridor. For more information phone James Hansen on 0427 827 443.
Dowse Lagoon Habitat Group
This group is working to restore the natural vegetation fringing Dowse Lagoon, at Sandgate. The Lagoon is habitat for both local and migratory water birds. The Habitat group focus is on hand-weeding to allow for natural regeneration. In some areas mass plantings have been undertaken to replace former stands of weed trees. For more information phone Jennifer Singfield on 07 3869 0359.
Small Bird Reserve Bushcare Project
This innovative new project is located in Curlew Park at Sandgate, and seeks to conserve and promote habitat for small birds, particularly blue wrens, currently living in an inaccessible section of the park, by gradually replacing weeds with suitable native species. In partnership with Council, the project has been responsible for the construction of a Swallow House - a unique shelter for Welcome Swallows and Fairy Martins to build their mud nests, as well as roosting opportunities for microbats. This project is visible form the railway line and provides an ideal opportunity to raise awareness about the value of small birds and microbats as an integral part of our urban environment. For more information phone Frank Box on 0421 488 622.
Find a list of the Habitat Brisbane volunteer groups in the Northern suburbs of Brisbane. To join a Habitat Brisbane group, or if you would like more information, phone Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888.
Boondall Wetlands
Bushcare volunteers have been working in the Boondall Wetlands Reserve since 2006. This is a natural bushland area which includes the edge of the salt marsh, casuarina, melaleuca and eucalypt woodlands. This group works by hand weeding to reduce the concentration of weeds to allow the natural re-generation of native vegetation. Native vegetation re-establishes itself quite quickly after weeds have been removed. Over the years the number and size of the weeds in the group's areas have been significantly reduced and regeneration of native species has been and remains an on-going success story. Boondall Wetlands Bushcare group meets on Friday morning, and also on the first and third Monday morning of each month. For more information phone Noel on 3216 5410 or Jean on 3260 6503.
Brighton Wetlands Habitat Group
An enthusiastic and talented bunch of local residents who adjoin the Brighton Wetlands have joined together to look after the Wetlands, drawing on local expertise to help identify the myriad of wetland plants and animals. The group has identified key areas in each of the three woodlands: Goodenia, Pimelea and Dianella which make up the Brighton Wetlands, where they can make a difference by selective weeding and replanting with appropriate species. There is also a small tidal creek, Copold Creek, which runs through into Bramble Bay. For more information phone Jenny Kingdom on 0439 746 905 or Nev Kingdom on 0411 535 240 or send them an email.
Carseldine Bush Crew
This group is working in riparian (or riverbank) rainforest along Cabbage Tree Creek. This beautiful section of creek is an important squirrel glider habitat. The group is dedicated to removing vine weeds from the site and replanting to fill the gaps and increase the width of the current corridor. For more information phone James Hansen on 0427 827 443.
Dowse Lagoon Habitat Group
This group is working to restore the natural vegetation fringing Dowse Lagoon, at Sandgate. The Lagoon is habitat for both local and migratory water birds. The Habitat group focus is on hand-weeding to allow for natural regeneration. In some areas mass plantings have been undertaken to replace former stands of weed trees. For more information phone Jennifer Singfield on 07 3869 0359.
Small Bird Reserve Bushcare Project
This innovative new project is located in Curlew Park at Sandgate, and seeks to conserve and promote habitat for small birds, particularly blue wrens, currently living in an inaccessible section of the park, by gradually replacing weeds with suitable native species. In partnership with Council, the project has been responsible for the construction of a Swallow House - a unique shelter for Welcome Swallows and Fairy Martins to build their mud nests, as well as roosting opportunities for microbats. This project is visible form the railway line and provides an ideal opportunity to raise awareness about the value of small birds and microbats as an integral part of our urban environment. For more information phone Frank Box on 0421 488 622.
Community Events
Sandgate By the Sea Festival held over three days every January. Bluewater Festival held every Easter Friday and Saturday in conjunction with the launch of the Brisbane to Gladstone Yacht Race. Einbunpin Festival held on the last Friday of every July to bring together all the community groups, sporting groups, schools and local businesses in a wonderful celebration of our community. Sandgate Sunset Run held on the first Saturday of every October to bring the centre of Sandgate to life with over 400 runners and over 2000 spectators enjoying a trip "round the bend". Sandgate Christmas Festival runs from the start of December until Christmas Eve and includes a number of community events to celebrate the area. Sandgate Village Markets held every third Saturday of the month from 2pm to 8 pm in the middle of Sandgate Village in the Einbunpin Lagoon Parklands. Music By The Sea conducts monthly (first Saturday of the month) concerts at the Sandgate Town Hall. The concert series began in 1997. Program presented is classical, folk, jazz and world music.
Community Groups
Community Organisations include Apex, Sandgate Chamber of Commerce, SANDBAG, Sandgate Historical Society. School Community includes Shorncliffe State School, St Patricks College, Sandgate State School, Sacred Heart, Brighton State School, Sandgate and Districts High School, Bracken Ridge High School, St John Fisher College, Sporting Clubs includes Sandgate Hawks Sporting Club, Businesses includes local shops, mobile businesses, people working from home and business owners who live in the area and run businesses outside of the region. Government includes representatives from local, state and federal government.
Community Leaders
Sandgate people are passionate about the area. While most locals love to enjoy our beautiful community, our environment and heritage and many are responsible for getting things started and moving to benefit the area as a whole. The area is well known for its sense of community and supporting those people who have ideas and projects that build community and make a positive difference. Our local business, sporting groups, schools, community organisations and political organisations are supporting of those willing to step up and have a go. One such example is the Sandgate Sunset Run, founded by Vanessa and Dean Gibson - this event inspires hundreds of local runners and thousands of spectators to take part in the heart of Sandgate every year. In its third year, the Sunset Run is set to be the best yet.
