The banks of Masons Gully in Rosewood will be improved with a special community planting day in celebration of World Wetlands Day.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Deputy Mayor Russell Milligan said Ipswich City Council Bushcare volunteers and West Moreton Landcare Group would host the planting on Saturday 3 February at Masons Gully on John Street, Rosewood.
“This is a great way to support a local Bushcare site while improving waterway health and learning more about the importance of wetlands and the whole community is invited to attend,” Deputy Mayor Milligan said.
“Wetlands and waterways are crucial in our city – especially areas that convey stormwater such as Masons Gully, which help clean water by filtering and absorbing nutrients and pollutants from urban run-off.”
Division 4 Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said the planting event would benefit the local environment.
“This planting event will feature many native riparian species that play an important role in this waterway health function, such as lomandra, tall sedge, blue flax lily, common rush and native grasses,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
Masons Gully Bushcare group leader Chris Rinehart said about 100 metres of the gully would be planted at the event, extending on the work the group has been doing for more than 20 years at the site.
“The plantings will provide erosion control and stabilisation for the banks of the gully, as well as increasing habitat for butterflies, insects and frogs,” Mrs Rinehart said.
“It will also help reduce weeds, by out-competing introduced grasses, as well as add to the aesthetics along the walkway. We have included some flowering plants such as Melaleuca.”
Mrs Rinehart said the Masons Gully Bushcare group meet for a working bee at the site on the second Saturday morning of each month, weather permitting, and are always keen to welcome new volunteers.
Ipswich has a number of Bushcare groups across the city, with dedicated volunteers making environmental improvements to their local area.
For more information on the World Wetlands Day planting at Masons Gully see https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/ipswich-city-council-environment-events-13442377545
