Ipswich community to get its hands dirty for National Tree Day
17 July 2023
On Saturday 29 July, Ipswich residents have the opportunity to help plant more than 1,600 native plants along Bundamba Creek as part of celebrations for Planet Ark’s National Tree Day.
Ipswich City Council Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Deputy Mayor Russell Milligan said this event is part of council’s Habitat Connections Program, a strategic waterway rehabilitation program.
“The Habitat Connections Program delivers waterway corridor restoration through native revegetation and weed management,” Deputy Mayor Milligan said.
“This program aims to restore degraded riverbank and wetland corridors throughout Ipswich to increase their resilience to erosion and flooding.
“Last financial year, through council’s Habitat Connections Program, 21,695 native plants were planted along our waterways.
“Residents of Ipswich care about the natural environment and tree planting events such as this one will help to improve water quality and increase habitat for local native flora and fauna.”
Division 3 Councillor Andrew Fechner said Planet Ark's National Tree Day, established in 1996, has grown into Australia's largest community tree planting and nature care event.
“National Tree Day is a call to action for all Australians to get their hands dirty and give back to their community with around 300,000 volunteers across Australia each year,” Cr Fechner said.
“Habitat Connections – community plantings run a couple of times a year and for this National Tree Day event, with the help of the local community, we aim to reach our goal of planting 1,600 natives along Bundamba Creek.”
Division 3 Councillor Marnie Doyle said it was great to see local business support for the event and the enthusiasm around National Tree Day.
“Llewellyn Toyota at Bundamba generously sponsored this event with their contribution going towards the purchase of plants, protective gloves and hats and through providing staff to volunteer,” Cr Doyle said.
“It’s wonderful to see council, business and community coming together to care for our natural environment at this year’s National Tree Day planting event.”
Ipswich City Council’s National Tree Day planting event is on Saturday 29 July at Tite Family Park, 59 Creek Street, Bundamba Creek, 8am to 10.30am.
Parking is available at the Vision Christian Family Church carpark adjacent to the creek.
Registrations are essential, please register at National Tree Day – Community Tree Planting