THE Goulburn Wetlands will become a haven for people with disability and the frail after the council secured $90,000 in Liveable Communities funding from the State Government.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Member for Goulburn Pru Goward on Friday said the initiative sought a whole of community response to creating and fostering inclusive communities.
“I commend Goulburn Mulwaree Council for this innovative idea,” she said.
“It will mean people with disability and the frail aged can now enjoy the wetlands – a project the whole of the Goulburn community is behind.”
The Into the Goulburn Wetlands project is an accessible nature trail that will allow carers, older people and people with disability to experience nature, outdoor leisure and understand the heritage of the Goulburn Wetlands from within the site rather than viewing it from the car park.
The project includes accessible car park spaces, a viewing platform and wheelchair accessible benches and picnic area.
Mayor Geoff Kettle welcomed the funding, saying it would help open up the Wetlands area for even more people to enjoy.
“It is wonderful that families and Community Services have recognised the Goulburn Wetlands project for an investment of $90,000 to make what has become a most inclusive community project more accessible for those with physical disabilities,” Cr Kettle said.
“The area has become popular with people to come and look at the area and the work that the FROGS (Friends and Residents of Goulburn Swamplands) Landcare Group have put into it - bringing it back from a disused, untidy old brickworks to a most beautiful and serene area, which has attracted back its old wildlife.
“There are already some lovely walking trails and a bird hide and I welcome the new facilities that will also be built in the Wetlands environment.”
Ms Goward said the Wetlands project won the biggest chunk of the $650,000 the Baird Government allocated to the total initiative.
The winners were decided by an independent, expert panel.
“This is by far the biggest project to be funded – a credit to Goulburn Mulwaree Council and FROGS,” Ms Goward said.
Green army on its way
THE Eastgrove Wetlands project will also soon be a hub of Green Army activity following a separate announcement made late last week by Member for Hume Angus Taylor.
He said the project has been confirmed in round two of the Federal Government’s Green Army Program, with a team of young people to be engaged by service provider Manpower.
Green Army participants will undertake a range of jobs including weeding and planting.
Mr Taylor visited the Wetlands with Cr Kettle and Deputy Mayor Bob Kirk to see work already carried out by FROGS members.
Council is the sponsor of the Goulburn Green Army project.
“This is so impressive – a 13 hectare site, once home to an old brick pit, being utterly transformed,” Mr Taylor said.
“I congratulate FROGS on their dedication and volunteer time in turning this into a beautiful public parkland.
“I know the Green Army team will also offer an important contribution to the project, while benefiting young people seeking work experience and ongoing employment.”
Mr Taylor said restoration work to rebuild local ecosystems had already been undertaken at the wetlands, with the project dating back to 2011.
“I understand FROGS will be working closely with Landcare Australia and service provider Manpower to develop a program of work for the Green Army team that will include controlling noxious and environmental weeds - and there are a lot of them after recent rain - replanting local species, plant propagation and building pathways. I look forward to seeing the Goulburn Green Army team in action,” he said.
He said recruitment of participants would be managed by the service provider, with the young team expected on the ground in coming months.
