Mackenzie Bushcare Group in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia | Community organisation

Mackenzie Bushcare Group

Locality: Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Address: Mt Petrie Road Reserve, Mackenzie 4156 Brisbane, QLD, Australia

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• Community organisation
• Environmental conservation organisation

23.01.2022 When I watered the new plants this morning I was struck at how far we have come since we started this project a year ago. The area we chose was originally a bare (except for leaf litter) forest floor with no shrubs or small trees. Now we have the beginnings of a mixed and valuable habitat for small birds and native animals that are not found in open areas. The work of Mackenzie Bushcare Group has been fantastic. We are a small group (looking for members!) and we are dedicat...ed to improving the Mackenzie environment for its native wildlife and for the community. The ongoing support of Brisbane City Council through the Habitat Brisbane program is greatly appreciated and makes our work possible. Thank you to all those involved. Take a moment to look at a couple of photos that show it has all been worthwhile. Greg Wellard Group Leader

22.01.2022 Sometimes you can see the most amazing creatures in the garden - but you need to look closely. This tiny Dainty or Graceful Tree Frog recently visited the native Pandorea vine over our native bee hive. Frogs are a joy to watch and their calls fill the night.... If you are curious you can learn more online. Perhaps start at: https://frogs.org.au/frogs/ofQld/Brisbane Greg Wellard

19.01.2022 Yesterday's working bee was a busy time for the four volunteers who: [] started reducing, for this year, the impact of the native Monkey Rope vine on our trees. This is a native vine that grows vigorously in the Mt Petrie Road Reserve. We don't kill the vine, we just remove it from trees so that it doesn't cause branches or important trees to fall. But the vine is so vigorous that it is an annual program to balance control with natural processes. Monkey Rope Vine is an ...important host plant for the caterpillar of the Common Crow butterfly (the black one you see around a lot) and also forms great habitat for possums. http://www.saveourwaterwaysnow.com.au/01_c/details_pop.asp [] began weeding the Paper Bark swamp at the outflow of Mackenzie Lake. The first two Giant Devil's Fig weeds for the year were identified and removed - carefully! They have very sharp spines that can pass through gloves. We also began to plan how to tackle the huge Monkey Rope vines (picture below) that we haven't been able to get to yet. We need to save these Paper Bark trees. [] ended our two hours work with a much needed coffee break and some socialising. On the whole, a great way to spend a morning. Good for the environment and good for the soul! Greg Wellard Group Leader

18.01.2022 Notice to MBG volunteers (and wandering peafowl! ) Our next working bee will be on next Friday 20th November, starting at 8am and finishing at 11am. This will give volunteers a chance to fit in a 2 hour period (or more perhaps?). We will be watering the plantings as well as setting them up with new mulch to help them survive the summer heat with the weekly watering that, hopefully, we can continue. ... We also want to tackle the residual impacts of the developments along the northern boundary and remove the final patch of weeds. Should be a fun, and Covid-safe, and peafowl-safe, morning! See you there Greg

05.01.2022 A nightmare to wake up to! It seems that my worst fears for Mt Petrie Road Reserve have come true! Yesterday I woke to see a Peacock peering into my window. I live near the Reserve so it was a shock. ... I have long argued that the peafowl population in Mackenzie is a potential problem for local residents and for the Mt Petrie Road Reserve. Council now has a management plan in preparation to reduce the population. However peafowl, previously restricted at a problematic level in a local area of Mackenzie, are now apparently on the move. I live near the Reserve and Lake Mackenzie, well away from where they currently congregate. If peafowl establish in the Reserve we are likely to see generalized environmental damage plus the destruction of our hard efforts at revegetation and weed control. Brisbane City Council and the Mackenzie Bushcare Group have put a lot of money and effort into this Reserve. The photos below are taken after the three birds left my property and moved onto the reserve. I chased them out of the bush and back across Mt Petrie Road to where they come from. Sadly I have no doubt they will be back! A neighbour reports seeing 5 outside his house a few days ago. Our bushland is important for the Mackenzie community. It has enough environmental pressure on it without these feral/non-native birds adding their destructive potential. Greg Wellard Group Leader MBG

03.01.2022 One extra (rather long!) comment regarding tomorrow's working bee and Lake Mackenzie. Please tolerate me if you support protecting our local environment. At the last working bee two weeks ago we worked hard to tackle weeds and start to clear the paperbark swamp at the outflow of Lake Mackenzie. This is our own local Lake and it has some important features that are worthy of protection. The paperbark swamp is one.... If you have noticed this area, it is the remaining patch of paperbark trees east of Mt Petrie Road (near the weir at the end of the Lake). This used to be part of the paperbark swamp along the creek line towards Bulimba Creek. A recent assessment of the status of these remaining trees has identified that they are in danger from Monkey Rope vine infestation. This vine occurs naturally in the eastern coast of Australia where it is widespread and common in rainforest and eucalypt forest. It is an important native plant and is the host for both the: Blue Tiger (https://www.lfwseq.org.au/blue-tiger-migration/) and Common Crow Butterfly (https://australian.museum///insects/common-crow-butterfly/). However, when the ecosystem is disturbed, as it has been locally, Monkey Rope vine can act like a weed and over-dominate the plant community. Over time the vine can become huge and "pull down" the trees on which it is climbing. This has been noted by professionals who care for our bushland. For example see "Integrated Control of Monkey Rope Vine" by Gavin Hammermeister Land for Wildlife Extension Officer Redland City Council https://www.lfwseq.org.au//Land-for-Wildlife-Newsletter-Oc In our small paperbark forest the vines are up to 15cm thick and interlaced at the tops or crowns of the trees. It is only a matter of time before trees start to fall under the weight. This situation has been reported to our Habitat Brisbane support officer who has undertaken to review the site and, hopefully, approve cutting of the vines to save our valuable Lake-side trees. In the meantime we will begin to plan the planting of more paperbarks so that we can maintain the swampy area into the future. Stay tuned for more information. This is our Lake and our environment and we need to care for it. Greg Wellard Group Leader