Major revegetation works are on the way for some of the region's favourite natural spaces, thanks to new partnerships between Rockhampton Regional Council and a number of local organisations.
Delivered through Council's Natural Resource Management (NRM) Program, the works will restore habitat, strengthen green corridors and boost the resilience of local natural areas.
Deputy Mayor and Communities, Culture and Heritage Councillor Drew Wickerson, said Council is excited to announce the next phase of the program and the benefits it will bring both the region and the program's participants.
"We're thrilled to be partnering with local organisations to protect, maintain and enhance key sites across our region," Cr Wickerson said.
"What makes this program so valuable is that it not only strengthens our natural areas but also supports the participants within the organisations we are partnering with.
"This program provides community members with hands‑on experience, training, and recognised qualifications that help enter the workforce."
Environmental Sustainability Councillor Elliot Hilse said the partnerships build on the strong foundations of Council's NRM Program, which is now in its eighth year.
"Since 2018, the NRM Program has delivered targeted restoration across a range of Council‑managed sites, helping to restore degraded natural areas and strengthen the resilience of our local ecosystems," Cr Hilse said.
"These partnerships allow us to go beyond routine maintenance and carry out works that support native vegetation and habitat, improve the resilience of our natural areas to extreme weather, and create cooler, greener spaces for our community to use and enjoy.
"The next stage of the program will focus on continued bush regeneration at Fraser Park on Mount Archer, expanded restoration along key sections of the Moores Creek corridor, and ongoing vegetation restoration at Duthie Park."
Organisations partnering with Council under the program include CQUniversity, Capricornia Catchments and Queensland Corrective Services, each contributing to the delivery of restoration works while creating pathways for training and workforce participation.
Chair of Capricornia Catchments, Michelle McRae, said the initiative highlights the value of practical, on‑ground learning, especially in conservation.
"Through this program, participants are gaining hands‑on experience in real community projects, while working towards a Certificate I in Conservation and Ecosystem Management," Ms McRae said.
"This five‑year partnership gives us the certainty to invest in people and place - restoring important natural areas while building practical skills, confidence and pathways into employment for our trainees."
For more on the program, head to: https://bit.ly/4eMr7dj
If your community organisation is interested in partnering with the Natural Resource Management Program, contact Council.
