Environmental projects prioritised for land sale funds

An environmental education hub, new walking trails, a birdwatching area, riverbank planting and a native tree forest are among the ideas being explored by Fraser Coast Regional Council for projects funded by the sale of surplus land at Royle Street in Maryborough.

Environment spokesperson Cr Zane O’Keefe said the aim was to turn the land sale into lasting benefits for the environment and the community.

“We’re looking at projects that will protect our natural areas, help native wildlife, and give people more ways to connect with nature,” he said.

“Some projects would improve existing parks and bushland, while others could restore areas along the Mary River or create new spaces to explore and learn about the environment.”

Six projects have been chosen as the top priorities for further investigation. These are:

• Creating an environmental hub at Takura Reserve – turning an unused building into a space for workshops and community learning;
• Building walking trails along Eli Creek Road in Point Vernon and Eli Waters – making it easier for people to enjoy the coast while protecting native plants;
• Designing a birdwatching and education area – to help people learn about the shorebirds that migrate to the Fraser Coast each year;
• Creating a nature link between two parks in Tinana – to allow both people and wildlife to move safely through the area;
• Restoring riverbank areas along the Mary River – by planting native trees to reduce erosion and improve water quality;
• Growing a forest of native Kauri trees on the Mary River flats – to bring back a tree species that was once common in the area.

“These ideas came from community members on our environment advisory committees, and they’ve been carefully looked at to see which ones are most likely to succeed,” Cr O’Keefe said.

Council will now do more work to assess the cost and feasibility of each project before deciding what to include in future budgets. External grants and other funding options will also be considered to help deliver the projects.

The Royle Street land was sold to Riverside Christian College in 2023 for $635,000 to support the school’s growth, with the proceeds set aside for environmental purposes.