$15k for community environment initiatives

Published on 28 April 2020

Start a compost or work farm - Wondrous Worm Farm - Bajool State School.JPG

Waste Warriors, Tucker Time and butterfly gardens are just some of the fantastic community initiatives to receive nearly $15,000 from Rockhampton Regional Council today.

The grants, available for community-led environment and sustainability initiatives, went to seven different groups.

Supporting a Better Environment Portfolio Spokesperson Councillor Donna Kirkland said the work the community was doing was a welcome positive story during a difficult time.

“Obviously and quite rightly we have all been focussing our efforts on reducing the spread of COVID-19 and all of the difficult things that can involve, but it’s lovely to be able to celebrate non-pandemic related great work that’s happening out there in our community.” said Cr Kirkland.

“The Environment and Sustainability Scheme is all about supporting community-led environment and sustainability initiatives, and it’s wonderful to see the diverse projects that applied for funding in this round.

“We have schools and kindergartens working on being water wise, creating butterfly gardens and worm farms, and establishing new outdoor learning spaces.

“There are also groups working on recycling and waste management, providing digital access to initiatives, and raising awareness about food waste and sustainable packaging.

“By funding these initiatives we are continuing to demonstrate our commitment to environmental sustainability and to protect, maintain and enhance our natural environment - learning to be faithful in the little things.”

The next round of funding opens on 16 May 2020 and closes on 06 July 2020. More details about how to apply can be found here.

$14,750 of grant funding was shared across the below initiatives:

Waste Warriors, recycling and waste management program: Access Recreation Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation, offering support to any person with a disability aged from 7-65 years. They currently service over 300 clients across the region and offer a wide range of learning and lifestyle group programs designed to improve their quality of life and foster their independence. This project is designed to introduce program participants to the concept of recycling and standardised waste management.

Hands on learning for sustainability: C&K Crescent Lagoon Community Kindergarten believes in hands on learning experiences that engage children with their natural environment. This project will help to improve the learning environment and help children to develop sustainable practices in their everyday lives. C&K Crescent Lagoon will establish a worm farm, native bush tucker garden, and frog habitat and compost system at the Kindergarten.

Revitalising Capricornia Catchments website: Capricornia Catchments is a local not-for-profit natural resource management group. This project seeks to provide their website with a much needed upgrade to ensure that their members and the broader community have access to the information and resources they need to be proactive in sustainable natural resource use and management.

Tucker Time Extended Community Meals: Multicultural Australia's Tucker Time program works with 2nd Bite and local businesses to collect rescue food that can be turned into meals and distributed to local community organisations. The creation of the meals forms part of the training for participants and uses food that would normally go to waste to help feed vulnerable families in our community. Tucker Time also takes part in workshops and community events as part of the program to help create awareness and build capacity in the community. This grant will assist Multicultural Australia to increase their capacity to support community workshops and events that raise awareness around food waste and using leftover food in practical recipes. The funding will also assist Multicultural Australia to purchase sustainable packaging, crockery and utensils to ensure that they keep their environmental footprint minimal and lead by example at workshops, presentations and events.

Butterfly garden: Parkhurst State School has long held focus on environment and sustainability issues as part of the school's Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics and Environment (STEAME) program. Parkhurst State School recognises the vital role that butterflies play in pollinating flowers and fruit. Students already collect eggs and larvae and raise them within the school's 'Butterfly Nursery'. This project will extend on the school's activities by turning an overgrown, unusable garden area into an educational and environmentally responsible butterfly garden.

Agricultural garden area outdoor learning space: Rockhampton Girls Grammar School would like to develop a new creative learning space for students. The food garden will be used as a core learning area for students who are studying agricultural science and home economics, to enable them to grow and harvest their own fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Students will also benefit from associated activities including cooking with their own produce, marketing opportunities and understanding the value of products. The School also intends to partner with Fitzroy Basin Association to educate students on other aspects of agriculture including soil health, plant nutrition, integrated pest management systems, water runoff and local ecosystems.

Let there be water!: Stanwell State School is a small school with no permanent water supply. It relies on rainwater tanks and water pumped from nearby Neerkol West Creek to flush toilets and water the school's oval. To build the school's capacity to use its resources wisely and better cope with dry conditions, they require assistance to repair and improve efficiency of the current creek pumping lines and increase the school's water storage infrastructure.