Meet Ballina Coastcare

In this issue of Community Connect we profile Ballina Coastcare.

Ballina Coastcare is an active and enthusiastic community group of volunteers who are dedicated to the restoration and management of the Coastal Reserve between the Richmond River and Sharpes Beach in East Ballina.

David Griffiths and Roy Flavel from Ballina Coastcare

Image: Ballina Shire Council

We met with volunteers, Roy Flavel and David Griffiths who took us on a tour of their latest projects at Flat Rock and to the north along the hind dune of Shar pes Beach to show us the great work the volunteers do.

HOW LONG HAS BALLINA COASTCARE BEEN OPERATING?

There were originally two groups established; Angels Beach Dune Care was founded by Shirley White and Lighthouse Beach Dune Care was established not long after by Ruth Readford and the late Jane Hunt.

The two groups worked together for many years and eventually merged to become Ballina Coastcare. This year we celebrate our 30th year, it is also Landcare Australia's 30th year.

WHO IS INVOLVED IN BALLINA COASTCARE – IS IT ALL AGES OR SPECIFIC AGES AND INTERESTS?

We welcome all ages, anyone can be involved. We have groups on different days that tend to suit different people. We work with school groups and our weekday groups appeal to adults who are free during the week.

We also have weekend groups which suits families. We have to be careful that everyone follows the safety guidelines, so young children have to be closely supervised.

WHAT APPEALS TO PEOPLE TO JOIN COASTCARE?

People want to get outdoors and connect with their local environment. They are really happy where they live and they want to give back to their community.

It’s also a really good outdoor activity especially for kids. Parents like their children to be involved and see a different way of caring for the environment.

WHAT HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE OBSTACLES FOR VOLUNTEERS OR FOR THE GROUP AS A WHOLE?

It can be hot, there’s biting insects, scratching vegetation and it can be strenuous work. We’re a little bit invisible as well. When people visit these sites and walk the paths they may not be aware of the work that has been done by the volunteers.

At first glance you may look at the site and take it for granted, thinking that the weeds look after themselves and the natives naturally germinate and take hold in bare spots. It looks like a natural paradise and many may assume that it has always been like this. We may be victim of our success and people don’t realise that there is always work to be done and we would gladly welcome them to get involved.

HAVE YOU BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN ERADICATING WEEDS?

When this area was first rehabilitated after sandmining, bitou bush was a real pest. We’ve also tackled farm and garden escapees such as Coral Creeper, Winter Cassia, Ground Asparagus and Corky Passionfruit.

We've been successful in controlling bitou bush and lantana, we don't see many outbreaks of these weeds anymore. However new varieties of weed are coming in all the time and residents need to be aware what plants are weeds, and not dump weeds over the back fence or into bushland.

HOW DO PEOPLE GET INVOLVED?

Come along to the Planet Ark National Tree Day on Sunday 28 July. Meet at Flat Rock carpark or Sharpes Beach carpark at 9am. The planting site is midway between these two carparks at Sharpes Creek.

New members are always welcome! If you’d like to join or volunteer please get in touch via their website ballinacoastcare.org

did you know...

Approx area covered: 140ha

Volunteer Hours worked per year: 2,500

Average items planted per year: 1000

We protect the habitat of several hundred plant species, plus over 100 bird and 40 other animal species

Discovered 15 rare or endangered species in the area

Ballina Shire Council provides many native seedlings from their nursery, and Ballina Coastcare also work in consultation with Jali Aboriginal Land Council and Bundjalung Elders.