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Developing young leaders

Landscape SA Limestone Coast unveils environmental program

The Limestone Coast Landscape Board was busy trialling a pilot program last year for a local Limestone Coast Youth Environment Council.

The Limestone Coast Youth Environment Council (LCYEC) is an initiative of the Limestone Coast Landscape Board and provides an opportunity for like-minded secondary students (years 7-10) to come together to learn, experience and take positive steps towards improving the environment and our local landscape.

Landscape education coordinator Vanessa Freebairn said students embraced the opportunity to be involved in the pilot program this year.

“Students undertook various activities throughout the year including tree planting, kayaking, beach clean-up and a camp out at Mt Burr Swamp,” she said. “Students have gained valuable knowledge and increased their awareness of the local landscape.”

Colby, who was involved with the program last year, encourages all year 7 – 10 students who have a passion for the environment to become involved.

“It is a great opportunity to work with other like-minded students who are passionate about improving our local landscape,” he said. “We went on some really fun outings and had a great time learning new skills”.

The LCYEC is a student driven program whereby students identify issues that concern them the most and the Landscape Education team facilitate and provide links to experts in the field while supporting the students’ knowledge and skills, providing hands on experiences over the duration of the year.

If you have a keen interest to be involved in this fantastic program in 2023 please email lclandscapeeducation@.sa.gov.au numbers are strictly limited.

Have your say on future plans for the development of the Mount Gambier Rail Lands

The City of Mount Gambier would like your thoughts on further enhancing the nature play area at the Railway Lands. What’s great about the current play features - what should we keep the way it is? What play elements would make it even better? What else could we consider for the Railway Lands that make it a great place for people of all ages and abilities? Jump online and have your say: https:// www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au/rail-nature-play

Naracoorte Lucindale Council turns to community

A renewed vision for Lucindale’s Loechel Park is now open for public comment with the release of the Draft Loechel Park Masterplan.

Loechel Park is a 30-acre native vegetation parcel of land located in the heart of the Limestone Coast approximately 40km from Naracoorte, 4km from Lucindale and 50km from the coastal town of Kingston.

In 2019, Naracoorte Lucindale Council engaged consultants to prepare a Masterplan and Urban Design Framework for the Lucindale Township. The aim of this plan is to guide future development, the use of public land and facilities, future sustainability of the community and opportunities for enhancement of public spaces and facilities. It was identified by the community that Loechel Park was a poor-quality space with low levels of utilization and upgrades to Loechel Park would promote better use and activity there, offering new nature-based opportunities in Lucindale.

The Loechel Park Masterplan has been developed in collaboration between Naracoorte Lucindale Council and representatives of LINC and the intent is to deliver a community-driven plan that is supported by council and the community.

The vision of the Loechel Park Masterplan is to create a local nature-based precinct on Lucindale’s doorstep as both a tourism and community asset, building on the growing trail network in the Naracoorte Lucindale Council area. This plan will outline the key projects and steps for implementation, along with estimated costings, to enable LINC and Council to progress works, seek external grant funding and make strategic and budgetary decisions in the future.

NEW PROJECTS

$403,000 in new projects have been identified for Loechel Park: • Native Vegetation Clearance + Land Management Plan • Walking trails with interpretive signage • Picnic area with shelter and signage • Upgrade carpark area • Rail Trail to Lucindale

Annual Loechel Park maintenance is proposed as a shared responsibility between LINC and Council, managed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to ensure key areas of responsibility for the park.

To provide your feedback via a short survey, go to our public consultation website at https:// yoursay.naracoortelucindale. sa.gov.au/loechel-parkmasterplan-2023-2033

Hard copies of the survey will also be available at the Naracoorte Library, Visitor Information Centre, Council Offices (Naracoorte and Lucindale) and locations around the Lucindale Township. Consultation will close on February 13.

Council endorses vision for swimming lake

Donations continue to be added to 2022 appeal

The much-loved Naracoorte Swimming Lake now has its own masterplan. The intent of the Swimming Lake Masterplan is to provide a 10-year vision for the Naracoorte Swimming Lake, so this free and iconic asset can continue to grow and improve for community enjoyment for many years to come.

Naracoorte Lucindale Council endorsed the Naracoorte Swimming Lake Masterplan 2023-2033 at its last meeting after the community provided vibrant and fresh ideas for the future of the prized asset in two public consultation phases.

The five major projects listed for delivery in the Masterplan are a cafe reconstruction, splash park, playground relocation and upgrade, bore pump station relocation and upgrade and pump and filtration system upgrade. You can read the Masterplan on Council’s website at https://bit.ly/swimmasterplan

Donations for the Mount Gambier Community Mayor’s Christmas Appeal continue to flow with D J Interiors owner Christine Try (pictured right) presenting a $726 donation to Mayor Lynette Martin (pictured left) earlier this month. The donation was raised through the store’s annual gift wrapping service.