Fair mountain weather was used to great advantage by the volunteer crew of the good ship T.M. Joint Project for the Main Street Blitz Phase 2 on Saturday morning 4th June. The hearties of the Tamborine Bush Volunteers (TBV) and Tamborine Mountain Landcare (TML) achieved a significant amount of restoration work in the National Park strip adjacent to the RSL War Memorial.

By the time shipmates Laurelle and Judith had set up a delicious morning tea at 10 a.m. a small sea of white tipped wooden stakes marked the sites where native gingers, endemic clumping grasses and local palm trees had been planted, fertilised, mulched and watered. Foreign pest plants had flourished before Phase 1 of the Blitz, but now it won’t be too long before the area becomes very attractive to native birds and animals. All plants used were supplied by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and were certified pest and Myrtle Rust free.

With the street area looking shipshape and the crew refuelled and still enthusiastic, the area of National Park directly behind the War Memorial became the next scene of battle. The decks were cleared of exotic tobacco trees, large leaf privet, and weedy yellow-flowering ginger. By 12 bells noon the enemy had been routed and the crew headed home in their four-wheeled coracles for some well-earned shore leave.

As the plants grow over the next few years TML and TBV crew members will, from time to time, revisit this port of call for infill planting, weed control as needed and general maintenance to achieve a stable rainforest edge that once more will provide homes for birds (no seagulls in spite of the maritime metaphors), lizards, insects and other animals, thus restoring the rich biodiversity once prevalent in the area.

For further information on this and other joint projects ask at the Piccabeen bookshop or Contact the TBV Coordinator or local Landcare representative John Bestevaar on 5545 1240 or email Josephus [AT] people [DOT] net [DOT] au.

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