As you know from previous articles, JRA was successful in our 2011 Landcare Grant application to re-vegetate the Strip, which allows us to continue with the next stages of the Andaman Strip rejuvenation and planting that was started a couple of years ago.  Only two (2) applicants were successful in the Brisbane district, alongside 22 others throughout the rest of Queensland. 

Volunteers are still urgently needed to assist

with up-coming plantings and gardening. 

Contact JRA and find out how you can become involved.

 

JRA has received the $4,534.00 Landcare Grant money and, as demonstrated at our first plant working B in April, progress in using this money has started. We are also indebted to Peter and Fran Bell who own Priority Landscaping, for the free donation of drawing up a planting design and layout plan- $1,000 estimate. 

   

Roadtek (Main Roads contractors) provided a further $5,000 (approx) in labour towards necessary vegetation clearing work.   This was part of the project which began at the beginning of April this year with some help of another firm, a great team from Vinton Tree Services that lent a hand in the lopping, clearing of dead trees, and clearing debris from Andaman Strip.  See them at work here.

   

This work is part of Main Roads’ $5million budget to maintain the foliage along the Centenary Highway and Western Freeway.  Traffic control was managed, on the day I visited, by Steve and Robert of Evolution Traffic Control.  RoadTek’s Supervisor, Alan, and his colleague, Daniel, worked closely with Vinton and JRA to ensure that previous plantings were protected from harm and identifying vegetation that needed to be removed, such as the Class 3 Pest - Cadagi Trees; pruning/lopping sections that were damaged, and general maintenance.

   

A week later, the next round of planting commenced at the Ebrill Street end of the Strip.  As our planting plan indicated, one of the main criteria was in the selection of lower growth plant species that would cover the ugly sound barrier wall from top to bottom.  Foliage over the top of the wall with bare trunks would only duplicate the existing vegetation selections.  Drainage bed erosion problems at this end have to be addressed first.  When the planting is completed and matured, the Andaman Strip will be the feature showcase of Jamboree Heights.  Photos here.

   

Please note that JRA and the Beautification committee need assistance over the next few months to get the 700+ plants to bed and for ongoing watering.  Some of these tasks, such as watering, requires little physical exhaustion and suitable for our retired elderly.  Most of the grant money will be used in the southern section of the Strip with spasmodic planting in the remainder of the 400m section towards Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre.  Therefore, planting etc will continue most weekends throughout May and June of this year.  Check for the noticeboards at the Andaman Strip for notification of active weekends.

   

At this time, JRA has conducted three planting days in the Andaman Strip and so far and have put over 200 plants put to bed.   Click here for some recent photos. 

  

A huge thank you to everyone who has helped out so far, in so many ways.  You are all amazing.