Barbara Henderson
Redlands IndigiScapes Centre.
On Sunday, 17th January, it was obvious that people were still in Christmas/New Year recess mode. Only six SGAP members turned up at the Conservation Subcommittee's January meeting/excursion. However, these few, representing Redlands, Western Suburbs, Gold Coast, Southside and Redcliffe Branches, enjoyed their visit.
Rosalie Eustace, Redland Shire Council's Community Bushcare Officer, explained firstly just what the IndigiScapes concept was and showed us the plans for the development of the Centre. When finished, a simulated, paved 'roadway' will lead to ten different Australian native 'garden' designs. What a wonderful way to show the Shire's residents how to use their local native plants in attractive and different garden designs, to suit various soils and situations! Redland Shire Council is funding it through their green levy and landscaping/garden businesses will be invited to sponsor the project by provision of materials, etc. in exchange for acknowledgment. It is a marvellous concept: greater public awareness and the use of the local bush plants should help to conserve them.
At present there are only walking paths with some signage, a few well-placed seats, a bridge across the creek, and several plantings for screening - all of local provenance plants. Rosalie took us around the Tallowwood View Trail, which winds through one small section of the reserve, through which runs Coolnwynpin Creek. The focal point of this particular walk is an enormous old Tallowwood tree, Eucalyptus microcorys. It is so old and large that branches occasionally drop from it, and to protect the tree and the public, it has been fenced off. Eucalyptus racemosa syn. E. signata (Scribbly Gums), with their beautiful pale trunks and distinctive scribbly markings, grew in abundance. Koalas live there. Their claw marks can be seen on the eucalypts. Their presence on the Tallowwoods is very obvious with fibrous bark heavily scratched and shredded, lying around the base of the trees.
Many interesting small understorey plants were flowering: Hybanthus monopetalus (blue-flowering Spade Flower), Goodenia rotundifolia, Hibbertia vestita, H. stricta and Boronia ledifolia syn. B. rosmarinifolia. We also saw Lomandras, Dodonaea triquetra, Leptospermum trinervium syn. L. attenuatum, Smilax glyciphylla, Schizaea dichotoma (branched Comb Fern), other ferns, Hovea acutifolia and lots of Parsonsia straminea climbing up the trees. This natural bushland will be retained between the planned 'roadway' and 'gardens', and the creek. There will be minimal disturbance of other bush areas.
Pathways and seating have been designed to protect nearby residents' privacy and there are a couple of excellent bird-watching spots.
A self-guiding leaflet for this Trail is available, with descriptions of the plants matched to numbers on signs along the way. Another leaflet explains the IndigiScapes concept and includes a map of the whole area, showing car parks, entry points and walking tracks. More information can be obtained from Redland Shire Council on 07-3286 8459. Ask to speak to Rosalie Eustace. Redland IndigiScapes is well worth a visit and in future years, it will be a valuable asset to the community.
Due to the small attendance, there was no formal Conservation meeting, but we discussed the IndigiScapes concept and how it was achieved by working with the local shire council.
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