Introducing... Magnetic Island Creek Rescue

The Magnetic Island Creek Rescue project, funded under the Queensland government's 'Everyone's Environment' program, is designed to, as it says, rescue some of the Island's creeks that drain into the Great Barrier Reef from the ravages of weed invasion and human carelessness.

Gustav Creek flowing strongly downstream of Barton Street bridge after removal of choking weeds. MICR will be working to rescue other island creeks.

The project, being jointly managed by MINCA, MI Community Development Association, Geoffrey Bay and Olympus Crescent Coastcare groups and North Queensland Conservation Council, will be focusing on five creeks - Butler in Picnic Bay, 'Kirk' in Nelly Bay, Alma and Peterson in Arcadia, and the creek behind the Horseshoe Bay shops (which the History and Craft people think is part of the delightfully named Wellbeloved Creek).

Over the next two years, community volunteers, backed up by contractors for the heavy work, will be joining together to remove rubbish and weeds from the creeks and allowing native vegetation to regenerate and/or replanting areas with locally grown native vegetation. 

All Islanders are encouraged to take part in the project - and individual 'launches' will soon be announced for the individual creek programs.

The first of these will occur on Saturday 23 March, when people are invited to come along to 'kick-off' project at the Peterson Creek. If you are interested in learning more about the projects across the island, or helping to plant a tree, meet at the corner of Hayles and Horden in Arcadia at 8am. This will be followed at 10.30am by morning tea at the Bowls Club and a public discussion with TCC and others about catchment management plans for Geoffrey and Alma Bays.

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