Armidale Urban Rivercare Group, a sub-group of Southern New England Landcare hosted a Creeklands Bus Tour this week to showcase more than two decades of ecological restoration along Dumaresq Creek in the Armidale urban area.
Councillors from Armidale Regional Council joined local Landcare leaders to visit key restoration sites, hear project stories on the ground, and discuss future opportunities to enhance the city’s green corridors.
”This guided tour for local councillors showcased two decades of community‑driven creek restoration, vibrant new wetlands and flourishing urban bushland driven by passionate local volunteers,” said Struan Ferguson, Local Landcare Coordinator with Southern New England Landcare Ltd.
The morning tour highlighted the transformation of once‑weedy creek edges into thriving native vegetation, wetlands and urban forest, improving water quality, stabilising creek banks and creating habitat for species such as platypus, rakali (native water rat) and wetland birds.
Participants visited sites including Ken Jones Park, Elizabeth Park, the “Weedy Wasteland to Wildlife Wetland” project, advanced plantings at Taylor Street, High Country Urban Biodiversity Showcase Plantings and the Armidale Urban Forest, seeing first‑hand how sustained community effort has reshaped Armidale’s creeklands.
”The tour was designed to connect decision‑makers with the people and projects driving on‑ground change,” said Struan.
“Armidale Urban Rivercare and our partner organisations have shown what is possible when volunteers, council, schools and local experts work together over many years – from tackling invasive willows and blackberries to creating wetlands, koala refuge plantings and new walking spaces the whole community can enjoy,” she said.
Armidale Urban Rivercare Group leaders Bruce Whan and Angus Adair outlined how grants such as NSW Environmental Trust, Stronger Country Communities and other state and federal programs have enabled large‑scale planting, wetland construction and long‑term weed control along Dumaresq Creek.
They also highlighted social benefits, including major community planting days, partnerships with local schools and mental health organisations, and positive feedback from residents who used the creekland paths extensively during recent challenging years.
The tour also drew attention to future challenges, including securing ongoing funding for maintenance, managing weeds and rubbish, and planning for more extreme weather under climate change.
“We also emphasised the importance of continued collaboration between council, community groups and funding partners to protect Armidale’s restored creeklands, expand urban biodiversity, and support community wellbeing into the future,” said Struan.
More information on the projects that have been conducted can be found at www.snelandcare.org.au.
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