Redlands Coast island residents are able to access free native trees in September by removing weeds from their properties.
Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell said the Weeds for Trees initiative, held on the weekend of 27 and 28 September, encouraged the removal of invasive weeds and promoted the use of native plants in gardens.
“Council is encouraging residents to exchange a bucket or bag of weeds for a native plant, with a limit of five native plants per person,” the Mayor said.
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“This is a great incentive to look at what is growing in our backyards and make sure they are free of invasive weeds that can threaten native wildlife and habitats.
“Some of our most common garden plants are prolific weeds that compete with native species and when these weeds escape into surrounding bushland they can impact local wildlife corridors.
“Replacing weeds with native plants is an excellent way to protect the Redlands’ environmental diversity, agriculture and our community from the impact of pests and weeds.”
Community Bushcare volunteers will be available on both days to provide advice on how to identify and remove weeds and suggest suitable natives to replace them.
All weeds are accepted, but this year’s focus is on Ground asparagus fern and Corky passion vine.
Asparagus fern is a low-growing, herbaceous perennial that forms a dense thicket that smothers understorey vegetation and prevents natural regeneration.
Corky passion vine is a climber or creeper that grows quickly, smothers small trees and groundcover plants, and is poisonous.
More information on local weeds can be found on Council’s website.
The Weeds for Trees events will be held on:
Saturday 27 September
- Coochiemudlo Island – The Jetty, Victoria Parade South from 9am to 11am
- Karragarra Island – Recycling and Waste Centre, 96 The Esplanade from 9am to 11am
- Lamb Island – Lucas Drive opposite kiosk from 10am to 12pm
- Macleay Island – Outside Macleay Island Community Library, 26 Russell Terrace from 8am to 10am
- Russell Island – Swimming Pool car park, corner Borrows and High Streets from 8am to 12pm
Sunday 28 September
- North Stradbroke Island/Minjerribah – Point Lookout Bushcare Nursery, Headland Park, Mooloomba Road from 9am to 12pm
Redland City Council has been offering the Weeds for Trees initiative since 2000, providing native plants sourced from Redlands IndigiScapes Native Community Nursery.
All Redlands Coast residents are eligible to receive five free koala food or locally native trees from the nursery to help provide habitat for koalas on their property.
More information on the Redlands IndigiScapes Native Community Nursery is available on Council’s website.
