Plant a tree at the Belongil Catchment: Rehabilitation Project OPEN DAY

Southern Cross University and Byron Shire Council are hosting an Open Day at the Belongil Catchment Rehabilitation Project Site on Saturday 15th June, 10am-1pm at the West Byron Wetlands, located off Bayshore Drive.

The Belongil Catchment Rehabilitation Project was developed by the community, Byron Shire Council and Southern Cross University in 2000. The project has the multiple aims of increasing effluent re-use, managing acid sulphate soil on the project site to reduce acid drainage, and to revegetate drained degraded land on acid sulphate soil with native and endangered Melaleuca wetland. 100,000 trees have already been planted in December 2001 and are irrigated with highly treated effluent. The site is being prepared for a further 200,000 trees to be planted in 2002, with a total of 500,000 trees to be planted on the 24-hectare council-owned site over the next 3 years. The work is complemented by a 3-year intensive monitoring program being implemented by Southern Cross University.

The open day aims to increase community involvement in and awareness of The Belongil Catchment Rehabilitation Project. The community is invited to come along to find out more about acid sulphate soil, effluent reuse and wetlands in the Belongil Catchment, the progress and outcomes of the rehabilitation project, and to plant a tree to be a part of this innovative solution. The day will include a formal information session, a tour around the project site, tree planting and time for questions and discussion.

For more information, please phone Dr Keith Bolton,School of Environmental Science and Management Southern Cross University (02) 66-203-50 or
0428-888-123
OR Byron Shire Council on 66267000.