The green and gold runway to Brisbane 2032 is about to become much greener, thanks to a bold new partnership that will see one million more native plants established before the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the new partnership with Greening Australia will take Brisbane’s biodiversity to the next level by restoring greenspace and creeks across the city.
“Brisbane is Australia’s fastest growing capital city and we must protect and enhance our greenspace if we are to preserve our liveability,” Cr Schrinner said.
“We are already Australia’s most biodiverse capital city, but it’s important we continue to take further steps to protect Brisbane’s rich wildlife habitat for future generations.
“With the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games rapidly approaching, we are rolling up our sleeves now to sow the seeds for future environmental health.
“On average, Council plants more than 56,000 native plants annually, handing out an additional 45,000 saplings for free to residents each year.
“With our extensive tree planting program, the one million native plants will help add over 1.5 million plants to key environmental areas in Brisbane in the lead up to 2032.
“Council’s own Sustainability Agency has teamed up with Greening Australia to deliver the Biodiverse Brisbane Initiative, with a focus on creating and restoring natural habitat across our city.
“Brisbane is the first Council in Queensland to collaborate with Greening Australia on their Nature in Cities program, and we’re proud to be leading the way on this important environmental outcome.”
Through the partnership, up to 500 hectares of urban wildlife habitat, including the restoration of wetlands and riverbanks across Brisbane will be reinstated.
Hundreds of native ground cover, shrubs and tree varieties will be rolled out through various donor and corporate funded planting days.
Planting locations will align with Council’s existing creek corridor projects across the city and the suburbs, including Norman Creek, Toowong Creek and Breakfast Creek and Kedron Brook.
To kick off the program, works are already underway to plant over 20,000 native plants across over three hectares at Archerfield Wetlands in Brisbane’s south.
The environmental restoration works at Archerfield Wetlands, which includes vegetation and waterways rehabilitation, will complement the Oxley Creek Transformation’s $22 million Archerfield Wetlands District Parkland that’s due for completion in 2024.
Chair of Brisbane Sustainability Agency, Mr Nigel Chamier AM said the partnership was the first step towards further environmental revitalisation.
“Brisbane Sustainability Agency is proud to support Council’s Clean and Green goals through the establishment of a partnership with Greening Australia,” Mr Chamier said.
“We are going to plant one million plants to create and restore critical wildlife habitat, especially along our wetland and riverbank areas in Brisbane.
“Brisbane 2032 is our goal, but this is also about creating an environmental legacy beyond the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Greening Australia CEO Ms Heather Campbell said the collaboration with Council will have long-lasting benefits for Brisbane.
“In our rapidly expanding urban landscape, restoring natural ecosystems and tree canopy for people and wildlife, improving water quality in our rivers and wetlands, and building green corridors is critical,” Ms Campbell said.
“This collaboration to deliver a citywide large-scale project is a first of its kind for Greening Australia, and we’re excited to collaborate with Brisbane for a cleaner and greener future.”
The project will contribute to Council achieving its goal of 40 per cent natural habitat cover across Brisbane.
“Establishing one million plants before Brisbane 2032 will help make our city even more clean and green, while showcasing the city as a leader in sustainability on the world stage,” Cr Schrinner said.
“We are committed to putting the plans in place now so that we can welcome the world to a cleaner and greener Brisbane in 2032 and beyond.”
To find out more about the Biodiverse Brisbane Initiative, visit the Brisbane Sustainability Agency website at www.sustainablebrisbane.com.au.
To keep up to date with what’s happening in Brisbane, head to www.adrianschrinner.com.au/brisbane-news.
