LIGHTS ON THE LAKE WASHED OUT - 11 December 2011

The heavens opened, the thunder rumbled and the Organising Group was so disappointed to have to immediately cancel this event given the huge amount of work that had been done and the strong interest shown from the community. As the storms trickled to a drizzle for the rest of the afternoon, it was both rewarding and frustrating to see the hundreds of people who walked into the park or drove past hoping it was still on.

There was a spontaneous procession of five fantastically decorated canoes and kayaks because some residents were determined not to miss this unique opportunity no matter what the weather. At one stage, there were 70 people watching a double Hawaiian canoe, a tall ship and another kayak covered in flashing lights, a family canoe of Rudolph with a flashing red nose and a Santa standing on a long board as they paddled around Currimundi Lake. This was the spirit of Lights on the Lake!

Thank you to everyone who volunteered to create or to contribute to this unique festive event.

BLOODWOOD TREES HAVE BEEN STABILIZED

The good news story is that two of the three aged bloodwood trees that survived the flooding and high tides, have been stabilized by surrounding rock walls. The Council has done a wonderful job protecting these trees and reducing erosion and slumping. The new planting undertaken in October will grow and spread over the banks and the next six months should see thriving vegetation.

FLYING HIGH ON CURRIMUNDI LAKE JUNE 2011

The 358 people who registered were rewarded with wonderful weather and a gentle breeze for kite flying. The eight students and their lecturer from USC and members from FOCL were a great help on the day. Our environmental message was simply - kites are colourful, kites fly high in the sky but kites go home with their owners. Let's leave the balloons at home when celebrating around the waterways.

NEW COIR LOG WALL BUILT JUNE 2011

Thank you to the many volunteers who put their time and muscle into building 45 metres of coir log wall for bank stabilization along Currimundi Lake last week. Instead of just watching banks collapse and trees fall in each year, our Council-Community partnership has showed great initiative in working through this excellent project. The task was extremely challenging and required much lateral-thinking and teamwork so thank you to Kenneth, Gordon and Josh from the Council who lead from the front. Thanks to the Green Army and many local residents who helped with this great work.

CCCG CELEBRATES 10TH ANNIVERSARY (2001 -2011)

After months of planning and preparation, our 10th Anniversary Celebration at Rydges Oasis Resort was a day to remember. It was clear that everyone enjoyed both the formality and the informality of the event. It seemed that "prize giving" was the happy theme of the day. The buffet lunch was delicious. The seven certificates to foundation members and 10-year members were well deserved and the DVD captured the group's spirit of "can do" over the past decade. Thanks to you all who shared in our celebration.

Four of our past five Presidents joined together to cut the celebration cake.

PROTECTING AGED BLOODWOOD TREES ALONG CURRIMUNDI CREEK

On 30th December 2010, one of the three aged bloodwood trees along Currimundi Creek fell alive into the water. It followed a lengthy period of wet weather and high water levels which softened the unstabilized banks. CCCG and the council had agreed that this was one of three aged bloodwood trees worth protecting as they are indigenous to the area, the tallest in the canopy, full of nesting birds and beautiful shade trees for people sitting on the seat underneath. The loss of this tree is devestating and indicative of what is increasingly being lost by erosion of the fragile banks as the waters in Currimundi Creek increase in volume and velocity from large urban developments upstream. It is hoped that bank stabilization of the other two aged bloodwoods will be completed soon to ensure that they survive for many decades.

Because the Extractive Resource Area (KRA49) falls within the Currimundi catchment, we have a particular interest in the impact this development may have on the integrity of the natural environment, the progressive rehabilitation of the area throughout the life cycle of the development and the health of the future ecological systems resulting from the development.

This enormous area, estimated to be almost 1,100 hectares in size with more than 700 hectares marked for potential sand extraction, is larger than Ewen Maddock and Baroon Pocket dams combined. Operations could begin as early as 2011 and continue for up to 80 years.

With the removal of the sand, there will be 13 large excavated pits up to 15 metres deep. The site lies on a large floodplain that, during floods, has directed surface water to the Mooloolah River or into the finger tributaries that lead into Currimundi Creek South Arm. The subterranean water table lies close to the surface.

CCCG’s has questioned whether there is conclusive evidence (a) that sand extraction at Meridan Plains will not cause any detrimental impact on ground and surface water and not pose an unacceptable risk to the ecosystems of the nearby Mooloolah and Currimundi waterways; (b) that heavy rainfall and flooding in the Mooloolah catchment and Currimundi sub-catchment will not flood sand extraction operations and contaminate the Mooloolah and Currimundi waterways and cause additional local flood risk, and (c) that there will not be a detrimental impact on the recreational values and lifestyle that residents and tourists prize in the Mooloolah and Currimundi waterways.

COIR LOG WALLS

The banks of the lake and creeks are sandy coffee-rock which erode easily from tidal flow and wave wash. In 2009, CCCG used coir logs, a coconut fibre rolled into large 3 metre logs, as an excellent organic material for stabilising the banks and preventing further erosion. With intensive planting of clumping plants such as lomandras, this has been a successful and cost-effective strategy to retain and strengthen the banks. Working with the Sunshine Coast Council, there are plans to build another 30 metres of coir log wall each year for the next three years.

To encourage paddlers to explore the safe and sheltered Currimundi waterways, the Council has developed three brochures with very useful information. Currimundi Lake Trails has a map of the starting and resting points along the waterways as well as the amenities available such as BBQs and toilets. Currimundi Lake Ecosystems divides the system into seven sections and lists the various types of flora and fauna along the trail. Currimundi Lake Bird Checklist gives a list of some of the 50 bird species that you might find in the different remnant bushland ecosystems. These colourful brochures that add great interest and information to the experience can be downloaded from the council's website.

The best way to enjoy the different ecosystems and to understand the pressures on the system is from the water. In 2009 and 2010, members lead a kayaking tour from Noel Burns Park around Currimundi Lake and along Currimundi Creek to its upper reaches where there are no houses at all and the tranquility of the water adds to the enjoyment of the native bushland along the banks. It's amazing what interesting spots can be missed unless they are pointed out to you. This guided tour highlights both the beauties and the pressures along these waterways. These tours were taken for the Sunshine Coast Wildflower Festival in August. If there is a tour this year, it will be listed on our Calendar.

RICHMOND BIRDWING BUTTERLY VINE

The Richmond Birdwing Butterfly is one of the largest butterflies foundin south-east Queensland. This beautiful butterfly was once found in great numbers but land clearing has led to the loss of a vital food source. The Sunshine Coast is one of only two distinct populations remaining in Queensland. In 2010, CCCG members and the council's Field Leader, under the guidance of the Richmond Birdwing Recovery Network, planted 150 vines over two days along Currimundi Lake and Currimundi Creek South Arm. This mass planting created connecting pathways and was the largest on the Sunshine Coast. Within two years, we should see seed pods and flowers and hopefully lots of butterflies.

“Currimundi Lake Catchment News” is a quarterly educational newsletter aimed at informing the community within the catchment about current environmental issues and activities and how to protect the Lake’s environment. The newsletter is voluntarily produced by CCCG with production costs funded by a partnership grant from the Sunshine Coast Council and distributed by 140 volunteers to 7,500 homes and businesses in the catchment. The newsletter won a 2009 Froggies Highly Commended Award for Environmental Communication. You can read the latest newsletter on our website.

CCCG values this national event recognizing that much of the natural bushland within the Currimundi catchment has been destroyed by urbanization. Since 2002, thousands of native grasses, shrubs and trees have been planted in the parks along Currimundi Lake, Creek and Canals to help stabilize the banks and enhance the riparian zones. In 2009/2010, we joined with Parklands Community Group to attract almost 150 volunteers to plant out a previously cleared area and return it to natural bushland.. Each year we select a new site, details of which will be listed on our Calendar.

Clean Up Australia Day is an occasion for members and the community to clean up identified areas particularly from the Conservation and Recreation Parks along Currimundi Lake, Creek and Canals. Members do a thorough pick up of rubbish from the parks and use kayaks and boats to collect floating or submerged litter from the waterways. Find where the selected site will be each year on our Calendar.

Weedbusters Week is an opportunity for members and the community to eradicate weeds from identified areas in the Currimundi Lake Catchment. Assisted by the Sunshine Coastl Council, specific weeds are targeted for removal. Many hands make a difference. You can find where to go this year on our Calendar.

For three years, we joined forces with FOCL to present the groups’ environmental contributions and improvements to the Currimundi Beach area with renowned success in this prestigious competition winning the National Clean Beach Award 2004, the Sunshine Coast Regional Award for Protection of the Environment 2004, the Sunshine Coast Clean Beach Award 2005, and the Resource Conservation and Waste Management Awards 2005 and 2006.

CCCG conducts walks or kayaking tours along the waterways in different areas of the Currimundi Lake Catchment for members of the community. Kawana Forest is a favourite place for both walking and bird-watching. It is hoped everyone comes away with an appreciation of the area having enjoyed the experience. The special walk selected each year will be on our Calendar.

We combined with FOCL and Caloundra City Council to present the area of Currimundi and Wurtulla in the best possible way winning the Local and State Community Action Award 2002 and the State Environmental Award 2006. The combined efforts from local groups and the Sunshine Coast Regional Council have resulted in Caloundra City winning the Coastal South-East Queensland Award 2008.

In 2003-2004, members volunteered to stencil the message “Dump No Waste – Flows To Ocean/Creek” on 411 stormwater drains in Wurtulla and Currimundi Creekside to alert residents about the problems litter and household pollutants cause to waterways.

BUTT BINS

In 2004, CCCG took the initiative to distribute our own butt bins using recycled film canisters labeled with the message – “Fill 1/3 with sand, extinguish butts in sand, replace cap and empty contents into a bin”. Members created thousands of cheap, recyclable and practical butt bins which were distributed to local shops and businesses in Currimundi and Wurtulla.