PROJECTS OF FRIENDS OF CURRIMUNDI LAKE

2011

This has been another productive year for the Friends of Currimundi Lake with beneficial outcomes to the local Community and visitors alike.

Members played an important and ongoing role in the preparation of the Currimundi Lake Dynamic Study run by Professor Tomlinson.

A Dunal Protection Plan has been finalized after consultation with the community and Council.

The last week of December saw completion of the Last Stage of the Currimundi Master Plan with the construction of the Picnic shelter to replace the old Rotunda. This Master Plan had its beginnings with much consultation over 2 years prior to the Plan being approved in 2006 and in the years since.

Our regular Community days have been successful with good rollups to Clean up Australia Day, National Tree Day and our Wildflower Walk.
The involvement of local School Children and children from the usa and south america has been a highlight.

Midge Control improvements have reduced the Midge larval count to well below the bad old days of 2004 to 2008 and continues to be monitored.

The new Beach Access Numbering Scheme was also implemented.

Significant other projects included Glossy Black Cockatoo Survey, Cane Toad Control, Rocky Ledge Inhabitant Survey, Turtle Care, KAB participation, Birdwing Butterfly recovery, revegetation programs, Water and erosion monitoring, and general surveillance of our local environment

A satisfying finale was Receipt of the Sunshine Coast Environment Award on 15th Dec.

2010

The resurrection and sustainability of the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly and its Native Habitat Vine in the Currimundi area has escalated under the guidance and direction of Ray and Pam Seddon and has included participation by Caloundra school children.

School children also became regular participants in FOCL run Environmental programs including Weeding and Restoration as well as the Kids teaching Kids days on 12th August and 19th October.
On 16th. August, a group of Children from Charleville were given talks on Environmental issues and the Beach scene.

Currimundi Environment Day attracted 62 adults and children to sign on and enjoy the fun which included – Gecko Native Animal presentation, Face Painting and Children’s Choir.
The Gecko Display group received plenty of attention from Signees and Passers By and the presenter was surrounded by up to 60 adults and children at any one time. Display tents housed volunteers from Wilvo, Turtle Care, Water Monitoring, Richmond Birdwing Butterfly and other Community Groups.
The result was a furthering of Local Environmental Education to those who were present. A free BBQ put on by the Lions was enjoyed by all at lunchtime

After 6 years of planning, the New Toilet block (with 3 x Ladies’ pedestals, 1 x men’s Pedestal, Urinal and a Unisex Disabled pedestal) was started on the 31st May and opened on the 11th August

Regular activities included the Weeding and Revegetation programs at Currimundi and Kathleen McArthur, Turtle Care, Water Monitoring, Fauna Surveys and KAB participation

Clean-up Australia Day and National Tree Day were well attended

A new Drain Filtering system was installed at the outlet on the Northern side of Currimundi State School and a new improved version of the Horiba Water Monitoring Instrument was acquired for use by Catchment members. Courses were attended by volunteers to learn how to use and calibrate this instrument.

The Lions Boat ramp Shelter was upgraded

2009

Close Liaison with Council and Community continued as a priority throughout 2009.

A Meeting was held with Council to resolve a route for a Connecting Path around the North and Eastern Boundaries of Currimundi state School to connect up with the existing Coastal Path. This pathway was completed later in the year.

Nesting Boxes were installed in trees as a substitute for lost bird breeding habitat.

A Retaining wall was built at the jumping tree to arrest erosion and an experimental Sand Blow fence in front of the grassed area was built to prevent sand blowing over the grass and on to the road during periods of strong North/Easterlies.

The Council Beach Cleaning machine started regular sweeps of Currimundi Beach and Lakeside and together with a thorough clean up under the Cottonwood Trees has made these areas safe for children.

2 new seats were installed along the Watson Street to Coondibah section of the Coastal Pathway and the Playground was improved with shade trees planted.

Children from Caloundra Primary School and their Teacher joined in special weeding and restoration sessions with FOCL members and Council as an Educational experience.
Asparagus Fern was targeted with resources made available from the Oil Spill compensation.

National Tree Day, the Wildflower Walk and Weedbusters Day were well attended.

2008

A Management Plan was developed during consultation with Council for removal and replanting of Vegetation. This plan ensured that all efforts made by members were an ongoing contribution to a desired long term end result.

Continued work around the Lake area made progress towards completion of the Currimundi Master Plan which had been approved in 2006.

Cleanup Australia Day, National Tree Day and the Wildflower Festival were once again successfully embraced by FOCL members.
Currimundi Environment Day was held on 25th October and included a School Choir and Children’s Street Theatre as well as face painting, races and environmental educational stalls with displays from a number of Community Groups.

Welcome to Currimundi street signs were designed by Council with FOCL member input and installed on the corners of Currimundi Road and Watson St and also Currimundi Road and Hargreaves Street.

The Lake was closed for six weeks in a successful attempt to drown the Midge larvae before they could hatch.

A Website was developed by joint consultation with FOCL and CCCG members to cover the Currimundi Catchment Area so that wide access was available to the new generation.

2007

An important project in 2006/07 was the undergrowth clearing of the Cotton Trees near the toilets and playground to create a safer environment for the children.
Council also dredged an area on the Southern edge of the lake for use as a safe swimming place for children.

2007 also saw the community and FOCL members join with the Caloundra City Council to further develop the plan for a rejuvenation of the area around Cocos Cafe and the Lake foreshores. FOCL input was to maintain the natural environmental aspect of the area whilst updating for safety and the future use of Currimundi Lake.

Currimundi Lake is now designated a coastal estuary which is required by law to remain open at all times. Increasing urbanization throughout the catchment creates new dynamics for the waterways and requires the community to become more vigilant in monitoring the biodiversity of Currimundi Catchment.

An ongoing project for FOCL is the clearing of all types of weeds along the foreshores of the Lake and revegetation of eroded areas.

Cleanup Australia Day, National Tree day and the Wildflower festival were well attended by local community members and visitors with their children.
Our inaugural Currimundi Lake Environment Day was held in Cliff Hargreaves Park on 29th September and proved to be an effective environmental educational experience for all those who attended.

Water monitoring is regularly performed at designated sites and a procedure was developed for the calibration of the monitoring instrument.

A contract was let to build a bridge across Coondibah Creek which would complete the Coastal Pathway from Ballinger Beach to Currimundi Lake. Pylons were sunk in August and the project opened by Mayor Don Aldous.

After Community discussions in June, a Draft Management plan for Coondibah Bushland Reserve was completed in August.

Spraying can no longer be used for Midge control so other options included raising the sand level or flooding the breeding areas during the larval hatching stage. It was found that Flooding the area for two weeks during that critical time seemed to work best and results will be monitored for future use.

Community meetings with the Council resolved to add a disability access toilet to the existing toilet block.

Two representatives from Friends of Currimundi Lake were invited to be mentors at group meetings arranged by the 'then' Caloundra City Council to help other groups wishing to enter their areas in the Tidy Towns and Clean Beach Challenges.

2006

A suggested Redevelopment Plan for Currimundi Shopping precinct was tended for viewing and comment and included a stop sign planned for Watson/Currimundi roads intersection and an effective Cotton tree maintenance program to improve safety.
The Draft Master Plan was completed in December for completion by September 08 and should provide safe recreational use of the lakeside.

The Weir was opened to Lake Kawana to provide continual water flow through the Lake entrance and out to sea in an effort to improve the health of the Currimundi Catchment System.

Professor Tomlinson was contracted to conduct a report on the Dynamics of the Currimundi Lake System

Discussions were held on the formulation of a Coondibah Management Plan

Currimundi was awarded the KAB Clean Beach Regional Resource Conservation and Waste Management title and the Tidy Towns South East Queensland Region Protection of the Environment Award recognizing the work done by the Community, Schools and Individuals in our area.

2005

After much community consultation, a Master Plan for the development of the Lake precinct was formulated. This plan would include seating, bbqs, bins, showers, paths, taps and Road works and in April was allocated Council funding for work to commence in 05/06

Currimundi was awarded the Sunshine Coast’s Cleanest Beach, and Queensland winner for Resource Conservation & Management Award,

2004

After many years of consultation a major dredging operation was agreed upon and at conclusion, cleared the silt and sand plug East of the Nicklin Way.

Friends of Currimundi Lake joined with the Currimundi Catchment Care Group to enter Currimundi Beach in the Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge and as a result, won the title of Queensland’s Cleanest Beach 2004.

2003

From 1999, a significant project for Friends of Currimundi Lake was the involvement in extensive ongoing discussions with many groups to find a suitable solution to thick silt deposits in the Lake and the build up of a massive sand plug at the mouth of Currimundi Lake.