Open Area Plantings - Tucki Tucki Reserve
Consultation has concluded
This consultation has now concluded. Thank you to those who made a submission.
Staff and Executive have considered the feedback from this community survey, and based on responses received have determined that all sites 1, 2, 3 and 4 are approved to go ahead with minor modification. Councillors have been advised and support this outcome.
Results from the survey indicate that a majority of respondents support the plantings. Respondents included comments which commend the work of the Goonellabah Tucki Landcare Group and Just St Community Group, noting the values that the proposed plantings enhance including biodiversity and enjoyment of the walking track.
Objections were received, with general concerns relating to function of the walking track, balance of open space, bushland maintenance and fire risk. It is considered that these issues can be managed through planting design and ongoing maintenance attention. Planting designs will also take into account underground infrastructure.
At Site 1, 77% of respondents supported the planting, 19% said No, 2% said Unsure and 2% responded No Comment. Specific concerns were raised relating to visual safety and ease of movement along and off the pathway, which after careful consideration have been addressed by requiring a wider setback of the planting from the edge of the path (1-2m grassed).
At both Site 2 and Site 3, no specific concerns relating to these plantings were raised. At both sites, 79% of respondents were in support of the planting, while 10% said No, and 10% responded Unsure or No Comment.
At Site 4, 77% responded Yes, 13% responded No, and 10% responded Unsure or No Comment. One concern was raised regarding snake habitat, which can be addressed through planting design and maintenance of grassy areas.
Thank you to all the community members who responded to this survey. Council appreciates the care shown for the green spaces of our community. Those respondents who requested to be notified of the outcome of the consultation will be contacted via emails supplied.
Are you a Tucki-Tucki Reserve neighbour or recreational user, or a resident of Just St or Kookaburra Terrace?
Have your say on the proposed open area planting sites.
Complete the online survey: Open Area Planting - Feedback Survey
As a part of the annual Landcare Site Action Planning process for 2023-24, Goonellabah Tucki Landcare Inc (GTLI) has proposed four new plantings into LCC-owned grassed areas adjoining existing vegetation within their current works area (GLTI Zone Map). This includes one site within the Tucki Creek Reserve below Hepburn Park, and three stormwater retention basins further downstream.
The plantings seek to improve the condition of Upper Tucki Tucki Creek and contribute to biodiversity in the local area. All plantings are proposed to be selected from this list.
A 2022 Tucki Tucki Creek Reserve Community Survey undertaken by LCC provided valuable information from community members regarding the key values of the reserve. This survey demonstrated strong support for regeneration activities in the reserve and has been used to inform decisions regarding plantings in 2022-23. However, the survey’s restricted geographical focus and limited feedback in relevant areas has meant that further input from the community is sought to support decision making for the 2023-24 plantings.
The proposed plantings will be well set back from boundary lines, and will be designed to consider underground infrastructure, hydrology and solar access for neighbours. They are in line with the objectives of the LCC Urban Stormwater Management Plan and Urban Green Corridors Plan.
Engagement Process:
- Letters posted to neighbours of sites and signs placed near the sites for easy user survey access
- YourSay survey (two week submission period)
- Collate survey results, update YourSay and respondents with outcomes
Survey submissions are being received for two weeks until Friday 8 December, 4pm.
Background:
Tucki-Tucki Creek Reserve is a public reserve located in Upper Tucki Tucki Creek. The headwaters of this local watercourse begin in South-East Goonellabah and stretch approximately 30km through urban, wooded, and open country to the Tuckean Swamp where it enters the Richmond River. The Tucki-Tucki Creek Reserve area includes the adjoining Birdwing Butterfly Gully, Holmes Park, Ravenswood Drive Park, and areas of Hepburn Park.
The Reserve borders residential areas throughout Goonellabah, Kadina High school and Hepburn sports fields which are regularly utilized by sports clubs and the public.
Restoration activities have been occurring within the reserve for decades, rehabilitating what once was weedy cleared farmlands into a native vegetation corridor containing sub-tropical and sclerophyll vegetation communities. Past areas of restoration have centred largely around the Birdwing Butterfly Park, but over the decades, have expanded north and south along the creek line. In addition to the work undertaken by Council, many thousands of volunteer hours by the Goonellabah Tucki Landcare group have contributed greatly to the preservation and enhancement of the area.
Goonellabah Tucki Landcare Inc (GTLI) is a non-profit community Landcare group based in Upper Tucki Tucki Creek, Goonellabah. The group has been undertaking bush regeneration and revegetation activities in the reserve since the early 2000s. Their goal is to ‘enhance the area along Upper Tucki Tucki Creek and the Richmond Birdwing Butterfly Gully by returning it to a native rainforest corridor for the enjoyment of the general public and local community’. LCC supports this goal through the Urban Green Corridors Plan and the Urban Landcare Program, providing annual financial support and a range of in-kind contributions.
The plantings proposed are:
- Site 1: Creek side planting below Hepburn Park
This proposed planting is ~400m2 and is located adjacent to the Tucki Tucki Creek walking track on the bank of Upper Tucki Tucki Creek. The planting aims to connect two existing areas of vegetation to improve habitat and ecosystem condition. Being beneath powerlines, the species planted will be limited to small rainforest trees, shrubs and ground covers appropriate for the location. Vehicular access will be maintained across the upper edge of the planting.
- Site 2: Kookaburra Terrace retention basin
This proposed planting is approximately 700m2 in area and is located on the slope surrounding a stormwater retention basin on Kookaburra Terrace opposite Grevillea Grove, Goonellabah. The planting aims to improve habitat, slow overland flow and filter pollutants. The western slope is intended to be planted with small-medium rainforest trees, and the eastern slope to be planted with shrubs and native groundcovers. The basin floor and spillway will remain grassed. Vehicular access will be maintained around the planting and across the embankment.
- Site 3: Just St retention basin #1
The proposed planting is 550m2 and is located on the area surrounding a Fig tree and retention basin on Just St, opposite Kestrel Court, Goonellabah. The planting is intended to include a small planting of rainforest understory plants around the roots of the existing Fig tree to improve amenity and reduce weeds. The short steep slope above the retention basin is proposed to be planted with small rainforest trees and shrubs and is intended to slow overland flow and improve habitat.
- Site 4: Just St Fig Tree retention basin #2
The proposed planting is 550m2 and is located on the area surrounding a Fig tree and retention basin on Just St, opposite Kestrel Court, Goonellabah. The planting is intended to include a small planting of rainforest understory plants around the roots of the existing Fig tree and retaining wall to improve amenity and reduce weeds. The short steep slope above the retention basin is proposed to be planted with small rainforest trees and shrubs and is intended to slow overland flow and improve habitat.
For further information on any proposed plantings please contact environmentalstrategies@lismore.nsw.gov.au or 6625 0500.
