PORT of Brisbane and the Brisbane Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee (B4C) are to transform a section of highly degraded waterway corridor within the Bulimba Creek Catchment Area thanks to a $40,000 grant from IFM Investors, a PBPL securityholder, through its 2021 Community Grants Program.
The grant will help PBPL and B4C to transform a 6400-square-metre parcel of inaccessible land overrun with weeds to healthy native habitat, complete with an outdoor learning space to support students and the Bayside community.
Located on Brisbane Bayside State College (BBSC) land, it is part of an important biodiversity corridor that links the Bayside to the Brisbane River, and which has become degraded and inaccessible over time.
PBPL CEO Neil Stephens thanked IFM Investors and said the project will build on the environmental work PBPL is delivering in the lower Brisbane River catchment with B4C.
“We’ve worked closely with B4C for over 10 years on similar projects in our local area. They bring significant experience and knowledge on habitat restoration,” Mr Stephens said.
“We believe this project will leave a positive legacy for the environment, students and the broader Bayside community who will be able to enjoy and access this important environmental area once the project is complete.”
B4C catchment manager Wayne Cameron said the organisation is excited to be part of this project, working with the College, Port of Brisbane and other community organisations.
“The waterway corridor is an important habitat and connection path for wildlife in the urban area. The project will enable students to learn about the importance of water quality and varied habitat, by being involved in the hands-on rehabilitation including weed controls, planting and maintenance,” Mr Cameron said.
“The outdoor education component will encourage the College and local community to utilise the waterway area for learning across all ages and subject areas. Environmental education is necessary for people to understand our natural world and how we can all play a part to improve its ecological values, for people and wildlife.”
As a global infrastructure investor, IFM recognises the valuable contribution that partnerships like this can make to the sustainability of the communities where the businesses it invests in operate.
IFM executive director, Responsible Investment Chris Newton said: “We value the connection and mutually beneficial relationships our infrastructure portfolio companies aim to build and maintain with their local communities. We are proud to see our community grant funding supporting grassroots projects like this one, and we look forward to seeing the environmental and social benefits it will create.”
Led by B4C, the rehabilitation works will focus on weed removal and management as well as revegetation with up to 500 native plants to enhance corridor connectivity while improving overall biodiversity and water quality in the area.
B4C will provide valuable work experience opportunities for individuals participating in labour market programs, enabling them to gain valuable skills in conservation and land management.
Once complete, the outdoor learning space will provide BBSC students and other Bayside community members with opportunities for unique hands-on learning and research, ultimately increasing engagement with the natural environment.
BBSC will facilitate access to the learning space for students from schools and organisations, including educational training providers to support students studying courses in Horticulture and Conservation and Land Management.
The IFM Investors Community Grants Program aims to support IFM’s infrastructure investee companies to collaborate with local community organisations on projects that create mutual benefits.
