BCC | Mount Gravatt Environment Group

June 10, 2010

MEG’s Outlook on Mt Gravatt Summit

Posted by Mt Gravatt Environment Group under BCC Action Plans, Mt Gravatt Outlook Development | Tags: BCC, Birds, Brisbane, bush, Bushcare, Butterfly, community, Echidna Magic, Environment, Koala, Lookout, MEG, Mt Gravatt, Tourism, tourist, Tree clearing, wildlife |
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In February, Mt Gravatt Environment Group proposed an alternative approach to tree clearing on the mountain: Restoring Unique Scenic Outlook Below is a copy of the Letters to Editor section of Southern Star – June 9, 2010. Click on image to enlarge for reading.

MEG is already working closely with BCC Habitat Brisbane on restoration of four Mt Gravatt bushcare sites and has expressed interest in restoration of the Mt Gravatt Outlook. However, as a volunteer organisation with limited resources our activities are critically dependent on careful planning and co-ordination with other Mountain stakeholders: allows elimination of rework and other unnecessary work. While we provided detailed comment on the 2008 Draft Land Management Plan, we have not yet received a copy of the Interim Land Management Plan which we understand is currently being used to support decisions such as tree clearing on the summit.

May 8, 2010

Explore our new Federation Track

Posted by Mt Gravatt Environment Group under Mt Gravatt Outlook Development | Tags: Ansel Adams, BCC, Coin-spot Treefern Cyathea cooperi, Echidna Magic, Habitat Brisbane, Koala, MEG, Mt Gravatt, Scribbly Gum Eucalyptus racemosa, Walking Tracks |
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Our BCC Habitat Brisbane team have bee n active upgrading the Federation Track which goes from Gertrude Petty Place via Federation Lookout onwards to the Summit.

You can also join from easement at 55 Granby Street.

The Track traverses some of the most beautiful parts of the mountain passing spectacular Scribbly Gums Eucalyptus racemosa: koala food trees.

The characteristic scribble on the bark is created by lava of the Scribbly Gum moth. The moth lays its eggs in the bark. The lava hatches out, mines the bark in a zigzag pattern then emerges to form a grey ridged cocoon under bark at the base of the tree or in leaf litter. “A Guide to Australian Moths” Zborowski & Edwards.

The track crosses gullies populated with Coin-spot Treeferns Cyathea cooperi.

From the Granby Street sign the track climbs through the seam of quartz that bisects the mountain.

Not as pretty as the fern filled gully this part of the track presents excellent opportunities for some creative Ansel Adams style black & white photography: like this gnarled log surrounded by quartz.

Continue on to the Summit for a superb coffee at Echidna Magic.

Hope to meet you on the track soon.

Mike

March 16, 2010

How much outlook do you want at a lookout?

Posted by Mt Gravatt Environment Group under Uncategorized | Tags: BCC, Brisbane, Bushcare, Butterfly, community, Environment, Mt Gravatt, Native Plant Species, Natural area, Tourism, tourist, Wildflower, wildlife |
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Our Mt Gravatt Outlook has featured on ABC Breakfast with Spencer Howson this morning.

Please have a listen and post your thoughts on this issue.

My comment on the MEG “the environmentalists” Outlook on this issue is below:

Mt Gravatt Environment Group (MEG) is working with BCC Habitat Brisbane, First Contact, Mt Gravatt District Historical Society, Cr Krista Adams and other local stakeholders to plan the restoration of Mt Gravatt Outlook to maximise the experience for visitors.

The focus for MEG is engaging visitors, both local and tourists, with a powerful environmental, cultural/historical experience through development of the distant city and river vistas while experincing the colours and scents of our local wildflowers, calls of King Parrots, the flash of colour as Imperial Hairstreaks cluster in the Acacias and the buzz of discovering a Koala asleep in a Tallowwood.

Our research of local plants and wildlife – Flora & Fauna of Mt Gravatt Reserve by Sue Jones & Michael Fox, combined with our bush restoration experience allows us to see huge potential in thoughtful development of the Scenic Outlook.

For detailed information on our environmental view of maximising the community and tourist experience of Mt Gravatt Outlook go to our blog post –

https://megoutlook.wordpress.com/2010/02/07/restoring-unique-scenic-outlook/

Michael Fox
Fox Gully Bushcare – http://www.foxgully.wordpress.com
Mt Gravatt Environment Group – http://www.megoutlook.wordpress.com

Posted by: Michael Fox | 17 March 2010 at 09:07 AM

February 26, 2010

The Mountain Needs YOU!

Posted by Mt Gravatt Environment Group under MEG Activities | Tags: BCC, Birds, Bushcare, Butterfly, Clean Up Australia Day, Echidna Magic, Environment, Koala, MEG, Mt Gravatt, wildlife |
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Join us for Clean Up Australia Day at the Summit of Mt Gravatt – Saturday 7th March – anytime between 8am and 10am – sign out with the MEG Team here – www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/Mt+Gravatt+Summit

Mt Gravatt Environment Group is working with BCC Habitat Brisbane and the Echidna Magic Kiosk to plan the development and restoration of one of Brisbane’s iconic outlooks.

Clean Up Australia Day is a great opportunity to visit this amazing location where just ten minutes from the CBD you may see a Koala snoozing in a tree or simply be surrounded by the magic of bird song as you work beside some amazing individuals, pinic with the family or share the Echidna Magic with a coffee on the deck with Brisbane’s greatest outlook.

Do you want a CD copy of Flora & Fauna of Mt Gravatt Reserve?

Michael J Fox

February 7, 2010

Mt Gravatt Envionrment Group finds its online voice

Posted by Mt Gravatt Environment Group under MEG Activities | Tags: BCC, Biodiversity, Birds, Brisbane, Bushcare, Butterfly, Community Education, Echidna, Environment, Gertude Petty, Habitat, Koala, MEG, Mt Gravatt, Native Plant Species, Roly Chapman, Walking Tracks, wildlife |
[2] Comments

Mt Gravatt Reserve is a unique island of Queensland bushland ten minutes from Brisbane CBD and home to Koalas, Echidnas, twenty seven different types of butterfly and dozens of birds.

The Reserve is Queensland State Governement land held in trust by the Brisbane City Council which in partnership with the community manages recreation, conservaiton of biodiversity, scenic amenity, heritage and social values of the site.

The amazing biodiversity of Mt Gravatt Reserve can be appreciated by considering in 66 hectares 245 native plant species have been identified which is equal to 10% of the total plant diversity in the 32 million hectares of England, Scotland and Wales.

Mount Gravatt Environment Group (MEG) is an umbrella group for four active groups of BCC Habitat Brisbane Bushcare volunteers restoring different parts of this bushland. Restoration activities range from removal of weeds/rubbish and planting of indiginous plant species to researching and mapping of plant and animal species, community education and consultation with BCC land management teams.

MEG supports bushcare groups restoring: