History of Kedron Brook Catchment Network

Our network’s origins

The Kedron Brook Catchment Network grew out of an interest in preserving and rehabilitating the remnant habitat and parkways associated with Kedron Brook.

This interest has a long history in the catchment. The Grange Forest Park Bushcare group was established in 1984 and is the oldest in Brisbane. Over the following ten years people realised the value of the Brook and its surrounding parklands and bush.  A number of other groups were established.

By the mid 1990s it was realised that proper management of the whole catchment was required. The efforts of the community, the Brisbane City Council and the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland saw a new way of doing things was emerging.

Catchment management develops

The launch of the Brisbane City Council’s Habitat Brisbane Program encouraged and supported the efforts of Bushcare and other community groups to look after and regenerate the catchment’s public land. The number and range of people involved grew rapidly.

At this time, several other organisations, particularly the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland (who had a number of members in the catchment) initiated a study into the fauna of the catchment. They also assisted other activities in the catchment. Several frog habitat sites were established.

By 2000 there were 37 regeneration sites in the catchment.

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A Bushcare coordination position develops a network

Application was made for funds for a position to help organise and facilitate catchment activities along the Brook including bushcare groups, schools, businesses and others.

This project was jointly funded in 2001 by The Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland, Coastcare and Brisbane City Council. The position was filled by Ms Tina McLaren.

Getting the network underway

The bush coordination position resulted in a number of activities that formed the basis of the network:

• the number of bushcare groups in BCC’s Habitat Brisbane Bushcare Program increased from six to thirteen. Three existing groups not in the program joined in, three new groups started and joined the program, and one non-active group (Zion Hill Bushcare Group) was revamped and joined.
• bushcare groups were organized into a network, increasing communication and coordination
• eco-tours of the Brook were organised for volunteers. These were highly informative, fun and facilitated communications
• a newsletter was developed and published called The Kedron Brook Babbler
• a brochure was developed and sent to Real Estate agents along Kedron Brook aimed at new householders. The brochure encouraged participation in protecting and restoring areas of environmental and recreational value
• a list of business along Kedron Brook was compiled for developing future sponsorship opportunities
• media releases were distributed and displays for public events developed. These included events such as National Tree Day, Riverclean, World Environment Day
• work with School Groups assisted in raising awareness of the environment of Kedron Brook and it’s importance to Moreton Bay
  

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Kedron Brook Fauna Habitat Study

A detailed study of Kedron Brook fauna habitat was funded by the Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland. Dr. Seonaid Melville, an environmental consultant and Kedron Brook resident undertook the study. The progress of this study was closely associated with the development of the Network.

Dr. Melville worked with Bushcare groups along Kedron Brook to undertake fauna habitat assessments. These involved identifying key fauna present and their habitat requirements. Suggestions for future plantings and fauna management strategies were made. The study highlighted key conservation areas within the catchment.

You can download the full report from our References Section.

Inaugural network meeting

The Kedron Brook Coordinator, Tina McLaren, developed the network to carry on with her work when her temporary position expired. An inaugural Kedron Brook Catchment Network (KBCN) meeting was held in August 2001.

A working group was formed to draft the roles and objectives of the Network and to explore future funding options. The working group expanded the Networks aims and objectives to cover all individuals and groups with and interest in the Kedron Brook and its environs.

Our networks aims and objectives

The objective of the KBCN is to act as a facilitator and provide a communications network for the various community groups and interests involved with managing the Brook’s environment. The aims of our network reflect this focus.

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KBCN web site project

The website project was undertaken as a means of implementing some of the aims and objectives of our network. An application for funding was made to the Brisbane City Council’s Online Business and Community Project.

Funding was approved in February 2002 and the site launched in the following July.

Find out More about the History of the Website Project.

KBCN Sets up a formal structure:

The Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld

The website grant offer precipitated a need for formal management and financial structures.

The Wildlife Preservation Society of Qld (who already offered their support for the group) invited us to join their organisation. The Kedron Brook Catchment Branch of the WPSQ was formed to undertake the management activities of the network. WPSQ support their branches to become individually incorporated. We have achieved this aim and have the ABN number of 67 730 668 521.