Central Coast Council is rebranding its bushcare program as the Environmental Volunteer Program.
This revamp follows a survey last year among Landcare volunteers on how they thought the program could be improved.
There were 233 respondents, representing about 38 percent of the volunteers, with ideas put forward including support for short-term groups, noting time constraints for residents committing to longer term projects.
Mayor Cr Lisa Matthews said it was important that all volunteers and other interested community members were able to have their say on the program before it was adopted by Council.
“There was great support for the program to continue and expand and now more members of the community will be able to take a hands-on role in conservation, protection and remediation of our local environment.”
The Council will investigate opportunities for funding additional support, including external grants and third-party sponsorship.
New technologies including phone apps will be considered for managing the program and Council will consider expanding the program by recruiting two additional full-time staff at a projected cost of $40,000 in capital and $134,125 in operational expenditure per position, to support additional volunteer groups as outlined within the strategy.
The 13 bushcare groups operate on and around the Peninsula.
Blackwall Mountain Bushcare meets on the third Saturday of the month between 8.30am to 11.30am at the Sliprail end of Mullbong Rd;
Peninsula Dunecare (Ettalong) meets on the first Saturday and third Thursday, from 8am to 11am (9am to 12pm in winter) at the intersection of Barrenjoey Rd and The Esplanade;
Putty Beach Dunecare (Killcare) meets on Thursday from 9am to 12 noon at the Putty Beach car park;
Patonga Bushcare meets on the first Monday, 8.30am to 11.30am, at the camp ground at Patonga near the tennis courts;
Pearl Beach Bushcare meets in Coral Cres on the first Saturday between 8.30am and 11.30am;
Pearl Beach Dunecare meets between 9am and 12 noon on the second Saturday in Pearl Pde opposite the shop;
Pretty Beach Bushcare, every Monday, 1pm-4pm, Araluen Dve dog track;
The Bays Bushcare (Phegans Bay) meets on the second Sunday between 8.30am to 11.30am at the corner of Phegans Bay Rd and Raymond Rd;
South St Umina Bushcare, fourth Wednesday, 8am to 11am, cnr South St and Esplanade;
Umina Community Group Dunecare, fourth Thursday, 8am to 11am, cnr Berith St and Esplanade;
Umina Ettymalong Creek Landcare, third Sunday, 8am to 11am, Etta Rd;
Burrawang Bushcare (Woy Woy), fourth Tuesday, 8am-11am (winter 9am-12pm), opposite intersection of Hillview St and Florida Ave in the reserve;
Everglades Wetlands Lagoon Bushcare (Woy Woy), second and fourth Saturday, 8am-11am (winter 9am-12pm), end of Kerrawah Bvde.
SOURCE:
Central Coast Council agenda 3.1, May 11