More than 5,500 square metres of pest vegetation has been cleared from Gibson Island at Murarrie and is being replaced with native trees in a joint effort between Bulimba Creek Catchment Coordinating Committee (B4C), Energex and Powerlink.
The environmental restoration project has been underway for nearly two years and will transform a formerly unsightly and rubbish strewn entrance to the river island into one with beautiful native trees attracting native animals back to the area.
Member for Bulimba Di Farmer said the project, to which Energex and Powerlink contributed more than $25,000 in in-kind vegetation clearing, labour and mulch, was an amazing undertaking between the State Government owned power companies, B4C, and several local businesses to ensure this historical site was beautified and preserved for future generations of people and fauna alike.
"It’s not commonly known but Gibson Island has served Brisbane as everything from a cemetery for bubonic plague sufferers to the site of one of the city's first power stations," Ms Farmer said.
"And while it is somewhat of a chequered history, it is one that deserves preserving and that's why Energex, together with Powerlink and a number of other organisations, were keen to assist B4C and the incredible work they do protecting and rehabilitating the Bulimba Creek catchment areas."
Wayne Cameron from B4C thanked Energex, Powerlink and other corporate partners for their support and explained why it was so important to maintain and rehabilitate catchment areas.
"This work and the provision of voluntary corporate labour by Energex, Powerlink and other industry partners has been a shot in the arm of the entire project on Gibson Island," Mr Cameron said.
"The support of such organisations is now a critical component of getting projects initiated and providing them with on-going support such as with the Gibson Island Rehabilitation Project.
"From a weed and rubbish infested wasteland, now we have 1.3 ha of waterway revegetation along Aquarium Passage thanks to local and citywide industry funding and support."
Each year Energex and Powerlink provide more than $1million worth of community support for a wide range of not-for-profits from the Rural Fire Service to environmental groups such as B4C.
