Estelle Gough, project manager for Landcare Port Macquarie, said that over 20 years volunteers have worked very hard to restore and preserve bushland across Port Macquarie.

“We are ecstatic with the turnout today, it is fantastic to get a lot of our volunteers and environmental partners together for this wonderful occasion,” Mrs Gough said.

“We have worked continuously since we started in 1997 and have expanded works to 14 Port Macquarie-Hastings council bushland reserves.

“We have taken on a further 17 sites, with the success of the EnviroTrust Bid for Wrights Creek and Yarranabee catchments (including Macquarie Nature Reserve) for the six year duration of the bid.”

Landcare Port Macquarie have also been able to secure a total of $704,295 in funding for the local environment.

On the day, Mrs Gough spoke to the crowd specifically about the work Landcare has done at 115 Lord Street.

“Today was really a chance for all out volunteers and the wider environmental community to come together and see the work Landcare has done here at 115 Lord Street,” she said.

“It has taken over four years – with work ongoing – but as we move into the maintenance phase of the operation it is nice to be able to see how much work we have all done.”

She also said that since 2001, Landcare have successfully completed and acquitted 59 projects, covering 24 hectares, eight of these reserves have been brought to ecological maintenance and three have been given back to council for the low level maintenance required to keep them in good condition. 

“We have taken on new sites covering an additional six hectares bringing the sites we manage to 86 hectares.

“Our role in bringing partnerships with Corrective Services and Work for the Dole participants on board has enabled us to help the Port Macquarie-Hastings council and National Parks and Wildlife Service with extended works.”