Braidwood Urban Landcare's Flood Creek Community Recreation project gets underway

In 2016, Braidwood Urban Landcare was awarded a $25,000 grant through the Stronger Communities program. The money was part of $10 million allocated by the NSW Government to Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council as a merger incentive.

Through the grants program, managed by QPRC during its period of administration, community groups and organisations were invited to apply for money linked to specific community projects, with a total of 32 grants allocated across the region for a diverse range of projects.

The Landcare grant project, which includes an outdoor gym, is part of a larger project that began in 2009. This includes the Judith Wright Gardens at the end of Garvey Street, which was opened during the 2015 Two Fires Festival, the Community Gardens, and the footpath and footbridge, all constructed with volunteer labour. There is also a rock-armoured horse crossing of the creek at Hassal Reserve.

Braidwood Urban Landcare secretary Annie Duke said the outdoor gym was the first component of the project, funded by Stronger Communities. “We will also be commissioning the Men’s Shed to make some bench seats to go at a few spots along the Flood Creek footpath,” she said.

Ms Duke said the final component of the project, to be undertaken in spring, will be the planting of about 36 trees with a view to both spring and autumn display: “Think cherry blossom walks, shade and fruit. We’ll begin preparation for the plantings soon and hope to be able to call on community assistance with the planting when the time comes around.”

The new recreation and gym equipment has been selected to provide a different range of exercise and fitness skills to the existing equipment in Bicentennial Park. The Landcare group has even bigger plans for the precinct, intending to seal the path and place sculptures along the walk. All aspects of the project have been constructed in line with Australian disability access standards.