Once the land is bought, the community based Greenwich Rainforest Reserve Committee (GRRC) are prepared to incorporate, and administer the Reserve, as a Community Trust. The GRRC will include representatives from the local community bordering upon this creek, major Sponsors, a Councillor, and other interested local residents.
The Community and GRRC are also keen to see Council administer the Reserve. The other option is for the Reserve to become a Rainforest Reserve Enclave of the Lane Cove Bushland Park. We prefer to work with the Lane Cove Council to achieve a desirable long term outcome.
A subcommittee of the GRRC is prepared to initiate some on-going fundraising activities to assist with other associated expenses.
The project includes weed removal, conservation of existing local species of flora, some planting of ferns and rainforest species, signs to signify species of flora, taps for watering especially during droughts or while planting, a pathway to link up with the Lane Cove Bushland Park, a viewing platform for the disabled.
Sponsors and other people who have contributed, would have their names placed on a plaque, at the entranceway to the reserve to acknowledge their significant support for the establishment of this special Reserve.
* Management Planning Strategy Consultant.
* Environmental architect.
* Flora consultant - with expertise in rainforest / wet schlerophyl plants & local species.
* Project Supervisor.
* Bush regenerators - Removal of weeds.
* Horticulturalist - planting of appropriate species, ongoing maintenance.
* Pathway subcontractor - Appropriate bush pathway.
* Plumber / Sydney Water - Water taps.
* Community Working Bees - Assist with initial cleanup operations, build compost bin, Water vulnerable flora if drought. Possible involvement from local schools.
* Mayor and Councillors.
* Greenwich Community Association.
* Osborne Park Progress Association.
* Nature Conservation Council, NSW.
* Local and interested schools.
* Tertiary departments at nearby University of Technology and MacQuarie University.
* The local hospitals: - Greenwich Hospital, Royal North Shore Hospital and North Shore Private Hospital will all be made aware of this new public amenity.
* Clearance of weeds from the land.
* Initial measures to prevent erosion and soil loss, in event of torrential rain, during initial weed removal.
* Connection of water supply - taps.
* Planting of some wet sclerophyll / rainforest species, which includes ground cover of ferns, to prevent erosion and siltation of the stream once the 'wandering dew' weed ground cover is removed.
* Establishment of Walkway.
* Construction of Viewing Platform.
* Ongoing maintenance.
* March 2000 - Purchase of 35 Innes Rd.
* June 2000 - Consultants reports, planning completed.
* April - October 2000 - Weed removal.
* July 2000 - May 2001 - Regeneration, Planting.
* September - October 2001 - Pathway construction.
* November 2001 - Official Opening of Greenwich Rainforest Reserve, as a Federation Celebratory Event.
* May 2001 - May 2002. - Initial followup, maintenance.
* Public satisfaction.
* Scientific appraisal.
* Community & public use.
* Educational opportunities, excursions, projects.
* Survival of the endangered Hygrocybe community.
* Monitoring of national and international response to our Internet site.
* Positive feedback for our sponsors !!!
If the Lane Cove Council will not buy the land to initiate the Reserve, and the Greenwich Rainforest Reserve Committee (GRRC) are able to find a Corporate Sponsor, the GRRC will be augmented by interested residents within the community. Fundraising or sponsorship can be ongoing to ensure the long term success of this project and ensure the Reserve is well maintained. If interest wanes over the years, there may be a consideration to add this special reserve to the neighbouring Lane Cove Bushland Park (LCBP), as a special community inspired enclave. At this stage the major initial project would have been completed long ago. The LCBP is administered by the Lane Cove Council. The GRRC would ensure that the nature of this special reserve remains unchanged, and any sponsors would continue to enjoy ongoing, unchanged publicity from the Reserve.
The Greenwich Rainforest Reserve can be run by Council, administered as a Community Trust, or run by Council in partnership with the Community (our preferred option.) (A Committee consisting of two Committee members from the Greenwich Rainforest Reserve Committee, two local residents, with the option of at least one executive or nominated employee from a major sponsor, and one interested Councillor, could establish and administer the Reserve.)
Summary of Proposed Establishment, Restoration and Environmental Rehabilitation Expenditure:
1. Purchase of 35 Innes Rd: (Subject to negotiation.) - approximately $450,000
2. Labour costs:
Salaries for project supervision - $10,000
Consultants:
..........Flora Consultant - $3,000
..........Management Planning Consultant - $4,000
..........Environment Consultant - $3,000
..........Environmental Architect - $3,000
Sub-contractors:
..........Initial Weeding & Bush Regeneration - $9,000
..........Planting - $12,000
..........On-going weeding, maintenance, first 6 months - $ 6,000
..........On-going annual first year maintenance - $ 6,000
..........Workers Compensation -$2,500
3. Direct Project Costs:
Flora species - $10,000
Pathway (contract price, includes steps) - $15,000
Mulch / compost - $2,500
Water connection (includes 2 taps) - $1,000
Freight - $500
Insurance (Public Liability) - $2,000
4. Documentation and Publicity:
Advertising and Publicity - $1,000
Project Documentation - $1,300
5. Other Project Expenditure:
Accounting and auditing - $600
Administrative costs (telephone, postage etc) - $1,500
(N.B. This cost does NOT include Stamp Duty or Legal Expenses.)
Optional Extras:
Viewing Platform for disabled - Not costed. Estimated at $5,000 - $10,000.
Seats / Park Benches - Not costed. Estimated at $500 - $1,000.
Please CLICK HERE to return to the GREENWICH RAINFOREST RESERVE HOME PAGE.