Hello subscriber,
Welcome to the May 2025 edition of This Week by the Creek, your monthly e-news updates from Brisbane City Council's Creek Catchment Officers.
In this edition
Upcoming events
Grants at a glance
Information, news & resources
Look-alikes
Inspired by nature
Creek champion
Upcoming events
War on Weeds
Having trouble with weeds on your property? Join Pullen Pullen Catchments Group on a ‘weed walk’ to learn about these invaders of Brisbane’s western suburbs. Hone your weed-ID skills and discover the best ways to encourage natives to regenerate in their place. Free take-home resources are available, and morning tea is included. All ages welcome!
Catchment Share Day
Join us on Friday, May 30, 2025 at 67 Constellation Way for a day filled with networking, learning, and sharing ideas. The event kicks off at 9:30 AM so make sure to arrive on time!
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, Catchment Share Day is the perfect opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals in the industry. Share your experiences, gain valuable insights, and expand your network.
Don't miss out on this exciting event! Mark your calendars and get ready for some inspiration! Spaces are limited!
Dunn Road Community Tree Planting
Come and join us on Saturday May 17 for a free tree planting at Dunn Road Reserve, Rocklea. We will be planting 220 seedlings into our Bushcare area as part of a long term plan to restore the riparian vegetation along Stable Swamp Creek.
What to bring: Please bring a water bottle, hat and gloves (if you have them).
What to wear: Please wear enclosed shoes and sun-safe clothing
This event is hosted by Oxley Creek Catchment Association
National Volunteer Week
National Volunteer Week in Australia is celebrated annually during the last full week of May. In 2025, it will be held from May 19th to 25th. This week is a time to celebrate the contributions of volunteers and highlight the importance of volunteering in Australian communities.
The theme for National Volunteer Week 2025 is "Connecting Communities". This theme emphasizes the power of volunteering to bring people together, create lasting relationships, and strengthen communities.
If you would like to recognise a fellow Creek Catchment volunteer with a shout out in the next edition of This Week by the Creek, please email us (CCOfficers@brisbane.qld.gov.au) a few sentences and we will collate it all into the next issue. Photos are most welcome too!
Native Plant Propagation and Seed Collection workshops coming up at OCCA
The workshops include three Native Plant Propagation (NPP) classes plus two sessions on Seed Collection.
The NPP class will cover:
Introduction to propagation including basic requirements for seed germination and plant growth
Information about seed dormancy and the treatment methods to overcome them
From seed to seedling demonstrations (seed treatments, seed sowing and pricking out seedlings)
The Native Plant Propagation classes will be held on Friday 23rd and Saturday 31st of May at Archerfield Wetlands, Durack. Registration is via Humanitix:
NPP - Smoke Treatment Special registration:
The two Seed Collection sessions will include:
Introductory briefing covering guidelines for seed collection, best practice methodologies for sustainable harvest, permit requirements and genetic and environmental considerations.
Walk through of site, collecting ripe seed where appropriate.
Information on how to handle and store seeds (including seed leaning/processing at end of session if time allows!)
These classes will be held in a local bushland area (2nd May - Nosworthy Park, 30th May - TBC). Additional information and registration is available here:
Grants at a glance
Community Tree Grants - The Trees for Bees Community Tree Grants support the planting of bee-friendly trees in extended gardens, community-owned land, school grounds, sporting club precincts and urban corridors. Opens 20 May 2025
Community Sustainability Action grants: Heritage Conservation - Grants of up to $50,000 (excluding GST) will be provided to support eligible recipients using best practice to conserve and celebrate places entered on the Queensland Government's Heritage Register that are, or will be, accessible to the local community and tourists. Closes 11 June 2025
Sponsorship requests - Sponsorship is available to businesses, associations, local councils and not-for-profits to deliver significant initiatives and events. Closes midnight 30 June 2025
Santos - Focus areas: Resilient communities, Economic pathways, Environment. Ongoing
Lord Mayor's Community Fund - Brisbane City Council's Lord Mayor's Community Fund (previously known as the Lord Mayor's Suburban Initiative Fund) supports community projects that build stronger communities in Brisbane. Ongoing
Purves Environmental Fund Grants - The Purves Environmental Fund enables and empowers others to work together to achieve meaningful impact in the areas of environmental sustainability and biodiversity. Ongoing
Thriving, people and places grants - caring for the environment - Ongoing
Google Ad Grants - Ongoing
Funding for Charitable Organisations - Ongoing
Australian Government Disaster Ready Fund - The Australian Government will establish the Disaster Ready Fund (DRF) from 1 July 2023. The DRF will provide up to $200 million annually to build disaster resilience and mitigation projects across Australia
Council's Funding Finder - Brisbane City Council provides access to GrantGuru’s national database of grant and funding opportunities for local businesses, community groups and not-for-profits. Click here to find out more.
Council's Community capacity building. Workshops & Events - Find events and training to support your not-for-profit organisation and celebrate our communities. Click here to find out more.
Subscribe to Council's Community Development Register - Are you part of a community organisation working to support, celebrate and connect communities in Brisbane? For more information register here.
Information, News & Resources
The Queensland Water and Landcarer organisation manages and pays for all of your insurance policies as an independent creek catchment group. With the insurance comes a suite of responsibilities and duty-of-care all catchment groups are expected to practice.
ABC News
VIDEO: Dangerous ‘forever chemicals’ detected in a Blue Mountains creek.
Scientists invent filter that can recycle PFAS into renewable batteries
Biodiversity Council
2025 Biodiversity Concerns Report: A survey of community attitudes toward nature conservation
Brisbane Times
If COP climate summit comes to Australia, this city would be the perfect host.
Griffith University
Fishy business - native fish forum. Join us at the EcoCentre for a glimpse into our native freshwater fish that are often overlooked by their more colourful Great Barrier Reef cousins.
iNaturalist
Orange-fingered yabby
Cherax depressus dwell in dug burrows alongside small creeks or ephemeral waterways and can survive dry conditions for several years by lying dormant in burrows sunk deep into the muddy creek beds, coming out into open water only during heavy rain. They dig their burrows with their mega sized pincers, burrowing generally around 50–80 cm deep, but can dig deeper during droughts if necessary. Even when not in drought, the yabby will rarely emerge from its burrow chambers, making it a rarely seen yabby species (Wikipedia 2025).
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Response of Ruderal Species Diversity to an Urban Environment: Implications for Conservation and Management.
“While urban spontaneous vegetation is usually considered as adding no value, more and more studies are providing an in-depth understanding of various ecosystem services which are not captured in the current urban ecosystem models. The study of urban ecology in North America usually focuses on the residual natural spaces in cities rather than the unique urban plant communities.” (Guo et al., 2018)
The Conversation
Allowing forests to regrow and regenerate is a great way to restore habitat.
Yale Environment 360
A.I. Is Quietly Powering a Revolution in Weather Prediction
Look a-likes
Having pademelon grass is always a good indicator of success in a bushcare site. Sadly, an exotic grass is making its presence known in the Brisbane scene, which fills a similar niche to our beloved Ottochloa gracillima. Recently, the exotic lax panic was discovered creeping through the Oxley Creek Catchment along waterways. Click on the below link and get your eye in for this looming threat.
Inspired by nature
Learn how to paint native bees in watercolour online with a workshop on May 17th offered through NatureArt Lab with artist Dr Anna Voytsekhovich (image shared with permission).
Learn about the anatomy, ecology and morphology of bees, as well as the incredible colour patterns and textures of Australian native bees. During this tutorial you will learn how to produce an initial drawing of an object, how to scale it, what to include in composition, and then learn how to transfer it on paper and produce a beautiful scientifically accurate illustration in watercolour.
Creek Champion
For the month of May the Creekies have nominated Ian Swindale of Bayside Creeks Catchment Group (BCCG). Sit back, have a cuppa and enjoy Ian’s journey:
Finding My Way in the Bush
I’m not a bushcare expert, ecologist or field scientist. I’m a software developer by trade. However, during COVID, I found myself searching for a meaningful way to give back — something that combined community, nature, and purpose. I didn’t have a grand plan, just a quiet drive to be part of the solution (to some of our current environmental concerns) and, hopefully, to show my kids that everyday people can make a difference. That drive led me across the street (quite literally) to a small patch of bushland now known as Glider Way.
Glider Way Bushcare began not for me, but for the community; and the gliders, birds, frogs, turtles, snakes, bandicoots, bats and families who share this space. I’ve since helped plant hundreds of natives, remove invasive weeds, and gently open up the track for walkers, schools, and volunteers. While I don’t have all the answers, I do have passion; and a willingness to pitch in. I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the guidance of Bayside Creeks Catchment Group (BCCG) and support from Brisbane City Council, both of whom have helped steer me in the right direction.
Pulling weeds in a park won’t change the world. But maybe it sparks a bit of wonder. Maybe it shows someone that the greatest change can start from the simplest beginnings… you just have to start. You never know what you’ll grow until you plant that first seed.
Thank you for helping us protect 870 waterway and bushland sites across 3000 hectares.
Michael, Wes, Cerae and Brendan
Our mailing address is:
Green Square | 505 St Paul’s Terrace, Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006
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