The Nulla Vale Pyalong West Landcare Group received a grant for $20,000 via The Communities Environment Grant in 2019 to remove blackberries from part of Mollison’s Creek and a large island in the creek near Pyalong.
Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum was pleased to have funded the project.
“It’s so great to see this project completed and the area looking so good,” Mr Drum said.
“I recommended, fought for and delivered this funding because it’s a great project.”
The Nationals candidate for Nicholls Sam Birrell was excited about what the project represented for the community.
“Country people are practical environmentalists and this has been a great collaboration between The Nationals in government and the people of Nicholls,” he said.
Mr Birrell said he would be looking to encourage a “place-based approach” to environmental projects if elected as the retiring Mr Drum’s replacement.
“Whether it be environmental, educational, whatever it is, people who live in places know what they need — they just need the government to support them,” he said.
“The fact the island has now been given to the community for their use is the icing on the cake.”
Nulla Vale Pyalong West Landcare Group president Dave Dunstan said the project wouldn’t have happened without funding via the Communities Environment Grant.
“The Nulla Vale Pyalong West Landcare Group is interested in regenerating the environment in co-operation with the Pyalong community, and the Mollison’s Creek Project is a key example of this,” Mr Dunstan said.
“Through the regeneration of the riparian area, we have been able to make Mollison’s Creek accessible to the community again.
“We’ve found that people are now returning to the area for recreational activities such as fishing.”