2013 Friends of Parks funding application

Provide a clear and concise description of your project

This project aligns with the QPWS management priorities of the Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola section) and all three of the Friends of Parks Initiative objectives.  Over 40 volunteers from the Friends of Kinaba will be involved in facility improvements of the Kinaba (Sir Thomas Hiley) Information Centre; in enhancing visitor enjoymennt by refreshing outdated educational displays including audio-visual equipment and providing visitor advice; and in revegetation of the surrounding wet sclerophyll and wallum ecosystem known as the Elanda Plains.

The restoration and maintenance required to return operational function to Kinaba Information Centre involves restoring the health of the timber building (interior and exterior); maintaining the toilet, jetty, self guided boardwalk facilities, solar system and pumps and ensuring that health and safety requirements are met.

Much needed cultural, envirnonmental and historical information will be sourced trom traditional owners, QPWS, Sunshine cCoast Council and local residents to refresh the static displays and enhance the Centre's ecotourism value which receives over 10 000 canoeists, bushwalkers, tourists and visitors each year.

Volunteers will be trained to deliver visitor advice and will be available on weekends and public holidays to meet and greet visitors to the Park.

The planting will restore vegetation that was lost during the timber getting era and will build on the efforts of the Elands Point rangers, Noosa & District Landcare and Green Army over the past 25 years.  It will add to the cultural heritage values of the national park by improving the integreity of the walking track that links up the old tramway line with the open air cemetery.

The Boreen Pointy community is committed to sharing its skills and energy to ensure the Kinaba Centre is retained for the benefit of the public, and as a working entity with opportunities for volunteers to be involved in care-taking the Centre and surrounds.  The Friends of Kinaba's vision is to operate a vibrant, community-based interpretative center that will enhance the awareness, understanding and enjoyment of visitors to the Great Sandy National Park.  This project will draw visitors to the Park and encourage increased use by canoeists, kayakers, bushwalkers, scouts, schools and tourists.

What are the goals and objectives of your project?

This project has dual aims of revitalising the structure, function and ecotourism value of the Kinaba (Sir Thomas Hiley) Information Centre on the north western side of Lake Cootharaba, and restoring biodiversity by revegetating the surrounding wet sclerophyll and coastal wallum ecosystems known as the Elanda Plains, gateway to the Great Sandy National Park.

The revegetation will follow the old tramway line, and will mark the route for the walking track between Mill Point and the historic cemetery, enhancing the recreational and cultural heritage experience of campers and bush walkers.

The specific objectives are to:

  • operate, maintain ad restore the Kinaba Information Center in conjunction with Parks' staff
  • provide and disseminate information to enhance visitor enjoyment and raise awareness of the cultural, historical and environmental values of the National Park
  • ensure workplace health and safety regulations are met by providing training and protective equipment for volunteers and visitors
  • extend the Elanda Plains revegetation project by planting 10 000 local provenance tubestock in cleared or degraded areas

  Link to the complete application

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