The Barung Centre on the Maleny Community Precinct

Barung Landcare is celebrating its 21st anniversary by taking the first steps towards the creation of its Education Resource Centre on the Maleny Community Precinct.

Our vision for the new interactive Centre is that it become:  

• A home for Barung, its members and our community
• A model of landcare, regeneration and sustainability on the Blackall Range
• A catalyst for the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge
• A destination for visitors and students
• An interactive education resource for engagement, exploration and adventure

Going forward

Our plans for the Centre are exciting and  ambitious. We believe they are realistic and achievable. In order to bring them to fruition we will need to bring together quite substantial resources in the coming years, not only to build the Centre but to maintain it and to grow it to its full potential.

Developing this project will need clear, solid leadership and management to bring the various parts together. Equally it will require considerable inputs from membership.

The funds required to build and develop the site – including substantial revegetation – will be quite significant. We believe that we are in a position to the raise these funds through partnerships, grants and organizational funding activities.

Sustainability of the Centre offers one of the main challenges. We have to develop a viable long-term business model to ensure the longevity of the Centre.

The human, social, financial, technological and environmental capital exists in the community and in the region. It is up to us all to harness these going forward.

Barung has been operating successfully for 21 years. The Centre on the Precinct will be the heart of its activities for the next 21 years.  

We are in the early stages of this project and are calling on our members to come forward with ideas and expertise in taking this to the next level.

The site requires substantial revegetation and we hope that all members and all Range residents will engage with the planting of the new forest areas, the demonstration gardens and general landscaping work. We are hoping that this will begin in 2012.

As a significant community resource, it is our goal that every Barung member be able to find enjoyment and fulfillment in the creation and the ongoing maintenance and growth of the Centre – from planting and weeding through to demonstrating, serving coffees, presenting lectures and taking guiding walks.

Our Goals The Centre will be a living example of the beliefs and principles of the organisation; a working model of current best practices in landcare management, of environmental sensitivity, of sustainability, of an engaged community, and of forward-thinking environmental sciences and technologies. have a clear education focus aimed at meeting the needs of Range communities, school and tertiary curricula and students’ interests, researchers, local and international Landcare experts and the casual visitor. be economically self-sustaining and contribute to making Barung Landcare economically sustainable. develop partnerships with organisations, communities, interest groups, government and individuals to further common objectives - cultural, social and environmental as well as economic.. be an exciting destination in South East Queensland for everyone who has an interest in the area’s significant Indigenous past, ecological history, landcare and sustainable future.

Next steps

• In coming months there will be a number of opportunities for Barung members and the wider community to make inputs to the plans, processes and planting on the site.
• A team will begin work immediately on a strategic plan and a business plan; a funding prospectus will be produced.
• In 2012 we (all Barung members) hope to begin clearing and planting on the site;
• By mid 2012 plans will be produced for discussion.
• By the end of 2012 we will make our submission to Council and obtain planning approval.
• During 2013 building commences.
• In 2014 the Centre opens.

Donations to the Barung Environmental Gift Fund are tax deductable If you would like to contribute financially to this exciting development: ¨ post your cheque to: Barung Landcare Association PO Box 1074 Maleny  Qld  4552 ¨ pay by cash or card at the Barung office in the Riverside Centre; or -call 07 5494 3151 during office hours for bank account details to make a direct deposit or donate online here

We are calling on our members, on the community
and all interested parties to join us in this project.
All ideas, suggestions, volunteer hours, etc,
are most welcome.