Reshaped advisory groups for Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve and Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens

Sunshine Coast Council has renewed its commitment to community engagement at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (MCSR) and Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens (MRBBG) with reshaped advisory panels which will help set strategic management direction for both sites.

A new "register of interest" is also available for both bushland centres so community members can find out about, and be consulted on, projects and issues important to them.

Environment Portfolio Councillor Jenny McKay said the reshaped panel would build and expand on the invaluable work of previous committees at MCSR and MRBBG.

“Our current and past committee members are committed and passionate people and their collective contribution to conserving, enhancing and promoting these special places is enormous,” Cr McKay said.

“However, a recent review of the panels highlighted an opportunity to build on this great work by targeting expertise in critical areas.”

Cr McKay said to do this, Council had reshaped the panels, introduced a "register of interest" and established formal memorandum of understanding (MOUs).

“Council is also keen to hear from other community members who are not part of the committee about their ideas for the direction of the centres and their onsite projects via the new ‘register of interest’,” Cr McKay said.

“Also, in a bid to strengthen the everyday working relationships between the Friends groups and Council further, a formal MOU has been developed to outline how the two will work together to conserve, enhance and promote MCSR and MRBBG into the future.”

Public donations will be retained at the sites and be reinvested into special research, conservation, education, volunteer and community activities and events.

Community members can express their interest by calling Council on 5475 7272.