50 Years Of Keeping Sandgate Beautiful

Half a century ago a group of Sandgate residents, passionate about protecting Sandgate's natural and built environments, got together to form the Keep Sandgate Beautiful Committee.

This year, that group ' now known as the Keep Sandgate Beautiful Association (KSBA) ' is celebrating 50 years of working with governments, other organisations, and the 4017 community to preserve and enhance the area's unique character.

To celebrate, KSBA is hosting a public lecture next month called Make Space for Nature, by renowned conservation biologist Dr Richard Fuller from the University of Queensland. The lecture has particular reference to the Sandgate area.

KSBA secretary Jenny Carey said the aims of the association were: to enhance the natural beauty of the area; to promote the conservation of natural environment; to foster balanced development; and to encourage community concern and involvement.

She said that recently, the group had been proactive in responding to the proposals around the Sandgate Area Draft Neighbourhood Plan, the Shorncliffe Escarpment Plan, and the Gateway Motorway Upgrade.

Our president is Linda McMahon, who does a wonderful job liaising with government, organizing grants and meeting with the community,� Jenny said.

Community members are encouraged to be involved by attending one of the regular meetings or 'habitat groups'.

Currently KSBA has a Habitat Group that meets every Wednesday morning at Dowse Lagoon to revegetate the edge of the lagoon with a diversity of native shrubs,� Jenny said. This is to negate the need for spraying and to encourage more small birds around the lagoon. Already a more diverse range of birds has settled into the new plantings.

We work with Birds Queensland at Dowse Lagoon and hold two bird walks each month, led by experts from Birds Queensland. The results of these bird surveys are collated and used to guide further plantings around the lagoon.�

The association also meets once a month at the Sandgate Museum.

Public lecture by Professor Richard Fuller To celebrate KSBA's 50th anniversary
Wednesday, 28 July, 7.00pm
Sandgate Town Hall
Book through Eventbrite (limited seating)
For more information go to the KSBA Facebook page.