Turtles benefit from park revamp

Local residents aren’t the only ones reaping the benefits from Sunshine Coast Council’s recent work in Charles Street Park, Kenilworth.
Division 10 Councillor Paul Tatton said endangered Mary River Turtles were also thriving as a result of improvements in the park.
“One of the key components of council’s work in Charles Street Park was installing vehicular barriers at the river end to prevent vehicular vandalism and access to the river bank that is an ideal area for turtle nesting,” he said.
“As a result of this there were six Mary River Turtle nests laid in the newly protected area this season which is a wonderful outcome for this species that is endangered.”
Cr Tatton said the local community had played a key role in improving conditions for the turtles.
“A revamp of Charles Street Park was initiated by the Kenilworth community in early 2010,” he said.
“Locals met with myself and council staff onsite and outlined their aspirations for improvements in passive recreation, site rehabilitation and environmental protection and interpretation.
“Council took this information onboard along with feedback from community consultation to draft a concept plan for the park that reflected the local priorities of revegetation and weed control, walkways, seating and additional tree planting.
“After further consultation it was determined that preventing vehicular access to the river bank was a key priority to aid the welfare of local wildlife.
“In October last year council installed an interpretive sign about the endangered Mary River Turtles adjacent to the vehicle barriers to explain the new vehicle access arrangements.”
Council will conduct river bank vegetation works with the community after the current wet season, with additional shade trees also set to be planted in the park.