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Outdoors
HOW TO STAY SAFE DURING MAGPIE SWOOPING SEASON
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MAGPIE breeding season has begun across the Sunshine Coast and residents are asked to remain tolerant of this protected and iconic native animal when walking or riding near Magpie nests.
Sunshine Coast Council Natural Areas Conservation Officer Tyron de Kauwe said magpies were very clever, remembering faces in their neighbourhood.
“Magpies are pretty amazing birds and in fact only 10 per cent of breeding males will actually swoop,” Mr de Kauwe said.
“Magpies will often stay in one area for up to 20 years.
“When they walk around with their head tilted, they are actually listening for prey and are capable of hearing earthworms and larvae moving underground.
Mr de Kauwe offered the following tips on staying safe during swooping season.
“Swooping begins once the eggs are hatched and ends once the chicks have left the nest, which is about six to eight weeks,” he said.
“When you see male magpies defending their territory, understand they are merely defending their young.
“Move quickly through the area but do not run. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses or use an umbrella. Dismount and walk your bike and where possible, walk in groups – or avoid the area altogether.
“Don’t act aggressively towards them as they have a very long memory, and this will just encourage further defensive behaviour in the future.
“Most importantly though, take a moment to appreciate the complex carolling of one of Australia’s most iconic birds—our humble magpie.” ZERO Emission Noosa(ZEN) has been tracking how different postcode localities are moving towards the goal of zero community emissions for Noosa by 2026, and in this article we focus on the village of Cooran which makes up postcode 4569.
The name Cooran is derived from the Gubbi Gubbi word meaning ‘tall’ or ‘high up’ and is also a name they give to the Moreton Bay Ash tree.
ZEN met up with Avid Marshall who is president of the Cooran Hall Committee to find out more about the town. Avid told us the hall is the oldest in the Noosa Shire being built in 1906, with the first meeting of the Noosa Council being held there in 1910. Whilst the official name is the Cooran Memorial School of Arts, Avid likes to transform it to ‘School of Hearts’. He says that best describes the context of the hall being the vibrant hub of the eclectic, inclusive community, featuring live music and theatre events, private functions, workshops, classes, community gatherings and more.
Avid’s particularly passionate about the Cooran Acoustic Nights, which are held every six weeks, and have been running continuously for 32 years apart from a COVID enforced break last year. “It’s an institution, a supportive environment where we have a range of performers from seasoned professionals all the way through to people who are getting up on stage for the first time.”
Avid’s also proud of the hall’s solar system and energy efficiency improvements. The grant-funded solar system has been running for 10 years and they’ve never paid an electricity bill since, even though they now have air conditioning. All the lighting’s been switched to LED, and Avid’s pride and joy is the recently installed state of the art LED stage lighting.
We also met with the folks from Cooran Earth Rights who are dedicated to protecting the local environment. Their crowning achievement has been the extinction of the coal and gas exploration lease following their amazing door-to-door survey which found 98% of locals wanted Cooran to be free from coal and gas field exploration. Noosa Council followed up with a similar declaration for the shire and with local member Sandy Bolton’s advocacy, the State Government decided not to renew the exploration permit. The group’s still active, last meeting chatting about the proposed bike path to Pomona, quarry traffic, green thumbs, community groups, plans to grow and networking within the community.
Spokesperson Ann Gardiner proudly told us, “Cooran is currently generating 46% of its electricity from renewables. 56% of homes have rooftop solar and 42% of businesses. This is reducing our CO2 emissions and making Cooran a cleaner and greener place to live. Living in one of the sunniest parts of the world it makes sense to generate as much solar power as we can. It saves the consumer money and saves the planet emissions. Well done Cooran - if we can keep up the steady pace of solar installations we will be on track for Zero Community Emissions by 2026.”
Fellow Cooran Earth Rights member and local resident, June Norman, is equally passionate telling us, “I installed solar on my home nearly two years ago. Whilst it has reduced my power bill significantly my motivation is to reduce my carbon footprint so that I lessen my great grandchildren’s adverse experience of climate change. By my calculations the solar installation will pay for itself within four years. I’m very proud that Cooran is leading the Noosa region with the uptake of renewable energy.”
Use your favourite search engine to find more about Cooran Acoustic Nights, the Cooran Hall and Cooran Earth Rights. Further details can be found at zeroemissionsnoosa.com.au/4569
Avid Marshall
OFF GRID LIFESTYLE EXPO COUNTDOWN IS ON
EXHIBITORS are designing their stalls, workshops are being created, speakers are booked in and all lights are GREEN to go on the first ever Off Grid Lifestyle Expo. Imbil Showground on the weekend of September 11 and 12 is the place to be between 9am and 4pm. 60 exhibitors (including at least one tiny home) have already booked in and as we get closer, that number will swell. We include solar power, composting toilets, Super Dooper Poo, bees, permaculture, fire pits, blacksmithing, knife sharpening, wildlife carers, massage, an apothecary, singing bowls, native plants, and seeds to name a few. Live music will be playing on the stage so bring a blanket and a hat then loiter for a while and enjoy. Coffee and food vans are waiting to serve their delicious offerings including fritters, crepes, vegan, fish and chips and frozen fruit ice-creams.
Our plan is to go ahead unless QLD Health implement a lockdown. In this situation, the event will be postponed to a later date but will still proceed. Tickets would be refunded or moved at the request of the purchaser. We will be doing our utmost that this event will not be cancelled. Tickets are $10 per day or $15 for the weekend. Under 16s are free. Tickets are available online at Humanitix or on the day. Information available at www. offgridexpo. com.au or phone Di on 0419 224 628
BILL FRANCIS land management
Broad Acre weed control 4WD Slashing Covering ALL AREAS
WHERE’S a good place to enjoy Fathers Day on Sunday, September 5?
Noosa Botanic Gardens - that’s where.
There’s a host of happenings at the gardens on that day, starting with a Bird Walk from 8-9am, where noted avian photographer Karl Granzien will identify some of the birdlife that calls the gardens home.
From 10am to noon, you can head down to the poinciana trees near the Shade Garden to listen to the Noosa Orchestra Wind Quintet, a blend of flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and French horn, to send a soothing sound through the gardens.
The Shade Garden itself will be open Sunday morning, as it is on the first Sunday of each month.
The Botanic Gardens Friends have also
Be a botanic Dad PERMACULTURE PARADISE organised for a coffee van to be on hand OPEN GARDEN DAY to quench the thirsts, and you can bring a picnic down and grab one of the many little hideaway spots next to the lake to enjoy some good family time. And you can bring your dog - as long as it remains on a leash. Sunday, September 5, from 9am at Noosa Botanic Gardens at Lake MacDonald, only 4km along Lake MacDonald Dr from Cooroy. Meanwhile, the Friends of the Botanic Gardens are excited they have received $500 in a community grant, which is to be the first step towards providing an electric golf buggy for people with mobility issues, to enjoy the gardens. For more information visit EVERYONE is welcome to enjoy Sean Morrow’s animal habitat and frog pond Permaculture Paradise this September! The property is 6.5 acres of gently sloping north-facing land, located in the Noosa Hinterland. The land is bordered on the northern side by Six Mile Creek, which runs between Pomona and Cooran. The gardens and property have been developed since 2002. The main focus of the garden/property is habitat creation for native birds, frogs, reptiles, small marsupials and insects There are thousands of native and endemic plants to help support these animals, as well as imported rocks, logs www.noosabotanicgardensfriends.com and mulch to create the habitat which supports abundant wildlife. Sean and his family have created over 74 habitat ponds and 12 bird baths across the property, which have greatly increased the biodiversity throughout the property. Organic home food production also makes up a major element of the garden/ property They grow 100+ species of edible plants ranging from vegetables, herbs and permaculture plants, through to Australian bush foods and exotic fruit and nut trees. The garden also contains plenty of exotic plants, including clumping bamboo, trees, shrubs, herbs and ground covers, and lots of insect attracting plants. The Open Garden is open to members of the public, so bring along your friends and family. Date: Saturday September 11 Time: 9am – 4pm Tours: 9.30 to 11.30 am, and 1.30 to 3.30 pm Location: 18 Hawk Lane, Pomona Entry: $2 per person Food: Amari Flavours Brazilian street food van (gf options available) Plant sales: A variety of plants, including edibles, will be available for purchase Cash only transactions available for entry and plant purchases. Contact: Sean Morrow on 0411 312 284 for any enquiries. David Brownlee and son Indie take their dog Bowie for a stroll in Noosa Botanic Gardens
CALLING GARDENERS AND SEED SAVERS!
September is the start of Spring, the perfect time to plant red dragon snake beans, chilli, coriander, cosmos, dill, lettuce, marigold, nasturtium, parsley and tomatoes. Make sure you check out the Lucky Dig collection and see what garden goodies community has donated. Did you know Noosa Seed Library is accepting donations of seeds for our seed library? The Lucky Dig Collection comprises community seed donations and is available at all branches. How can you donate? Bring your seeds to your local branch, staff will ask you to fill out a form telling us a bit about your donations. What can you donate? We prefer to accept open-pollinated or heirloom seeds, if you’re not sure, donate anyway - we would love to accept them! Seeds are accessible at all library branches. www.libraries.noosa.qld.gov.au/services/ seedlibrary/
Prepare for a safer summer
WITH the weather soon to warm up, it’s a reminder that August is the official start of the upcoming bushfire and storm season. Are you ready?
We’ve all experienced how quickly weather events can develop and threaten homes and lives, so Noosa Council is working closely with hinterland communities to raise awareness of the need to be prepared.
In partnership with Pomona Community House, council is offering residents in the hinterland communities information sessions to assist with disaster preparedness and building resilience leading into the bushfire and storm season.
Understanding local disaster risks is vital for our communities. The sessions will provide an opportunity for the hinterland residents to talk to emergency services personally.
The first of these is a Bushfire Information Night, being held on Tuesday, September 7 from 5.30-8.30pm at Cooran Hall. Topics covered will range from how to prepare your property for a bushfire, making an evacuation plan and plant and animal responses to fire. There will also be practical advice available from Queensland Fire and Emergency Services, Biodiversity Consortium and Noosa Council. Attendees are requested to register for this information night by contacting Pomona Community House on 5485 2427.
Mayor Clare Stewart said that disaster preparedness is a community effort which requires everyone to do their part.
“We can all help protect our communities by taking responsibility for being prepared and supporting our neighbours to do the same. Inaction puts homes, neighbours and our emergency services workers at risk but if we all have a plan in place, it helps when natural disasters strike,” she shared.
Additional Disaster and Hazard Preparedness Information Days will be held on: • September 10 and 11 - at the Noosa Show (Pomona
Showgrounds) from 9am - 4pm. • September 18 - at IGA Pomona from 9am - 4pm. • September 24 - at The Lawson Shed,
Pomona from 9am - 11:30am • October 1 - at Ridgewood Hall from 10am -1pm.
All events are family-friendly and free and subject to COVID-19 and QLD Health event guidelines and activities are funded by Cat C Bushfire Recovery/Resilience funding.
For more information on all activities call Pomona Community House on 5485 2427.
Noosa Council’s Resilience Officer, Cheryl Pattison said community workshops were well attended last year and our communities embraced the opportunity to engage with the emergency services volunteers and staff.
“Our community spirit is strong at the best of times, but it shines brightest with extreme weather events, and we help each other out”, she said.
Noosa District State High School Presents
IT’S SHOWTIME!!
OUR NEW DATES
Thursday 2nd September Friday 3rd September Saturday 4th September
SEPT 8-13: NEW MOON 1ST QTR
Cabbage, celery, cosmos, dill, grain crops, lettuce, mizuna, parsley, rocket, silverbeet, spring onions, NZ spinach, nasturtium, sunflower, tatsoi, sweet basil
SEPT 10-20: NEW MOON 2ND QTR
Beans (bush & climbing), capsicum/ chilli, cosmos, cucumber, eggplant, grain crops, nasturtium, okra, pumpkin, rockmelon, rosella spring onions, summer squash, sunflower, sweet corn, tomatoes, watermelon, zucchini
SEPT 22-28: FULL MOON 3RD QTR
Asparagus, avocado, banana, passionfruit, beetroot, catnip, chives, carrot, herbaceous perennials, Jerusalem artichoke, lavender, macadamia, mint, oregano, passionfruit, pawpaw, potato, radish, rosemary, sage, sweet potato, thyme, tropical & cherry guava
SEPT 1-6 & 29-30 FULL MOON 4TH QTR
No planting but a good time to cultivate, pull weeds and destroy pests.
JOBS TO DO FOR SEPTEMBER
• Fertilize – feed established bananas, foliar feed citrus with sulphate of potash, magnesium and boron. Apply seaweed tea to passionfruit, pistachio, tropical & cherry guava. Apply fertilizer tea to young rhubarb, asparagus, young passionfruit, melons, cabbage, leek, lettuce, silverbeet. Feed tomatoes with magnesium (Epsom salts) 1 tablespoon
Epsom salts to 9 litres of water. Feed paw paws with 1(only) teaspoon of boron (borax) to 9 litres of water and water in well for strong cell walls and calcium uptake • Pests – watch for fruit fly on tomatoes and capsicums - cover with exclusion bags.
Bronze orange citrus bug - spray with natural pyrethrum or knock off into a bucket of soapy water. Spray citrus with horticultural oil. Check garlic for rust just before harvest and spray with bicarb soda solution • Water fruit trees deeply once fruit appears.
Permaculture Noosa Club Night Tuesday Sept 7, 6.30pm Cooroy Memorial Hall Permaculture Noosa Fundraising BBQ Saturday Sept 18, 7 - 11am Pomona Park Permaculture Noosa Club Day Sunday Sept 19, 9am Cooroy Community Permaculture Gardens 26 Emerald St Cooroy www.permaculturenoosa.com.au
© 2021 – 2031 Susan Anderson
PROUDLY SPONSORED BY YOUR LOCAL LIFESTYLE
Permaculture Club Day
THE Cooroy Community Permaculture Garden is looking great after a couple of big club days propagating and preparing!
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU FIND A SNAKE IN YOUR CHOOK PEN?
Don’t miss this special opportunity to meet with local snake catcher Luke Huntley, as he delves into the secret life of snakes, and helps us overcome our fears! He’ll give us the rundown on local varieties, and answer our questions, of which there are sure to be many.
Luke was born and raised in Noosa and is passionate about snakes and other wildlife. He’s been running his snake relocation business Snake Catcher Noosa for six years, and covers Noosa and the entire northern Sunshine Coast region.
We are especially lucky to have Luke visit us during the busy snake season, so we need to start promptly at 9am – please make sure you get there early!
SEED SAVERS 10AM
If you have never joined in before, this is a wonderful chance to learn how to save seeds, process and store them. An ancient practice in a modern world!
HARVEST SWAP 11.30AM
Bring along any excess home grown produce, or even some homemade or home baked goodies, to swap for something else! If you don’t feel you have anything to contribute, your presence is enough. There is always an abundance of produce for everyone to share.
Tea and coffee are available throughout the day for a gold coin donation to Permaculture Noosa.
If you’re new to permaculture, and have questions about the ethics and principles, members will be available to wander through the gardens with you and answer all your permaculture questions! September Club Day – Sunday 19, 9am start. Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you all there!
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