For the regional town of Gayndah in the North Burnett, the mighty Burnett River, of which the town overlooks, is a source of life and leisure for her residents and visitors. The Burnett provides much of the water for the many citrus orchards and other primary producers of the region. The River is also a place for fishing and water sport recreation and is home to many special wildlife including the Queensland Lungfish and platypus.
The Gayndah Burnett Riverwalk was a community project to connect the people with easy and safe access to enjoy the river from a different perspective and promote a healthy lifestyle.
This project has been deeply embedded in, and helped in its implementation, by the local community for over two decades. Recent funding by North Burnett Regional Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads Queensland enabled a substantial stage of design and construction to be completed.
A key component of the project has been maintaining this region’s special biodiversity. This includes a focus on raising the awareness and protection of the habitat of iconic indigenous species such as the Queensland Lungfish (Neoceratodus) and the Platypus along with the local and transitory bird life. The local indigenous claim group, the Wakka Wakka people, checked for cultural sites and assisted in the development of Bush Tucker and Bush Medicine Trails.
Opening of the Gayndah Burnett Riverwalk
The magnitude of community spirit this project brought together caught the attention of the contracted Arborist, David Hawthorn from Arboractive. This prompted their nomination to the highly respected Australian Institute of Horticulture Annual Awards, recognising exceptional environmental and horticultural projects and excellent achievements of fellow horticulturists.
The Councillors, staff and community were thrilled to receive national recognition and win the “Green Space Regional Award” this year.
Council’s Parks and Open Spaces Supervisor, Eric Sturgess was the project manager and was honoured to accept this award on behalf of Gayndah and Council. Eric, a proud Gayndah local, worked alongside fellow community members and Wakka Wakka people to plant some of the bush tucker plants in the garden.
The Riverwalk has quickly become a place to meet, relax, exercise, and enjoy. The Gayndah Riverwalk is home to the weekly Gayndah Parkrun which has been supported greatly by locals and visitors to the region.
Have you experienced the Gayndah Burnett Riverwalk? We’d recommend taking a stroll down the Riverwalk to appreciate and enjoy the beauty and life of our mighty Burnett River.