Message From: Matthew Bloor [mailto:MBloor@tweed.nsw.gov.
Dear Caldera Environment Centre,
Tweed Shire Council is undertaking a brand new Platypus Project with the aim of protecting platypus habitat and reducing threats to Tweed platypus populations. The project aims to use community education to harness community support and involvement.
The project will work with the community to
- Raise awareness and understanding of the platypus
- Report platypus sightings
- Start a Platypus Watch Group
- Protect and conserve Tweed waterways
Council is engaging a community artist, Kris Martin, to weave a 3m long platypus from cats claw creeper vine, starting on Saturday 2nd November at Uki Hall Park. Kris will be based at Uki for the week (to Friday 8th) and several school groups are visiting to help out. Interested members of the public are welcome to pay Kris a visit and Thursday the 7th is open for people to help weave the platypus and learn how it is done. See the website site for an example of Kris’s work artisean.com.au
The project will be launched at Uki Hall Park on Friday 8th November at 11am. Uki Public School, Youth Environment Council students, Council NRM staff and members of the public will attend. Members and friends of the CEC are invited – spread the word to supporters as everyone is welcome. Uki resident and bush regenerator Eddie Roberts will be at the launch to take interested people on a walk along the Tweed River at Uki to highlight restoration works and maybe spot a platypus.
The launch is to coincide with the Tweed River Festival, and the giant woven platypus will be part of the lantern parade on Saturday 9th November.
Attached is some background info on the project. Happy to discuss anything including promoting the project in the Tree newsletter.
Best Regards,
Matthew Bloor | Waterways Project Officer
Community and Natural Resources | Natural Resources Management
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