Last days to apply for Mt Leura/ Sugarloaf committee roles

Last days to apply for Mt Leura/ Sugarloaf committee roles

Published on 24 March 2021

If you love our natural environment and have skills to make a difference, only days remain to apply for a place on the Mount Leura and Mount Sugarloaf Management Committee.

The committee is seeking applications from community members interested in the future management and development of the volcanic icons.

Two community representative positions are open, each for a three-year term. Applications close Wednesday 31 March. Duties include:

helping implement the Mt Leura and Mt Sugarloaf Management Plan. attending monthly committee meetings and other meetings as required; promoting and running committee events, community planting days, working bees, workshops and field days and developing funding applications; maintaining and developing the reserves through work such as weed control, nursery propagation, construction and tree-planting.

Central Ward Councillor Laurie Hickey encouraged residents to throw their hat into the ring.

“We’ve got beautiful spaces and natural features in the Shire with our mounts and lakes and craters.

“They need input from the community to make sure they’re run as the community wants.

“If you’ve got an opinion on the future of the reserves and expertise that can be put to use maintaining and improving these fantastic landmarks, we’d love to hear from you.”

Committee Chairperson, Mike Emerson said the Committee had completed a lot of work to develop the Mount Leura and Mount Sugarloaf Reserves.

“They’re terrific environmental and geological assets for the Shire,” Mr Emerson said.

“The reserves provide diverse recreational and educational activities, and are attractive regional tourist destinations where people can come to reconnect with nature in a safe and scenic environment.”

Mr Emerson said the Committee was made up of a well-rounded group of people with a wide range of skills and the passion to ensure a positive future of the reserves.

“This is an opportunity to join a team who are absolutely committed to enhancing the reserves.

“I encourage people from all backgrounds to apply. This is an ideal opportunity for the committee to enlist people with diverse but valuable skills and abilities that could benefit the wider community on many levels.”

The primary role of the committee is to manage the implementation of the Mt Leura and Mt Sugarloaf Management Plan. The Plan focuses on the revegetation and recreational potential of the Mt Leura and Mt Sugarloaf Reserves. The committee is also involved in seeking funding for works and programs through both government and non-government bodies.

Since 1995, among the Committee’s achievements, in partnership with volunteers and other stakeholders, are:

planting over 36,000 indigenous trees and 60,000 indigenous grasses; building an extensive network of walking tracks, signs, a stone-wall entrance, an educational centre, seats, picnic tables. and three information shelters; removal of more than 500 pine and cypress trees; and development of promotional and educational resources and programs.

Position descriptions and application forms are available here or from the Civic Centre, 181 Manifold Street, Camperdown. For further information, please call Environment Projects Officer Roland Herbert at Corangamite Shire on 5593 7100.