Community,
Conservation,
Sustainability
The Gap Sustainability Initiative is a charitable, volunteer-led community organisation. We work in partnership with other local groups, residents, schools, businesses, and governmental stakeholders to promote sustainable living practices and a positive ecological environment.
We run free bi-monthly educational seminars in The Gap, engage with local schools to facilitate their sustainability journey, and champion three main projects:
We collaborate with all public servants without prejudice or preference to a political party.
Current Projects
The Platypus
Project
The Platypus once called The Gap home. Can we bring it back and what would it take? Join us in our quest to make The Gap habitable for the Platypus once again.
Community
Energy
Energy is essential for our quality of life. What role could our community play in generating and securing access to environmentally safe and affordable energy for all residents?
Sustainability
Together
The Gap is home to many community groups and initiatives. Can we coordinate efforts and resources to make sustainable living accessible and convenient for all residents?
Educational
Seminars
Mr Hamish Butler and Mr Brian Latham– January 2024
Moreton Water Plan Consultation
Attendees were informed that the Water Act 2000 and Water Regulation 2016 currently serve as the guiding water legislations for public servants. The existing Moreton water plan, last updated in 2007, is now due for revision, with the public consultation process unfolding in two phases: the current phase and another in approximately 12 months when the draft plan will be open for review again. Please see our January newsletter for more information.
Dr Gilad Bino– October 2023
Creek condition and native fish in Enoggera Creek
Gilad shared with us the five-step plan that was followed to reintroduce Platypus successfully into Royal National Park in NSW. Partnerships, community engagement, and scientific knowledge were all critical to make
sure the habitat was suitable and the Platypus would thrive.
Mr Leo Lee– August 2023
Creek condition and native fish in Enoggera Creek
Mr. Lee highlighted the gradual decline in Enoggera Creek’s well-being during the past decade. While the planting along the creek’s edges has improved shelter for wildlife, the waterway itself and its inhabitants face significant challenges—excessive runoff of fertilizers, chemicals, and microplastics. The discussion revolved around identifying and implementing measures to restore the creek’s health.
What YOU can do to help
Become
a Member
Volunteer
Take Action
at Home
Donate
Collect
Containers
Become a Member
Volunteer
Take Action at Home
Donate
Collect Containers
Drop us
a Line
Get in touch with us here. We love to help.
Our Latest News
Upcoming
Events
Boomerang Bags The Gap and Surrounds Sewing Bee
The Gap Baptist Church hall 1125 Waterworks Rd, THE GAP, QLD, AustraliaBoomerang Bags The Gap and Surrounds is a friendly group of volunteers who sew various kinds of bags and other practical or decorative items from donated, unwanted fabric. Our mission is […]
TGSI Platypus Toys Sewing Bee
Join Us to Create Platypus Toys for a Good Cause! Help us craft adorable platypus toys to sell within the community and raise funds for our platypus rewilding project. No […]
Street Tree TLC
The Gap Contact organiser for address, The Gap, QLD, AustraliaJoin us to provide the street trees lining our neighbourhood with tender loving care. We meet at 7.30am and usually finish by 9am. Please bring a shovel or small pick […]
# Our Socials
We have been approached by Invasive Species Australia to host a seminar next year about fire ants. This is an invasive species of ants originating from South America that has swept the continent over the past 20 years. Together will yellow crazy ants these types of ants are much more aggressive than local species towards the local wildlife and replace the local ant communities by competing for habitat and food sources. In some areas of Queensland these ants are so prevalent that people cannot use their yards any more. Are you interested to learn more about these ants and what the current plan for managing these in Australia looks?
Last year we were mentored by Rewiring Australia. This year, Rewiring Australia received a grant to electrify one Australian community as a pilot project to show the impact this will have on the wellbeing, financial and energy savings for individuals and the community overall. If it goes according to plans as outlines by Dr Saul Griffith, then the community should be able to save massive amounts of dollars that can be redistributed back into the community for such things as public pool, teachers, or other community benefits. Lots of media interest in these concepts and something many people in The Gap would also be keen to explore for our suburb.
Two weeks to go until our next seminar at The Gap State High School Library, 7pm. Our guest speaker Jess Peters will share her views on cycling in and around The Gap. She will cover the topic from multiple angels, including from the perspective of safe cycling for school children, the perspective of the keen road cyclists, and as a traffic engineer who has to take the multiple road users into account when planning infrastructure. We are sure this will be a highly engaging seminar and thank Jess for taking the time to join us. Be Part Of Our Sustainable Journey Learn, Connect, and Make a Difference Take part in our initiative to build a sustainable future in The Gap. Within a supportive community, you'll learn how to create positive change. Subscribe [https://thegapsustainabilityinitiative.eo.page/4061] to explore how you can make a lasting impact locally and beyond.
This Saturday morning we will be doing street tree TLC once more. In this video, Sue explains why we are doing this, and how to do it. You can be in contact with us by email if there are street trees around your area that need care. You cna also start your own little group to look after trees around you, all you need is a couple of people and a few garden tools. Let us know if you want to create your own Street tree care group and we will give you the flyers we use to inform the residents.
We just love good news stories. The Knitting Nannas, an advocacy group which is asking for greater respect for Australia's remaining natural assets and a stop on logging native forests are compiling these good news stories each week. Clearly we need a weekly dose and actually more of good news stories all year round?
It will be very interesting to see what the 2024 Aussie bird count reveals. Are bird numbers recovering or declining? What about the variety of bird species? We all know about the silent spring a book by Rachel Carson who described the complete extinction of birds in some areas of the USA due to the use of DDT. This study a few year ago looked into the nature of the bird songs surrounding us and found that while in Australia we are not yet experiencing a complete silencing of birds, the variety of bird song has declined. One reason why we may not notice this decline in daily life is because it is gradual, and we become accustomed to the reduction in song lines we hear. Hopefully we can reverse this trend and bring the birds back to full capacity of singing.