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
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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
Repair Cafe The Gap
Rivercity Church Basement 59 Settlement Road, The Gap, QLD, AustraliaWe operate on the third Saturday of every month, except December, from 10am – 1pm. Bookings are preferred, but not essential. Bookings open on the first Saturday of the month, […]
Glenella Street Park Buchcare
Glenella Street Park 77 Glenella Street, THE GAP, QLD, AustraliaGlenella Street Park bushcare is on the third Saturday of every month except January. The working bee starts at 3:30 pm and goes until 5:30 pm, daylight permitting. The bushcare […]
Wittonga Park Bushcare Group
Wittonga Park Wittonga Park, THE GAP, QLD, AustraliaThe Wittonga Park Bushcare Group is restoring the headwaters of Fish Creek within Wittonga Park, The Gap. After the big community planting in 2019 to celebrate SOWN’s 25th anniversary, new […]
# Our Socials
Fabulous suggestions by Bicycle Queensland for the Olympic games legacy for Brisbane and Queensland overall. They reflect on the intent by the International Olympic Committee for the Olympics, and in particular the Brisbane Games to leave a positive and sustainable legacy, Bicycle Queensland suggest one important aim of the games must be to increase active transport from currently 10% to 20% by creating active transport infrastructure in a way that will make it really valuable for generations to come.
With the recent reports about heatwaves, droughts and wildfires in Western Australia, Victoria and also overseas in California, reminders of the 2019 bushfires across the eastern seaboard are never far away. This art exhibition wants to remind people about the short, but also long term effects of climate change-induced megafires and the impact these have on not just humans but all species big and small. Did you know that cicadas are absent after a large bushfire and the cicada populations are needing years to recover? It's interesting when cycling pr walking in the evening from the city to The Gap, that the cicada song only starts at about the Bardon/Ashgrove/The Gap border. This means that not only bushfires, but also the lack of unsealed surfaces can decimate the cicada populations. This highlights the importance of keeping The Gap surface areas as natural as much as possible.
Great advice by the outgoing surgeon general of the USA: Vivek Murthy urges people to strive for relationships, purpose and service, and stresses the importance of community for human's wellbeing. The Gap Sustainability Initiative's values certainly align with these recommendations. We aim to foster excellent relationships with and between the many sustainability-focused groups in The Gap, support and strengthen their purpose, such as reducing waste, or keeping out waterways clean and green, and we want to be of service to The Gap's community. If you are looking to join us you are very welcome and membership is likely going to improve your quality of life and wellbeing.
Only one week until our first working group meeting on the 21st January. At our first working group meeting of the year we will be planning the activities for our three main projects, as well as working towards a sustainability and community Centre. We are awaiting the outcomes of two grant applications and look forward to work with the community on progressing these. Feel free to join us, 7pm at The Gap State High School Library. In February, our first community seminar of the year 2025 will then be devoted to the Platypus project.
This article about the right to repair is interesting for several reasons. Not only are we lucky in The Gap to have a dedicated team of people run the Repair Cafe The Gap with the motto "toss it no way" highlighting how important it is to try to repair common household items before discarding them. It also highlights the enormous amount of resources that are being lost if items are discarded rather than recycled. Lastly the article mentions Saul Griffith from Rewiring Australia, who mentored us last year who is cited "keeping things work longer is one of the most efficient ways to save energy and resources". What have you tried to repair recently and has it worked?
Did you have time to read a good book over the holidays? Maybe an inspiring biography? Jane Goodall certainly is an inspirational person. As a young scientist, she took an assignment to Africa and became acquainted with the large apes inhabiting the rainforests and savannahs of Africa. Her observations made her acutely aware that animals share the same feelings, wants and needs that humans do, and she has devoted her life since to lobby for protected areas where they can freely roam. But did you know that there is also an Australian branch of the Jane Goodall foundation, which runs youth based programs to connect them with nature, especially the roots and shoots program since 2007!