GBSAN column - CONNECTING WITH COMMUNITY

The Granite Belt Sustainable Action Network is keen to connect with the community. To make that happen we’ll be holding weekly stalls at the Farmer’s Markets in the Stanthorpe Railway Station precinct on Saturday mornings and an occasional Saturday stall in the Piazza. This will create an opportunity to engage with one another about sustainability issues that impact our beautiful region.

GBSAN has been busy over the last few years working on practical projects to improve the short and long term sustainability of the Granite Belt region and surrounds. These projects include strategies for resource recovery eg waste recycling, reducing methane emissions as well as biodiversity issues such as protecting our unique flora and fauna, domestic and feral cat management strategies, increasing areas of protected habitat and working with our farming community on sustainable land management practices.

We are looking forward to discussing these issues as well as listening to ideas you may have on how to create a more sustainable Granite Belt and how individuals can get involved in GBSAN. To date, we have participated in the Stanthorpe Gardenfest and Trade Fair as well as the Eco Expo.

This has been a great way to connect with you to hear what concerns you may have. There has been an enthusiastic response to sharing ideas about how to increase biodiversity in back yards and on larger properties, increasing the rates of recycling, developing wildlife corridors to link important habitats to protect endangered species and improved techniques for controlling invasive pests.

Providing us with this feedback will assist us to access opportunities for workshops and practical field days that are relevant to our community to enhance our environment as well as providing social and economic benefits for all. It will also enable us to advocate for stronger action by the various levels of government.

Psychologists are now working with people, especially children, who have eco-anxiety ie anxiety about the growing extinction of our native animals and loss of our wonderful flora. A remedy for this feeling of hopelessness, can be getting active with practical strategies that address two of the leading causes of loss. These include loss of habitat and management of invasive species.

We look forward to chatting with you and exploring not only practical solutions but also how you can get involved in shaping our collective future. If you can’t meet us at one of our stalls, feel free to make contact.

First published in Stanthorpe Today in October 2024.