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Other speechesThis page is dedicated to Peter's speeches made outside of parliament. They include Peter's speeches at local events in the Southport electorate such as School functions, building openings and non for profit groups functions. They usually include a list of acknowledgements of the people attending the function, a special acknowledgement to the traditional owners of the land as well as dot point notes used by Peter.  Please click on the links below to view Peter speeches for the relevant year:-
Presentation of $25,500 cheque to the Friends of Federation Walk |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on May 30 2004 |
| Other Speeches >> |
Sunday, 30 May - 10am at the Friends of Federation Walk Reserve, Seaworld Drive, the Spit
Acknowledgements and welcome:.
Ladies and gentlemen.
On behalf of the Stephen Robertson, Minister for Natural Resources, Mines and Energy, I am pleased to be here today to hand over this cheque for $25 500 to the Friends of Federation Walk.
As you would be aware, Minister Robertson announced in January that a re-elected Beattie government would dedicate $25,000 to assist in the rehabilitating and revegetating of this reserve.
He also pledged $500 to go towards the plaque he dedicated at that time.
I am especially pleased to be here today at the end of Queensland Resources week. The theme for this year is "Our Resources, Our Future, Our State: Get Involved." This reflects the importance of all sections of the community joining together to look after our natural heritage, and your dedication to this reserve attests to this theme.
The transformation of this site is the culmination of many hours of hard work by a number of dedicated and community spirited people. This project is one of the more tangible outcomes of the Centenary of Federation Celebrations project here on the Gold Coast.
I think it is well recognised that projects of this magnitude do not occur overnight. I am advised that a modest campaign began in 1982 to change the status of this area from Park and to preserve it specifically as an environmental park given the unique nature of the Spit area.
Building on the success achieved by the Main Beach Progress Association in establishing the Federation Walk the next logical step was to ensure its preservation by changing the purpose of the Reserve through "The Federation Walk Management Plan".
The aim of this plan is to conserve and enhance the environment using the Federation Walk as the basic building block.
By enhancing the access to the area it is anticipated facilities can be provided to increase environmental awareness and indigenous cultural education through increased community use.
This goal was achieved by the combined efforts of Main Beach Progress Association and Friends of the Federation Walk in July last year in having designated 92.3Ha of the land we are standing on today as "Federation Walk Coastal Reserve".
While it is difficult to single out individuals within such a broad community activity, I don't think it would be inappropriate to acknowledgement the significant contribution and effort by the President of the Friends of Federation Walk Mrs Lyn Wright and the other driving force to preserve the area, Mrs Terre de Martini. The efforts of these two ladies should be applauded for providing the focus and motivating energy in the redesignation of this Reserve.
But of course two people can't do it all. What has occurred here is a true community effort that has seen the gradual revegetated and rehabilitation of a significant area of the Spit for the pleasure and enjoyment of current and future generations.
It is great to see the large community involvement on planting days such as this, while also attending fundraising events and assisting participants on Work for the Dole schemes.
Unfortunately with these types of projects that are subject to the forces of nature, volunteers experienced a major set back in the form of a bushfire that destroyed much of their good work. But as previously demonstrated, despite this setback, the community once again joined forces, worked hard and spent countless hours replanting the Reserve.
I am pleased to announce that through the combined efforts of everybody involved, to date over 20,000 plants have been added to the Reserve. At the same time there has been a notable increase in the number of visitors to the area.
In further recognition of the work done by the local community the Environmental Protection Agency, as part of their "Clean Beach Challenge 2003", recognised the efforts of the community by awarding the "Beach Spirit Award (Gold Coast)" to the Federation Walk. This award gives recognition to coastal communities that are facing or have faced difficult times, and have demonstrated outstanding commitment to solving problems by turning them into opportunities.
In addition, the Friends of Federation Walk received the "Outstanding Accomplishment Award (Gold Coast". This award recognises individuals or groups who have made an outstanding contribution to Queensland beaches and who espouse the principles of the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Beach Challenge.
Congratulations to all the dedicated volunteers who have through their hard work, passion and commitment succeeded in setting aside this area for future generations.
Finally this project, launched, as part of the Centenary of Federation Queensland is an outstanding example of the community and government working together to support community needs.
I am now very pleased to present this cheque to Lyn and look forward to seeing this money go to good use in the continued rehabilitation and revegetation of this unique site.
Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 12:00 AM
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