Johns River

The opening of the Koolyangarra Reserve was well-attended with just over 50 villagers making it out of bed and down to the new boardwalk area at the reserve at 10am.

The boardwalk was funded largely by a grant from the federal government, and was administered with additional funding by Greater Taree City Council. In addition to the construction of the actual boardwalk, the Johns River Community Progress Association carried out extensive landscaping works, with the Johns River Public School continuing its involvement as stewards of the reserve.

Check out the full history of the Koolyangarra Reserve Project Here

Progress Association President David Shepard welcomed the assembled villagers and guests, outlining the order of ceremonies, and introduced first Nardja Davies of Johns River, a local Biripi woman who acknowledged Biripi Country, and· spoke on local knowledge and language, and the reserve.·· Her informative and instructive speech was very well recieved by the audience, and after a round of applause, she handed over to our federal Member for Lyne, Rob Oakeshott, MP.

Community and Government Together

Rob spoke on the importance of community and praised the fine efforts of all Johns River villagers, the progress association, and the coordination efforts of Council with local volunteers.

Acting Mayor David West then concurred with Rob's remarks, underscoring how productive a project like the Koolyangarra Reserve can be with involvement from all levels of government in conjunction with the community.

David Shepard finished the round of speeches, by extending the community's heartfelt thanks to the local Johns River Boral Quarry for their supply of fine rock and gravel products, without which the landscaping would not have been possible.

He continued by outlining how under the guidance of Landscaping Chair Stan Davies, the volunteer team installed tiered beds, extensive drainage works including rock borders, gabions and aprons to ensure the existing watercourse was appropriately managed. On-site council environmental staff provided guidelines in the form of a manual for association volunteers to follow, to make sure out waterways remain clear of sediment and that issues such as scouring are properly managed.··

The Johns River Community Progress Association also thanked the fine efforts of BMD Constructions, currently managing the Herons Creek to Stills Road highway upgrade, for their contribution of some excellent fibrous mulch, required to slow and filter runoff in the extended bog area downstream between the boardwalk and forested portion of the Koolyangarra Reserve.

Thanks was also given to the most helpful Greater Taree City Council team leaders, staff and Councillors for their fine support throughout the planning, grant application process, funding and construction too.·· Council was responsible also for most of the over 80 tubestock used throughout the reserve, with another 80 remaining in stock for future projects.

The Silky Oak and the Ribbon

A hallmark Silky Oak, which will grow to be a beautiful tree on the corner of the reserve at the main entrance, was planted by Johns River Public School student council representatives as part of the schools role as joint stewards of the land with the Purfleet/Taree Local Aboriginal Lands Council.

The ribbon was then cut by local stalwart Eileen Kidd, who also cut the ribbon last year at the opening of the Johns River bypass segment (10.2km) of the recent Coopernook to Herons Creek Pacific Highway Upgrade.

Most of the assembled villagers then proceeded to the Johns River Community Hall, where a morning tea hosted by the hall and the progress association gave time for locals to chat with their elected representatives. Two dozen select display panels from the Johns River Sesquecentenary History Exhibit were also on display, along with a full history of the Koolyangarra Reserve Project Here.

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