Friends of Randalls Bay Coastcare Group invite interested community members to the Stage 2 official opening by Ms Julie Collins, MHR for Franklin at 12 noon BBQ on Wednesday 4 November at the Randalls Bay BBQ.
The Friends of Randalls Bay Coastcare group (FORB) has been quietly working away in recent months – as COVID19 restrictions have allowed – on progressing the Echo Sugarloaf walking trail.
In 2018 they completed Stage 1 of the 4 kilometre, Echo Sugarloaf Nature Trail. This has proved to be extremely popular and is used by local, various walking groups, schools and many intra-state, inter-state and overseas visitors who come to enjoy the natural beauty and vistas of the Huon, Channel and southwest ranges from the track. It has been described as one of Tasmania’s great short walks.
In 2019 a second Tasmanian Community Fund Grant ($50,000) was received for Stage 2 to create a return loop. This year a further Commonwealth $20,000 Communities Environment Program grant has been awarded to complete the project.
Working with local contractors, Trailblazer Tracks, and the reserve managers - Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) - FORB volunteers have managed to construct a lovely trail that winds through the native habitat with little impact on natural values.
This second stage is now largely complete although signage, information booth and citizen science studies are still to be progressed. FORB is aware that many walkers familiar with the area are anxious to see the track opened in readiness for the summer.
FORB is very proud of their achievements. The group was runner up in the 2019 Landcare Group Award and Paul Thomas, our Secretary and project manager for the Echo Sugarloaf Track project, is the current Tasmanian Landcarer of the Year. He is also a finalist in the Tasmanian Volunteer Awards.
The Friends of Randalls Bay Coastcare Group (FORB) - established in 1998 - aims to protect and maintain the natural values of the area, including its rare and threatened vegetation communities, plants and animals, while providing a pleasant family-friendly environment for residents and visitors to enjoy outdoor recreational activities such as walking, swimming, bird-watching, fishing and kayaking.