To develop the Coolum Community Native Nursery as a sustainable not-for-profit community nursery business, run for and by the local community, which actively contributes to the conservation, re-establishment and management of local biodiversity and ecosystem function
Background
The Coolum Community Native Nursery (CCNN) was developed to propagate and promote local plant species in order to help maintain functional ecosystems in the Coolum area. The facility was constructed by Lend Lease in accordance with a legal obligation to ensure the long-term viability of the Coolum Community Native Nursery. The CCNN has become a centre for community capacity-building and involvement in the Coolum area. It provides horticultural and educational facilities for the broader community and is a source of material for research into propagation of coastal endemic species.
The scarcity of sun-hardened local coastal species in local nurseries was identified as an opportunity several years ago by members of Coolum District Coast Care Group Inc. The Coolum Community Native Nursery opened to the public at its permanent site in April 2008. However, it began around two years earlier elsewhere within the grounds of Hyatt Coolum. Thus when the doors were opened to the public, a wide range of sun-hardened coastal plant species was available as an indication of its potential. Within a year, sales have increased and the Nursery has a reputation as a supplier, to the wholesale and retail markets, of healthy coastal native tubestock.
The Partnership
The Coolum Community Native Nursery (CCNN) operates under a partnership agreement between Coolum District Coast Care Group Inc. and Maroochy Waterwatch Inc.
The Partnership is responsible for the overall management, development and direction of the Nursery. The Governance documents and Partnership agreements are finalised. The two partners have complementary roles, skills and experience, which they bring to the partnership. Their vital synergy will contribute to the growth and development of CCNN. Those contributions may vary over time as the skills level of CCNN staff and volunteers increases. A Management Committee comprising members of the Partnership plus the Manager meets monthly, and a Steering Committee comprised of Partnership members, nursery volunteers, other community representatives and Lend Lease representatives meet yearly as an advisory body to the Management Committee.
Management
The Nursery Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Nursery. The role of the Nursery Manager includes, but is not limited to, propagation, irrigation, weed control, volunteer and trainee supervision (as required) and seed collection, as well as ordering and purchasing of materials, sales, marketing and scheduling of operational activities. Access to, and participation in activities in the Nursery, is by arrangement with the Nursery Manager.
Volunteers
Volunteers, especially those from the local community, have a crucial role in the Nursery function and are encouraged to participate in all aspects of Nursery operation on a regular basis, especially in seed collection, propagation, retail sales, and database updates. Coordination of volunteers is under the supervision of the Nursery Manager, including the development of regular rosters and the identification of key volunteer efforts needed to meet seasonal and other demands. The Management Committee plays a key leadership role in encouraging engagement and commitment by community volunteers and identifying other government schemes for volunteer placements.
Trainees
The CCNN has already hosted several groups of trainees under the Australian Government Green Corps Scheme, including one full-time group in 2006. The CCNN aims to provide for trainees in a part-time or full-time capacity when financially possible and to apply for grants to contribute to the costs of having trainees. Under the Manager, trainees form part of the backbone of CCNN, providing support to the volunteer base and to the Manager, increasing general production within the Nursery, assisting with administration and enabling the Manager to expand his/her range of activities. It is not expected that CCNN will be financially able to meet the government’s traineeship requirements initially. However, opportunities will continue to be investigated with regard to the Nursery’s capacity to attract funding or other assistance.
Trading Hours
Tuesday – Friday 7.30am to 3.30pm
Saturday 8.30am to 12.30pm
We are also open Monday afternoons when not out seed collecting, best to phone first to check!
NEW VOLUNTEERING HOURS
Monday – Seed Collecting 8am – 12.30pm
Monday – Seed Preparation and Propagation 12.30pm – 3.30pm
Tuesday – Special Groups/Workshops 7.30am – 3.30pm
Wednesday – Nursery Activities 7.30am – 3.30pm
Thursday – Nursery Activities 7.30am – 3.30pm
Friday – Special Groups/Workshops 7.30am – 3.30pm
Full Training provided. Tea and coffee supplied. BBQ lunch Wednesdays and Thursdays.
More Information
Click here for more information on stock lists, news and other items.