By: Michael Fox

We’re excited to have received the Healthy Cities Landcare Grant for our project and to be part of the planting of 96,500 native plants across the country, linking environmental health with community wellbeing. Thanks to Bupa’s generosity, we have been funded to continue rewilding the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds Wildflower Forest in 2026.

Receiving the Bupa Landcare Healthy Cities Grant will allow us to fast track restoration of the original habitat, particularly the endangered Regional Ecosystem mapped in purple.

Located at the foot of Mount Gravatt Outlook Reserve, both the Reserve (also known as kaggurmabul – place of echidna) and the Showgrounds are important to the local community for gathering and recreation. Restoring a habitat visited by many community members will showcase our local natives for their own backyards and provide a key stepping stone in a wildlife corridor between the Reserve and Bulimba Creek.

Planning 2026 with Bupa Landcare grant funds we aim to double the number of plants to almost 2,500 plants and expand the existing 925m² area restored by a further 1,475m²

The main area to be restored will extend the 2025 National Tree Day planting along the bank of the eastern boundary of the market parking area.

The project is worth $101,571 (ex GST) made up of a BUPA grant of $7,921 combined with $93,650 in kind contribution (approx. 85% labour provided by Pollinator Link team and corporate/community volunteers) with the balance provided by Mount Gravatt Showgrounds Trust in the provision of mulch, soil auger and large weed removal.  The BUPA grant funds the 1200 plants, planting supplies, basic equipment (e.g. hoses, mulch fork), plant signs and coffee for planting event volunteers.  Indigenous and more plant signs will support ongoing community engagement building awareness the beauty of our local native species, fostering a connection to nature and increasing biodiversity. To view the Bupa Landcare announcement, follow the link.

Three planting events are scheduled for 2026, April, June, finishing with National Tree Day (NTD) again on the Ekka Holiday, 12 August 2026. Watch this space for planting dates!

2026 Mount Gravatt Showgrounds Wildflower Forest Project Partners:

• Mount Gravatt Environment Group (MEG)
• Pollinator Link Project
• Mount Gravatt Showgrounds Trust
• Bupa Healthy Cities Landcare Grants Program
• Bulimba Creek Catchment Committee (B4C)
• Norman Creek Catchment Committee (N4C)
• Paten Park Nursery
• Turrbal Aboriginal Tribe
• Barlau Landscape Management
• Batchelor & Sons Tree Services
• Story Behind The Coffee
• Worldwide Printing
• Eloise Brown – Artist
• Corporate volunteer partners yet to be confirmed.