Visions for Armidale Creeklands, a local not-for-profit association formed in 2017, has launched a sponsorship campaign to further its work in community consultation, environmental impact and awareness-raising.
In a bid to further engage next generations, they plan a school competition to seek imaginative ideas for improving all aspects of Armidale’s Creeklands.
Association president, Jim Scott, says generations of residents have wanted to beautify the Creeklands at least since 1928 when the first Creeklands Beautification Committee formed.
“The association aims to complement the great work done by the Armidale Urban Rivercare Group over the past 20 years replacing woody weeds with native trees and shrubs, with a greater focus on water,” he said.
The association is now inviting the support of Armidale businesses, organisations and individuals to assist in achieving their aim: “to assist in the careful planning, design and development of beautiful, healthy and safe public spaces featuring wetlands, lagoons and billabongs, connected by flowing water along the Armidale Creeklands”.
The association believes that more visible water in our beautiful city will greatly improve the local environment, recreation and the enjoyment of all residents, encouraging tourism and growing the local economy.
Mr Scott says their priority from the boost in funding is a new competition for schools.
“The first thing we will do with any money raised will be to decide on how many school years we can afford to award prizes to when we target our competition for Visions/ideas from our young generation.”
“So, we could have prizes for primary and secondary students and even pre-schoolers, depending on the success of this sponsorship campaign.”
Local businesses looking to get involved have the option to provide support in kind or in cash.
“When it comes to in-kind contributions, we can imagine that some businesses or organisations might prefer to offer prizes for the school competition or even offer design or creative services.”
“These types of support will help us attract interest from students and schools as well as help us develop plans for improving the creeklands and its facilities based on the community’s visions and concepts,” Mr Scott said.
More information about the sponsorship campaign and Visions for Armidale Creeklands can be found on the website https://www.armidalecreeklands.org.au/
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