The local Cubs and Scouts were busy earning their badges at a planting day at Henry Street Riverside Reserve on Wednesday.
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The planting day was part of a project funded by the Nestle Purina factory at Blayney to create a parkland reserve beside the Belubula River.
The local factory donated $22 000 to Blayney Shire Council as its annual contribution to the Nestle Community Environment Program. Through this program Nestle factories and distribution centres around Australia help improve the environment within their local communities.
"The Nestle Community Environment Program is a great opportunity for us to make a real difference to the local environment," said factory manager Lyall Sadler. "Once these works are complete, residents can look forward to a beautiful picnic spot that everyone can enjoy."
Overgrown with noxious weeds and foreign plant infestations, the vacant lot by Belubula River was highly degraded and in much need of rehabilitation before Blayney Shire council and Nestle stepped in. Over the course of the year they have cleared the weeds, removed Basket Willows, filled, levelled and drained the reserve and installed park furniture. On Wednesday the Scouts and Cubs removed debris and planted assorted native trees and shrubs including Casuarinas and Eucalypts.
These works will also improve the vista and be a relaxing recreational area for the residents at Christchurch Retirement Village which is across the road from the newly created park.
"The amount of community support on this project has been amazing," said the Mayor of Blayney Shire Bruce Kingham. "The generous donation of time and resources from Nestle and community members has meant the Henry Street Riverside Reserve will be a treasured site for years to come and something we can all be proud of."
