THE Maroochy Shire Council has finalised and approved the master plan proposed for the Maroochy Regional Botanic Gardens (MRBG).

The council supported in principle the establishment of a trust/authority to enable the gardens to be developed in accordance with the master plan and to take advantage of sponsorship/government grants.

Membership of the trust will include representatives from business, industry, community, university, council and Friends of the Botanic Garden.

The survey of the Tanawha site has been completed and will be presented to Council at the next meeting. Work on repair of the dam wall will be completed by the end of March and this will include access for small vehicles across the dam wall to help with the development of tracks and boardwalks.

The "Friends" will have a working bee to sandbag the part of the spillway and volunteers will be needed to help.

A computer system has been set up to record the site’s development and will be operational from the March 28 Open Day.

Friends of the MRBG are working on their display planned for the July Home Garden Expo in Nambour and they are also working on a massive recruitment drive to increase membership.

The next general meeting will be held on 8 April at 7 pm at the Tanawha District Meeting Room, Cunning Park, Main Creek Road, Tanawha. Any queries can be directed to David Simons on 5446 5575.

More council updates - see page 3.