Dr Patrick Keleher, Associate Dean of Engineering and Built Environment, is currently President of The Caves District Landcare Association, which is adopting an Adopt-A-Road project as part of its stratetic plan.

This Adopt-A-Road initiative involves overseeing a 20km section of the Bruce Highway from The Caves township to Parkhurst. The campaign is overseen by the Main Roads and Keep Australia Beautiful.

Members of the project group gather

"It is envisaged that the overall project will be sectioned into a range of areas, of sizes from 1km to 5km landscapes," Dr Keleher said.

"The vision is to connect up the sites to have a continuous pathway from The Caves township to Parkhurst, with the route having open access to the public (families, local residents, tourists), with an emphasis on access for all - including providing access and activities for the visually impaired and wheel-chair access.

"In particular, the focus is to be upon activities and the development of physical environments (including reforestation, tracks) that relate to the environmental (reforestation and land management), cultural (traditional owners and European history), educational (Primary School curriculum) and recreational (walking, cycling) aspects.

"The strategy will be to engage the communities along the corridor (The Caves, Glendale, Olive Estate, Glenlee, Parkhurst)."

Dr Keleher highlighted that an onsite inspection was made of phase 1 of the project on Saturday, May 24 - a section of remnant vegetation located near the entrance to The Caves township.

"Strong support has been indicated from stakeholders who were in attendance including the Main Roads, Queensland Rail, Ergon, Primary School representatives (Milman, The Caves and Parkhurst) and the Rockhampton Regional Council."

Dr Keleher said that once the initiative moves forward there could be opportunities for linking in other programs, such as the 10,000 Steps initiative, and for involving undergraduate Environmental Science and Engineering students in projects as part of their coursework.

Phase 2 will involve commencing a similar project at the Parkhurst end of the corridor. The potential is to have a relationship between the Dreamtime Centre, Heritage Village and The Caves-Parkhurst Corridor Project.