The recently established University Grounds Advisory Panel is assisting the newly appointed Division of Facilities Management project officer Leigh Portch in renewing the Rockhampton campus landscape.

The Panel - consisting of representatives from staff and students and an outside expert - is looking at re-introducing the 'Garden Walk' which was very popular 20 years ago. There are still a few garden walk signs around the campus.

An existing 'Garden Walk' sign and images of the Cadaghi species, which had to be removed for environmental reasons

The proposed 'Garden Walk' will not only create a pleasing working atmosphere for students and staff. It will also help cater for the needs of senior citizens, who may like to wander in, have a tour around the gardens, visit the library and enjoy the diversity of food available at the commercial centre.

To achieve these goals and to reconstruct the drainage systems, some cherished trees may need to be removed or trimmed.

Facilities says some clearing has been done to reduce risk while other clearing is part of renewing the campus landscape, with special features being introduced to each of the working areas (precincts) such as science, health, engineering and arts.

One species, known as Cadaghi (Corymbia torreliana) had to be removed because of its negative environmental impacts. Although this is a native species, it is considered to be more harmful than beneficial to the local environment, hence its progressive removal from the campus.

The CQUniversity community is welcome to send any suggestions on the Campus Landscape Renewal Plan to the Advisory Panel (c/o l.portch@cqu.edu.au).