A BUSHCARE group based at Banyula Road Reserve in Thagoona is one of three new groups formed under the Ipswich City Council’s environment program.

The volunteer-led groups were formed through the Council's overarching Bushcare program.

Local councillor, Jim Madden, who chairs the Environment and Sustainability Committee said the new groups also included those based at Bridgewater Park in Springfield and Tite Family Park in Bundamba.

“These groups have started through the passion of local residents who have put their hands up to volunteer and help improve the natural environment at these important sites,” Cr Madden said.

“We encourage residents to head down to a working bee and try out Bushcare. It’s a great way to meet like-minded people and council provides equipment for registered volunteers.”

Cr Madden said the Bushcare program now had 12 groups across Ipswich.

“Somewhere in Ipswich there is a Bushcare working bee every weekend where volunteers are growing a greener future."

Banyula Road Reserve group leader Donna Lucas said they were inspired to start the volunteer group to ensure their local bushland reserve was resilient to the impacts of expanding residential development.

“Banyula Road Reserve is quite a large bushland area and is home for local wildlife, established trees and native plants. For me its specialness is its beauty of wildness and the dry watercourse,” she said.

The group have planned three stages for the site to manage the workload, with the first stage involving the clearing of invasive weeds such as asparagus fern.

“Bushcare can help support our goals by providing tools and the support needed to make this area a thriving habitat for wildlife.”