The Eden Foreshores Landcare Group had its first meeting earlier this month and will cover areas from Aslings North to Boydtown and west to a point to be decided.

And the group has set its immediate sights on the Lake Curalo Walk from Lakeside Drive to North Curalo Foreshore.

Group chair and coordinator Mike Stebbings said he wanted to see the walk built and maintained.

“This avenue will be a beautiful natural lakeside link from Eden to North Curalo and return, with viewing platforms over the waterway dotted along the route,” he said.

“Indications to date from the Eden townsfolk reveal the walk will be an extremely popular cycling and/or pedestrian walk, with the flat terrain being absolutely perfect.”

Several groups and entities including Eden Chamber of Commerce, Garden of Eden Caravan Park, Sapphire Marine Discovery, ESSCI, Eden Easy Walkers, Eden Tourist Park, and Far South Coast Bird Watchers strongly expressed the desire in a submission to Bega Valley Shire Council in 2014 to have the Lake Curalo Walk completed.  

Federal Member for Eden-Monaro, Peter Hendy, last year accepted an invitation and viewed the existing fragmented structure for future input.

Mr Stebbings said funding of about $230,000 had been allocated and were available in council for the project to recommence.

Mr Stebbings said Landcare was keen to work with Bega Valley Shire Council on this and other projects.

“We are well acquainted with the workings of this council, along with impositions relegated from the NSW State Government, however life does not stop at bureaucracy as there are still the local community wishes after all,” he said.

“Landcare can obtain its own grants in varied forms and considerations are that this funding also belongs to the community.”  

The group is also seeking the voluntary services of a qualified horticulturist for advice on vegetation matters as it works to prove Landcare is much more than the usual image of people sitting in remote gullies, planting on weekends, and then having cups of tea.

The Lake Curalo Wlk would also prove important for visitors, Mr Stebbings said.

“if Eden is to become a tourist hub, with cruise ships visiting consistently, many on board from all walks of life within Australia and overseas would definitely appreciate something more than the Imlay - Calle Calle - Aslings Beach Road circuit,” he said.

“The  Lake Curalo Walk and Boardwalk could be promoted by Eden Information Centre,  Eden Access Centre, and Sapphire Coast Tourism.”

Mr Stebbings said the group had many other ventures in mind, “all of which will be advised accordingly”.  

“The group will have to generate its own funds and working volunteers are only obliged initially to sign a registration document,” he said.

“The membership is not rocket science; we have 40-odd volunteers already.

“You will see us along with all of the others canvassing for funds in Eden Town Centre at some stage.”

Many projects come under the Landcare Australia umbrella around the country including walkways, bridge and landing projects, creek remediation,  foreshores maintenance, noxious weed identification and eradication, signage, fencing, reserves maintenance and beautification, planting, riparian inspection and improvements and litter blitzes to name a few.  

Other groups along the North and South Coast of NSW liaise closely with councils, and employ contractors or work in tandem with associations similar to ESSCI.