A Green Injection for Barren Roadsides

Two roadsides in Lockhart Shire will soon emerge from bare and degraded land, to thriving native sanctuaries, thanks to a partnership between the Murrumbidgee CMA and Lockhart Shire Council.

Murrumbidgee CMA Chairperson, Mr Lee O’Brien, and Lockhart Shire Mayor, Peter Yates, officially launched the project yesterday, taking the opportunity to inspect the recently planted seedlings.

The Murrumbidgee CMA contracted Lockhart Shire Council in April 2009 to establish the Roadside Revegetation Project along bare roadside corridors that had potential to be revegetated to connect existing clusters of old growth trees.

Following on-site inspections and consultation with local landholders, two suitable sites were identified; the sounthern end of French Park to Bullenbung Road, and an area adjacent to the Yerong Creek to Osbourne Road.

A total of 2.6 hectares has been revegetated with 1650 native trees and shrubs, including plantings of Grey and White Box Gum, which is significant habitat for the Superb Parrot.

Murrumbidgee CMA Chairperson, Mr O’Brien, said revegetating roadsides is fundamental in managing the environmental impacts of climate change and improving ecosystem health.

“Strategically connecting fragments of native vegetation increases habitat availability and provides vital corridors for wildlife to escape extreme climatic events,” he said.

Mayor Yates said the project directly aligns with Council’s efforts to be environmentally proactive and improve biodiversity and future ecotourism opportunities.

The Murrumbidgee CMA’s Roadside Revegetation projects are funded by the Australian Government’s Caring for Our Country and are also underway at Griffith, Jerilderie and Coolamon.