Up until about 20 years ago this area was used as the Harcourt Tip. When the Mt. Alexander Shire consolidated to one major refuse site in Castlemaine, this area was capped and left. Because it sits right beside the Bushland Reserve, that we have been working on for the past six years, we asked Council whether we could take responsibility for the Old Tip and do some re-vegetation. Council agreed and gave us a small amount of funds to cover the cost of plants and mulch. Barkers Creek Landcare covered the cost of the stakes and guards.

Once again, what a difference you can make when you have a willing Group of volunteers. We are still hoping that Council will enter an MOU with us which will guarantee its care into the future.

As it is with this site, much of the work our group undertakes is through partnerships. We work with the Mt Alexander Council on the Old Tip and the Roadside Weeds Program. We partner with Parks Victoria for the Bushland Reserve, the National Heritage Diggings Park and the Walmer Bushland Reserve. The State Government, through DWELP and the North Central Catchment Management Authority have been instrumental partners in assisting us restore our entire section of Barkers Creek.

STOP PRESS – we are currently in discussions with Vic-Roads to become an Adopt-A-Highway partner so we can clean up all the weeds in our section of the Midland Highway between Harcourt and Castlemaine. Stay tuned!