Neerim and District Landcare Group

A couple of years ago, it became apparent that the Neerim South Recreation Reserve was suffering the ill-effects of drought, particularly the long dry spells between September and May each year. The ground was proving dangerous to cricketers in Summer and football players during pre-season training and earlier in the playing season. The ground lacks an irrigation system and relies wholly on rainfall. In a prolonged period of lower-than-average rainfall, the ground will continue to suffer and present OH&S risks to players.

It should be noted too, that purchasing town water was not an option for the reserve's commitee of management to consider as town water, when available, is expensive in the quantities required, and more importantly, simply not available during periods of staged water restrictions.

So, the reserve's committee of management set about identifying sustainable irrigation solutions, and borne from that exercise is the concept of a wetlands and shallow lake system to capture, store, and cleanse stormwater runoff from the townscape. Water held in the wetlands/shallow lake would then be made available to such critical community needs as:-

• irrigation of the reserve (which would firstly involve the installation of sub-surface capillary watering system), and

• CFA training and operational needs

Additional beneficiaries of this sustainable water-store will include:-

• walkers

• bird-watchers and other naturalists

• tourists (the Yea Wetlands attracts a lot of visitors each year)

• local schools - the wetlands/shallow lake precinct makes an ideal venue for environmental and biology studies, as well as WaterWatch monitoring.

The Wetlands and Shallow Lake will provide the district with a site of potentially rich bio-diversity, with habitat for many of our local flora and fauna species. The landcare gorup is well-placed to help with the establishment of this reserve. 

The Neerim & District Landcare Group's committee have agreed to support this project and it has offered its assistance in managing aspects of the project (along with the Baw Baw Shire Council and relevant referral authorities such as West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Southern Rural Water & Gippsland Water). The landcare group can also provide assistance in hosting public working bees and tree planting activities.

The current status of the project is:-

1. Landscape concept designs have been prepared (funded by council) and are currently on display for public comment (copies are located in t Neerim South's two cafes)

2. Discussions with referral authorities & stakeholders has commenced

3. The project working group is currently working with council to ascertain the most-appropriate structure for a community group to manage the project and the wetalnds once established (eg. A Committee of Management or a Friends Of group)

Any enquiries, please contact Mike Haughton on 5628 1419.