Hall landscape gets attention
13 November 2009
Good news for the local landscape. Residents will soon notice replanting going on in the Hall Reserve (opposite the school), following the tree removal program earlier this year. A substantial number of local species of eucalyptus – notably eucalyptus blakelyi, melliodora, and bridgesiana are to be planted shortly, under the auspices of ACT Parks Lands and Conservation. It so happens that Hall resident, Kim de Franceschi, is the officer responsible for this program.
In addition, Greening Australia have a project underway for the removal of non-native trees (mainly poplars), and exotic shrubs – particularly sweet briar – from the block which extends along Gladstone Street out to the Highway. It is planned that trees and shrubs removed will be dragged and piled in preparation for burning in winter by the Hall Rural Fire Service. Existing fallen native timber will not be touched, as it provides important habitat. Some re-vegetation will occur later – both trees and shrubs. Funding for this project is from Landkeepers (Commonwealth) and the Upper Murrumbidgee Catchment group
This will effectively complete a major creek restoration undertaking which commenced many years ago with work done by the Hall Landcare Group. Some residents will remember this involved removal of very significant numbers of willow and poplar trees, and exotic shrubs, from the bridge going downstream.
Community members who participated in the tree planting in the park along the creek some ago may have noticed that the planting has been very successful, with a very high survival rate so far. In order to avoid too much competition, and to be able to manage the plantings well, we will soon be looking at these plantings to see if some thinning would be appropriate.
[Our photo shows Kim de Franceschi, (Urban Tree Management, Parks, Conservation & Lands - and Hall resident), inspecting tree plantings near the creek with Tony Morris and Alastair Crombie. Photo: Bob Richardson]