The first stage of Ingledene Forest has been completed with more than 200,000 new trees planted to restore the landscape and provide a new outdoor recreation area for south Canberra.
Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Mick Gentleman said Ingledene would create local jobs in the forestry industry while providing opportunities for mountain biking, orienteering, bushwalking and bird watching.
“The new plantings include more than 2,500 native trees to regrow critically endangered Box-Gum woodlands and will help with erosion control and restoration of the landscape,” Mr Gentleman said.
“The ACT Parks and Conservation Service has worked together with Greening Australia and the ACT Natural Resource Management team to ensure the environmental values of the area are front-and-centre,” he said.
“Over 120 coir logs have also been installed to help with erosion and to capture sediment in drainage lines and shelter the newly planted vegetation.”
Mr Gentleman said the ACT’s $1.73 million funding allocation to Ingledene Forest would see more than 435,000 trees planted there by 2021.
“The woodlands and grasslands surrounding our city are a major part of what makes Canberra a great place to live,” he said.
“We are committed to improving areas like Ingledene and Kowen forests and protecting them from urban development,” Mr Gentleman said.
The Engledene Forest is on Canberra’s southside, south of Tharwa.
