Draft plans for a new nature reserve along the Molonglo River near the suburbs of Whitlam and Denman Prospect have been released for public consultation.
The planned new 35-hectare nature reserve hugs the Molonglo River and according to the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Mick Gentleman will help restore the river landscape as a home for native plants and animals as well as provide recreational areas.
“We’re asking Canberrans what features and activities they would like to see in the reserve,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Options include bird watching, fishing, picnicking, bushwalking, horse-riding, cycling and more,” he said.
“The restoration of Barrer Hill in the Molonglo Valley is also now complete thanks to a six-year effort by ACT Park and Conversation, with help from volunteers.”
He said more than 50,000 native plants had been added to recreate woodland habitat and restore the area’s rocky grasslands for threatened species like the Pink-tailed Worm-lizard and woodland birds.
He said a new habitat sculpture would also provide much needed real estate for wildlife in the form of nesting hollows, perches and peeling bark.
“Designed by United States artist and architect Professor, Joyce Hwang the structure titled Life Support is the last of 11 structures constructed at Barrer Hill,” Mr Gentleman said.
“Uniquely, it is a 400-year-old salvaged yellow box tree that doubles as an eye-catching sculpture.”
Community comments on the proposed nature reserve are open until 1 August and further information can be accessed at this PS News link.
