Landholders have been urged to get involved in the ‘Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project’ to restore and enhance the natural habitat of this region’s unique and beautiful local landscape.
Hans and Tillie Coster have just completed a large scale revegetation planting on their property at Little Hartley with assistance from the Biodiversity Project coordinated by Central Tablelands Local Land Service (LLS).
“We had planted trees before but not on a scale that would make a real and significant impact on the bushland environment of our property in one single planting,” said Tillie. “The help we have received before, during and after completion of this project has resulted in a dramatic improvement in the biodiversity of native vegetation on our land.”
“We couldn’t have undertaken this on our own without the support and guidance we received from Local Land Services.”
The Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project offers financial support and advice to land managers to improve the extent, condition and connectivity of native vegetation across an area that stretches along the western edge of the Blue Mountains from the Capertee Valley in the north, across to the Tuglow River in the south.
“The project is improving native bush across the western edge of the Blue Mountains escarpment,” explained Senior Land Services Officer, Huw Evans. “This area is home to many important native animals whose survival is under threat such as quolls, gliders and native birds. These and other native animals and plants are benefiting from the work of passionate people like Hans and Tillie Coster,” said Huw.
Hans and Tillie have extended the area of native vegetation on their country, creating a buffer and a connecting bush corridor to the Cox’s River. They also tackled weed infestations along their river frontage to improve vegetation in the riparian zone.
“Central Tablelands LLS put us in touch with people who had a lot of skill and knowledge, which resulted in a very high survival rate for the seedlings we have planted,” said Tillie.
“They also made us more aware of local resources like the Lithgow Community Nursery, where the staff not only provide strong, healthy seedlings but are also willing to discuss problems and give helpful advice.”
“The funding we received through the Biodiversity Project enabled us to purchase a diverse variety of locally grown plants suitable to our site, and meant we were able to purchase protective canopies for the young plants.”
“We also made a substantial financial contribution to the project from our own funds to set up a watering system to ensure plant. Again, the advice we received from project coordinators was invaluable.”
“We wholeheartedly recommend participating in this project to other landholders,”
said Tillie. “Our experience with this project was really rewarding both for the knowledge and expertise gained, as well as for the large area we now have planted with trees and shrubs which will enhance our property for many years to come.”
Huw Evans says the Costers’ passion for the environment and their desire to leave a legacy for future generations has been inspiring.
“It’s been a pleasure to help Hans and Tillie improve the bush on their beautiful property,” said Huw.
The Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project is supported by the Australian Government and can provide funding and advice to landowners for activities including:
- control of invasive environmental weeds in native bushland
- fencing to control stock access to streams, existing vegetation and revegetation sites
- installation of alternative stock watering points
- planting or direct seeding of native trees and shrubs
- site preparation and maintenance of plantings
- activities that improve the habitat value of the site (e.g. installation of nesting boxes)
To find out more about the Blue Mountains Biodiversity Project, log on to the LLS website at: http://centraltablelands.lls.nsw.gov.au or contact Huw Evans at the Central Tablelands LLS office in Lithgow on phone: 02 6350 3117, email: huw.evans@lls.nsw.gov.au