Hilda Falls Revegetation Project
New Shedding at Korumburra - November 2009
Exciting developments at Korumburra with the construction of two new sheds to house our rollingstock and workshops. Soon we will be able to keep our historic rollingstock covered and out of the weather.
Hilda Falls Revegetation Project
Press Release - Next Stop Hilda Falls
A small platform will be built at Hilda Falls on the South Gippsland Railway Line between Loch and Jeetho, after a highly successful Landcare event last month.
The event highlighted the developing partnership between South Gippsland Landcare Network (SGLN) and the Tourist Railway (SGR) and celebrated the achievements of the Loch Nyora Landcare Group's Hilda Falls Regeneration Project.
Two years ago SGLN engaged with SGR to address weed concerns along the track. This project has grown to include Hilda Falls and brought the railway enthusiasts into the world of Landcare and natural resource management.
The Falls were a tangle of blackberry and hawthorn but the beauty of the area has been uncovered with 5 years of work by Landcare and adjoining landholders. SGR have signed a 3 year weed management agreement to contain the weeds and intend building a small platform at the Falls, allowing passengers to disembark and enjoy the surroundings while the train moves on to Nyora and returns to pick them up again.
SGR have also recently received funding of $40,000 to address weed concerns from Nyora to Ferriers Road through the DSE Eco Tender and a further $5000 for weed mapping through the Foundation for Regional Rural Renewal.
"The partnership is very important to us at South Gippsland Landcare Network," said facilitator Tony Gardner . "The Tourist Railway and the Great Southern Rail Trail cover more than 6000 hectares and over 100kms of line, right through the middle of our network with more than 500 rural landholders who border the line. It is an important wildlife corridor and bio-link and contains creeks, river crossings and some wonderful vegetation, including at Hilda Falls . Maintaining weeds to protect agricultural land and managing the native vegetation are important to our Landcare groups. This is a significant piece of tourism and history for our region and we want to see it looked after."
SGLN will continue to assist SGR in developing their management plan, and work with the Loch Nyora Landcare Group, Melbourne Water and other stakeholders to continue improvements at Hilda Falls and along the railway line.
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