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This article was published on Tuesday, 22 September, 2020. The information contained within may be out of date or inaccurate. News articles and media releases older than 60 days are archived for future reference.

Gemmill Swamp natural environment vandalised

Posted on Tuesday 22nd of September, 2020,

Local residents informed Council officers on Monday about vandalism at the Gemmill Swamp sandhills over the weekend. Woka Walla from Yorta Yorta has recently undertaken revegetation works, these have now been destroyed by vehicles being driven over the sandhills causing significant damage to the area.

The Sandhills region is a very significant area for Yorta Yorta and is also a key area for our local native plant species.

Greater Shepparton City Council Director Sustainable Development, Geraldine Christou, said Council and Yorta Yorta have gone to a lot of effort to revegetate this area, and then to have it destroyed over the weekend is beyond belief.

“Collaboratively, we are all doing so much to improve our natural environment and protect our region, to then have people disregard the fenced off areas and damage nearly half an acre of natural environment, is disheartening. Recent plantings were only undertaken three days ago” Ms Christou said.

“We have also had instances of illegal firewood collection in this area, with a number of trees cut down only to the trunk. Council has been working with relevant groups to assist with this illegal activity,” she said.

Council is very much aware of the value of the natural environment and asks that anyone who becomes aware of any such activity to report the issue to the Police and to not approach the vandals directly.

Greater Shepparton City Council is working with Parks Victoria and Yorta Yorta to develop a Management Plan to help deal with some of these ongoing issues in and around Gemmill Swamp.