Council have engaged contractors to repair boundary fences and access gates at the Gemmill Swamp sand hills which have been damaged over the past 12 months.
Fences, gates and bollards had previously been installed to prevent vehicle access to the culturally significant site, however large sections of these have now been damaged. Works will now commence to repair the assets which had been installed and prevent vehicle access to the site once again.
The sand hills, located near Gemmill’s Swamp Wildlife Reserve, is a culturally significant site and the last remaining relatively intact sand hill in the Greater Shepparton region. The site holds great importance to Traditional Owners and it is vital that the site be closed off to unauthorised vehicles to assist Woka Walla in successfully rejuvenating the site.
The site has previously been used for illegal tree removal, illegal dumping of rubbish and 4WD activity, all of which have contributed to the deterioration of the land. Council’s Manager Environment, Sharon Terry, said the site will have boundary fences repaired and gates with locks installed to allow only authorised vehicles to access the site.
“It is important that Greater Shepparton City Council protect and work with the Traditional Owners to rejuvenate this land back to its original state. The sand hills hold very significant cultural values for the local Aboriginal community and significant biodiversity value for the area, providing a habitat for many bird species and fauna. These are the largest sand hills within Greater Shepparton and they need to be protected,” she said.
“Throughout the years we have seen dumping of illegal rubbish, removal of native trees and four wheel drive tracks resulting in severe damage to this area. Closing the area off to vehicles will improve the revegetation and weed management in this incredible landscape.”
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority have provided Woka Walla with funding to revegetate and regenerate native vegetation at the sand hills, as well as to control pest plants and animals.
Council will continue to support the Traditional Owners and assist to educate the wider community on the important cultural and biodiversity values within Greater Shepparton. General access to the sand hills without permission from Council will incur penalties.
