Nerrina Wetlands 1996

Nerrina Wetlands – A work/play project

Since 1996 members of the club in association with the City of Ballarat and the LINCS project have worked towards creating a wetland for filtering water from the freeway before entering the Yarrowee River.

The earliest work comprised planting and mulching grasses and reeds along the southern edge of the newly created clay basin. We moved onto the top northern side where we installed picnic tables and planted a range of indigenous plants to resemble how it was before gold mining in the 1850s.

The western side then received our attention with a major effort to remove willows from the Bendigo Creek that flows into the Yarrowee at Nerrina. The Ballarat Four Wheel Drive club was enlisted to help with their vehicles and winching equipment. The successful removal of the willows and subsequent indigenous planting now allows the natural drainage of the area to work unhindered by choking willow roots.

In the 1999 - 2000 Rotary year we organized a community fun day to introduce local residents to the benefits of the wetland near their homes. Community groups were recruited to put on displays and activities, groups included the Bird Observers Club, Central Highlands Water, Land for Wildlife, along with bird box construction, tree planting and mulching. The club received an Environmental Award for this commitment to the environment.

While this project focuses primarily an environmental work the working bees prove to be source of ongoing fun, play and achievement. Morning tea is provided by members – hot muffins or pumpkin scones followed by a barbeque at the conclusion of work.