from wasteland to WETLAND
Meet the Mallee township that pitched in to transform a disused railway dam into an oasis teeming with locals, visitors and birdlife
Apicnic spot would be nice here.” That’s what neighbours Jill Nickolls and Joylene Moyle agreed as they walked by the disused railyard dam in their home town of Pinnaroo in 2009. The 10ha site in the end-of-the-line South Australian border town had once housed a turntable for trains to turn around, and a dam on the site was used to refill the steam trains.
“The dam was full of bulrushes,” recalls Joylene. “It was central to the town but was hidden from view and unloved.”
Jill and Joylene decided to pitch their idea about turning the dam into a picnic spot to Southern Mallee District Council, and discovered that the council already had plans to redevelop the site into a stormwater filtration system. “This was a great idea, except they planted some reeds, then left it,” says Jill.
Soon after, Jill heard through her husband, Jeff, who is a local councillor, that the council was happy for volunteers to take over management of the site. She and Joylene put out a call, and more than 40 people turned up to the first meeting of The Friends of the Pinnaroo Wetlands. “It’s close to town, so lots of people were interested,” explains Jill.
Jill became chair of the committee, which was a small group that included Joylene’s daughter, Lilly, then aged 10. Armed with a government grant, the group asked the community for ideas, then had a master plan drawn up.
Part of the plan was to create a rest area for travellers on the Mallee Highway. As well as Jill and Joylene’s dream picnic area, Stage 2 would include all-access toilets, barbecue facilities and a shelter.
But while the plans were being drawn up, the bulrushes had started taking over again. When a working bee was organised in 2011, a huge task force turned up to cut them below the waterline. “We’d been told this would kill them,” says Jill. “The water was so cold, but everyone was so enthusiastic.”
Days later, the volunteers came back to finish off the last few, and were shocked by what they saw. “The cut bulrushes were literally growing before our eyes,” recalls Joylene. “Every single one was sprouting above the water, looking as fresh and content as can be! I can honestly say it was our lowest point; we were devastated.”
In the end, there was no option but to spray. Member Steve Williams still checks them each week. “He’s broken a few forks, but he keeps on top of them,” says Jill.
breaking ground
In June 2012, the group held its first planting day and was overwhelmed with support. “I have a lovely memory of a young family, with their small children riding in their wheelbarrow, ready to help out,” recalls Joylene.
Pinnaroo Primary School donated seats, and golf club members set up lawn irrigation. Bridges were built and paths added to create a circular walk.
Plant choices were co-ordinated by nurseryman Andrew Walladge. While he included requests for favourites – mostly showy Western Australian trees – he favoured local indigenous species that would cope with tough conditions.
“There were some salty areas where we used Kangaroo Island paperbark (Melaleuca halmaturorum), and riparian species along the creek and dam, but it’s primarily Mallee natives,” he says. “The soil is heavy, infertile clay, and we regularly get two weeks with temperatures over 40°C, plus strong northerly winds, then frosts in winter. The bonus of indigenous stuff is you know it can cope.” Mulch is essential to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
flocking to the site
An unexpected bonus of rejuvenating the site is the waterbirds attracted to the area, which, in turn, have brought birdwatchers. “There’s no groundwater in Pinnaroo, so it was really exciting to get egrets, grebes, different ducks and long-necked turtles,” says Jill. “And the frogs came – you sort of wonder where they came from.”
The biggest impact of the wetlands has been on the community. “You see people there all the time... kids kicking a footy, or people with binoculars looking at birds,” says Jill. “Families are donating seats in memory of loved ones, and we’re doing the same with trees. At Christmas, the local church puts on carols there.”
Pinnaroo Primary School principal Sunyl Vogt says the 86-pupil school visits several times a year. “We help tidy it up as part of our volunteering with community, see what’s there, and have a picnic. In the past, we’ve also done a water-watch program to look at things living in the water, so it’s been really good from a science perspective, and for helping the kids understand local ecosystems.”
Jill is particularly proud of an art project where local children created mosaics of plants and animals, which are mounted throughout the gardens.
celebrating community
The work of The Friends of the Pinnaroo Wetlands was recognised in 2014 when they won a state Community Group award in their region. Working bees are held regularly, and new projects always pop up, such as a place of contemplation based around a seat dedicated to a young man who died in a shark attack. “We’re planting trees and shrubs around his seat,” Jill explains. “It has views down to the dam, so it’s a lovely nook for people to sit.
“I get a real buzz out of seeing people use the wetlands,” she adds. “It’s been a real community project, and the more people use it, the more it becomes their place, which is lovely. There’s no graffiti, because the kids wouldn’t allow it.”
The Mallee region gives its name to a group of small eucalypts. A selection of beautiful mallees suitable for home gardens is featured overpage.