Trees enhance Moroka Reserve
A local Landcare group and its partners braved the elements to plant about 200 plants at Moroka Reserve in Warragul last Monday.
The Warragul Urban Landcare Group volunteers were joined by representatives of Baw Baw Shire Council, Landcare Australia and Esso at the four-hectare reserve.
The Landcare group, together with council, have been undertaking improvement works at the reserve for the past four years to establish a riparian corridor, protect existing vegetation, minimise pest threates and improve water quality in Hazel Creek and the local landscape.
Overall, the project aims to plant 3000 indigenous plants on the land, with around 4600 already planted and established. It was a successful community planting day with around 200 additional plants going in the ground.
The project will also see a local school participate in a further planting day in November.
Carolyn Ferguson, Baw Baw Shire Council Bushland Team Leader, was pleased with how the day went.
“These works will improve the health of the waterway and provide a one kilometre long vegetated link where local threatened species, including the Warragul burrowing cray, the giant Gippsland earthworm and the Strzelecki gum will be protected,” said Ms Ferguson. “Interpretive signage to be installed will provide opportunities for the community to enjoy and learn about our local threatened species.”
For Esso, participating in local community projects is part of its ongoing commitment to support and engage with the communities in which it operates.
“We’re pleased to be able to partner with community groups such as Warragul Urban Landcare and contribute to meaningful projects in recognition of the community’s ongoing support of our operations,” said Esso pipeline replacement project manager Dilip Bapat.
Esso has been undertaking a project to replace one of its key pipelines running from Longford to Hastings, crossing the Warragul area.