History Project Stories
Fernleigh Landcare
Fernleigh Park – a summary
Located 10 minutes' drive south of Queanbeyan
Established 1986
Jerrabomberra Creek flows through the area
Some flat pasture, with land sloping to the Creek
Rocky soil - sandy along the Creek
Some Eucalypts remain, suggesting Yellow Box-Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland (a declared a threatened ecological community) with likely more dry sclerophyll Eucalypt species on drier, higher ground.
Decades of over-grazing - much of the bushland degraded
Bushfires in the 1980s
Blocks range in size from 2 to 16 hectares.
Comprises approximately 100 blocks
Approximately 200-300 residents
Some long term ‘original ‘residents’
Some recent arrivals
In 1988 blocks ranged in price from $45,000 to $90,000. In 2021 a small block sold for $1.2 million.
Residents and members of Landcare have undertaken extensive plantings of trees and shrubs along Jerrabomberra Creek, the streets in Fernleigh and on private land since Fernleigh Park was established. The aim is to create and re-establish vegetation links between the remnant native woodlands. The focus is on creek bank stabilization, providing habitat for the endangered Glossy Black Cockatoo, and maintenance of vegetation patches to allow the movement of small birds.
Fernleigh Park Landcare
Landcare groups has been operating in the area since 2005
5 to 10 active participants
Originally led by Bruce Davies, more recently by Bill Hall
Other group members included Malcolm Brooks, Chris Forsey, Paul White, Bob Hartley and Bruce Taloni.
Fernleigh Park Landcare joined Queanbeyan Landcare in November 2008 mainly for Insurance purposes.
It is estimated that over 10,000 trees have been planted by Landcare groups at Fernleigh with over two kilometres along Jerrabomberra Creek. Species include many Eucalypts and a few smaller Acacia species
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E. bridgesiana
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E. melliodora
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E. pauciflora
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Acacia rubida
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Acacia mearnsii
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E. polyanthemos
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E. rossii
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E. rubida
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Acacia dealbata
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Kunzea ericoides
May 2023 quote from Colleen Krestensen, long term resident of Fernleigh Park:
“It’s been so rewarding here to see the growing wildlife numbers and variety over the years as we’ve restored vegetation. ”
Map of Fernleigh Park showing plantings along creeks and streets and future plantings.
Ongoing work:
Creek and street planting
Weeding/spraying
Watering of trees
Fencing
Recent History
Work at Fernleigh is funded through grants and are usually linked to big community events with significant numbers of volunteers arriving to help and take part in the barbeque afterwards.
In 2021 over 65 residents from across Queanbeyan and Canberra planted 650 trees in just over two hours on National Tree Day.
2021
In 2022 the Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program - DCCEEW enabled a planting in the vicinity of the Fernleigh Park Community Hall, on Swan Drive. A plaque to commemorate this event can be found attached to the Community Hall. The plaque was presented to Queanbeyan Landcare at an official ceremony held on 25 November 2022. Several hundred native trees were planted with a great deal of enthusiasm shown by the Jerrabomberra Scout Group, with many planting a tree for the first time and learning the important role trees play in the environment. The plants and guards were sourced from Royalla Landcare and Greening Australia.
2022
The plaque being held by President of Queanbeyan Landcare, Bill Hall also from left to right are Nicole Overall MP, The Honorable Kristy McBain MP, and Esma Livermore (Deputy Mayor of QPRC).
In 2023 a Landcare Riparian Restoration Grant enabled the planting of over 700 trees in May with over 60 volunteers including Scout groups from Queanbeyan and Jerrabomberra. The trees were planted adjacent to the creek for a distance of 250 metres immediately downstream from the bridge on Fernleigh Drive and included Eucalyptus listed above that are recommended species for that corridor. The Fernleigh locals (and Queanbeyan Landcare Members) who organised this event were Bill Hall, Ian Johnsson, Bruce Davies and Bruce Taloni. Many others assisted in the planning and preparation of the day with a barbeque at the Community Centre after the planting.
2023
The People
Bill Hall
Bill Hall has been President of Queanbeyan Landcare since 2017, a Member since 2013 and Member of the Fernleigh Park Landcare group from 2002. Now a Lifetime Member of Queanbeyan Landcare his role in planting programs in Fernleigh are impressive.
In 2022, Mick Doyle wrote this about Bill after Bill was awarded Life Membership of Queanbeyan Landcare:
“Your leadership and program of plantings within our Fernleigh Park Community has left a wonderful legacy for future generations. All the very best for the future and congratulations on the well deserved award.”
Fernleigh Park is an active site for Queanbeyan Landcare in 2023 – for information about recent events and how to be involved visit the links below.
Sources - A Powerpoint presentation by Bruce Taloni and Bill Hall in May 2021, the Minutes of Queanbeyan Landcare and feedback from local Fernleigh residents.