History Project Stories
FAIRLANE FAUNA & FLORA RESERVE

The Barracks Flat Reserve in Fairlane Estate was initially formed from the off-cuts of the zoning and planning of the area which were either too close to the creek line or too steep. The reserve was formally acquired by Council for reasons that included open space and nature conservation.

Notes from one of the resources held by Queanbeyan Landcare

In the early days of Fairlane Estate before the houses were constructed extraction of sand and gravel occurred along the part of Queanbeyan River fronting what is now known as River Drive. A lot of equipment was left at the site and after the extraction activity was discontinued there was a large community cleanup that removed much of it. Some of the people who attended on that day subsequently became members of the Monaro Conservation Society and/or Trees for Queanbeyan Committee. The then Mayor, David Madew also helped on that day. Tom Baker remembers the day in detail.

The Barracks Flat Reserve in Fairlane Estate was initially formed from the off-cuts of the zoning and planning of the area which were either too close to the creek line or too steep. The reserve was formally acquired by Council for reasons that included open space and nature conservation.

It is described as a big reserve that runs through Fairlane Estate and is situated between River Drive and Cooma Street in south-eastern Queanbeyan. The reserve is approximately 8 hectares and is a large semi-natural and linear recreational area along a permanent creek line known locally as Barracks Flat Creek. Barracks Flat Creek is a tributary of Queanbeyan River with a rocky ridgeline and a relic flood plain on the flats which runs through the reserve.

In 1999 following community surveys, meetings and newsletters Queanbeyan City Council published a Draft Plan of Management for Barracks Flat Reserve and identified three distinct management zones within the reserve: Bushland, Watercourse and Park.

Of interest to the Queanbeyan Landcare group was the information about the Natural Heritage of the area and acknowledgement of the presence of the Pink-tailed Legless Lizard (Aprasis parapulchella) with its subsequent obligations for Council. The draft POM also acknowledged the Plan of Management for the Aprasis parapulchella being prepared by Queanbeyan Landcare for the Fairlane Flora and Fauna Reserve.

Several members of QLc remember that during the consultation phase of the POM the time Council was still mining pug soil from the Barracks Flat Creek for cricket pitches. This caused some dissention and this practice was discontinued about this time.

1990 Swan Place Parklet - NOONAN, SWAN AND EMERY CRES (23)

The Swan Place Parklet area came to the attention of Trees for Queanbeyan in November 1990.  A local resident and representative from the Fairlane Estate Neighborhood Watch Committee, Louise Richards asked the Committee for assistance in revitalizing an area between Noonan Place and Swan Place.

At the next meeting Louise had been joined by two other residents who reported significant community enthusiasm for a planting. They had already planted 20 Hakeas. Bob Olgilvie (Queanbeyan City Council member) provided a Council plan of the area and Tim Booth (President Trees for Queanbeyan) was to look for assistance with ripping the ground. The residents were to talk to Council about watering.  

On Sunday 10 March 1991 members of the local Neighborhood Watch and TFQ committee members planted 270 trees and over 50 shrubs within 2-3 hours.

A follow up working bee was held in January 1992 to weed, mulch and erect tree guards.

Louise Richards subsequently joined the group and became Treasurer for both Trees for Queanbeyan (history) and then Queanbeyan Landcare until 2004.  A farewell dinner for Louise, held in July 2004 was well attended by past and current Landcarers and members of the local community. When she retired many Landcare members undertook an overhaul of Louise’s garden in Swan Place in recognition of the time and effort she had made to the group. Louise passed away in 2021, her obituary emphasizes her community spirit in Landcare and the Country Womens Association.

On 6 May 1995 another Swan Place planting occurred and was reported on by Vanessa Olley. 15 people, including 6 children planted over 150 plants including Lomandra, Dianella, Hardenbergia, Acacia, Leptospermum and Eucalyptus (mannifera, macrorhyncha and bridgesiana). In March 2022 Tom Baker was walking through this parklet when he heard his name being called. It was Vanessa. She remembered Tom and as well as retaining the maps of the planting and the planting lists has many reflections on the planting conducted in Swan Place.

She was involved with both the 1991 and 1995 plantings. She remembers Megan Cousins giving the group a lesson on how to plant and then handing out a plant to each of the kids. As a result, all the plants were well looked after and most survived.  Looking at the photos she identified her son with his toy wheelbarrow, the row of tiny Hakeas, the edge of her house, the sewage or water main access cap and the table that held the morning tea that she made for the group – Chocolate chip Cookies.

The two photos from the 1995 planting show Vanessa, her son and the growth of the Hakea over the 4 or so years. Not as many people attended the second planting but a lot was achieved. She has the plan of the Park which shows the position the plants were to be located which she will share when it is found.

1993 - Plantings along the Queanbeyan River  - River Drive

In February 1993 Trees for Queanbeyan member Brian Boyes proposed that an area of open space at River Drive may be suitable for planting. It was decided that a site inspection by Committee members be carried out. Discussion in June 1993 indicate that there were issues with current and future ownership of the land.  A letter was sent to Council advising of the intention to plant and seeking access for spring planting. As no reply was received from Council a letterwas sent directly to the owner, Eric Dobell who was known to and had spoken to Derek Rutherford, a member of Trees for Queanbeyan. A planting was agreed to and confirmed for 19 Sept 1993. It was reported in October that the trees had been planted.

The 1993 Chairman's Report by Tim Booth indicated that “Several plantings were undertaken this year including River Drive in September where with very good community involvement we planted 200+ “.

Tom Baker reported that “Council undertook extensive plantings between River Drive and the Queanbeyan River to complement the early construction of walking tracks and the progressive fencing off of the River from access by illegal trail bikes accessing the bushland to the east.  Much of the infrastructure work was funded from Developer Contributions generated from the Fairlane Estate development.  Several of the revegetation projects involved community plantings.  More recently, these walking tracks have been completed downstream to the ‘gorge’ section of the River”.

In 2005 after willow removal between Lochiel Street and River Drive another public tree planting took place along the cleared section of the river. 15 people turned up and over 800 plants were put in. The theme for the planting which was held during Landcare Week was ‘Landcare in your backyard’

Between 2009 and 2011 an Indigenous river crew were part of a major willow and weed control project along the river.

Trees4Cars Plantings 2014-2016

Run by QPRC from 2014-2016, the council staff planted trees and shrubs annually during that time as part of their Trees4Cars program to offset the carbon emissions from Council's fleet vehicles.

2014 Planting

2015 Planting

FACEBOOK POST MARCH 26, 2015

As part of Council's Trees for Cars program staff have today planted 480 native trees and shrubs in Barracks Flat Park. The plantings will offset the emissions of Council's entire fleet (cars, lawn mowers, trucks etc) for 2014-15. Last year we planted 480 trees and shrubs in the Same park and it will continue next year. All of this planting goes towards Council's goal to reduce its emissions by 25% by 2020.

2016 Planting

FACEBOOK POST

Council staff today planted around 500 trees and shrubs near Barracks Flat Creek. This is an annual activity in line with our Trees4Cars program to offset the carbon emissions from Council's fleet vehicles.

This is the third year of planting best Barracks Flat Creek. Today we planted a range of eucalyptus, acacias, sheoaks, lomandras, and hardenbergia.

SUMMARY FROM INVOICES - Planted at Barracks Flat 2014, 2015 & 2016

  • Acacia dealbata

    Acacia mearnsii

    Acacia rubida

    Eucalyptus roseii

    Casuarina cunninghamiana

    Eucalyptus Viminalis

    Lomandra longifolia

    Hardenbergia violacea

    Lomandra Longifolia

    Leptospermum obovatum

    Melaleuca parvistimemea

  • Acacia mearnsii

    Acacia rubida

    Eucalyptus rossii

    Casuarina cunninghamiana

    Eucalyptus viminalis

    Lomandra Longifolia

    Hardenbergia violacea

    Leptospermum abovatum

  • Acacia Mearnsii

    Acacia Rubida

    Casuarina Cunninghamiana

    Eucalyptus Rubida

    Eucalyptus Viminalis

    Hardenbergia Violacea

    Leptospermum Obovatum