History Project Stories
FAIRLANE FAUNA & FLORA RESERVE
This page explores the plantings that have taken place in an area that was originally known as the Fairlane Estate. This area is usually accessed off old Cooma Road and bound by the Queanbeyan River, River Drive and the new Ellerton Drive Parkway. Barracks Creek, a tributary of Queanbeyan River runs through the area. The Fairlane Fauna and Flora Reserve, Barracks Creek Neighbourhood Park, the reserve along the Queanbeyan River and several smaller parks are features that have been of interest to Queanbeyan Landcare.
These are the events/plantings that have taken place over the years:
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National Tree Day
QPRC & Queanbeyan Landcare
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National Tree Day
QPRC & Queanbeyan Landcare
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Trees4cars
Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council
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River Drive Plantings
Trees for Queanbeyan
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Swan Place Parklet
Trees for Queanbeyan
National Tree Day 2024
In late 2023 and throughout 2024 the group has tended to the 2023 planting site and prepared the 2024 site. Mulching, mowing, spraying, staking and replacing damaged tree guards took place. Most of the plants were thriving, though some were damaged due to a tree fall and we suspect feral deer.
The 2024 site was an extension of the 2023 site, continuing along Barracks Creek towards Queanbeyan River.
The planting plan remained the same, strengthening and thickening the corridor along the creek towards the Queanbeyan River.
Site preparation focussed on weed control and ripping. We would like to thank and acknowledge Marc van Dyk from Black Earthworks & Civil who volunteered their time and machinery to rip the site. Members who regularly volunteered their time and energy include Glen & Alison Crawley, Ian Johnsson, Bruce Taloni, Dave Grey, Michele & Steve Dovers and Tom Baker. Also John, Kat, Joel, Lindsay and Di & Lindsay. QPRC helped with spraying and mulch supply. And Les Murray who along with Tom and Michele propagated many of the plants provided by Queanbeyan Landcare.
Sunday started with light rain, some hail and temperatures around 0 degree Celsius but the clouds soon cleared, and the wind dropped so a very pleasant working temperature. Over 100 Volunteers turned up and planted over 600 plants guided by our team of wonderful Supervisors. Once again many Community Groups joined the many local volunteers.
The logistics of the event were organised by staff at QPRC. They promoted the event, organised a bus to bring volunteers to the site, provided the tools, tree guards, stakes, mulch, gloves, first aid kits, the coffee van Bean Culture. Josie Grenfell from Food2Soil brought along a nutritious tonic for the plantings.
Queanbeyan Landcare’s tasks included site preparation, plant selection, plant placement and the identification of Supervisors who would guide the many volunteers on how to plant, where to plant, tree guard construction, watering and mulching. Once again Black Earthworks & Civil stepped in and provided a water truck for the event.
Over 600 plants were sourced:
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70 x Callistemon sieberi, River Bottlebrush
35 x Melalueca parvistaminea, River Melaleuca or Swampy Paperbark
65 x Gynatrix pulchella, Hemp Bush
20 x Kunzea ericoides, Burgan
35 x Dodonea viscosa, Hopbush
30 x Poa labillardieri, River Tussock
20 x Lomandra longifolia, Spiny Headed Matrush
4 x Callitris endlicheri, Black Cypress Pine
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26 x Bursaria spinosa, Sweet Bursaria or Australian Blackthorn
41 x assorted Wattles, mainly Acacia mearnsii, Green Wattle and Acacia rubida, Red-stemmed Wattle
10 x Dodonea viscosa, hopbush
2 x Eucalypts (species unknown
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15 x Eucalyptus viminalis, Ribbon Gum
10 x Eucalyptus melliodora, Yellow Box
40 x Eucalyptus blakeleyi, Blakely’s Red Gum
35 x Casuarina cunninghamiana, River Sheoak
25 x Acacia mearnsii, Black Wattle
25 x Acacia dealbata, Silver Wattle
40 x Acacia pravissima, Ovens Wattle
10 x Callitris endlicheri, Black Cypress Pine
40 x Acacia rubida, Red-stemmed Wattle
20 x Acacia implexa, Hickory Wattle
20 x Acacia pycnantha, Golden Wattle