Project News Image: Anna Wind
New life for the Jiloa Way Creek Success story of rehabilitation and co-operation An urban waterway near Jiloa Way is now restored thanks to the combined efforts of Cradle Coast NRM, Devonport City Council and Friends of Don Reserve. The creek, located in the edge of the Don Reserve between Jiloa Way and Georgiana Street, is a little gem tucked in between residential properties. It is home to mature Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia), several species of Eucalypts, a variety of understorey species and is a haven for burrowing crayfish. An assortment of rubbish had accumulated in the waterway area from nearby residential properties and weeds were choking the native vegetation which led to the waterway’s degradation. It was a challenging task to restore the area but the Devonport City Council, with the assistance of the Friends of Don took up the challenge. They coordinated the removal of weeds of national significance, which include blackberry, broom, gorse, and environmental weeds. 470 native rushes and reeds were planted to increase biodiversity and provide habitat for the threatened Central North Burrowing Crayfish (Engaeus granulatus). The Devonport City Council also provided residents with information about the values of the bushland reserve. The area provides a well-functioning
environment for native plants and animals. The council invited residents to help protect the area and gave them information about the potential of garden plants jumping the fence and becoming weeds. The Council urged residents not to collect firewood or dump grass and garden clippings. Cradle Coast NRM, through funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Programme provided Devonport City Council $8,000 towards the project. Devonport City Council also contributed extra costs and provided project coordination. Cradle Coast NRM would like to thank the Devonport City Council for partnering to deliver this project. Particular thanks go to Phil Murray, Compliance and Biodiversity Officer for coordinating the project, who has recently retired from Council. Cradle Coast NRM would like to acknowledge Phil in making an outstanding contribution towards natural resource management in Devonport. We could always be confident that a project managed by Phil would be successfully completed. Contact Anna Wind for more information T: 64 338 423 E: awind@cradlecoast.com.au
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