Thursday 17 May 2018 Page 5
Your free weekly guide to what’s happening in the Hilltops region...
BOOROWA News..
From Hilltops Councillor CHRIS MANCHESTER
Boroowa Community Landcare Group
MEMBERS ACTIVITY Mason’s tree walk IMAGE: The transgrid tower at the top of Hawkhill.
O
n the morning of Saturday April 28, a small convoy of vehicles traversed ‘Hawkhill’ in what was a very successful Boorowa Landcare Members excursion to view a range of plantings spanning almost 35 years. Visitors then watched locally produced drone footage of past plantings in the Boorowa district and enjoyed a barbeque lunch supplied by the BCLG committee. Elizabeth and Peter Mason have a wealth of knowledge about tree establishment, largely based on trial and error over many decades. The group observed how active gully erosion had been effectively halted by soil conservation work including diversion banks, fencing out livestock and extensive tree planting. They were able to compare sites established by direct seeding and others by planting tube stock. “Although there have always been good numbers of paddock trees, there was only one very small patch of remnant veg on ‘Hawkhill’” said Elizabeth. Some of their earlier planting sites were part of a series of local ‘Saltshaker’ projects, designed to mitigate the effects of dryland salinity. Although the Mason’s now buy commercially grown plants, Elizabeth had propagated a huge number of the plants herself. Her early successes and failures helped inform a variety of government bodies, as to what could grow in the Boorowa region.
IMAGE: Attendees viewing tree lane plantings.
A comparison of 2 adjoining sites planted exactly one year apart, with the same site preparation, highlighted the effect that variable weather conditions can have on revegetation efforts. In recent years Peter and Elizabeth have been hosts to North Sydney Bushcare group, who have assisted them with their planting. The most recent sites were planted in 2017. Hawkhill now has an extensive network of tree lanes offering habitat for wildlife and protection to livestock in almost every paddock. A drive to the top of Hawkhill (a Transgrid tower), provided a wonderful view of the extent and connectivity of plantings on Hawkhill, neighbouring properties and across the region in general. If you have some historic plantings or landcare activities you would like to share for a tour, please contact landcare@boorowa.net or call 0459 681018.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE LASTING – 43 Taylor Road, Young
Two bedroom home, tastefully renovated with light tones teaming beautifully with the polished timber flooring Featuring ducted heating to keep you warm in the colder months & reverse cycle A/C for summer time This li le gem is sure to make an impression on you, whether you are looking for an investment or to live in The home is located close to schools and the main CBD of Young, enquire today!
Agent: Kim Goonan M: 0412 823 607 P: (02) 6382 3333
$215,000 rh.com.au
Hilltops Council have just engaged a consultancy firm from Orange to put together a Precinct Plan for Murrumburrah. The idea is to revamp Murrumburrah Precinct and make it more attractive to the significant passing tourism trade. The plan will link Roberts Park area, Murrumboola Creek and the business area together, as well as the Light Horse Memorial, Museum and the proposed Bill the Bastard statue. Sala4D the organisation engaged will be in town on the 30th and 31st May to hold a series of meetings and workshops to get public input into the plan. I encourage all interested residents and businesses to get involved and have their say and input into this very important document, which could have a major impact on the future development of Historical Murrumburrah. The Hilltops Council have allocated $1,100,000 of Stronger Communities grant funding towards this project, which I hope will transform Murrumburrah in the same way as the upgrade of Neil Street in Harden did a few years ago. So again, please get involved. The Council is currently working on the Long Term Financial Plan for the Hilltops Region, which encompasses the 12-month Budget (Operational Plan), the Delivery Program, a 4-year plan and the 10-year Community Strategic Plan. This is the first budget that Councillors will put together for Hilltops. The importance of this is that it sets the direction of Council over the next few years. How you start will impact on where you finish and all Councillors are committed to the future of the Hilltops Council and to turn it into a regional leader in NSW local government. You will see significant changes to how the old Councils of Harden, Boorowa and Young operated, but Hilltops is a new organisation and changes have to be made to make us financially sound for the future. When the Operational Plan goes on public display, please take time to have a look at it and make comments.
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY – 56 Caple Street, Young Gilt edged dual occupancy investment proposition with both home and modern villa unit Currently both premises are rented - double income from just one property Main residence is a 3 bedroom co age with the villa being 2 bedrooms Located close to hospital, schools, TAFE and Catholic church with the CBD just a short walk away
Agent: Graeme Schneider M: 0417 251 795 P: (02) 6382 3333
$379,000 rh.com.au