Track Restoration April 2023
Planting out a scoured out Bike track
John Stockwell
11/14/20241 min read
This was an old downhill bike track running from the Acacia track that leads to Whites Hill Summit. The area was completely scoured our by the effects of the bikes and then the ensuing rain which washed the soil away leaving bare stony ground. Not nice to look at and a habitat for very little.
Logs were placed across the track to discourage public passage and then BCC placed coir logs and many cubic meters of mulch on the steep top slopes. Our job was to dig holes and plant 100 natives, including Acacias, Wattles and grasses. The soil beneath the mulch was pretty much non-existent and we were basically planting into stones and gravel. Still we persevered with pick and trowel until all plants were in. A Tilkey tank had been installed on site so we were at least able to give everything a good watering.
B4C provided follow up watering to give the plants the best chance and despite the poor conditions, 18 months later the grasses are flourishing and providing food and habitat that previously didn't exist. there is some weed ingress near to the walking track (Corky passion Vine & Mother of Millions) but 20 metres further down it's clear.