Restoring Fentons Creek
The BushBank Program, a $77 million initiative by the Victorian Government is possibly the most ambitious restoration effort in Victoria’s history. Administered by Cassinia Environmental, the program assists landowners to restore degraded landscapes, enhance biodiversity, and contribute to carbon sequestration. This potential drew Victorian landowners Kim Lomax and Roger Hall to explore further conservation opportunities on their property in Fenton’s Creek.
Original owners of the property since the 1950s, Neale Holt’s family held a deep connection to the land. Neale and his wife cherished picnics on a hill they affectionately named “Wildflower Hill,” known for its rich display of Chocolate Lilies, Early Nancies, and native grasses and orchids. The hill, became a sanctuary for native species Late Flax-Lily (Dianella tarda). The hill’s EVC is the depleted Hillcrest Herb-rich woodland. Elsewhere, the property is also home to a vulnerable Grassy Woodland ecosystem, endangered Buloke trees and critically endangered species- Hairy Tails (Ptilotus erubescens), and the Northern Golden Moth Orchid (Diuris protena).
In 2016, Neale made the significant decision to covenant the property with Trust for Nature, ensuring its preservation for future generations. This covenant aimed to protect the unique remnant vegetation on the property, safeguarding large old trees and the biodiversity that depends on them.
Three years ago, Kim Lomax and Roger Hall acquired the property, becoming its new caretakers. “The covenant was a major reason we bought the property,” Kim explains. “We wanted our efforts to be protected long-term, and the BushBank program has now allowed us to build on those efforts.”
Kim and Roger’s BushBank project includes 25 hectares of revegetation with locally native species and extensive rabbit control. Co-funding for the project was obtained from Land Life Company, a nature reforestation company, in return for the carbon rights from the revegetation area. Their project is complemented by 25 hectares revegetated by a neighbor as part of the BushBank Program as well.
Kim and Roger have witnessed remarkable transformations on the property as a result of removal of stock and natural recruitment. There is a diverse understory and ground cover, teeming with wildlife, including Echidnas, Wallabies, Yellow-Footed Antechinus, Lace Monitors and Sand Goannas. The extensive restoration efforts will revitalise the herb-rich woodland, once cleared, but still rich in native species. At a broader scale, the BushBank project connects neighbouring protected lands, ensuring the preservation of this unique landscape.
Engaging with the BushBank Program has been a rewarding experience for Kim and Roger. “The program has made an incredible difference,” Kim says. “The team was efficient, and we were amazed by what they accomplished.”
Through their participation in the BushBank Program, Kim and Roger are not just restoring their land; they are contributing to a broader environmental legacy. “It’s a great idea, and it makes sense,” Kim reflects.
The BushBank Program’s Private Land Stream plays a critical role in Victoria’s conservation efforts, with properties like Kim and Roger’s at the forefront. The program continues to seek private landowners interested in restoring their land and fighting climate change. For more information or to express interest, visit www.cassinia.com/bushbank.
