We originally titled this project “Connecting Lauriston to the Reservoir” and it is another example of public land that had become so degraded due to weed infestation, that it was virtually impossible to walk through it. After consultation with local residents, we began discussions with the North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) who immediately saw the potential of this 14 hectare site and were able to offer funding via their Upper Coliban Project Landcare Support Grants program. That was in 2018, and in 2019 the removal of the woody weeds began. NCCMA followed up with willow removal in 2021 and in 2022 preparations were made for the reintroduction of indigenous vegetation with Djandak (the commercial arm of the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation) taking a leading role.

Malmsbury District Landcare undertook extensive flora and fauna surveys of the region and provided a number of “in the field” opportunities for members and the wider public to engage in these surveys and flora identification training. As the site has an extensive history of gold mining activity, the Malmsbury Historical Society was also engaged to provide a report on the mining activities.