The Parks and Conservation Service plan to undertake repairs to the section of Red Track containing steps, between the base fire trail and the Tardis/Lookout.

The work will include backfilling and compacting any steps that have subsided/ eroded, repairing any erosion on the trail bed and sourcing and placing woody debris (logs) where trail braiding has occurred. It has been specified that minimal access is allowed and no dragging of logs, they must be lifted and ‘placed’ in situ to avoid damaging the nearby vegetation. No natural logs are to be relocated for this purpose as there is a woody debris pile that can be utilised on Kent St, Deakin. All due care is to be taken to avoid disturbance to the local vegetation and environment.

The contractor will be Makin Trax (they did the upgrade) so they are aware of the sensitivities of the site. Work is planned to be undertaken during February 2016 and should only take a week or so at most.

From Conservation Council “Yellow Box Dispatch”, December 2015

The Legislative Assembly on 18 November discussed funding of invasive weed management in the ACT. Liberal MLA Nicole Lawder moved a motion asking for the weeds budget to be restored and the Weeds Advisory Group to be re-instated. Minister Shane Rattenbury moved an amendment basically saying weeds management had benefitted through an increase in recurrent funding base (even though overall funding has dropped by 29%) and that the Weeds Advisory Group meets twice a year. The Minister also issued a media release “Increased base funding allows for long term strategic weed management” and sent a similar message to constituents. (more…)

The butterfly walk on 25 November 2015, which was led by Dr Suzi Bond, helped the group identify 14 species of butterflies within 100m of the summit restaurant and within one hour. This represents one quarter of the total number of butterfly species found in the British Isles! And all within sight of Parliament House!

Here is what we identified: (more…)

It was a hot morning on Red Hill for a very successful AGM, where all key positions were filled for another year. (more…)

The question why the historic callistemon plantation is made up of plants with two quite different flower colours has been solved through patient research by Regenerator Roy Mcdowall, who combed through the early 20th century Yarralumla Nursery records to find the answer. All can be revealed by clicking here!

From Conservation Council Weekly Wrap 27 November 2015 (more…)