Historic bushland protected at Hartley

"Glenroy" is situated on the Coxs River where the first three European explorers to travel across the Blue Mountains crossed over the river in 1813. Since then it has continued as the oldest continuous private camping ground in Australia. In 1815 Governor and Mrs Macquarie also camped there.

On the property, where the Barbers breed beef cattle, at least one third remains in native bushland, with the rest split between native pasture and introduced pasture. Much of the remant native vegetation is grassy woodland dominated by Yellow Box.

Since 2003, the Barbers have received funding from the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority (HNCMA) to fence a large corridor of native vegetation extending from the hilltop down to the river.

Rosemary Barber said the project has involved erecting 2.5 kilometre of fencing and  protecting 8 hectares of creekline native vegetation dominated by Ribbon Gum.

"Over the last few years the natural regeneration has been fantastic," said Mrs Barber.

"Ribbon Gums seedlings are popping up throughout the fenced area, and native grasses have thickened up.

"It is great to be able to put up a fence, control the weeds occasionally, and then enjoy seeing what new native plants re-establish on their own in the area.

"It is also good to keep our breeding cattle out of the steeper areas of the property and to provide them with extra shelter," said Ms Barber.

The HNCMA's Frances Laurenson said the mid-Coxs River subcatchment has been selected as a priority area for landholder funding because of its nationally significant bushland areas found on private property as well as its waterways that flow into the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.

Specifically, Box Gum Woodlands (including White Box, Yellow Box, and Blakely's Red Gum) is being targeted because they are critically endangered at a national level.

"We are actively seeking new landholders in the area interested in protecting or increasing bushland areas including fencing, revegetation and weed control." said Ms Laurenson.

Other works on "Glenroy" in the past couple of years have included willow control along the Coxs River.

"The Sheoaks along the river look much healthier now the willows have been controlled," said Mrs Barber.

"Our part of the river has strong historic ties and is important to our campers. It is wonderful to have it looking more natural, and more like it looked when Governor and Mrs Macquarie camped there in 1815."

Contact the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority in Lithgow to arrange a free site inspection and to find out more about funding opportunities on (02) 6350 3110.