Community wetlands

VTBNC Wetlands

The corner of Murchison Road & McDiarmids Road in Violet Town is home to the Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre (VTBNC) Wetlands. This developing project has evolved over a number of years to beautify the area and provides a valuable asset both for residents of the Centre and the local community.

The wetlands are a filter for storm water, a home for local aquatic and wetland plants, and a habitat for birds of the area.

History

As the western corner paddock section of the Centre was subject to flooding, it was not possible for further building expansion. Thus an application for a grant to develop a wetlands was made in 2014 and was successful with the $200,000 project funded by the Victorian State Government’s Office of Living, a significant investment into the regeneration of the area and into water quality management in Violet Town.

A committee was formed to undertake the task led by Pat Glynn. The community based space was designed to:

• Support better health and wellbeing outcomes for residents of the Aged Care Facility
• Improve the initial streetscape of the township on entering Violet Town
• Provide opportunity for education around water management and native plants, and
• Improve the management of flood water and excess rain water for Violet Town.

Local engineer John Dunn and his team oversaw the development of the site with earth works by partners Newnham’s Earthmoving completed in May 2015. The wetlands first filled in December 2015.

Wheelchair friendly pathways were built around the waterways so that residents at the VTBNC could enjoy a stroll and seats make it a pleasant and tranquil place to sit and relax.

Consultation with Euroa Arboretum and Trust for Nature representatives as to suitable plant species for wetland conditions resulted in a selection of indigenous plants being supplied by the Arboretum.

Several working bees were held and the first plantings took place in March/April 2015. In 2016 climate dictated much rainfall, huge weed growth, and apart from efforts of weed removal, working bees stalled.

Current development

Management of the Wetlands has been taken on by Fay Whitewood, assisted by Lynden Biddle.

Future plantings will include aquatic plants well as indigenous native bird attracting plants. Wetlands rely on aquatic vegetation to improve water quality. Logs are planned to go in the wetlands to help invertebrates and improve their habitat. Seating will be installed near where the deciduous trees are planted and some tables are planned for the future.

We do appreciate volunteers for planting days.

Contact Fay Whitewood - 5798 1562 or the Violet Town Bush Nursing Centre on 5798 1324