Restoration works to start at Light Horse Park

As an active base, almost all trees were removed from the site for army purposes, with only a few big trees remaining.

When the army moved to Puckapunyal, large numbers of grey box trees regenerated across the bare landscape, resulting in many areas of dense regrowth of tall, thin trees that compete for the light and water needed for understorey growth.

The trees have grown very slowly and most have tall narrow trunks and small canopies. There is very little groundcover, shrubs and grasses, and therefore little wildlife.

The park committee has consulted with experts in ecology and botany and has received advice from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and other agencies and has developed a plan to restore the ecological values of a 4ha area of the park.

The hard, dry soils have been lightly ripped along the contours of the land to trap overland water and seeds, and many of the crowded regrown trees have been felled and also lie along the contours of the land.

This will open the area and provide it with more water and nutrients as the felled trees break down. Some replanting of understorey species will be undertaken.

Management committee president Scott McKay said the aim was to see this area of the park return to its natural forest state.

“It will take many years, but we want to see the return of the plants and animals that were here many years ago. We reckon it will be a better park for visitors,” he said.

“The park committee also sees the project as an interesting and accessible scientific experiment for park visitors to observe and learn a little bit about ecological processes.

“Visitors can use our QR trail code for information.”

For further details about the project, visit lighthorsepark.org.au