Australian Bush Life

Roadside Conservation Sign - No Mowing.

Since the bushfire in February 2009 we have worked with our local council to get a street roadside conservation sign installed. This sign says “Roadside Conservation Area. No Disturbance. No mowing.”

The sign is placed on council owned land on roadsides. This strip of land is contentious as neighbouring private land owners often tend to look after them by “tidying up”. In our area this usually means mowing with little regard for the quality of indigenous vegetation remaining on these strips of land. Tidying up of habitat logs and leaf litter is also very common.

Mowing tends to occur through the bushfire preparation season - spring and into summer. It amazes us to see mowing on these areas often all that is mowed are ground cover plants such as indigenous grasses and wildflowers. Which at this time of year are actually astonishingly beautiful whilst flowering and their low fuel load is a minimal fire risk. We just don’t understand this behaviour which additionally stops the wildflowers from seeding and setting up the next generation.

Roadside reserves are some of the best quality remaining vegetation which hosts a great number of different indigenous plant species – local biodiversity. These exact roadside reserves are often used by Landcare and other volunteer type groups who undertake revegetation works. As they can use them to collect seed to bring back the diversity lost in nearby areas where indigenous vegetation is lacking or completely lost.

Roadside Conservation Sign on Street.

We have tended our roadside reserve for over 4 years. Mostly all that is required is a couple of days a year hand weeding to keep it healthy. It is an important route for local wildlife. Mainly echidnas hike up this protected stretch as often it is difficult for them to access or cross nearby properties as they would have to negotiate fences and pets particularly dogs.

Since the bushfires these roadside reserves were put under increasingly threatening levels of activity. From many levels of government there was a massive clean up process of removing dead trees, habitat logs, slashing  etc. Many local landowners also took the liberty to clear these areas after such a major disaster as who was going to question their clearing behaviour when they had just lived through the bushfire.

In addition there are many new people moving onto blocks that were sold by residents who lost housing and often these new residents are unaware of local indigenous plants and wildlife. So hopefully our new Roadside Conservation street sign will help this little strip of nature hold it’s ground for at least a few more years, actually we hope that with a little weeding maintenance it might now be there for those who come after us to appreciate it’s natural beauty.

Do you live in an area where there is quality indigenous vegetation on a road reserve that is not protected? Why not call your local council and see if you can get a sign installed on your street?

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