Bushland Reserves

Overview
Whitehorse Council manages a number of bushland reserves throughout the municipality, a few of which are in the Mont Albert/Mont Albert North districts. Many of these areas are natural remnants of the original vegetation that existed before development occurred. Some areas are recreated or revegetated through the introduction of native plants.

Sizes of bushland areas vary from small clumps that may only be few square metres through to vegetation that occupies a number of hectares.

Why Do We Have Bushland Reserves?
Bushland reserves provide a home for local native wildlife and help preserve wildflowers and other indigenous vegetation. Bushland reserves also offer great spaces for the community to enjoy.

Spring Colour in Bushland Reserves
Native bushland produces a stunning array of wildflowers and flowering shrubs that come alive in spring. In some bushland parks you will see native orchids and a carpet of wildflowers during the spring period. Please don't pick wildflowers as all park visitors enjoy seeing them in their natural environment.

What Sort of Animals Are Found in Our Bushland Reserves?
A range of indigenous and non-indigenous animals may be seen from time to time in bushland parks. It is unusual to see large marsupials but there have been recorded sightings of kangaroos, koalas, and echidnas. More commonly seen are ringtail and brushy tail possums, lizards, birds and insects. Snakes may be seen from time to time. If you allow them sufficient space and don't disturb them, they generally will not pose a danger to you.

What is Habitat?
The homes and food sources that indigenous animals require is known as habitat. Habitat may include dead tree hollows, native grasses, logs, rocks or water bodies. In bushland reserves you will see areas of long unmown grass, standing dead trees, shrubs and wildflowers, which are all preserved as habitat for animals.

What About Wetlands?
Wetlands are special aquatic habitats that provide a home for various birds, fish, and insects. Wetlands also help to treat storm water runoff to make it cleaner when it arrives at creeks before heading to the bay. Litter collection must be performed regularly at wetlands because paper and cans dropped in the street make their way through the stormwater system into wetlands.

Doesn't the Bush Look After Itself?
Bush is a complex natural system that there are a number of issues that need to be managed. Weeds will totally dominate natural bush unless they are controlled. Some plants that are grown in gardens have the potential to spread dramatically in bushland and may over run the local native vegetation, these are known as environmental weeds.

Dumping of garden rubbish and lawn clippings results in the spread of weeds, increased fire risk and may encourage other uncontrolled dumping.

Sometimes non-indigenous animals may degrade the natural environment or attack native wildlife so from time to time these may need to be responded to.

Who Looks After Our Bushland?
Council manages bushland areas with the active support of many community volunteers. Members of the local community also assist by reporting matters requiring attention such as fallen tree limbs or vandalised signs as well as generating interest within the local community.

Remnant Bushland in Urban Areas
Clearance of native vegetation is the single greatest threat to terrestrial biodiversity. Bushland areas require less water than the more traditional parks and gardens. Active involvement in the preservation of these areas by local conservation groups fosters a strong sense of community and ownership.

(Source for the above: Whitehorse Council)