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Welcome
to the Friends of Hoddles Creek website. |
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The Friends of Hoddles
Creek group was formed in 1999 and consists of concerned residents of Hoddles
Creek and adjacent areas, who want to ensure that the special balance of
Hoddles Creek is maintained for future generations. We have several main
objectives
a community and school education role about the importance of native forests
and waterways in providing a wildlife habitat and the need to balance this
heritage against development activities
a watching brief over development projects to ensure that regulations
related to tree clearing, maintenance of wildlife corridors, water usage
from local waterways and use of chemical sprays are adhered to
a lobbying role with local and state bodies to ensure that environmental
concerns are strongly represented in any planning or development activities
a hands on role in weed control, rubbish removal, regeneration and maintenance
of bushland areas, especially along local waterways
documentation of local wildlife populations |
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Hoddles
Creek
Named after surveyor Robert Hoddle, who led the first European expedition
to find the source of the Yarra River at Mt Baw Baw in 1844, Hoddles Creek
is in the Yarra Ranges between Yarra Junction and Yellingbo. Hoddles Creek
has seen many activities over the intervening 150 years. In the 1860s,
it shared in the gold rush that swept through the Upper Yarra and was
one of the largest surviving minefields, with mining activities continuing
until the middle 1900s. Gradually, problems with flooding and the increasing
costs of machinery led to farming taking over as the major local industry
and this continues today.
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a fascinating mix of native forest, broad acre and intensive farming including
berry farms, tree farms and several vineyards and residential bush blocks.
Two waterways Hoddles Creek and Blackleather Creek flow through the
area and are used for irrigation by adjacent farms. In common with the whole
of the Yarra Valley, there is a need to achieve a balance between development
and the preservation of native forest, bush areas and waterways. These are
not only vital as wildlife habitat, but are also the reason that many tourists
find the Valley such an attractive area to visit. |
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| If you agree that
Hoddles Creek is a special place that is worth protecting, then the Friends
of Hoddles Creek group is for you. Wed like to make sure that the special
needs of our bushland plants and animals are considered in any developments
in the area. In particular, the fragile areas along the banks of creeks
and the creeks themselves need protection from weed infestation (e.g., blackberries,
holly), from excess water usage and from the effects of runoff of agricultural
chemicals. We appreciate that the Hoddles Creek area must sustain a broad
range of activities; however, our aim is to help ensure a balance. There
are no age limits we welcome young and old alike. The only qualification
you need is an interest in protecting the native forest and bushland areas
that enrich the lives of the people who are fortunate enough to live in
the Yarra Ranges and the Yarra Valley. |
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VCAT
and logging
While VCAT have allowed logging
on this Hoddles Creek property, we must find ways to change to legislation
to ensure Council decisions are upheld and that logging is not possible
in Rural Conservation Zones with Environemental and Zoological Significance
Overlays, and are agreed as being of high conservation value.
To see the VCAT decision and
various press releases, click here.
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Click
here for several great links |
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| For
further information |
Newsletters
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| phone 03 5967 4594
and speak to Ray or Jennifer |
2002 |
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Autumn
418kb |
Winter
635kb |
Spring
146kb |
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2003 |
Summer
1221 kb |
Autumn
707kb |
Winter
274kb |
Spring
195kb |
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2004 |
Summer
84 kb |
Autumn
286kb |
Winter
150kb |
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2007 |
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Winter
303kb |
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