Property Management Plan

A Property Management Plan was put in place in 1992 to develop the 16 hectare (40 acre) property with limited agricultural potential, a poor water supply because of salinity and evidence of ecological damage throughout the property.

A commitment was made to:

• develop an ecologically sustainable Vineyard/Winery and a Cellar Door compatible with the environmental requirement of the property;
• return 25% of the property to nature vegetation;
• protect the watercourse, and where possible convert any evident ecological damage, and manage the salinity problem.

All sewerage would be treated by an Aerobic Water System and arrangements were put in place to ensure no waste water from the winery and sewage system entered the Watercourse and dams.

An estimated $30,000 has been spent on Environmental Management since 1992.

Condition of Property

Over the years most of the property's native vegetation has been removed to the the point where only 30 Red and Blue Gums remained with little native understory vegetation.

There were 22 Pines and Cypress of which 50% have since been removed.

Approximately 4 hectares (10 acres) was affected by salinity.

The aerial photo above shows the poor state of trees and vegetation on the property prior to the Management Plan being put in place.

This aerial shot shows the progress made on revegetation by 2001.

The road approaching the property pre- revegetation in 1992.

The road approaching the property post revegetation in 2008.

Revegetation Program

25% of the property has been returned to native vegetation.

12,000 trees and understory will have been planted by 2010.

Neville prepares for planting boundary fence treeline.

Volunteers assist with the planting.

Successful revegetation.

Results of replanting: regrowth of the now protected reedbeds and boundary revegetation.

Watercourse Management

The entire length of the watercourse and reed beds (1000 metres) have been fenced providing a 60 metre protective barrier and to exclude stock.

A total of 2500 metres of fencing has been installed.

Bypasses have been installed around two dams situated in the watercourse to allow base/environmental flows to pass downstream.

Salinity Management

Salt affected areas have been identified, fenced and native vegetation planted to drop the water tables and manage the salinity.

In addition, 400 metres of open and enclosed drains have been installed to improve drainage.

An identified salinity area where a drain was constructed and trees planted.

An identified salinity area where trees were planted.

Swamps/Reed Beds (Aust Govt Environment Fund Grant)

Swamps/Reed Beds containing reed (PHRAGHTIES AUSTRALIS) and Sedges (CAREX SPP) have been identified and fenced. Water flows to the areas are maintained and introduced plants were removed.

An Australian Government Environment Fund Grant
was provided to assist undertake the work.

An example of fencing-off a reed bed area.

Bird Tree Corridor – Mont Rosa Road

Sections of Mont Rosa Road have been re vegetated to provide a tree corridor for birdlife to migrate between the property watercourse and the Hindmarsh River.

There were very few trees along Mont Rosa Road in 1992. (Image taken toward property entrance.)

Tree planting has created a corridor for birdlife to the river - 2008. (Image toward property entrance from opposite direction.)