INFORMATION panels at Red Hill Station Reserve tell the story of the area which has become a hub for families, walkers, and bike and horse riders.
The panels were put up by Manton and Stony Creeks Landcare Group and Red Hill Community Association.
Historical information came from the Shire’s Bittern – Red Hill Railway Conservation Management Plan 2014 with old photos provided by the Dromana and District Historical Society.
The park was opened in January last year after a large number of wilding Monterey pines and woody weeds were removed and the area was revegetated with 2000 indigenous plants. It includes a play space, barbecue and covered seating.
Visitors can learn about the area’s Aboriginal culture, flora and fauna, the historic railway and see a map of the peninsula’s shared trail network.
“Projects that capture the history and environment of our townships are important to help inform locals and tourists about our diversity and uniqueness,” the mayor Cr Bev Colomb said.
“This signage is great for the community and I encourage everyone to come as it is a great way to learn more about the local area,” Red Hill Ward’s Cr David Gill said.
The landcare group’s David Maddocks said the community park had become a “much-valued hub for Red Hill and Main Ridge residents and visitors and is frequented by many families, walkers, bike and horse riders”.
“Importantly, we like that the first signage panel pays tribute to the Aboriginal custodians, the Bunurong people, and features a brief background to their traditions,” he said.
“The other panels refer to the old train line that ran from Bittern to Red Hill 1921-1953 as well as the cool store and their important roles in the Red Hill and Main Ridge area. Other features include a trails map and the fauna and flora of the region.”
The project was jointly funded by the shire and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning through the Communities for Nature grant secured by the Manton and Stony Creeks Landcare Group.
It won a Keep Victoria Beautiful Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities Award in the category “Protection of the Environment” last year.
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 25 April 2017
