Visitors to the Dungog Common can now take advantage of two new covered picnic tables which have been recently installed.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Dungog Common Recreation Reserve Trust (DCRRT) which manages the Common received a Small Grant for Rural Communities, funded by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal.
Mick Moy recently completed the manufacture of the tables and seats which have been placed in the Rifle Range paddock. Ros Runciman said members of the Trust Land Carers and Commoners assisted with the installation.
“These will provide a place for those who regularly walk the two and a half kilometre circuit in this paddock to sit and relax, enjoy the peace and quiet and most likely observe the local eastern grey kangaroos,” she said.
Additional bench seats are also to be installed.
Meanwhile, erosion control works at the Common are expected to start next month.
The work will include operation of heavy machinery, installation of rock work and the re-shaping of badly eroded areas.
These works form part of a larger land and water quality improvement project at the Common.
The overall project aims to reduce the sediment currently running into Common Creek, which drains into the Williams River.
The project is a partnership between Hunter Local Land Services and the Dungog Common Recreation Reserve Trust (DCRRT), who currently manage the Common.
Lorna Adlem, Senior Land Services Officer for Hunter Local Land Services said that the highest priority area for erosion control work at the Common is along Common Road, which runs adjacent to Common Creek.
“A lot of sediment has and continues to be lost through rainfall run-off from Common Road into the creek,” she said.
“Working in collaboration with Soil Conservation Services and Dungog Shire Council, we will carry out the major works needed to fix this situation.”
The erosion control work will be undertaken by Soil Conservation Services and is expected to start in July.
During this time, there will be minor disruptions to vehicles accessing Dungog Common via Common Road.
Several established off-road vehicle tracks, which need stabilising, will also benefit from installation of cross banks and diversion channels.
Other sites with evident gully erosion at the Common will also be addressed, and dams will be maintained and upgraded.
Allen Shrimpton, Chair of DCRRT, said, “Dungog Common is getting a real boost through having this work done. Many areas are in real need of attention, with loss of soil, and dams that have silted up. Improvements to the eroded vehicle tracks will benefit driving access for many of our visitors too. Some of the work being done may look terrible to start with, but in time will look like the place has had a facelift.”
Visitors to Dungog Common may encounter work crews and heavy machinery during the 2017 winter season and are asked to avoid these areas for their own safety.
