Greater Shepparton City Council, in conjunction with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, is working to protect cultural and environmental values and facilitate Caring for Country works by the local Aboriginal community at the Mooroopna sand hills site.
In Summary
- Council has finished restoration works at the Mooroopna sand hills, installing new fencing, rocks and logs to prevent vehicle access and protect the site.
- The Mooroopna sand hills are culturally significant to the Yorta Yorta People and are the last intact sand hill in the Greater Shepparton region, making their protection crucial.
- The site, previously damaged by illegal dumping and 4WD activity, will benefit from improved revegetation and weed management efforts, with pedestrian and bicycle access still permitted.
- Council is working with Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation and other authorities to manage and monitor the site, ensuring the protection of its cultural and biodiversity values. Penalties will be enforced for unauthorised vehicle access.
Fences, gates and bollards had previously been installed at the culturally significate site to prevent vehicle access, however large sections of these were damaged over time. Council have since engaged contractors to repair management tracks and install new boundary fencing and other assets, including large rocks and logs to prevent vehicle access to the site, with all works now complete.
The sand hills are culturally significant to the Yorta Yorta People and the last remaining intact sand hill in the Greater Shepparton region. The site holds great importance to the region's Traditional Owners and it is vital that the site is closed off to unauthorised vehicles to assist with the protection and rejuvenation of the area.
The site has previously been used for illegal dumping of rubbish and 4WD activity, all of which have contributed to the deterioration of the land. Council's Manager Environment, Sharon Terry, said the site boundaries have been hardened and there is now only one official entrance to allow authorised vehicles to access the site.
"It is important that Greater Shepparton City Council protect and work with Traditional Owners to rejuvenate this land back to its original state. The sand hills hold very significant cultural values for our local Aboriginal community and significant biodiversity value for the area, providing a habitat for many bird species and fauna. These are the largest sand hills within Greater Shepparton and they need to be protected," she said.
"Throughout the years we have seen illegal dumping of rubbish, removal of native trees and four wheel drive tracks resulting in severe damage. Closing the area off to vehicles will improve the revegetation and weed management in this incredible landscape." Pedestrian and bicycle access will still be permitted, as these will have low impact on biodiversity and cultural values, and so the broader community can still enjoy the site.
The Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority have provided Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation land management arm Woka Walla with funding to revegetate and regenerate native vegetation at the sand hills, as well as to control pest plants and animals.
Council will continue to support the Traditional Owners and assist in educating the wider community on the important cultural and biodiversity values within Greater Shepparton. The site will be monitored by Council, Victoria Police and other authorities, with unauthorised vehicle access to the sand hills without permission incurring penalties.
