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Wattle Day Centenary

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100 years of Wattle Day

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This year many people were at the town square to celebrate the Australian spirit. It was fine and sunny which made it a great to enjoy hanging in the town square for a carefree gathering after a particularly cold winter. The Red Cross were there selling Wattle Day badges, biscuits, homemade wares and Landcare sample packs. There was an even bigger emphasis on the environment this year with Nikky Cooper from the New South Wales Department of Environment, Climate change and Water to network with the community. The New South Wales Parks and Wildlife Service was represented by Julie-Anne Doyle who gave away trees cultivate by inmates from the Broken Hill Correctional Services facility. Native Blende nursery showcased native plants with John and Caroline Dart there to provide information on the cultivation of plants in the local region. Wayne Lovis (Riddiford Arboretum and Land care),  Barney Stevens (Riddiford Arboretum and Darling River Action Group) and Marie Murphy (Australian Red Cross) were interviewed by ABC reporter Dan Fraser.

Last Updated on Friday, 03 September 2010 00:59
 

Riddiford Arboretum

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The Riddiford Arboretum is about preserving your local environment.

The Riddiford Arboretum - A great place to meetBringing the Outback into the city limitsSturt's Desert Pea in the Riddiford Arboretum

It's a piece of the Outback, less than a minute's walk from one of Australia's major inland shopping centres.

History

The Riddiford Arboretum was set up in 1988 on vacant land that was formerly a repair and oil transfer depot for the Silverton Tramway Company.

The arboretum was named after Walter (Wally) Riddiford, who was the mayor of Broken Hill from 1949 until 1963. The arboretum features trees and vegetation from the local environment and is a tribute to Albert Morris, a self taught botanist who was responsible for establishing Broken Hill's regeneration reserves. The plants in those reserves held down the local dust and greatly reduce the previously horrible effects of the storms (like the one we had on 22/12/2007 that crippled our city on the last shopping Friday before Christmas).

The Future

The future of the Arboretum depends on you .. just like anywhere else on the planet the local environment determines the quality of life on earth. Native gardens and trees are not only easily maintained, they also help the environment as a whole for everything alive on earth including our children and grandchildren. If you care about the future of anyone or anything alive on earth, planting a native tree is a simple and practical way of being a part of the solution to the biggest problems we will ever face together.

Last Updated on Friday, 03 September 2010 04:37
 

Gasworks Reserve opens

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Gasworks Reserve Storm Water detention basin opens

Gasworks Reserve Stormwater Retention Basin
The Gasworks Reserve water detention basin, Broken Hill's latest storm water project was officially opened on 28th July 2010 at 11.30 am. The Gasworks Reserve Storm water detention basin (The Gasworks Reserve basin) was developed to avoid local flooding (Mercury Street in particular), whilst converting the previously polluted and abandoned Gasworks Site into a pleasant area for recreation in Broken Hill's West. Mayor Cuy remarked that "This area was identified as a high priority drainage upgrade area considering historical flooding hotspots and significant roads.  This development will reduce the flow for more frequent flooding events and assist to mitigate flows in an extreme event." In the storm water master plan of 2006, the capacity of the storm water drainage system for the area was assessed, flood prone areas were identified and a works plan to improve management of flood prone areas of the City was identified and outlined.  The detention basin will release controlled flows to Cornish St and in major storm events, to Mercury Street. The Gasworks Reserve Basin has the capacity to detain 6000 m3 of storm water temporarily & diverts upstream water through underground culverts.
Broken HillÕs Mayor Winscen Cuy said that local Organisations saw opportunities for this development and worked together for the projectÕs success.  This indicates the City's dedication to achieve successful outcomes for the region by working closely with the Commonwealth Government.  The Gasworks Reserve Basin has proved a good working model, especially for more expensive projects. $659,000, funded through The Commonwealth Regional and Local Community Infrastructure Program ensured that the $1.1 Million project came to fruition.  Mayor Cuy said, ÒThis is an important example of what can be achieved when the Community, Government and Organisations work together.

Last Updated on Friday, 03 September 2010 00:26
 

Wattle Day 2010

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It's Wattle Day's 100th  birthday

Let us meet up at the Town Square to celebrate spring in this glorious nation, on the 100th Anniversary of Wattle Day, the first of September 2010 at 10:30am. This year, the Native Blende Nursery will be there as well as representatives from The Australian Red Cross,  the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Association, the Darling River Action Group and The Riddiford Arboretum.

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We celebrate National Wattle Day because:

  • Wattle is our national floral emblem. It is a symbol that comes directly from our land;
  • Wattle is Australian and represents us all. Unlike other national symbols, wattle excludes no one.
    Like our people, wattle has great diversity (with nearly one thousand Australian species) and resilience;
  • Wattle welcomes in the spring and is among the first to grow back after fire, reminding us of the importance of renewal as it paints our national colours across our land; and
  • Wattle is a unifying symbol for all Australians. There is no other symbol that says so much about us and our land, Australia.
  • Wattle is a symbol of Australia and Australians

So join the celebration of National Wattle Day – 1 September in this, the centennial year.

Terry Fewtrell
President
Wattle Day Association

2010

 

 

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 August 2010 02:32
 

The Menindee Lakes Scheme

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The Menindee Lakes scheme is situated 110 kms east of Broken Hill on the Darling River.

The scheme adds significant natural, cultural and economic resources  to Australia.

When the lake scheme is full there is an enormous range of wild life there. In fact there are more species of bird life than the Kakadu National Park.

Sunset at the Menindee Lakes

The lake scheme was modified in the 1950's and 60's to provide a stable water system to Broken Hill. A system of weirs, regulators levees and channels control the water flow.

Before the lake scheme was built the lakes naturally filled during high river times and then dried into smaller ponds as the water receded. Being large in area and shallow much of the water is lost to evaporation in summer which adds to greater rainfall in farmng districts to the east.

Recent rainfall in the area means the lakes are now full. For the first time in years inland Australia has had good rainfall so Lake Eyre is full so it's evaporation adds to the catchment of the Menindee Lakes. The previous major rains were here in 1990-91, before that it was 1974-75. I'm only 51 so I cant remember it raining before that. Water is a precious resource and the Menindee Lakes are a precious resource to everyone in Australia.

Last Updated on Friday, 03 September 2010 04:29
 
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