Culturally significant land in North Central Victoria is set to be protected from subdivision and development thanks to a partnership between Traditional Owners and conservationists.
Buckrabanyule covers 452 hectares of land between the farming towns of Boort and Wedderburn.
It was recently purchased by non-for-profit conservation group Bush Heritage and will be jointly managed with Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA).
The land is connected to an important local creation story as the home of Mindi, a great serpent and enforcer of cultural law.
Da Dja Wurrung Group CEO Rodney Carter said the land purchase was a big win for protecting connections to Country and the local environment.
"We've been building a relationship with Bush Heritage for about 14 years so to have this acquisition and their values as a conservation type group that so closely aligns with us as traditional owners is really good.
"I think the thing that is really helpful is we’ve got a better degree of capacity behind our capability."
The land is infested with the invasive wheel cactus, a thorny pest plant that has been classified as a weed of national significance.
Buckrabanyule is littered with the Wheel Cactus. Source: Supplied: Stu Heppell
Crews of Djarrak rangers have spent recent months working at the site to control the weed, using mechanical chemical and bio-control methods.
“This property provides a really unique opportunity because I say to people it’s the best worst example of the invasive weed species the wheel cactus,” Mr Carter said.
“When you go out there, visually, it’s shocking. It just blows your mind how much cactus is really there.
“You think about what it’s like when you look across Country and you might see daisies or something like that and you might think they’re a bit of a nuisance but wheel cactus just has an overpowering presence because it’s covered in thorns and you think 'oh my goodness this is bad stuff'.”
Bush Heritage will work side by side with Traditional Owners to tackle the weed problem.
"While the severity of the wheel cactus is concerning, I'm confident it can be brought under control thanks to good land management, time and the ongoing strong collaboration between Bush Heritage and DJAARA," CEO Heather Campbell said.
It’s hoped once the wheel cactus infestation is brought under control the land can slowly be returned to natural bushland.
Traditional Owners want to see Aboriginal burning practices employed to control weeds and replenish Country into the future.
Buckrabanyule is located on Dja Dja Wurrung Country in Central Victoria. Source: Supplied: Stu Heppell
