Reduced from 259 hectares to about 30 hectares. Mount Derrimut Nature Conservation Reserve stands as an example of what happens when engagement and management go wrong. It is a locked reserve.
Mount Derrimut Nature Conservation Reserve offers a unique glimpse into how species communities can vary. These variations occur across tiny changes in topography. We are talking just a few centimeters.
Once, this reserve was a square mile of high-quality grassland. Today, it requires a bit of effort to truly appreciate its beauty. Some say you need to jump the fence to fully explore it. But once you do, look down. Discover the hidden wonders beneath your feet.
Here you will see the species communities that vary across tiny changes in topography.
The reserve is located in Derrimut, Victoria. It is managed by Parks Victoria.
The Mount Derrimut Nature Conservation Reserve has embedded rock. This creates habitats for various species. It is an unploughed grassland. Good diversity can be found across the grassland.
The road serves as a firebreak. Regular slashing shifts the grassland species composition.
From 1964 to 1996, the University of Melbourne operated the Mount Derrimut field station here. Its focus was agriculture. Victoria University Western Institute also used the site. It delivered courses in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Before the university, ICI used it for training. Now Orica owns ICI. Today, the Sunshine Golf Club occupies the old field station site. The golf course opened in November 2007.
Derrimut is named after Derrimut. He was a 19th-century Aboriginal Elder.
Mount Derrimut Nature Conservation Reserve is not the only grassland in the area. Nearby, you can find the Gilbertson’s Grasslands. Also close are William Angliss Native Grassland Reserve. There is also the Derrimut Grasslands. And finally, the Laverton North Grasslands.
In 1987, Derrimut Grassland Nature Conservation Reserve was one of two sites reserved as native grassland. MacDougall noted that trees should only be planted where weeds dominate. Disturbance of grassland during planting must be avoided. The site should be burnt about every five years in spring. This promotes species diversity.
Andersons Swamp is linked by Cherry Creek to other grasslands. These grasslands stretch all the way to the Bay. The Derrimut Grassland Nature Conservation Reserve has a natural drainage line. It periodically fills a large depression at the southern end.
Despite its challenges, Mount Derrimut Nature Conservation Reserve offers city views. It also provides a home for native flora and fauna. The reserve is a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural heritage. It highlights the need for careful management and community engagement.