Attractions | Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens

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Foreshore Rehabilitation Project

The Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens holds title to half a hectare of land on the Derwent River Foreshore adjacent to the Gardens. This area had become degraded and comprised two small patches of remnant vegetation with the rest heavily infested by an array of weeds.

The foreshore has been the subject of a major rehabilitation project since the Friends of the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens received an Australian Government Envirofund grant in late 2002.

The aim of the project was to establish a horticultural planting of local species in the weedy areas of the site while respecting and enhancing existing remnant vegetation. Propagation material from local species was collected and grown on by Friends' volunteers in the nursery and weeds were cleared from the foreshore in preparation for planting. One area that was cleared of weeds was a steep, unstable bank and jute matting was laid down before it was planted out with she-oaks.

Other volunteer groups that have helped the project reach fruition include students from Goulburn Street Primary School, Claremont College, TAFE horticulture students and the Green Reserves. The foreshore site has many middens and aboriginal students from Claremont College were involved in the plantings. They were also involved in the development of an interpreted tour of the area, which uses hand held computer technology to explore the history of the site from pre-European settlement to the present day.

Much of the physically demanding work for this project has been carried out by the dedicated Green Reserves team. This work included control of the many persistent weeds, securing the jute matting onto the steep river bank and planting out across the site. With the Envirofund grant and the help of volunteer groups, the foreshore has transformed from an untidy weed infested area to what in time will be a visually attractive riverside walk for all passing along the shore.

Please note: The foreshore area is accessible via an attractive walking track from Cornelian Bay. Access from the RTBG end of the track is closed, due to an unsafe rail crossing. More information about the Cornelian Bay Walking Track is available from the Hobart City Council.

Photos

Green Reserve team planting she-oaks into jute matting on the foreshore.

Foreshore plantings from the Gardens July 2005.