Wilding conifer control operations through the National Programme started on Flock Hill Station, part of the Craigieburn Management Unit, in 2016.
At that time an extensive wilding conifer infestation was impeding the farming operations on Flock Hill and rapidly spreading into the surrounding high country.
Significant control work by Programme partners since then has resulted in visible landscape scale change at Flock Hill. Today sheep are grazing areas that were once dense wilding conifer stands, and the wildings are contained in the high country. As the required maintenance control work continues, it is likely that Flock Hill will be ready to transition back to the land managers in the near future.
To monitor the change at Flock Hill Station over time, photo points were established around the station. These photo points were recently re-taken, with the progress and change overtime clear. It is a stark reminder of the wilding conifer problem, but also that these large-scale infestations can be effectively managed.
The photos also show the area where a wildfire, which started at Bridge Hill and spread onto the adjoining land of Flock Hill Station. This fire burned through an area of regenerating wildings and well as a stand of previously controlled wildings. While both provided fuel for the wildfire, the available fuel was significantly less than it would have been, without the extensive control operations.
Craigieburn is generally seen as a good news story for the Programme, however there have been some local complaints about no longer being able find Christmas trees in Craigieburn.
