Mary to Bay Rail Trail Home

November

• November was a very big month for action. Low rainfall helped. David Lightbody did more mowing at Takura. Tina Ravenueau and a team of trainees had to water 40+ plants at Takura due to dry weather.
• The 20m long Geohex trial at Bridge 6 near Takura was completed.  Rocks were placed on the downstream side of the Geohex to reduce erosion.
• 2 steel galv pipes were installed at Bridge 6 and 4 concrete headwalls were constructed.
• 2 of the last 3 bollards were installed so Bridges 4, 5 and 6 will have a bollard at each end.  This should deter 4WDs.
• Steve Nielsen and his excavator were contracted for the pipe laying. Rick McNamara, not a FCBUG member, volunteered to supervise the Geohex laying, pipe laying and headwall construction. We are very fortunate to have such a capable person to help.
• Thanks to a long list of volunteers in the field, John Williamson (Wildlife Society) and several FCBUG members.
• The second M2BRTAC meeting with FCRC will be held mid-December, deferred due to illness.
• DTMR issued FCBUG an extended Access Licence to include 3.8km west of Churchill Mine Rd.  It’s already been mowed and is in good shape.
• DTMR donated 30 PVC guideposts to highlight culverts west of CM Rd. Bob & Wayne have started installation.
• Bob Webley, Dave McLeod & I manned the new gazebo at the Hundy Tri Expo at Scarness. Thanks to Peter & Darryl for sorting the gazebo. Dave organised a set of very good photos and maps. Many people have been following the work progress on Facebook.
• More people are now using M2BRT, several have travelled significant km

October

• David Lightbody acquired a ride-on mower and mowed Takura as a test run. Long grass has been whipper snipped too.
• Tina Raveneau led a team of Cert III Conservation and Ecosystem Management trainees to plant and mulch over 40 plants at Takura.  They did a great job at no cost to the Project. Takura is transforming.
• The Geohex trial at the first Bridge Takura was laid on 31 Oct. Led by Rick McNamara, many helped with the prep work – thanks to Mark Andrews, Dennis & Lorna Johnson, Brian Harvey, Barry Callow.
• The hardwood sleeper boardwalk on the 12m non-bridge was completed. Thanks to all – David Lightbody, Dennis Johnson & Bria Fielding. It works well.
• 3 of 6 round bollards have been installed in the middle of the earth ramps at Bridges 1 and 3. Thanks to Rick McNamara, Martin Grant, Bob Webley, Wayne Stark, Dennis Johnson and David Lightbody. The last 3 are challenging to access with wet gullies.
• The first Advisory Committee meeting took place.
• More people are using M2BRT. Several people have travelled significant km to do so.

September

• Takura Parkland has been mowed and is starting to look good.
• Bob Webley, Dennis Johnson, Norm Drinnan and Ken did some shovelling and wheelbarrowing to prepare for the Geohex trial at the first Bridge after Takura. Other minor work done too.
• A task list of Volunteers was emailed out  and had a reasonable response. I will contact people as required. We will need 5 volunteers when we are ready to concerete the pipe ends on Bridge 1 some time in October after the bulldozer in through, scheduled 4-5 Oct.
• The first Advisory Committee meeting with FCRC was delayed due to public holiday on 22 Sept.
• There is still about $9,000 of DTMR grant to be spent between now and mid 2023. We will definitely need it  …….. and probably more.

August

• August was low rainfall.  Takura Parkland and our 7km section has been mowed with volunteers. The trail looks very good.  The 5 gully crossings need work. 2 are easy. 3 are more challenging.
• We are hoping for enough dry weather to get the small bulldozer in to relocate some ramps and do some drainage work.
• An Access Licence from DTMR, to clean up 3.8km west of Churchill Mines Rd was approved.
• We are doing some preparation work before the first Advisory Committee meeting with the FCRC later this month.
• Still about $10,000 of the DTMR Grant left to be spent between now and mid-2023. We will definitely need it … and probably more.