Under the Agreement which extends to December 2027, Landcare will be setting up a nursery hub to support their volunteer growers network and native seed collection initiatives.  Landcare is also looking forward to providing locally-grown tubestock for rehabilitation works and biodiversity plantings to be carried out at Dargues over the coming years, with the first tubestock delivered and ready for planting this autumn.

Chief Development and Technical Officer, Andew Graham spoke about the Agreement, noting its benefits extend to both parties.

“Landcare will have access to a first-rate facility at our Dargues Mine to carry out their important work for the local area. And Aurelia will benefit from the tube stock propagated on site as we progress with our mine closure and rehabilitation plans for Dargues,” Andrew said. 

“Aurelia is committed to rehabilitating the Dargues Mine to a very high standard and enhancing the biodiversity value of the land on which we have operated. This Agreement will help us achieve these goals,” Andrew concluded.

The Agreement with Landcare was made possible by the strong co-operation between Dargues Environment and Community Superintendent, Abigail Saunders and Upper Shoalhaven Landcare representatives, Local Coordinator, Erin Brinkley President, Mary Appleby and Treasurer, Robyn Clubb. With their shared vision, no obstacle proved insurmountable.

“After four years of struggling to find a site for our Landcare nursery, we are grateful to Abigail and the Aurelia team to finally have somewhere to put down roots. The Geology Shed has great potential for native tubestock and seed production and we’re excited to begin moving in,” Erin said.

Indeed, almost 7,000 tubestock have gone through the geology shed at Dargues since the 19th of March. These tubestock were grown by the Southern Tablelands Tree Start Grower Network - a collaborative initiative undertaken by Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare and Upper Shoalhaven Landcare in Spring 2024 to support volunteers to grow native plants from home.

“From Cooma to Michaelgo, Bungendore to Braidwood, tubestock from across the district is now being stored onsite at Dargues. We’re actively sending these plants back out to local landholders and Landcare revegetation projects to get them in the ground ASAP before winter,” Erin adds.

Upper Shoalhaven Landcare are delighted by the new arrangement and look forward to continuing to collaborate with Aurelia Metals and Upper Murrumbidgee Landcare, with plans to install a polytunnel and start propagating again in spring.

Landcarers taking care of almost 7,000 Tubestock at the new shed site at Dargues