About the property

To understand the development of the property, it is important to firstly understand the location, topography, geology and existing development. From this understanding I will be able to develop priorities and projects with my "lifestyle property" goal in mind.

Location

The Victorian Goldfields is an area about 1.5 hours drive north of Melbourne, the capital of Victoria in southern Australia.

Our property is about 10 kms from the town of Castlemaine, a beautiful, classic Victorian gold rush town, with historic buildings as well as the old mines in the bushland that surrounds the town.

Geology and Geography

On our western boundary is the Muckleford Forest, a Box-Ironbark forest home to many native birds and animals including parrots, kangaroos, wombats, echidnas and many threatened species.

Box and Ironbark are common terms for various indigenous eucalypt species or "gum trees". The Box group includes grey box, yellow box, long-leafed box, white box and red box. These trees, in conjunction with the red ironbark used to be the main forest species in the goldfields area. Now only patches (some quite large) still remain. The preservation of these species and other complementary species is the subject of local groups such as the Muckleford Forest Friends Group.

On the Eastern side lies the Muckleford Creek, which places the property in the Muckleford water catchment area. This location will drive specific initiatives based on water conservation as well as the potential to open up wildlife corridors due to fence removal and tree planting.

The land slopes gently to the North East, giving excellent views of Mount Alexander and shielding the Western sun in summer.

The soil is typical of the whole of Victoria - sandy loam with low nutrient content. The native plants have adapted well to this soil, but if we want to grow fruit trees, including grapes, a significant amount of modification will need to occur.

Pests

There are a few rabbits on the property, which will be dealt with via 1080 poisoning.

The status of noxious weeds is unknown in detail as yet, but we are free of foreign cacti and blackberries.

The House

There is a decent 1980's brick-veneer house on the property and an excellent, large shed.

This means that minimal house maintenance will be required.

Services

The only service connected is power, leaving opportunity to investigate solar.

Water is currently provided by two 15 Ml concrete tanks (which will need some work).

Sewerage is via a septic system.