A $100,000 upgrade of the popular Casuarina Walking Trail on Mount Majura Nature Reserve was officially opened on the 2nd October 2009 by Chief Minister and Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Jon Stanhope.
Works to upgrade the walking track commenced in April 2009 following a meeting of Friends of Mount Majura (FoMM) coordinatorWaltraud Pix and representatives of the Hackett Community Association Jochen Zeil and Bruce Smith with the Chief Minister in April 2008 to secure funds for the repair of a badly eroded west slope section of the track.
FoMM members worked with staff of Parks, Conservation and Lands on the design of the track under the main headings safety, minimizing the environmental impact of construction, future maintenance work and keeping the bush character of the track.
Upgrades have involved the construction of a number of rock steps along with water diversion bars to direct water off the track, preventing erosion. A hard surface has also been created to improve safety on this scenic section of the walking trail. The upgrades were completed by local company MakinTrax.
“I am pleased to open the upgraded Casuarina Walking Trail,” said Mr Stanhope. “As one of the more popular walking tracks in the ACT, the upgrade to the trail has been welcomed by local park users”.
Mr Stanhope said that the Casuarina Walking Trail takes walkers through a range of native habitats and includes some fantastic views of north Canberra.
“At the start of the trail, walkers can view the endangered Yellow Box-Red Gum Woodland habitat for the threatened Swift Parrot.As the trail progresses higher up Mount Majura, walkers can admire the Drooping She-oak, an important feeding plant for the Glossy Black Cockatoos.”
“I encourage all Canberrans to visit Mount Majura and experience a bush walk along the upgraded Casuarina WalkingTrail,” Mr Stanhope said.