All About Wrag
GOALS
Membership Actively encourage residents of Craigburn Farm to join WRAG Recreation and Social Encourage the development of the reserve for walking, cycling, passive and other recreational pursuits – including a multipurpose area lawn area or bocce court or similar facilities adjacent to the rotunda – to enhance the use of the space at the heart of Craigburn Farm Biodiversity Facilitate a biodiverse Woodlake Drive Reserve and a Craigburn Farm biodiversity corridor
MEMBERSHIP
WRAG welcomes residents of Craigburn Farm as Inducted Members who can join Working Bees on the Reserve (Volunteers will be inducted by the City of Mitcham Volunteers Coordinator) and Ordinary Members who are welcome to contribute in other ways. There is no joining fee. At April 2025 WRAG has a total of 50 members. Our aim is to engage all members in our social events and in the working bees to improve the biodiversity of the Reserves
About Woodlake Drive Reserve
The Reserve is broadly compromised of 3 zones: Grand Boulevard Bridge to the Rotunda – featuring flat land that includes the duck pond, reedbeds, board walk and platform, a playground, undulating mowed grassy areas, bitumen paths, large and medium remnant eucalyptus trees, planted areas and pistachio trees, rock lined storm water channels draining into the pond and the rotunda that is gathering place for residents throughout the year, and timber bridges over the waterways. This area will be the primary, initial focus of WRAG.intermediate zone from the flat timber bridges over the stormwater channels to Tassie Place, Austin Court and Richman Court – featuring the rock lined storm water channel, large eucalypts and steep mowed grassy areas and bitumen paths leading to the adjacent streets.high ground from Richman Court to Cresswell Ave – characterised by steep to very steep mowed land with fewer eucalypts and pistachio trees.
WRAG PRIORITIES AND PROJECTS
Establishing a working relationship with the City of Mitcham and growing WRAG membershipEncouraging and facilitating the maintenance of key areas of Woodlake Drive Reserve including the stormwater channelsImproving connectivity and pedestrian safetySupporting biodiversityPursuing priority projects and identifying funding opportunities Butterfly Garden – zone 1 completed in August 2024Nature Trail – from the rotunda in zone 1 and west of the Grand Boulevard Bridge – includes the Sensory Gardens – Approved by the City of Mitcham; application for grant for stage 1 Green Adelaide funding of $64,000 received September 2024; work to extend over 2 years with Trees for Life assistanceSensory Garden stage 1 – zone 1 by the Rotunda– encompassed within the Nature TrailMulti-Purpose Rec area – zone 1 area adjacent to the rotunda; rehabilitating the old playground site and comprising a small pétanque/bocce court and stage 2 of the Sensory Garden; under consideration by Council for 2025-26 budgetCommunity Events – 2023: Autumn in the Park BBQ 2024: Easter Egg hunt; Autumn in the Park; Wine and Cheese; Spring Picnic in the Park 2025 Easter Egg hunt – 19 April 2025Spring in the Park – November 9 Working Bees Held monthly to weed and clean up the park Summer watering rosterKeeping the Butterfly Garden alive with regular watering Nature Trail and Sensory Garden Planting 27, 28, 29 June 5 and 6 July
THE NATURE TRAIL
The evolution of Craigburn Farm from native habitat to agricultural enterprise to residential development has resulted in loss of biodiversity, degradation of the ecology and the introduction of pest species. WRAG’s vision is to help reverse this loss and also provide opportunities for people to better connect with nature. Creating this Nature Trail will help through such activities as weed removal and native re-vegetation (including Grey Box Eucalyptus and bush tucker trees). The proposed Trail follows waterways and ponds in green spaces within an urban setting. It thus has a unique potential for restoration and nature-based recreation. Particularly important to us is community building. Hence, the Nature Trail will include education boards and opportunities to help people develop a closer relationship with the natural environment and be inspired to value and care for it. We propose to undertake the project in two stages with the current proposal being stage
WRAG’s vision is to nurture and improve the open spaces at the heart of Craigburn Farm. It has a growing cohort of volunteers who will work with Mitcham Council to maintain the improvements carried out in this project. This includes both watering and weeding as required. However, it should be noted that all the flora planted will be waterwise and are not expected to require watering after the initial growing phase under normal circumstances. WRAG views this project as Stage 1 of a two-stage project. As the attached map shows, Stage 1 is focused on only (the south and west) half of the nature trail. Stage 2 will focus on the remaining (north and east) half of the trail. Stage 2 will also involve installation of more interpretive signage for the flora planted as well as about other aspects of the nature trail. WRAG sees the nature trail as part of a larger vision for the area that also includes a separate initiative covering the rest of Woodlake Drive Reserve. WRAG sees these two initiatives together as comprising an overall vision for the area which we are hoping to develop into a Council Masterplan which would receive special attention from Council.
The Sensory Garden
The Sensory Garden will be part of a Nature Trail and is being created as a little ‘oasis for the senses’ within the remnant bushland of Woodlake Drive Reserve and Craigburn Farm. Local, native plants and grasses have been carefully selected provide stimulate the senses and delight the eye.
The Butterfly Garden
WRAG’s first planting project
Nature Trail Planting working with Trees for Life27, 28, 29 June Sensory Garden Planting5 and 6 July