CONSERVATION VALUES
Bullock Hills adjoins the Pelham West Nature Reserve and its protection under covenant effectively doubles the area under conservation management. The property itself has significant conservation values, including endangered black gum (Eucalyptus ovata) forest, vulnerable silver peppermint (E. tenuiramis) forest and habitat for several threatened fauna species, including the endangered wedge-tailed eagle and Tasmanian devil.
PROTECTING THE CONSERVATION VALUES
To provide permanent protection for the conservation values on the property, the TLC registers a Conservation Covenant against the titles of the land prior to sale. Part of each block will be excluded from the covenant to allow for future use and development. Within these areas future owners may clear vegetation, construct a home and undertake all the usual activities associated with residential use (subject to Council approval where required). Elsewhere on the property the covenant restricts any activities that may degrade the conservation values of the land, but still allows for essential management activities (such as construction and maintenance of boundary fences) and for appropriate recreational activities (eg walking and walking tracks).
A management plan will be developed with the new owners, ensuring that they are able to manage any threats to conservation values into the future. The TLC is also able to offer ongoing advice and assistance to the new owners in managing the conservation values of the land.
INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES
The property is serviced by the following infrastructure.
Pelham Rd and Marked Tree Rd are well-formed and maintained gravel roads subject to a regular school bus service into Glenora and New Norfolk. The blocks themselves have formed entryways with culverts at Council-approved access points along their frontages to Marked Tree Rd and Pelham Rd. They also feature some internal vehicle tracks that can provide access for essential management purposes. The property has a telephone connection to the residence on Lot 4 but the nearest power pole is several kilometres away (the property has previously been powered by solar panels and LPG gas with a back-up diesel generator.) Frontage to Pelham Rd and Marked Tree Rd is fenced and existing access points are gated, although fencing requires repair or replacement in some areas. There is a local shop and basic community facilities at Hamilton, about 12km from the property boundary. Comprehensive services and amenities are available in New Norfolk, which is about 20km from the property.
- Lot 1 has road frontage to Marked Tree Rd and offers distant views of Tasmania’s south west wilderness from the sandstone escarpment and ridgeline above the house site.
- Lot 2 has frontage to Marked Tree Rd, features a sunny northerly aspect and includes a large dam.
- Lot 3 is an extensive area of bushland with frontage to Marked Tree Rd. It features sandstone cliffs and caves, plenty of wildlife and some great views to the west and south west from the top of the ridgeline. There is a small area of existing pasture in the south east of the block that could support small-scale agricultural or pastoral pursuits.
- Lot 5 has frontage to Pelham Rd. It features a north-facing house site perched above a large dam and offering attractive views of the surrounding forest.
- Lot 6 has frontage to Pelham Rd and features a mix of tall stringybark forest and land regenerating after past logging activities. The regenerating cleared land is available for use and development by future owners and could support small-scale agricultural or pastoral pursuits.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This property was purchased under the TLC Revolving Fund. Funding for the purchase was provided by the Australian Government through the Forest Conservation Fund (a programme arising out of the Tasmanian Community Forest Agreement). Proceeds from the sale of this property will be returned to the Revolving Fund.