Another win for the Wallan Environment Group - the new Hidden Valley Bushland Reserve

The title ‘Hidden Valley’ conjures surprise: surprise because the full extent of this attractive valley cannot be viewed from its boundary along the Northern Highway. The view unfolds after leaving this ridgeline. The flat land of the valley floor is surrounded by a steep, natural amphitheatre, positioned within the Kilmore Gap, a low saddle in the Great Dividing Range. Over the last few years, Wallan Environment Group (WEG) has worked in conjunction with bicycle and train enthusiasts to remediate the railway reserve, which lies to the immediate north of the Hidden Valley estate.

This has culminated in WEG being issued with a deed of access by VicTrack to look after this 1.2km of disused railway land. Such ongoing community involvement led to the formation of the Hidden Valley subcommittee of WEG. The focus of this latter group will be educational and include rehabilitation of open spaces, such as easements and walking tracks. Some of our foundation members had been aware of a large parcel of bushland at the north-western corner of the estate, with a short frontage on Dolomite Rise. It should be noted that Mittagong Creek, a large tributary of the Merri Creek, commences in this bushland. While the title to this land remained in the hands of developers, we were uncertain about its future.

The development of the Hidden Valley subdivision had an unusual genesis. In 1994, Planning Minister, Robert Maclellan, of the Kennett Government, approved rezoning of the land. It was declared as a Comprehensive Development Zone (CDZ), to expedite subdivision for residential and recreational purposes, comprising 950 residential lots. The property was sold to Malaysian developers in 1997. The subdivision plan was incorporated into the Mitchell (Shire) Planning Scheme on 1st March, 2002. Under CDZ status, land use within the estate was largely determined by the developers, with Council relegated to providing building approvals and maintenance of easements.

Returning to the subject of the north-west parcel of bushland, there had been nothing done with this land in the preceding 24 years: no weed control or any form of maintenance. Its existence had remained completely unacknowledged until late 2023, when it was finally presented for private sale as a site for a single dwelling.

We were devastated by the prospect that the land was destined for private ownership. Fortuitously, Paul Piko, the Convenor of our newly formed subcommittee of WEG, is a local expert on native orchids. Paul had been quietly recording his findings, stating that the subject area held more diversity than other locally documented bushland reserves. Amongst the species detected was the rare and endangered Dipodium pardalinum. This finding added strength to our arguments for the retention of this land as a reserve.

We started looking for additional reasons to overturn the sale of this land. Surprisingly, even the original “Hidden Valley Comprehensive Development Plan” (01.03.2002 Mitchell Planning Scheme, MITH37_0251.doc) contained a locality map that shows the parcel of land as Primary Open Space-trails. We had further good fortune in being able to access the reports of the environmental consultants, who completed flora and fauna and environmental surveys of the site before Hidden Valley was subdivided. 

These surveys were conducted at the request of the then Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Noteworthy amongst these is the Ecology Australia (June 1999) report “Preliminary Flora and Fauna Investigation of the Western Study Area of the Hidden Valley Development, Wallan.” This report states:

Eight blocks of remnant vegetation were briefly inspected and assessed for their vegetation type(s) and condition. The most significant of these is the large 120-acre (48.5Ha) remnant on the north west of the study area, the majority of which is designated as public open space. This site (site 5) is of Regional significance and supports at least eleven species of Regional significance.

How did we reach this situation where the earlier designation as “public open space” had been obliterated? After this evidence was presented to the Mitchell Shire Planning and Environment staff, detailed negotiations with Hidden Valley Australia followed. The property was withdrawn from sale in January, 2024. The subsequent confirmation that title for this land was to be transferred to the Council was finally received in November, 2024. 

Paul Piko and fellow members of the Australian Native Orchid Association have documented the occurrence of 16 species, as illustrated below. Following the preparation of this collage of photos, Paul has identified two further species: Mosquito orchid, Acianthus pusillus and Salmon sun orchid, Thelmitra rubra.

Calochilus robertsonii, Dipodium roseum, Dipodium pardalinum, Pterostylis melagramma,
Diuris sulphurea, Diuris orientis, Pterostylis pedunculata, Pterostylis nutans

Chiloglottis valida, Caladenia pusilla, Caladenia moschata, Thelymitra pauciflora,
Thelymitra ixioides, Caladenia carnea, Caladenia transitoria, Caladenia major

The bushland is also a haven for birdlife, as reported by Chris Cobern, Upper Merri Landcare Facilitator in his 2024 Birdata survey.

What does the future hold for this bushland reserve? 

As stated in the 1999 ecology survey, this land represents a conservation area of Regional Significance for both flora and fauna. When viewed as an aerial photo, it is the only substantial area of old growth, remnant bushland remaining within the Wallan precinct. It constitutes an environmental and biodiversity asset to be retained for the benefit of the whole local community. It is envisaged that the local subcommittee of WEG will be heavily involved in the management of this as yet unnamed, newly designated bushland reserve.

Photographs: Copyright, Paul Piko