'Oura Oura' becomes the 33rd reserve to be taken into the care of Bush Heritage supporters
20 March 2011 marks a historic moment in Australian conservation, with Senator Bob Brown formally presenting his Tasmanian property ‘Oura Oura' to Bush Heritage Australia.
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Bob Brown at Oura Oura, under the magnificent Drys Bluff. Photo courtesy Bob Brown. |
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The 14-hectare parcel of land is not just environmentally significant, but also played an important role in the history of the Australian conservation movement – over the years the cottage hosted formative meetings of Bush Heritage Australia, The Wilderness Society, the Tasmanian and Australian Greens, and the Franklin River Campaign.
Senator Brown said ‘I am delighted that Bush Heritage is taking over Oura Oura. Bush Heritage is, effectively, the custodian of private national parks aimed to protect ecological values in perpetuity. It's a fantastic guardian of Australia's natural heritage'.
Plants and wildlife in safe keeping
Located in northern Tasmania's picturesque Liffey River Valley, bushland on the property provides habitat for threatened species such as the Tasmanian devil, the spotted-tail quoll, the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle and the grey goshawk.
With Oura Oura passing into the hands of Bush Heritage and our dedicated supporters, its environmental assets are in safe keeping.
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| The Liffey River at Oura Oura. Photo: Doug Humann. |
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Bob Brown on a footbridge over the Liffey River, part of the walking track to Drys Bluff. Photo courtesy Bob Brown. |
Special significance of the gift
Senator Brown's gift is especially significant because it coincides with Bush Heritage's 20th anniversary.
‘To have our founder gift us this amazing property 20 years on – one that is steeped in Australia's environmental movement – is nothing short of inspiring,' said Bush Heritage CEO Doug Humann.
‘This highlights the faith that Bob placed in the Australian people when he founded Bush Heritage in 1991.'
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Oura Oura – Bob Brown's historic property.
Photo courtesy Bob Brown. |
The property is already protected with a conservation covenant, and we will now go on to develop a comprehensive management plan, incorporating a flora and fauna survey and the eradication of any weeds and non-native species. With help from Bush Heritage's supporters, the reserve will be protected forever.
Our 33rd reserve
Oura Oura Reserve will join three other properties Bush Heritage owns in the Liffey Valley, together known as the Liffey Valley Reserves. Oura Oura becomes Bush Heritage's 33rd reserve.
The name ‘Oura Oura' (pronounced ‘oo-rah oo-rah') means
'yellow-tailed black-cockatoo' in the language of the local Aboriginal
people. The bird is common in the Liffey River region.
The public are welcome to access Oura Oura Reserve via Deans Track, a popular walking track up to Drys Bluff.
Allens Arthur Robinson generously provided pro bono advice to Bush Heritage on the gift of Bob Brown's Oura Oura property. Allens Arthur Robinson's support for this, and other Bush Heritage projects, has been a critical part of Bush Heritage's efforts to protect Australia's bush for the enjoyment of future generations.
Page Last Updated: Friday 25 March 2011