The Sanctuary at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve

The primary management objective of Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, in particular, the project site contained within the valley floor ‘Special Purpose Reserve’, is to provide for public and community use of the area for recreation and education.

This project involves the enhancement and redevelopment of the Tidbinbilla ‘wetlands’ precinct as a ‘Sanctuary' to improve water quality, animal habitats, visitor experiences and education.

The Sanctuary project is centred on the wetlands, which were constructed in the 1970s. The site for the Sanctuary takes advantage of the existing security fencing and roadway system, and is intended to serve as a ‘staging post’ that encourages visitors to explore the broader Tidbinbilla landscape and the adjacent Namadgi National Park.

The focus of the Sanctuary will be to create an open environment that will allow visitors to experience the region’s wildlife in a natural setting. Unlike a zoo, there will be no fences between the animals and people. The Sanctuary will be an environment where visitors can encounter free ranging wildlife. This will be achieved by further developing the range of landscape settings within the 50 ha site, and providing ideal and safe habitats for each of the animal species.

On display will be animals such as the endangered Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby, koalas, echidnas, platypus, reptiles, birds and insects. In addition to the wildlife, the centre will also feature innovative and informative exhibits, telling the stories of the dependant relationships that exist between our environment, animals and people.

The ACT Government is also investigating the introduction of a ‘docent’ program at the Sanctuary. Different to guides, docents are skilled volunteers that provide informal educational sessions to visitors through on-site demonstrations and talks. The information provided is usually based on the interests of the visitors rather than a set format.

The Master Plan is the first part of the design stage. After public comment and planning approvals, the detailed design stage will commence and construction will follow. The cost of this project is $6 m and completion is expected in early 2008.

The Sanctuary Overview

• New Entry - A new entry point, providing a new perspective and experience at Tidbinbilla.The entrance road sweeps through Eucalyptus bridgesiana and Eucalyptus dives forest, passing granite outcrops.Small informal car parks are positioned among existing trees. Visitors walk past granite tors to a new entry building that frames views of the lower wetlands, valley and mountains.The entry building provides park information, shelter, viewing platforms and toilets. The building design is simple, innovative and is highly energy efficient.

• Australian Bushland Experience - Visitors immerse themselves in the bush by being able to touch, see and smell the essence of the Australian Bushland.

• Wetland Experience - The existing Tidbinbilla Wetlands (first constructed in the 1970s) are redesigned to provide a diverse, balanced water environment. Two ponds are to be permanent water bodies. The three remaining ponds will be ephemeral, and allowed to dry and fill as part of the natural environmental system. The modifications to the wetlands will improve water quality by increasing circulation and pond health, reduce water extraction from the Tidbinbilla River and provide greater animal habitats by increasing the range and diversity of aquatic ecosystems.For visitors, shade, shelter and seating are introduced here. Integrated viewing hides on a special boardwalk will allow close views of waterfowl, and an activity centre – staffed by Tidbinbilla rangers and specially trained volunteer educators will provide opportunities to explore many aspects of life in transient and shallow ponds.

• Loss and Recovery Experience and Veterinary Centre - The Loss and Recovery Experience will provide visitors with first-hand information on the effects of fire on the landscape and the special recovery mechanisms of our plants and animals.

  The Veterinary Centre replaces the previous facilities destroyed in the January 2003 bushfires. The centre will include a basic veterinary clinic, food preparation area, and holding pens for pre-release, quarantine and sick animals. While the centre will not be open to the public on a regular basis, special open days will allow visitors to learn of Tidbinbilla’s threatened species recovery programs and wildlife management operations.

• Brush-tailed Rock-wallaby Experience - Visitors sense the enormity of granite boulders as paths dissect granite outcrops and discover the benefits of the shelter these rocks offer to species such as the Brush-tailed Rock-wallabies and a variety of other animals.

• Grasslands Experience (secondary exhibit) - Interpretative displays and stories of many aspects of grassland ecology including displays of macropods (kangaroos, wallabies etc) and smaller life forms such as local reptiles, grasshoppers, butterflies and diurnal sun moths and reptiles. Also included is the strong story of cultural values linked to these habitats in the past 50,000 years of the region’s history.

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