Fresh start for local reserve following giant pine scale invasion
Dernancourt’s Silverlake Reserve has turned over a new leaf.
The site has been transformed with newly planted native trees and shrubs, a nature play area, pathways and even carved timber animal sculptures.
The project by Tea Tree Gully Council follows the loss of the reserve’s pine forest due to a devastating giant pine scale invasion in late 2024.
The Council turned to the children of Dernancourt Kindergarten, located next door to the reserve, for their expert advice on the nature play elements.
Council’s horticulture team then ran a planting morning with the children, followed by a nature workshop hosted by Kildare College students.
Kindergarten director Carly Neilson said: “We loved imagining what the space could become and seeing those ideas come to life.”
Thank you to everyone involved in reinventing this reserve into a naturally better space that will welcome native animals and people for generations to come.
