Mullum Wetlands Walk
Download the Mullum Wetlands Walk brochure and map here(PDF, 240KB)
Leaflet produced by Friends of Mansfield Mullum Wetlands Inc., 2015; revised version 2019 by Ford’s Creek Landcare.
History of the wetlands
The rail line was officially opened in 1891 and closed to passengers in May 1977. Freight use ended in the following February. This was followed by the gradual running down of the timber milling industry in Mansfield, and the closure of the mill at the western end of the land on the east side of Withers Lane, and the mill directly north of the station and goods yard. Following this, various community groups (most notably Apex) and Mansfield Shire Council tried to lease or purchase the land, including the historic precinct. Meanwhile Yencken-Dyason was granted a lease and Council blocked a private proposal to use the buildings for holiday accommodation. A growing recognition of the importance of this land to the community as both a historical site and as the gateway to Mansfield evolved concurrently with the growing importance of tourism to the region.
A community group called Project Mansfield was launched in April 1989. With broad local support and finance from the Mullum Trust, Project Mansfield conducted a feasibility study on having a Visitor Information Centre located on the Railway land. This feasibility study reaffirmed the significance of this land as the principal gateway to the town and to the high country. Eventually and after a massive community effort the land was transferred from VLine to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in Feb 1993. The Minister appointed a committee of management chaired by DNRE (now DELWP). Project Mansfield supported and directed this committee with a paid officer and both State and Federal grants were obtained to resurrect the Station to house the information centre, construct associated road works, and establish a wetland.
A specialist consultant designed and constructed the wetland. Large-scale plantings were carried out. When the grant money was spent, Mansfield Shire Council stepped in to complete the purchase of plants, but there was no budget for maintenance. In response, the Friends of the Mansfield Mullum Wetlands group formed, to maintain and develop the area using volunteer labour and some further project grants. Trails from the Information Centre along the railway line to and through the wetlands, a lookout, footbridges, a boardwalk and a bird hide were all con tructed. Initially Mansfield Shire Council provided some money each year to the Friends group for maintenance, but eventually Council took over this role completely.
When the Friends group closed in 2016, Ford’s Creek Landcare took over the role of liaising with Council officers on management and maintenance issues, and carrying out some planting and weed control.
